The Two Kings (Afterlife Saga) Read online

  “You’ll see,” was all Draven offered before nodding in Jerry’s direction. Thankfully for him he was at hand within a second knowing Draven is not a boss you kept waiting… for anything.

  “Yes, Mr Draven Sir.”

  “Jerry can you bring me a bottle from the VIP reserve?” Jerry looked startled like he would get caught out for saying yes. It made me wonder if he knew about the Dravens like I did. He looked terrified and let’s face it, if you did know what they were, then you would be in your right mind to be scared shitless. It was a little different in my case, as I was already accustomed to their world even before I met the Dravens. Hell, maybe I was nuts but the rest of humanity would not be so easily comforted by the idea that there were Demons and Angels feeding from their emotions.

  “It’s alright Jerry, proceed.” He prompted, making Jerry scuttle off into the back room where he kept some of the bottles behind lock and key. It took me back to the night when I first stepped foot into the VIP. I had been given a crate of bottles to take up there and had been just as terrified as Jerry.

  It didn’t take him long to find the bottle Draven had asked for and I knew instantly what liquid the bottle held.... Absinthe.

  The bottle looked antique with a metal clasp at the top making it like a flask. The green liquid swirled around like a sea serpent trying to escape. RJ’s eyes widened at the sight but Justin just sighed.

  “Absinthe, right? I had that same shit in Spain, supposed to make you lose your head but it didn’t even touch me.” He boasted, but I was the only one that noticed the malicious grin flash across Draven’s lips.

  “Is that so? Then you should be just fine…right?” Draven taunted, looking over his shoulder at him. RJ couldn’t help but giggle at the drama playing out. Meanwhile I was ready for dropping the two egos and going home. Draven could be the bigger person here and let this all go but no, here he was pushing Justin into a game he would never win. For one Draven never got drunk and secondly, Justin was like a pit-bull with a bone…he would never back down and give it up!

  Draven had acquired some glasses and flipped the clasp on the bottle top ready to pour. He gave it one last swirl before pouring out three, one a little less full for RJ. He slid it towards her saying,

  “Ladies first!”

  “And who said chivalry was dead?” She said looking at me and I couldn’t help but smile. It was surprising that a girl like RJ was a sucker for manners, giving she was rude to most people, most of the time. However Draven wasn’t as pleasant with Justin and slid the glass down the bar which stopped right in front of him, making Draven seem like the luckiest son of a gun in the west!

  I stood watching the three of them knock them back like it was water but as soon as the liquid touched the back of their throats the impulse to cough couldn’t be helped. Of course Draven remained silent, while the other two sounded like they smoked forty a day.

  “Another?” Draven asked and, not waiting for their voices to return, he poured three more. I placed my hand over RJ’s glass and gave him a warning look.

  “Hey, I’m game.” She protested and Draven gave me a wink she didn’t catch. I hoped this meant that he would make hers a dummy drink so it wouldn’t affect her.

  “Yeah, me too, that’s good stuff.” He was trying too hard to sound convincing and Draven knew it.

  “Ok, what do you say we make this a little more interesting?” He suggested and I just wanted to scream “grow up” to the both of them.

  “What did you have in mind?” Justin showed just a hint of apprehension in his eyes making Draven’s glint in return.

  “RJ, do you want to see a little magic?” It was as if he was talking to a child and the size difference made it seem more plausible. Of course she reacted like a child, clapping her hands again, something she always did when she was excited.

  “Gonna pull a rabbit out of your sleeve, cause you know I’ve seen that one before?” Justin said adding an unimpressed expression to his slouched shoulders.

  Draven ignored him and placed all three glassed in a row ready for his ‘magic trick’.

  “RJ, pick one.” She looked at me and then back at him before pointing to the one in the middle. Draven smirked and said “Watch” slipping back to his masterful tone. He then leaned over and blew over the one at the end closest to himself making it begin the transformation. Three sets of wide eyed humans, me included watched like puppets in the hands of a master.

