  We introduce a discrete lossy system, into which a double hot spot (HS) is
inserted, i.e., two mutually symmetric sites carrying linear gain and cubic
nonlinearity. The system can be implemented as an array of optical or plasmonic
waveguides, with a pair of amplified nonlinear cores embedded into it. We focus
on the case of the self-defocusing nonlinearity and cubic losses acting at the
HSs. Symmetric localized modes pinned to the double HS are constructed in an
implicit analytical form, which is done separately for the cases of odd and
even numbers of intermediate sites between the HSs. In the former case, some
stationary solutions feature a W-like shape, with a low peak at the central
site, added to tall peaks at the positions of the embedded HSs. The special
case of two adjacent HSs is considered too. Stability of the solution families
against small perturbations is investigated in a numerical form, which reveals
stable and unstable subfamilies. The instability of symmetric modes accounting
for by an isolated positive eigenvalue leads to their spontaneous
transformation into co-existing stable antisymmetric modes, while the
instability represented by a pair of complex-conjugate eigenvalues gives rise
to persistent breathers.
