Our night was just getting started.

  Chapter Three

  Monday morning started out rather typically, as I took care of all of my mates before we got up to spar.

  The twins training was coming along well I thought. They weren’t nearly as suicidal in their tactics, still aggressive but with enough defense worked in they’d be far more likely to survive. My twins were beloved mates, not battlefield fodder like most monsters were treated in our world.

  Once we’d all cleaned up, I’d dressed Hali and Maris as usual, putting them in workout clothes for our workout at the fitness center, as well as packing them a change of clothes for after. I picked out a loose black skirt for my Hali, and a white halter top that only showed a little stomach. For Maris I picked out a cute yellow sundress. I also stuffed in my own change of clothes, and of course my twins picked out their own outfits with me in mind, they’d both be in casual red halter top dresses that were sexy and semi-professional and given the matching red hair ties they’d also have cute ponytails going on.

  Of course, after our workout we’d all clean up with my magic and change in my office before my first class.

  After that, Hali cooked us up breakfast with Maris as her assistant. That was her and Maris’s job, to cook for all of us, while my twins kept the kitchen spotless afterwards.

  Then we all headed to work. Katerina worked later than the rest of us by a couple of hours, so took her own car in, while the rest of us piled into the SUV we’d picked up. I’d gone with the Ford Explorer, which had plenty of room for the five of us and then some.

  My muscles were plenty warmed up already, and we took care of our workouts. First a five K jog, and then low weights with three reps for me.

  The intermediate class was first, at nine am, and there were ten people in it now, one of my beginners had moved classes, a late teen and freshman at the local college. Things were going really well there, and none of them had complaints about my format. They were also pleased with the way I seemed to know exactly what they needed to increase their skills thanks to the blessing, not that they knew that part of it. They just thought I was the best martial arts instructor in existence, not being aware of the supernatural.

  Monday was also one of my massage days, and Katerina was still quite thorough in relaxing my muscles and body, before finishing me off with her hands, mouth, or sex. It was a built-in quickie for the day, but it was really just a tease as well that way since the massage took up most of the time. It was also another chance for alone one on one time, and we talked during it quite a bit.

  The only thing that’d changed there is I didn’t even bother with the towel anymore, and she didn’t bother with the robe. We just stripped together, and she gave me the massage in the nude. It worked out, because I used my magic to clean us and the table after, so she didn’t need a robe for the hallway, or to shower to avoid getting oil on her work clothes before getting dressed again.

  The massage also wasn’t entirely incidental, if it was then we’d have just started meeting in my office for a quickie on her days. On the contrary, I very much enjoyed the relaxation of it, even as it built up our sexual tension to delicious levels for the day.

  My second class was the advanced class, where they were all at least first-degree black belts and they all competed. There were five students in that class, and they were all very serious and driven about martial arts. They also respected me, after that first class when I’d shown I was better than they were.

  It wasn’t until lunch rolled around that anything truly different or important happened as far as this recounting goes, I’ve already described my mornings, workouts, and massages in great detail in the past.

  Allison as usual joined us for lunch, and Katerina didn’t. Katerina covered the counter during our lunchtimes, and it was a compromise of sorts. I saw my love often throughout the workday, but not during lunch, that was my get to know my ally and friend time, though the rest of my mates joined us for lunch of course.

  It was also fair, since Katerina had her own alone time with Allison as well, though their time together was far more intimate. My sultry and sensuously bold demigoddess was probably the one I saw least, since my monsters were always with me, but Katerina had her own job and three friends with benefits to keep up with. Not to say we didn’t spend more than enough time together, because we did, and she was mine every evening and night, not to mention our mornings.

  Point being, nothing was perfect, I’d have rather had her with us, but I had to maintain and build our connection with Allison and the other friends and allies at work as well. It was no big deal, just like an itch I couldn’t scratch, when my Katerina was out of my presence.

  Allison looked delectable that day in short pink jean shorts and a white tube top with ruffles across the top that was just enough material to cover her breasts, which were also obviously just as unencumbered with a bra as my mate’s tits were. They were firm and perky, but obviously swinging free with a delightfully tight sway with her walk and other movements.

  In that moment we were still on the way to the mid-range restaurant we went to most days, with Levi following us with his twins, Aurora and Dawn, who were joining us for lunch that day. I knew he had something to tell me, but I had no idea what yet.

  Allison said in a cute voice loaded with innuendo, “I had a good snack earlier.”

  I raised an eyebrow, totally missing her message at first.

  She giggled at my confusion, then winked outrageously, “A nice creamy sauce, out of an Italian taco.”

  Yeah, I definitely got it then. She eaten my cum out of Katerina’s sex, after Katerina had extracted it at the end of our massage and I’d gone to teach my advanced class. Dear goddess.

  “Temptress,” I accused, hard as a rock at the visual that gave me.

  She giggled, “Sorry, it was delicious, and I came so hard on Katerina’s fingertips afterwards that I saw stars. Katerina told me to tease you, and that everything should be in the open. Goddess, your lust at the idea is delicious too, makes me want to do naughty things and taste it from the source.”

