Warrior's Craft Four Guys & A Witch (2 page)

“Talk fast. These demons aren’t waiting until we figure out how to win. Vampires and shifters we’ve got under control, but this is messy.” Jude sat on the other side of Phoebe and slid his chair close.

“There will always be something else bigger, badder, and stronger than us. We’ll figure something out.” DC found sites on magical sex. The idea made him think about Phoebe and everyone naked together. He had put this at the bottom of his list because he wanted it -- and not just for the power it might grant them. “How could we focus on a spell while doing
that
?”

Phoebe covered her mouth and cleared her throat.

DC kicked the table leg. He didn’t think he’d said it out loud, but Andy and Jude would jump all over it if they figured it out. “Never mind.”

“Doing what?” Andy looked at Jude and then over at DC.

They’d done stuff like that before, without the magic and without Reed. Sharing women and sexual explorations was one thing. Add the spin of spells and the unknown factor of Reed in that mix and it was too dangerous. “It could ruin everything.”

“Or not.” Phoebe looked him in the eye.

“Someone needs to start talking, or I’m going to take a nap.” Jude walked around behind DC and saw it before DC could close the laptop.

“Sex and magic? Now if I knew we could have that sort of fun, I’d have hit the books more too.” Jude bumped knuckles with Andy across the table.

“We were just going over the options to increase protection. We can’t afford to lose a man or let more women die.” DC wanted this, but no one in that room right now was the big sticking point. “We can’t ask Phoebe to do that.”

“I can.” Andy leaned over and kissed her cheek. “Apparently gay men get away with a lot of things. But confession time -- we’re both bisexual, and Jude has a big crush on you. And DC did stuff with us in college. He isn’t as uptight as he seems.”

“Thanks, Andy.” DC exhaled and looked at Phoebe. “I got experimental with these guys and my girlfriend.”

“Next you’ll tell me Reed has a secret boyfriend?” Phoebe reached across the table to run her fingers over DC’s arm.

DC wished it were true, but the three men answered in unison. “No.”

“Reed’s got his conservative tendencies. Maybe Phoebe can help loosen him up.” Andy shrugged.

“What we’re trying to say is all the pressure won’t be on you. We can play nice with each other,” Jude said.

“It’s flattering you guys are open to it and into me. I’m not really shocked about the bi thing. I’m sure the sex would be great.” Phoebe looked at DC. “But it is more complicated than the sex.”

DC nodded. His feelings went deeper. If everyone had to come clean about how they felt about everyone else, DC worried the demons would win this time.

Chapter Two

Jude grinned at how DC was trying to keep it together. The guys had all gone to college together. While Jude and Andy had fallen easily into a couple status, DC was the odd man out. He wasn’t a prude or as bookish as he appeared, but he hadn’t scored what he needed yet. The guy had a lot of sexual frustration. This was perfect!

“Sex is complicated but we’re all friends. We’re all adults and have worked together for years.” Andy shrugged. “No one here seems to be running away from the idea.”

“I think we’re already planning what we’re going to do to Phoebe tonight.” Jude rounded the table and kissed Andy before kissing and nipping at Phoebe’s neck.

“Cut it out. It’s not just the fun. There’s a lot of honesty that has to go into it. Hiding feelings or just going along with the group could derail it.” Phoebe pushed Jude into the seat next to her but leaned into him.

Andy chuckled. “You won’t have that problem with anyone in here. I remember looking at those passages in my mom’s books on paganism. The power of sexual energy, and the intensity of it, can boost spells like nothing else.”

“Why didn’t we ever try it?” Jude asked.

“Group sex? We have.” Andy leaned his arm on Phoebe’s chair.

“I know that. But we didn’t put any magic in it.” Jude copied Andy’s body language. They wanted Phoebe between them. It was a shared fantasy they’d discussed frequently. With DC and Reed both crushing hard on her, though, they weren’t going to shake things up. They had sex regularly -- greed wasn’t good for their lifestyle.

“We’re not magical. We need a witch.” Andy grabbed Phoebe’s hand and kissed it.

“You two are quite a team. There are all male pagan groups who practice sexual magic. You don’t really need a witch. A wizard would serve as well.” Phoebe shoved him playfully. She pulled her smart phone out of her bag and began searching.

