Chapter 7

"It's about damn time you guys got here!" Tseki stopped pacing in front of the fireplace and glared at me. His eyes bulged, and his jaw dropped when he got a look at us. "What happened? Are you okay? The babies?" Murtagh moved closer, his gaze scanning me up and down.

"We've been on a wild goose chase through pocket realms, but we're fine," I told them.

Tseki visibly deflated. "That explains why you all look like you've survived the eye of a hurricane. We brought food and clothes. Get cleaned up, and you can catch us up while you eat."

I beamed up at him. "Did you bring the korma and pad thai?"

Tseki rolled his eyes. "Mom and Mythia packed extra in the cooler. And I made it to one store so you have new outfits. Why you insist on wearing clothes that don't fit is beyond me."

I pressed a kiss to his cheek as I passed. "Why spend time worrying about that when I have you? I don't have the style sense that you do."

"Flattery and your credit card will get you everywhere," Tseki called out as Aidon and I continued down the hall.

"We gave you two the master. It's on the left at the end," Murtagh said as he smiled at his boyfriend. He commiserated with me. Tseki was on him about his flannel shirts and jeans.

Aidon chuckled. "I see why your people are so loyal now. I just need to give mine a credit card."

"That won't do it. Phoebe made us a family," Stella told my mate as she paused at the door before ours. "It"s not hard to do anything you can for her when she does the same for everyone else."

Aidon's expression went from amused to horrified. "I was kidding. I wasn't implying she buys your loyalty."

Stella smiled and waved a hand through the air. "I know you weren't. But I wasn't sure you understood the dynamics. Not many can do that with strangers. It's always been one of Phoebe's gifts."

Tears blurred my vision as I embraced my best friend. "The same can be said for you. You have a way that sets everyone at ease instantly and brings them into the fold." A bag on her bed caught my eye and made me change the subject. "Oh, looks like Tseki got you something, too."

Stella squealed. "Did you get me the Jimmy Choos I've been wanting?" she called out as she ran into her bedroom.

"Maybe," Tseki said, appearing at the end of the hall with a smirk on his face.

"I love you," Stella said as she pulled a box from the bag. I noticed a pale pink garment fall out and headed for the door where Aidon had disappeared when Stella asked about shoes.

The sound of the shower drew me to the bathroom. Shedding my clothes, I joined him beneath the hot water. The look he gave me was followed quickly by his shaft thickening and hardening. A mix of desire, hunger, and fatigue had me debating my next steps.

Aidon took the decision away from me when he said, "Turn around. I want to wash your hair. After you are clean, we will eat and discuss the next steps with Tseki and Murtagh before anything else. My cock has a mind of its own. I can't help it. You"re the sexiest woman alive."

"You keep talking like that, and I might not be able to control myself." My voice was husky, and my arousal was quickly overriding everything else.

I wrapped my arms around his neck and tugged him for a kiss. His lips were gentle until mine became urgent. Lifting one leg around his waist, I brought my core to his erection. The groan he let out fueled my need even higher. I could wait for the rest.

Breaking away, I panted as I moved my hips and rubbed my slit along his shaft. "It seems as if I can't control my arousal, either. I need you. Fast and hard."

Aidon's piercing blue gaze held mine. "Are you sure? I know you get more tired now. And you didn't eat dinner."

I jumped and wrapped my other leg around his waist so he was holding me up. "Positive." My hips rolled, making his cock hit every nerve ending along the way.

"Fucking hell," Aidon hissed and started moving with me.

His mouth dropped to my breast, and he sucked on one nipple. Pleasure made my head drop back. He rubbed his hard length between my legs, teasing us both. His groan rumbled through me, heightening my pleasure. It was easy to get lost in the pleasure with Aidon. He always made sure I was sated first. Unlike before meeting him, I never walked away without an orgasm.

At times like this, it felt as if he was made for me. His body had the answer to my every need. "Christ," I murmured. "You give new meaning to dancing with the devil"s son."

Aidon chuckled. "I think the saying is ‘dancing with the devil'."

I grimaced and slapped his shoulder. "Way to kill the mood."

