The Naughty Angel and Her Three Very Wise Men: A Christmas Ménage (10 page)

Annabelle stepped into her studio and sighed. Eden had kept her in the kitchen for three hours, stuffing her with food and chatting. Annabelle was exhausted, but she needed to work on her Christmas presents. Turning on the stereo the guards had carried up earlier, Annabelle swayed to the soft rock that played while she started the first of several murals. Two hours later, with paint covering her hands, she plunked down onto the chair and closed her eyes. She just needed to rest a few minutes before her mates were due home. She stretched her legs out and yawned.

Annabelle hadn't meant to sleep so long. “Well, it seems Sleeping Beauty has finally woken?” The sneer in the woman's voice sent a chill down her spine, and Annabelle's eyes flashed open. She wasn't in the studio anymore. Trish stepped in front of her and smiled. “Now, aren't you a sight? Don't know where you're at, do you?” she taunted.

This had to be a nightmare, Annabelle thought as three more demons surrounded her.
Marcus, Lance, where are you?

“Aww, poor sister. I'm afraid they can't hear you. You see, to them, you're just sleeping. When someone sleeps, they enter the dream realm—their soul does, that is—and we now have a way to enter here to kill those who have wronged us,” she said.

Annabelle's hand covered her stomach as she tried to figure out a way to escape. She glanced at the other demons. Could she talk to Trish alone? “Before you have your fun, could we speak alone? I'd like to ask you something.” She kept her gaze on Trish and ignored the snarls from the demons as they swayed back and forth. Her stomach knotted, her hands shook, and her voice squeaked. Trish narrowed her eyes and growled. “There is nothing I want to talk to you about, but since you asked so nicely, I'll grant you this last wish. Get out, all of you. I'll call if I need help,” she yelled.

Annabelle only hoped somewhere in that demon form was the Trish her mates remembered. It was her only hope. The other demons disappeared as Trish moved in closer to her. “Don't think you can get away. We have you trapped in this dimension,” she hissed into her face. “Trish, you've heard of the Trendons, right?” Her clawed hand grabbed her around her neck. “Of course I have. They have a death sentence on my head. I'm not stupid.” She smiled. “We also know you're one of them. They'll envy me when I bring your head to them.” “No, Trish, they don't have a death sentence on you anymore. You can go back. Back to your normal self. It will be as if you never met your mate.” Annabelle shook her head. “There could be another mate out there for you, one of your kind, a drinker. Don't you want the chance for a good life?” Her voice was harsh as she tried to breathe. Trish jumped back as if burned, glaring at her. “You're one of them. How can I trust you? You could be just saying this to save yourself.” “No, Trish, I didn't order this. I, well, my family and I stopped the order of execution on you. The council has agreed to spare you and change you back, but if you do this, if you kill me, I don't know what they'll do. Please, Trish, think. Your mother has been crying nonstop, waiting for you to come home. All you have to do is go to my brother and he'll take you to the council to be changed back,” she pleaded. Trish paced back and forth, glancing at her. “How do I know this isn't a trap?” “Think, Trish. You could go now to my brother and I'd still be trapped here. Why would I tell you this, if it wasn't true? Can't you still search my head and see I'm telling you the truth?” She stood up but almost fell. There was no ground she could see. Black fog covered her feet. “Trish, I want my babies to have their aunt there with them.” She reached up and took her hand, gently placing it on her stomach. “These are your nieces or nephews, Trish.”

She snatched her hand back. “I can't get you out of here, Annabelle. I don't know how. The spell they have used to trap you in this place is beyond me.” Regret filled her eyes as she glanced down at Annabelle's belly. Annabelle sighed and smiled at Trish. “Then go to my brother and save yourself, but do me a favor. Take care of your brothers for me. Tell them I love them and wish it could have been different. Tell them that I, and the children, will wait for them in the next realm.” Tears slipped down her face and she hugged Trish. “Go now, Trish, before the others come.” She stepped back. Trish smiled.

“Lance knows all about spells. I'll go to him first, then to your brother. Don't worry, sister, we'll get you out. Okay, now I want you to yell and scream. Pretend I'm hurting you. This will keep them out for a little while.” She nodded and looked behind her. “Now, I'm going to have fun with you, but don't worry, I'll make sure I don't hurt you too much, so I can let my friends have their way with you.” She growled and winked at her as she left the room. Her legs buckled and she screamed and cried, hoping she would get to them in time.
Babies, let's hope your daddies come soon.

