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

by Stephanie Hudson

  They mustn’t have known this road as it wasn’t long until we were all faced with a set of traffic lights. The two lanes were filled with our bikes on one side and on the other was the blacked out 4x4. Bill came up alongside me and Jared at the front and for a hopeful second I thought the idiots next to us would get ignored. If I’d have had the opportunity I might had done the whole ‘it’s better to ignore them’ speech. Although one look at how angry the guys were and I think I might have skipped it seeing as I had witnessed first-hand what these guys all changed into.

  “Hey, nice hat asshole, what you packing under that jacket, a BB gun?” The guy said to the right of us in the passenger’s side after rolling down his window. He looked like some punk ass rapper wannabe with pasty white skin and a bad attitude. You could see the car obviously had people in the back as well, as he turned in his seat to seek the praise of laughter from his asshole friends.

  “Jim…” Jared said his name as a warning when he heard him growl. Bill didn’t look at them, he just continued with eyes in front but I noticed his hands on the handlebars gripped them tighter until the leather on his gloves looked strained.

  “Hey and look at the pussy we got over here lads, great pair of tits on her!”

  “Oh shit.”

  “Fuck yeah.”

  “Here we go.” All three comments came at the same time in response to Bill finding his limit. The idiot that had made the comment had his head turned once more to his friends and didn’t see as Bill kicked down his stand and tilted his bike to rest. The asshole had just turned his head back around and started wagging his tongue between his two fingers to mimic oral sex when he found himself being dragged out of the car window.

  The skinny guy twisted and kicked out his legs screaming about being let go. Bill calmly dropped him to the floor and pulled out one of his guns pointing at the guy’s head.

  “This is what I am packing.” Bill said looking down the length of his gun to see the petrified guy nearly choke on his own tongue through fear. I looked up to see all the other guys scrabbling to get out of the car to help their friend, obviously not spotting the gun till it was too late. They all approached Bill and without even looking at them Bill pulled his other gun and shot off three rounds.

  “Holy shit.” I said when seeing that without a single glance their way, Bill had shot one guys phone from his hand, another guy’s joint from his mouth and the furthest guy’s baseball cap clean off. The guy on the floor saw all this and quickly peed himself as he started begging for his life. His friends had all run away shouting for help like they were being chased by the wrath of God.

  “Pppp…please man, don’t kill me, I didn’t mean nothing by the bitch…Oh god!” This turned out to be a mistake because he started to cry again when Bill cocked back the hammer at the reference to me being called a bitch.

  “I think you owe the little lady an apology prairie coal.” Bill said and the guy looked confused to what he called him.

  “He means horse shit, now get on with it asswipe!” Orthrus shouted leaning back in the saddle of his bike with his massive arms crossed.

  “Shit yeah, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, totally…please man let me go!” The guy pleaded for his life and Bill gave it another few painful seconds before he flipped his gun on his finger and back in the holster. He didn’t say another word, just got back on his bike and started it back up again. Then he reached into his jacket and pulled out a card.

  “Jim.”

  “Can’t have them botherin’ any other of these good folks now can we?” Bill said nodding to the queue of cars behind us, in response to Jared’s warning. Then he flicked the card through the window of the black Range Rover and suddenly flames ignited from inside the car.

  “Shit man!” The guy said scrabbling up and half tripping up thanks to having his trousers falling down his legs due to the questionable fashion guys chose when fastening their belts half way down their backsides. I didn’t get it and I was thinking after today and showing everyone his batman underpants that neither was he.

  We all rode off with the sight of black smoke bellowing behind us from leather and rubber burning and a queue of cars too afraid to move…oh and not to forget a half-naked tosser that had wet himself!

  After that I was happy to report there were no more incidents to speak of and other than a sore bum and strangely enough achy abs we were arriving at Witley court just as the sun had started to go down. We had only been on the ride for just over an hour but I was really looking forward to the second the bike stopped so I could hop off. Although there was a strong possibility I would be walking like John Wayne with a saddle stuck in between my legs minus a horse…it wasn’t going to be a sexy swagger by any means!

  We all pulled into a car park and it must have been the front entrance to the park as last time we had pulled right up to the house. The wheels all crunched on the gravel making even more of an impact to our arrival. I was glad to see no one was around and the opening times as we passed the front entrance told me everywhere was long ago closed. The time of year threw you off what time it was with the sun going down much later, as it must have been getting on for nine o’ clock. I was more than happy about this fact as I think the sight of a gang of bikers, a blonde girl and a guy looking like Paul Newmandressed as Butch Cassidy would have been a worrying sight for anyone.

  And even more so considering the sign on the door stated clearly this was an English heritage tourist site which meant lots of families and retired folk with possible bad tickers…not really a place you want to chance scaring people. But if there was ever a Kodak moment it would have been now with us all walking through the gift shop after the locked door was clicked open. And even more so walking up the pretty garden paths that led to what the signs told us was the main house.