He reached up and cupped one of my breasts, pinching and tweaking the nipple. "I can fix that," he promised.

His tongue raked across my breast as he watched my reaction. I arched my back, trying to get him to suck the nipple into his mouth. He continued teasing my flesh while his shaft probed my entrance. My head fell back, and my body jerked when water cascaded over me. I hadn't realized he shifted our positions.

He pushed into me until his tip hit my cervix. He didn't stop there. He was a man possessed and took my request to heart as he set a hard and fast rhythm. I lifted my hips and met him. My core clenched around him, making him reach between our bodies and pinch my clit.

Lost to the pleasure, I writhed in his arms as he gave me exactly what I asked for. Lifting his chin, he claimed my lips passionately. That was all it took. The kiss sent me over the edge. I cried out and he swallowed the sound. His thrusts increased in speed, and he joined me a second later.

Panting, I rested my head on his shoulder. "Let's get you cleaned up. You need to eat soon," he said as he ran a hand down my back.

Nodding, I lifted off of him and stood on wobbly legs. My body was expecting round two like usual. Shutting that down, I smiled as he picked up the soap from the floor and flipped the cap open. His fingers felt heavenly for different reasons. He massaged the soap into me from head to toe and then did himself as I rinsed. After conditioning my long locks, I got out and dried off. I didn't realize how spoiled I had become until I thought that the towel wasn't heated or fluffy like we had at home. By the time I had dried off and was working a brush through my hair, Aidon turned off the water.

I watched him run a towel over his magnificent body before I went into the bedroom and dumped the clothes from the bags. Grabbing a tight-fitting cotton dress, I pulled it on and threw the long cardigan over it. The stretchy fabric was soft and comfortable. I didn't even mind how it clung to my baby bump. Normally, I did everything I could to hide it, but we were alone and I loved the taupe color.

"I'm going to grab food. I'll see you out there," I told Aidon.

He nodded and pressed his lips to mine before running a hand over my stomach. Stella was there in a pale pink dress. Tseki handed me a plate of food. "That looks stunning on you. I'm surprised you didn't demand I return it."

Chewing the bite of rich, earthy curry I had shoved in my mouth, I smiled at him. "Yeah, it's form-fitting, but it's so soft. And it makes me look great."

Tseki snorted. "As if I would pick anything that didn't make your boobs and ass look fantastic. I know how to emphasize your best assets. Now, what's been happening? Why change your mind and call us here?"

Stella and I told Tseki and Murtagh what had happened from the moment we arrived in Salem. Aidon joined in a few minutes later and added to the story. When we were done, Murtagh leaned on the table and asked, "Where were these sites? I'm curious about the proximity to historical sites involved in the witch trials."

"Why is that?" I asked around a mouthful.

Murtagh ran a finger around the neck of his beer. "Those sites are the most powerful in the city. The energy absorbed during those times is unfathomable, and these witches seem opportunistic."

"That makes sense," Stella said as she set her plate in the sink, grabbed the tablet, and pulled up a map. She showed them where the locations were.

Aidon's brow furrowed. "They're definitely close to important locations. The memorial isn't far from the Mellow Hag. I bet the pocket realm is fueled using energy from that site."

Tseki inclined his head. "I guarantee it. The proximity isn't a coincidence. And, I have to say the Fates are busy little goddesses. They make all of this come together for a prophecy foretold centuries earlier."

Aidon chuckled. "That"s a fair statement. Although there are forces at play that I doubt even they could explain. One thing is certain. The convergence of these forces suggests a deliberate orchestration. Salem is at the crossroads of a supernatural mess, and we"re caught in the middle."

I couldn"t help but glance around the room, half-expecting mystical beings to materialize from the shadows. "Caught in the middle is an understatement. We"re like unwitting participants in a supernatural soap opera."

Stella shot me a playful glance and played some dramatic music on her phone. "We need to understand the purpose behind this manipulation. What does Salem offer that makes it the choice for these ancient forces? Maybe then we will find Glimmerford and Order of Umbra."

