The Two Kings (Afterlife Saga) Read online

  Chapter 37

  Draven’s District.

  I was about to ask and he knew it, that’s why he spoke first.

  “We’re here.” I knew from the sound of his voice that he wasn’t going to tell me what he meant by me only being ‘mortal’ for now. So my only reaction consisted of a huff and crossing my arms across my chest once again, which caused Draven to find amusement and a soft laugh escaped from him.

  We were approaching one of the largest warehouses on the east side and apart from a few people driving heavy plant vehicles it was pretty much deserted. There were huge yellow cranes and a lot of building equipment around but no work was going on.

  The place would have just seemed quite regular if there had been busy bodies going on about their daily routines but with it being so isolated it gave it an eeriness that caused my skin to prick with goosebumps. I think Draven could sense my doubt because he leaned across to me and gave my shoulder a light squeeze. It was only then that I realised he had stopped the car opposite a small access door to one of the warehouses situated further back than the rest and it looked nestled away in between two of the larger buildings.

  “Why are we here?” I asked without looking at him.

  “I have some business to attend to here, but we shouldn’t be too long.” At this he opened his door and I was about to get out before I asked,

  “Do you want me to stay in the car?” He answered me by exiting the car faster than my eyes could see and I jumped when my side door was opened. A hand reached in for me to take and I smiled at his old fashioned manners.

  “Of course not, why would I want that?” He cocked his questioning look to the side as I joined him. He closed my door behind me without touching it and I wondered if I would ever get used to witnessing his powers?

  “Do you have a lot of business in construction?” I asked, trying to change the subject and I didn’t know whether the widespread grin was down to my efforts or the question I had asked.

  “A few, yes, but don’t let its outer appearance fool you, it’s not what it seems.”

  “It never is with you,” I commented as I walked towards the door, but he stopped me and pulled me back to him. He let go of my arm and folded his huge arms across his vast chest. My heart skipped a beat at the sight.

  “Care to elaborate?”

  “Well, Afterlife doesn’t look like a nightclub from the outside, more like a centuries old mansion.”

  “So you were only referring to my buildings, not me personally?” I shifted the weight from one foot to another and stared at my boots.

  “Keira…” He dragged out my name like I was a naughty child.

  “Well come on! When we first met you weren’t exactly nice to me!” At that he softened and unfolded his arms.

  “And yet you still saw the good in me, I’m a lucky man indeed.” At that I blushed and I heard him groan. I looked up to see his eyes glowing purple and a look of intense desire transform his features. He grabbed me and held me against him letting me feel his need for myself…a need that was growing very hard. I gulped as it pressed into me and he ran his chin over the top of my head.

  “Do you know what you do to me when you blush like that?”

  “I think I have an idea,” I said not being able to keep the teasing out of my voice. His hands found my back and with one hand resting on the small curve before my cheeks, the other started to trace my spine with his fingertips. I had to close my eyes as even more heat invaded my skin. He leaned his head towards my neck and started to brush the skin there lightly with his lips. That combined with what his fingers were doing was pushing me quietly over the edge.

  “It makes me want to…”I felt him bite his own lip before continuing, as though he was trying to control himself or fight an urge.

  “To?” I asked in a whisper, as though to prompt him further.

  “To bite you!” I thought he would sink his teeth into me, but instead he licked and sucked my neck making my legs turn to jam.

  “I think I should conduct my business another time.” He started to pull me back towards the car, but I pulled back and broke from his hold laughing.

  “No you can’t do that, I’m not letting you come all this way to then just leave because of me.” He gave me a bad boy grin and dipped his head to see me better.

  “Are you telling me what to do Keira?” He was teasing me and I took a step back as he looked ready to pounce. Every step I took back he took two more towards me.

  “Cause you have seen how I react to being told what to do!” He was clearly loving every minute of this because his eyes were turning a brighter shade of purple ringed with a distinct darker violet edge.

  “I think you will live, you’re a big boy.” He looked down and replied.

  “And getting bigger so it seems,” he raised his head and gave me a wink making me feel all gooey like a teenager again. We both laughed and he reached me with one last step and kissed my forehead.

  “Umm, I think I could get used to being bossed around.” I looked up at him with raised brows. I knew that was never going happen, Draven was not a man to be spoken down to, that was for sure.

  “Well,... as long as it’s by you that is.” He added. I giggled and reached up on my tiptoes to kiss him, thankfully he met me half way otherwise I don’t think I would have quite made it. I most definitely looked even shorter around Draven with him being over a foot taller than me.

  After some intense kissing, he finally let me go and sighed at I know not what.

  “Fine, I’m convinced but later you’re all mine and then you can boss me about to your heart’s content…I’m quite looking forward to being under your command.” I rolled my eyes but couldn’t hide my smirk at the idea.

  “Come on,” I said but he grabbed my gloved wrist to keep me from leaving his side.

  “Wait!” He pulled me back so I was facing him and he rested both his hands on my shoulders.

  “I need you to do something for me.” He ran his fingers up my neck and round to the hood on my jacket. I was about to ask him what he was doing but then he raised the large black hood over my head and pulled it down to cover half of my face. I think he caught the hurt look in my eyes before he covered them.

