“Catherine Keiran Williams, next time you come to see the King of Hell’s beasts just introduce yourself as Keira and leave the Goth shit at home...it doesn’t suit you” Mr royal Jared Cerberus himself said, as if talking to a child. So I did the only thing one could do in this situation…I folded my arms, gave him the mother of all pouts and resisted the urge to stamp my foot in frustration.
“Point made, my Liege.” I sneered, only little good it did as he just threw his head back and laughed heartily. I rolled my eyes behind Jared’s back as he started to leave and went to take a step forward to follow, when a hand stopped me.
“I think from now on it will be wise of me not to let you from my side.” Sigurd said bending his large frame to whisper in my ear.
“I’m still alive, aren’t I?” I said turning my head to him. He looked me up and down in a slow assessment and one side of his lips crept up in a knowing smile.
“Very much so…” He started and then tilted my head back further to finish seductively in my ear,
“…So much so, that you are no doubt taunting a beast with this very clear fact…one who usually plays with his food.” Sigurd’s warning came through loud and clear and to a point where I shuddered against his hold.
“Yep, I see that took hold.” He added before snapping a,
“Let’s go.” And off we went. Or more accurately, off he went and I just got dragged along for the ride. I turned my head and took one last look at the stage, glad to see it turning smaller behind me. However, after seeing a Gorgon Leech being led into the centre in chains and then being freed to gorge itself on as many chickens it could in 30 seconds, was a sight I could have done without. Well, that just taught me when walking away from bad memories to leave them well alone!
The walk through to wherever Jared expected us to follow him to, was a weird one and to use the word ‘weird’ in my life meant a shed load more than your everyday, average use of the word. Weird in my world actually meant “Oh shit”, “Bloody Hell” and “Jesus H Christ” all rolled into one!
It started by walking through a simple stone tunnel that was only wide enough to fit two people side by side. This part, not so high on the weirdometer, but when we came to a house front door at the end, then things started to creep their way up that meter. It was black painted high gloss with a shining brass number 3 in the centre panel. Jared had waited for us to get closer before opening the door, which adding to the weird vibe, he didn’t use a door knob. No, instead he simply traced his fingertip over the number three and we all heard the echoing of many locks sliding open. He then pushed on the door and we continued to follow him to destination unknown.
This was when things got ‘spooky weird’. We walked into what seemed to be a dilapidated house, complete with at least 50 years of cobwebs and dust covering every surface. The simple hallway opened up to show a staircase on the right hand side and other closed doors on the left. There was also a heavy wooden sideboard up against the staircase that held a very old typewriter, covered in a thick layer of dust. Strangely, there was only one key that wasn’t hidden under all the grime and that was the number 3. There were also broken bits of crockery and a glass vase that held what looked like dried weeds hanging limply to one side.
“What is this place?” I whispered to Sigurd but when I looked sideways to him all I got was a warning shake of his head. I decided not to push it and opted for silence. I waited until Jared and his entourage preceded us up the stairs. I then received an encouraging nudge from behind telling me to take the steps to up and beyond, so I did as I was silently told. Even the bloody steps had seen better days, with its once rich red carpet runner worn down to the wood on each lip of the edge.
I followed the voices up as I had dawdled long enough to have lost sight of them. I was at the top of the staircase when I screamed out as a hand shot from around the corner and latched onto me.
“Me thinks someone could benefit from a vodka chased chill pill.” Marcus said from behind Smidge, who had scared the crap out of me in an attempt at showing me the way.
“I’m fine.” I said in a shaking voice, which made him laugh. Of course, thanks to Smidge’s quick actions, I soon had to stifle my own laugh as she elbowed Marcus in the gut.
“Will you two cut it out and get them in here!” Jared bellowed from some other room, but it was loud enough to rattle the glass in some of the pictures that were lucky enough to still have it. I wondered how you even did that and doubted my human lungs had the power to produce the same depth to vibrate a whole room. Still, it was one Hell of a way to get someone’s attention, that was for sure.
“Bitch” Marcus sneered.
“Dickhead.” Smidge counteracted with a smile on her face.
“After you, big butt.” It was my turn to scowl up at Marcus for that comment, but Smidge just laughed louder this time, saying,
“I know you love it, dumbass!”
I was surprised when she pulled me past and I heard his response,
“I’d fucking worship it, if you’d let me.” He said under his breath.
Smidge pulled me down the hall and round a corner at the end where we came up to a pair of double doors that were open. Then we stepped inside and weird left the building, being swiftly replaced by oh my God!
The room was an open plan study/sitting area that was so richly furnished, I had to blink a few times just to take it all in. I looked to my left as I walked in and saw a large square sunk into the floor with three steps down. The area was big enough to sit at least twenty people comfortably, if the massive plum and gold coloured cushions were to go by. In the centre of this was a coffee table of the likes I had never seen. It was once the base of an enormous tree that had been sliced so close to the ground, it flared out before its roots had disappeared under the earth. It was a highly polished piece of wood that gleamed under the hanging gold lantern that was the size of a birdcage.
