Afterlife (Afterlife Saga)

by Stephanie Hudson

  “Yes to a certain extent I will tell him, so then he can find closure and move on without thinking that one day she might come back...or worse think of you as her murderer!”

  “You make it very hard to be mad at you when you think of others before yourself.” He said coming over to me and kneeling at my feet. I was about to say something derogatory but he started kissing me gently on my jawline once again, making me forget what we had been talking about.

  “Ok, one other thing, what happened to Layla?” As soon as I asked I wished I hadn't as his grip on my chin tightened, his face turned hard and his eyes switched to flaming purple.

  “That is not your concern...she was dealt with and this is all I will say on the matter!” I decided not to push it any further but I did look up at him with wide eyes making his features soften.

  “Those amazing stormy eyes of yours could control the heart of any man.” At this I blushed.

  “There is however, one female that I have wanted to introduce you to and she would very much like to meet you.... properly this time.” He said pulling me up off the seat which I reluctantly vacated. I didn't know if I could cope with any more beauty queen Demon/Angels! He held my hand in his and I pulled back thinking there was no way I was meeting anyone in my sweat pants and scruffy vest!

  “Can I at least change first...and why are you pulling me towards the balcony?” But again he found this highly amusing.

  “I doubt she will care what you are wearing...plus I find you cute like this,” he said poking me playfully in the stomach, which again tickled.

  “Oh yeah right, pull the other one!” I said with my English northern accent coming out thicker than intended, making him raise an eyebrow.

  “Don't!” I warned, knowing he was going to pick up on it.

  “Ok, so you said that I need to meet her properly....so I have met her before?” But he just winked at me as he pulled me through the glass door to the clearest day I had seen yet. The view was breath-taking in this light. The sky was clear and the sun cast the scenery into a lush green utopia making me look blessed at the sight. But I noticed we were out here alone so I automatically went towards the steps I knew led to the roof as I had once used them under much different circumstances.

  “Not up there. Just wait, she won’t be long,” he said and then let out the strangest noise...but wait it was one I had heard before, back when I first moved here and when I got a welcoming of another kind...

  He stood behind me with his arms draped over my shoulders and looking easily over my head due to the massive difference in height. Then I saw what he was waiting for as a black figure in the vast blue sky came into view and in this light it looked more majestic than terrifying as it usually did. The bird was getting closer and I glanced up at Draven who looked delighted at the sight of its graceful body swooping down, catching the wind as though it owned all of the sky. Until finally it angled its body ready for landing on the railings and so close up it looked double its size with its wingspan close to two meters wide. The railing shook with its body weight and I couldn't help but stand back at the sight.

  “Rara Avis, Quieta non movere...Ssshh”( Means “Rare bird, don't move, settled things” in Latin) He said as it shook and repositioned it huge feathers as if trying to get comfortable. I was hiding behind Draven at this point, as it was extremely intimidating. It looked as though it could rip my face off with one swipe! Wolverine had nothing on this one, as its claws were black razor curls of death.

  “Keira come here...there is nothing to fear!” He said as he pulled me back round placing his large hands on either side of my shoulders so I couldn't move. My heart was doing overtime trying to keep me calm at the sight of this mighty beast.

  “She will not hurt you, she is merely curious.” At this the bird tipped its head at me as if trying to figure me out.

  “She?” I asked in surprise...this was who he wanted me to meet...his terrifying pet!

  “Yes this Avis or Ava for short.” He said moving towards her and stroking her affectionately. She looked as though she loved it, moving her head up and under his hand. I couldn't help but laugh in shock.

  “She's magnificent!” I said not being able to close my mouth and she looked as though she understood me as she squawked at Draven.

  “She wants to know why you have been so scared of her?” He said as he now moved his hand to stroke her chest and at this she puffed her feathers, stretching out her wings making me jump back.

  “Really she wants to know that?”

  “Ava is my eyes to the sky, when I couldn't see you for myself I would possess her and it would allow me to look over you while you slept.” He said so matter of fact.

  “You could see me, so every time I ...” I said thinking back to all those times I had seen her.

  “Not every time no, when I couldn't myself I would have Ava look over you but you used to frighten her when you reacted badly...she was a bit offended actually.” He said looking down at me and so did Ava as if I was being judged by them both.

  “Umm sorry...” I said feeling a bit guilty but considering this bird could most definitely take me, I think I had been justified in being frightened.

  “Do you want to stroke her?” Draven asked and I instantly withdrew my hands around my back.

  “Umm that's ok, I don't think she would appreciate that...plus she likes it when you do it...so I will just watch,” I said being a coward. He just laughed at me.

  “You’re not scared are you Keira?” He said pulling the reverse psychology crap on me.

  “Come, give me your hand.” He said giving me a stern look. Of course when I didn't immediately, it wasn't enough for Draven to give up, now it was time to use force. He put both his arms around my back and bent his lips close to my ear making his hair fall forward. His hands found my wrists and gripped them tightly.

  “Come now you will upset her...she just wants to be friends.” So knowing guilt would most definitely work, I gave in and let my hands be led to the waiting bird.