  “Why, are you ashamed of me or something?” I knew as soon as I had said it that I shouldn’t have but I couldn’t help it. At that he whipped it back down and anger flashed in his eyes.

  “Why would you say that? Why would even think it?”

  “Then why?” I was trying to mask my guilt with anger, which I knew was foolish.

  “Look, I would gladly want to relish in how proud I am to have you by my side and show what a rare beauty you are, but it would be far too dangerous. Through those doors hold those that are not as loyal to me as the people you know in Afterlife.”

  “Then why even bring me here?” I couldn’t understand, if it was so dangerous, why he didn’t he want me to wait in the car or bring me to this building in the first place.

  “I wasn’t ever intending on it but when I arrived at your house I…I had a change of heart.” He didn’t want to be telling me this and I knew why.

  “So when you turned up, it was to tell me you were going to be late…wasn’t it?” He rubbed the back of his neck with one hand in frustration.

  “Yes, but when you ran into my arms and asked me to take you away, I wouldn’t have left you for all the world.” I bit my lip and swallowed my attitude.

  “I’m sorry,” I said as I reached out to his hand. He looked up at me with shock on his face.

  “Why?”

  “Because I didn’t realise and because I shouldn’t have thought you were ashamed of me.” At this he just nodded.

  “Please.” He motioned to put my hood back up and I let him, knowing now the reasons. He was protecting me and didn’t want anyone knowing my identity. As always he was trying to keep me safe and I was being stubborn.

  “You know, I didn’t think it possible.”

  “What?
” I asked looking up but only seeing his chest thanks to my low hood.

  “That you could still look cute even when your face is covered.” I’m not sure if he could see me smile but he reacted when I poked him in the ribs, not that he could feel much thanks to him being made of solid muscle.

  “In that case I will wear it up all the time.” I felt him squeeze my sides and then kiss my head before saying,

  “Don’t you dare.” I laughed and then felt him taking me by the elbow to lead me towards the door.

  “Are you ready?” I don’t know why but there was something in his voice that put me on edge and I found myself nervous enough to want to start scratching my scars. Of course I was already biting my lip but it didn’t seem enough somehow.

  “You will be fine, but stay close to me, ok?” He had obviously heard my worries but by saying this last part, he only ended up adding to my fears.

  “And one last thing, try very hard to keep up your mental walls, there are things in here that I do not wish for you to…to truly see.” A shiver crept up my spine and seemed to stay with me at the base of my neck. I was very close to running back to the car and finding my safety within its metal body but I wanted Draven to think I was strong and fearless, not the frightened little girl I felt like. So he engulfed my hand with his own and led me to the door.

  I couldn’t help but jump at the sound of his other hand banging a fist against the metal door. I couldn’t see very much but I was sure I felt him looking down at me and while we waited he leaned down and whispered,

  “You will be fine,” in the softest voice. Great! Here I was trying to appear brave and I was acting jumpy at the first hurdle. There was a gargled grunt from behind the door and a bang back.

  “Piss off!” A deep grouse came from behind the banging.

  “Nice welcome!” I added and Draven growled and proceeded to pound his fist against the door causing a dent.

  “Patefacio pro vestri vinco!” (Means “Open for your master!” in Latin)

  “Quod letalis?” (Means “And the mortal?”) The voice sounded less angry now but still wary, so I wondered what they were talking about.

  “Letalis est mei!” (Means “The mortal is mine”) At this, the sound of metal scraping against metal could be heard and the door vibrated before opening. I couldn’t help but hold my breath as the crack opening became wider and the beast from behind came into view.

  My held breath was quickly followed by a gasp when I was soon faced with a massive Samoan that looked as though he weighed at least 400lbs. He had a huge gut that meant it would have made it impossible for him to see his feet let alone other important parts of his anatomy.

  He stood close to seven foot tall and would have made even Ragnar look small. I started my gaze at the bottom where I was surprised to see him wearing Jesus sandals and three quarter length, light weight khaki trousers. My eyes followed up and found him wearing a black vest that was enough material to be a bedspread.

  When I lifted my head enough to see his face my eyes looked so far back that my hood fell from my head. Mine weren’t the only eyes to display shock. His skin was a honey brown colour but now thanks to extensive tribal tattoos that covered half of his face it was closer to black on one side. The tattoos were one continuation from one that started on his shoulder and chest that curled up and attacked his face. It reminded me of waves that were made up of different intercut patterns that were beautiful Samoan artwork in their own right. His eyes were the same honey colour that matched his skin tone and they glowed amber when they met my own.

  “Lucifer’s blood, Electus unus!” (Means “The chosen one” in Latin) He stared at me like I was some freak that sported two heads and cat’s eyes! As soon as he made the mistake of speaking, Draven let go of me and grabbed the man’s neck at record speed. He pinned him to the wall and soon the man’s face turned a deep shade of scarlet. The swirls on his face started to move like cogs in a machine and I thought I was seeing things.

