Page 7 of Their Offering

I watched as Aiden pulled her knees apart. I heard myself suck in a breath as I spotted the crown-shaped birthmark on her inner thigh, the one my brother’s fingers now circled. He shot a glance at me, but I remained stoic. My shoulders lifted and fell carelessly, not giving anything away, so he continued with her.

Of course, shehadto be human. Of all the women in all the universes, she had to behuman. Everything in me screamed to shove my brother aside and make her mine, but I stayed glued to the wall, even when Nicholas joined in. I refused to ruin her the way my father had ruined my mother, myone-humanmother. The girl didn’t deserve that.

She seemed unaware of our connections, distracted by the twins, so I took the opportunity to dig into her mind. Her name was Lillian May Stallard, 23 years old. Her favorite color was purple, and she had one friend––Kaitlyn. She also thought she was dreaming right now.

I chuckled. It was probably for the best that she thought this was a dream. We didn’t need her blabbing, especially about the portal. That would complicate things further.

My heart wrenched as her traumatic past flashed through my mind. Men much older than her touching her, using her. She was a kid, and her mother sold her to those men for drugs. I burned every man’s face into my mind before letting her go. They’d visit Hell soon enough, and I’d be waiting to make them suffer.

She was still enjoying herself with Aiden and Nicholas, which pained me on a whole new level. I wanted to be the one buried deep inside her, claiming her. I wanted to be the one making her face twist in pleasure. I wanted to be the one making herscream.

It took everything to remain in the dark, but I had to do it––for Lillian.

The poor girl had passed out by the time Aiden finished with her. She looked so peaceful; her eyes were closed, her breath steady.

The twins watched as I went to her, brushing my finger across her cheek, then tucking a few stray hairs behind her ears. It took all my restraint to pull away from her.

“Search her mind for her address. Take her home.” I knew I sounded more like a general barking an order, but I was beyond frustrated. So many emotions were coursing through my veins, and I didn’t want to deal with them now.

“Keir, she’s…” Aiden started.

“Iknow. I saw,” I snapped.

“But you want us to take her home?” Nicholas questioned me, concern in his voice. He meant well, but I just wanted her gone. I couldn’t handle being in the same room as her. I wanted her––badly––but I couldn’t have her. I needed her to go far away, for my control’s sake––for her sake.

“Yes.”

“What about Father? He’ll kill her if he finds out about the portal.” Aiden had her dressed and scooped in his arms in seconds. I was instantly jealous of the closeness of their bodies, but I couldn’t let them know I was so bothered. I had to keep my shit together.

“I have a plan. Lillian is going to close the portal. Father will never know about this. Ever.” I lifted my hand to touch her one more time, but I stopped mid-air. I couldn’t tempt myself like that.

Nicholas laughed. “You’re hilarious. She won’t leave everything behind to waltz into Hell with use and close the portal. No sane person would do that.”

I smirked. “You’re right, but I took care of that.” I tapped my head. “I planted a few thoughts. She won’t be able to stop thinking about us––well, you two. We have to go home first, though. We need to make sure the portal is a secret before we return for her. She will be ready to leave by then. She willwantto come with us.”

“And when we get back home? What will you do with her?” Both twins looked at me, awaiting my answer, and I made a frustrated noise.

“I won’t make the same mistake Father did. Just…promise to take care of her.” Too many people compared me to my father, it was hard to believe I might not be. I’d never forgive myself if I destroyed the precious life of another the way he did.

My mother was once a bright, magnetic person. Her radiating positivity filled any room she stepped foot in. She was so kind. Mother would have done anything for our father, and she was blind to his cruelty. Eventually, she became a shell of herself, and an extension ofhim.

One day her laughter stopped. She no longer brightened the room. She never did anything withouthisexplicit permission, quieting the moment he commanded her to. Honestly, I don’t even know who she is anymore, and I haven’t for a very long time.

I felt sick to my stomach at showing so much vulnerability, but I needed to know my brothers would be there for her when I couldn’t be.

My brothers nodded, and I felt a slight send of relief. It would be enough to see her happy with them. I could live with that, surely.

I felt like part of my heart left when the boys left to return her home.

I knew she couldn’t hear me––not yet––but I spoke to her thoughts anyway.

We will come back for you, princess. I promise.

Even though they’d left, I could still smell her, like honey and flowers. I touched the spot where she had offered herself to us, replaying her pleasured moans in my head. It was agonizing, the worst torture I’d endured. Denying her was going to be one of the most challenging things I’d ever done.

After they returned, we made our way back to our city. Aiden assured me she was okay, even though I hadn’t requested confirmation. Aiden and Nicholas were possessive and protective, and I had no doubt Lillian would learn that quickly. She was our offering, and there was nothing she could do about it now.

Chapter 4

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