CHAPTER FIVE

T he message was received through a private, secure channel and went directly to Master Louis DuCane. It came from overseas, from a location Louis had not heard from in centuries. It was an important communiqué that followed all the protocols and forms, indicating the seriousness of the contents. It was written by the fifth Earl of Doncaster in South Yorkshire, England.

Louis knew the area well and fought more than one battle there in the defense of his father's holdings. It was an old settlement and has been ruled since the dawn of time by the Montagu-Scotts. It was Francis Doncaster Montagu-Scott who was contacting him now. He took over control following the death of his father centuries ago. Louis examined the very formal envelope with its impeccable lettering and wondered what on earth could warrant such contact.

He sipped his morning coffee and took care of all the other coven business before returning to the envelope. His instincts were telling him it was nothing good, but he'd put it off as long as possible. Carefully breaking the seal, he then flipped it open and began to read.

It states that it has come to the attention of the Earl of Doncaster, Francis Doncaster Montagu-Scott, that one Sir Liam Percy is a member in good standing with the coven of Master Louis DuCane located in and around the city of Mt. Pleasant, Michigan.

Louis was not familiar with anyone going by the name of Sir Liam Percy, and he was hoping that the good Earl had his covens confused. There was nothing worse than trying to mollify an aristocrat, an old aristocrat used to getting his way. He continued with the letter that explained the complaint against Sir Liam Percy and also outlined what the Earl wanted to happen.

Sir Liam Percy swore allegiance to Francis' father, the second Earl of Doncaster, but then betrayed and murdered him. The current Earl was demanding that he turn Sir Liam Percy over to him for punishment. Louis tossed the letter onto his desk and called Ismael.

"Are you familiar with a Sir Liam Percy? There's an Earl in England who is claiming that we are harboring a murderer." Louis said his tone dripping with sarcasm. He was a little taken aback when Ismael did not answer immediately. He felt hesitation and instantly braced himself. "What is it Ismael? Do you know him?"

"I don't know of any murderer or traitor, but I know Sir Liam Percy, and so do you." Ismael paused for just the briefest moment and then added. "He goes by the name Liam Reid." Silence fell for at least a full minute.

"Why am I only now learning this?" Louis was not amused.

"He shared that information with Easton back when they were both members of the Pittsburgh coven. He had a difficult past, and that was all he said to him apart from giving him his name. Easton never took it any further, believing he knew the man and that it was not his business." Ismael explained.

"He's being called a traitor and a murderer." Louis pointed out.

"Do you believe it?" Ismael countered.

"No, I do not." Louis was still irritated at being kept in the dark.

"There is hardly a man here who does not possess a difficult past, and that includes us. You have never held that against anyone or demanded that every skeleton be bared. Louis DuCane makes his own judgments." Ismael stated, and Louis acquiesced.

"I need to speak with him, and I'd like for you to be present as well. I know he values your friendship."

"Of course."

"Either way, he is in considerable trouble. It's nothing that can't be handled, but we have to do it by the book. This is the old world, with the old rules to which we still ascribe, so we cannot be seen as skirting the laws that we so forcefully make others follow." Louis laid down the law for many, and now, that commitment was probably going to come back and bite him.

"Understood." Ismael agreed.

"But with that said, I plan to defend Chef Reid in every way possible. I don't hand over people simply by request if they have a credible charge against them; they will have to prove it."

They'd moved from the living room floor to the bedroom, and Luke had to admit he was impressed with his mate's style. The stiff and proper gentleman had a wild side. The room was Middle Ages chic with heavy dark woods, velvets, brocades, and leather, and plenty of leather. It would seem that they and their mate were not as far apart in lifestyle as they first expected.

The sex was out of this fucking world, with Liam giving in spades. They'd claimed him immediately, and honestly, Luke was surprised when Liam reciprocated and marked them both. The feeding was something he'd never done before, but now he wanted it all the damn time. Their bond was growing by the hour, and already he could sense Liam's moods and feel his emotions, and he was sure Riall was having the same experience.

He noticed that Riall's possessive side was coming out, and although he had no problem sharing Liam with him, he was damn well not going to share him with anyone else in any capacity. Considering Liam's position there at the coven, Riall might have to learn to temper his controlling nature.

The sun was coming up and he could sense that gorgeous mate was waking up and was ready for more. "Good morning beautiful." He said and rolled over to greedy kiss to Liam's eager lips. Riall roused and also rolled over to greet Liam with kisses to his shoulder. This man was everything they could ever want and everything they would ever need.

