The Two Kings (Afterlife Saga)

by Hudson, Stephanie

  “Keira, you’re smiling at yourself again.” For this she received a little flick on the arm making her giggle. We walked down to the front and I watched in amazement as she handed him a newspaper making him think it was her assignment, of course the newspaper deserved an A star, even though it really was a lousy paper. Of course the biggest stories were about the Dravens themselves but considering no one really knew anything about them, there really wasn’t that much printed holding their name.

  I remember reading the paper and scanning it for any details about them but they were mainly only mentioned when they donated to a charity or paid for any new construction the town benefited from.

  I handed my paper over and Reed looked over it as if he wanted to throw it in the bin before even reading the first line. I gulped as those beady eyes found mine and then returned to his laptop without saying a word.

  “Did you see that, the way he looked at my work, like he knew it would be rubbish or something? Could you read his mind....he’s going to fail me right...?” I whispered to Sophia as I trailed behind like a blubbering fool.

  “Don’t be paranoid Keira. He was actually looking forward to reading it.” I frowned unconvinced.

  “What? It’s true. Anyway forget about Reed, we have bigger fish to scare.”

  “It’s fry....bigger fish to fry.” I corrected but she just looked at me from the side and gave me a confident smile.

  “Not today it isn’t.” She said in a way that displayed the true nature of what she was. I was close to feeling sorry for what she had in store for my cousin....well, almost!

  We were soon outside and I found myself glad that my cousin was nowhere to be seen, that was until my phone started up and Abba filled the courtyard we were sat in. When I saw it wasn’t a number I recognized, my heart sank.

  “Hello.”

  “Kizzy Cat, where are you?” Hilary’s voice grated on me even when she was putting on the nicey, nicey act, that’s how I knew she was still with Jack. I explained where and I heard her repeating it over to Jack.

  “We will be there in five, Jack has been called into work so you have to take me home now.” I knew she was still trying to sound fake in front of Jack but even he must have heard the cheek in that demand.

  “Well I still...” And that’s when she hung up leaving me to finish that sentence with only Sophia as my audience.

  “Have classes.” I finished weakly.

  “She hung up didn’t she? You know I don’t think I’m going to like this girl.” Sophia looked half delighted and half furious at the idea.

  “Good, because giving how fast my cousin works, pretty soon she will have sucked everyone I know into her twisted lies and God only knows what they will think about me then?”

  “I gather you’re referring to her most recent work?” Sophia nodded past me and I turned to see Hilary and Jack both walking, arms locked, in the distance.

  “How’d ya guess?” I asked sarcastically.

  “Oh I don’t know, maybe the fact that I can smell the hate for you, coming off her like cheap perfume.” I turned my eyes to hers to find them glowing with the same hate. I suddenly felt wary about introducing my cousin to my Demon friend but before I knew it, Hilary’s voice was making my skin crawl and grating on my last nerve.

  “There you are, you’re so hard to spot in a crowd, being so short and all.” She would have carried on but the sight of Sophia had her stopped dead in her tracks. Sophia was, as always, in her designer wear that screamed money! She was one of the most beautiful creatures the world had to offer and when coming faced with her for the first time, she often took your breath away. This is what happened now and I couldn’t help but smile. Hilary had always been a jealous person by nature. Never being satisfied with what she already had, but trying to take or crush what those around her had, that she wanted!

  No one seemed to be saying anything so I decided to intervene.

  “Guys, this is Sophia,” I said trying not to look at Jack but finding it hard when he seemed to be searching out my eyes. I didn’t understand why, but I got the distinct impression that he wanted to talk with me. Whatever the case, I didn’t fold. I was still too hurt and felt far too betrayed to give in now. If he wanted to believe Hilary’s lies over what our friendship meant then that was just fine!

  “And this must be Hilary, nice to meet you, of course I feel like I already know you, with everything Keira has told me about you.” Sophia said this with a sharp tone of knowing in her voice and I don’t think Hilary missed it. She just stared blankly at her, as if still in a state of uncertainty. Surprisingly, it was Jack to break the tension.

  “Hi Sophia, I’m Jack, I’ve seen you around but don’t think we have ever been introduced properly.” He said being his usual ultra-friendly self.

  “Hi Jack, of course I have heard a lot about you too. You’re one of Keira’s best friends aren’t you? She’s always saying what a truly great friend you are.” The way she said it made Jack look down at me with sorrow in his eyes. As though he had just been reminded of the fact and felt my betrayal for himself. I looked away and gave Sophia a warning look which only made her smile.

  “So, how do you two know each other then, ‘cause no offense, but you don’t look like you would have much in common!” Hilary had found her voice and unfortunately the shock of Sophia’s beauty hadn’t curved her wonderful way with words. She looked back at me with my baggy jeans and overly big jacket that made me look like I had dressed for an expedition. Her eyes floated back to Sophia’s delicate little frame that was dressed in winter chic. A designer red, fitted coat and black leggings that disappeared in fur trimmed boots. Looking at us both side by side then she was right, we looked like unlikely looking friends indeed.