Jude shook his head. “We don’t want to join those groups. The reason Reed and Andy started this company and the online pagan group is to do it our way: keep the principles but step up to stop the evil creatures the regular world can’t. Nothing against your Wiccan ways, my goddess. We want you. DC and Reed do too. Andy and I are a very open and loving couple, and honestly, you’re the first woman we’ve wanted in a long time. Be flattered.”

The men stretched across Phoebe and kissed each other, inches over her cleavage, and then each of them kissed her cheek.

“Thanks.” Phoebe looked at DC. “I think you’re making him uncomfortable.”

“No, really they’re not. I didn’t realize how natural it would seem.” DC adjusted his glasses. “But a witch is better than an all male group. The sacred feminine can -- but shouldn’t -- be discounted. It’s epic in the pagan history. Women are the key to life and connected to the deeper powers of the universe. It’ll make a difference, if it works.”

“Very true. If you connect to those beliefs and think of me as a stand-in goddess, the energy and powers will respond. I’m sure all of you would make the sacrifice to enhance your protection in order to destroy evil and save people.” Phoebe walked around to the back porch. “Reed is still on the phone.”

“Relax, Phoebe. Being with you isn’t a sacrifice. You’ve helped us so much with our work and never take any payment. The least we owe you is a few dozen orgasms.” Jude lifted an eyebrow at DC and then watched Phoebe smile. In college DC had been very open to sharing and sex play. Jude wanted to see his friend relax a little on his workaholic trip.

“Dozen? You’re not sex toys and neither am I. It’s a very natural expression of attraction and affection, but it complicates things. We all need to talk about it first,” she said.

“You won’t have a problem. We all want you. I didn’t think we were being subtle. Let’s work this out. Can I get you some coffee? Tea?” Andy offered.

“No, thank you. There is a major flaw to this plan that I don’t think we’ve considered.” Phoebe folded her arms.

“What? What could be so wrong? We’re all single or open to sharing. We’re all adults. Sex isn’t exactly a major trial to endure,” Jude said.

“You’re right. Sex is a neutral pleasure, not inherently good or bad. It’s the intentions and the feelings going into it -- or not -- which make the act lust or love. That’s the problem.” Phoebe studied the screen on her smart phone. “Lust.”

“Lust? We’re not into anything super kinky. No cameras or tying you up. We’re not like that. You’re more than safe with us.” Andy squeezed Phoebe’s shoulder.

“Good to know. But the feelings matter because they affect the magic. If it’s just sex, it’s just fun. Throw a spell on it and use raw lust to fuel it, and what you get is black magic. I don’t do that.” Phoebe shook her head.

“I don’t think that’s a problem,” DC replied.

Jude watched Phoebe chew her lower lip. Maybe it was a little bit of a shock to her, but they loved her.

He jumped in to keep from scaring her off. “Friends love each other. I love DC and Reed as well as Andy. I love you, and we all trust you with our lives and bodies. You can cast any spell you want on me, and it’ll only be good things.”

“Same goes for me.” Andy kissed her neck. “Jude says it much better than I do. Nothing about this will just be lust, though you are smoking hot. If I didn’t know you, I’d lust after you.”

DC nodded in agreement. “They’re right. Friendship is at the core, and we’re safe there. Not that you’re not a perfectly lust-inducing female, but part of my concern is trying not to ruin our friendships and working relationships. There are no guarantees it’ll work, and there are always complications from sex.”

“We may have to practice. I’m committed to do it as much as needed -- for the good of the group.” Jude smiled. “If we like it, who says we have to stop? We’ll need the magical protection to keep coming. It’s not like we’ll run out of evil to fight.”

“One step at a time. Phoebe might not be willing or interested in us that way.” DC sat back behind his computer.

“That’s not a problem,” she admitted. “Let’s just assume we’re all sexually attracted to each other, love each other as friends or more, and are open to the idea of a group encounter. Four men would certainly be a first for me, but I’m willing to try if we’re all sure. However, my magic might not be strong enough on its own to protect four men in battle. With your energy helping to fuel it, we might really get the protection around you guys to hold, but maybe not.”

“I knew she wanted us.” Andy kissed her lips. “It’ll take some practice. Training and building up the powers doesn’t happen overnight. Just like working out.”

“Easy. We need to get Reed on board. That man could be a monk.” Jude looked back at the porch and stole a kiss from Phoebe when the others weren’t looking.

