Whispers Read online

  "We can touch objects in this house, as if they too have crossed over with us. Yet when we try to leave, we're blocked."

  Jonathan took the pillow off his head. “I think when Catherine put the spell on us, it extended to the rest of this house."

  "I think we all felt such strong fear that night, we brought more than just ourselves over into the spirit world. I think we brought the whole house."

  "No, that can't be it."

  "Why not?"

  "We can see and touch everything in here, but humans can too. It seems like the furniture extends through both worlds, creating a bridge.” He sat up and rubbed his hands over his face. They were close to the answer; he could feel it. “If only we knew how to cross this bridge, then we could go back."

  "But some of the objects in this house are only in the spirit world. Rose can still see and touch them.” He told Jonathan about the decanter and the glass.

  "Fascinating."

  "Let's assume you are correct."

  "I am correct.” Jonathan frowned.

  "If you are correct, and there is a bridge in this house, then perhaps we need someone to guide us over it."

  "Rose."

  "Precisely."

  Jonathan considered the possibility. “Then why hasn't she guided us over yet?"

  "Maybe she doesn't know that she needs to.” Lionel began to pace the room once more.

  "You've seen her. She doesn't think that she has any magic within her."

  "True.” Lionel stopped pacing. “But maybe she doesn't need to fully understand it in order to use it."

  "Catherine did tell us a witch's power was innate. She didn't have to think about the spells. They just came to her. With practice they got stronger."

  "But their magic also got stronger with more emotion.” Excitement flashed through Lionel's eyes. “Perhaps we have been going about this the wrong way."

  "I'm trying to follow, but I'm afraid you've lost me."

  "Maybe the emotions we created when we were with her individually weren't strong enough. Perhaps we need to have sex with her at the same time."

  At the same time? It was absurd. Jonathan's mind went numb as he stared at Lionel for a long moment in silence. “That can't be right. If it didn't work separately, why would it work with both of us?"

  "Because together she wouldn't have just your emotions or mine. She'd have both of ours together."

  Jonathan stood and tried to put some distance between them. He had to think, but at the moment he couldn't get his brain to function. Lionel wanted the three of them to have sex together? The thought excited him, but he wasn't sure if Rose would agree to such a thing. Never mind the fact that it was just an idea. There was no proof that it would work.

  Jonathan turned and faced Lionel. “We can't guarantee there would be more emotion than with each of us alone."

  "It would be up to us to make sure she had enough emotions to work with.” Lionel sat on the bed. “Did you look at her when you had sex?"

  "Of course."

  "She glowed, Jonathan. At the point of orgasm, she glowed, just like we do.” He shook his head. “I think she stepped over into our world but just didn't have enough power to bring us back."

  Jonathan thought for a moment. “So you're saying that two of us should give her more power, enough to take us both back to the real world?"

  "I know it's not much of a chance, but I don't think we have any other choice."

  Jonathan met his lover's gaze. “It's worth a try, but I'd hate to use her like that."

  "She said herself that she wanted to help us.” Lionel held his hands out to his sides.

  Jonathan frowned. “It doesn't feel right. Rose is a lady. We would never get her to agree to something so lewd."

  "We have to try. I don't know how else to create emotions strong enough for her to guide us back."

  "We could try fear again."

  "Even if we could scare her, we wouldn't be scared. It would never work.” Lionel stood and walked over to the window. “No, this is the only way."

  Jonathan thought of Rose, and his heart constricted. “It's a lot to expect from her."

  "I know what you mean. Even if we told her our plan and she agreed to it, there is no way of knowing if freeing us will in turn entrap her."

  Jonathan swore. He was referring to the act, not the magic itself. He never thought the magic could work the other way around and lock her in the spirit world with them. “It wouldn't entrap her.” It couldn't. Jonathan would never be able to live with himself if he condemned another to this horrible existence.

  "How do you know she wouldn't be brought over into this world?” Lionel returned to Jonathan's side and covered his hand. “You don't know what will happen any more than I do. I do know one thing, however.” He let go of Jonathan's hand and sat back. “When things are in the spirit world, they glow, but only a trained eye can see it. Sometimes even a trained eye can miss the yellow hue if it is dim."

  Jonathan frowned. “I know this."

  "When she first came here, she didn't glow. After having sex with both of us separately, her skin has become more translucent.” He stared down at the bed and ran his hand over the coverlet. “She has to be the one we've been waiting for."

  "I don't know if I can go through with the idea of the three of us being together, knowing it might risk her becoming trapped like us,” Jonathan said.

  "I don't think we have another choice, not if we want a chance at escaping this prison."

  "It's too much to ask of her."

  "I don't think so.” Lionel rubbed his chin. “It's not like we could only try this once. If she gets caught on this side of the bridge, then all three of us would just have sex again and bring her back."

  Jonathan ran his hand over his face. “You make it sound so simple."

  "It is simple."

  "We don't know if a witch's powers work on this side of the bridge. She's a witch. We're not. Once she becomes incorporeal, it's possible that only another like her will have to enter this house from the other side and bring us all back."