  She crossed her legs, and then rubbed them together obviously, with a dreamy look on her beautiful young nubile face, and I could only imagine she was fantasizing about sucking me off in that moment.

  “Behave, beautiful.”

  Hali interjected in her musically seductive tones, “It’s better from the source, though when it’s mixed with our pleasure it gives it a delightful tang.”

  The twins giggled in stereo, and said in their soft sweet voices, “We agree,” in stereo sound as they reached over the seat and playfully brushed my neck and shoulders.

  Maris said in her bubbly voice, “Master is delicious,” to make it unanimous.

  I groaned, and all my mates giggled, as did the wicked blonde temptress. I told myself it was totally worth it for her friendship, for about the millionth time since I met her.

  It was also worth noting that Maris and the twins had personalities opposite their voices. What I mean by that was my bubbly voiced Maris was shy and sweetly attentive, while my twins with the soft sweet voices were the ones that acted exuberantly and a bit wildly with their need to touch me, and in all things they did.

  Only Hali’s seductively musical voice matched her sassy words and attitude, and of course Katerina’s smoky and sultry voice perfectly matched her seductively sensual movements and sweetly giving sensuous personality.

  Fuck it, time to tease back, instead of mouth breathing with a hard cock.

  “Tell her fair is fair, and that the next time she eats you out I want her to come find me and give me a deep kiss. I bet you’re delicious, and I can’t wait to taste you.”

  Allison actually gasped in an excited breath and her face flushed with desire at that idea. It seemed we were pushing the limits of our platonic friendship as far as they’d go, between this naughty development and all the full body hugs she joyfully delivered to me. Or at least it seemed so at the time. Though, I’d have opportunity in the near future to wonder at my lack of imagination in that moment, because we’d barely begun to push those limits of friendship boundaries without truly crossing the line.

  Allison said breathily, “I’ll be sure to pass that on.”

  I figured it was time to slam on the breaks figuratively speaking, before I did something stupid. I’d never felt more tempted in my life, and I knew she wouldn’t even bat an eye if put my hand on her and licked my fingers clean in that very moment. Her short pink jean shorts were plenty small enough to slide a finger to her hot center through the leg. But that would be over the line, no physical intimacies, directly anyway.

  Hali said playfully, “She’s so wet for you master, and so are we.”

  Allison actually blushed at that.

  “Naughty Vixen, what have I told you about that cheek.” I said warningly in a firm voice.

  Hali giggled, “That you love it, master? Should I be punished again?” she asked that last in a breathlessly and wickedly hopeful voice.

  “Yes, as soon as we get home, baby.”

  I added, finally hitting the breaks with a conversation change, “Any idea what Levi has to tell me?”

  Levi didn’t do lunch with us every day like Allison did, though he had a couple of times last week and the week before, usually with a random selection of his seven mates. But this time I was sure he had something to tell me, something not good I mean.

  Allison shook her head, “I have no idea, honestly.”

  I nodded, “So…”

  Allison giggled, “Distracted? Hard to concentrate?”

  I nodded again, “Something like that.”

  Allison was never very hard to talk to. We got along great, but in that moment the naughty thoughts were dominating my conscious mind and I honestly couldn’t think of another subject.

  She took pity on me, “So, what are your plans for this Saturday?”

  “Ocean again, but this time we’re going to rent some jet skis, try parasailing, skiing, and maybe surfing. I’m not sure yet completely. What do you get up to on Saturdays?”

  She shrugged, “Quiet day in, wild night out. I was wondering if you all wanted to see my place next Sunday, give me a chance to host instead. I don’t have a river, but I do have a nice sized in ground pool, and a Jacuzzi we can all enjoy.”

  I smiled, “I’d love that. Sounds like fun.”

  She added playfully, “Bathing suits optional.”

  Then she shook her head, “I thought this whole thing was crazy and doomed, but I’m starting to believe it will actually work and I can have you as a friend. Even the temptation is kind of fun, since neither of us has to live with those lingering frustrations.”

  I nodded, “Agreed. You’re a joy to be around.”

  I pulled into the parking lot, and we all got out and headed into the restaurant. They had good burgers, and I usually got that, but that day I decided to try their fish and chips. Which were quite good as well, if not the best I’d ever eaten. The nine of us were around the table, and small talk had filled the time between our arrival and getting our food.

  It was only then that Levi broached the reason he’d joined us that day. Not that he didn’t join us a couple of times a week just for the sake of friendship, but he obviously had a worry on his mind.

  Levi said, “Jack was attacked early this morning, right after the coven left for work. None of them were badly hurt, thanks to his moving shields, but Elena came far too close to dying in the process of learning his shields were worthless defensively against her weapon.”

  “Her?”

  Levi nodded, “All we know so far is she’s coming after Jack, but it won’t hurt to be even more vigilant the next few days. She’s a daughter of Hades, with power over the earth, and would normally be a danger and match for any of us in power.

  “But she’s also wielding a sword which cut right through his shields as if they weren’t there. If it wasn’t for the shields being moving shields that try to avoid hits it’s likely one of them would’ve died to buy that information. She’s also using a shield that countered all their active powers.”