  They also looked like they were writhing around in pain and they continued up into his shaved head and hair that he wore in a plaited Mohawk. I had stepped back and covered my mouth with my hands in shock. Draven was furious and his purple veins rippled through his neck as though they were trying to burst through the skin.

  I couldn’t see the rest of his body as he still had on his leather jacket but I would bet good money that it would be the same everywhere else. A gurgling sound came from the man’s throat like he was trying to speak. At this Draven just tightened his hold and cut off any sound.

  “You will not repeat those words so long as you remain in this life and in exchange I will LET you remain in this life, with your head attached. Do I make myself clear Ira?” Draven allowed him enough to nod and then released him, forcing him to carry his own body weight once again. His legs crumpled underneath him and he collapsed to the floor coughing and gasping for air to fill his lungs. Even though he had been choking moments earlier, he still managed to speak.

  “Forgive my insolence Master, it shall not happen again.” He bowed his head and I could see the tattoo move down from his head and wriggle nervously down his spine, which had transformed from cogs into an inky snake cowering out of sight.

  Draven came back to me and without dropping his harsh expression he ran the back of his hand down the side of my face before raising my hood to conceal it once again. He then took my hand back in his vice grip and turned his head towards Ira the Samoan one last time.

  “See that it doesn’t or you will be seeing Lucifer once again and sooner than you may think!” His voice was like ice, cold and unforgiving, which was like hearing a different Draven altogether. Here he wasn’t my Draven, soft and gentle. NO, here he was the Master, here he was the one in control….here, he was a God!

  I could feel the heat coming from his touch as he controlled my movements through the slightest turn of my hand. He was leading me through a low lit corridor which mostly offered a view of the rustic wooden floor that looked like it had seen better days, centuries ago. Part of me wanted to pull back and tell him that I didn’t want to go any further but when he tightened his grip around my hand I knew it was his way of telling me that I had nothing to fear. I was so torn between my doubts and the mental wave of reassurance that Draven was trying to inject into my mind, which left me feeling warm and tingling inside.

  I knew we were nearing our destination when the hum of a deep base line was beating through the next door and the vibrations found the soles of my feet. Draven opened the door and I jumped at the sound of metal grating against the ancient woodwork. The music and smell hit me all at once as it flooded the hallway, swirling up with the stench of stale alcohol combined with fresh sweat from a mass of dancing bodies.

  The heavy rock music drowned out any other sound, including that of my pounding heart. I was very aware that Draven was trying to get me to go into this room but I held myself firm and rooted to the spot. I didn’t want to face this place and although I couldn’t see, I could feel! That was enough for me to be terrified, because not one pair of feet that I could now see belonged to a human, at least not until I looked down at my own.

  “Come with me Keira and trust me.” Draven had leaned down to whisper and his words weren’t the only comfort as his breath sent a security that seemed to cling to my skin and stay with me like an invisible force.

  He left my hand for a second and placed it on the top of my head which he let slide down to the back and then rest on my neck, as he whispered,

  “Good girl” into my ear. So I let myself be led through a crowd which, if they could, would have sucked the essence right out of me and fed from my ever growing fear. It was never really explained why I was different from other humans, why they couldn’t feed from my emotions or why they couldn’t access my mind. Not that I was complaining but I didn’t quite buy this whole “Chosen One” business that everyone seemed to preach.

  As I watched the feet part, like Moses was coming in with his girlfriend in
tow, I felt it wasn’t only my own mental barrier that was keeping me from looking up and seeing these people for what they really were. Draven remained a constant presence in my mind keeping up his own walls of protection. I decided to tap into the feeling there and when I did I was amazed that I could for the first time detect some of Draven’s thoughts. Of course, as soon as I did, I regretted it, as all I could feel was this overwhelming need of protection….But protection from what? Why bring me here if he was so scared that something bad could happen to me? What was he not telling me?

  It was amazing that even though so many bodies were crammed into one space they still found the room to let us pass without coming too near. I was so tempted to look up at Draven and see what it was he was doing to make this happen but knowing him I can imagine it only took one stern look and that was enough. I could hear some people mutter things as they backed away and some even bent over slightly because I could see as their knees suddenly come into view.

  One woman even threw herself to the ground and starting bowing like she was praying to mecca. Of course in her low strappy top this didn’t leave much to the imagination as her breasts kept protruding from the material every time she doubled over. I found it fascinating as to why she would behave like this at just the sight of him. I would have to ask Draven when I had chance. It was almost like she remembered him from another time...one lost to a far away history where this amount of respect was not only expected, but was demanded.

  The place was bigger than I thought it was, as it was taking us a while to get through and it certainly wasn’t down to the crowd. I turned back behind me just as a new song was being played and the death metal music that filled the air made the bodies join back up together after we had passed and all the feet were now jumping and moving at such speeds it was hard to tell where one pair started and the others ended.

  I could tell we were getting closer to the stage area as the music was pounding in my ears making them close to bleeding it was that loud. Luckily Draven changed directions and soon I was able to hear more than screaming words in another language. However, whether the language was human or not was another question because it sounded more Demonic than anything else.