The Pentagram Child: Part 2 (Afterlife Saga Book 5)

by Stephanie Hudson

  “I don’t know what you mean.”

  “Oh now this is different, Keira’s playing coy.” I shot him a look and did a pathetic attempt to growl at him making him laugh.

  We were now walking back through the house part of Afterlife and it was the first time I’d stepped within these walls for over a year. It had been an insightful journey back but I managed to keep my emotions in check as he told me all that had happened. Of course his side only went back so far and if I wanted the rest I would have to get that from Draven. Well, when he awoke of course.

  He decided it wasn’t the best idea to walk me back through the crypt considering there was quite a lot of shit to clean up…these were his words not mine. I found out that Alex had left the army of the dead to keep the rest of Draven’s council and half of Lucius’ busy.

  Vincent had led the fight seeing as it would have been impossible for him to have helped his brother in Hell, being the Angel he was after all. So he and the others had helped to hold them back before they could become overrun. Pip and Adam had also been helping in this but they couldn’t afford Adam turning into his beast for fear it would be too hard to contain him. So as soon as Lucius had regained consciousness, both of them followed him into Tartarus, after being assured by Draven that he could get his father to bring down the barrier for a short time.

  He also told me about how he had saved Draven’s life and I was surprised, given his cocky nature when this wasn’t said in a boastful manner. It was said as a matter of fact and as I threw my arms around him and started to sing his praises (obviously not literally, as my singing voice sucked and that was one victory song no one needed to hear.) This was in fact the most uncomfortable I had ever seen him look.

  Hearing about the Cyclopes brothers had my fingernails trying to embed themselves into my palm but I had felt so proud when hearing how Adam had defeated them with ease. I had also laughed hearing what Pip’s part in all this had been and I was looking forward to being with my friend again.

  In truth the overwhelming need I felt to be with them all right now was getting stronger the closer we got. I could only put it down to what it must have been like knowing your family was off to war and nothing inside you felt right until you saw for yourself that they were safe again.

  The hardest part in all this was what was happening now and what Lucius had to tell me, which all started with a simple sounding question,

  “So why did Draven pass out?” Lucius closed his eyes a second and then stopped walking. I didn’t realise until I was a few steps ahead of him and as soon as I saw that he was no longer with me I too stopped. I turned to look at him and knew instantly this wasn’t just something like jetlag for a demon after a battle. No his face said only one thing…

  “It’s serious…isn’t it?”

  “I am not going to lie or try to play this down because not only do you have the right to know but I also think you will be the only one able to help him.” I frowned and instead of bombarding him with questions as was my usual trait, I simply nodded for him to continue.

  “Dom had no choice but to enter into Tartarus with only his demon side, leaving his Angelic side behind in the fear that a place like Tartarus would destroy that part of him.” I let this sink in for a minute giving my brain chance to catch up with exactly what this all meant.

  “But it didn’t destroy that part of you?” I asked knowing that since the ritual of the Triple Goddess that Lucius too now had his own heavenly side. Hard to think looking at the cocky bad ass who stood opposite me now but with the spear of Longinus embedded beneath his wings I saw that day what he had become when trying to save my life.

  “That’s because I now have the Venom of God running through my veins. There is no being alive, no matter their power that would have control over Tartarus the way one who possesses that blood does. Not Angel, Demon or mortal. That was what we counted on.”

  “Alright, I get that but that doesn’t explain what has happened to Draven now. I mean I saw him, he fought Sammael and he seemed just fine!” I started to protest until he cut me off just before I could start my rant again.

  “Keira, he came back through and into his Angel side. He fought well against Sammael because he was weakened from his summoning and made a blood oath for your life. He made him swear on his soul and what would happen to it if he or his kin were to hurt you was up to Dom to decide.”

  “So that’s why he fell to his knees when Alex cut me?” I said to myself feeling the last of the puzzle pieces to slot into place, creating the last scene to the story. Lucius nodded and then continued,

  “So you see Sammael had no chance against him, the only part of our plan we didn’t account for was his other son to show up to take his revenge…that and the payment I and Dom both had to pay for our part in the Titans…unknowingly.” He added bitterly and I looked to his injured hand that he still kept hidden. Well at least he would heal quickly and all I could hope for was the same for Draven, whatever it maybe. Thoughts of me playing nurse for a few weeks all of a sudden didn’t sound half bad at all.

  “Oh Keira, I don’t need to read your thoughts to know your innocence, however intriguing it may be to my kind, is getting in the way of reality.” I frowned looking down and so very close to putting my hands over my ears and repeating over and over, ‘Don’t tell me’. I didn’t think I could cope with much more and especially not after everything we had endured together. Not when what felt like we had only been reunited for a fleeting moment before the beauty was ripped from us with the threat of death on both sides.

  “It’s his demon side this time Keira.”

  “What do you mean?” I asked after he blurted this out.

  “It remained in Tartarus.”

  “What!?” I shouted thinking this was unbelievable. I mean bloody hell could we not catch a freakin’ break!

  “I only realised myself what it all meant when I locked up the Titans. I had to leave payment for the act as did Dom for when he released them.” He said grimly.