  “She will behave... won't you Ava?” This was a command and she ducked her head forward for me to stroke her more easily. When my hand was about to reach up to her I stopped, hesitating.

  “She won't hurt you Keira.” And his hand overlapped mine and moved it to her soft black satin feathers. I ran my hands over her back letting my fingers run through to her body and she squawked again, in what I guessed was pleasure as her beak hadn't yet torn my hand off. I moved down under her neck by her chest where I had seen Draven go and she made me jump as she flashed out her impressive wingspan at my touch.

  “Ava, don't show off!” He scolded and she turned her head at him tilting it as if to say “why not!” I couldn't help but laugh at her expression.

  “Yeah why not... Ava?” I said in her defence, which seem to seal the bond between us because at this I was now her new best friend. She walked along the railing closer to my body and gently rubbed up against me making her feathers tickle my neck. I giggled stroking her back affectionately.

  “Umm interesting...she doesn't usually like other woman but you seem to be the first.” He said and I shot him a crazy look.

  “And you tell me this now!”

  “Let’s just say I had an idea she would love you.” He said as he whispered something to her that I couldn't hear. Then he did the unthinkable. He held out a bare arm as he still only had a pair of jeans on and said “Aqui!” Which I knew meant “Here” in Spanish. Then she jumped on his arm digging her claws into his skin, which didn't even tear and more amazingly he didn't even flinch. He grabbed her beak in his fingers and shook it playfully.

  “Are you ready for it baby?” He asked her as he was now looking up into her beautiful face and her eyes widened with what seem like excitement. She squawked an answer.

  “Well you wanted to show off, so you'd better make this good old girl!” He teased before he produced something black and spiky in his hand. He then teased her again pretending to move his hand as if to t
hrow it, catching her out. It reminded me of what I used to do to my grandparents’ dog Sandy, trying to make her go for a stick before it had left my hand. The second time however he did throw it making it rocket through the air and it went so far I couldn't follow it for long. He then put his arm down and lifted it quickly to send Ava off into the sky after it in a graceful dismount. She flew off until out of sight going so fast it was like trying to watch a bullet hit its target...too fast for human eyes.

  “What was that you just gave her?” I asked as we walked back inside.

  “You don't want to know,” he said smiling to himself as if I was missing something he didn't want to tell me.

  “Yeah, sure I do,” I said hoping that I did.

  “It was a bird's foot,” he said laughing at my face which was now screwed up as if I had just smelled something bad...like Frank's feet!

  “She eats other birds, it's how she consumes her souls...and well for some reason she favours the feet, saving them for last.”

  “Yuck! That's really gross. How do you know that?”

  “Well firstly, I did tell you that you wouldn't want to know. Ava lets me into her mind but we share it when I am there and sometimes...well…she gets hungry!” He said pulling his own Yuck face!

  “Ok I think I just hit my limit on the weirdo scale!” He laughed at my humour, which sent little sparks of pleasure down to my stomach. I loved the idea that I could make him laugh.

  “So where did she come from?”

  “Ava has been with me since the beginning, a gift from my father to keep an eye on us all. She is a demon of course, being a cross between a raven and a golden eagle to you and she has her own powers. But since she was sent she favoured me from the start and this is why she doesn't like...well you know?” He started to try and find the words I already knew he wanted to say so I finished them for him making it easier.

  “You mean other woman you have been with!” I said rolling my eyes at him at his reluctance to finish that statement.

  “Well yes, but I knew her connection with you would be different...she pleased me...trust me she is never normally that well behaved and has given me the run around a few times in the past. When she was young especially, she went through a stage of terrorising small villages, scaring them and aiming for the younger ones...for some reason she hated children!” I looked on wide-eyed trying to imagine how terrifying that must have been, as not so long ago I was also in the same mind.

  “But with age she has become quieter and grumpier, spending most of her time alone as she prefers.”

  “Aww, well I think she was sweet” I said putting my arms around his neck which seemed to be a weak spot of his as he melted into me doing what I wanted him to.....which was of course kiss me.

  “I hate to put a downer on this good mood of yours but you will not think so kindly of me in a minute.” He smirked at the thought of me turning into an angry kitten no doubt!

  “And why is that?”

  “Because in a moment my sister is going to walk through those doors and take you away from me.” He didn't look happy at the prospect.

  “Why?” I said hating the idea of even spending a minute from his side.

  “She has it into her head that she is going to get you ready for the party tonight.” OH NO!

  “No, no, you have to talk to her, reason with her,” I said pleading with him but he just held up his hands in defence.

  “I would love to but she is very persuasive.”

  “But you’re her brother and surely she will do what you say...I mean reason with her...please, she has to be stopped!” I was close to begging at this point which he was still smirking at.

  “Keira, it is not that bad and besides, you think I am hardcore when I get angry...you have never witnessed Sophia's temper!” He said and I couldn't be sure whether he was teasing me or not, so I put my hands on my hips to show him I wasn't going to accept this. But then as usual my display went out of the window when he put his hands on my sides and pulled me into him kissing me on the forehead.

