TEN (RUBY POV)

Extra long chapter, enjoy it!

"Run faster, damn it!" Iselen yells looking back over her shoulder, hugging me tight against her chest while I hold Terra's clothes, concerned because I don't want to lose them when the vampire jumps over a fallen trunk. The wolf is following us and I can hear ger gasping for air while running but I keep my eyes closed and my jaw clenched, focusing on Iselen's perfume instead of crying, or screaming, or going crazy... This can't be happening. "Oh, shit, be careful, don't aim at us!"

The vampire yells and bends down although she keeps holding me in her arms and doesn't let me fall on the ground but her movement catches me off guard and I open my eyes, startled. We've arrived at the Wind Rose and Iselen has stopped right after crossing the barrier under the branches of an oak, necromancers and witches are here and they cast spells against the flock of crows that are cawing loudly, outraged, when some green colored rays hit them and they lose some black feathers. A couple of birds are trying to peck at Terra's fur but she jumps dodging them and crosses the barrier too, skidding with her four legs on the slippery leaves till she stops panting. Crows fly around trying to get closer but an invisible fence is stopping them so they decide to alight on the tree branches and, suddenly, they fall silent, looking at us closely.

"Where do these creepy birds come from?" Lea asks stepping back, feeling intimidated by the black, shiny eyes that are monitoring our movements.

"It's a long story, let's go home: Ruby needs to drink something strong and Terra needs to get dressed," Iselen answers turning around. I should tell her to let me go but I'm still shaking and won't be able to walk, besides, this is more comfortable and makes me feel safe. The vampire walks with firm steps and holds me against her warm torso with her strong arms, her short hair grazes my cheek when I lean my chin on her shoulder looking at the witches and necromancers that are following us.

"How did you know we needed help?" I whisper confused.

"The magical barrier not only prevents humans from getting into the property, it also protects us against anyone that tries to hurt people living in the Wind Rose," Alfonso answers, shrugging. "Despite lot of supernatural creatures sought refuge here for centuries, other people weren't happy at all and believed this place shouldn't exist so they tried to attack it and wizards reinforced the perimeter with more protective spells. There's a magic alarm and it goes off when a danger gets closer."

"He's talking about my vampire family, they're assholes and tried to avenge the death of my blood father destroying the first house I built," Iselen explains walking into the kitchen and leaving me on one of the chairs while my dogs bark nervously. I miss her warmth immediately but Maeve gets closer holding a cup of tea with a splash ow whiskey and I drop Terra's clothes to drink a sip before taking Ru in my arms, trying to calm her down.

"My pack destroyed the second house we built," Terra explains behind me wile putting her jeans and T-shirt on. The wolf behaves naturally when she's naked, I guess this is normal for her after so many centuries shapeshifting but I can't help blushing; the vampire smirks mischievously on the other end of the table and winks at me. "They were narrow-minded assholes too."

"What happened? Why was a flock of crows chasing you?" Zara asks while Iselen opens the fridge and takes a bag of blood to mix it with her wine, Terra prefers a glass of cool water to catch her breath after the race.

"You won't believe this," the vampire sighs holding the glass close to her lips. "A crazy demon wants to open the gates of hell and set them all free... And Ruby is the key."

"You're The Key?" Raven asks in disbelief, looking at me from head to toe with her eyes wide open. "Fuck, all demons in this world have been looking for you these past centuries. This is amazing... I didn't imagine you like this, I mean, prophecies talked about a pretty human lady capable of opening the gates of hell but they didn't say a word about a ninja turtle tattooed on her skin."

"Thank you for calling me pretty," I answer wearily and put Ru back on the floor in order to help the witches to set the table. Maeve pulls a veggies lasagna from the oven and the smell makes my mouth water, I feel a bit dizzy because of the alcohol in my tea or maybe it's anxiety, I need to eat something before I pass out. And later, I'll need to go to my bedroom under the pretext of taking a nap to be able to think about this situation although one thing is pretty clear: I'm stuck in the Wind Rose, this house seems to be the only safe place for me right now and I'll keep an eye on Iselen and Terra till we manage to fix this mess.

"I don't understand what they gain from this: opening the gates of hell and wreaking havoc across the world," Iselen shakes her head before biting a chunk of garlic bread while I stare at her puzzled. The vampire looks back at me equally confused chewing slowly till she seems to understand the problem, smiles naughtily and eats all her bread, licking her fingertips teasingly. "Do not believe everything you read in those ridiculous books," she whispers and I nod, blushing while Terra chuckles.

"My rings are made of silver, by the way." The wolf raises her tattooed hand and shakes her fingers in front of my face before eating and I nod again.

