diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index d5d8baf..51db31b 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -421,7 +421,7 @@ Users can also feed their own lease directory for lock:
 
 ```c++
   etcd::Client etcd("http://127.0.0.1:4001");
-  etcd.lock("/test/lock", lease_id);
+  etcd.lock_with_lease("/test/lock", lease_id);
 ```
 
 ### Watching for changes
@@ -510,6 +510,13 @@ The lease can be revoked by
   etcd.leaserevoke(resp.value().lease());
 ```
 
+A lease can also be attached with a `KeepAlive` object at the creation time,
+
+```c++
+  std::shared_ptr<etcd::KeepAlive> keepalive = etcd.leasekeepalive(60).get();
+  std::cout << "lease id: " << keepalive->Lease();
+```
+
 The remaining time-to-live of a lease can be inspected by
 
 ```c++
diff --git a/etcd/Client.hpp b/etcd/Client.hpp
index 9c1242f..4879ba7 100644
--- a/etcd/Client.hpp
+++ b/etcd/Client.hpp
@@ -327,6 +327,12 @@ namespace etcd
      */
     pplx::task<Response> leasegrant(int ttl);
 
+    /**
+     * Grants a lease.
+     * @param ttl is the time to live of the lease
+     */
+    pplx::task<std::shared_ptr<KeepAlive>> leasekeepalive(int ttl);
+
     /**
      * Revoke a lease.
      * @param lease_id is the id the lease
@@ -359,7 +365,7 @@ namespace etcd
      * of by the library.
      * @param key is the key to be used to request the lock.
      */
-    pplx::task<Response> lock(std::string const &key, int64_t lease_id);
+    pplx::task<Response> lock_with_lease(std::string const &key, int64_t lease_id);
 
     /**
      * Releases a lock at a key.
diff --git a/etcd/KeepAlive.hpp b/etcd/KeepAlive.hpp
index 9e1ca11..65fab55 100644
--- a/etcd/KeepAlive.hpp
+++ b/etcd/KeepAlive.hpp
@@ -1,9 +1,11 @@
 #ifndef __ETCD_KEEPALIVE_HPP__
 #define __ETCD_KEEPALIVE_HPP__
 
+#include <atomic>
 #include <exception>
 #include <functional>
 #include <string>
+#include <thread>
 
 #include "etcd/Client.hpp"
 #include "etcd/Response.hpp"
@@ -19,7 +21,7 @@
 namespace etcd
 {
   /**
-   * If ID is set to 0, etcd will choose an ID.
+   * If ID is set to 0, the library will choose an ID, and can be accessed from ".Lease()".
    */
   class KeepAlive
   {
@@ -43,10 +45,11 @@ namespace etcd
               std::function<void (std::exception_ptr)> const &handler,
               int ttl, int64_t lease_id=0);
 
-
     KeepAlive(KeepAlive const &) = delete;
     KeepAlive(KeepAlive &&) = delete;
 
+    int64_t Lease() const { return lease_id; }
+
     /**
      * Stop the keep alive action.
      */
@@ -64,7 +67,6 @@ namespace etcd
   protected:
     void refresh();
 
-    pplx::task<void> currentTask;
     struct EtcdServerStubs;
     struct EtcdServerStubsDeleter {
       void operator()(EtcdServerStubs *stubs);
@@ -76,9 +78,13 @@ namespace etcd
     std::exception_ptr eptr_;
     std::function<void (std::exception_ptr)> handler_;
 
+    // Don't use `pplx::task` to avoid sharing thread pool with other actions on the client
+    // to avoid any potential blocking, which may block the keepalive loop and evict the lease.
+    std::thread task_;
+
     int ttl;
     int64_t lease_id;
-    bool continue_next;
+    std::atomic_bool continue_next;
 #if BOOST_VERSION >= 106600
     boost::asio::io_context context;
 #else
diff --git a/etcd/Response.hpp b/etcd/Response.hpp
index e7833f4..a18a3bd 100644
--- a/etcd/Response.hpp
+++ b/etcd/Response.hpp
@@ -32,20 +32,42 @@ namespace etcd
     {
       return pplx::task<etcd::Response>([call]()
       {
-        etcd::Response resp;     
-
         call->waitForResponse();
-
         auto v3resp = call->ParseResponse();
-          
+
         auto duration = std::chrono::duration_cast<std::chrono::microseconds>(
             std::chrono::high_resolution_clock::now() - call->startTimepoint());
-        resp = etcd::Response(v3resp, duration);    
-
-        return resp;
+        return etcd::Response(v3resp, duration);
       });
     }
 