  “Demon remember...and she is determined.” He noticed my frown and continued,

  “It is simply best to let her have her way, after all, she is excited as she has never had a sister to...”

  “Use as a human doll!” I finished his sentence with sarcasm.

  “I was going to say love.” And as soon as he said it I felt the guilt that he was counting on.

  Then he moved away from me and walked towards the door opening it before Sophia had even chance to knock. She strolled in looking as if she had tried very hard to look casual but of course failing miserably. She looked just like she'd just finished her photo shoot for Paris fashion week.

  She wore tight fitting jeans that looked as if she had rather been sewn into or they had been painted on. She had added a long dress style top that was white and fell off on one shoulder. Her hair was causally pulled up into a high ponytail making her curls looked contained yet fighting to get free. One thing was for sure...she looked bloody happy!

  “Dress up time!” She said, smiling like the evil Cheshire cat from Alice in Wonderland. She turned around knowing that I would have to follow and I couldn't help but drag my feet at the thought. I mean she wasn't even giving me time to change...this was going to be a bad idea. I walked past Draven with my head down but he stopped me, kissing me on the top of my head, saying,

  “Play nice Keira!” Of course knowing that I was about to go and play with a Demon didn't make me think there was going to be anything nice about this game...

  Chapter 45 - Down the rabbit hole

  I followed Sophia for what seemed like forever, up and down staircases, along passageways and through God knows how many doors! Finally the last door was opened for us by Zagan of all people. He nodded at me but I didn't miss the wink he sent Sophia's way, which she tried very hard not to react to. However she was still smiling when we entered her bedchamber. Well I say bedchamber, it was more like a whole floor of a department store and we were in the soft furnishing department!

  She had different beds scattered everywhere making it look more like a cabana club than a room. She had different tent style rooms to the sides which towered up into elaborate metal points giving it a Moroccan vibe. There were couches of all shapes and sizes, and luxurious material framing the walls and furniture. I noticed there was even a bar in one corner and this made me realise that this was a separate club of its own...a private one.

  “Sophia what is this place?” I asked as I caught up with her, as she was moving towards a more private part at the other end of the room. This was partitioned off by a wall of fabrics that hung down overlapping each other and I wouldn't have known where to begin to try to get through it all. But Sophia just held up her hand and they moved apart, flowing up and down and through one another, allowing us passage through the gap they created.

  “This is my bedroom… amongst other things,” she giggled before continuing,

  “I have asked Draven if you would like to join us but he is very set against the idea, so you will have to miss out...he never did like to share. This way” She said motioning me through the last door, which finally must have been where Sophia slept. This looked more like a ‘Sophia bedroom’.

  It was a Gothic dark fairy princess’s room, with a huge wrought iron bed that was covered in the same fabric that flowed around the posts. It looked both deadly and cute at the same time. The room also had a punk vibe as the walls were papered with the most unusual design. It was black velvet with the biggest bright pink roses that looked lethal with pointed sharp petals, some tinted at the ends in what was blood red. I knew one thing and that was RJ would have freaked out seeing a room like this! The furniture was a fairy tale design but it was black and it screamed out that this belonged to a girly demon!

  “Ok, first you need to take a bath,” she said opening a set of double doors into a massive bathroom that held a different feel. It was like walking from evil to pure good. This room was like a
tropical paradise, with plants and flowers up the walls giving off an incredible scent of a rain forest. She must have seen my face drop.

  “Like it?”

  “It's amazing, I just...it's just... the Garden of Eden!” I said as it finally came to me. At this she clapped her hands like an excited child.

  “That's the look I went for… now wait until you try my bath!” She said pulling me further into her private heaven. Around one corner was an actual waterfall that flowed down the wall behind her bath. The bath was sunk into the floor so you had to step down into it and I realised that the waterfall wasn't just there for effect, it was the shower. The whole bath was like an infinity pool that just overflowed into an abyss I couldn't see. She let out a laugh at my face and I was starting to feel thankful that she wanted to share this with me and well at least if this makeover went horribly wrong I got to use the most awesome bath in existence.

  “I will leave you to it. There is a bag there with all the usual stuff you use...you know?” She said making me laugh as she pretended to shave her armpits. She was just the most unpredictable girl I had ever known.

  She left me alone in paradise and I nearly ripped off my clothes to get in there quicker. I lowered my naked body in the water, which was the perfect temperature and let the liquid caress my skin, making it soft and smell amazing. All I wished now was that I had Draven in here with me and that thought alone was enough to make me start fantasising about what naughty things we could be doing in here.

  After a long soak I decided that I should start on the reasons I was in here in the first place, so with that in mind I reached over for the bag that Sophia had pointed out. It was filled with all the things I needed but it amazed me to find it was the same make of razor I used, the same gel, I even found a new toothbrush for me to use later. It felt strange doing all the usual things you do in a bath, because in this one it felt as if it was only meant for two things, relaxing and the other was for a more erotic activity, one that I was getting desperate for. Draven was most definitely like a sexual drug, the more I had, the more I wanted...no not wanted more like NEEDED!