Further on from that, I could just see a black felted snooker table with coloured crystal balls scattered from a game left unfinished. The whole room was dark wood panelling up to waist height with thick cream wallpaper that had an elegant light gold swirl, most of which was covered by expensive looking oil paintings.
However, the whole room was dominated by a massive black lacquered desk that could have doubled up as a bed. It looked to have been made from one single piece of wood that had an elaborate war carving all along the front panel and this too gleamed under the many spotlights that were a part of the fancy moulded ceiling.
“Sit!” The order rang through the open space like a damning bell screaming high treason. I didn’t know why it was, but the way Jared treated me now that Sigurd was back was far different than the comforting, playful guy at my back when watching the ring.
“Well, you wanted this meeting and your friend went to great lengths to get it for you, as you saw… I think it is time for confessions, Keira.” It was the second time he had called me Keira and the shivers it shot through me didn’t lessen. I looked back at Sigurd and he nodded, making Jared growl.
“I am allowing him in on this meeting to appease your tension, do not push it, pet.” I took his warning as possessive, because every word was dripping in it.
“Alright, you want the reason I needed to speak to you, here goes…I need to get into Hell.” At this, all conversation stopped. Marcus had been talking to, who I assumed was another member of Jared’s council and Smidge had been speaking to someone on the phone. Now, all eyes were on me and the phone was no longer by Smidge’s ear. I guess I just dropped a show stopper with that one!
“Come again, little dove?” Jared asked as though I had been speaking Klingon.
“I want you to show me a way into Hell.” I stated, this time slower and hopefully less thick on the Northern twang. He had been leaning forward to hear my answer and now he got the repeated, longer version he let out a sigh and deflated back.
“I see.”
“You do?” I asked hopefully.
“
I do, it is clear to me now that you are unfortunately deranged and in need of the medical profession.… Snake Eye, what were you thinking, taking on such a damaged bird?” At this I shot out of my chair facing his and took an offended step back.
“I am not deranged!” Jared simply snorted a huff and I felt Sigurd walk up behind me and place a calming hand on my shoulder.
“The girl speaks the truth and as hard as it is to be believed, she is right of mind.” This must have been the wrong thing to say as Jared let his meaty fist come crashing down on his desk, one thankfully enough to be solidly made to withstand a beating.
“Enough! Marcus, show out our guests, they have suddenly out stayed their welcome!” He snapped looking, for the first time, disgusted with me.
“No wait! You can’t! We need your help!” I shouted out quickly as Marcus was cutting the distance between us.
“Come on Keira, I told you it couldn’t be done.” Sigurd said as he started to try to lead me away.
“It can be done! If it can’t, then why did the Oracle send me here? Why did she send me to him?” I said looking up at my friend but pointing at Jared. Marcus came to us and was just about to take my other arm to aid in leading me away, when Jared’s hand flew up in a halting motion.
“Wait!” All three of us turned to Jared’s stony face.
“The Oracle sent you?”
“Yes, she did.” I said, firmly crossing my now released arms across my chest.
“You swear by this?” Jeez what did this guy want, a pinky promise?
“Yes…” I leaned forward and finished with a definite,
“…I do.” Jared relaxed back in his huge wing-backed chair and steepled his fingers.
“Alright Keira, I will play…for now. Sit back down and explain things to me.” I did as I was told, mentally thanking my lucky stars to have this second chance.
“Ok, so you know who I am…right?”
“I do.” I nodded and swallowed, ready for the hard part.
“And if you know who I am, then you know what I was to Dom… Dominic Draven?” God, even saying his name out loud was hard. A muscle in his jaw twitched but he only nodded back, obviously not saying what he really wanted to say.
“So you know where he is?” Now this question got me a frown.
“I do not.” Now this shocked me. I would have thought every big player would have heard where Draven was.
“Keira.” I heard Sigurd warn me from behind but it was already too late, the words were forming and bursting free before I could stop them and think about that warning.
“He’s in Hell!” At this, Jared shot a hard look over my shoulder at Sigurd and I turned just in time to catch a brief head shake back. Now what was all that about?
“And the Oracle told you this?” I nodded and said,
“She told me that I would only find Draven once I had been to Hell, so I know he is there.” Jared’s eyebrows slashed together over his eyes in a deep frown. It was as if he didn’t believe what I was saying and this was confirmed when he asked,
“But you don’t know that he is there?”
“I do.”
“But how…?” I interrupted him and spoke about something I hadn’t yet told anyone, not even the Oracle.
“I know he is, because I saw him getting dragged back there, with my own eyes.” At this I heard the inhaled breath of shock from a few people, including Sigurd at my back.
“Explain!” Jared commanded.
“He came to me in my room, not long after I found out he had died… he said…he said I needed to watch, to see him being taken back, so that I understood. I think he meant to give me a clue, to let me know where he was, as it wasn’t light I saw taking him, but…black hands dragging him back, burning him…then I saw…” I choked back a sob as I brought one of the most painful memories back to life.