+    template <typename T>
+    static pplx::task<etcd::Response> create(std::function<std::shared_ptr<T>()> callfn)
+    {
+      return pplx::task<etcd::Response>([callfn]()
+      {
+        auto call = callfn();
+
+        call->waitForResponse();
+        auto v3resp = call->ParseResponse();
+
+        auto duration = std::chrono::duration_cast<std::chrono::microseconds>(
+            std::chrono::high_resolution_clock::now() - call->startTimepoint());
+        return etcd::Response(v3resp, duration);
+      });
+    }
+
+    template <typename T>
+    static etcd::Response create_sync(std::shared_ptr<T> call)
+    {
+      call->waitForResponse();
+      auto v3resp = call->ParseResponse();
+
+      auto duration = std::chrono::duration_cast<std::chrono::microseconds>(
+          std::chrono::high_resolution_clock::now() - call->startTimepoint());
+      return etcd::Response(v3resp, duration);
+    }
+
     Response();
 
     /**
diff --git a/etcd/Watcher.hpp b/etcd/Watcher.hpp
index 0ed32a7..1c5300f 100644
--- a/etcd/Watcher.hpp
+++ b/etcd/Watcher.hpp
@@ -1,7 +1,10 @@
 #ifndef __ETCD_WATCHER_HPP__
 #define __ETCD_WATCHER_HPP__
 
+#include <atomic>
+#include <functional>
 #include <string>
+#include <thread>
 
 #include "etcd/Client.hpp"
 #include "etcd/Response.hpp"
@@ -81,7 +84,11 @@ namespace etcd
 
     int index;
     std::function<void(Response)> callback;
-    pplx::task<void> currentTask;
+    std::function<void(bool)> wait_callback;
+
+    // Don't use `pplx::task` to avoid sharing thread pool with other actions on the client
+    // to avoid any potential blocking, which may block the keepalive loop and evict the lease.
+    std::thread task_;
 
     struct EtcdServerStubs;
     struct EtcdServerStubsDeleter {
@@ -92,6 +99,7 @@ namespace etcd
   private:
     int fromIndex;
     bool recursive;
+    std::atomic_bool cancelled;
   };
 }
 
diff --git a/etcd/v3/AsyncWatchAction.hpp b/etcd/v3/AsyncWatchAction.hpp
index f356653..7fc4dea 100644
--- a/etcd/v3/AsyncWatchAction.hpp
+++ b/etcd/v3/AsyncWatchAction.hpp
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 #ifndef __ASYNC_WATCHACTION_HPP__
 #define __ASYNC_WATCHACTION_HPP__
 
+#include <atomic>
 #include <mutex>
 
 #include <grpc++/grpc++.h>
@@ -28,7 +29,7 @@ namespace etcdv3
     private:
       WatchResponse reply;
       std::unique_ptr<ClientAsyncReaderWriter<WatchRequest,WatchResponse>> stream;   
-      bool isCancelled;
+      std::atomic_bool isCancelled;
       std::mutex protect_is_cancalled;
   };
 }
diff --git a/src/Client.cpp b/src/Client.cpp
index 76c86cb..d182f8a 100644
--- a/src/Client.cpp
+++ b/src/Client.cpp
@@ -10,11 +10,13 @@
 #include <sys/socket.h>
 #endif
 
+#include <chrono>
 #include <iostream>
 #include <fstream>
-#include <sstream>
 #include <limits>
 #include <memory>
+#include <sstream>
+#include <thread>
 
 #include <boost/algorithm/string.hpp>
 
@@ -641,12 +643,30 @@ pplx::task<etcd::Response> etcd::Client::watch(std::string const & key, std::str
 