"I love you, both." He said when they let him up for air. He and Riall responded in kind.

"You're the center of our world, Liam," Riall whispered and threw off the covers, baring Liam to his wondering hands and moist lips. Luke decided to go straight to the prize and took Liam's hard cock in hand. With a few firm strokes, his mate was moaning and thrusting and more than ready. Luke quickly mounted him taking his cock inside in one downward thrust.

The sensations that burst through his system were incredible. They raced up his spine and exploded along his nerve endings. It was intoxicating, and he couldn't get enough of it. "You feel so good." Luke panted the words as he slammed down onto Liam's firm cock over and over again.

"You feel like an absolute delight, my love," Liam stated, then took Riall's lips in a deep, hungry kiss while thrusting his cock deep within Luke. It was pure debauchery, and it was amazing. Luke picked up speed, riding him hard, pushing himself to completion, and taking Liam with him.

Liam gasped and arched his hips, driving himself deep within Luke's channel, and came with a force that left Luke holding his breath. Liam filled his velvety soft and ultra-sensitive channel full and, at the same time, sunk his teeth into the tender flesh of Riall's throat, opening the claiming mark and drinking deeply.

Luke felt himself lose it with the sensory assault and came pumping his seed over Liam's cock and abdomen, and Riall had the same response. When Liam struck, Riall burst, spreading his warm essence along Liam's side. The strong scent of sex, blood, and release filled the room and drove their thrill and elation to new heights.

When they finally came down, and Luke released Liam's cock from his grip, he rolled to Liam's side, and they held each other. Luke is on the left, Riall is on the right, and Liam is wrapping them both in his arms. It was perfect, and it felt like home.

"I will never get enough of you," Liam stated, kissing them on their foreheads. It was something I would never have allowed with anyone else, but with Liam, it was welcome and natural.

So many walls and reservations came down where Liam was concerned, and he could see that was true for Liam as well. He was showing them a side of himself that no one else ever got to see. He did not hide from them they saw the sensual man, the lover, the need and the naked desire. They saw the real man.

"I think we could use a shower." Liam suggested and it sounded like a fine idea. "I have a large shower big enough for the three of us." He added.

"What are we waiting for?" Riall was first on his feet and pulled Liam up from the bed, and Luke was close behind. Just as they were about to enter the bathroom, Liam's phone went off. The tone caught his attention, and he turned back, looking over his shoulder to where it lay on the bedside table.

"That's the Master's ring." He said. "I need to answer that." Luke and Riall understood and watched as he rushed over and opened the call. Luke could feel the tense apprehension taking control of his mate and he didn't like it one bit. He glanced over at Riall and could see that he was feeling it as well. Whatever the Master was saying it wasn't good.

Liam knew this day was coming, but he thought he would have more time to figure out how best to handle it. It had been several centuries since he changed his name and hid himself away as a lowly cook at first and then a valued chef. Now, when his life was at its peak and his beloveds were by his side, suddenly, his past was coming forward to try and ruin it all.

He closed the call and turned back to his beloveds, who wore matching expressions of concern. He claimed them, and they claimed him, so they were bonded. He should have been honest with them, but his desire outweighed any sense of fairness, and he simply took what he wanted.

"What is it Liam, what is troubling you? What did the Master say?" Riall was demanding answers and Liam needed to comply. "You don't have to stay here you don't owe these people anything. You can come away with us." Riall was equal measure protective and possessive, and he couldn't love him more.

"Riall is right, Liam you have us now and we will not forsake you." Liam was so touched he couldn't speak for a few seconds and just stared at the amazing gifts that Fate had given him and felt so unworthy.

"It's something I need to face, and I need to explain. It's time I stopped hiding." He tried to explain. "I have to meet with Master DuCane in his office immediately."

"We're going with you." They both stated emphatically, and Liam knew he would not be able to dissuade them and honestly he didn't want to. He wanted them there since they too had a right to hear what he had to say.

"Okay." He responded softly. "Thank you." They approached him one on each side and got up close to his face, capturing his gaze and holding it firmly.

"Know this, we don't care what you've done or who you've done it to. You belong to us, me and Luke, and nothing on this earth or beyond will ever come between us." Riall made his and Luke's feelings very clear.

"I don't deserve you." Liam's emotions were getting the best of him. His beloves were pledging themselves unconditionally. "I wish I were a better man."