* * * *

Marcus paced back and forth. For two days their mate had been in a dead sleep. No one knew how to wake her. If she didn't wake soon, she would die. Unexplained bruises and cuts appeared on her body even though no one had touched her. Her mother, Beth, and Sandy cried in the corner and watched as his mother once again tried to connect with her but with no luck. “I just don't understand.” Eden shook her head as tears slipped down her face. “If she doesn't eat soon, your babies are going to die. If she was human, we could do a transfusion, but now we can't. She needs the blood straight from the body. “ Trish called into the room. “May I enter your home, mother? I know where she is. I can help.” Marcus looked to Nicholas, who nodded.

“Let the shields down, but alert everyone. Make sure no others appear,” Nicholas said into the radio in his hand. Dwayne and his other two brothers stepped in front of the women as he and Lance surrounded Annabelle's body with theirs on the bed. Trish appeared in the room in front of the fireplace and glanced around the room. “She told me you can change me back.” She looked at Annabelle's father. “I want to go back to the way I was. This isn't me,” she pleaded. “I want to play with my brother's children. Maybe one day have some of my own.” Her father stepped forward and stared at her. “It has been ordered. The council will change you, but Trish, it's going to be painful. I won't lie to you. Like Annabelle, the demons will believe you betrayed them. You'll be a target.” “I don't care. I can't live like this.” She nodded to Annabelle. “She's trapped in the dream realm. I couldn't release her. I didn't know how.” She stood with her back straight and glanced at Lance.

“You might be able to help her, but you're going to have to hurry. I made it look like I was having fun hurting her, but the others won't wait long. Here is the spell the demons used to trap her, Lance. Save her. I want a chance to get to know my sister. She has a big heart. Even after all I've done, she wanted me safe.” She glanced down at her demon form. Marcus glanced at Lance. “Can we save her?”

Dwayne stepped up to Trish and held out his hand. She sighed and placed hers into his, disappearing from the room. Trish had saved his sister; now it was their turn to save her. “We have to enter the dream world. I can get us there, but the problem is finding her once we're there. I don't know if we'll be able to use our connection to find her. When we do find her, I'll reverse the spell and she'll be able to come back.” He held out his hand to his brother. “We need to go now.” “Wait, I want to go and help.” Her father stepped forward, but Lance shook his head. “No, I can't carry three of us there, and if you entered, the demons would know a Trendon was there.”

Lance said the magic words and they entered the dream realm. Black gray fog covered their feet as they looked around. It was cool, yet there was no wind. Marcus and Lance spread out, slowly making their way down what they could only assume was a hallway.
How are we going to know where she is? Hell, we can't even tell if there are any rooms here.
“Someone help me! Marcus, Lance, I'm so sorry!” Annabelle's sobs sent his blood boiling as both he and Lance ran towards her voice.

“I've got her. Go to the left. We don't have much time left here.” They ran down the hall. “We have to get out of here or we'll be stuck. Once we break into the room and pull her out, she'll be able to wake up, but we'll have to go back the way we came.”Lance stopped in front of what seemed to be more fog. “There is a pattern here. You're the best with patterns. Can you make it out?” Lance asked. When he waved his hand, the fog disappeared. Marcus studied the pattern as it moved, changing constantly. “Hold on.” He sucked in his breath and started to unwind the pattern. Annabelle's crying distracted him once but he kept at it. “Got it!” They stepped back as the entrance to the room opened. Three demons surrounded her, and blood dripped down her arms and face. She kicked at one of the demons as he grabbed for her hair. “You will die for this!” he hissed and attacked. Lance charged the two who turned to stop them, while he grabbed the one who was abusing Annabelle. “Go Annabelle, out the door. You'll wake up!” He snapped the demon's neck and threw him across the room.