I drummed my fingers on the table, deep in thought. "Salem has always been a hub for the supernatural. Witches, demons, and now some cult playing puppet master. It"s like the town has a "Welcome" sign for all things mystical."

Tseki nodded. "Exactly. That makes the need to decipher the underlying motive even greater. What does this faction seek in Salem? What is their endgame?"

I smirked, injecting a hint of sarcasm back into the conversation. "For once, I'm happy to say it's not me."

Stella snorted. "Nope. We"re just starring in the sequel to the end of the world this time."

Tsekani's expression tightened. "Is it that serious? I'm no expert at deciphering the cryptic messages, but it didn't sound like it was talking about an apocalypse."

Aidon drained the beer he'd grabbed. "These things are open to interpretation. However, it mentions the death of two gods, which can potentially end the world. This is a celestial warning as well as a map of destiny that leads us to the heart of Salem"s supernatural crisis."

I leaned forward, my curiosity piqued. "Why are we the chosen ones, destined to save Salem from impending doom? I'm four months pregnant with triplets."

Aidon gave me his reassuring expression. "It doesn"t mention individuals, Queenie. It hints at the convergence of powerful forces, both Light and Dark. You happen to have responded to the call about the kidnapping which has led us to the greater need of maintaining the delicate balance."

"Why am I not surprised that you are at the center of averting a cataclysm or accelerating its arrival?" Murtagh quipped.

His tone was sarcastic and didn't require a response, but I answered anyway. "No pressure, right? Just the fate of Salem and, by extension, the supernatural world hanging in the balance. Easy peasy."

Aidon pulled my chair closer to his and tugged me into his side. "For you and Stella, this is simple. You two survived Tartarus, my mother's pearls, and my father. It's the rest of us who should be worried."

I pushed my empty plate away and leaned on the table. "Okay, so how do we find Glimmerford? Or Olive? Should we visit her house? Look for more of these pocket realms hoping to find the one with the cult?"

Tseki lifted a shoulder. "I can sense disturbances in the air and will be able to identify where pocket realms are located. It seems to me we should find Olive and stop the Umbra assholes."

Stella snorted. "There's no way this is going to be that easy. There's more to it. I can feel it in my gut."

"You're right, but it's a place to start," Murtagh said.

Aidon nodded in agreement. "We handle that and whatever else comes up afterward. I have no doubt you two will find the clues that will lead us to the god behind all of this."

"Typical Tuesday, right? Just another day stopping power-hungry gods," I quipped.

Stella shared a conspiratory grin with me before saying, "Just your average save-the-world-before-brunch situation."

Aidon rolled his eyes playfully. "The prophecy spoke of a convergence of forces, a delicate dance that could tip the scales towards chaos. Tseki's idea has merit. The missing woman is the linchpin. She's the one that brought you two here. Finding her will help our cause."

I jumped to my feet and picked up my plate. "Let's head out and do an initial scan. I can't sleep and want to see if there's anything nearby."

Aidon frowned at me. "I can see I'm not going to be able to stop you. I'll grab your boots. You want a jacket?"

Shaking my head, I ran a hand down his arm, sending him soothing vibes. "I'm good without a jacket. I've got three buns in my oven and they heat me up. Thank you."

Aidon disappeared down the hall, as did Stella, and I washed my plate. Tseki joined me at the sink. "Would you cast an invisibility spell on me? I'm going to fly above while you guys search on the ground but I don't want supernaturals catching sight of me. If they know you're here they will start searching for you, and we can't protect this place like Nimaha."

"I was thinking the same thing. Although, my idea wasn't nearly as good."

I slipped into my boots when Aidon returned and whistled when I saw the heels Stella was wearing. "Those are not made for supernatural investigations where there's a good chance of getting demon guts on them," I pointed out.

Stella pouted. "But these are the pumps I've been wanting forever."

Tseki made a show of walking around Stella and looking her over. "They match that dress perfectly. But Phoebe is right. Your ankle boots will look smart, and then you don't have to change."

Murtagh and I shared a look, and he said, "Everything is a fashion show for them."

"Tell me about it," I agreed.