  A black cloud had emerged from deep within the emerald liquid making it turn into a black so dark it had a bluish tint. Like the night of a storm raging up from the elements, the green land provides. The amazing thing about the change was that it passed over the glass RJ had picked, keeping it lush bottle green colour that seem fresh in comparison to the destruction of the other two drinks. It was like it floated through RJ’s choice and hit its mark with the next, making it to, a dark mist. Now we were all looking at two black drinks either side of one untouched.

  “WOW, that was one hell of a trick! How in God’s name did you do that?” RJ shouted and because I was, at that moment, taking a swig of my drink, I nearly choked on it. What she didn’t realise in that question is how right on the money she had been! Draven knew of course, the reason for my reaction but he calmly just patted my back and carried on.

  “Just a sleight of hand really, but please drink.”

  “Is it safe?” RJ asked a little timidly for the RJ character I knew, and I realised it was the first time I had seen her freaked.

  “Yes, but I must warn you, it can have some foul side effects if you plan on engaging in any dishonourable acts.” He winked at RJ but scowled at Justin.

  “Yeah right, just give it here Mr Hey Presto!” Justin reached across and downed it, trying his best not to make a gagging face with a coughing fit. RJ looked up at Draven and took note of his wicked smile at the sight of Justin that had just downed every last drop. My stomach felt like a vat of acid had just been poured into it because I knew Draven and knew him well.

  I recalled his words earlier and they swam around my head in their own little bubble making my brain ache.

  “Keira knows I always keep my word,” he had said to Justin and now I wanted to repeat them but I knew it was too late…he had already drank his fate,

  That’s why Draven was smiling...

  He had won.

  Chapter 31

  Dishonourable Acts

  Now, this was my dilemma. See, I was the one that had convinced Draven that Justin was not only to be trusted but he too didn’t hold any feelings for me but ones of friendship. This would all be fine and dandy if I still believed it to be the case but now I was as sure of trouble brewing, as I was that the sun would rise tomorrow.

  Draven had created this little game that would only benefit his needs. If Justin could only behave until I got him home it would work out being just a bad hangover for him in the morning, providing Draven his assurance of Justin’s intentions but this was Justin we were talking about. Oh, this was going to go terribly wrong and I would no doubt have to pick up the pieces! I just hoped they weren’t body parts.

  We all remained at the bar, each of us acting out the perfect example of ease and comfort, when not one of us was being himself or herself. RJ was trying her best to keep the conversation light and avoiding drama. (This was solely unlike her, I hasten to add) But at least she was doing better than me. I was nodding like a toy dog on a dashboard every time someone spoke. Of course, inside I was mentally punching myself for ever thinking this night was going to go well enough for me not to remember it for all the wrong reasons.

  Justin kept up the bad boy “I don’t give a shit who you are” persona but every now and again I could see a flash of the unknown when he looked deep into his enemy’s eyes. Draven remained civil despite Justin’s attitude but there was a definite undertone of the need to rip his head off as Draven flexed his muscles every time he spoke.

  It was as if the very sound of Justin’s voice was causing Dra
ven’s demon blood to flow faster. I knew this because without being able to control it I kept seeing his Demon form come to light. In the end, I had to try very hard not to keep making little gasps whenever it happened as the looks I received from both RJ and Justin were ones of worry mixed with a weary “Is she nuts?” Then when I thought it couldn’t get any worse, Justin said the unthinkable.

  “Well you know, me and Keira go way back, isn’t that right Kazzy?” At this point I thought Draven would blow up because not only was Justin playing fire with someone twice his size, he was playing with a man that controlled that fire! Justin had come closer towards me and put his arm casually around my shoulders as he spoke. I just shrugged away and laughed nervously.