 pplx::task<etcd::Response> etcd::Client::leasegrant(int ttl)
 {
-  etcdv3::ActionParameters params;
-  params.auth_token.assign(this->auth_token);
-  params.ttl = ttl;
-  params.lease_stub = stubs->leaseServiceStub.get();
-  std::shared_ptr<etcdv3::AsyncLeaseGrantAction> call(new etcdv3::AsyncLeaseGrantAction(params));
-  return Response::create(call);
+  // lease grant is special, that we are expected the callback could be invoked
+  // immediately after the lease is granted by the server.
+  return Response::create<etcdv3::AsyncLeaseGrantAction>([this, ttl]() {
+    etcdv3::ActionParameters params;
+    params.auth_token.assign(this->auth_token);
+    params.ttl = ttl;
+    params.lease_stub = stubs->leaseServiceStub.get();
+    return std::make_shared<etcdv3::AsyncLeaseGrantAction>(params);
+  });
+}
+
+pplx::task<std::shared_ptr<etcd::KeepAlive>> etcd::Client::leasekeepalive(int ttl) {
+  return pplx::task<std::shared_ptr<etcd::KeepAlive>>([this, ttl]()
+  {
+    etcdv3::ActionParameters params;
+    params.auth_token.assign(this->auth_token);
+    params.ttl = ttl;
+    params.lease_stub = stubs->leaseServiceStub.get();
+    auto call = std::make_shared<etcdv3::AsyncLeaseGrantAction>(params);
+
+    call->waitForResponse();
+    auto v3resp = call->ParseResponse();
+    return std::make_shared<KeepAlive>(*this, ttl, v3resp.get_value().kvs.lease());
+  });
 }
 
 pplx::task<etcd::Response> etcd::Client::leaserevoke(int64_t lease_id)
@@ -678,37 +698,37 @@ pplx::task<etcd::Response> etcd::Client::lock(std::string const &key) {
 }
 
 pplx::task<etcd::Response> etcd::Client::lock(std::string const &key, int lease_ttl) {
-  etcdv3::ActionParameters params;
-  params.auth_token.assign(this->auth_token);
+  return this->leasekeepalive(lease_ttl).then([this, key](
+      pplx::task<std::shared_ptr<etcd::KeepAlive>> const& resp_task) {
+    auto const &keepalive = resp_task.get();
 
-  auto resp = this->leasegrant(lease_ttl).get();
-  int64_t lease_id = resp.value().lease();
-  {
-    std::lock_guard<std::mutex> lexical_scope_lock(mutex_for_keepalives);
-    this->keep_alive_for_locks[lease_id].reset(
-      new KeepAlive(*this, lease_ttl, lease_id));
-  }
-  params.key = key;
-  params.lease_id = lease_id;
-  params.lock_stub = stubs->lockServiceStub.get();
-  std::shared_ptr<etcdv3::AsyncLockAction> call(new etcdv3::AsyncLockAction(params));
-  return Response::create(call).then(
-    [this, lease_id](pplx::task<etcd::Response> const &resp_task) -> etcd::Response {
-      auto const& resp = resp_task.get();
-      {
-        std::lock_guard<std::mutex> lexical_scope_lock(mutex_for_keepalives);
-        if (resp.is_ok()) {
-          this->leases_for_locks[resp.lock_key()] = lease_id;
-        } else {
-          this->keep_alive_for_locks.erase(lease_id);
-        }
-      }
-      return resp;
+    int64_t lease_id = keepalive->Lease();
+    {
+      std::lock_guard<std::mutex> lexical_scope_lock(mutex_for_keepalives);
+      this->keep_alive_for_locks[lease_id] = keepalive;
     }
-  );
+
+    etcdv3::ActionParameters params;
+    params.auth_token.assign(this->auth_token);
+    params.key = key;
+    params.lease_id = lease_id;
+    params.lock_stub = stubs->lockServiceStub.get();
+    std::shared_ptr<etcdv3::AsyncLockAction> call(new etcdv3::AsyncLockAction(params));
+
+    auto lock_resp = Response::create_sync(call);
+    {
+      std::lock_guard<std::mutex> lexical_scope_lock(mutex_for_keepalives);
+      if (lock_resp.is_ok()) {
+        this->leases_for_locks[lock_resp.lock_key()] = lease_id;
+      } else {
+        this->keep_alive_for_locks.erase(lease_id);
+      }
+    }
+    return lock_resp;
+  });
 }
 