Stella sighed and ran back to her bedroom, reminding me she could do a lot in heels. She was back in her black ankle boots with three-inch heels, and we were out the door. They were her go-to footwear.

The moon hung high, casting an otherworldly glow on the empty streets of Salem. Our little group sauntered through the silent town. Tseki"s voice was loud in the silence. "I"ll check the eastern side first and let you know if I find anything unusual."

I cast a spell that would make Tseki's dragon invisible to all but the four of us. He removed his clothes. They handed them to Murtagh, who slipped them into a pack on his back. His transformation was a spectacle, wings unfolding and scales shimmering in the moonlight.

Murtagh waved to Tseki as he lifted off the ground. Tseki's triangular head dipped, and then he soared into the night. We resumed our trek through the empty streets. It felt like we were on a mystical neighborhood watch, hoping to catch the supernatural culprits in the act.

"Well, isn"t this a sight," I mused, watching Tseki take flight.

Stella nodded in agreement and shot me a grin. "Who needs drones when you have a dragon to survey the landscape?"

"Dragons are far superior. They can pick up on what most can't," Murtagh added.

Focusing back on the task at hand, I started walking again. "We would look like typical tourists if it wasn't the middle of the night. Perhaps I should make us invisible, too," I said and shivered slightly. It wasn"t because there was a chilly breeze. It was the eerie quiet that did it.

Aidon smirked at me. "You said you wanted a quiet vacation. You can't say this isn't quiet. There are no crowds, no lines. Just us and the mysterious unknown."

Stella chuckled, her laughter echoing through the empty cobblestone streets. "I always thought Salem would be livelier at night, with the supernatural population and all. This feels more like a ghost town."

Murtagh, the ever-silent werewolf, merely raised an eyebrow. He seemed more at ease in the nocturnal quiet than the rest of us, which made sense given his animal side. I liked having him and Tseki with us. We'd been through enough, and being pregnant, I couldn't be too careful.

Everyone fell silent then. Aidon was hypervigilant as we made our way toward the heart of the town. Murtagh"s aura bristled as if he was eager to shift and run. He gestured for us to follow down a side street. We trusted his instincts. His werewolf senses were far sharper than mine or Stella's. As a God of the Underworld, Aidon's were just as sensitive, but he was in the back with me.

As we strolled, the silence became almost oppressive. The occasional creak of a loose shutter or the rustle of leaves in the wind intensified the hush. It created an anticipation-filled atmosphere.

Tseki"s massive form blocked out the moon as he flew in a circle and landed next to us. He shifted back to his human form and held a shirt in front of his groin but didn't bother getting redressed. "No luck on the east side. It"s as quiet as Salem"s coffee shops on a Monday morning. But I did pick up some faint traces of Fae magic in that direction. Do you want to investigate while I move to the northeast?"

Aidon cracked his knuckles and conjured his black sword. "We will take the Fae. Was there anything off about their energy?"

Tseki tilted his head from shoulder to shoulder. "I can't be sure. I didn't get too close. They might be Dark Fae, so Murtagh, you go in first and Aidon pick up the rear."

I rolled my eyes. "I'm the only pregnant one here. Stella is perfectly capable of kicking ass with the best of them."

Tsekani winked at us. "I know. She's kicked mine in training. However, I promised Todd I would make sure she was safe."

Tseki shifted back into his dragon form and took off again, and we were on the move once more. The houses were all dark and quiet. We were about a block away from a park in the middle of the city when we heard voices. Murtagh held up his hand and we slowed our approach.

Stella pulled me to her and pressed her mouth to my ear, "We should cast a silencing spell so they can't hear us coming."

"Great minds," I said, and we cast the spell.

We walked with more confidence while still keeping to the shadows. We could have done the invisibility thing, but we needed to save our energy. Magic wasn't infinite and I didn't want to test how my babies would be affected if I wore myself out.

As if Salem needed more drama, the Dark Fae sighting amped up the game. It was like the city issued a memo titled "How to Make the Lives of Nosy Witches Miserable". The shadows themselves sighed in resignation with me, casting darker silhouettes like they were fed up with the escalating supernatural theatrics.

