The Pentagram Child: Part 1 (Afterlife Saga Book 5)

by Stephanie Hudson

  “Coming!” I shouted. I then quickly stepped into my shoes and made sure the side bun I had put my hair into was still in place thanks to the million grips I had stuffed in there.

  “Catherine, time is getting on if we’re to make dinner.” He reprimanded and I frowned at the door thinking he had only been stood out there not even a whole minute yet. I rolled my eyes before plastering on my smile and opening the door to find him stood there looking very dapper in his tux.

  “Hello handsome.” I said all chirpy and took in his half smile at seeing me in the dress he bought.

  “You look breathtaking, Catherine.” He told me and I stepped forward to give him a hug. Then I leant up to whisper in his ear,

  “Thank you for this, I’m so looking forward to tonight.” And then I turned to kiss him. We had only a moment kissing and I felt the little pinch of disappointment when it was only brief.

  “You’re most welcome my dear…shall we?” He said giving me his bent arm and playing the part of the perfect gentleman.

  “Certainly Mr Cain,” I said as I hooked my arm in his and let him lead the way.

  The rest of the evening flew by and soon we found ourselves at the gallery auction and I was in my element. Even the meal had gone by without a hitch and thankfully without an oyster in sight. I was even surprised when Alex let me order without making one suggestion as to what he thought I should try. We chatted like we used to in the beginning and I found myself falling for him all over again. In fact it made me feel a little guilty for all the negative thoughts I’d had about him over the last few days.

  It wasn’t his fault he was under a lot of pressure and it couldn’t have been nice dealing with the added worry about my Ex being back in town. I tried to put myself in his shoes and soon realised I had been way too harsh. So now I was snuggling up to his side listening to him as he told me about each artist.

  Of course this was me we were talking about so surely when something starts going well something bad is likely to happen. Well this was what I was thinking in the back of my head and I was trying hard to continue being relaxed. I don’t know exactly why it was but I just had some strange feeling as though something was coming…something important. It was as if the Fates had flipped some cosmic switch and I could only hope it meant good things for me. Maybe it was Draven’s final decision to walk away that had now changed the course of history. Well whatever it was I had a feeling tonight was the start of something new.

  “What do you think about this piece?” Alex asked me jarring me out of my fated musings.

  “Um?” I made this noise which just made him laugh at me.

  “Something on your mind?” He asked and as soon as he did we both turned as there was a bit of commotion at the other end of the gallery.

  “I wonder what that is all about?” I asked instead of answering him. I mean I don’t know what I could have said other than a lie, which I was rubbish at doing.

  “It’s probably just some famous person. These types of events always attract a few A listers looking for a photo opportunity.”

  “I guess,” I muttered more to myself.

  “So?” Alex asked again and I dragged my eyes from the front entrance I could barely see for all the swarms of people all trying to get a glimpse. I then looked back at the art he was showing me and focused on the giant swirls of colours in front of me that was painted in the shape of an apple core.

  “It’s beautiful but I have to wonder if the artist liked apples or hated them?” I said thinking the strokes looked quite angry to me.

  “You know the apple is very holy and symbolic don’t you?” I turned my head and gave him a strange look.

  “What, it’s true.” He said on a laugh and then came closer to me as if he was about to tell me some sacred secret.

  “Malus domestica, family to the rose and did you know it was even said that a golden apple actually caused the Trojan War.” As soon as he finished I turned round to find him smiling down at me as he knew I loved any of his historical stories. I knew, like Draven, that Alex was a lot older than he looked and also like Draven he wouldn’t tell me exactly how old he was. To say it was frustrating was a massive understatement.

  “Really?” I said prompting a laugh from him at seeing my enthusiasm.

  “Really…ok so it began when the Greek Goddess Eris became very insulted after she wasn’t invited to the wedding of Peleus and Thetis. So in retaliation she threw a golden apple into the wedding party. However, this golden apple had been inscribed with the word ‘Kallisti’ which means the most beautiful one.” As he said this he sweetly ran a single finger down my cheek and all this in his French accent was all very appealing.

  “What happened next?”

  “Well now as I recall, three Goddesses all went ape shit, piled in there to claim the apple, in what I like to think of as a very pornographic sight. Then enters the stupid Paris of Troy picked to appoint a winner, only then to be easily bribed by the horny bitch Aphrodite by shoving the beauty Helen of Sparta in his face. So for once men went to war over a pretty face rather than religion but it was a Goddess from religion that started that war…go figure.” The rest of the story didn’t come from Alex and through most of it I think my mouth was closer to the floor than on my face! I couldn’t stop my reaction as I tore myself from Alex and ran into another man’s arms.

  “Lucius!”

  “Hello my little Keira girl.” Lucius said after he caught me. I felt his strong arms encircle my body before he lifted me up and planted a kiss on my nose. I leant back to take in one of the most handsome faces on the planet and it took me back every time I saw it after he was changed that day. The fact was still astounding to know that he was now more like Draven, being both Angel and Demon. I always thought even before The Triple Goddess happened that he looked like some dark avenging Angel. Well it couldn’t have been truer than in this moment.

