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

by Stephanie Hudson

  “Oh Draven!” I said before throwing my arms around him and this time holding him to me. I reached up my hand and placed it on his cheek before saying,

  “I had no idea.”

  “And for that I am thankful. The pain I inflicted on you was great enough.”

  “Draven I…” I started to say I wasn’t exactly sure what but I didn’t get that far.

  “Hush now.” Draven said before taking my face in his hands and kissing me silent.

  “Uh, I hate to be the one to tear away reunited lovers but we are here.” Sophia said giggling passing us as she then made her way off the boat. I felt the start of Draven’s growl in his kiss before he let me go.

  “It’s moments like this I don’t care for duty.” I laughed making him smile down at me.

  “You’re stunning.” He said taking me back and making me blush.

  “Thank you.” I replied shyly before letting him take my hand and lead me off the boat. It was only when we were on the street that he stopped me from going any further.

  “It is why I am both thankful and regretful in giving you this.” He said confusing me. He then produced the other box that had been on the table, one that I had forgotten about until now. Before I had time to ask he opened the box and it all started to make sense.

  “My mask?” He nodded and lifted the delicate lace from the box. I didn’t see any ribbon so I wondered how he would get it to stay on my face.

  “You’ll see.” He said answering my unasked question.

  “This will tingle.” And this was my only warning before he lifted it to my face. He gave me a wink before placing it on my nose first and with his thumbs he pressed the lace down on either side first over my cheeks and then over the top of my eyes. He was right, it did tingle but more in the way your body shivers when something emotional captures you and it’s your body’s way of expressing it.

  “There and now time for my matching crown.” He said after he finished placing it on my face, making it stay there in a strange way. It was almost as if I couldn’t even feel it. He held out his hand and Sophia who was now also wearing a mask handed Draven his own.

  It was matte black and a very masculine shape with two silver filigree embellishments under the side of the eyes. This then matched the silver wings at each side that started the silver crown. It wasn’t big and in anyway ostentatious but looking at both Vincent’s and Sophia’s matching masks you could see Draven’s was slightly bigger, showing who was in charge between the three of them.

  It held their family crest at the centre along with that strange symbol I still didn’t know anything about, despite having it on my skin as a birthmark. I was so close to asking but what he did next took my mind from it. He held onto the top of the mask and snapped off the crown part so it was now in his hand in one piece.

  “Draven what are you…?”

  “I wanted you to have mine.” Was his strange answer and I could see this obviously meant something to him. Then he lifted the crown to the top of my lace mask and held it there, staring at it as if concentrating. I felt something start to move, almost like the lace was growing around it and after a few seconds he nodded.

  “Perfect.” He said and placed his own mask on his face, holding it there where his too automatically stayed in place without aid.

  “It’s growing?!” I said fascinated as I watched in awe a new crown exactly the same as before start to rise from the top of the mask. He smiled at me and gave my chin a little hold as if he found my excited ways endearing.

  “Time to go, Princess.” He said and took my gloved hand in his and I stared up at him as I watched something black darken the skin under the mask like makeup seeping through his pores.

  “Your eyes?”

  “It adds to the theatrics.” Was his only explanation before leading me along a beautiful arched building.

  “Where are all the people?” I asked knowing that St Mark’s Square was the biggest tourist attraction in Venice since my parents had come here for a weekend getaway once. My mum had told me all about it and how romantic everything was and now looking around I had to agree with her.

  “Your kind?” I nodded to his question.

  “For this night only none of your kind will be interested in seeing the square. The businesses will have closed and for one night it will be like this never happened.”

  “Wow, you can do that?!” I said shocked at the level of power needed to control so many people all at once.”

  “It’s a combined strength but yes.”

  “Dominic.” Vincent called his brother and Draven nodded to his silent question.

  “Stay close to me, no matter what…do you understand?”

  “Draven?” I didn’t like the sound of this but it was too late as we walked around the corner and I gasped at the sight. The sun had already started to set before we left so now it left the sky an unusual electric night blue colour that made for an effective backdrop for the illuminated buildings of the square. I had seen pictures of the place before as photography was one of my dad’s favourite hobbies, so I knew the place had been transformed for the event. It was as though every single light bulb in every single arched window had been swapped for a red bulb, creating a crimson glow all around us.

  But this wasn’t the most startling part or the sight that had my heart pounding.

  “Draven I can’t do this!” I hissed in a panic grabbing onto his arm like it would save me.

  “Just breathe.” He said down at me and gave my arm a squeeze before walking me forward into the parted ocean of people. There seemed to be thousands of masked faces all looking at us as we walked down the centre of the great crowd. I looked frantically behind me to see Vincent first and then Sophia with Zagan behind her. I wish I could say the wink Vincent gave me helped or the thumbs up Sophia thought I needed.

  “Breathe again, Keira.” Draven said and I hadn’t even realised until that moment that I had been holding my breath. I looked down at the red carpet we walked down not being able to look at all those faceless masks and studying eyes staring at me.