"I have a lot to learn about the supernatural world," I think while chewing a bite of hot lasagna.

"They love wreaking havoc and also enjoying a little freedom, even if it's just for a few days," Raven answers and Iselen raises an eyebrow, perplexed. "Have you been down there? It's horrible, obviously, since it's hell: it's hot, dark, it reeks of sulfur, not to mention the pain of the punishments you suffer and the cries of other damned souls that drive you crazy... They'd do whatever necessary to escape from the underworld and enjoy a walk around the earth.

"It makes sense," I whisper and Maeve gives me a bowl with salad.

"Elric believes a high-status demon is behind this mess," Terra explains smiling when she sees the steak the druid has ready for her, I guess a wolf needs to eat something more than veggies lasagna.

"Of course, but I'm more concerned about the guy... or girl... helping the demon here," Raven answers and we all look at her surprised. "Demons are still trapped in hell, for now, and only a few mediocre ones were able to sneak out, like our stinky pathetic friend from the party. If a high-status demon escapes from hell, believe me, everybody would notice it, humans or magical creatures, because these guys aren't discreet, to be honest, and war, pandemic and natural disasters follow them wherever they go. So the big shot is still down there and they have someone here on earth, an acolyte in charge of the dirty work... We need to find this person to be able to stop the apocalypse."

"Cool... how?" Iselen looks at Raven with curiosity but the pretty brunette remains silent for a minute, thinking, till she shakes her head crowned by small black horns.

"I have no idea... Maybe I can ask some questions... but I don't think they'll give me information willingly. And I should do it discreetly, I can't tell them The Key is here because they'd all try to come and kidnap Ruby."

"All right, we'll try your way. You can ask and be discreet, but if we don't get answers, I'll go to pay a visit to your family with Iselen." Terra drops the fork to point at their friend. "And we'll get some information the hard way."

"I love kicking demons' asses," the vampire confirms smiling. "Sorry, Raven, I wasn't talking about you."

"No worriers," the winged girl laughs amused. "I can't wait to see you kicking those assholes' asses, I recommend you start with my cousin Agalia... That bitch ruined my childhood with her practical jokes and insults and she's also the nosiest bigmouthed in my family, I bet she knows something..."

"If you'll excuse me, I have a headache and need to take a nap," I whisper getting up and they all look at me quietly, worried, while I walk towards the kitchen door. "Alfonso, can you take the dogs out for a walk in the garden so they can do their business after having lunch?"

"Sure, we'll walk till reaching the fence to check if the crows have left definitely," the necromancer shows me his thumb up and I nod before walking away, crossing the entrance hall, dragging my feet over the gorgeous wind rose mosaic on the floor and climbing the stairs slowly. To be honest, I'm exhausted after all this excitement, not only physically but my mind is tired too. I should phone my mom but don't know what I'm going to tell her... How am I going to explain her that I'm The Key and the apocalypse will destroy the world because of me? I still can't believe it... besides, I forgot my phone in the kitchen.

I sigh, upset, and turn around, walking down the corridor towards the staircase again but I bump into Iselen and Terra in front of the vampire's bedroom door. The wolf gestures while speaking quietly and her friend shrugs, shaking her head. They're two beautiful women... and very stupid. They've been living under the same roof for centuries and could be happy together, but they prefer to hide their feelings because they're scared to death, and now it could be too late because the world will be destroyed by hordes of demons. Rage bursts in my stomach and I can't help walking towards them stomping across the carpet: I've been looking for my soul mate for years unsuccessfully and these two stubborn idiots are living in the same house, fighting instead of loving each other... This is ridiculous.

"You and you!" I growl and they look at me surprised. "You're scared of showing vulnerability, you're terrified because you believe the other one will hurt you and this is why you pretend to be tough and can't stop bugging each other... But you're dying to love each other and melt under your mouths. Quit pretending!" I scream kicking the floor and breathing heavily while both women open their eyes wide in shock. "No, I'm not crazy, I'm just sick of your foolishness! I can't deal with demons, hell gates, crows and crazy wizards if the women that are supposed to be in charge of protecting me are getting on my nerves with all that sexual tension in the atmosphere."

"I told you this human had strange ideas," Iselen whispers quietly staring at Terra out of the corner of her eye.

"You know I'm right," I reply growling again and pointing at her with my index. The vampire steps back, she looks even scared although I'm just a weak human, while the wolf stares at us in disbelief before fidgeting awkwardly and shrugging reluctantly, but she remains silent. "You're so stubborn, at least you should admit you have feelings for each other, damn it!"

