The Two Kings (Afterlife Saga)

  My cousin’s presence wasn’t the only difference in tonight’s shift. I wasn’t allowed to waitress tonight. Well to be exact there wasn’t much I was allowed to do! Karmun soon informed me that due to Draven’s new guests, he didn’t think it wise for me (as a human) to be serving them quite so soon. He wanted them to get ‘used’ to my being here.

  I had sulked for a few minutes and then gave up trying. I mean, he may be my boyfriend, but he was also my boss. So instead I was to help Karmun behind the bar. It didn’t take long for me to feel more in the way than help. Not with me keep having to ask him questions on where things were and what drinks go in what glasses. It wasn’t exactly like any bar I had ever worked behind before. For one I had no idea how he knew which drinks were being ordered?

  “I’m being more of a hindrance than help,” I said to him half an hour into my shift and bumping into him for the seventh time in three minutes. He just laughed and smoothed out his silken hair with both hands. Karmun had lush coffee coloured skin and large almond shaped golden eyes that looked like honey. His black, long hair hung perfect past his shoulders and never once seem to get in the way of his job. Mine, no doubt would have been caught in everything if down and drinking from glasses to find meter long hair curled up in was not an appealing thought. These were just one of the many reasons that I almost always kept it up and firmly out of the way. Unless of course I was with Draven, then I never seemed to have a choice in the matter as it was obvious how he preferred it to be.

  He soon shrugged off my worries and gave me a reassuring smile.

  “You’re too kind to me you know?” I said quietly as he poured drinks into exquisite looking silver goblets.

  “Oh Keira, what a sensitive soul you are. Actually it’s nice to have the company again.” He said this and I could have sworn I saw a hint of sadness in his eyes. One he was trying to hide.

  “Again? Were there two of you behind here?” I asked, although I could tell it made him uncomfortable to speak of. He looked like he wasn’t going to answer at first but when the silence got too much he answered me.

  “Yes, before you came. Do you remember when you first came up to the VIP?” He asked me and made a gurgled noise as my answer. Did I remember? How could I ever forget. That was the night that changed my life forever...you don’t forget things like that easily.

  “Well, do you remember when I told you we were short staffed due to...” He looked like he couldn’t finish so unbelievably I finished for him. Unbelievably, because my memory is not one of my strong points.

  “Compromising circumstances!” This had been a term he had used on my first meeting with him and I had thought it odd back then to use that explanation of someone rather quitting or getting sacked. I couldn’t ignore the flinch I saw his body displayed as I repeated his own words.

  “You have a good memory Keira. Yes me and Constantine made a...a good pair.” He looked so full of pain that I couldn’t help it when I placed a hand on his arm.

  “I’m sorry,” I whispered and this brought his eyes out of his own personal response and they flew back to mine. He then slowly looked down and stared at my hand touching his. I didn’t know whether I had gone too far by my comforting gesture but when he smiled I no longer felt threatened. I still removed my hand in case it was in fact unwelcome.

  “Why are you sorry?” He asked in earnest and I wondered at the answer. I mean I didn’t know the details. So I answered as honestly as I could.

  “I can see that this Constantine must have been a dear friend to you.” I said without meeting his eyes, that didn’t look natural being so serious.

  “He was...IS... more than a friend to me!” This time the way he said “IS” had me looking up and I couldn’t help but take a step back at the sight of his anger. Karmun was all air and summer breezes but like this all trace of calm was gone and in its place was the darkest of storms. When he noted my response the deep creases in his face smoothed and his eyes widened from the harden slits they were.

  Then it was as if we had never had this conversation. He gave himself a laugh and a shake before continuing with the night ahead. I may have only been human but it didn’t stop me from knowing his light-hearted mood was touched with a fake coating that hid something painful that he tried to bury deep within him.

  I knew from that moment I would never look at him in the same way. I would never forget those honey eyes close to spilling over with a devastated emotion of loss. I knew those eyes. I knew that look and I knew that pain. Only where his was for another, mine had been for the loss of myself. Staring at yourself in the mirror for hours, searching for a face you once knew, was what made time flash by in the years that followed my living death. After what happened with Morgan I felt the strongest part of me die and it was only the heart of another that brought me back to life.

  With these thoughts in mind I turned without thinking towards the one who held my heart so close to his own, it made one. Draven was sat back all ease and power radiating from him like glowing embers. It made me inhale more air than needed and the slight noise I made was enough for him to hear and turn his head. His reaction caused mine to bite my lip. He grinned at me and then motioned for me to come to him. His hand extended and his fingers pulled as though he had me hooked. I was embarrassed at such a command being made in front of everyone so freely and I lowered my head letting the shorter parts of my hair fall forward covering my shame. I did manage, without looking at him, to shake my head indicating a no before turning away from him. I could hear him laughing from here. This caused my cheeks to turn a deeper shade which I hid with my hair. When I did finally glance back I saw him lean into his sister to whisper to her, all the while a super confident smile lay upon his lips like it would never go away.

  “He wants me to tell you that you have finished for the night.” Karmun said bringing me back to the fact I wasn’t alone.