  Unlike everyone else Lucius, as usual, wasn’t conforming and wearing a Tux, oh no, he was wearing a crisp white dinner jacket with black lapels and a black handkerchief in the pocket. This he combined with a black shirt that was left open at the neck with no tie and a pair of black slacks. His normally unruly hair was for once styled back and he had a sprinkling of honey coloured stubble that went surprisingly well with the look. That was if the look he was going for was Winner of Mr Universe’s number one sex God!

  “Well you’re looking delectable as always pet…tell me, do you still kiss with a passion like the burning sun and does your blood still taste like sin?” He hummed this question and the blood he spoke of bloomed bright on my cheeks.

  “Ah still shy, I am pleased.” He teased again. I was about to reply with some witty remark that would have caused my brain to high five itself when Alex cleared his throat behind me. It was definitely one of those ‘Oh shit’ moments that I had been having a lot of lately.

  “Uh…Alex, I’m sorry, I wasn’t expecting to bump into an old friend,” I said turning back to face him and I couldn’t say I was pleased to be leaving Lucius’ arms this soon.

  “Hey, less of the old Sweetheart!” Lucius said placing his hand on the small of my back and leading me back over to Alex. I tried not to notice the way Alex was scowling at where Lucius’ hand was and instead gave him what I hoped was a reassuring smile.

  “So you’re the Demon bastard that managed to ensnare our little Kiera girl um?”

  “Luc!” I shouted whipping round to face him in shock.

  “Its fine Catherine, I am used to this reception from his kind,” Alex said remaining calm unlike me.

  “And he’s French…Jesus Pet, could you have picked anyone worse?” Lucius said laughing and I quickly wasn’t feeling all fuzzy about seeing my friend again.

  “Stop it!” I hissed stepping away from him and back to Alex’s side.

  “No wonder the big guy has got his wings in a twist.” He said laughing and I opened my mouth ready to give him a piece of my mind again but he beat me to it carrying on,

/>   “So Nephilim tell me, how long exactly have you wished to die?”

  “Right that’s enough! Lucius, not so great seeing you again!” I snapped as I grabbed Alex and started dragging him off in the opposite direction.

  “I must say, I am not loving your choice of friends, Catherine.” Alex said as we could still hear Lucius laughing.

  “See you soon Pet… no doubt when I will be saving your biteable ass yet again!” Lucius shouted not caring in the slightest that people were staring.

  “What was he doing here, did you tell anyone about tonight?” Alex asked in an accusing manner.

  “No! I didn’t tell anyone! It’s not like I have a bloody party’s worth of friends here Alex. Hell I don’t even have one!”

  “Fine! Look let’s just forget this and move on and hope that no more of your ‘friends’ turn up out of the blue.” The way he said this was so filled with bitterness I was surprised he wasn’t spitting venom. I frowned at him but he ignored me and just walked me further round to a different section of the gallery where another artist’s work was being displayed.

  Well this night certainly couldn’t get any worse I thought pulling up my gloves.

  “So that golden apple story…was that really how it ended?” I asked thinking of the only safe way to break the tension.

  “Well yes, only your vulgar friend there told it with a lot less romance.” Alex remarked haughtily. He then looked down at me and released a big sigh hopefully when he realised what a moody plonker he was acting.

  “I’m sorry, Catherine, I am letting that blood sucking cretin get to me.”

  “Uh, I know he was rude but I’m not ok with you calling him that.” I remarked folding my arms.

  “And were you ok with him calling me a Demon bastard?!” He snapped back.

  “You know full well I was not or I wouldn’t have shouted at him now would I?” After saying this I wanted to stomp away, which turned out to be precisely what I did.

  “I think you need time to calm down, feel free to find me when that happens!” I said looking back over my shoulder as my parting line. Then I proceeded to let my anger and frustrations lead me to another part of the gallery.

  “Argh!” I shouted stamping my foot in annoyance.

  “Nope, still adorable.” I growled at hearing his voice and said,

  “Yeah well let’s see how adorable it is when I put my foot up your ass!”

  “Mmm feisty still, just the way I always liked it.” This time instead of growling I groaned and then turned to face the trouble maker.

  “What do you want Lucius, don’t you think you have caused enough damage?” I said seeing him leaning casually on the far wall with his ankles crossed and looking at his nails.

  “Does the Nephilim still live?” I frowned and shook my head in confusion before replying,

  “Yes of course he does!”

  “Then the answer to your question is no, I haven’t yet done enough damage.” His answer was likely turning me an unattractive rage red but I didn’t care.

  “How dare you!” I said hitting back and took what I hoped was a threatening step forward. However when he just pushed off the wall and came right up to me I knew I had been about as threatening as a mouse in a bow tie! This was further proven when he tapped me under the chin and gave me that cocky, bad ass grin of his.

  “Chill out Doll, you’re the one playing with fire here, I’m just here on orders.”

  “What?! By who?” At this question Lucius burst out laughing.

  “Really?! You wanna ask me who…that bun your hair’s in wrapped too tight?” This was when I hit my limit and walked up to him where he now stood and smacked him on the arm.

