“Kat, this evening is all about you,” Crane says.Even though his eyes are in shadows, I can still feel them burning on my skin.“We can’t exorcise the horseman from Brom without your help.We will need you to be the vessel for us, the one who contains and creates the energy that will bond us together.That means all of our, well, desire will be channeled into you.So to speak.You are the key to making this work.Does that sound like something you’re willing to do?”
I nod, gnawing on my lip, my anxiety rising.“Of course.”
“Say yes or no,” he clarifies.“We need a definitive answer.”
“Yes,” I say, though I hate how the word trembles.
Crane gives me a kind smile.“Very good.Now, there are some things you need to understand about tonight.We are going to beplaying with black magic, especially when it comes time to try and expel the horseman.Things are going to get dangerous.There is going to be a lot of trust required between the three of us, but especially with you.There will be times where you will be scared, and that’s a good thing.Terror can heighten sex, tighten those bonds, expand that energy.But you need to know we will never put you in harm’s way, and that you are safe.”
“What kind of danger?”I ask warily.
He tilts his head toward Brom, but I can’t see their exchange.He looks back to me.“There are two parts to tonight.First is where we solely worship you, make sure you feel safe and desired.It’s all about your pleasure, not ours.”My heart beats louder at that.“The more ready for us your body is, the better it will be.”
He pauses, his voice growing grave.“The second part will involve the exchange of fluids, blood and otherwise.For this part we will all be partaking in a potion that will enhance our ability to communicate through the veil.Now, this is where things might get scary.We’re going to have to cut you—it won’t be deep, and you’ll be healed after.You will see things around us that might terrify you.You might be terrified of us.We might not look like ourselves.But you have to trust that it’s us all the same.”
Now my heart is really galloping.“All right,” I say in a small voice.
Both men squeeze my hands in unison.
“Kat,” Crane says solemnly.“It’s not too late to back out.”
I lift my chin, trying to feel brave.“I won’t back out.”
“You have to trust us completely.Not just me, but Brom too.”
I glance at Brom out of the corner of my eye, wishing I could see his eyes.“I suppose I’m worried about the horseman.”
“I will do all I can to keep him at bay,” Brom assures me, though I don’t feel all that assured.He didn’t seem able to stop him before.Unless hewantedhim to come out those other times…
“And I will do everything to keep you safe,” Crane says, lifting my hand to his mouth and kissing my knuckles.“This I promise you.I will keep you safe from harm, no matter what it is.”He licks his lips.“But you have to consent to this now.You have to consent to the danger, to the terror.You must not break the circle.You must not leave the ritual once it’s in motion.Doing so will have deadly consequences.When we begin the second part, there will be no escape for you, and you must finish the whole thing, even if that means us having to pin you down.Do you understand?”
My eyes widen.“Pin me down?”
“You can’t break the ritual once it is in motion,” Crane says, his voice hard.“Even if you decide you have had enough, we won’t let you leave, and we will force you to finish it.So now, while you can still consent to this, I need to know that youwillconsent to it.”
I try and swallow the brick in my throat.“I need to see your eyes while you tell me I will be safe this entire time.”
Crane gives me an apologetic smile and lets go of Brom’s hand while he pulls his hood back.Brom takes the opportunity to do the same.“Of course,” Crane says, and I see the sincerity in those beautiful eyes.“I will keep you safe the entire time,vlinder.No harm will come to you.I will die before anyone hurts you.”
“And I would kill anyone who did the same,” Brom says, and I’m captured by his dark gaze.
“All right,” I say, knowing that I have two knights to watch over me, and even if one is compromised, the other is still there.I also have my own magic, which isn’t to be discounted considering I’m the one who disarmed the horseman last time.“I consent to the ritual.Even if I try to break the circle, I submit to what you need to do to keep me there.”
“Good girl,” Crane says, and I can’t help but flush at his praise.Then he looks at Brom.“And you, I need you to consent too.That you will obey me without question.I know you’re usually very good at that, but we’ve never shared Kat before in this way.I have to be the one in charge or it doesn’t work.”
Brom lets out a low rumble.
“What was that?”Crane says, leaning in, hand at his ear.
“I said I consent,” Brom says sharply.“Doesn’t mean I’m happy about it.”
“Trust me, pretty boy, you’ll be a very happy man by the end of this.”He pauses, smiles.“Getting your cock sucked dry by our sweet witch.”
“And there he goes,” Brom says under his breath with a shake of his head.
Meanwhile my face is burning now.Despite the chill this October night and being naked under my robe, my body is already overheating.
“Shall we begin?”Crane says, ignoring Brom.“Please step over the circle, Kat.”