“What Keira…what did you see?” Jared asked, softly this time and I looked up at molten silver through a watery haze of unshed tears. I looked down and let them slid free, hitting the desk I didn’t even realise I was holding onto, in dainty droplets. When I heard him prompt me by saying my name on a whisper, my head rose slowly and I said the words that pained me,
“Fire...” Then I fell forward and Jared lunged over the desk to catch as I whispered on my last breath, before darkness overtook me…
“My Draven in the Flames.”
Chapter 32
Black Sand
I woke up and blinked away my blurry vision, only to focus on a pair of light green eyes. I frowned and blinked harder. It couldn’t be… it just couldn’t…could it? I kept my eyes open for longer this time and took in the rest of him; smooth shaved head, at least a few weeks’ worth of stubble on a strong jaw, flat nose and a full pair of lips that were pulled together, looking worried.
“Did I break down again?” I asked in a groggy voice and was met with the soft rumbling of a laugh.
“No Red, you didn’t break down again but shit sugar, you had me worried for a minute. How’s your head darlin’?” I tried to sit up and felt hands come to my aid.
“Eddie?” I asked and felt a palm cup my cheek as I came upright.
“Yeah babe, that’s me, your ET…hey, you ok…? I mean, it was only a little bang on the table when you tripped but honey, you are looking a bit pale…how’re you feeling?” I squeezed my eyes closed and tried to shake some sense into my head.
“Wh…what’s happening?”
“Well, Libs and the gang will be here in about ten minutes to help set up in the back and I lit the grill like you told me, but next time I think you should wait until people are around before attempting decorating on your own, babe.” Eddie the mechanic said with light humour, whilst feeling for a bump in my hairline.
“I’m confused.” I confessed making him laugh.
“That’s what birthdays do to ya, babe.”
“Birthday?” I asked as I started to take in my surroundings.
“Jeez, you really did a number to that pretty noggin I love so much. Yeah babe, your birthday…remember, bbq, streamers, Hell I know you already peeked at your cake I ordered for you…just like every damn year…like you spend every bloody day in December trying to find your presents…if it wasn’t so damned adorable then I would try and rein you in, but with Libby coming, what’s the point.” He said after moving away and whilst trying to pin up a banner I had obviously been doing before I fell.
Ok, so now I had fallen into some warped parallel dimension, where I lived here with Eddie the mechanic. I looked around and saw I was sat on a worn and obviously second-hand couch that was no doubt kept because it was one of the comfiest seats ever. The room was bright and decorated with dozens of my art work, some I recognised and others yet to be painted by my hand. Pictures of family and friends covered the shelves amongst books, but the most featured in the frames were of me and Eddie. Ones by a lake laughing at the camera, another with a cabin in the background and Eddie situated behind my back, arms wrapped lovingly around me and then there was the biggest one. This one was on a large canvas hung over the fireplace and my mouth literally dropped open at the sight of us both stood under a flowered altar on our wedding day, in black and white.
Then I did a slow look down and caught sight of two things at once. One was a plain gold band and the other was a small but elegant diamond engagement ring situated next to it. One thought penetrated…
Holy shit!
My mind started going a million spins a minute, trying to piece together what this all meant? I must be dreaming, but God, it felt so real! I knew one thing for sure and that was I hoped insanity was grounds for divorce. I didn’t know why, but looking at Eddie as he started pinning balloons up either side of the banner he’d just hung for my birthday, I felt guilty even thinking the word divorce, and I didn’t even know the guy!
“Edison Tucker.” I said his full name in a kind of trance, trying it out, as if saying it would break the spell.
“Oh shit, here we go.” He turned
round giving me a sheepish look and then said,
“But of course, I know by now that this is the best part about Christmas… even though I will remind you, I had to store your presents last year at the garage with my damn tools and even then you found them! Seriously, what is it with you, do the Williams sisters have inbuilt present radar?” He was laughing after his placating start to explaining and I gathered quickly that by me saying his full name was code for he was in trouble. I also noticed he knew my real last name. Well, I mean, this wasn’t surprising considering I did marry the guy. Wait, what was I saying?!
I didn’t marry him!
“You sure you’re ok babe, only you’re real quiet?” I brought my attention back to Eddie and saw he was now kneeling next to me and running his fingers though my hair, which I will mention was back to being long and blonde again.
“I’m not usually?” I asked stupidly, to which he burst out laughing again.
“Uh…that would be a no, babe.”
“Ah.” Was all I could think to say.
“That being the reason I am always asking you, do all English girls look as cute as you do when they never shut up?” I frowned and smacked him on the arm saying,
“Hey!”
“And there’s my girl, welcome back honey.” He gave me a beaming smile and kissed me on the cheek before standing.
“Oh well, peace time over, we are now officially being invaded. Here comes Libby and crew…get the door babe, I’m hiding on the deck until Ella finds me…think I am gonna be a wolf this time.” He said to himself as he walked out through a set of patio doors. Meanwhile, I stood dumbstruck in the capital city of twilight zone, only coming out of my numb state by the pounding on the door.
“Come on Kaz, I’ve got my hot potato salad balancing on my arm!” My sister’s voice shouted through the door.
“Oh shit, tell me she didn’t cook?!” Eddie said from around the side of the patio. I found myself speaking before I realised this crazy new universe I lived in had sucked me in.