"You're the best kind of man, and I will gladly kill anyone who says otherwise," Luke spoke up. They stepped closer and took Liam into their arms. "You're not alone, Liam. You will never be alone again. Let us share your burden." He buried his face against them and just held them and breathed.

They entered the office together and the Master did not look surprised to see them there. Ismael was also present and for that he was glad. Ismael knew some of it the little bit that he'd shared with Easton. They were instructed to sit but Liam was too too on edge to sit and requested to remain standing.

They all stood with his ravens on either side of him in a stance that could only be described as defensive. The Master stood directly in front, with Ismael off to his right. Master DuCane began handing him the letter from the Third Earl of Doncaster.

"You're familiar with the Earl?" He asked.

"Yes, but I don't know him. I met Francis when he was a young man. I was a knight who served his father, the Second Earl of Doncaster."

"Did you kill his father?" Master DuCane asked, and Liam could feel his influence reaching him and gauging his answers.

"Yes, I did." Silence fell as his response was processed. He could see the shock on Ismael's face, but the Master seemed to already know. He felt Luke take hold of his arm and he felt Riall's hand on the small of his back each was channeling strength and calm. He loved these men he hardly knew them and yet he loved them more than all creation.

"Was it justified?"

"In my mind, it was justified."

"Explain." The Master made the request, but it was more a command, and it was then that Riall stepped in.

"You don't have to explain anything Liam. Leave with us." He urged and Luke's grip became tighter both wanted to get him out and away from there, but he could not leave. It was his time to face this and it was his time to explain.

"I need to tell them." He said calmly and firm. "I owe them an explanation. I brought this into their lives, and I must answer for it." Neither the Master or Ismael commented but simply waited for him to continue. They understood the brothers and their motivation and did not hold it against them.

"My brother Arthur and I served together under the Earl for many years. We protected his interests and aided in furthering his control. The times were brutal, but I believed the man to be honorable and fair. It was an often bloody existence that we led. Everything was fought for, and nothing was ever given. It was just the times and the methods. No one was a victim. There were simply winners and losers, or so I thought." He had to stop for a few seconds as the memory came back to him and the pain with it.

"He was after a stretch of land to the north that was occupied by what we believed to be a hired army. They were mercenaries brought in to disrupt his expansion. There was a small village there, but we were informed that they were working with the hired soldiers, and there were no women or children present. The Earl convinced us that the village was just a ruse to dissuade us from attacking." He stopped once again. This was proving to be harder than he thought it would be.

Luke took his hand, and Riall placed his arm around his waist. They sensed his difficulty and lent him all their strength.

"The Earl had openly and knowingly lied to us. It turned out to be a helpless village of men, women, and children. There were no soldiers of any caliber, and it was a total massacre." His voice caught, and he had to take a moment to calm down and continue.

"Arthur and I tried to stop it, but it was too late, and the thirst for blood overwhelmed them. We defended and attempted to save as many as we could, but our efforts did little, and in the end, the soldiers, my fellow knights, turned on us, and Arthur was killed. He died in my arms." He straightened his back and leveled his gaze at Master DuCane.

"I rode back to the castle, and I found the Earl, and I killed him. Then I laid down my sword and walked away." He ended it there, and silence fell once again as each man considered the information given

"I believe you." Master DuCane declared. "Was the Earl armed? Was it a fair fight?"

"Yes, but he had gotten soft while letting others fight for him. He was a dishonorable, bloodthirsty man, and I do not regret killing him." Liam wanted it understood that he was not sad that the man was dead.

"I'm sorry about your brother." Master DuCane gave his condolences, and the sadness of that moment rushed over him. The memory of losing Arthur was sharp and painful.

"He was a good man, and he deserved to live as the people in that village did. If he wanted that land so badly, he could have easily taken it with little to no bloodshed."

"Francis Doncaster Montagu-Scott is painting a different picture in an attempt to have you delivered over to him for punishment. But I know who you are, Liam, and I know that everything you told me is the truth." Liam was moved by the Master's support. He'd left himself wide open so the Master could weigh and measure his words, leaving nothing hidden.

"I will inform the Earl that we will not be turning you over to him." Liam was thankful but also doubtful that young Francis would leave it there. He was much like his father in many ways, except Francis liked getting his hands dirty. He often joined in their raids and seemed to enjoy killing. There was no love between father and son, but he probably saw it as a mark of dishonor that he never found and punished his father's killer. Regardless, Liam knew this was not the end of it.