Elena said, “I was surprised by your contact, so soon after I moved here. I was even more surprised, last night when the muses told me I should check it out. What exactly did you have in mind? I do have access to magic with my power but I’m not sure it’d be wise to be an official part of your coven. That kind of connection would force your coven to back me up against enemies far out of your league.”

  Maggie said, “I agree, more an alliance, both between me as coven matriarch, and of course directly with Jack. That second alliance would be more in line with the usual in your world. You’d both protect each other against the enemies that me and mine couldn’t face, though we would help with wards and keeping things hidden.”

  Elena nodded, “That makes sense, if he and I can agree on things, and how they should be.”

  Maggie said confidently, “I don’t think that will be a problem. My potential mate will defend his interests, and his allies, but he’s not an aggressive man otherwise. While he doesn’t worship any god or goddess yet, my and your goddess are already allies.”

  Elena said, “I see,” she turned to me, “Does she always speak for you?”

  Elena seemed like the type of woman to speak her mind, and by the tone of her sultry voice I’d have to say stubbornly so.

  I shook my head, “Not when it comes to our personal lives, but as matriarch of the coven, she generally does handle the business. I don’t know enough yet, this is only my fourth day being aware of this world, and since my power was awakened. I trust her, and my alliance with her is mutually beneficial, even if I do bring most of the power to the table. She has all the knowledge, contacts, experience, and resources.”

  Elena nodded, “That makes sense, and if you’re potential mates that arrangement is likely to become permanent. Is what she said about you true?”

  I replied, “I don’t go looking for trouble. I’ve been in three skirmishes the last four days, twice to defend my own life from Fury attacks, and once to save one of her coven members from an untenable situation. If we come to an accord, I’d defend you as much as you already have me.”

  Elena tilted her head, and nodded sharply, “I have faith in my goddesses, who told me it could be a good opportunity, so we can give it a try. I believe you, but people are complicated, and we’ll see how it goes and if we get along. For now, all I can promise is if it doesn’t work out that I’ll walk away without hard feelings,” when I nodded in agreement to that, she turned back to Maggie, “And how is our alliance supposed to work? I have plenty of money, and I’m no stranger to this life.”

  Maggie replied, “That’s more complicated. Obviously, the main draw here is you being new to the city and needing allies, and at the moment Jack and I are a package deal of sorts and he needs allies too. I really do believe you two will align well, from what I know of the muses and their champions.

  “Just your presence here will give any enemies of mine on my level second thoughts, and perhaps even prevent any foolishness. There’s also the matter that Jack will defend us, and if you will stand with him then that creates an imbalance of sorts between you and the coven. So we will be available to you for magical services at the very least. You’ll also be able to live here to be close to your allies, and if you need to get a business started, I can help with that too with local contacts and handling the humans.

  “It’d be even better if you allow me to support you with my money for whatever you need while you’re allied with us, to slightly address that imbalance. You’re not new, but I do have more contacts in the city, and I have a couple of more feelers out. Which would give you three demigod allies in this city, if the other two come as you have. That is something I am providing, or that I’m trying to provide.

  “What do you need, or what would you want for that implied and perhaps on occasion implicit support of this coven while you’re allied with Jack?”

  We all took a sip of coffee, Elena starting us out on that as she was obviously thinking about all that Maggie had said.

  Elena said bluntly, “What aren’t you telling me? I sense the truth in you, in what you’ve said, but you’re concealing something.”

  Maggie smiled, “True, but nothing nefarious. I’m a tantric witch, and my mother was a daughter of pleasure, which informs me to a certain extent. It’s my hope that we’ll not only be allies, but that at some point after we get to know each other you might join Jack’s and my bed, and we’ll share that as well. Not only would that increase our magic and influence as a coven, but it appeals to me to have a polyamory family relationship. Love and support in all directions.

  “Before you ask, yes. The other two I’ve sent feelers out to are demigoddesses as well. Jack wouldn’t accept another man in the group, and I’m more than okay with that.”

  Elena turned to me, “You want that as well?”

  I pointed at myself, “Man,” then chuckled which got her to smile faintly, “Seriously? It sounds good in theory and on the shallow level, but I have some reservations. Real life is messy. I trust Maggie, and I need allies, both for my and her sake. It seems a multi-tiered solution of sorts, to be a strong multi-faceted family, allies with stronger and tighter bonds of family as well. Allies, stronger coven magic from all the demigod sex, then of course strong ties and relationships. In short, it addresses personal, business, and family at the same time, which also means it’ll be a lot of effort.

  “I trust her, and I think it could work, if we could find the right people that would fit with us and be willing to pursue such a lifestyle on all levels. It would make all of us stronger, it would make all of us feel fulfilled in a personal way, and it would be complicated as hell.

  “I have the time to maintain… four relationships. My duties are training, and keeping my potential mate sated which is also a pleasure and part of our relationship. In short, I’m a defender and guard, and that’ll leave me with a lot of time to maintain those relationships.”

  Elena asked, “You put a lot of thought into it?”