  “My brother Dominic is in love with your cousin!” She said as simple as pie. I coughed out a word not even I knew and Hilary looked like she had swallowed a bug. Meanwhile, Jack looked hurt and turned his head to one side as if trying to hide a reaction already seen.

  “Your brother is Dominic Draven, Keira’s boyfriend?” Hilary asked as if to clarify it clearer.

  “Yes, but that’s not why we’re friends, it’s only how we met.” Sophia said, clarifying herself.

  “Well Kizzy Cat, I have to give it to you, you certainly work quickly with the locals. If I didn’t know any better I would say that the Dravens consider you one of the family.” Hilary said this as an insult but one disguised as a compliment.

  “We do, but where are my manners, you should come up to the VIP tonight after Keira’s finished work to meet us all... properly.”

  “WHAT!” I shouted by mistake, making everyone, including people not in this conversation stop and stare at me. I decided to try this diplomatically instead of screaming.

  “Do you think that’s a good idea, I mean, you know how your brother likes to keep his business private?” I was pleading with her mentally but she ignored me and looked at Hilary more closely.

  “Nonsense, she is after all family and I’m sure Dominic would like to meet her properly this time.” I almost growled at her.

  “Sorry Sophia, I’m sure Kizzy is just trying to keep Dominic all to herself, she was always a bit selfish when comes to men, there’s been quite a few.” Hilary finished this by laughing at herself but it was at my expense, which I never appreciated coming from the unfunny viper that was my cousin.

  “Fine, well it looks like I’m out numbered on this one.” I said not being able to keep the spoilt tone from seeping into my words. Sophia didn’t even look sorry, which made me think she was planning something. Actually the only one that looked sorry for me was Jack, which made me wonder, had Sophia’s cutting manner made him think twice about being so quick to trust someone he barely knew, over someone he respected not so long ago? I really hoped so.

  We all said our goodbyes but as Hilary was giving Jack a more thorough bye when I took Sophia to the side out of earshot.

  “What’s the big idea here?...I mean, I’m all
for knocking her down a peg or two but even I think a room full of “energy sucking” Demons and Angels is a bit much!” Sophia just smiled like I would imagine a cat to do when walking the fence and winding up the neighbor’s dog. It was both evil and cute at the same time.

  “Keira my dear...don’t you trust me?” She added this little innocent act by fluttering her eyes at me.

  “You forget Sophia that I know what you’re capable of and remember your relentless schemes when trying to get me and Draven together.”

  “And it all worked out well, did it not?” Well I had to give her that. In truth she had ended up playing a massive part in our ‘union’. However, I didn’t tell her this, but she took my silence in her favor all the same.

  “Great, well tonight should be a breeze then!” I said sarcastically but she just laughed and gave me a wink before fake coughing which drew me to my cousin’s unimpressed face.

  “So are we going or not?” She asked looking down at me like I was some bloody chauffeur of hers that she just caught without wearing their hat or making a wrong turn....well she wished! I was close to saying “To Hell with it” and making her walk home, 4 inch heels or not!

  Ok so I didn’t, no instead I said goodbye to everyone and started walking off in the direction of my truck to miss lessons because I couldn’t be faced with the agro of my cousin’s moaning at me. I didn’t wait for Hilary but giving her longer legs it didn’t take her long to catch up and I soon heard the clopping of her heels behind me, reminding me of being chased by horse.

  We got in the truck and drove home in silence. It made me wish that everyone that had been suckered into Hilary’s nicey, nicey act would just witness for themselves just how vindictive and cold she could really be.

  By the time we got home I was close to screaming in frustration from the tense ride home. I noticed my knuckles were still white from gripping the steering wheel so hard and it remained the same as I was gripping the handle of my mug of tea. I kept trying to tell myself that it would soon be over, only a week of this crap and then I could relax again...well as much as I could with a bounty on my head.

  Hilary had gone to start getting ready for tonight which I was dreading. The reasons were wholly selfish I admit it and the idea of Hilary spending anytime in the VIP was only burning a brighter rage inside me. Not only did I not want her anywhere near my boyfriend but I also wanted to keep my secret life intact. It was like being a superhero in a sense and I know that may sound egotistical but it was like living a double life.

  Downstairs, I was just like everyone else but once I crossed the level, I became one of them. I became a part of their world and the idea that Hilary would too, be privileged into my heaven was infuriating. And undeservingly so. I felt so bitter I couldn’t taste my tea. I couldn’t taste the sandwich I had made myself and I couldn’t swallow the idea of this evening was going to happen whether I liked it or not! I even found myself picking up the phone a few times to call Draven and tell him, plead with him, about how much I objected to tonight. But thankfully my pride stopped me.

  Of course none of this helped when the She-Devil herself came and interrupted my somber thoughts.

  “What time do you go to work?” She asked, as she danced in the room like she owned the state. Man, I hated her. I hated what she did to my life every time she was around. It was like she went out of her way to try and destroy any ounce of happiness I found. Of course the only blessing about the ‘Incident’ was that she left me alone without adding to my misery. But of course, she didn’t need to try and damage an already damaged situation, which was the shred of my life at the time.

