The Quarter Moon (Afterlife saga)

by Stephanie Hudson

  I sat back waiting for some genius idea but when the silence grew to lip biting proportions I snapped.

  “So? What do we do now?” His head snapped up and he said,

  “Fucked if I know!” I took that as a resounding he didn’t know.

  I deflated back to the sofa just as room service knocked. I got up to get it saying sarcastically,

  “No, no, please don’t get up…I’ll get it.” He laughed at my grumbling and I groaned angrily when he said,

  “Then get to it, little woman.” Ok, so I gave him that one, it was a good come back and if his laughter was anything to go by then he knew it also. I opened the door wide for the guy to wheel in the trolley that as predicted, was filled mostly with meat. I then looked around the room trying to locate my bag.

  “Umm, just one sec.” I said to the guy, trying to find my bag that would lead to my purse, which would then lead to this guy getting a tip. I looked to Sigurd and mouthed ‘bag?’ who nodded to a single chair by the window and there it was. I looked back to the fidgeting bellhop, who looked uncomfortable with my strange antics. I soon knew why when it was obvious he couldn’t see Sigurd and saw me mouthing words to inanimate objects. Oh well, bigger tip it is.

  I scrambled in my bag for a second, when I felt the Ouroboros book and that’s when it hit me and also when I had to triple the tip for I shouted out,

  “Son of a bitch!”

  Chapter 34

  Asking the Obvious

  After I had sufficiently freaked out the poor room service guy and it had cost me a few notes, I turned back to Sigurd and jumped up and down with the book clutched to my chest. Needless to say, this was after the door closed. I didn’t know if I was surprised or not that Sigurd was more interested in the food trolley than the sight of his book. Either way it was obvious the steaks were a good choice. I sighed and joined him when my stomach started to complain about its neglect.

  “What’s with all these rules anyway?” I said after swallowing a milk chocolate, Earl Grey and raspberry macaroon, yes that’s right, I said Earl Grey in a macaroon! Gotta love some afternoon tea action in London!

  Sigurd raised his head to see me cross-legged at the coffee table having just devoured most of the goodies on the three tier cake stand. I had the open Ouroboros book next to me and the looks I kept receiving from Sigurd, told me he was worried I would get clotted cream or posh egg salad on his precious pages. I had to grin every time.

  “Well, considering you are the first to be blood bonded to me and the first human’s blood tasted by its pages, then I have no clue, as I have not yet read them.” I gave him my deepest frown and then skidded the book across the floor to where he sat.

  “There you go buddy boy, knock yourself out!” I said with attitude and stuffed down the remainder of a scone piled high with a cream and jam tower.

  “I think I prefer big guy, if you don’t mind.” I almost choked on a swallow when he added a wink. Of course, he knew he had won a round when the only come back was a lame,

  “Whatever.”

  “Ok, so it’s obvious that given the first rule, the only way to break this bond is to kill me, which I would prefer was a last resort…if you don’t mind.” I gave him a mocking smile as my answer.

  “And the other?”

  “To kill you.”

  “Ah!” I said nodding a frightening understanding in a comical way. Because let’s face it, anything other than humour right now and I would end up a sticky mess on this expensive floor in a pool of my own misery.

  “So blood buddy, does this mean you will be joining us for Christmas dinner this year or what?” Again my coping mechanism came through in the form of sarcasm.

  “I am thinking no.” I couldn’t help but laugh.

  “Jeez, mum is gonna be so disappointed not to have my very own blood brother over for the festivities this year.” A little corner of a smile emerged and he said,

  “I’ll send a card” This made me laugh out loud.

  “So, the rest is basically saying that it isn’t a great idea for another to read the book or try and destroy the book. I also wouldn’t advise using it to start a book club, considering anything that kills its readers isn’t ever gonna make the best seller list.”

  “Ain’t that the truth.” I agreed.

