“It could,” Yelena said slowly, walking her fingertips down my body to brush the waistband of my leggings, “though we can all smell it’s making you wet, and that’s exactly what we want when you’re about to charge the wards.”

My breathing shallowed as the energy in the room elevated sharply, desire permeating the air.

“Should I warm you up, precious?”

I let my thighs fall apart, but Caden cupped my face. “Use your words.”

A pathetic whine wasn’t what he was looking for, but I couldn’t stop from making it anyway. “How am I supposed to think when every person in this room has gotten inside me before?”

You don’t have to think.Haru’s voice filled my head.You just have to consent.

“I’ll play with anyone who wants to.” I squawked when Caden wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me right out of the nest and onto the dirt floor next to the artifacts. He madequick work of my leggings and panties before diving between my thighs. The strangled sound I made spurred the others into action. Velda scooped up my hand and thrust it through the barrier with hers, letting my fingertips curl around her painting.

Every sweep of Caden’s tongue was like a wave washing through me and into Velda’s artifact. Yelena kneeled in front of me and Haru dropped behind her, their lips on her throat sending sparks of pleasure through the bond. Seth tipped forward, pulling my shirt up and my bra cup down so he could wrap his lips around my nipple.

I cursed under my breath, the artifact drinking down power as quickly as the others provided it to me.

Yelena guided my hand beneath her dress, my fingers sliding easily into her. Haru’s fingers met mine as they worked on her clit, my whole body twitching between the secondhand sensation and my panthers trying to unravel me.

With a few quick adjustments, Caden changed positions, fucking into my dripping core. I came on the spot when Yelena reached out for my clit. The warding wavered with an influx of power and Velda withdrew our hands, letting Yelena take over. Then Velda’s mouth was on mine, stealing what little breath I could manage, until she wedged herself to join Seth at my other breast.

I was nothing but a conduit for pleasure, replenished and drained in equal measure, buffeted constantly by every swell of sensation. My brain clicked off, utterly overwhelmed, letting me ride each wave in a state of relaxed bliss.

Why are you calling me, witchling?

Kendrick’s voice filled in my head and I erupted again.

I didn’t—didn’t mean to.

I know you’re charging the artifacts, and I know how that happens. Are you thinking of me while they touch you?

I arched sharply, another orgasm taking me by surprise. I slammed the connection with Kendrick shut, forcing my floating consciousness to hold tighter to reality.

My lovers were already with me and I didn’t need another.

I almost incinerated when Caden slammed deep and filled me with a growl.

They pulled back one by one, Yelena drawing me away from the artifact. “We need to charge the others. Haru and I were considering an experiment.”

I blinked slowly, trying to hold on to the earth. “Yeah?”

“You can feel me through the bond. Haru and I can go elsewhere to play so the others don’t have to watch you in this vulnerable condition. If it works, we have a solution. Would you like to try?”

I gave one brief nod, my head swimming.

I closed my eyes as Caden gathered me up. My legs were too jelly to stand and put my leggings on so Yelena pulled one of her dresses over me to avoid me being pussy-out when the other Protectors arrived.

Shakti came first, and I kept my eyes closed, absorbing every flicker of delight that flowed down the bond from Yelena. It kept me stable, but it wasn’t the same rush of power as being touched directly. Calliope followed with Murdoch at her side and was rushed away at the first opportunity.

Then Kendrick arrived, getting to his knees before me. My eyes opened, instantly caught in his gaze. We hadn’t discussed our kiss, and I hadn’t mentioned it to a single other soul, but seeing him in front of me again…it was all I could think about. His hand was hot in mine as he wrapped my fingers over the gold torque.

His eyes held me captive, my body alight from Yelena’s pleasure, and still primed from all five of my lovers touching meearlier. It wasn’t fair that I knew Kendrick in a way the others didn’t. And it was doubly unfair that I wanted to know more.

I didn’t dare ask Hecate if Kendrick was meant for me. He had too much friction with the ones I already knew were fated for me, and I just couldn’t risk it.

I don’t even need telepathy to know what’s going on in your head.His voice brushed over my mind like velvet and I leaned harder into Caden.I’m never going to forget the taste of your mouth.

I whimpered. A power surge from his words triggered an orgasm in Yelena that echoed right through the bond into me, my whole body tightening as I breathed through the swell.