  “I have, because it’s not something I ever considered before four days ago when a certain witch turned my life upside down. Maggie is a hell of a woman, and while trying to keep up with one relationship is difficult with how crazy and distracting life can be, without a timeclock job and my and her work being in the same place, I think it’s possible. The sex part, four women in our bed, I won’t lie, it’s appealing as hell.

  “I just don’t know how realistic it is. But then, I know another demigod that has seven mates, and Maggie is familiar with polyamory and what it takes to make it work. From what she told me it’s also far more common in this world, so that’s my stance on it. We’d have to get to know each other first of course, and even if it doesn’t work on that level, you’d be welcome to your own room as long as you wanted to stay in this alliance.”

  I wasn’t sure, but I got the impression she was impressed by my confident yet with reservations approach. In short, that I wasn’t just thinking with my dick. Also, the fact I wasn’t making any assumptions about her one way or the other. I was also fairly sure she was enjoying the view and we did have mutual chemistry, our flirting for the short time Maggie had been gone to get coffee backed that impression up as well.

  Elena turned back to Maggie, “Alright. We’ll try it. I’ll move in to one of your rooms, live here, let you provide that shelter and food, and all the expenses of everyday life. I’ll also take advantage of what your coven can offer me neutrally, as far as spells and dealing with the city. In return I’ll defend you and your coven as your mate does.

  “It will also give me a deeper look into that coven and who you are as a matriarch, as I get to know both of you. Alliance is as far as it goes for now,” she turned her head slightly to include us both, “After we get to know each other, if our morals and principles are in accord, I will ally with you more permanently and figure out a job or business to start. I’m at the point where I think I’m done with entertainment. I’m too visible in it and not aging fast enough to go unremarked. In short, I don’t know what I want to do that way yet, but if we become permanent allies then I’ll figure something out and take advantage of our alliance.

  “If on the other hand, we get to know each other, and I decide we’ll be allies and that I’ll join your family and give intimacy a try. Then I’ll hold off on the business thing for a while in that case. I think if we do try that we’re going to have to all work together, otherwise we’ll be apart far too much to maintain all our relationships. That means taking the time to find a common thread and business we can all be a part of.”

  Maggie nodded, “I can get behind that idea. You don’t think the alliance and family will be enough?”

  Elena snorted, “No. Maybe for a year or two as we get lost in each other and start families,” she turned to me, “I suspect life going crazy has you a bit swept away, Jack. But in a year or two you’ll start getting itchy for more. Being a guardian of your allies isn’t a full-time job. Our world is violent, and that violence can come randomly, but it’s not enough. Your mate has her coven, that’s her business, and all she needs in addition to you, and us if I decide to join your family, but it won’t be enough for us.

  “Maintaining four relationships and keeping your family safe, if you can find three more to join you and I’m including myself as a possible in that, will be very fulfilling. A polyamory relationship of equals… there’s nothing like it, and it is much more common in our world than the human one, but not without its difficulties. But no matter how fulfilling it can be, it’s only one aspect, the family aspect, of a balanced life. Hell, defending us then, will just be defending your family, and no longer a job. You’ll need more than that, as does Maggie and I, but she’s the only one that has it right now.”

  I nodded in thought. I’d had the same thoughts myself, but Maggie had been so sure I could live a full life with just being a guard and ally for the coven, and in starting our family. But Elena’s words rang true.

  “I see your point,” and I looked at Maggie.

  Maggie frowned, “I thought it would be enough.”

  “Maybe it would’ve been the way you planned to do it, when you were just going to be my employer and ally on a business level. But now that you’re becoming my family, it’s my personal familial ambition and duty to keep you safe, to cherish and protect.”

  Maggie tilted her head, then nodded, “You’re right, and I guess so is Elena. I just hadn’t rethought it since our relationship shifted.”

  Elena shrugged, “Nothing to worry about yet. You have time to figure it out. Right now, training your power to your limits and learning about our world is more than job enough. As is finding allies like myself, and everything else going on. Finding an outside professional life can wait, even a couple of years, but not much longer than that I’d guess. Point is, you have time to train, and to make your family complete. Then address your professional lives as a whole family and go from there. There’s no point in going out alone, leaving your mate and coven in danger, and exposing yourself as well.

  “That’s the approach I’m taking, if I decide to attempt to join your family, if we’re all in agreement on that after getting to know each other. Then the job can wait until that polyamory family is settled. It might not be possible, despite compatibility our business ambitions might not align or work together, but if they do, they should be combined.”

  Maggie smiled, “Well, welcome to our alliance. I love the dress by the way.”

  Elena grinned, “The trashy Vegas look?”

  Maggie laughed, “Exactly, you should see my closet.”

  Elena snorted, “You both look great, actually. Now that we’ve established that we’re all attracted to each other, shall we get to know each other better?”

  Maggie giggled, “You’re delightfully blunt.”

  Elena nodded, “Stubborn, and quick to anger too. It comes from the magic, I think. I can tell when people are lying, and it bugs the hell out of me, so I never got into the habit of doing it myself. Not even the polite lies that people tell every day.”

  I teased, “I never said I was.”