  It would have reminded me of a rock band MTV video if we all had guitars, microphones and half naked girls dotted about the place. Let’s put it this way, we definitely needed heavy rock music playing in the background as it was one of those moments in movies where you’re excited about the good guys turning up to kick bad guy ass! I think the only thing we were missing was one of the dudes at my side cracking his knuckles and one of them pumping a shotgun with one hand. Of course in my case it was more likely them turning into giant dogs and Bill tipping his top hat at the bad guys before he shot them. Either way if it meant that bitch was gonna get it then it would be worth watching on the big screen!

  We all turned a corner and saw a beautiful lake that looked so picturesque with the sun going down.

  “Aww that’s so pretty.” I said forgetting my bad ass companions and the fact they would give two hoots about the way the trees reflected back in the shimmering water.

  “That’s nice princess, oohand look over there, a perfect place for me to dump a couple of bodies that won’t be found till next spring.” Orthrus said coming next to me and pointing towards a dark patch in the surrounding plant life. I looked back over my shoulder at him, stretching my neck and he winked at me and smacked my butt as he walked past.

  “Damn mutt.” I grumbled and I heard his booming laughter that was similar to his brothers.

  “I heard that little girl.” He shouted back and I carried on turning my gaze from the lake and back to where I could shoot daggers from my eyes at his back.

  “I know you could!” It wasn’t my finest come back of the decade but it was better than my first option which was a rock to the back of the head.

  “You coming, sweet cheeks?” One of Jared’s men asked as he passed me. He had a rounder face which made him look kind and jolly. He wasn’t over weight but he had a slight beer gut on him that actually suited his stocky frame. He had brownish green eyes that smiled even without his lips doing the same.

  “Don’t you take any notice of Orth, he’s a cocky shit.” I smiled at him as we walked side by side and he was one of the ones that had said ‘oh shit’ when Bill had gotten off his bike. This told me two thigs, one he had been around longer
than fifty years and two he knew Bill as well as the rest of them.

  “The name’s Chase and before you say, it’s not because I chase cars or cats or any other crap dogs chase because they’re mental!” I laughed and it was nice for once not having to look up too far at one of them. He seemed to be only about four inches taller than me which was unusual for these guys because I had thought you weren’t allowed in the club unless you were over six foot!

  “Keira.” I told him my name and he burst out laughing, which was a cute chuckle that was almost like a hiccupping noise.

  “I know sweetheart, everyone and their preacher knows who you are in my world.” This made me blush and he nudged me side on.

  “Stop flirting with the chick and hurry your ass up, lover.” The other guy who said that was taller than Chase but just as wide. Because even though height obviously wasn’t a factor anymore the muscle mass definitely was. Wait…did he say lover?

  “That’s Otto, my husband.” I coughed and snorted at the same time and it was one of those moments where you really wished you could be cool. But jeez, I wasn’t going to deny it was a shock. Not that I had any problem with it as I believe marriage was for love not gender. But I just hadn’t been expecting it.

  “Smooth.” He said laughing again and taking the micky out of me and he so had a right to. In the end I just nudged him sideways back and we both continued walking grinning.

  It didn’t take us long to reach the house and it was very clear there was a party going on but wait…

  “This is the wrong place, isn’t it?” The one called Otto looked back at me and was clearly amused.

  “Come on Kitten, I think we’d better get you to the fountain, but let’s head round the side so we’re not seen.” Jared said taking my arm and leading me off once we got through the gate.

  “But…but…” I tried to make sense of it all as only this afternoon I was here and it was still a ruin not the palace it looked now. The once stone shell was filled with not only the sound of hundreds of people in full swing of a party but also floors, ceilings, windows and a roof.

  “How is this possible?” I asked looking round at a glimpse of the beautiful furnishing inside.

  “For some of my kind creating something like this is nothing more than a thought and something they could do in their sleep.” I found what he was telling me incredible as I walked past the massive windows that each showed exquisite and lavish chandeliers hanging down and sparking in the candle light.

  “My sister Libby would love this.” I said mentioning my sister for the first time with anyone but the Dravens.

  “The interior designer?” Jared said and I was shocked he knew who she was.

  “Now the mother after Ella was born.” I corrected him and I didn’t know why I did but it was strange feeling to be so at ease talking about my sweetheart niece.

  “Ella?” He asked with a frown I couldn’t understand. I was about to answer him when something caught my eye as the fountain came into view. The whole back of the house was lit up by paper lanterns lining the pathways and massive flames burning away at the centres of various naked sculptures that were involved in different sexual acts. Like one male statue was chained by his hands behind his back and had a ball gag in his mouth. It was all made of metal and the bodies all had holes in so the fire inside could be seen. They were incredible but weird at the same time. Some were dressed with metal tutus and Santa hats that even had little bells attached.

  I laughed out loud when I saw one wear a metal mankini.

  “Oh yeah, this is Pip’s party alright.” I commented when I saw a bunch of waiters walk past struggling on roller skates and wearing those inflatable sumo suits. Talk about trying to make it mission impossible whilst serving canapés.

  “I am starting to worry about meeting this Pip.” Jared said and I snorted unable to help myself.

