Chapter 13

Thirteen

As soon as Gideon walked into Bewitched Bites, a tingling sensation hit his spine and radiated out to his fingertips and toes. His stomach tightened, his heart skipping. He scanned the interior, his nerve endings on fire, body still tingling. What the fuck?

"Are you okay, Gideon?" Graham, the owner of Bewitched Bites, asked. A hint of a smile crossed his lips. At what, Gideon wasn't sure.

"What's so funny?"

"Nothing," Graham said, before coughing into his hand. "Not one thing. You just look like you've seen a ghost."

Gideon searched around again. Nothing seemed to be amiss. The tingling sensation subsided slightly, and he inhaled deeply. He was so far off his game that he wasn't sure he'd ever feel right again. "I'm just tired. I haven't been sleeping well lately."

"You need a bedtime routine," Graham said. "It'll tell your body it's time to shut down and go to sleep. Training. Like me, I brush my teeth and hair, and wash my face, then I change into my pajamas, lie in bed and read for an hour, and I'm asleep by eleven every night like clockwork."

"Yeah, sure," Gideon snapped. He's just being helpful. Don't get catty, you tired ass bitch.

Graham smiled wanly. "You'll feel better after you get something to eat. How about Mexican tonight?"

"A chicken wrap and a bag of chips. To go." Gideon was in no mood to remain in public. The sleepless nights had turned him into an evil troll.

"I thinkyou want Mexican," Graham said with a grin.

He snapped his fingers, and the deli suddenly turned into a Mexican restaurant.

Gideon scanned the interior. "I didn't ask for Mexican food, Graham."

"No? I got that impression." Graham came around the counter—which had transformed into a bar—and grabbed a menu from the end. "Let me show you to your table."

"Graham, I just want my sandwich and to go home."

Graham ignored him, ushering Gideon along. He pulled out a chair and instructed Gideon to sit.

"I wanttake out," Gideon repeated, too exhausted to fight back.

"Sit. Down,"Graham said firmly. When Gideon crossed his arms over his chest and hitched a hip out, Graham switched tactics. "Please, Gideon. I want you to try a couple of new dishes I've added to the menu. Sit down. For me?"

Gideon sighed dramatically. "Fine. Not like I have anything better to do right now." He plopped into the chair, arms still crossed, unhappy. "Can you at least make me a margarita if I have to stay?"

Graham chuckled. "Sure thing. One margarita coming right up."

Left alone, Gideon felt unsettled again. It's the lack of sleep. What else could it be? He turned toward Graham at the bar and yelled, "Hey, make that a strawberry margarita!"

Gideon heard a feline growl nearby. He swung his head in that direction, his body on high alert. His gaze was immediately caught in that of a sexy shifter's. A tremor raced down his spine, his entire body aflame. The shifter turned his attention to the booth he'd risen from, and he tugged on something. When another man, a human, stepped from the booth beside the shifter, Gideon nearly moaned on the spot. He clutched the edge of the table, holding on for dear life.

The shifter murmured something to the human. The human nodded.

They marched toward Gideon. He slowly rose to his feet, stare locked, his mind screaming for him to run. Not in fear, but to give the hunky predator something to chase. Every nerve ending was on fire, yet his feet were firmly planted on the floor. The man stopped inches from Gideon, scenting him.

He was tall, but not a towering giant like most men compared to him. He had a good six or seven inches on Gideon, if not more. Gideon closed his eyes and the shifter moved around him to the back. The human had trailed behind and now stood in front of Gideon, the taller of the two. He'd guess near six feet, nearly a foot taller than him. He was trapped between the two big, muscular men… and wanted them closer. Their hands on him.

Everywhere.

Gideon opened his mouth, but he couldn't find the words. After clearing his throat, he lifted his hand to the human and squeaked out, "I'm Gideon."

His voice sounded odd to his ears. His breath tightened. His heart sped in his chest, the rapid thump, thump, thump too loud.

The human slid his hand into Gideon's. Searing pain lanced across Gideon's chest. The burning multiplied when the shifter caressed his arm. Both men winced in pain as well, gasping from it. Gideon's chest and shoulder were on fire.

It was over as fast as it started, yet he stood there breathless, a tingling persistent over his skin.

Gideon eyed the human, stunned. He leaned back against the shifter.

Mine.

The shifter wrenched Gideon's shirt off his shoulder, exposing the mate's mark there. Gideon looked down. The solitary wave had been transformed into three.

Gideon let go of the human's hand and ripped open the man's polo from where it was tucked into his pants. He lifted it, baring a tight, muscled body. There on his chest, near the shoulder, was the same, identical mark. Three waves. The bottom one was surrounded by red, raw skin.

