Cult of the Hexad (Afterlife saga Book 6) (17 page)

“I highly doubt that but please continue.” He said confusing me further.

“What, you think it is my business?” I asked shaking my head at him and raising an eyebrow.

“Never mind what I said, tell me why you disapprove of me liking his wife?”

“Because it’s wrong.”
  I whispered like we were being watched.

“And why is that?”
He whispered back mocking me.

“Because he’s an old friend of yours.”

“Yesss…and?” He rolled his hand motioning me to carry on after dragging out the word yes. 

“And you’re in love with her.”
I hissed. He sat up straighter and pulled back giving me a shocked look.

“I didn’t say that!”

“You didn’t need to, it’s written all over your face when you said you liked her but what you really meant to say is that you liked her,
liked her.”
I said thinking that by bobbing my head at this last part would somehow emphasise my point.

“So I meant to repeat myself?” He asked making fun of me and I don’t know where it came from but I smacked him on the arm and said,

“You know what I meant!” He rolled his eyes and sighed.

“See! I knew it!” I said this time being smug myself.

“I care for her.” He admitted softly.

“Do you love her?” I asked wondering why I was pressing for this so hard. At this he closed his eyes and held the bridge of his nose with his fingers for a moment before dragging his hand down his face. It was only when he did this that I noticed he barely used one hand and when I looked I saw it was gloved in black leather.

“Jesus, I can’t believe I am having this conversation.”
He muttered and suddenly I felt bad for pushing. After all, you couldn’t help who you fell in love with.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to push and it’s really none of my business. I don’t know what came over me.” I said placing my hand on his forearm. He looked down at my hand and then back up at me. The emotion I saw there nearly had me forming tears. It was like looking directly into someone’s soul and finding nothing but a raw, untamed steel coloured beauty.

“Forgive me but it seems I am having my first surreal moment.” I didn’t understand what he meant by that but I just nodded deciding to give him a break…after all, the word surreal didn’t even cut it in regards to what I had been through that last few weeks.

“It’s okay and hey, at least you’re being a good friend because despite how you feel about his wife, at least you’re still there for him…that counts for a lot in my book.” I said hoping this would make him feel better.

“And it gets stranger still.”
He muttered again under his breath and I barely caught it.

“Sorry?”

“Nothing. So when you get to Portland, what then?” He asked obviously needing the subject change.

“I’m not sure to be honest, I guess I am going to try and make my way to these people that are supposed to help me out.” I replied not wanting to give too much away, like where I was actually going.

“How about you?”

“My friend has a place by the mountains.” I nodded thinking it sounded nice.

“So some quality guy time eh?” I don’t know why I said this and bit my lip as he described how I’d made it sound,

“Oh yeah, lots of hugging, drinking wine by the fire, we may even mix it up a bit and play some Michel Bolton…oh and don’t forget crying, there will be lots of manly crying.” He said teasing me.

“Ha, ha…I just meant that with him having problems with his wife that…”

“I know what you meant Pet, but to be honest, I have a feeling she will be making a surprise appearance.” This confused me even more, how would he know that? My face obviously said it all. 

“Trust me, I have a nose for these things.” He said tapping his nose and I rolled my eyes trying not to laugh. He certainly had flirting down as an art form if my racing heart beat was anything to go by.

“So they have split up then?” I asked wondering why I was so interested. However, he continued to answer me so he obviously didn’t find it odd.

“His wife left him, quite suddenly in fact.”

“That’s terrible and even worse if he didn’t know anything was wrong.” I added feeling sorry for the poor guy. His eyes went soft again and he gave me a small smile as though what I just said meant something to him.

“Very true, I believe the act left him broken hearted. So he enlisted my help in trying to get her back.”

“So he doesn’t know about your feelings for her?” I asked thinking as soon as I said it that this might have been a question too far. He looked thoughtful towards the window again and then spoke without looking at me…

“He knows.”

Chapter 15

Fist Fights and First Kisses

“Oh.” I said after he dropped that bombshell as I didn’t know what else
to
say, so I remained quiet until he spoke again.

“You have to understand, although I have certain…attachments should we say, I still know what is best for her. I believe that somewhere buried deep that she loves him and always will. And because I know that will never change, that is why I am helping him find her.” I nodded understanding that there was much more to this man than I first thought. One word that stuck with me when wanting to describe him was honourable. He obviously knew how to put others before himself and even though he may not like his friend, he clearly loved his friend’s wife enough to do right by her.

“Then that makes you a good friend, even if he isn’t.” He surprised me by bursting out with laughter.

“What? What did I say?” I asked waiting for him to calm enough to tell me but enjoying the sound as I did.

“Private joke, Sweetheart.” He said patting me on the leg.

We continued to make small talk for the next few hours and I learnt he usually lived in Germany. I had asked why he didn’t fly direct into Portland as I saw from the website that they had an international airport. He told me he had business to deal with around this area first and I had to wonder why he chose to take the coach and not hire a car himself or take the easier option of an internal flight. Gosh when did I get so nosy?!

