Afterlife (Afterlife Saga) (77 page)

Once he had finished kissing me, I was my usual incoherent self and I opened my eyes to see him smiling again.

“I am so sorry I hurt you Keira!” He said making my heart melt. He was so sincere I couldn't think of anything but forgiveness.

“And I too am sorry if I brought you any pain by kissing Jack,” I said but even at the very name of him he flinched.

“That night of course changed everything.”

“How do you mean?”

“Well no doubt it is the reason you are here now. I instructed Jerry to give you the night off because it was the one night I wanted you as far away from here as possible.”

“But why?”
I asked remembering my thoughts on why I had been allowed to have the night off in the first place.

“Because you have never been in more danger in your entire life before that night...” He looked then as he had done that night. Face set in stone. Stern and powerful.

“I would never have imagined that by removing that boy you would turn into a fiery temptress. When I saw him kiss you, my reaction well....you no doubt noticed?” I nodded remembering the lights that blew and the loud crashing sound from above.

“Well, I couldn't help having him thrown out, I mean how dare he....YOU WERE MINE!” He shouted as his temper flared and for a second I thought I saw his skin change colour or was it the Demon part of him trying to get out? I frowned and made a disapproving noise at his outburst. But deep down it also sent sparks of pleasure to my heart, secretly liking the idea of belonging to him. 

“Sorry, it's just...” He made a low growling noise which took me back.

“You must understand...It is hard to control emotions I have not felt before.” He looked up to the ceiling for what I can only assume control
over his
fiery temper.

“So when I had him thrown out, you did the complete opposite than what I thought you would do, I mean I knew you would be upset but the last thing I imagined was you coming up to face me! I knew how much you’d had to drink but it was not enough to think you capable of such bravery!” He shook his head at the memory.

“Well that will teach you to underestimate people.”

“Not people...just you. I have never known a human to be so reckless before. As a general rule, humans are attracted to us yes, because of the hold we have on them, but they are also afraid of us and for good reasons. Up until then I believed you to be too...I was clearly mistaken.” He grinned at the thought. I must have looked like an angry kitten confronting a lion, the head of the pride.

“You made me angry” I said in my defence.

“Oh there was no doubt in that my dear! Any other time and I would have found it endearing but that night was very bad timing.” 

“Because of Malphas?” I said saying his name cautiously but I knew it was the
reason before I saw Draven's reaction. Again it was like watching a granite statue wanting to crush the very name from existence.

“YES...I knew it was too late as soon as he saw you, as humans are never allowed upstairs, it was my rule and for me to break it, it would have to be for my gain only. He knew this and if I would have you ordered back down he would have just found you and forced you to speak.” I shuddered at the thought. What had I been thinking?

“So the only thing I could think of was to pretend that you were nothing to me, which turned out to be impossible as he knew how to push me. And with that, so did you.”

“Well could you blame me? I mean how confused do you think I was, first you treat me like I was just some stupid little girl getting in your way, then you want to take care of me from a little bump to the head?  That was going from one extreme to the next. So after all of that you pushed me over the edge and well...let’s just say I was pissed off!” I said not taking a breath. 

“So that's why you didn't obey me?” His eyes opened wider as he looked down at me, finding out my reasons for such a stupid mistake. 

“Well it doesn't help when you use words like
obey
I can tell ya!” I said making my full northern accent come out as it usually did when I got animated. He didn't miss it either.

“That's adorable you know.”

“DRAVEN!”
I shouted at him, as I wasn't trying to be adorable! I was trying to get my point across.

“Ok, ok, I'm not saying I don't understand your reasons but what I am saying is that you don't realise what a catastrophic mistake you made.”

“Why, because he's the
bad guy?”
I said talking like I was watching cartoons!

“No, because he works for the most dangerous demon in my world, Lucius...my only equal in power and my mortal enemy! As a result, I will have to spend all of my time trying to keep you safe.”

“Safe? What has it got to do with me...I'm just a human?”

“Yes but you’re
my
human and as a result of that you have now become the most wanted human on the planet!” I must have looked stunned because Draven had his arms around me as though I might fall.

What had I done...?

Chapter 41- bad decisions

“Ok, so can't we go back...I mean...make it out like I died or something?” I said in a panic. I mean I was already being hunted by one crazy human but I could imagine a powerful demon was going to be another thing entirely! Draven still had his hands around me while I went into full meltdown.

“Keira, it will be alright. I will deal with
it,
you don't need to worry yourself about anything anymore. You have far too much on your mind as it is...here sit.” He led me to the seat but my mind was now racing with the thought of being in the middle of a war I couldn't see. Was this the price I had to pay to be with him?...Ok, so this calmed me slightly as I knew I would have gone to Hell and back to be with Draven...and it was starting to look like that might just be the case! I must have been nearly hyperventilating because he had put my head in between my legs and I was soon breathing more calmly.