  “So you’re telling me he had to leave half his fucking soul!” I shouted getting outraged at the injustice.

  “Keira calm yourself.”

  “Calm myself! Are you for real!? I can’t bloody calm myself and I will tell you one thing for a bag of chips, if Sammael or that dickhead Alex was here right now then I would kill the bastards all over again, human or no human, most things died with a racket to the head!” I ended this outburst when Lucius started laughing at me and after trying to get my breath I asked him angrily,

  “What?!”

  “A bag of chips…really?” I folded my arms across my heaving chest and snapped out my defence,

  “I’m a Northerner, deal with it!”

  “Oh, yeah, I got that bit love.” Lucius said smirking and I rolled my eyes at him. He shook his head at me and then said,

  “Let’s get going should we.”

  We were both silent a moment and I knew, despite all the banter, he was giving me time to take it all in. I couldn’t stand the silence after a while and knew we were close to Draven’s bedchamber. It was almost painful to think about walking through that door again, so I needed a distraction.

  “Great, now I’m starving.” I said faking being snippy and also realising I couldn’t actually remember the last time I had eaten a decent sized meal. He laughed and said,

  “And would it be fish with this bag of chips?”

  “Who me…? No way, pie every time!” I said wondering how far I would go right now for a proper Northern meat and potato pie! Lucius laughed again and said,

  “Come on Pie girl, if I remember correctly we are nearly there.”

  “Ha! Don’t call me that in front of Pip or Toots will fly out the window and I will be rechristened Pie Girl forever more.”

  “Isn’t that the truth…don’t worry, it will be our little nickname from here on out.”

  “Don’t you dare” I said in warning.

  “Have no fear your secret Pie addiction is saf
e with me.” I groaned and then my stomach followed suit making him chuckle.

  “I’m sure there will be food when we get there.”

  “I thought you were taking me to Draven?” I said noticing that we had come a different way and were heading for the marble dining room.

  “I am but first we need to do something before I leave.”

  “You’re leaving...? But why?” I asked almost in a panic I couldn’t contain.

  “I am not one to relish in admitting this freely or pretend this is something I find easy to say, given that it is a feeling I have never encountered before but here goes…” He took a deep breath, stepped closer to me and then dropped his bombshell on a whisper.

  “…I am not strong enough to help anyone…not like this” It wasn’t easier to hear but I agreed with him, as I couldn’t imagine for a being as powerful and mighty as Lucius what it must have been like. Which is why I should have let it go but my worry and care for him couldn’t do that.

  So I asked the question I dreaded hearing the answer to, as I already had an idea on the horror hidden behind that shirt.

  “What was your payment Lucius?” He gave me a sad smile that didn’t reach his eyes before he pulled out the evidence of what Tartarus had chosen to take from him.

  My hands flew to cover my mouth as I gasped at the side of his badly wrapped arm that was missing a large portion of it. A bloody stump bound with strips of cloth was half way up his forearm and it all started to get blurry as the tears prevented my vision.

  And then they overflowed with just one sentence…

  “They took the hand of their jailer”

  Chapter 56

  Head of the Council

  We walked towards the grand dining room in silence and I was thankful we didn’t have far to go. I wanted to say the right thing at that moment but found there were no words that came to me. It was as if everything I thought to say would get stuck in my throat before I had chance to get them out. So in the end Lucius placed it back inside his shirt and said,

  “It will grow back…in time,” muttering this last part as he walked past me. By the Gods how I wanted to say the right thing at that moment, but what do you say to something like that, ‘If you get a hook and an eye patch chicks will dig it!’ …Yeah, I didn’t think so. I was just happy to hear that it would grow back for him as many others, being us mere mortals, didn’t have that luxury.

  Thankfully I was saved by the fact it became quite obvious Lucius didn’t want to talk about it and he certainly didn’t want my pity and I could relate. But instead of not saying anything we came to the door and I patted him on the back and said,

  “You’re still hot, so suck it up.” I hadn’t known until I said this that it was exactly the right thing to say, judging by his smirk and the wink he gave me.

  “Thanks kitten, but while we are on the subject, I would love to return the compliment but…” He looked me up and down and it was the first time I saw his nose twitch. I followed his gaze and I could feel I wasn’t half as sexy when my nose wrinkled up in disgust.

  “Oh God I look horrible!” I said taking in my pitiful appearance. I had on the last thing I wore when Alex took me and what surprised me the most was that I hadn’t lost my flip flops. And it was a good job too for when that dome roof had exploded. I mean don’t me wrong, it wasn’t like I could have gone shopping in them any time soon. Nope, there was only one place these babies were going after today and that was at the bottom of a bin, along with every scrap of clothing I was wearing.

  My denim shorts were the only thing I wore that wasn’t ripped but they were no longer blue but now burgundy from being soaked with my blood that had long ago dried. My vest was torn at the strap and just hung down on either side. My shirt had long been a lost cause when I tried to use it to stop the bleeding on my arms and it had become another casualty of war. I couldn’t see my face but I knew it was covered in dirt, blood and God only knows what else and I wasn’t even getting started on my hair.