Annabelle stumbled, but dashed out of the door and disappeared. He sighed and turned his attention to his brother. One of the demons snarled as he was trapped against the wall and held there by some unseen force. Lance held the other one by his throat and shouted out a spell. The demon roared before he turned to ash before his eyes. Lance smiled at him, brushing his hands on his pants. “It took you long enough to handle one while I had two,” he teased and ran for the doorway. “Hey, I didn't have magic, you did.” Marcus laughed as Lance once again said the words, grabbing his hand as they both disappeared from the dream realm. Both of them stepped into their bedroom to see their mother applying herbal cream on Annabelle. Her skin was bruised, but at least she was back in her body.

She turned her big brown eyes on them and smiled. “Thank you,” she whispered because her voice was raw from screaming. “I thought for sure I would never make it out of there.” Eden glanced up at her. “Hush, you need to rest. Marcus, she needs to feed now. Her body hasn't had any blood for two days.” His mother's words snapped the brothers into action. Lance moved to one side of the bed, while Marcus moved to the other. He ripped his shirt off his body as Lance did the same. “Come here, baby, you need to eat.” Marcus kneeled on the bed and wrapped his arms around her, cuddling her in his arms. He let out a deep breath and closed his eyes.
“I don't think I'll ever sleep again. I'm too scared.”
Her tearful words broke his heart as she licked his chest and sank her fangs into his muscles, drawing his powerful blood into her body. His mother leaned up and patted her arm. “Your babies are fine. We'll figure this out so you can rest. Lance, you know more about spells. Is there a way you can create a spell to help us from getting trapped into the dream realm again?” She scooted off the bed and went into Nicholas's arms. Adam stepped forward. “I can ask the council for help. I'm sure they would work with us on this.” He glanced at Lance. “I'll go contact them now. I know one of the members is a wizard from a distant planet. Maybe he can work with you. That way you can spread the word to others to protect them, because if they can do this to my daughter they can do this to others.” Annabelle licked the holes closed and glanced up at her father. “Thank you, Dad.” Her voice was already stronger from the blood. Marcus moved her towards Lance. “You still need more. You didn't get enough. Feed from Lance. We'll work on this.” Marcus stood and nodded to her father. “You're right. We need to spread the word to others. Even our children are at risk now, and with Christmas around the corner, we need this done today.” Nicholas and Adam moved towards the door. “I'll spread the word to the others and let them know of the dangers of sleep. Adam, you can use my den to contact the council.” They chatted as they moved out of the room, their wives following them. Marcus turned to watch Lance hold Annabelle while she fed. “I think we need to take a long vacation after Christmas. Someplace quiet.” He sighed and sat back on the bed, rubbing her but being careful of her injuries. She turned her head and smiled. “Do you think we could go downstairs in the family room? I really don't want to even be in this bed, Marcus.” She shivered. Lance stood and nodded as he picked her up. “I think we can do that. How about a nice roaring fire? We can play some poker, if you want.” He wiggled his eyebrows. “Maybe some strip poker?” She laughed and curled up tighter into his arms. “I don't think I want anyone to see you guys naked. I just might have a jealous streak. And do you really want the guards to see me naked if I lose?” Annabelle batted her eyes at Marcus. He growled. “No one will see you naked unless we allow it. I'm afraid Lance won't be joining us. He has to work on our problem. I'm sure Sandy and I can keep you occupied.” Marcus wasn't about to leave his mate alone again. He and Lance had decided that from now on, one of them would be with her every moment until this demon problem was solved.