-pplx::task<etcd::Response> etcd::Client::lock(std::string const &key,
+pplx::task<etcd::Response> etcd::Client::lock_with_lease(std::string const &key,
                                               int64_t lease_id) {
   etcdv3::ActionParameters params;
   params.auth_token.assign(this->auth_token);
@@ -720,7 +740,14 @@ pplx::task<etcd::Response> etcd::Client::lock(std::string const &key,
 }
 
 pplx::task<etcd::Response> etcd::Client::unlock(std::string const &lock_key) {
-  // cancel the KeepAlive first, it exists
+  // issue a "unlock" request
+  etcdv3::ActionParameters params;
+  params.auth_token.assign(this->auth_token);
+  params.key = lock_key;
+  params.lock_stub = stubs->lockServiceStub.get();
+  std::shared_ptr<etcdv3::AsyncUnlockAction> call(new etcdv3::AsyncUnlockAction(params));
+
+  // cancel the KeepAlive first, if it exists
   {
     std::lock_guard<std::mutex> lexical_scope_lock(mutex_for_keepalives);
     auto p_leases = this->leases_for_locks.find(lock_key);
@@ -728,17 +755,20 @@ pplx::task<etcd::Response> etcd::Client::unlock(std::string const &lock_key) {
       auto p_keeps_alive = this->keep_alive_for_locks.find(p_leases->second);
       if (p_keeps_alive != this->keep_alive_for_locks.end()) {
         this->keep_alive_for_locks.erase(p_keeps_alive);
+      } else {
+#if !defined(NDEBUG)
+        std::cerr << "Keepalive for lease not found" << std::endl;
+#endif
       }
       this->leases_for_locks.erase(p_leases);
+    } else {
+#if !defined(NDEBUG)
+      std::cerr << "Lease for lock not found" << std::endl;
+#endif
     }
   }
 
-  // issue a "unlock" request
-  etcdv3::ActionParameters params;
-  params.auth_token.assign(this->auth_token);
-  params.key = lock_key;
-  params.lock_stub = stubs->lockServiceStub.get();
-  std::shared_ptr<etcdv3::AsyncUnlockAction> call(new etcdv3::AsyncUnlockAction(params));
+  // wait in the io_context loop.
   return Response::create(call);
 }
 
diff --git a/src/KeepAlive.cpp b/src/KeepAlive.cpp
index 2dd7560..a933edc 100644
--- a/src/KeepAlive.cpp
+++ b/src/KeepAlive.cpp
@@ -31,8 +31,10 @@ etcd::KeepAlive::KeepAlive(Client const &client, int ttl, int64_t lease_id):
   params.lease_id = this->lease_id;
   params.lease_stub = stubs->leaseServiceStub.get();
 
+  continue_next.store(true);
+
   stubs->call.reset(new etcdv3::AsyncLeaseKeepAliveAction(params));
-  currentTask = pplx::task<void>([this]() {
+  task_ = std::thread([this]() {
     try {
       // start refresh
       this->refresh();
@@ -67,7 +69,7 @@ etcd::KeepAlive::KeepAlive(Client const &client,
   params.lease_stub = stubs->leaseServiceStub.get();
 
   stubs->call.reset(new etcdv3::AsyncLeaseKeepAliveAction(params));
-  currentTask = pplx::task<void>([this]() {
+  task_ = std::thread([this]() {
     try {
       // start refresh
       this->refresh();
@@ -78,8 +80,8 @@ etcd::KeepAlive::KeepAlive(Client const &client,
       } else {
         eptr_ = std::current_exception();
       }
+      this->Cancel();
     }
-    context.stop();  // clean up
   });
 }
 
@@ -103,23 +105,19 @@ etcd::KeepAlive::~KeepAlive()
 
 void etcd::KeepAlive::Cancel()
 {
-  if (!continue_next) {
+  if (!continue_next.exchange(false)) {
     return;
   }
-  continue_next = false;
-#ifndef NDEBUG
-  {
-    std::ios::fmtflags os_flags (std::cout.flags());
-    std::cout << "Cancel keepalive for " << lease_id
-              << "(" << std::hex << lease_id << ")" << std::endl;
-    std::cout.flags(os_flags);
-  }
-#endif
   stubs->call->CancelKeepAlive();
   if (keepalive_timer_) {
     keepalive_timer_->cancel();
   }
-  currentTask.wait();
+
+  // clean up
+  context.stop();
+  if (task_.joinable()) {
+    task_.join();
+  }
 }
 
 void etcd::KeepAlive::Check() {
@@ -130,29 +128,20 @@ void etcd::KeepAlive::Check() {
 