  “And the last rule?” I asked referring to the cryptic words of ‘Communication of the bound cannot converse in a parallel time but speaking what needs to be said will find a time unparalleled’. This time Sigurd ran both hands through his hair and scratched the back of his head before answering.

  “I am only assuming that this means that the Oracle has found a way to communicate through the book to you…and I take it from that spark in your eyes, that this has happened before.

  “Yeah, right after she gave me the book a message appeared…well I say message in the loosest sense of the word considering it was like a cracking a Dan Brown novel!”

  “A what?” He asked me with clear confusion written all over his face.

  “Seriously?” I asked and he shrugged his shoulders before I muttered,

  “Forget about it. Ok, so this is what we do know…We need a heart from a dead asshole that was stolen and could quite possibly be in bum fuggle nowhere of some Australian outback being eaten by coyotes as we speak, although, eww for them right?” He held up a hand and said,

  “Ok…what now?”

  “What, I didn’t leave that part out of Jared’s story did I?”

  “What the fuck is ‘bum fuggle nowhere’ Keira?” I couldn’t help it, I burst out laughing again.

  “I don’t like saying the F word unless it’s completely warranted, so that’s what fuggle means…look can we get back to my rant?” You could tell he was really trying to hold in his laughter and I was even impressed when he restrained himself and just motioned me to continue, with a hand gesture.

  “Ok, so even if when we ask the book where it is and we catch a break when it gives the answer clear as day, then what…? I mean I still have to get Jared to fulfil his side of the bargain, break into the Hellfire Caves and then somehow break out my boyfriend…I don’t know about you but this seems like a lot of breaking of things.”

  “Yeah like a shit load of rules, that’s what. Shouldn’t kids at your age be getting drunk off your ass at parties and shit?” I gave him a disgusted and insulted look and said,

  “Really…kids my age?”

  “My mistake oh old and wise one, please remind me, exactly how many wars have you lived through again?” He asked crossing his arms over his chest and waited for my answer.

  “Alright smart ass, let’s just get on with the problem at hand should we.” His look said it all…

  He had won another bloody round!

  The rest of the day continued with me and Sigurd bickering like we were actually related. It was as if the more time we spent together the stronger the bond became. We would start finishing each other’s sentences and pretty soon all it would take was a single look and we knew what the other was thinking. But it was strange and not at all in a brotherly way, as there was no ignoring the unique pull that was heating up between us. For example, at one point in the day I got up to sit next to him, just because something in me needed the closeness. It was only after he started playing with my fingers that rested near his own, that I realised he needed that connection just as I did.

  The other weird factor in all this was that it didn’t seem to be a solely sexual urge, which helped in controlling myself around him. It was almost like our bodies’ cells were communicating to each other and needed the contact to increase the intensity. This was the one thing we both avoided mentioning and I was glad. More than glad in fact, as I think my skin would have bubbled from my cheeks if this conversation ever arose. I mean here I was looking for death defying ways to spring my soul mate from a slammer in Hell and I was acting like a damn cat needing to be stroked!

  Shameful, Keira Williams!

  Thankfully 5:36 rolled around quic
kly enough and I sat staring at the clock on both my phone and the grandfather clock which displayed the same time right down to the last minute. Well, you could never be too careful and Sigurd obviously found this highly amusing as he didn’t refrain from taking the piss out of me whenever he could. The last time he got shushed, as I only had one minute to go.

  Then it came. I looked down at the closed book and took a deep breath to ask the only question that mattered right now.

  “Mighty book of the Ouroboros…” I started all official sounding before Sigurd interrupted me,

  “Jesus Keira, let’s just get on with this shit…Book tell us where the damn heart is!?” My mouth dropped on a gasp as disbelief set in.

  “You did not just do that!” I said turning slowly as anger filtered through my blood stream, taking root of my actions and when he shrugged his shoulders and said,

  “What?” I let rip. I launched myself at him…literally. I saw his eyes widen quickly just before I landed on him and extracted an ‘umph’ sound before I slapped at his arms over and over again.

