The Pentagram Child: Part 2 (Afterlife Saga Book 5) (36 page)

Chapter 79 

Being A Whole New Woman

I woke up to find myself cuddled up tight to a warm hard body where obviously I had been placed. Draven had his muscled arm around me and was holding me against his side as if he was scared he would wake to find me gone.

I actually woke feeling different but in a good way. As I usually did after we had made love I felt as if my whole body had been rejuvenated, only this time the feeling didn’t fade. If anything it just kept getting stronger. I was actually surprised I didn’t have a hangover.

The last thing I remembered was Draven picking me up once his strength came back to him and walking out of the Temple with me in his arms. I was just glad he hadn’t walked through that part of the prison and the crypt beyond it, because I couldn’t have thought of a worse sight to see after just getting married.

I just remember smiling into his chest after he lifted me higher to kiss the top of my head and whisper,

“Finally my wife.” 

I fell asleep smiling. Which was exactly how I woke up.

“Finally my husband.”
I whispered back to him and kissed the soft sun kissed skin on his chest. I looked up to find Draven was awake and looking at me in awe. It was how I could imagine he sometimes found me looking at him. Questioning myself if he was real and I wasn’t in fact dreaming.

“Good morning, my handsome King.” I said acting flirtatious.

“No, say it again.” I frowned at first not knowing what he meant until it twigged.

“Good morning,
my husband.”
  I said correcting my mistake and when he heard it his eyes seeped into purple sapphires the same colour as my ring.

“Good morning, my beautiful wife.” He said before placing his finger under my chin and bringing my lips up to his. It was the most glorious way to wake up but then last night’s vows sunk in and my cheeks flooded with colour. He started laughing even without me saying anything.

“Do not think of it my lovely wife, it is done.”

“Yeah but we had sex in front of everyone!” I shouted shifting up and hearing Draven expel a ‘Humf’ sound as I elbowed him by accident in my haste getting up.

“Yes we did but this is how it is done. We consummate our union in front of those we love, those we worship and those we respect above and below us. And I must say you did so perfectly and I was surprised to see without holding anything back…”

“Yes but…” I was about to tell him that being under the influence would do that to you when he blew the wind from my doubting sails with his next comment,

“I am very proud of you.” To which I melted.

“Oh and before anything else happens, like the day’s celebrations coming crashing through the door in the name of Sister and Pip, I have something I want you to have.” He shifted up and I made a sad face at not having him in the bed any longer. Then he laughed at me before grabbing the jeans left over the back of one of the chairs. 

“I will be right back.” He said leaning over to kiss me then quickly put on a pair of jeans and nothing else. I was most happy about the nothing else part, which changed when he said, 

“Why don’t you get changed so you will be ready by the time I am back?” He then nodded to the door of our dressing room.

“Why, I thought we could just stay in bed all day and celebrate …
alone.”
  I said waggling my eyebrows at him making him laugh shaking his head. He came over to kiss me again and said,

“You are insatiable my darling wife.”

“Yes, yes I am.” I said only half joking. He walked over to the door and said,

“Oh and wear something warm.”

“Why, where are we going?” I asked raising an eyebrow at him.

“It’s your birthday, I am taking you out.” I smiled at him almost forgetting it was in fact my birthday. He was half way out of the door when I heard his voice again,

“Oh and Keira…”

“Yes?” I asked as he popped his head back round the frame,

“I told you I was giving you my wings.” And then he winked at me and was gone.

I had one of the quickest showers after smelling my armpits and knowing there was no way I could get away with it. So I jumped in and out in record time and wrapped a towel round me to go in search of warm clothes for the day. I looked outside the window as I walked past on my way to the dressing room and saw it did in fact look like it wasn’t going to be the nice hot summer’s day that I had hoped for. It in fact looked like there was another storm on its way.

“Oh well.” I said shrugging my shoulders as I walked through to the dressing room behind the tapestry. I was just debating where to go for a sweater or a top and hooded zip up when I walked straight into a giant present nearly knocking it over.

“Aww, Draven.” I said thinking it must be from him and that was the real reason he told me to change. I smiled thinking was this what was in store for me today, lots of surprise presents? I thought back to Pip’s party and started getting excited at the idea of what people might have bought me. At the time I had no idea mine and Pip’s birthdays had been so close but was so glad it was and I had been a part of it, even after the crazy time I had getting there.

The gift was taller than me and covered in velvet purple paper with a huge black bow at the centre, holding it all wrapped together with its longer lengths of ribbon. I felt like a child when I started to rip into it, tugging at the bow and letting it fall to my bare feet.

“Uh…what is…?” I said as the last piece of paper fell and I was left staring at myself. It looked like a weird mirror that was never supposed to be a mirror. Its first purpose in life was obviously built into a place of worship…
a church.

It was a tall stone arch that was once a window in a holy place and at one time held stained glass in its fixtures. It was divided into two smaller arches with a small pillar separating the two and at the top, nestled into the arch was a circle which was the only piece left to hold any coloured glass. In it was a symbol I had seen many times before but still had no clue as to what it meant…

My birthmark.