For the next two days, not one person slept while Lance and the council members worked on a way to shut the dream realm off from the demons. Everyone was snapping at everyone as Annabelle snuck upstairs to her studio. Both Marcus and Lance had taken turns being with her, but she needed space. Eden had arranged for both of her sons to be away from Annabelle for a short while so she could have some quiet time. With each day that passed, she grew to love them more, learning their individual quirks. Lance had a tendency to be quiet, but driven by some unknown force to control everything around him. Marcus was demanding and in charge of everything, but he was gentle to those whom he loved. Both of them were fierce ancient warriors now training just as the elders of their clan once did. Yesterday she had sat and watched Lance practice fighting techniques naked for two hours. Muscles rippled while the sweat poured off his body. He was lean but quick. Never had she seen something more beautiful. With her sketchpad in hand, she had drawn him, giving her all sorts of ideas for a Christmas gift. Yes, she loved them more than anything in this world, but they were driving her nuts. There was only a week and a half away from Christmas. If something didn't happen soon, there would be no Christmas. Marcus and Lance hadn't touched her sexually either, which was another problem. They claimed she needed to sleep before they touched her. Her body was burning with need, but they still denied her. She was a walking time bomb and she needed to be defused soon. “So help me God, if I don't get some tonight, I'm going to pay a visit to their so- called dungeon without them,” she grumbled as she pushed open the studio door. Never had she been so horny in her life. Eden had tried to explain to her that once mated to a drinker, they would need to touch often, but their touches only drove her crazy. Annabelle knew just what she wanted to paint locking the door so no one would come in while she was undressed. She pulled the long full-length mirror next to her painting table and locked the studio door, stripping out of her clothes and sighing. Even clothes on her hypersensitive body drove her nuts. For three hours, Annabelle painted. She had never done a self-portrait, but it was turning out wonderfully. Her sexual frustrations gave her the edge she needed to create the perfect gift. Annabelle, open this door right now,” Marcus demanded, and pounded on the door. “Hold your horses, will you?” She carefully covered the picture and wiped her hands before she unlocked the door, turning to put on her clothes. “You were supposed to be with Mother,” he snapped, and slammed the door shut behind him. “Your mother knows I'm up here. She's the one who suggested I come up here. She knew I needed some alone time.” She turned to glare at him. “So don't get all snippy with me. How's Lance doing with the council members? Did they figure out a way to keep the demons out of our dreams?” She bent down and grabbed her jeans when he stepped up behind her and held her down. He caressed her ass. “You're becoming a little mouthy, aren't you?” He slapped her ass twice. “Yes, they believe they have the answer now. That's why I was searching for you. Everyone is in the living room waiting for us.” Annabelle moaned as he rubbed his hard cock against her ass. “Marcus, don't tease me unless you plan to follow through. I'm barely holding on here,” she whimpered. “Tonight, baby, I promise.” He wrapped his arms around her and turned her around. “It's been a long two days and we both need to hold you tonight.” His lips were gentle as he kissed her. “Get dressed.” He stepped back and helped her button up her blouse.

“So, do I get a peek at what you've been doing up here? And I didn't know you painted in the nude. It would have been fun to watch.” His eyes smoldered as she slipped into her pants. “Nope, not until Christmas. Since I can't go shopping, I thought I would make my presents. It's not much, but at least it will be something.” She shrugged and walked out the door with him following. “Don't worry about it presents, Annabelle. As long as we have each other, that's all we need.” He grabbed her around her waist and swung her up in his arms. “We love you, Annabelle.” He nuzzled her neck as he made his way into the living room. Lance walked up to them as they entered, his hair messed up and his clothes wrinkled. “So you found our wayward mate.” He smiled and cupped her cheek. “Tonight you'll be able to sleep in peace.” Annabelle smiled at him. “Have you rested at all?” “I will tonight, in your arms. Come, everyone is waiting. Father has already informed the other families what has to be done. It will only take a few minutes and then we can all rest.” He turned and strolled to the middle of the room where he waited until everyone was in the room. His deep voice filled the room as everyone gathered close to him waiting for his magic to help them. Red, black, and white candles burned, along with herbs that heated in pots around the room. Marcus lowered her feet to the ground. She had never been more proud to have these two great mates as hers. Their wisdom, caring nature, and love for their people shone brightly in everything they did. Her skin tingled, and the scent of rosewood drifted around the room, calming everyone. Magic swirled around the room, sliding over everyone's skin and coating it and soaking into their bodies. Her muscles relaxed as she leaned against Marcus. “We are one with our dreams. Let the realm of dreams be once again a place of peace where no man, woman, or child should fear. So mote it be. So mote it be,” Lance commanded. A bright red light flashed in the room, sweat broke out on her skin, and the smoke from the candles danced around the room, touching the ceiling, the floor, everywhere. “It is done. The council has tested this spell, so we know this will work, but I suggest we sleep in shifts. If all of us sleep at the same time, we could open ourselves up for attack.” Lance swayed and she jumped to wrap her arms around him, as did Marcus. “You will sleep now. You've done enough,” Annabelle said. “Marcus, help him up to our room.” She followed them up the stairs as Nicholas ordered the guards to take turns sleeping. “You do know that when I get my strength back, you are so getting that cute little butt of yours smacked,” Lance snapped. “We'll see. Right now you couldn't smack a damn thing.” She pulled his shirt up over his head and kissed his chest. “You were magnificent down there. I'm so glad you're mine.” She rubbed her cheek onto his chest. “Now, get into bed.” She stepped back and watched him crawl into the bed. He grabbed her wrist and tugged her down onto the bed. “I'm not sleeping without you in my arms.” Lance helped her strip out of her clothes. Marcus removed his own clothes and crawled in next to them. “You need to rest too, Annabelle. You carry our children and we know it's taking a lot out of you.” He ran his hand up her arm. She tried to get up, but they held onto her. “I'm scared, Lance,” she mumbled into his chest. “I know you are, but you have to trust me, Annabelle. They won't get you.” Lance kissed the top of her head as both of them snuggled closer to her body, surrounding her. “Sleep, Annabelle, just sleep.”