  “Countered?”

  Levi explained, “His sword blades, when blocked by the shield they just broke apart, as if his power holding the dead on this plane and in physical form was simply broken and drained. Shannon’s shadow attacks fell apart when it got near the shield, as did Elena’s water attacks and Bonnie’s energy attacks. I suspect my lightning and your wind attacks would be worthless as well.”

  I frowned, “So her weapon and shield are a perfect defense and offense against the power of a demigod.”

  He nodded, “Because of that she only had to use her power over earth to protect herself from secondary effects of power, and she also used it to attack. It led to Jack running out of power far more quickly, and he used the last few percent of his power to retreat, flying him and his mates away. The daughter of Hades used her power over earth to severely damage the house, shake the ground underneath it and break their foundation.”

  “That’s messed up, out of spite? Any idea where she got the weapons?”

  He shook his head, “Where, no. But who, yes. They have to be artifacts of Hephaestus, no one else could enchant weapons or shields with protections so complete against a demigod’s power, certainly not witches.”

  I frowned, “Why would he be involved?”

  Levi said, “He wouldn’t. I mean, he wouldn’t care about Hades desire to bring down Jack for rebelling against him. Which means he’s getting something out of it. Hades gets an equipped warrior powerful enough to take down Jack, and Hephaestus gets… something. Which is why we need to be wary too.

  “That said it’s possible she’s just after Jack, and whatever Hephaestus is getting out of the deal is between the gods, or some other task unrelated to us. Either way, we need to be ready, if not to fight off an attack then join Jack to help take her down. I suspect it’ll take all of us to take her down given her advantage.”

  I nodded, “it seems like our best bet would be not to use our power offensively since it wouldn’t work at all and just waste our power. Just use it to counter hers, and actually take her physically? The sword cuts through defensive demigod power and the shield shatters offensive power, so perhaps we just need to fight her with our swords.”

  I looked toward the twins, “And you’ll be in the air, far from the ground, and shooting steel tipped feathers if she attacks. I don’t want you anywhere near that sword, your talons won’t stop that steel, it’ll cut right through you.”

  Lynn bit her lip, “Yes, master,” and Zarya added, “We’ll take the bitch down from the skies.”

  Levi nodded, “You, Hali, and Janice might be able to keep up with her, but even though I’m fast with electricity in me my sword work isn’t nearly good enough according to what Jack reported.”

  I shrugged, “Three on one is the best we could do anyway, without getting in each other’s way. You and the others can focus on countering her demigoddess power attacks, while my twins and your Nicole focuses on flanking her and attacking with steel feathers from the sky. That’ll be six of us on offensive, and the rest on defense and support.”

  He nodded, “I’ll let Jack know, just keep your weapons close and be ready to go at a moment’s notice in case Shannon shows up to take you to Jack.”

  “Fair enough, we’d do so anyway, just in case she attacks us as well. In that case, Katerina can text you and Jack while me and my monster mates try to hold her back long enough for you all to arrive.”

  Levi said, “Perfect, I’ll be doing the same, except Ginny is my non-combatant and will be doing the texting. Her or Carmen, anyway.”

  Allison asked, “Do you think she might attack the spa?”

  I shook my head, “Highly unlikely. For one, if she’s after us all she’ll want to pick us off separately, and at the spa Levi and I are already together. Secondly, too much of a risk of exposure, with humans all over the place in the business. We should probably be prepared for it just in case, but it makes no sense strategically for her to do it, outside of course the surprise it will engender.”

  Levi said, “I agree, Allison. She’ll stick to attacking us at our homes, which are already warded against humans seeing anything odd.”

  “Do we have a name?”

  He shook his head, “She never introduced herself. From what he said she’s about Ginny’s height, five foot six, with a tight athletic body, medium brunette, with severe cheekbones and quite stunning in looks.”

  I nodded, “Allison, can you let Katerina know when we get back, and let her know her responsibilities if we’re attacked. I’ll talk to her too of course, when she gets home tonight.”

  Allison said, “Sure.”

  I asked, “I’m assuming we have no idea where she is now?”

  Levi replied, “Not a clue, though Jack has some scouts out to determine that. So far he hasn’t found her. She travelled away through the ground, with power, so there was no way for his scouts to follow her.”

  Right, they could move through the solid ground easily enough incorporeal, but they wouldn’t be able to see to follow either.

  We finished up our lunch as I speculated in my thoughts. There was just too much unknown about Hades’ daughter to draw up true expectations. We had no idea what Hephaestus was getting out of it, and to speculate wouldn’t be helpful. For now, the only thing we could do was take on a defensive posture.

  I frowned, “I’ll also try witch magic, though I doubt it’ll even phase her protections from her demigoddess power, it’d be good to know if those artifacts block magic as effectively as it does power.”

  Levi replied, “Good idea. Curses would be worthless, but magic could be a good distraction or annoyance, to knock her off balance with secondary effects, if it works. I’ll mention it to Janice, so she can try as well. Jack’s Bonnie, Maggie, Angela, and Valerie too, I’m sure.”

  I nodded, “Hali has magic as well. What about yours?”