He asked about my life and I was as vague as possible but instead told him about Lucy and Denis, calling them family I had stayed with. They had certainly felt like that which was probably why he didn’t call it out as a lie.

We passed through New York and he found it amusing the way I acted like a child seeing it for the first time.

“Have you been before?” I asked him and this was when he leaned in close right against me and we looked out the window together. I felt the heat rise and my skin became super sensitive every time he accidently brushed against me. He blocked me in as he flattened his hand again the window and suddenly the amazing view of New York skyline was lost with me trying to concentrate how to breathe without panting.

He would whisper in that seductive voice all the places he loved to go and most of them sounded like private clubs. It felt as if I was being lured into a magic spell and if he had tried selling me a timeshare there right now I would have agreed. Hell, I think he had the power to get me naked with just a thought. Luckily he finally let me breathe once we were through the city and I swear I could hear him chuckling to himself at my behaviour. 

We were about half way there in Hertford when the bus had to refuel and also pick up some more passengers as it had been doing all the way to this point. I was surprised how the bus never got full or maybe I just never noticed as being sat next to Luc seemed to sap all of my attention.

The driver informed us that we should take this chance to stretch our legs and maybe get something to eat as we would be there for the next thirty minutes. I decided now would be a good time to use the toilet and get some breathing space between me and Mr sexy and intense here. But before I excused myself Luc said,

“I could do with a coffee.” Then he shifted to stand up after letting the people behind us off first. I was shifting myself across to his seat when he held out his gloved hand. I nodded to it, first making sure that I wouldn’t hurt it.      

“Accident at work.” He informed me abruptly.

“It’s fine, it won’t bite.” He added when I hesitated too long. I reached out and took his hand. He curled his fingers tighter before he gave me a little tug and I was quickly falling into his arms. I had to say there were worst places in the world to be. So with my forehead landing in his hard chest and my hair scattered around me I looked up at him as if I was about to be ravished…well a girl could hope, I thought wickedly.

“You keep giving me that cheeky smile Kitten and I won’t be held accountable for what I do next.” He promised in a throaty voice. At this I bit my lip and lowered my gaze in what I can only assume appeared as submissive as I felt. I heard him groan, one that sounded a lot like a growl… What was he, part beast?

“Oh fuck it! I’m not that good a friend anyway.” He said sternly before leaning down and before I could begin to understand what he meant, his hands were at my face. With little force my head fell back and he crushed his lips to mine. I gasped, opening up to him and he took this as his opportunity to taste me. His intoxicating flavour burst across my tongue as we fell into a blissful rhythm. It felt like a dance I was born knowing the steps to.

This time I knew it was a growl coming from him and he felt my fright nearly pull us apart. He refused me this by entwining his fist in my hair and banding an arm around my waist, simultaneously pulling me tighter to his tall frame. His possessive actions told me he wouldn’t have allowed it any other way. I wasn’t sure how long we kissed for, as it was without a doubt the most incredible moment of my life so far and because of this, it wasn’t one I wanted to end.

I thought he would pull away but he surprised me when he held me to him and then rested his forehead to mine. It seemed I wasn’t the only one affected by our kiss. 

“That was…was…”

“My Salvation.”
  This confession took my breath away and I was just about to speak when he shook his head softly and placed a finger across my lips.

“You were perfect.”
  He whispered and it was the most beautiful, shocking thing anyone had ever said to me.

“I was?” I asked against his fingers. He smiled before nodding once and added to the beauty with even more confusing words,

“Because finally,
you were mine.”

“What about the ‘Wife’?” I had to ask and ruin the moment. He released a heavy sigh, closing his eyes in what looked like a moment of pain.

“Keir…Katie, we have to talk…there are things you need to know about me and…”

“And?” I asked when he stopped thanks to something that caught his attention outside.

“Stay here, do you understand?” He said sternly and clearly giving me an order. 

“Luc?”

“Do as I say Katie, stay on this bus.” And then before I could get any more from him he left.

“What the Hell was that all about?” I asked myself. I reached up and grabbed my bag. I knew he told me to stay on the bus but I don’t think he realised how much I needed the toilet. And what had he seen anyway? Well I had spent eighteen years being told what to do and look where that had gotten me!

“You might be sexy but no man rules over me.” I said aloud lifting the strap of my duffle bag over my shoulder and then walked down the aisle. I nodded to the driver who was reading a folded book that looked like it had taken a beating over the years.

“Be back in twenty, just to be sure okay?” I nodded after she checked her watch and then stepped down onto the wet tarmac. I looked around as if expecting someone to jump out at me any second and then shook my head at how silly I was being. Luc had freaked me out but he knew nothing of my past so it meant that whatever he had seen was to do with him not me.

After all it wasn’t like anyone had come looking for me from the Colony. I had spent the first week with Lucy and Denis looking over my shoulder, expecting to see faces I recognised. But deep down I knew it was Ari they wanted, which meant it was left up to me to save her and to do that, there was nowhere and nothing I wasn’t willing to go or do.