 void etcd::KeepAlive::refresh()
 {
-  if (!continue_next) {
+  if (!continue_next.load()) {
     return;
   }
   // minimal resolution: 1 second
   int keepalive_ttl = std::max(ttl - 1, 1);
-#ifndef NDEBUG
-  {
-    std::ios::fmtflags os_flags (std::cout.flags());
-    std::cout << "Trigger the next keepalive round with ttl " << keepalive_ttl
-              << " for " << lease_id
-              << "(" << std::hex << lease_id << ")" << std::endl;
-    std::cout.flags(os_flags);
-  }
-#endif
   keepalive_timer_.reset(new boost::asio::steady_timer(
       context, std::chrono::seconds(keepalive_ttl)));
   keepalive_timer_->async_wait([this](const boost::system::error_code& error) {
     if (error) {
 #ifndef NDEBUG
-      std::cerr << "keepalive timer error: " << error << ", " << error.message() << std::endl;
+      std::cerr << "keepalive timer cancelled: " << error << ", " << error.message() << std::endl;
 #endif
     } else {
-      if (this->continue_next) {
+      if (this->continue_next.load()) {
         auto resp = this->stubs->call->Refresh();
         if (!resp.is_ok()) {
           throw std::runtime_error("Failed to refresh lease: error code: " + std::to_string(resp.error_code()) +
diff --git a/src/Watcher.cpp b/src/Watcher.cpp
index 89b979c..50fd291 100644
--- a/src/Watcher.cpp
+++ b/src/Watcher.cpp
@@ -92,22 +92,26 @@ etcd::Watcher::Watcher(std::string const & address,
 
 etcd::Watcher::~Watcher()
 {
-  stubs->call->CancelWatch();
-  currentTask.wait();
+  this->Cancel();
 }
 
 bool etcd::Watcher::Wait()
 {
-  currentTask.wait();
+  if (!cancelled.exchange(true)) {
+    if (task_.joinable()) {
+      task_.join();
+    }
+  }
   return stubs->call->Cancelled();
 }
 
 void etcd::Watcher::Wait(std::function<void(bool)> callback)
 {
-  currentTask.then([this, callback](pplx::task<void> const & resp_task) {
-    resp_task.wait();
-    callback(this->stubs->call->Cancelled());
-  });
+  if (wait_callback == nullptr) {
+    wait_callback = callback;
+  } else {
+    std::cerr << "Failed to set a asynchronous wait callback since it has already been set" << std::endl;
+  }
 }
 
 void etcd::Watcher::Cancel()
@@ -133,8 +137,11 @@ void etcd::Watcher::doWatch(std::string const & key,
 
   stubs->call.reset(new etcdv3::AsyncWatchAction(params));
 
-  currentTask = pplx::task<void>([this, callback]()
-  {  
-    return stubs->call->waitForResponse(callback);
+  task_ = std::thread([this, callback]() {
+    stubs->call->waitForResponse(callback);
+    if (wait_callback != nullptr) {
+      wait_callback(stubs->call->Cancelled());
+    }
   });
+  cancelled.store(false);
 }
diff --git a/src/v3/AsyncWatchAction.cpp b/src/v3/AsyncWatchAction.cpp
index 81acaa2..0c4a77e 100644
--- a/src/v3/AsyncWatchAction.cpp
+++ b/src/v3/AsyncWatchAction.cpp
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ using etcdserverpb::WatchCreateRequest;
 etcdv3::AsyncWatchAction::AsyncWatchAction(etcdv3::ActionParameters param)
   : etcdv3::Action(param) 
 {
-  isCancelled = false;
+  isCancelled.store(false);
   stream = parameters.watch_stub->AsyncWatch(&context,&cq_,(void*)"create");
 
   WatchRequest watch_req;
@@ -61,14 +61,14 @@ void etcdv3::AsyncWatchAction::waitForResponse()
       break;
     }
     if(got_tag == (void*)"writes done") {
-      isCancelled = true;
+      isCancelled.store(true);
       cq_.Shutdown();
       break;
     }
     if(got_tag == (void*)this) // read tag
     {
       if (reply.canceled()) {
-        isCancelled = true;
+        isCancelled.store(true);
         cq_.Shutdown();
       }
       else if ((reply.created() && reply.header().revision() < parameters.revision) ||
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ void etcdv3::AsyncWatchAction::waitForResponse()
         //
         // 1. watch for a future revision, return immediately with empty events set
         // 2. receive any effective events.
-        isCancelled = true;
+        isCancelled.store(true);
         stream->WritesDone((void*)"writes done");
         grpc::Status status;
         stream->Finish(&status, (void *)this);
@@ -100,9 +100,7 @@ void etcdv3::AsyncWatchAction::waitForResponse()
 void etcdv3::AsyncWatchAction::CancelWatch()
 {
   std::lock_guard<std::mutex> scope_lock(this->protect_is_cancalled);
-  if(isCancelled == false)
-  {
-    isCancelled = true;
+  if (!isCancelled.exchange(true)) {
     stream->WritesDone((void*)"writes done");
     grpc::Status status;
     stream->Finish(&status, (void *)this);
@@ -111,7 +109,7 @@ void etcdv3::AsyncWatchAction::CancelWatch()
 }
 