We all stopped and hid behind a large statue of Roger Conant, the founder of Salem. It was a dark, foreboding likeness. The first time I saw it when I was younger, I thought it was a monument in tribute to the victims of the witch hysteria. The metal fence protecting the flowers, rock, and sculpture made it hard to peek around and get a good look into the park. I crouched as low as I could.

"So, our Dark Fae friends are having a little get-together," I observed. "And they didn"t invite us. Rude much?"

It looked like they were performing a ritual, but I couldn't be certain. I wasn't familiar enough with their kind. We had a potion back at my house that Fiona taught us to see through Dark Fae glamour. But these weren't hiding themselves.

Stella, her expression more serious than usual, nodded. "Their presence on Earth is growing. Some say they're trying to send a message. A not-so-friendly one. While others say, they want to live in a place where they aren't persecuted for who they are."

"None deserve to be judged for what they are. I know that better than most," Aidon said. "But there"s a calculated intent behind this ritual. These Dark Fae are weaving a plot. The question is what that is."

I ran a hand over the babies, pressing it against my side. "Salem is really freaking popular right now. Perhaps they were drawn here by the cult Olive is part of. The last thing we need is the Dark Fae creating a diabolical cabaret. We have enough on our plates."

There was nothing between us and the park. If we left the safety of the statue, we would be seen. The atmosphere around us thickened with each passing second. Malevolent energy lingered, a tangible reminder that our little adventure had attracted the attention of creatures with a penchant for mischief and rancor.

The Dark Fae disbanded, leaving in every direction before we could figure out a way to sneak over. A rustle of leaves made me swirl around. "Crap. What do we do now? Go in and look at the park for the remnants of their ritual. I can't tell if they did anything or not. They could have been celebrating."

Stella, her magical intuition on high alert, scanned the surroundings. "This doesn"t feel random. It"s like they"re trying to distract us from something. Or maybe lead us into a trap. I say we continue searching the city. We can always come back later. They won't be able to hide what they did from Aidon."

"Agreed," Aidon replied. "The Dark Fae are notorious for their misdirection. We stick to the plan for now."

I scanned the surroundings with a newfound wariness. The Dark Faes' presence made it feel like we were dancing on the edge of the apocalypse. It was easier to accomplish goals if your enemy was distracted and couldn't stop you. It wasn't a coincidence that they appeared after we'd been rooting around asking about Olive and her disappearance.

We crossed the avenue and continued down a side street. The shadows deepened along with the burden of my Pleiades powers. Being the cosmic savior of everything wasn"t exactly a walk in the park. I found myself standing at the crossroads of destiny too many times to count. It made the weight of responsibility settle like a lead cloak over my shoulders.

Aidon observed my internal turmoil and shot me a knowing look. "Phoebe, your power is a gift. Not a curse. Embrace it. You are meant for this."

I shot him a sidelong glance. "Does that mean I get a cape?"

"Oh, we need a catchy superhero theme song," Stella suggested as she placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. "Seriously. Aidon is right. Hattie and the Fates couldn't have picked a better witch to take up the mantle."

I hadn't suffered from diffidence in over a year. I"d learned a lot about magic and was good at what I did. Yet, as I contemplated this case, doubts gnawed at the edges of my bravado. My power swirled behind my ribcage, reminding me that destiny had chosen me for this role.

Aidon bumped my shoulder. "Phoebe, you hold the key to preventing a catastrophe. Your powers are not just a tool. They are a force against the very darkness we face."

I sighed, the weight of the Pleiades powers surrounding me like a glove. "I'm not going to quit. That's not how I role. But can"t we have a plan B? Like, I don"t know. Ordering a pizza and hoping the dark forces are lactose intolerant?"

Stella chuckled, and her tone became light. "We should add extra garlic and basil."

My stomach rumbled loud enough to wake the dead, making us all laugh. I forgot about my misgivings when Murtagh promised to make me homemade pizza for breakfast. There was a grocery open somewhere between Salem and Boston. I practically ran down the street, wanting to get home and rest so he and Tseki could go to the store. What?! A pregnant lady had to have her priorities.