His wave, that bottom one, was newly formed. It's the solitary mark he'd been born with, now emblazoned on the man's body, marking his mate. He turned and attempted to lift the shifter's shirt, but was stilled. The guy stretched the opening of the shirt to show off his three waves.

His mates.

"Ours,"the shifter growled, tugging Gideon closer against his chest. Gideon moaned, his body shaking with newfound need.

He closed his eyes, smiling, and thanking the universe. In the midst of his darkest moment, they'd brought his mates out into the light. A sense of joy engulfed him, chasing away the weeks of suffering. He opened his eyes, anticipation mounting.

Need consuming.

The fiery demand to mate chased away all other thought. There was only him and them. He was spun and dragged back against the shifter. He trailed his nose down Gideon's neck. The human neared, nearly touching, but not close enough. Gideon ached to drag him skin-to-skin. Feel every inch of the man along his. Glancing down he noted the tented pants. He smiled, his own cock hard as steel.

"A triad," the shifter behind him uttered. "One shifter. One human." He paused, trailing his nose up Gideon's neck. "And one witch."

The human met Gideon's stare, his eyes molten.

All Gideon could think about was getting his mates into his bed, but he didn't even know their names. "As I said," he carefully ground out, his voice struggling to work. "I'm Gideon. And you two are?"

The shifter purred against his ear. "Joaquin."

"Esau,"the human murmured.

"Joaquin and Esau,"Gideon repeated, enjoying the feel of their names on his tongue. By the end of the night, he hoped to have more than their names in his mouth—and he would be screaming those names later.

"Would you care to join us for dinner?" Joaquin asked.

Gideon nodded, though feared his knees might buckle with his first step forward. Joaquin slipped to his side, wrapping a protective arm around him. Esau offered his hand. Gideon eyed it a second before slipping his into the human's grip.

They led him forward, scarcely looking away from him as they moved. When they approached the booth the pair had been seated in, Graham was standing near it.

"Your margarita and your dinner," he said with a wicked grin.

Esau slid into the booth before drawing Gideon to sit beside him. He didn't box me in. I'm not trapped. He nodded his appreciation to Esau. When he lifted his stare, Joaquin sat across, his gaze burning over Gideon's skin.

Graham leaned closer before whispering in his ear. "I told you that you wanted Mexican tonight. You can thank me later."

Gideon glanced up, too thunderstruck to offer a smartass remark. His brain hadn't caught up yet. He was spinning out of control, and for once, he liked it.

"Not often that I see you tongue-tied." Graham chuckled before disappearing, not that Gideon noticed much. His focus was on the two sexy men seated with him, near strangers, yet—knowing them all the same.

None of them moved. Didn't eat. Just sat there silently appraising one another, the tension tearing Gideon apart. He scanned every inch of them both, almost afraid it was a dream and he'd awaken, forgetting what they looked like. Joaquin appeared of Hispanic heritage, while with Esau, he wasn't completely sure.

Joaquin had amber eyes, with flecks of green, and they roamed all over Gideon, hungry. As hungry as Gideon was for him. His hair was black, his skin a light bronze. His features were angular, sharp and regal, with dark slashes for brows and a neatly trimmed beard the same color. It was a face he could stare at for an eternity, and fortunately for him, there was a good chance he might.

He dragged his gaze away and met Esau's. His tanned skin was lighter than Joaquin's and his hair sun kissed, with the roots a deep chestnut instead of black. His features were strong like Joaquin's, too, his aquiline nose stopping before a full set of lips that begged to be kissed. But it was his eyes that drew him in, pale green, bordering on hazel, bright and eager. Magic glittered in his eyes. There was power there, Gideon sensed it.

"You're not fully human," Gideon whispered.

"I'm human."

"I sense magic," Gideon whispered.

Esau's jaw tightened. "My abuela was a bruja, but I'm no witch."

Gideon smiled. "Your abuela? You're Hispanic, too?"

"Who said I was Hispanic?" Joaquin asked.

Gideon turned to him, eyes wide. "I'm sorry, I thought you were." Then he noted the hint of a smile on Joaquin's full lips. Lips he wanted to devour.

"I am." Joaquin grinned, winking.

Gideon relaxed. "Rude," he said, jokingly.

Esau leaned forward onto the table to get a better look at Gideon. "Joaquin's father was mixed—Mexican and white. His mother was mixed, as well. Puerto Rican, Dominican, and white. Nearly every shade of the skin rainbow, all mixed into one beautiful man."