  "Then we will just find someone like her."

  "Find? How? We're stuck in this house.” Jonathan shook his head. “I'm tired of waiting. It took us a century to find her. How much longer would it take to find someone else?"

  "You're right. She is unique."

  "Rose is more than unique. She's special. I don't think we'll find another like her."

  Lionel's eyes fogged with memory. “She is not only beautiful but inquisitive and witty."

  "I know what you mean.” Jonathan rested his hand on his lover's knee. “I'm afraid that I've developed feelings for her too.” Although he'd be damned if he understood why. He had only known her for a few hours, and yet he felt this strange connection to the little witch. Was it her magic or something deeper?

  Lionel shook his head. “I can't explain it. I know the surge of desire I feel is her magic, but there is something else, something more, that draws me to her.” He loved her curiosity and determination. She seemed to be genuinely concerned about their plight. Jonathan doubted anyone else would show such compassion.

  Lionel placed his hand over Jonathan's. “There is no other like her."

  "And that's why we can't ask her to have sex with us.” Even though not doing so would mean he and Lionel would be trapped in the house indefinitely.

  "I understand your concern, but I can't let a chance for us to be free slip away.” Lionel met his gaze and held it for a long moment. “Can you?"

  Jonathan looked into his lover's eyes and saw the truth. Lionel would do anything for a chance to be free from the house. Deep down, Jonathan knew he didn't want to give up without trying either. They had both been suffering for so long.

  "I won't lie to her or mislead her,” Jonathan said. She was too kind and sweet. She deserved more than being used and discarded like an old rag.

  Lionel pulled away and tapped his lips with his finger in thought. After a moment he stopped and
pointed at Jonathan. “She's been asking a lot of questions about us."

  "I know."

  "Then you also know she's going to find out sooner or later how to undo Catherine's spell. We can't stop it. Wouldn't it be better if we approached her together and told her the whole story so she could make an informed decision?"

  "I suppose."

  "You know I'm right."

  Lionel had a point. Telling Rose everything first would give her the information she wanted and alleviate a lot of the guilt he felt about the entire situation. She wouldn't be used and discarded, but a willing participant.

  "Whatever she decides we will abide with, of course, even if it means doing nothing,” Jonathan said.

  "Jonathan, do you really think I'd resort to trickery or physical force?” Lionel raised his free hand and cupped Jonathan's cheek. “Despite everything that has happened, I'm still the same Lionel you fell in love with. Despite the games we play, deep down you know I'd never make someone do something against their will."

  "Yes, I know."

  Lionel moved his thumb over Jonathan's skin.. “I have begun to care about her as well. She says she's being paid to help us, but I sense there is something deeper that's driving her."

  "I've sensed that too."

  Lionel focused on Jonathan. “This curse has been so hard on both of us. We have to stand together, no matter what her decision."

  Jonathan nodded. “No matter what her decision.” He glanced at Lionel's mouth. “Together."

  Lionel leaned forward. Jonathan met him halfway. Jonathan had always liked the spicy taste of Lionel, the feel of his lover's firm lips against his own. This time was no different. Desire rose up, twisting his muscles in knots and thickening his cock. Jonathan reached out for his lover, then drove his fingers into Lionel's hair. He cupped Lionel's head and held him close, afraid the moment would pass and the hard reality of their troubles would descend on them once more.

  Lionel clung to him too. He raised his hand up and touched Jonathan's cheek with his rough, masculine fingers.

  Jonathan wanted nothing more than to shed his clothes and lose himself once again in all the raw energy and lust Lionel offered. He knew it was impossible, however. If Rose was indeed the one they were looking for, then the longer they dallied, the greater the risk that she would slip through their fingers. And if Rose was to leave them, they would be stuck in the spirit world forever.

  Not even a night of passion with Lionel was worth that.

  When Lionel eased back, Jonathan saw his own thoughts reflected in his lover's eyes. The temptation was too much. Jonathan cupped Lionel's erection in his palm. It felt hard and hot, just the way he liked it. He curled his fingers, offering a slight ease to the tension they'd created. Lionel closed his eyes and groaned as Jonathan ran his fingers over his length.

  "We cannot do this now,” Lionel whispered.

  "I know.” Reluctantly Jonathan pulled his hand away. “Dawn will soon be upon us, and the bridge between the spirit world and the real world will become fragile once more. If we're to go through with our plan, we must act now before the moment is lost."

  "Agreed.” Lionel open his eyes and stood. “Come, let us go talk to her.” He held out his hand.

  Jonathan stood and entwined his fingers with his lover's, and together they set out to search for Rose.

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  Chapter Five

  "What are you doing?"

  Lionel's rich, deep voice made Rose jump. She dropped the journal in her hand. It crashed to the hardwood floor, the loud thunk echoing through the library.

  Rose had been searching for Lionel and Jonathan for the better part of the evening with no luck. Now they were here, sweeping into the room as casually as two real people. It unnerved her. Actually, everything about Lionel and Jonathan unnerved her. She didn't understand the strong attraction she felt toward the men. Lionel had told her it was her gift, but she thought it was more than that.