  “Six thirty,” I said without keeping the depressed tone from my voice. It didn’t help when I saw her basking in her own glory. I was stupid really, what I should be doing was playing her at her own game. Smile to hide my distaste at having her so close to me. Fake a laugh at the unfunny things she said and totally hide the fact that I hated the idea of her joining the VIP club. I mean her crush on Jack was another thing but if she got her fake nails into any of the Draven’s I don’t think I could prevent murder. Ok, time to try and play this a different way.

  “Are you excited?” I asked making her turn to me in shock. I had to suppress a coy smile.

  “Umm I guess.” She replied in a softer tone I wasn’t used too.

  “It will be nice having someone else there as proof it’s not as scary as it’s made out.” I said trying to sound casual but I had to turn round to hide a smile I had no control of. I opened the fridge and broke off a few squares of chocolate.

  “What do you mean by that?” OK now she looked a bit more concerned as her eyebrows knitted together and a hand automatically went to her hip.

  “Oh, it’s just with all the small town gossip Afterlife generates there’s bound to be a few horror stories but none are true I can assure you.”

  “Like what?” She genuinely looked interested and I think this was the first actual conversation we had had together in years. Like this it took me back to better times when we were younger and before Hilary’s vendetta against me was born.

  “Oh, just about how when some people have gone up there in the past and never been seen again, that type of thing but you will have to ask Jack on the details...he knows all the gory stories.” I could now see the faint flicker of both doubt and fear mix through her eyes. I should have stopped there and hoped it was enough to put her off but my personality wouldn’t let me.

  “But I doubt any of its true, I mean there’s some weird people up there but they all seem nice to me. And I don’t think D...Dominic would allow anything to happen in his club, he’s had people kicked out before for drugs and stuff.” She just nodded and I could see her mind doing ten to the dozen.

  “Is that how you got with Dominic, by serving him?” It was an innocent enough question but as ever, coming for Hilary’s lips it quickly turned into an insult. However I swallowed it like all the rest and answered her.

  “Sort of, but I was never allowed to serve his table directly. We kind of got to be friends first and then he just asked me out.” Ok so that was completely made up but what could I tell her...the truth? Umm no, I don’t think that would have gone down well at all.

  “Umm, well I guess in a small town things are limited.” She said as she had soon lost interest but it didn’t prevent her from jabbing at me one last time. With that she left the kitchen and I didn’t see her again until we had to leave for the club, where no doubt another nightmare was to begin.

  At least in this one, I didn’t have my own demons to contend with.

  Chapter 47

  VIP Déjà Vu

  We didn’t really speak on the way to the club and a few insults about my slow driving hardly constituted as conversation. I looked to my right and found Hilary twisting a tassel of her scarf round in her fingers, it looked like she was nervous. Maybe some of what I had said earlier had sunk in.

  The drive felt like my first time going to the club, it was that long winded. This I put down to the uncomfortable situation and a mind full of anxious worries. What was going to happen tonight? I had no clue and just kept asking myself the same question over and over....why had Sophia invited her in the first place, what was she up to?

  These were the type of questions rolling around in my mind like waves in an unsettled sea. It was only when I heard an agitated voice that I was brought back from auto-pilot to realise what she was saying.

  “You’re going to miss the turn!” Her words registered just in time for me to slow down and make the turn on to the private road that led to Afterlife. It was dark out and the night was full of snow filled clouds in a sky we couldn’t see, well according to the weather channel anyway. But you could almost taste it in the air and when it was cold enough to see your breath, then the chances were if it did come down, it was going to stick. Even Hilary was wearing warmer clothes, although I wasn’t sure what was underneath that long jacket of hers. For all I knew she could be naked!

&nbs
p; Thankfully, when we got inside it was confirmed she wasn’t naked but it sure came close. She wore a little black lace dress with a corseted top that flared out at the skirt. The red netting could be seen around the edges and is what gave it body to stick out like a tutu. She matched this slutty look with the highest heels in the form of knee high boots. Her makeup looked like something she had stolen from a vampire movie, with black eyes, pale skin and blood red lips. Her hair hung down in loose curls that looked like they had started to drop out of style, even though you could smell the hairspray radiating from her head a mile away.

  I couldn’t help but look down at my plain self and glad to see I was only wearing black trousers and a black shirt that wrapped round and tied at the back. I added a tiny bit of colour in the form of a purple tie with white piping that RJ had given me once. She explained that now she was a full out Goth and no longer a tamer Emo, she had given me a bag of ties to wear for work. This was only the second time I had worn one as the first was when Layla had attacked me. Of course, the memory sent shivers up and down my spine and it didn’t have anything to do with Layla. No, it was down to Draven touching me the way he had done that night. Our first real intimate contact.

  I think Hilary took my little moment as one of jealously as she looked pretty pleased with herself. I was tempted to tell her the only time I had ever dressed like that was at Halloween, but I thought better. The last thing I wanted was to prompt her in anyway. At this time it wasn’t hard to get to the other side of the club as it only really started to get busy when the band was due to start and they weren’t even here yet. However I had to stop her before she walked up the main staircase.

  “What are you doing?” She asked me looking down at my hand that still gripped her arm. It was as if she would get burned by my touching her and she yanked her arm away and glared at me. I ignored it all and explained.