  Elena shook her head, “You did with your eyes, and your flirting. Plus, I’m fucking hot. Only men that are prejudiced against Asian or Latinas or both aren’t attracted to me, and even then, more than half of those pricks want to hate fuck me.”

  I laughed, “Truth, the first two points as far as I’m concerned, anyway.”

  She winked.

  Maggie shook her head, “Quick to anger?”

  Elena grinned, “Nervous? Not quick to violence, only in defense. But those that lie to me quickly draw my ire and contempt,” she looked at me, “Teasing aside, of course. That’s not really a lie. Are you a faithful man, Jack?”

  “You don’t waste time, do you? I am, and I assume faithful in polyamory means faithful to my family and the women in it and those we choose to add to it in agreement.”

  She looked pleased, “Truth, and for the most part I don’t. Some people don’t like my blunt personality, but you don’t seem to mind. As to your definition, close enough, thought there could be leeway there.”

  “I don’t mind your bluntness yet, and I love a confident woman. Leeway?”

  She grinned, “Good answer, we’ll have to see if you not minding lasts, and we’re just getting started. Leeway, meaning we establish the rules as a group and then abide by them faithfully. I’d bet Maggie here wouldn’t mind inviting one of her witches into your family bed from time to time for instance, even if they don’t officially join the family long term. Faithful meaning not breaking your oaths and the rules agreed upon, it means being protective and always there for your family, and I now know that is true in your case. A rare thing for a man to be able to say, in truth. How about you Maggie, are you faithful?”

  Maggie laughed nervously, “For the first time in my life, yes. That word had no meaning in my old life as a tantric witch. But my body belongs to Jack now, and he’s quickly taking my heart. I will be faithful to the family, and more than that you’re right, if everyone agreed we could play with others on occasion from my coven. Especially if we’re going to do a group spell, and I don’t want to drain the coven power well to do it. But I won’t, if he or anyone else in the family doesn’t agree.”

  I nodded, “So the rules are decided by us, and faithful merely means no going behind backs, or getting with anyone in secret.”

  Elena said, “No secrets at all. At least, when it comes to family and relationship related things. That’s paramount in polyamory. Good communication, even more so than in monogamous relationships. It also helps to be generous and giving in bed and out, and not keeping score.”

  I asked, “Are you faithful?”

  Elena chuckled, “Yes. I was wondering if one of you would ask that. So… are you, generous in bed and out?”

  Maggie blushed, “Very. I’ve never met a more generous man in bed, and I get off on getting people off. Outside of bed we’re still getting to know each other, but I already know he gives me what I need, wants to give it to me. He makes me feel cherished, if we’re just going to throw everything against the wall for your perusal.”

  Elena grinned, “Score keeping?”

  I shook my head, “I’m not, but I have to admit Maggie makes that easy. She more than takes care of me, so I just don’t worry about it at all. I imagine that will only be more so when we’ve found others to join us.”

  Maggie said, “Me either, not just in bed but out. You?”

  Elena tilted her head, “Not at all consciously, but if I started to feel neglected or used the tallying would start. That won’t be a problem though, if you’re both as generous as you believe.”

  I nodded, “I think that’s everyone. Maggie seemed to think you ladies would handle a lot of those details, while I just focused on my relationships with you all and gave you what you needed from me?”

  Elena laughed, and looked at Maggie, “You actually told him that?”

  Maggie blushed, “He was worried about it. I told him women excelled at those details and working out all those minor complications.”

  Elena nodded, and turned back to me, “Obviously you’ll be deeply involved in the rules, and choosing who else we let in the bed, as much as we would if I joined you. But yes, for the small day to day details to make sure no one is feeling neglected or left out we’d handle it. Your only job there is not turning us away when we show up to seduce you into seducing us, or merely want to chat.”

  I wasn’t sure what to say to that, so just nodded in understanding. I kind of got it, and if they wanted to do it that way it made sense to go along with it, so I didn’t have to even worry about it. Men sucked at that kind of thing, and I was aware enough to know that. If I tried to split my time between them it’d cause problems.

  I said, “I’m also man of the house. She runs the coven that’s separate from our building relationship, and she directs me right now in our new world because of my ignorance, but in our personal lives I’m in charge. How do you feel about that, and what would you be looking for?”

  Elena cackled, and said to Maggie, “And he calls me blunt.”

  Maggie giggled.

  I grinned, “You started it, might as well go for the throat and see how possible this will be. I’m also enjoying our conversation, if that wasn’t clear.

  Elena said, “I like a man who knows what he wants and goes for it confidently, but one that also can read the signs. Life is complicated, and while I’m blunt and stubborn about a lot of things I have no problem with a man taking the lead in our bedroom life. I prefer it in fact, to be seduced, and not the seducer. But outside the bedroom I’m not submissive in the least, how do you feel about that?”

  I smiled, “I can work with that, and compromise. I’m stubborn and confident enough that I don’t think either of us would run over the other, the question is if we can find that compromise or if we’ll be butting heads. Probably a little bit of both, which could be fun, don’t you think?”

  Elena laughed, “Possibly. We’ll have to see,” she turned to Maggie, “What about you?”