  “What the Hell?” He shouted but his questioning was being drowned out by my rage.

  “WHY!? Why did you do that? You idiot!” He quickly grabbed my attacking arms and restrained me, pinning my upper body to his chest.

  “Calm down!”

  “Sod your calm down! Why? That was our one shot today and you ruined it! You…you…” I accused looking him straight in his eyes, one burning with a snake ring that started to move at the sight of my anger.

  “Keira…”

  “You just don’t care! How could you do this to me?!” I was so lost in my devastation that I was missing what he was trying to tell me. He growled loudly and then gave my pinned arms a shake.

  “Keira, look!”

  “I just can’t believe it, why you…!”

  “Christ øjesten, just look for fuck sake!” My scowl turned into a drop dead plasma death stare before I turned my head to look at the failure of knowledge that I was certain I would find in a closed book. Of course, I didn’t expect to see the book open and filled with new crimson words staining the pages. I also didn’t handle his reaction to my ‘overreaction’ in the best possible way either. I turned my head back to see all the amber in his eyes being replaced by a dark storm and a glowing snake. Man, even his snake looked pissed with me!

  So I did the only thing I could think of doing to defuse the situation. I gave him a nervous smile and mumbled a sheepish,

  “Uh…my bad?” His eyes flashed darker and his lips remained in a straight line of disproval. So I tried a different approach, this one named bullshit. I leaned forward, gave him a kiss on the cheek and patted his back saying,

  “Just kidding big guy, I knew you wouldn’t let me down…good job partner.” I tried to extract myself from his lap after he let loose another deep and throaty growl. However, when his fingertips bit into my arms before shifting down to hold my spread thighs in place, I decided the only course of action was to let him have his moment and bit my lip. Oh and I added a little whispered sorry in there for good measure. Luckily, this one clinched it for me as the darkness left his eyes and his hands became less demanding and more soothing.

  “Do not let distrust taint the bond we have again, Keira…do you understand?” He demanded and I could only give him a small nod in return, now feeling a bit ashamed. He held me a little bit longer and his assessing gaze must have found my shame, for he then rested his forehead to mine.

  “My silly blood mate.” He said in a soft voice that only held a hint of the scolding I deserved.

  “I’m sorry.” I whispered again and he nodded once before letting me go.

  “I know you are øjesten. Now go and get the answers you seek before you drive me insane.” I gave him a little sideways smile and jumped from his lap to do just that. When I saw the words of hope I had so desperately needed right now, I had to close my eyes briefly in a silent prayer of thanks. That was until of course I opened them again and actually read those words!

  Nine keystones sit at the Entrance

  As guardians to the river Palace,

  At a time after housing Royals

  To become an Admirals place for Malice.

  “Oh, you have got to be shittin’ me!” Sigurd groaned, slapped his palms to his knees and then sat up to lean forward at the sound of my outburst.

  “Christ, what now?” He asked when I let my head fall forward on the coffee table where I was sat with my legs folded under. I banged my forehead against the open book in hopes that a good smack to the brain might help in decoding this cryptic nonsense.

  “Maybe you’re right, maybe I should just be getting stupid drunk with all the other kids, ‘cause I am telling you right now, this party is no fun!”

  “Well, before we breakout the cheap cider or beer that tastes of piss, let’s take a look shall we?” He leant across and whipped the book from under my head like a magician with a table cloth, making my forehead slap the top.

  “Uh…oww!” Not surprising, I didn’t get much of a reaction to my rough treatment. However, this was soon forgotten when I thought I heard angels singing in the form of Sigurd saying,

  “I know where this is.”

  “You do?” I shouted and jumped to my feet to plant myself in the seat next to him.

  “I do. There is only one building that had nine keystones which referred to the principle rivers in England at its entrance. One that was built to be a palace to then be used by the Navy Board.”

  “And that is?” I asked gripping onto his forearm in anticipation.

