Chapter 3: The Covenant of Flesh
The warehouse was dark, the air thick with heat and the heady scent of lust. The three of them stood close, their breaths mingling, the tension between them building to a breaking point. Cardell's crimson eyes burned as he looked between Johari and Keenan, his hunger palpable. The shadows around him pulsed like a living thing, responding to his unspoken desires.
Keenan leaned against a rusted table, his golden eyes gleaming with amusement and want. His long braids framed his sharp features, and his lips quirked into a cocky smile as he watched Cardell and Johari exchange a heated glance.
"You're both wound tight," Keenan said, his Jamaican accent rolling over his words like a slow wave. "Why not let go? We've got time before we take on the council."
Cardell's jaw clenched, but Johari was already moving. He stepped closer to Keenan, his confidence undeniable, his hands finding their way to the vampire's lean waist.
"You talk a lot," Johari murmured, his voice deep and teasing. "Let's see if you can back it up."
Keenan chuckled, his hands sliding up Johari's broad chest. "Oh, I can back it up, love. Question is--can you handle it?"
Before Johari could respond, Cardell closed the space between them. His larger frame towered over both men as his strong hands gripped Johari by the shoulder, pulling him back slightly.
"Don't get ahead of yourself," Cardell growled, his crimson eyes flashing. "I'm not done with you yet."
Johari smirked, his dark eyes filled with challenge. "Then take me, big man."
Cardell didn't need more encouragement. He grabbed Johari by the collar of his jacket, pulling him close. Their lips crashed together in a bruising kiss, tongues tangling as Cardell poured all his pent-up hunger into the embrace. Johari groaned, his hands gripping Cardell's hips as their bodies pressed flush against each other.
Keenan watched, his golden eyes narrowing with desire. "You two are a sight," he murmured, his voice husky. "But don't think I'm just going to stand here and watch."
Keenan moved with predatory grace, stepping behind Cardell. His hands slid over the taller man's broad shoulders, his lips brushing against the back of Cardell's neck. Cardell stiffened for a moment, then let out a low growl as Keenan's fangs grazed his skin.
"You like that?" Keenan whispered, his voice like silk. "Let me show you how an old soul can make you feel alive."
Cardell turned his head slightly, his shadows curling around Keenan's wrists in warning. "You'd better make it worth my time."
Keenan smirked, his golden eyes gleaming. "Oh, I will."
He leaned in, his lips tracing a path down Cardell's neck while Johari slid a hand under Cardell's shirt, fingers exploring hard muscle. The three of them moved together, their breaths quickening, their hands seeking out every inch of skin they could reach.
Clothes were discarded piece by piece, landing in a forgotten pile on the warehouse floor. The cool air hit their heated skin, but none of them seemed to notice. Cardell pushed Johari back onto the table, his powerful body looming over the man beneath him. Johari's smirk never wavered as he reached up, pulling Cardell down into another searing kiss.
Keenan joined them, his hands exploring Cardell's back while his lips found Johari's, claiming them with equal fervor. The rhythm of their bodies became frantic, a tangle of limbs and mouths and the low, guttural sounds of pleasure.
Cardell's shadows pulsed around them, wrapping the three of them in a cocoon of darkness that only heightened their senses. Every touch, every kiss, every bite felt amplified, their shared hunger binding them together in ways they couldn't yet understand.
As their movements slowed, their bodies spent, the three of them lay tangled together on the cold metal surface. Cardell's crimson eyes glowed softly in the dim light, his expression unreadable as he stared at the ceiling.
Keenan propped himself up on one elbow, his golden eyes studying Cardell and Johari with an amused tilt to his lips. "That was... impressive," he said, his voice still rough with desire.
Johari chuckled, his head resting on Cardell's chest. "You've got stamina, I'll give you that."
Cardell smirked, his shadows retreating back into him as he sat up. "This doesn't change anything. We still have a war to win."
Keenan grinned. "Of course. But if this is what we get to do in between battles... I'm not complaining."
Johari laughed, his dark eyes shining with mischief. "Who said anything about waiting for in between?"
The three of them shared a look, the bond between them deeper now, their connection undeniable. The night was theirs, and as the city hummed with life beyond the warehouse walls, they knew they had found something rare--something worth fighting for.