"What a fine mix it makes," Gideon murmured, holding Joaquin's gaze. He dragged it away and eyed Esau. "And you?"

"My mother was Mexican. My father was white." Esau scanned him. "You?"

Gideon chuckled mirthlessly. "White. I think."

Esau frowned ever so slightly. "You think?"

"I look white, but I can't be completely sure. I was left at a fire department as an infant and was adopted by white parents. Humans, at that."

Joaquin grunted. "I know how that feels."

Gideon focused on Joaquin. "You were raised by humans?"

"After my family died, yeah. Foster care." He glanced at Esau. "It's where he and I met."

"Both of you are foster kids?"

Esau nodded.

"We're just a bunch of orphans, hmm?" Gideon asked.

"At least you had adoptive parents," Joaquin said.

"Yes. And no. They kicked me out when I was fourteen, after they caught me using my new powers. It was the last straw, as I was a smartass and I didn't dress or do what they asked of me. My adoptive mother was very religious and called me the devil. Wouldn't have witchcraft in her home."

Esau cringed. "Fourteen?"

Gideon nodded. "I lived on the streets for about eight months until a hedge witch who owned a Wiccan shop took me in. After she caught me shoplifting in her store, that is. I helped her in the shop and in exchange, I got to sleep on her couch and three warm meals a day." There had been more to it than that. Genevieve had become something of a mother to him before she'd passed away, but to speak in depth about it would hurt too much.

"Sounds like we've all had a rough path to get to where we are," Esau said. He glanced at Joaquin. "And we made it here thanks to my grandmother. Seems she was right all along."

Joaquin's sly smile and twinkling eyes as he looked at Esau held a story.

"Your grandmother?"

Esau pulled his gaze from Joaquin and turned to Gideon. "She came to me in a dream. Told me that we needed to move to Boston."

"From the other side of the country. San Diego," Joaquin added.

"Wow,"Gideon said. He'd have to thank Esau's grandmother somehow. "Big move."

"Yeah," Esau said. "We left behind everything we knew to come here. But just as she'd promised, a job opened up for me as soon as we arrived. Then she made her presence known earlier today and told me we had to go to Salem. She sent a flyer for a meet?—"

The table jumped, and Esau grunted, frowning. Joaquin glared his way.

A kick? Is there a secret Joaquin doesn't want shared?

"Anyway,"Esau continued, his gaze not moving from Joaquin's. "She sent us to Salem, and we ended up here." He turned to Gideon. "And met a new mate that I wasn't expecting. She could've given me a head's up, but no."

Curiosity churned within Gideon. What was their secret?

Esau shook his head. "I'm not going to lie, I've never truly imagined being in a throuple. This is… strange."

"It's the way with some witches. And some shifters. I told you long ago there might be one out there waiting for us." Joaquin eyed Gideon. "And here h—." He frowned. "What are your pronouns?"

"He/him," Gideon answered. "Though I'll answer to any. As you can surely see, I'm a little bit of everything. Just like you."

Joaquin frowned, his eyes narrowing.

Have I offended him?"Well, like Esau said. Black, white, Mexican and Puerto Rican. You're a mix of it all. Mine's just gender, not race."

Joaquin visibly relaxed.

"Did I say something wrong?" Gideon asked.

"No,"Joaquin murmured, smiling.

Then why did you look annoyed just now?Gideon held his tongue, something he was not accustomed to doing. His thoughts usually spouted from his lips without filter, yet he was skittish around the pair. Afraid he might scare them away before he got a chance to know them.

Afraid he'd end up alone.

"This food is going to get cold if we don't eat," Esau said, tapping the edge of Gideon's plate. "Eat your dinner."

Gideon glanced down at the plate Graham had brought for him. "Tacos, but I'm not sure what kind."

"Carnitas,"Joaquin corrected, lifting one of his own. He lowered his as Gideon lifted one of the three on his plate. Joaquin spooned something from a bowl in the middle of the table. "Here. Try a little of this tomatillo salsa on it."

Joaquin added a small amount before Gideon took a bite. When he bit in, amazing flavors burst over his tongue. He moaned in delight, and both men's gazes darkened. His body responded to their visible need. He no longer wanted to eat.

He wanted them in his bed.

He lowered the carnitas to the plate and dotted his mouth with a napkin. Glancing at their plates, he noticed they were closer to being done, having started before him. He grasped the stem of the margarita glass and drained a quarter of it, trying to cool himself off. It didn't help. He nibbled at the food, delicious as it was, but he had no appetite. Not when two delectable men—his men—sat so near.