Her smile told Jude it was a fantasy of hers too. The love of friends counted, but he saw something more in her eyes. The feelings went deeper than that, and Jude would bet this old house on it. Moving too fast would be a mistake. Trying to talk it all out now might make them all reconsider. Just like one of his gym clients, they couldn’t hit the heavy weights on day one. They had to work up to it with time.

Jude rolled his eyes at Andy. “Go get Reed. We’re wasting witch time.”

“Are your legs broken?” Andy shot Jude a look.

“Reed and you started this PI agency. I’m just the hunk of muscle. DC is book guy. You guys have your names on the plaque out front.” Jude shrugged.

Phoebe smiled. “Four headstrong guys. This won’t get complicated at all.”

“You know it, and still you can’t wait to get us naked.” Jude winked at her.

* * *

There was a knock on the door as Reed hung up the phone. “Yeah,” he answered.

Andy entered. “We need you in the dining room.”

“Phoebe found out where the demons are hiding?” Reed had been avoiding the sexy siren of a witch. She and DC worked so well together, Reed gave them space.

Andy nodded. “Yep, but there’s more. We need you out here.”

“I’ve got other cases.” Reed saved the file on his computer and changed to another potential client.

“No, this is to help protect us with the demon thing. We all need to agree.” Andy smiled.

“Okay. Why are you grinning?” Reed stood and followed Andy out.

“You’ll see,” Andy replied.

Everyone was smiling, even DC. Reed saw a hint of blush on Phoebe’s cheeks, and his old cop instincts set off alarms. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. DC and Phoebe came up with an idea to get the protection spell to take.” Jude shrugged.

“Okay, great. We don’t need more injuries. Whenever you get it ready, cast the spell and we can go after the demons. I’m going to continue reviewing the potential paying cases,” Reed said.

“You’re going to need to participate a little more.” Phoebe held up her fingers to show a pinch, her bracelets clinking along her arm.

“I’m not that comfortable with magic.” Reed was raised in a strict Christian house with one wild Wiccan grandma who’d taught him the value of seeing things both ways. Finding other pagans had been his rebellion in college. While it felt right, he couldn’t deny his conservative upbringing, so magic still seemed evil to him, among other things.

“You don’t have to do it yourself, but if we’re protecting your group, you need to join in the activity to enhance the spell,” DC said.

When DC didn’t make eye contact, Reed took the seat next to him. “Activity?”

“My magic might not be strong enough to effectively cast a spell on four people without some help. If I can channel all of our energy, it’ll be stronger. The more connected we are, the better,” Phoebe explained.

“I doubt the weekly poker game will produce enough energy. Connected through what
activity
exactly?” Reed asked.

“Sex magic has been used for centuries. It’s an ancient pagan tradition.” DC turned his computer so Reed could see it. “And the group thing isn’t a big deal. We’re all devoted to protecting people. The more energy, the stronger the spell.”

Reed looked at Phoebe, and then forced himself to look at the computer screen. “All of us?”

“Yes, that’s how it would work. The sexual energy would be focused on me and the spell to protect all of you. It might take a little practice, and we’d all have to be open to it. It’s our best chance to boost your protection and enhance your skills in the fight,” Phoebe said matter-of-factly.

Looking at Andy and Jude, Reed knew they were more than on board. Next Reed glanced at DC. They were close and all had feelings for Phoebe. Because of that, none of the men had asked Phoebe out in the two years they’d known her. DC’s face gave nothing away, but Reed knew he wanted to do it.

Reed also wanted to be with Phoebe, but this wasn’t how he’d pictured it. He’d suppressed his need for sex and relationships for the sake of the mission. Being a warrior against evil sounded silly, but he took it seriously. He trusted these guys and valued their friendship. Without a doubt, Reed trusted Phoebe too.

“So we’re all on board. Are there specific acts? Wait, the guys don’t have to do each other, do they?” Reed had no problem with Andy and Jude being bisexual, but Reed didn’t need to be in the middle of them.

“No, the sacred feminine is what matters. She’s the witch with the powers. As long as you honor her, we’re good.” DC nodded.

Phoebe blushed. “It’s not an all or nothing deal. The sexual energy is what matters. So if two men want to be together, that generates the energy as well. Participation is what counts, giving yourself to the connection. We’re creating a group and a bond. It has to be based on love; love of friends is fine. We just don’t want anything dark.”