“Feeling better?” He said rubbing my back making me feel better in minutes.

“Yeah sorry, I am still trying to adjust...you know?”

“Of course, Keira I can’t imagine what hearing all that I have told you has been like, but you are taking it all in amazingly well. However, I think that is enough for one day.”

“No, no really I will be fine...oh but wait what time
is it
?” I still asked even though I was looking around at the clock.

“Why would you need to know that?” He raised one eyebrow at my question.

“Because I have to get ready for work,” I said standing up and walking over to my bag. But his hand grabbed my wrist making me tense as I still wasn't used to being touched there.

“I'm sorry but did you get another job in the one day you quit?” He gave me a wicked grin and stood over me looking like a giant next to a hobbit.

“No, but are you really telling me that I can't have my old job back, after all, that was the reason I came here to meet with you in the first place? Ok, well we didn't even start the meeting but it still ended in my favour.” I said wondering how it would have really gone if I hadn't had that phone call.

“Well you weren't thinking that, when I was holding you against your will.... as you put it.” He was trying to distract me and I was trying to squirm away to my bag but he wasn't having any of it. He held my wrists like shackles and was keeping me still.

“Ok, so what would have happened if I hadn't had that phone call from my psycho stalker?”  He squeezed my wrist tighter at the thought of the mad man that also wanted me.

“Simple, I wouldn't have had to go outside to get you.”

“What do you mean?” I shook my head at him in confusion.

“Keira, as soon as you turned up here you sealed your fate. My intentions were never to let you leave. But as usual you were stubborn and refused to co-operate, wanting to meet me on the balcony. It would have made no difference though, I would have just taken you there.” He said as a matter of fact.

“Taken me...you don't mean?” As soon as I asked I knew he hadn't meant it the way I thought he had as now he was making me shake with the laughter that erupted from him. I took this as offensive and tried to pull away from him but he wouldn't have that, so he pulled me up still holding my wrists, holding them above my head bringing my face closer to his.

“And where are you trying to get to, exactly?” He said looking down at my face not even trying to conceal the humour.

“I'm glad you find it so funny!”

“Keira, I find the idea a little amusing, yes, but consider why... what would you have done if as soon as I saw you, I had ripped your clothes from that soft skin of yours and made love to you, especially after how our last meeting went...what would you have thought?” Ok, so he had a bit of a point.

“Enjoyed it
” I said smiling, as it was so hard being angry with him. He finally released his hold but not to let me escape, only so he could have me closer for an embrace. He wrapped his arms around me like steel bands and I had never felt so safe.

“Really, well maybe we will try that one another time but for now, why do you want to go back to working for me?”

“Because I don't want to be treated differently because we are ….umm...well, because I'm being favoured by the boss.” Did that make sense?

“Favoured...is that what you call this?” He looked a little taken aback. 

“Well, what do you want me to call it...are we... dating?” I said feeling the humour in the idea. I couldn't imagine Draven taking me to a restaurant and buying me chocolates.

“Well considering that last night wasn't a date and the second time was after a heated argument, I think we can skip right past the dating thing and let’s just say we’re in love and together.” With him putting it like that I had to agree. It was so much stronger than anything I had ever experienced, so I was like a fish out of water.

“Well anyway, I am still going to work in twenty minutes regardless!” I said being firm but he looked back at me as if to say ‘
umm I don't think so
!’

“That's going to be difficult when you’re tied up.” He teased and I fell for the bait.

“You wouldn't!” I said feeling a little excited by the idea.

“Well no... I wouldn't... but I have to say the idea is appealing. However, the answer is still a no.” He let me go and I pulled back so that I could see his face.

“No ...really, so let me get this straight, I am asking you for something and you are refusing me this?” Ha, I knew once I saw his face that I had him with this one.

“Keira don't do that, you know I want to give you everything I can, but not that. I'm trying to keep you safe...don't be difficult!” He said turning his back on me but I knew I was on the verge of winning.

“You have to be kidding, this place is a fortress and how can anything happen with you watching over me, plus I will be right down stairs.”

“Downstairs, I thought we were talking about you having your old job back, why would you be downstairs?”

“Because that is my old job...remember you kind of sacked me from the VIP.” I said laughing that we were even having this discussion.

“I did not sack
you,
I advised you to work downstairs but nothing more.... anyway we are not having this conversation
anymore
!” 

“You’re right because I need to get ready.” I walked over to grab my bag and took it into the bathroom leaving him in the room, probably stunned that I wasn't obeying, but really, when had I ever done as I was told by Draven? I couldn't help but smile as I closed the door behind me.