  “Look you big Vampire bully, I asked you who?!”

  “Ok fine you wanna play dumb I’ll still find it cute, but just so long as you know, you hit like a girl” He said finally losing his smirk.

  “That’s because I am a girl dipshit, now spill it!” I shouted hitting him again only this time on the other arm.

  “Fine Keira girl, I am here on orders from the big man himself…there, happy now little miss ‘I wanna ignore the obvious’!”

  “What!” I shouted as I stared at the unbelievable.

  “Wow, he must really have done a number on you.” Lucius commented dryly and I couldn’t help my response.

  “He faked his own death to get away from me.” This came out in a quiet voice that sounded as broken as the words would suggest. This was when Lucius’ eyes turned soft but thankfully all he said was,

  “Yeah I forgot, that sure would do it.”

  “Yeah, would and did…so Draven really sent you here?” Lucius was once again grinning at the question and I wondered what it was he saw in my face enough to grin about.

  “That he did and he is less than happy about the Nephilim situation, Keira but seriously though, what were you thinking, don’t you know how dangerous they are?” This question once again had me frowning.

  “Alex isn’t dangerous…I mean he’s an architect for Christ sake, what’s he gonna do, draw a building falling down on me?!” I asked sarcastically this time making Lucius roll his eyes.

  “Do you not know anything about the Nephilim?”

  “I know all I need to know not to make unfair judgements…after all every single person on the planet is able to murder someone if they choose to.” I said thinking I was making a good point.

  “Yes but not everyone would do so for fun and could with a simple flip of their wrist.” Lucius all but snarled back at me.

  “Look I am done arguing this point with you, why would Draven give a shit about me being here?”

  “Are you being serious right now, I mean we are taking about the same obsessed King of the Supernatural world who has found his Electus?” Ok so it was obvious I wasn’t the only one who could do sarcastic.

  “Yeah well he made his choice and it couldn’t have been clearer when he gave me his back to say goodbye to, so excuse me for being a tad confused right now!”

  “Ok look, I never claimed the dude was sane or even that he made the right decisions by you but it is beside the point, as I am in fact here and in me being here clearly shows he still cares for you.” Lucius said but this time in a softer tone which instantly caused me to drop the attitude.

  “Well I have no idea.” I said releasing all my pent up anger and frustrations in a big sigh.

  “My guess, and I’m no scholar here, but I would say it’s called a Nephilim.”

  “Yeah it’s a good guess.” I muttered dejectedly. This was because of two reasons. One was that it was now even more blindingly obvious Draven only landed back in my life because of Alex and two… he was now getting other people doing his dirty work for him!

  “So where’s my favourite Imp these days?” I asked trying to change the subject to one definitely more colourful.

  “Trying to take over the world in the form of planning her own birthday party.” Lucius remarked sardonically. I had to laugh at the picture he painted and soon was in fits when he said,

  “It’s true, you should see what she has poor Percy doing, I think he is rethinking his life as a recluse.”

  “Poor Percy…how is he these days?” I asked thinking fondly of my little friend.

  “Faithful and loyal…oh and of course being Pip’s new life size doll he is often wearing street wear and resembling Ruto’s relation more each day.” This made me smile knowing that he had found the family which he had always wanted and I couldn’t have chosen a better one for him other than what was once my own at Afterlife.

  “I’m happy to hear that.”

  “Of course you are.” He said smirking and looking at me from the side. I rolled my eyes making him laugh and we quickly fell into a comfortable silence as we stood side by side taking in the world of art around us.

  “That’s so beautiful.” I said as we came to stand in front of one piece that was the epitome of love. It was a painting that almost popped out of the canvas to
the point that you felt you could reach out and touch it. It was almost like the artist had actually made what he or she wanted to paint just so they would have something more lifelike to work from.

  “I must agree, very striking indeed, given its nature.” At Lucius’s scepticism I had to laugh again.

  “You don’t believe in love? Or in the one being made and born to this world just for you alone?” I asked feeling sorry for anyone who didn’t believe in love.

  “Well now, that’s quite a question, considering whose lips it came from.”

  “That’s not an answer, Luc.” I replied giving him a look.

  “You were such as one born to a single being and yet if you’re not the master of your own fates then what is the point but only to taste an addiction before it had chance to take hold?” His answer turned out to be one I didn’t care for after all but subtle wasn’t in Lucius’ nature.

  “Well I won’t give up on love.” I said turning back to the very proof it existed in the world, for if not, where did such beauty really come from. Surely you had to first know love inside you to really recognise it when it hit you. Or was it something you learned with time and mistakes? And if so, what of these two phantom people who were displaying it so freely. What of their story?

  The painting was two wired faces of both man and woman that looked as though a cast was made and then the wire was its thickest where they kissed. Only what made the picture so truly captivating was not that they were actually kissing but the way they were kissing. The woman was lay down and the man was kissing her from above only from the opposite angle, so his nose was at her chin and hers at his. Their lips were open but only just whispering their touch against each other. It was as sensual as it was raw but both made for a stunning combination. And I wanted it. In fact I wanted it like I hadn’t wanted any other painting before.