Yet not near enough.

"Do you not like it?" Joaquin asked. He motioned to a bowl beside him. "You can try some of my pozole."

"These are incredible," Gideon murmured, eyeing his plate. "Any other time, I'd likely have devoured the plate and asked for another by now." He lifted his gaze to Joaquin, seeing a need rivalling his own there. "I hunger for something else."

The tension encircling the table grew more taut, making it harder to breathe.

"I've always heard meeting a mate is… overwhelming. The desire… intense." Gideon turned his attention to Esau. "Those claims were woefully inadequate to describe what I feel right now." He licked his lips and dabbed at the beads of sweat on his brow. "And now I meet two. At the same time. And I…" He shivered. "I find myself incapable of thinking about anything else than getting you both up to my apartment and allowing you to do things to me that are still illegal in twelve states."

Esau snorted, but his smile faded as he glanced at Joaquin.

Joaquin stared at Gideon, clearly wanting, yet there was a hesitancy that he couldn't understand. Does henotwant me?

The shadows threatened to consume him again. When neither of them moved or said a single word, his face flushed. "Clearly I'm the only one struggling here." Shame filled him. His mates didn't want him. He tossed his napkin to the table and slid out.

Only to have a strong hand clasp around his wrist and drag him back. Gideon trembled as he looked down at Esau's long, strong fingers fully encircling his arm.

"Don't run away," Esau whispered, pulling him even closer.

Gideon's gaze lifted to Joaquin, who still remained silent.

He opened his mouth to question why he should stay, but speech failed him. Gideon could only stare at where Esau's hand branded him, a strong, rapid heartbeat pulsing against him.

"I'm getting mixed messages," Gideon said, his voice barely above a whisper. He feared looking at Joaquin and seeing a denial there, but he couldn't stop himself from looking. "I sense your desire, but your rejection, too."

"There's no rejection here," Joaquin murmured. "Just… hesitancy." He smiled. "It's been two for many years. Just he and I. You can't blame me for wanting to ensure we're ready for what comes next."

"Whatcomes next?" Gideon asked.

Joaquin leaned across the table, heat flashing in his eyes. "We claim what's ours."

Gideon trembled. Violently. Now, now, now! Take me!

He closed his eyes and squashed the wild and rampant thoughts rushing through his sleep-deprived mind. "I need to use the restroom." He turned to look at Esau, still holding tight. "Excuse me a moment."

Esau didn't let go. "You're coming back?"

Gideon nodded.

"You'd better," Esau whispered before releasing him.

Gideon held Esau's gaze a few seconds before sliding from the booth. He made it four steps before he had to pause and grasp another booth bench to keep himself from falling over, his knees weak. He slowly counted to five before rushing toward the restroom.

Once inside, he locked the door and strode to the sink, gripping the edges. He stared at his reflection, seeing a man he didn't know. His cheeks were flushed; sweat dotted his brow. His eyes were bright, shining, and glittered with need unlike any he'd ever known.

He ran the cold water and splashed it over his face, attempting to cool the fires within, but he feared all the ice water in the Arctic wouldn't be enough to do that.

Closing his eyes, he saw their faces.

Nothing more.

No Hell. No torture.

His mates. Tears burned the backs of his eyes. Maybe they were the key to driving the darkness away.

As soon asGideon disappeared from view, Esau turned to Joaquin. "Thanks for that kick. I can't wait to see the bruise you've given me."

"You were about to tell him I was at a trans group meeting."

"I was simply going to say meeting. I think you know me well enough to know I don't make a habit of outing you. Even to our mate." Esau softened his expression. "That is your story to tell."

"And if he asked what our meeting was about?"

"I could've fibbed."

"And lie to our mate?" Joaquin scowled. "We don't lie to one another. That goes for him, too. We won't start this with lies."

"A minor misdirection about where you were tonight would protect you, which is also what we do for one another." Esau sighed. "Until you are ready to share with him."

Joaquin grew quiet, and Esau sensed his unrest.

"You're worried."

"What if he doesn't accept me?" Joaquin lifted his gaze, and Esau saw fear there. "What if I'm not what he wants?"

"He's our fated mate. Fate wouldn't do that to us. It brought us together."

"Fate can be an evil bitch," Joaquin snapped. "Look what she did to our families."

Esau rested back against the seat, the reminder unwanted in that moment, especially after the warmth that had wrapped him seeing vivid memories of his family in better times. "I accepted you."

Joaquin nodded.

"And I don't remember you being this worried before telling me."