  What she felt ran deeper than physical sex or curiosity. She felt compassion for their plight and admired how they both held on to hope for the future. To be trapped for so long—what a miserable existence. She felt for them, as she too felt trapped. She wasn't trapped in a house, but she felt trapped by propriety, trapped by what people thought she should do.

  As she watched the two handsome men, she realized that more than anything in the world, she wanted them, both of them. Alone each man was magnificent, but together they were special. She didn't want to think about what would happen after the curse was broken. Going back to her old life seemed ridiculous after everything she had been through. Funny how these two men had had such a strong effect on her. Not only were they changing how she felt—all her emotions seemed so much more intense around them—but they were changing her outlook on life as well. Seeing them physically trapped made her want to be free of the constraints in her own life. When she returned home, she'd have to take a long look at her life and start making some changes.

  But until then... She picked up the journal and tried to appear nonchalant. It had been left by a previous owner, but she had yet to find anything useful in it. Perhaps if she looked harder, she might find something. “The answer to the curse should be here somewhere. I just need to find it.” A sudden chill swept over her skin, and she clutched the journal to her chest.

  "Love, we already know how to break the spell,” Jonathan said.

  "You do?” She held the journal tighter as another chill ran through her body. “How?"

  "Perhaps you should sit.” Jonathan motioned toward the couch.

  "I'm fine where I am.” She turned to Lionel. “What's happening?"

  Lionel closed the distance between them and took the book from her grasp. “Jonathan and I are lovers."

  She pressed her lips together as laughter bubbled up in her chest. She thought back to when she first saw them in the bedroom. Only a blind person couldn't see the men had some sort of affection for each other. “I suspected that to be the case."

  "Before this curse happened, we were rather open about our relationship, even though people didn't approve,” Jonathan said.

  "Looking back, that was probably a mistake."

  "No, it should never be a mistake to follow your heart,” Rose said. “I made that mistake. I did what society wanted me to do and married when my heart told me not to. Nothing good can come of such a concession."

  Jonathan and Lionel exchanged glances. “One night, while we were...occupied, there was a strange noise outside,” Lionel said. “At the time, we didn't think anything of it. Then there was a knock at the door."

  "Our butler opened the door to a mob of protesters. The mob was made up of our neighbors and so-called friends, all angry that two men who loved each other could exist, let alone move into their neighborhood.” Jonathan took Lionel's hand, and Rose could see the turmoil of that night play out over their faces.

  "That's terrible.” Rose put her hand over her lips. In her mind, two people who loved each other should be allowed to live their lives as they pleased. Didn't society have any tolerance?

  "They carried knives and torches,” Lionel said. “Their intent was obvious."

  "They wanted to teach us a lesson and set an example for others who might be of the same persuasion."

  "While our maids and butler held back the mob down below, Jonathan and I tried to figure out a way to escape. Then our good friend, a witch who had also felt the brunt of the pious crowd's wrath, appeared in our bedchamber."

  "Catherine,” Jonathan offered.

  "Yes. She had followed the mob, and when she realized their intent, offered to help us, but needed our permission. Desperate, we gave her our consent to send us into the spirit world for a short time, invisible to all human eyes. We were unaware that our agreement would hold such dire consequences. Catherine had used her magic to hide us, but by doing so exhausted herself and left her vulnerable to the mob."

  Rose moved her hand to her chest. “That was a
rather large sacrifice."

  "She was very passionate about helping others in a similar position to herself. Lionel and I had been quietly trying to gather support to bring equality and acceptance to our situation. We had met her at one of our meetings."

  "She supported us, but we had made quite a few enemies."

  "Yes.” Jonathan squeezed Lionel's hand, then let go, his eyes bright with unshed tears. “London was not ready to hear what we had to say."

  "The mob had already killed the others in our organization that night, and they were coming after us."

  "We were safe, but Catherine was not."

  "We were forced to watch the mob kill her right before our eyes."

  "That's terrible.” Rose lowered her hand. “What happened next?"

  "The crowd dispersed, and we were left in the house with Catherine,” Jonathan said.

  "With her last breath, she told us how to undo the spell that had put us in this state."

  Jonathan walked over and stood next to Rose. She looked from one man to the other as they watched her intently. Why were they telling her this now, when they were so cryptic before? Did they expect something from her?

  Rose pushed the questions aside. She was getting her answers, and that was all that mattered. The key to helping these men was buried inside this story. She just knew it.

  "Well, what did she say?” she asked. The heat from the two men washed over her, cocooning her in their maleness and muscle. The desire she felt when they'd first walked into the room intensified, and she almost swooned with the onslaught. Why would men she had just met have such an effect on her? Was that the missing piece? But why would strong emotion matter?

  "Catherine had told us that only another witch would be able to see our glowing bodies,” Lionel said.

  "And only a witch with power equal to Catherine's would be able to touch us,” Jonathan added.

  "It would be her touch that would break the spell.” Lionel inched closer and brushed a stray hair from her face. His touch was so gentle, so intimate, that Rose felt the ripple of his affection all the way down to her toes.