"Mmmm..." Iselen leans her back on the wall with her arms crossed over her chest and looks down so her hair hangs from her forehead and hides her face while Terra grumbles angrily, staring at me with a furrowed brow, and runs her fingers through her hair nervously. Minutes tick by but I don't care, I'll be standing in the middle of this corridor blocking the way to the stairs till they say it out loud, they may be two powerful supernatural creatures but won't intimidate me; they won't get their way this time. The werewolf sighs in resignation and, finally, she moves closer to her friend slowly, shoving her hands in her jeans pockets and looking at the carpet too, till she leans her forehead on the wall very close to Iselen's shoulder. Their torsos are touching but they don't look at each other and remain tense.

"You're impossible! I give up, I'm out of here..." I yell frustrated, raising my hands.

"We can't let her go, she's The Key..." Terra whispers but doesn't move.

"I know..." Iselen answers quietly and sighs, moving her arms slowly till she hugs the wolf's waist.

"Are you crying?" Terra raises her head, surprised and confused, and tries to take a look at the vampire's eyes but she shakes her head, hiding her face on the werewolf's neck and holding back a sob. "Iselen, my love, of course I adore you, I stopped hating you centuries ago and started loving you... You were the one determined to push me away from you." I open my mouth, shocked by her confession, but they ignore me and hug each other tight.

"There's so much darkness inside me..." the vampire whispers with broken voice. "I don't want it to engulf you too, I want you to be happy..."

"I'm happy with you," the wolf answers firmly, cradling Iselen's face to be able to kiss her while tears are running down her cheeks. The vampire struggles to free herself but the fight only lasts for a few seconds till she gives up, trapped between the wall and Terra's torso, and she lets her kiss her passionately. Minutes tick by while I watch them entranced, the wolf tilts her head looking for a new angle to enjoy the vampire's lips while the bloodsucker slides her hands down to dig her fingertips into her buttocks and moves her closer.

"Finally... I thought I'd have to bang your heads to shove some good sense inside," I whisper fidgeting awkwardly. "I'd better go to my room..." But before I can even move a step back, Iselen extends her arm and hooks her fingers on my belt, pulling my body and making me stumble into her bedroom. Actually, only one second has passed between the moment I'm standing in the middle of the corridor and the moment I'm standing between these two women while the door closes behind me. I blink confused and look up, the vampire is staring at me with a furrowed brow and her lips are wet because of Terra's kisses.

"You can't interfere in our private life and think you can get away with it without a punishment, manipulative human."

"I agree with you," the werewolf whispers behind me while I fix my eyes on the vampire's face like I'm in a trance although my cheeks are blushing.

Suddenly, Iselen's lips meet mines and her tongue explores my mouth boldly while her hands grab my hips, I should push her away and go to my bedroom, furious... But I'm too surprised, confused and overwhelmed... I don't know, my mind is a whirlwind of thoughts that don't make sense but my body is feeling how Terra is nibbling at my neck and nape and I'm enjoying it, clearly, that's why a moan escapes from my throat and Iselen's mouth muffles it. The vampire pulls away abruptly but I can't complain because the wolf forces me to turn around and her lips meet mines, her kiss is sweeter and slower, she's in no hurry to taste me while I hear Iselen taking her shirt off behind me. Terra's hands sneak under my T-shirt and she pulls the garment up, moving away for a second to get rid of it before her mouth sticks to my neck again.

My moan echoes across the room when the vampire gets closer and leans her bare breasts on my back, her skin is soft and warm and she puts her arms around us both to be able to tangle her fingers in Terra's hair and pull hard. The wolf releases my mouth and I'm able to take a deep breath finally, feeling a bit dizzy, although I'm unable to clear my mind and think straight. I don't need it anyways, my brain has switched off and I'm only able to feel... They're kissing each other now but they keep me trapped between their bodies while my shaky fingers unbutton the werewolf's shirt and find her hard nipples.

"Fuck!" Terra growls and pulls my body, we all trip over the carpet till we land on the bed with our legs tangled, kissing, licking and touching every spot of skin we can reach not caring who's the owner.

"We need to get organized or this will be a mess..." Iselen whispers, chuckling and moving away to take her jeans off. For a split second, I wonder what I'm doing in this bed and if this is a mistake but Terra's lips manage to persuade me that this is the right thing to do. The vampire comes back and her strong hands turn my body till I'm lying on the mattress face up to be able to get rid of my jeans too. "Fuck, you're so pretty..." I shake my head, blushing, I can't compare to them but both women stare at me like I'm some kind of precious jewel. Iselen leans her hand on the pillow right next to my head, hovering over my body while Terra takes her clothes off and kneels down next to me, she slides her hand up my side till cupping my breast and I arch my back, gasping for air while her friend stares at me fascinated.