"I was young. Dumb. I hadn't yet started my transition, so you knew me before I truly knew myself. You were there for those first days of T and helped me with my shots. You taught me to shave and helped me find clothes to fit. You helped me become the man I am today." Joaquin smiled anemically. "When I came out to you, I didn't know what I stood to lose if you refused me." He met Esau's gaze. "Now I do. You're the love of my life and to lose you would shatter me." He breathed in slow, and released it at the same, even rate, his face growing paler. "While we don't know Gideon yet, losing him would hurt. We'd feel an emptiness for the rest of our days. It would haunt us if he refused to accept me." He winced. "Though, he might refuse me and accept you."

Seeing Joaquin's fear clenched at his heart. What he wouldn't do to take it all away. "As if I'd leave you."

"I wouldn't make you choose."

"You have to give him the chance," Esau said before lifting a hand. "In your own time."

"All I can think about is taking him home and claiming him with my cock." Joaquin growled. "Which is back at the hotel, by the way."

"You don't usually carry it with you unless we have plans, so I'm well aware."

Joaquin clenched his jaw before turning attention back to Esau. "I've been so twisted up in my own wants and fears, I haven't asked you how you're feeling about this. It's been just you and me for a long time. You seem to be accepting, but this can't be easy for you. Though, I couldn't miss how you snatched him back into the booth." Joaquin smiled. "Which was sexy as fuck, just so you know."

"I suppose it should feel strange, but it doesn't. You'd mentioned it could be a possibility long ago, so I suppose I was somewhat prepared for the day that might come. My grandmother was a witch, so it's not like I don't understand this world within a world you're both from." He reached across the table, pushing aside the plates, until he covered Joaquin's hand with his own. "Knowing how right we are together, how amazing of a man you are… how much you love me and I you… to have the chance to have another person in our lives who would make me feel like you make me feel? I'm intrigued." He smiled. "And, just like when we first met, I want him with an ache I can't describe."

It had been harder for them to come together. They'd been too young and it had been too soon. They'd had no privacy in the foster home they'd lived in. Joaquin had struggled in a body he'd hidden. They'd fought the need until they could fight it no more.

Esau didn't want to fight again, but Joaquin deserved the time to come out to Gideon in his own time.

"You just want to not be the bottom all of the time," Joaquin murmured, smiling.

"There is that," he replied with a grin. Esau was a switch, but Joaquin was very much a top. He'd allowed Esau to top a couple of times, but clearly didn't care for it, so Esau had stopped asking. He sensed their little femme witch was a bottom. "Though, we could be wrong and he's a top."

"Nahhhh,"Joaquin murmured. "I'd bet a million dollars he's not."

"I won't take that bet," Esau said. "Because I think you're right… but you never know. He might surprise us."

"How might I surprise you?" Gideon asked, appearing at the side of the booth.

Esau's face flamed at being caught. He sat back, releasing Joaquin's hand, glaring at his mate with a look that screamed, ‘you could've told me he was coming.'

Joaquin chuckled before eyeing Gideon. "We were discussing if you were a bottom or a top. Care to set us straight?"

"I think it's fairly obvious what I am," Gideon said as he slipped back into the booth.

"I try not to make assumptions," Esau said. "When I do, I'm often surprised."

Gideon smiled. "I'm a bottom. A power buttom, if you must know." He gazed at them both, a challenge in his eyes. "And you two?"

"Top," Joaquin was quick to reply.

"Switch," Esau added.

"Sounds like a match made in Heaven," Gideon said. "Or Hell. I suppose we'll soon find out." An odd look crossed their little witch's face.

"Oh, come on, Hell?" Esau asked. "I think we can do better than that."

"Pleasure and pain. Want and rejection," Gideon whispered. "Two sides to the coin. It's too soon to tell where this leads."

"Pleasure. Want," Joaquin said. "I… we… just need time."

"I think I'm calling it a night," Gideon murmured. "I would ask you up to my apartment, but I don't know that you'd say yes." He slipped out of the booth and eyed them. "I work in the tattoo parlor three doors down if you wish to find me."

"Ask,"Joaquin said.

Gideon frowned.

"Ask us up to your apartment," Joaquin added, waving his hands outward for emphasis.

Gideon looked between them, hesitating a few seconds. "Would you like to come up for a nightcap?" Gideon winced. "Fuck that sounds cheesy."

Esau laughed. He smiled at Gideon, need surging through him at the invitation. He glanced at Joaquin, shocked his mate had prodded to receive it.

Joaquin met his stare. He turned to Gideon. "I think a nightcap won't hurt."

Esau grinned, curious where the night might lead them.