  “Yeah, on account of Libby and Frank… you know, my sister?” I don’t know who this last statement was aimed at because everyone I was looking at had sure as shit met my sister. I didn’t know where to stand or to put my mouth for that matter. I ended up next to RJ trying not to look at Draven who was glowing like Christmas.

  “Of course, when I say way back, I mean we have history.” Oh my God, was he trying to get himself killed! Draven looked like he had somehow got even taller because he towered above Justin like he was getting smaller. I had to hand it to the surfer, he had the balls of a bull combined with the tact of a tidal wave and boy, he really knew how to make a bad situation worse.

  “Is that so, then I think you had better elaborate, given the confused look on my girlfriend’s face.” Draven’s voice came out in an eerie calm that went as deep as the earth’s mantle.

  “Oh, I’m sure she remembers, it got pretty heated one night, but we never really gave it a go, on account of the distance thing but when Frank told me Kaz had moved here…well!”

  “Well, then you just had to race back here as quickly as you could to see her again. That’s very noble of you, but tell me, it must have been crushing for you to find her with another and no longer available for your taking.” He raised his eyebrows making his eyes somehow appear deeper but before Justin could come back at him with another foolish comment Draven continued,

  “Let me offer you some advice for the next conquest you have in mind. Never let oceans get in the way…A real man never would.” Draven had finished his little speech with another shot finding home in the pit of an angry stomach.

  “Excuse me but I think I must have a say in these ‘so called’ events,” I said finding my angry voice and putting my timid one back behind lock and key.

  “So called? Oh Kazzy tell me you haven’t forgotten your sister’s wedding, I think she’d be disappointed to hear that?” He said in an over exaggerated tone that made me want to smack that smirk of his handsome baby face!

  “Yes, well, one night consisting of one kiss is hardly something I would call history! Besides after that day we became family so it’s not even worth bring up…”

  “Family? I don’t think…”

  “No you don’t, that’s your problem! Now I think it’s time we went home before you make even more of a mountain out of a snowman!” I was really angry now and it didn’t help when I saw Draven beaming at me like I was the teacher that had told off a naughty bully. I was so tempted to just go and let these two to battle it out and leave them but I would never forgive myself knowing what the outcome would be…. Draven 1- Justin 0, but with a shiny new coffin to sleep in. Plus there was Frank to think about, I had made a promise and I was going to keep it, even if it killed me.

  I turned to RJ and Draven, with close to steam coming out of my ears and they both knew it. But it was only RJ that had any sense to take my mood seriously, Draven on the other hand held a cocky smile curling up on one side and an arrogant glint to his black eyes.

  “RJ, I will see you Monday, I’ll pick you up at the usual time. Tell the rest I say bye.” She nodded but I could tell the alcohol was starting to take effect because her eyes were glazed over like she couldn’t focus. She took this as her cue to leave first and with one last eye flutter at Draven and a scowl at bad boy Justin, she left to regroup.

  “I will see you tomorrow D!” I said harshly but he looked unruffled by my lack of affection. I don’t think he’d even registered that I called him ‘D’. Something I had never done before, but I didn’t want to call him Dominic and I wouldn’t call him by his second name in front of Justin. No, that would be like filling up the tank and letting him go on all night and let’s face it, the last thing Justin needed was anymore fuel!

  Draven didn’t reply, he just kept staring at Justin with this half smile, like he knew something the rest of the world didn’t. Justin shifted his weight and found the ground with his eyes. I just rolled mine and said “Oh for Pete’s sake!” walking past him but I didn’t get far. His arm came out quicker than the breath from my lungs and in a moment the lights went out plunging the club into darkness. I looked around after sounding my surprise and just as the rest of the club began to ask the obvious questions, Draven had circled his arms around my waist before his hands pulled up my top to get to the skin on my back. I gasped again, only this time it finished inside his mouth that felt on fire. His kiss was passionate and full to the brim of want. I could hardly breathe in his crushing hold but it didn’t stop me from entwining my hands behind his neck.