  “Umm...no I’m not, I work till ten and it’s only...” I was interrupted before finding out the time.

  “He’s the Mast...boss Keira not me and you finish whenever he wishes it.” He tried to say this without emotion but I could detect the bitterness in the way he was about to say “Master” instead he choose the word boss. I was now caught between stubbornness and curiousness. I didn’t want to give in so easily but then again, I didn’t know what tainted stories my cousin was telling everyone on Draven’s council. I bet Aurora was loving it! That thought made me shudder. It was also the reason my stubbornness won.

  “I don’t care what Draven says” I said a little louder than what was necessary for only Karmun to hear. He looked shocked at my lack of co-operation and a little impressed, I think.

  “I am here to work and so far I have done little of that, so please give me a job I can do that makes me think I am worthy of being paid.” He smiled at me now making me do the same, but his smile soon became directed behind me. At first I expected to see Draven as I turned but then I had to smile when I saw he had sent his reinforcement. So this is what he had being whispering...sneaky!

  “Hello Keira, are you ready to come and play with us?” Sophia asked me sweetly rocking back and to on her heels. She looked like a little ballerina from a trinket box and the image of that I quickly wiped from my memory and started to rub my gloved arms unselfconsciously.

  Sophia noticed my reaction, of course she did. She was like her brothers, always watching and analysing everything I did. It was an annoying family trait. Like everyone was waiting for the first signs of a meltdown I knew wasn’t going to happen. At least this is what I suspected anyway.

  “I was just telling Karmun how my time isn’t up yet so he should give me another job to do...maybe stocking up or something.” They both laughed at the idea of this.

  “What?” I asked them both frowning.

  “I doubt Dom would like you heavy lifting Keira.” She said in composed amusement.

  “Draven doesn’t want me doing anything! Working, full stop.” I ranted out but she took little seriou
sness in my words.

  “Oh Keira, come now, what exactly do you see wrong in that sentence. My brother is now getting persecuted for what.... being too thoughtful?” She was trying not to smile at knowing guilt was my biggest weakness.

  “I...I...that’s not what I meant, I just...” I was close to chewing my bottom lip off at a statement that sounded reasonable enough, that it was hard to argue against. Not that I still didn’t want to and with the added look of victory in her face made it all that harder not too. Of course instead of thinking of a good response I just let out a defeated breath and rolled my eyes.

  “Fine but I’m not happy about it!” My shoulders slumped as light came to her features.

  “Really Keira, anyone would think we were trying to get you to walk over hot coals, dance naked whist killing bunnies!”

  “You do realise my cousin is sat over there right?” I said sarcastically making her laugh.

  “Which reminds me, why on earth would you do this to me?” I asked her, pleading a cause that was far too late...unless they were willing to kick her out.

  “Look, I know you are angry at me about having her here but despite being little ‘Miss Naughty Demon’ this one was not me. This one was an order and one you will have to take up with someone else.” Sophia tried not to laugh as my mouth dropped open and I could only imagine what a simpleton I looked.

  “What! Draven?” She only nodded at my outburst and I felt my gut twist into a hard ball of rage. Why! Why, why and more whys? I now knew the reasons behind his evil grin earlier. It wasn’t at his sister’s request at all...it was at his. Well this changes things. My night’s frustration was quickly turning to a lethal weapon I was about to let loose in Draven’s direction.

  Oh yes, my shift had now finished but my work for the night was definitely not over!

  Not by a long shot.

  Chapter 48

  Keira Stories.

  I turned to Karmun before leaving with Sophia and said one word.

  “Drink” The word came out ruder that I had meant it too but instead of being offended Karmun found amusement in my order. I guess Draven was rubbing off on me. I had a shot of tequila in front of me before I could blink. Everyone that knew me here, knew my drinking preference and it wasn’t hard to realise which one of the two I needed the most right now. Hell Karmun even knew I didn’t need the salt or lime. No, I already had a sour taste in my mouth that didn’t needed adding too.

  “Come on, let’s get this shit over with,” I said to Sophia in passing. I knew without looking at her the shock that I would have found considering I didn’t usually curse like that. I’m not even sure she had ever heard it from me before now. I could feel her giggling beside me and had no doubt she was loving every minute of this, being a Demon and all.

  For once I couldn’t get to Draven’s table quick enough and he watched me with curious eyes. I could see he wasn’t taking my evil glare seriously, if anything he looked more excited by this than worried. By the time I got to my usual chair I was starting to think one shot wasn’t nearly enough. Draven stood and the rest followed, all except Hilary...no surprises there.

  “Hello beautiful.” He said with voice deep and full of meaning. He leaned down to brush his lips to mine and skimmed a finger down my cheek lightly. Of course all my built up rage disbursed at his gentle touch and was being replaced by rose coloured cheeks at now being the focus of everyone’s stares. Two of which looked like they were sharing the same feelings.

  No guessing which two.