  “You should be but whatever you do don’t insult her and don’t mention anything about what she’s wearing unless it’s a compliment…actually I wouldn’t do that either if her husband is anywhere near her.” I looked to Jared and saw the disbelief there in one raised eyebrow but I only had to say one name and his face changed very quickly to one of shock.

  “Abaddon.”

  “Oh shit.”

  “Yep, oh shit is right.” I said in agreement as if there was one Demon I ever needed on my side then Adam’s would be the one I wanted fighting in my corner every time.

  “But wait until you meet her, she is fabu…” I stopped speaking as soon as the central fountain came into view and I saw the figure stood there waiting. I suddenly felt like I couldn’t breathe and I took a step back bumping into Jared.

  “You…you planned this?” I asked feeling my throat clogging up with emotion.

  “I did.” He said leaning closer to my ear and without another thought I took off running. I didn’t think about the danger. I didn’t think about who could see me.

  I just didn’t think.

  I just ran.

  Because stood there at the fountain was the only person I needed to see back on his feet. The only arms I needed to feel. The only lips I needed to kiss and the only person right at this moment that I needed to tell I loved them…

  Draven.

  Chapter 67

  Pip’s World

  I was running one second and then my brain kicked into gear and I stopped as soon as I saw who had approached him.

  “Aurora.” I cursed her name as I spoke it through gritted teeth and knew that I had a very important choice to make. Which was why I backed up slowly into a shadowed corner of the house to watch what happened next.

  “What are you doing?” Jared must have seen me backtracking but not yet seen why.

  “Look.” I pointed to where Draven stood and the world’s biggest bitch was walking up behind him.

  “Then what are you waiting for, we all know she and Seth are the traitors.” I shook my head and without taking my eyes off the two of them I said,

  “Something doesn’t feel right. I can’t put my finger on it but you have to admit, why go to all this trouble…? Why wait till now when there were so many other occasions she could have double crossed me? No, something doesn’t feel right and the only way I can find out is if she still thinks I am in Hell…this is my only chance.” And it was true. I hated it but it was true. I couldn’t let my selfish need to be with Draven ruin what might have been our only chance to catch Aurora in the act so we could understand what she and Seth had planned.

  I had to wait. And worse still I had to make Draven wait.

  “She’s just told him he needs to let you go.”

  “You heard that?” I asked shocked from such a distance away.

  “Must be the animal in me.” He said and winked at me making me roll my eyes. I saw her put her hand on Draven’s shoulder from behind and he shrugged it off without looking at her. Draven had his back to everything and was just looking out at the fountain as I had done this morning. It was almost as if he was waiting for me to come walking back through the way I had entered.

  “What she’s saying?” I asked Jared with the K9 hearing.

  “I am sorry for your loss my lord…”

  “Oh please.” I muttered before he carried on translating,

  “…if only I could have done more to save her life but she was so stubborn and refused to hide whilst I fought off the Harpies, then of course she…” Aurora was cut off before she could take her next breath as she found half her body suspended over the water being bent backwards with Draven’s hand around her throat.

  “Do not speak her name EVER!” This was one comment I didn’t need Jared to tell me as I heard it being roared from all the way over here. Oh yeah, he was angry alright.

  “I’m thinking your boyfriend is pissed.” Jared said as we watched Draven fling her back around and release her in a way she only just managed to stay on her feet. Aurora said no more but slunk away after straightening herself up and smoothing down her long evening dr
ess.

  “This is my cue.” I said knowing I had to follow her.

  “Did you leave the rational part of your brain in your helmet?” I just gave him an unimpressed look to which he added,

  “Good point, you never had one.” I gave him a frown and shook my head.

  “Look the point I am making is if she sees you and knows there is a chance of you ruining her plans, whatever they might be, she will kill you this time.” He said and I guess he had a good point, so I said the only thing that came to mind,

  “Grab me that clown.”

  “What?” I nodded behind him where one of the guests dressed as a demonic clown was walking this way.

  “You’re not serious?”

  “As a hellhound peeing on your sofa.” I responded making him growl.

  “Funny.”

  “Look just grab me the damn clown!” I said never expecting this sentence would have ever crossed my lips…clowns creeped the willies outta me!

  “Fine one clown coming right up, my lady.” Jared said reaching out at the right moment to drag the clown closer to us.

  “Sorry about this but do you think I could borrow your wig?” I asked politely and Jared groaned. Then he just snatched the poor guy’s neon green curly clown wig off him to which we both received a shock.

  “Really?”

  “You’re shitting me?!” I and Jared both said at the sight of the poor manhandled guy that was left with the exact same curly afro wig only in a different colour.

  “What, I like wigs.” The guy said in his defence and Jared let him go and muttered,

  “I’m thinking it’s safer I don’t meet this friend of yours.”

  “I wonder how many he had on.” I asked as I let my hair down to twist it up and put the wig on, secretly offering thanks that it wasn’t sweaty. I looked round the corner as I stuffed up the loose bits back into the wig, only to see Aurora was making her way back into the house.

  “Oh that’s just perfect, nope would never guess it was you…wow in fact who are you and what have you done with the daft blonde I was with?” I smacked him on his arm and said,