  “Yes you do but tough shit because it’s time to lead your council.” He said pushing the door open over my shoulder.

  “My what?” I said as I felt him gently push me into the room that was full with everyone and when I say everyone I mean…everyone!

  “Uh…Lucius?” I said under my breath knowing he was behind me. I could feel my heart racing as everyone stood upon my entrance and waited for me to take a seat.

  “You will be fine.” He whispered back, leaning in to my ear making me shudder. I turned my head back to look over my shoulder and said more loudly this time,

  “Are you kidding me?” To which there was a few sniggers in the room…well to be fair I knew it had just been from Pip as I turned back to see her biting her lip trying not to laugh. She gave me a little wave and Adam gave a sideways glance and the corner of his lip lifted at seeing his wife happy once more.

  I let out a nervous noise and shrugged my shoulders giving them all an awkward smile.

  “Go take your seat, Keira.” Lucius said holding out his arm to the head of the table where Draven’s empty seat was waiting for me. It was one of the saddest sights I had ever seen and the very last thing I wanted to be doing now was trying to fill his royal shoes.

  The last time I was here had been at their family breakfast and it had been such a light hearted event, however one that seemed a lifetime ago, not days I could count with my hands. He had looked so indestructible sat at the head of his council in that high backed chair. The same strange symbol that sat at the top of the throne glared out at me like a beacon of hope and I felt my own birthmark tingle at the sight.

  I closed my eyes for a second longer than a blink and my mantra of ‘You can do this’ repeated in my head as I made the steps around the full table. Eyes followed me and every face looked near beaten down with the events that were now happening. They needed hope and reassurance that I could do this and all I needed was Draven.

  Lucius followed me round the table, staying at my back until I reached the top. There he held out the chair for me and everyone waited for me to sit down before they did the same.

  “As was instructed to us by our King, Keira is now the head of this council in his absence and all decisions are hers to make and her ruling is final.” They all freely acknowledged this, all apart from me and it had me blurting out,

  “He did what!?” Everyone’s reactions to my outburst were different. For a start there were those that I had no idea were even involved in what had happened today. Like Sigurd who was smirking at me and Ragnar who had coughed to hide his laugh. Zagan was hiding his smile behind his hand and Sophia elbowed him frowning before giving me a warm smile in encouragement.

  There was of course Pip who was giving me two thumbs up and one look at what she considered ‘Fighting gear’ had me smiling. Adam bowed his head, showing me the same respect he freely gave to Draven and I was so touched to have everyone’s support.

  Even Takeshi, who looked drained of energy, gave me a small grin before nodding his head. Ruto sat looking bored but when he caught my eyes on him he winked at me. The only ones missing were Liessa and Caspian from Lucius’ side and of course Vincent. But as for Draven’s brother we didn’t have to wait long.

  Vincent walked through the doors as if my thoughts had drawn him there but one look at his grave face had me shooting from my chair.

  “Is he?!” I couldn’t finish that question but the panic was crystal clear. Vincent took a swift moment to look at me and he too tried to hide his smile.

  “He is still unconscious and I think he will be this way a while longer but right now it is the best thing for him.” I wanted to ask him more about it…actually what I really wanted to do was run from the room to go and sit by his bedside and not move until he woke up but one look at everyone and I knew the most important thing I could do right now was suck it up and do Draven proud.

  So that’s what I did.

  I cleared my throat, sat up a little straighter and started this meeti
ng the only way I knew how and I went with my gut and did what I thought was right by Draven’s people….by my people.

  I waited for Vincent to take his seat, one that was next to me as I had both the Draven siblings either side of me, giving me their support.

  “First I would like to thank everyone for the parts they played in…in…” I struggled to find the right word for what everyone had done until Sigurd spoke up and said,

  “For saving the fucking world honey, call it what it is.” And then he winked at me. Ragnar growled his disapproval, one that his son ignored.

  “Yes, as Sigurd so articulately put it… for saving the world. But as you all know now we have to save its King, so please, if anyone has any ideas then don’t be shy.” I said actually crossing both my fingers in my lap under the table. I heard Lucius clearing his throat next to me and I looked up to see him smirking down at my hands. I took a page from Sigurd’s book and ignored Lucius as he had done with Ragnar.

  “If I may speak, my Queen?” Takeshi asked bowing his head.

  “Oh I’m no…” Lucius put his hand on my shoulder to stop me and I took the hint and carried on with a more formal,

  “Yes, please continue.”

  “I am being blocked by something and had been of the mind that Sammael and his kin were the only ones involved but I no longer believe this is the case. I think whatever we plan we need to have care in whom we put our trust.” He said looking around the room and each nodded their acknowledgement.

  “Agreed then. Nothing leaves this room.” I confirmed and thought I hid my shock well because inside I was a wreck with worry and my mind was chaotic with questions.

  “And what of the Viking, he is not on this council?” Ruto spoke up and Sigurd turned violent eyes to the youngest one in the room.

  “Careful boy or you will see what this Viking can do with only a finger.” He said holding one up and letting it turn black before a slight mist escaped his fingertip.

  “And you will see what I can do with a blade, old man.”