* * * *

Marcus had already told Lance he would stay up and guard them while they slept. Annabelle started snoring ten minutes later, and Lance fifteen minutes in. But Marcus had already slept earlier. He wasn't about to tell Annabelle that he volunteered to have them test the spell on him first. He'd slept like a baby for four hours, undisturbed by anything. He covered their slumbering bodies with the blanket, got up, and sat by the fireplace. Marcus had already informed the personal office that Annabelle would not be back to work. They had already planned what they were giving Annabelle for Christmas: a big human wedding on Christmas Day with all her family around. He smiled as he envisioned her in the red dress they'd bought for her to wear. Everyone had been sworn to secrecy. Tomorrow night, they would introduce Annabelle to their small group at the dungeon. Nothing would interrupt them again. There was no doubt she would fit in well at their second home. As a precaution against the demons, they would take the underground tunnels there. It would take a little longer getting there, but it would be safer. Her soft moan drew his attention towards the bed. He rose and walked over to it. She turned and grabbed onto the pillow, curling around it. Lance pulled her body back to his. Even in sleep, he knew she needed to be held. Yes, their mate was their life and brought a sense of peace to both of them. Marcus jumped when he heard soft knocking on their door. He turned to see his father peek inside. He walked to the door and glanced back to make sure they were still sleeping, which they were. Marcus stepped out into the hallway and cracked the door so they wouldn't be awakened. “You should be sleeping, Father.” “I'm going there in a minute. I just wanted to let you know the things you ordered for the wedding came in while you were sleeping earlier. We hid them in the basement. I've also asked Father Brandon to perform the ceremony on Christmas Eve. I'll have just enough time to be here. Have you found the third, or has he contacted you?” He smiled and slapped him on the shoulder. “You have a fine mate, the both of you, Marcus. Guard her well. Your mother and I were wondering if you three—or four, should he finally appear—would like to have this place as your home. It's too big for just the two of us now, and when your sister gets back, we want to take her away for a while. It's going to take some adjustment for her and this will give her time to relax away from everyone. We're going to take her up to the mountains after Christmas.” He smiled. “We thought we might buy the Harpers’ home next door. They moved a while ago and your mother has always loved that house. It would be close enough that we could still help out with the babies coming, but still give you the privacy you need.” Marcus was stunned. He always believed his parents would live here. “Are you sure you want to do this? This has been the family home forever and I just can't see you not here.” “We're sure. This was always going to go to you and your brother. It's time for the next generation to live here. I think that's why your mother told Annabelle about the attic for her studio. Have you told her about the legend and how we believe it's the three of you, plus the missing one?” Marcus pulled his father into a hug. “Thank you. I'm sure Annabelle will love living here, as we have. No soon we'll tell her, but we wanted to make sure before we tell her.” His father nodded turned making his way down the hallway and disappeared into his bedroom. He smiled and stepped into the room to see Lance staring at him.
You hear?
Marcus asked, and Lance nodded.
I knew it was coming, but I'm just surprised it's so soon.
He closed his eyes and sighed.
I'm just glad they will be close by, especially with the uprising. The house next door has a great security system and we have the tunnels underneath that connect the houses. Come to bed, Marcus. I know you didn't get enough sleep. I have spells on the room so no one can enter. If we're going to entertain our lady, we are both going to need our strength.
Marcus sighed and slipped into bed. In truth, he was still tired and the rest would do them all good.