  I sat down, looking the exact opposite of my cousin, which was like having ice and fire in the same room and putting bets on which one will win. I liked to think I was the fire, considering I had Draven’s direct heat next to me. Also Hilary wasn’t trying to conceal her icy glare that was burrowing its way into my forehead. It almost caused me physical pain to try and understand why...why so much hate, why so much energy to go on hating someone for so long. It must have been exhausting for her. For years I had never found my answers but it wasn’t through lack of trying.

  And then it hit me! This was why Draven had Sophia invite her. This was the reason behind one evening of discomfort. He wanted to know as much as I did, he just would never admit it. He could read her mind and know, given the right questions, he would discover the truth behind the hate. It was genius really and why I didn’t think about it before, was answered by that genius. It was him not me but still I had come close by figuring it out. Maybe we weren’t so very different at all. Humph. Ok, so now I wasn’t so angry at Draven but I still wasn’t looking forward to this.

  I gave myself a mental shake before joining in with whatever conversation was occurring before my arrival. Of course it didn’t go un-noticed that the sound of my cousin’s voice was already grating on me. I could feel his hand squeeze mine in reassurance to the fact.

  “I have to say Kizzy Cat, I’m surprised you can even call this a job...you must have too much fun.” I could hear the inner meaning to this comment like a wolf howling. I knew her tactics and her mind games better than most so it didn’t surprise me that although her tone sounded friendly it was laced with vindictiveness.

  “Well, this was a quiet night for me but I wouldn’t usually have a family member here and I really didn’t want to miss out.” I felt like I was going against my screaming head saying this but considering my lying was that bad, I doubted anyone believed the words. She smirked at me and turned to answer a question I couldn’t hear asked from Takeshi.

  “You’re going to have to do better at lying than that my love.” Draven purred in my ear making my lids close at the scent that floated its way down the side of my face. I heard him laugh quietly to himself and thought it down to being able to hear my heart rate kick up a notch.

  “Thanks!” I whispered sarcastically making him laugh out louder this time. Of course this caused everyone to stop and look at us.

  “So, what have I missed?” I asked, hoping for an insight into the evenings ‘interesting night’ as Draven put it on the balcony. Of course as soon as Hilary opened her mouth I found myself regretting it.

  “Oh Draven’s been learning all your dirty little secrets but don’t worry, I saved the best ones till you were here.” This time everyone laughed but me.

  “I bet that made for a boring conversation as there’s not much to tell in that department.” I commented but from the looks of Hilary she didn’t agree.

  “Really? You don’t think so? I guess I must have a better memory than you.” She challenged and Draven felt me tense next to him.

  “I’m not afraid of you,” I snarled not caring for the serious turn this was taking. Everyone else looked like they were watching a game of tennis, back and to, trying to keep score. Well, I knew who Aurora was rooting for.

  “Maybe that’s your mistake, after all I have known you a long time cousin and know full well what you’re capable of.” She answered like I would have and it made me think she had heard these exact words from me once upon a time.

  “Likewise!” I replied sealing the tension you could have sliced with a blade. I don’t know why but being here, like this with Draven at my side and my enemy sat across, taunting me, a new me came out...the fighter in me.

  She started laughing and waving her hand around like an embarrassing memory had just hit her. It hadn’t, it was just her next move in this chess game of real life.

  “Well I had just finished telling them how you used to come home from school and wet yourself because you thought there were monsters in the toilet.” She said like this was enough to knock a couple of pawns off the board. I laughed myself showing her up.

  “Yes, I was good at hiding the truth as a child. It was in fact because being bullied at the age of seven and avoiding a head dunking was something no parent wants to hear.” At this I had turned her story back on herself making her the bad guy she was. I noted Draven growl under his breath, everyone but Hilary heard it and all flinched at the sound. I felt his hand on my leg reassuringl
y. Of course this reason had been true but so had the other one.

  For at that time, to me, monsters had existed as they do now. This was one story that would not give her the upper hand and make the others in alliance to her little charade. Amazingly even Aurora looked a bit dissatisfied at the turn the game took, but of course she wasn’t finished with me yet...oh no, she wouldn’t stop until she got to my King.

  “Oh Keira that’s awful, I wish Dom had been there at your school. I bet he would have frightened them off for you,” Sophia said kindly and the image she planted made me grin. How much simpler my life would have been back then if Draven had been in it to protect me. Of course there is no way he would have been a boy but the thought of us being the same age and being childhood sweethearts was a nice dream to see. It made me look up at him and he gave me a bad boy grin before winking at me.

  “I have a pretty good idea what I would have done.” He said, making me shudder at the image he was now planting in my mind. I have seen scary Draven too many times to ever forget how powerful a sight it really is. I was so close to asking him to do a private showing for my cousin to see but I knew he wouldn’t.

  Pity, I thought as I reached for my bottle of Corona that had been waiting for me.

  “Do you remember Simon, dear Kizzy Cat?” I nearly wore my drink than consuming it! She wouldn’t....she couldn’t really be ready to go that far. Draven noted my reaction with a worried frown. Of course, this would happen, any mention of another man’s name was bound to kill my strongest pawn...ah to Hell with pawn’s she had gone straight for my Queen and had her sights once again on my King!