  “Eyes up.” I heard from next to me just as we walked past a group of people dressed as demonic goats with horns on their masks.

  “I can’t look at them.”

  “Then let’s rectify that should we and give you something else to look at.” He said confidently and just before I was about to ask. He held up his hand and stopped, which effectively stopped the procession behind us, one I only just now realised was most of the people I remembered from the VIP.

  “Draven what are you…” I started to whisper but was cut short when I was suddenly swooped up into his arms making me cry out.

  “Draven!” My startled shout was drowned out by the great wave of shocked gasps from the endless crowd. However Draven didn’t seem to notice or he did but he just didn’t care.

  “Now eyes on me, my love.” He commanded and I gladly did what I was told.

  “I don’t think I have ever seen a brighter blush on you.” He said laughing at my obvious outrage.

  “This hasn’t helped in making them stare less.” I said frowning at his huge grin.

  “But that wasn’t my goal.” He replied as he strode purposely to the other side of the square where I could now see an awaiting thrown had been set up.

  “So what was exactly?”

  “Well for one you’re breathing again.” I rolled my eyes and couldn’t help but laugh at the sight of his smile.

  “And the other?” I braved asking as we came to the end of the red carpet. I expected him to put me down before answering but he didn’t. No, instead he mounted the steps up to the higher platform. One that was covered in what looked like black wired petals sewn together in a pattern of the same symbol we both wore. The he let my legs go till I was standing.

  “To make a long overdue statement to my world.” He said and before I had chance to fully process what he meant to do next, he lifted my arm up, faced me to the crowd and boomed out the words that
floored me…

  “I give you all your Queen!”

  Chapter 32

  It’s All about the Masks

  I didn’t really have much time to react to this grand gesture before I was spun round, bent over his arm and kissed in front of Draven’s kingdom. Deafening cheers erupted from the vast crowd and Draven let me go only to smile down at me.

  “You are in so much trouble for this.” I warned unconvincingly. I knew this thanks to the wink and bad boy grin he gave me before lifting me so I was once again upright and facing Draven’s people.

  “Che la festa cominci!” Draven shouted which I gathered meant to get the party started in Italian because the crowd went crazy. I watched Vincent walk up the steps and smirk at me before taking a seat next to his brother’s centre chair. Next was Sophia who rolled her eyes at Draven’s brazen behaviour but her smile was easy to read. She walked over to the other side of Draven’s thrown and bowed her head gracefully to the crowd before sitting in her own grand chair.

  “Should I just…” I nodded my head to the side where there were more chairs which were being filled up with the rest of his Council.

  “Oh don’t worry sweetheart, I have just the place for you.” He said walking me backwards until I had no other option than for my legs to fold into his seat. Then he came down leaning into me with his hands on the arms of the chair until coming to my face level.

  “Now be a good girl and stay right here, I will be back in a moment.” He finished this by kissing my forehead and then pushing off the arms. I watched him walked over to the side to speak to a man wearing an elaborate violin mask and a tux. I decided not to look like I was being nosy so I turned my head away and tried not to focus on the massive supernatural crowd. Of course I was also trying not to be the most obvious human in St Mark’s Square but sat up here it wasn’t exactly as if I could blend in.

  Maybe if I was wearing more of a hidden costume like the sea of colour in front of me. It was an incredible sight and there was so much to take in, it was hard not to openly stare. The masks were like sculptured pieces of art that were being worn and with the costumes added they each told a story. There were horned gods and mythological creatures like the Centaurs. One woman’s mask was combined with a wig and even had snakes all entwined in the shape of a 16th century wig that looked like Medusa on a night out.

  There was everything from the usual jesters and harlequin clowns to double sided masks that showed both happy and sad faces. Or even bright gold suns, blue moons and tear shaped landscape painted masks that really should be hanging in some gallery somewhere. There was one woman who walked past dressed like some forest pixie and had a beautiful mask made from gold leaves all layered on top of each other.

  However these were definitely the tame ones, as there were those that made me want to gag they were so disturbing to look at. One couple that walked past were obviously lovers as the woman walking in front of the guy had a hand covering one breast possessively. This would have been fine as I had seen far worse since my time entering Draven’s world. But the disgusting part was the fact that her mask was her actual face that had been sliced all the way round so blood dripped down her neck. Then huge fish hooks had been put through her chin, cheeks and forehead and attached to thin chains that her partner’s other hand held wrapped around his fist almost like a sadistic puppet master.

  There were others, like the woman’s mask that looked like she was looking in one of those crazy house fairground mirrors that made your features look tiny and pulled your eyes, nose and mouth into the centre of your face. I lost count of the number of monsters and decided to look away when one of them looked like it was eating itself, puss filled boils and all.

  “A lot to take in isn’t it?” Vincent said leaning over the arm of his chair.