  After moments of bliss his lips left mine, giving me one last lick to my top lip before I opened my eyes. I expected to find the same darkness I had closed them to but instead the room was lit even brighter and every eye seemed to be fixated on the two lovers at the bar. Justin could barely keep his mouth closed, let alone keep the utter disappointment from his face.

  One look from Draven told me this had all been planned and he knew if no one could see us I would give it my all back. He had been right and that is what he wanted Justin to see. Mission accomplished! I was fuming inside but knew I couldn’t show it in front of Justin. I was now sick to death of this game the two of them had me playing and for the first time since I’d met Draven I didn’t want to look at him!

  Instead of saying goodbye again I just grabbed Justin’s hand and dragged him to the front entrance leaving Draven at the bar. I didn’t miss the evil wink and mouthed words “Good luck” that were directed at Justin as I pulled him past.

  Once I was nearer the door, however angry I was, I still couldn’t help the little look over my shoulder to see if he was still staring at us. The answer was no. He was nowhere to be seen, he had just disappeared because there is no way he could have made it back through the crowd in that time. How did he get away like that with every eye in the room locked on his every move, I wondered?

  Outside the cold air helped to clear my clouded mind but my anger stuck to me despite the weather. It had started to snow while we had been in the club and was quickly covering the ground with an icy blanket which would turn deadly soon enough. I had made the right choice leaving now as I didn’t yet have snow chains on big blue.

  I didn’t look at Justin once as we snaked our way through the parked cars to get to my truck. Then Justin startled me making me turn round to his raucous laughter.

  “What are you laughing at?” I asked not bothering to hide my hacked off tone.

  “Just wondering if you make everyone who meets you this crazy?” That question hit me harder than I cared to admit, considering my past. After staring at him for longer than intended, I turned before he could see my eyes well up.

  “Oh no Keira…I didn’t mean it like that!” He ran over to me just as I took my next step. He gently put his hands on my shoulders to turn me round to face him.

  “Look at me!” He whispered and when I didn’t, he placed the back of his hand under my chin.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be an insensitive jerk.”

  “And back in there?” I nodded to the doors which we had just exited but he didn’t look back.

  “What I meant…what I mean is…”

  “Justin, don’t!” I stopped him knowing what was coming next. I didn’t want to do this now, hell I didn’
t want to do this ever! The last conversation we had like this was a lifetime ago. I wasn’t even the same person anymore. Back then, of course, I had been in his shoes. He had been the one with the girlfriend and he had been the one telling me it could never happen. Well those words still rang true.

  It could never happen.

  “Why not, because you have some weird, possessive boyfriend who can buy you back?”

  “Now that hurt!” I said and pulled out of his hold.

  “I didn’t mean it the way you took it.” He snapped back, making his hair coil round one shoulder. I stood hands on hips waiting.

  “I meant it with concern. I’m worried about you. That guy in there isn’t right, I don’t know what it is but I can’t shake the feeling that he’s…he’s…”

  “He’s what?”

  “Dangerous!” He spoke the word like he could somehow be over heard. I knew the truth and sure, sometimes it frightened me, but was it worse not knowing? What if that night had never happened and I just kept going through life working at the club, being obsessed with Draven, never to find out the truth…Would I be scared?

  I didn’t know what to say to him. Anything I said would end up being a lie, so I said the only thing that I knew would end this conversation... I spoke the truth.

  “Justin, I love him.” I looked like I had broken him. He started to shake his head but once he saw the truth in my eyes he stopped this motion. He let his shoulders drop and simply said,

  “Ok.”

  “Come on, let’s go home and raid the cupboards.” I said light heartedly pulling him back into the now. I automatically opened his side first before climbing into the driver’s seat. Big blue was cold and I had to give her a minute to start.

  “All that money and he can’t buy you a nice, reliable ca?r” I hit him playful on the arm, just glad that he was getting back to his usual cocky self.