"I'm so happy because hell couldn't hold you," I whisper turning my head to kiss the tattoo and scars on her wrist. "I'm so happy you're here." This time it's the vampire the one who's blushing while looking at me awkwardly although the shine in her eyes shows me she's visibly moved.

"I'm happy too," the werewolf kisses her shoulder gently before lying next to me, her hand cups my cheek and her tongue licks my lips sultrily. Iselen lies on top of my body and her thigh between my legs puts pressure on my throbbing core.

"Oh God..." I whisper against Terra's mouth and she smiles getting closer to me. "You smell so good, like a forest after a storm, I love it..."

"I know right? Pine branches and berries... I love it too," Iselen mumbles against my neck before nibbling carefully, I can feel her sharp fangs but I'm not scared because her hands rub my thighs and my ribs sweetly and I know she won't bite me without my permission... Even if I wouldn't mind to try right now, in fact, I think I can't wait to feel it. My mind is so clouded by raw lust that I can't think straight.

"I thought I smelled like a wet mutt..."

"That's not true, I was joking..." Iselen chuckles and tangles her fingers in Terra's hair again to hold her head while kissing her filthily in front of my face. I watch the flawless line of the wolf's jaw entranced while she catches the vampire's lower lip between her teeth gently and lets it go finally.

"You're right, babe, we need to get organized... What if we start with her?" Terra smiles mischievously, tilting her head to point at me but keeps her eyes on Iselen's face who smiles wickedly too. I stare at them with caution while butterflies flutter like crazy in my stomach.

"I can't wait to try her..."

"You've already tried her blood," the werewolf smiles amused and her naughty fingers rub my thigh, going up excruciatingly slowly.

"I want to try other things..."

"You're lucky because she's really wet..."

"Oh God, please..." I whisper arching my back again feeling her long finger inside my pussy, pumping carefully. I get goose bumps and both women lower their heads to suck my nipples that are very hard, their hot mouths send a shiver down my spine and I twist helplessly between their bodies.

"What do you think?" Terra removes her finger and moves her hand closer to Iselen's face who starts licking it greedily. "She smells so good... I bet she tastes even better."

"Sweet... I need more." The vampire kneels down between my legs and lowers her head while her friend laughs amused. Suddenly, she buries her hot tongue in my opening and a cry falls from my mouth while the wolf licks and suckles my nipples. My hands move up on their own will to cradle her precious face and I raise my head from the pillow to kiss her, Terra obeys despite she's stronger than me and swirls her tongue around mine the same way Iselen is swirling her tongue over my clit while pinning my hips down.

"One day, Ruby Rose, Iselen's head will be between your legs like she's right now but you'll trust her and will let her bite the artery in your groin..." The werewolf whispers against my lips, her blue eyes hypnotizing me. "That day, you'll know what absolute ecstasy means, believe me, the vampire will blow your mind, she'll make you faint and later, she'll hold you in her arms till you manage to come to your senses again..." My body writhes again when Iselen finds a sensitive spot and starts moving her tongue really fast, I whine like a puppy and Terra smiles. "That day you'll understand no one else will make you feel so good, never... So satisfied, exhausted, safe and happy... and you'll fall in love with her."

"Was it like that for you?" I manage to ask while Iselen builds up my orgasm implacably and my hips buck against her face, blood boils in my veins and the tingling sensation spreads through my limbs.

"I started to lover her the day she saved my life... but that long and nimble tongue helped to sign the death warrant of my heart, I admit it." The wolf winks at me before crawling on the mattress, kneeling down next to the vampire. "I want to try her too..." Iselen tilts her head to one side slightly to make room for Terra and she sticks her tongue out, licking not only my sensitive nod but the vampire's tongue too. Both women lean on my thighs and start a fight to find out who can lick and suck my clit faster while their fingers take turns pumping in my opening, the arm of the werewolf on my hips pins me down while I sob and beg, tangling my fingers in their hair trying to control their movements but they remain adamant, working on my clit till making me cry.

"No, Iselen, please..." I know it's her finger, I don't need to see her to know that the finger that has slipped from my pussy, drenched in my juices, and that's rimming my anus right now belongs to the pervert vampire. Terra keeps thrusting her own finger in my opening while their tongues lick and mouths suck. My legs feel sore but I don't care because sparks of pleasure run through my veins and my blood turns into lava. Suddenly, my body convulses and my cries echo across the room when I shatter, pleasure is almost unbearable but they keep moving their tongues and fingers till I beg them to stop. "Please, have mercy on the poor human..."