“Really?” I asked, wildly looking at all of them. Luka kissed my forehead.
“Fuck yes I would. I’d follow you to the ends of the earth.”
I expected a smart retort from Quinn, but he was silent. Pure emotion ravaged my body, and I exploded into sobs.
This was living. These men around me, waiting with bated breath for my decision. My choices. The way forward was clear.
“I’ll do the ritual.”
They broke apart from me, breathing heavily. Luka’s eyes were almost completely gold, his gaze feral.
“You’re sure?” Luka asked, his voice nothing more than a light brush against my ear.
“I have conditions, though.”
They bowed their heads and sat back down, offering my chair back to me. I took a deep breath. “I want to plan it ahead of time. I want it to be my decision. I’ve never had a say over anything, so I want a say in this.”
Luka nodded, even as Quinn frowned.
“When?” Luka asked.
“Next week.”
Karl opened his mouth to argue but shut it when he saw the pleading look in my eyes.
“Fine,” Karl relented. “Next week.”
Luka squeezed me closer to him, breathing in my scent. Quinn stood awkwardly apart from us, but there was still too much between us that I didn’t like. I didn’t trust him fully, and I didn’t think he trusted himself fully.
“Let’s be honest, Aggie,” Luka said. “You—we—will need all the power we can get when Seth comes for you. The ritual will only help.”
Luka was right. Then an odd gleam sparked in his eyes.
“It will help you protect us as well. If Seth is unable to get what he wants, he may involve his father.”
My train of thought halted in its tracks. My entire perspective shifted, then flipped one hundred and eighty degrees. Quinn’s eyes went wide in admiration.
“Clever,” he murmured.
I wouldn’t claim my inheritance for myself. Not in a thousand years. Not if Seth held a knife to my throat. But to claim it for Karl? For Luka? For whatever it was I felt for Quinn?
I swallowed heavily.
“Dick.” I snapped.
Luka chuckled. “A clever dick, though.” He sobered when he glanced at my crumpled face. “Aggie, we’re in this for the long haul. I don’t care how many demons come after you, or what covens want to claim you. We will be here by your side. We love you.”
Quinn’s throat bobbed with emotion, but he didn’t agree or disagree with Luka. I didn’t mind. It was possible all he felt for me was lust, but for now….it was enough.
I decided I was done crying and wiped my eyes with my hands. I was afraid for them of course, but I was more gratified, in shock, and in love. At least with two out of the three. It was tempting to giggle at how outrageous my life had become.
“Shall we pick up where we left off?”
Quinn was staring at me like a starving man, and Luka’s nose flared as he picked up the scent of our combined arousals. I pointed at Luka and Karl.
“You and you can join me in bed.” I leaned forward and claimed Quinn’s mouth, then pulled away quickly, nearly giggling as Quinn fell forward trying to follow my lips. “You can get us some dinner.”
Karl snorted, and Luka fell dead on the ground, rolling in laughter. Quinn frowned but rolled his eyes and shoved his hands into his pockets. With his shoulders hunched, he shot a look at the others.