All around the frame’s edges were the jagged remains of the glass it once held that no doubt long ago held a picture telling people of some holy story. But none of these were what really interested me or for that matter…

Frightened me.

No it wasn’t that at all.

It was the face of a girl I knew staring back at me. It was the face of me from another life. Not the one I lived now. Not one I ever recognised living.

But it was me.

The mirror started to liquefy and took on a life of its own distorting my image, the one locked inside it that wasn’t the life I knew.

“No…No…NO!” I screamed as hands reached out and took me.

But it was too late.

I was lost and I was captured by…

My own hands.

                                    The End.

Read on for excerpt

Of Book 6 in the Afterlife saga:

The Cult of the Hexad

The Cult of the Hexad

I woke up panting and trying to catch my breath like it seemed I did most mornings these days. Last night’s dream seemed to be the most real yet. For years I had been suffering from these nightmares and each one grew in intensity. I wasn’t naive to what happened between a man and woman in love inside the bedroom. But having not experienced it myself did mean that when these certain dreams occurred I was left with a torrent of mixed emotions. Confused, flustered, embarrassed, torn but most of all, unbelievably aroused.

“Are you alright, honey?” I jumped pulling the covers up and realising it was in vain as I wasn’t how I had been in the dream…I was clothed.

“Uh…yeah.” I said tucking my hair behind my ear which was a habit of mine.

“Oh dear, was it another bad dream?” My mother asked and I gave her a small smile and tried to hide my blush.

“Yeah, it was.”

“Was it about that man again?” She asked frowning disapprovingly at me, as if I had any control over it.

“Mum.” I said pulling back the covers and stuffing my feet into a pair of well-worn tartan slippers that I had owned for years.

“No Katie, your uncle and I have had just about enough of this. It upsets us to see you so distracted for days after. We think it’s time for you to see someone about it.” I groaned wondering how many times now I had heard this all before. I didn’t know why it was, as I had never seen one before, but I hated the idea of seeing a psychiatrist.

“Mum we have been over this.”

“Yes I know, but your uncle knows someone and thinks it is best…” I rolled my eyes as I faced the wall getting fresh underwear out of the top drawer. If she had caught me that would have been another lecture.

“No.”

“Now Katie, be reasonable.” I rarely said no to my mother as let’s just say she wasn’t the most forgiving of people and considering how religious she was I always found this surprising.

“I said…”

“I don’t like your tone Missy. Now I said you are going and that is final or you will have your uncle to answer to and you know his temper.” My mother said and I jumped when she slammed the door and I heard the latch lock into place. This was my family’s answer to most things. Lock me in my room like I was a teenager not the grown woman I was, until ‘I’ calmed down. This of course was code for ‘them’ calming down.

Most of the time I didn’t care, as I enjoyed being alone. It meant a lot of the time I could dream alone. It meant, like in last night’s dream I could search him out and dream in peace. Not in fear of being caught like some naughty wilful child like my mum always made me out to be.

I shuddered just thinking about him. And what last night’s dream had brought me. I had felt myself getting so close to it. As if I had been reaching out trying to chase the unknown. That feeling a woman has when being with a man like that. It had been so hot and carnal. So forbidden and if any of my church members knew what thoughts really went on in my head, then oh my, wouldn’t I be known as the wild child. Shunned wasn’t a strong enough word to cut it.

Banished more like.

Because they didn’t know what or who I dreamed of. They didn’t see what I saw. They didn’t see my naked body being taken on an altar in wild abandon. They didn’t see me giving myself to not just a man…

But a Demon with wings.

A Demon named Draven.         

Acknowledgments

Well first and foremost my love goes out to all the people who deserve the most thanks and are the wonderful people that keep me going day to day. But most importantly they are the ones that allow me to continue living out my dreams and keep writing my stories for the world to hopefully enjoy…

These people are of course

YOU!

Words will never be able to express the full amount of love I have for you guys. Your support is never ending. Your trust in me and the story is never failing.  But more than that, your love for me and all who you consider your ‘Afterlife family’ is to be commended, treasured and admired.

Thank you just doesn’t seem enough, so one day I hope to buy you all a drink! ;)

Also an extra special thanks goes out to all my fans who managed to make it to my Afterlife themed birthday bash. Thank you for giving me the best Birthday of my life and one I will never forget!    

To my family…

My sister who gives a face and soul to the vision of Afterlife.

To my amazing mother, who has believed in me from the very beginning and doesn’t believe that something great should be hidden from the world. I would like to thank you for all the hard work you put into my books and the endless hours spent caring about my words and making sure it is the best it can be for everyone to enjoy. You make Afterlife shine.

To my wonderful crazy father who is and always has been my hero in life. Your strength astonishes me, even to this day and the love and care you hold for your family is a gift you give to the Hudson name.

And last but not least, to the man that I consider my soul mate. The man who taught me about real love and makes me not only want to be a better person but makes me feel I am too. The amount of support you have given me since we met has been incredible and the greatest feeling was finding out you wanted to spend the rest of your life with me when you asked me to marry you.