  “Somerset House.” He replied to my question in a way that he must have been sure of my knowing it. It was confirmed that I didn’t quickly after when I frowned and repeated,

  “And that is?” This was when he released a trademark groan of frustration, something I was quickly getting used to considering I seemed to spend most of my time around Sigurd, annoying the crap out of him.

  “Never mind, I will explain on the way.”

  “You mean we’re going now?” I asked not even trying to mask my excitement.

  “Grab your coat lille øjesten, it’s time for a walk into the past.” I did as I was told and was at the door waiting, trying to hook one arm in my sleeve and pull the door knob with the other.

  “You ready for this?”

  “Do donkeys eat cherries?” He raised one eyebrow at me and I quickly said,

  “Forget I asked…so ready for what exactly?” I asked as we stepped through the door.

  “Breaking the rules.” He stated as though what we were about to do was an everyday occurrence in his world. Well, for all I knew, my new found blood brother was a vigilante, criminal mastermind for the Underworld’s underworld. So, of course, I gave him the only answer there was for me to give,

  “Hell Yeah!”

  Chapter 35

  Trapped in Shadow Prison

  I was pleasantly surprised to find this Somerset House was a quick walk away from the Savoy hotel. Well, that was until Sigurd reminded me that the Oracle was the one who planned most of this, so I gathered it made sense setting her own personal sucker…I mean Chosen One…up in a place that was walking distance to all these places. It made me wonder if she didn’t just do a search on Google… ideal places to stay for the tourist attractions Hell’s Ring/ Cheshire Cheese and one Heart of Paul Whitehead… in other words one Somerset House!

  “She really did have everything planned, didn’t she?” I asked out loud as Sigurd manoeuvred amongst angry pedestrians like a policeman would handle a suspect.

  “She sure did.” He replied dryly, keeping his hood up as if shying away from the crowd. I looked up at him and then looked around at the mass of people that all walked past us like they weren’t seeing a massive 6’ 5” guy all dressed in black who kind of gave off Grim Reaper vibes. This was when I realised it wasn’t the crowd he was shielding himself from, but the late day sun. I took a wild stab in the dark and gathered he wasn’t a b
ig sun lounger kinda guy. Well I guess that cut out the need to get up at stupid ‘o clock and reserve a place by the pool with a towel when on your holidays!

  “We’re here.” His gravelly voice brought me out of my daft thoughts and I stared up at three colossal open archways that were the centre of nine Corinthian columns. My head went all the way back and I counted the nine keystones that all held a stern Godly face frozen in stone. I was actually impressed that from that small paragraph of cryptic nonsense he knew exactly where to go.

  I was just taking in the splendour that was the entrance to Somerset House, when I was roughly pulled through the middle arch around a group of Japanese tourists snapping pictures. As cliché as is sounded, I couldn’t say I blamed them as the place was simply stunning. It opened up into a large square, one big enough that I was sure could it be used for professional football, and that literally took my breath away. It was fronted with a large bronze statue that looked Greek in design with an obviously important man dressed in a toga. At his side stood a lion and the other side, the bow of an ornate ship. On the platform beneath him lay a large, muscled God spilling liquid from a rounded urn.

  It was beautiful and as we walked closer I tried to pull Sigurd towards its information plaque. However, he was having none of this and steered me around it, giving me a view of Somerset House’s vast courtyard.

  “Hey, I wanted to read that!” I complained, which granted me an unamused grunt before he stated,

  “You’re not here on a school trip, princess.”

  “Really...? ‘Cause you know I thought you would have made an excellent History teacher.” I commented sarcastically.

  “You think?” I actually coughed on my own surprise.

  “Uh no, Mr grabby, draggy Magee.” This time he growled down at me.

  “Don’t make me push your little ass into the fountains.” He threatened and I jumped when the centre of the courtyard erupted into bursts of water in tall spurts. There must have been at least fifty of them and they all danced along in sync at different lengths. It was as though they flowed along to an un-heard water song.