 bool etcdv3::AsyncWatchAction::Cancelled() const {
-  return isCancelled;
+  return isCancelled.load();
 }
 
 void etcdv3::AsyncWatchAction::waitForResponse(std::function<void(etcd::Response)> callback) 
@@ -127,14 +125,14 @@ void etcdv3::AsyncWatchAction::waitForResponse(std::function<void(etcd::Response
     }
     if(got_tag == (void*)"writes done")
     {
-      isCancelled = true;
+      isCancelled.store(true);
       cq_.Shutdown();
       break;
     }
     else if(got_tag == (void*)this) // read tag
     {
       if (reply.canceled()) {
-        isCancelled = true;
+        isCancelled.store(true);
         cq_.Shutdown();
         if (reply.compact_revision() != 0) {
           callback(etcd::Response(grpc::StatusCode::OUT_OF_RANGE /* error code */,
@@ -159,7 +157,6 @@ void etcdv3::AsyncWatchAction::waitForResponse(std::function<void(etcd::Response
 
 etcdv3::AsyncWatchResponse etcdv3::AsyncWatchAction::ParseResponse()
 {
-
   AsyncWatchResponse watch_resp;
   if(!status.ok())
   {
diff --git a/tst/LockTest.cpp b/tst/LockTest.cpp
index 78549ac..cef8ef8 100644
--- a/tst/LockTest.cpp
+++ b/tst/LockTest.cpp
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 
 #include <atomic>
 #include <chrono>
+#include <cstdlib>
 #include <iostream>
 #include <thread>
 
@@ -108,7 +109,7 @@ TEST_CASE("lock using lease")
     keepalive.Check();  // shouldn't throw
 
     // lock
-    etcd::Response resp1 = etcd.lock("/test/abcd", lease_id).get();
+    etcd::Response resp1 = etcd.lock_with_lease("/test/abcd", lease_id).get();
     CHECK("lock" == resp1.action());
     REQUIRE(resp1.is_ok());
     REQUIRE(0 == resp1.error_code());
@@ -141,7 +142,7 @@ TEST_CASE("lock using lease")
     keepalive.Check();  // shouldn't throw
 
     // lock
-    etcd::Response resp1 = etcd.lock("/test/abcd", lease_id).get();
+    etcd::Response resp1 = etcd.lock_with_lease("/test/abcd", lease_id).get();
     CHECK("lock" == resp1.action());
     REQUIRE(resp1.is_ok());
     REQUIRE(0 == resp1.error_code());
@@ -164,3 +165,32 @@ TEST_CASE("lock using lease")
     keepalive.Check();  // shouldn't throw
   }
 }
+
+TEST_CASE("concurrent lock & unlock")
+{
+  etcd::Client etcd("http://127.0.0.1:2379");
+  std::string const lock_key = "/test/test_key";
+
+  constexpr size_t trials = 128;
+
+  std::function<void(std::string const &, const size_t)> locker = [&etcd](std::string const &key, const size_t index) {
+    std::cout << "start lock for " << index << std::endl;
+    auto resp = etcd.lock(key).get();
+    std::cout << "lock for " << index << " is ok, start sleep: ..." << resp.error_message() << std::endl;
+    REQUIRE(resp.is_ok());
+    std::srand(index);
+    size_t time_to_sleep = 1;
+    std::this_thread::sleep_for(std::chrono::seconds(time_to_sleep));
+    REQUIRE(etcd.unlock(resp.lock_key()).get().is_ok());
+    std::cout << "thread " << index << " been unlocked" << std::endl;
+  };
+
+  std::vector<std::thread> locks(trials);
+  for (size_t index = 0; index < trials; ++index) {
+    locks[index] = std::thread(locker, lock_key, index);
+  }
+
+  for (size_t index = 0; index < trials; ++index) {
+    locks[index].join();
+  }
+}