I walked into the building at the rest stop and was hit by the smell of cooked food and coffee. I was sure this was where I would find Luc but first I wanted to see to business. I found the sign that guided me to the lady’s restroom and nodded to another girl I knew was on the bus with us as she held open the door for me. The toilets were empty so I picked a middle cubicle, locked the door and dumped my bag on the floor.

I decided to check the phone to see if there was any free Wi-Fi here when I noticed there was a message from Lucy. I smiled and not wanting to waste time I read it whilst I used the toilet. I heard the door swing open and watched under my cubicle as footsteps walked the length but strangely stopped at my door. Were they blind, there were four other doors open?

“There’s someone in here.” I shouted when they tried my locked door. I frowned when there was no apology and the shadows of feet moved away and picked the free cubicle next to me. I shrugged my shoulders and went back to reading my message.

“Oh Lucy.”
I whispered when I read how she and Denis had put some money tucked in the zipped pocket of my bag. ‘Just in case’ she had said and I let my head fall back to the wall behind in wonder. It felt as though they had been sent to me straight from Heaven a
s
Guardian Angels, because I certainly felt blessed having them both in my life and looking out for me.

I finished using the toilet and after putting my phone back in my bag, I replaced the strap around me before opening the door. I walked to the sink to wash my hands and noticed in the mirror the two doors either side were now occupied. I looked back to my reflection and nearly screamed when I saw myself with my wrist slit and I had written on the other side of the mirror in blood. It said one word…

Run. 

I didn’t need to be told twice! I ran to the door, flung it open and only just managed to get out a small scream before a hand slapped over my mouth and pushed hard enough that I fell back into the bathroom. I landed hard on my backside and scrabbled backwards as the suited man walked through the door and closed it, cutting off my exit.

I quickly got to my feet and my head snapped to the cubicles as two more men in suits stepped from behind the doors. Okay so now I was totally screwed! I recognised two of the faces as Righteous Bloods and knew they had found me but how…?

“What, you think we would just let you go? Your Uncle had us watching all the public transport just waiting for you to make your move.” I thought on this for a second and that would have been impossible as he didn’t have that many men…unless of course they could narrow it down by knowing where I was headed...holy shit, they knew about Afterlife!

“You knew where I was going?” I asked with my mind turning a million miles an hour. The two that came from the cubicles started laughing at my question and I continued to back up until my lower back hit the sinks. 

“Of course we knew, you stupid whore! We know everything!” The one by the door said sneering and then my panic turned into overload when he smiled and showed me his fangs.

“You’re…you’re…”

“That’s right Bitch,
Vampires.”
  One of the others hissed showing me his own set of fangs. The two closest to me started to walk towards me and I knew the time had come to make a choice. I could just let them take me back there and face my fate, or I could fight and make my own…okay so I could die quicker with the second one, but I decided to take a gamble on the stupid shit road.

“Your Uncle has missed you Katie, although I hear he has had fun playing with your sister.” Oh yeah, it was stupid shit time alright!

“Yeah?” I said making him frown with the reaction he wasn’t expecting. Then I lunged! I ran at him and kicked out aiming straight for his man jollies! I hit my mark and relished hearing him wailing like a baby. The other two ran at me and I flung my bag into one and kneed the other, unfortunately missing his package. He grabbed me by the back of the neck and hit the side of my face into the mirror making me cry out in pain.

“Try that the fuck again and I will kill you!” He said into my cheek and then punched me in the kidneys causing me to fall to my knees. I felt the blood from my nose trickling down into my mouth so I spat it out making sure it hit one of their shoes. I looked up laughing like some crazy person and rolled just at the right second before his kick connected with my face.

“We need to leave, just grab the Bitch and get your revenge in the van!” The one by the door ordered. I felt the hand at my shoulder ready to pick me up and I took the opportunity once more to fight. I whipped my head to the side and sank my teeth into the hand until I taste metallic in my mouth.

“Fucker!” He shouted pulling his hand away and cradling it to his chest. I got to my feet and placed myself in the corner like some wild cat ready to strike from all angles.

“Did you see that? She fucking bit me!” He whined and I thought that for a bunch of Vampires they were pretty shit if they couldn’t handle one small human woman. My thoughts were interrupted when suddenly the door burst open hurling the Righteous Blood standing guard there into the other two.

“Luc?” I said praying I wasn’t imagining the sight in front of me. He had kicked the door so hard that it too was flung forward after it came crashing off its hinges! What was he, a kick boxing champion or something? Christ I bloody hoped so!

Luc found me and after first scanning my body for injury I saw a muscle in his jaw twitch when he saw the blood dripping from my nose.

“Of course you didn’t wait on the fucking bus.” Luc said looking away from me, shaking his head and rolling his eyes.

“What do we have here then, ladies?” Luc asked and I couldn’t help but feel from his confidence that he thought he could take these guys.