  “You can say that again.”

  “Would you believe me if I told you that one day this is will all seem normal to you.” I couldn’t help but laugh at this.

  “Not really no, but I wouldn’t take offense, I have been seeing Demons since I was seven years old and I’m still not used to it.” At this he gave me a gentle smile before saying,

  “Well you have a lot of years ahead of you, so give it time and you can become immune to most things.”

  “Like loving someone?” I asked and I wanted to bite my tongue off for saying it. His eyes widened for a second before I watched him slip on a new mask, only this time it was of the emotional sense, not like the crackled cream and gold one he was wearing. It was the same design as his brother’s along with the waistcoat they both wore only his was like his mask, in cream and gold. And this, unlike Draven, he wore under a fitted black suit.

  “Unfortunately if it is real love then time heals nothing, or so I have seen for myself.” He said nodding towards Draven who was walking back this way.

  “Vincent, I didn’t mean…” I tried to explain but he held up his hand to stop me.

  “I know what you meant, Beautiful.” He said giving me a small smile and then he lowered his head in a respectful bow. I wanted to say more but I felt Draven come to stand over me.

  “Catherine Keira Williams…” Draven said my full name and smirked when he changed my middle name from one less boyish. Then he asked a question that I had been dreading,

  “Will you do me the great honour of dancing with me?” Then he bent at the waist and held out his hand.

  “Uh…”

  “I will take that as a yes.” He said taking my hand and pulling me into his arms causing me to land on his chest.

  “I don’t know…” I started to say looking down at the crowd to see not a single couple was dancing.

  “Hey, do you trust me?” Draven asked gently as he placed a hand at my cheek.

  “Yes.” My quick answer made him smile and my happiness came at seeing his own lighting up his eyes.

  “Then let me take care of you.” He said leaning down to kiss my forehead. Then before I knew what was happening he turned and clapped twice making a booming sound resonate throughout the crowd. He obviously didn’t need to say the words as this was no doubt the way it was done every time they held this Ball. Because now like some practiced dance group the crowd parted perfectly and created a circular dance floor.

  Draven looked to the side and nodded at someone. Within seconds the sound of a piano being played was being pumped through hidden speakers, filling the entire square with the most beautiful music. Draven led me down the steps and into the centre surrounded by a wall of people.

  “Trust me.” He said in response as my panicked eyes scanned the crowd.

  “Give me your eyes Keira, no one else…just me.” As soon as my eyes looked up at his he pulled me in with a hand at my waist and the other clasped tightly in mine. Then the most perfect words started to sing around us in a heavenly voice.

  “I chose this song for you.” He told me and as soon as I started to listen to the lyrics I had to hold back the tears. It was as though the first verse was from Draven’s point of view and the second was definitely from mine.

  ‘You are the avalanche, one world away

  My make believing, while I’m wide awake

  Just a trick of light, to bring me back around again

  Those wild eyes, a psychedelic silhouette

  I never meant to fall for you but I

  Was buried underneath and

  And all I could see was white

  My salvation’

  ‘You are the snowstorm,

  I’m purified

  The darkest fairytale

  In the dead of night

  Let the band play out

  As I’m making my way home again

  Glorious we transcend

  Into a psychedelic silhouette.

  I never meant to fall for you but I

  Was buried underneath and

  And all I could see was white

  My salvation’

  “You’re my salvation, Keira.” Draven said fiercely after spinning me around the
open space. I clung on tighter upon hearing his declaration of love and let the rest of the world simply fade away. I didn’t need to look around to know they weren’t there anymore. It was just me and Draven dancing in an empty square, somewhere on this earth where only we existed. Where only we existed to be together. I knew that now. I knew that ever since either of us took our first breaths in this world that we were destined for each other. Gods or no Gods, Fates or no Fates!

  “You are my salvation, Dominic.” I said looking up and with that he stopped us moving. His eyes flashed purple and this time there was no Hell in sight. Then without another word between us he took my face in his hands and kissed me with enough passion I felt his essence start to flow back into me for the first time since that day at the lake.

  It was like lighting up my heart.

  The kiss and the song came to an end at the same time making everything about it one of the most perfect moments of my life. It was beautiful in every way and even though the rest of Draven’s world started to come back into view I no longer cared. Because I was here, right here in their King’s arms and this time I trusted that I wasn’t going anywhere without him ever again.

  It was only the sound of the echoing applause that brought us back to reality from our secret moment. Draven gave me a gentle smile and with my hand still in his he walked me back up to his awaiting throne. I looked behind me to see the space was quickly being filled with new dancing couples and the music started to play something more upbeat.

  I turned back just as I felt Draven lean down to once again pick me up into his arms and before I could protest he had already sat down with me positioned in his lap.

  “Uh…don’t you think this is a little…?”

  “A little?” He said smugly pulling me tighter to him and it was impossible to miss the massive erection pressing into me from behind.