I love you dearly Blake Hughes…My very own Draven    

As before, a big shout has to go to all those mentioned in the list below. I wish I could name you all but these are just a few to show my love to those who make it their mission to spread the Afterlife word.

Extra Special thanks to my Admin team:

Alison Hucker, Nicole Murphy
,
Lee Ann Milum. 

Abbie Robertson,

Aimi Murray,

Alexandra Green,

Alison MacPherson,

Allison Martin,

Amanda Tyler Fullerton,

Amber Greise,

Andrea Crook,

Angela Burton,

Angela Seddon,

Angela Stuthridge,

Ashlee C Harding,

Ashleigh Baron Logan,

Berny Martin,

Brenda Jackson-Grant,

Brown-Hylton,

C.f. Valentine,

Candy Davis,

Cara-Pip Durrant,

Carla Mullins,

Carol Grant,

Carol Krascheneske,

Carol Madden-Phelan,

Caroline Edge,

Caroline Fairbairn,

Carrie Anne Gosslin Wyman,

Carrie Partridge,

Cathy & James Sutton,

Christine Melville Thomas,

Claire & Patch Healey,

Claire Boyle,

Claire Collard,

Claire Law,

Claire Louise Ingram,

Claire Pearson,

Claire Taylor,

Clare Porter Carey,

Coleen Churchill,

Coleen Thomson,

Colette Kennedy,

Dana Michelle Hoy-Sasso,

Dani Cleverley,

Dani Peterson,

Danielle Monnington,

Dawn Arrowsmith,

Dawn Crawford,

Dawn Stewart,

Dawn Vickers,

Deborah Clenahan,

Deborah Cox,

Devki Ladwa,

Diane Blakemore,

Donna Murray,

Eline van den Berg,

Elizabeth Gee Richie, (Cocktail Queen)

Ellie Routledge,

Emma Diamond Jefferson,

Emmajane Stratton,

Esme Louise Matthews,

Evie Williams –Jones,

Fame Strong,

Gail Thomson,

Gail Tylman,

Gayle McFeely,

Gemma Thundercliffe,

Gerry Warwick,

Gill Driver,

Han Hall,

Hannah Gamble,

Hayley Barnes and Connor,

Hayley Paremain Turner,

Hazel Pescatore,

Helen Jones,

Humma Malik,

Ingrid Clarke,

Jacklyn Flynn,

Jamie Brooks,

Jane Bolt,

Janet Wright,

Jennifer Jordan Berndt,

Jenny Trowler,

Jess Benton,

Jessica "Cake Boss" Perry,

Jo Timms,

Joanne Lang,

Joanne Scott,

Jodie Taylor,

Julie Hewitt,

Julie Hutchins,

Julie Montijo,

Julie Smith Was Barber,

Julie Whitfield,

Justin Darwent,

Justine Sharp,

Karen & Chris Holgate,

Karen Springett,

Kathy & Leila Cini,

Katie Alexander,

Katie Oldfield,

Kay Isabel Saxton,

Kayleigh Gibson,

Kellie Lever,

Kelly Barton,

Kelly Burrows,

Kelly Findlay,

Kelly Regan,

Kelly Roscoe,

Kelly Sutcliffe,

Kim Brown,

Kimberley Lythgoe-Brown,

Kirstie Parker,

Kirsty Bolto,

Kirsty Holme,

Kym Cruddas,

Laura Watson,

Lauren Brooks,

Lauren Popplewell,

Lauren Rabbitts,

Leaza Barnett,

Lee Ann Bryant,

Lesley Holmes,

Lesley McCarthy,

Leticia Armendariz,

Liessa Laureys,

Lilly Perez,

Linda Bergman,

Linda Broughall,

Linda Ferguson,

Lindsay Crone,

Lindsey Blanchard,

Linzi Slack,

Lisa Ayres,

Lisa Barnard,

Lisa Gould,

Lisa Hartley,

Lisa Ingham - The official countdown Queen,

Lisa Jones,

Lisa Walker,

Liza Lynch,

Louise Atkinson,

Louise Delfino,

Lucy Williams,

Lynda Moore Rodgers,

Lyndsey Critchley,

Lyndsey McBride Critchley,

Lynea Koshar,

Maggie Fellows,

Malu Cabellero,

Margaret Lord,

Maria Foster,

Marie Saville,

Mark Husband,

Meagan Tice,

Mel Broom,

Mel Stacey,

Mel Wheatley,

Melissa Jenkins,

Melissa Walker Atkinson,

Michelle Farrar,

Moe Murphy,

Moira Bolton,

Natalie Haigh,

Nicola Higham,

Nicola Nichol,

Nicole Quintana,

Nikki & Keith Martin,

Nikki Martin Faulkner,

Olivia Morris,

Rachel "I want to massage your brain" Martin,

Rachel Houtby,

Rachel Marsh Giddings,

Randi Richards,

Rani Marwaha,

Rebecca Ann Smith,

Rebecca Caper,

Rebecca Stephenson,

Renee Krueger,

Rhonda Bradford,

Robyn Boden,

Ruth Wood,

Sally "The Oracle" Taylor,

Sam Clements,

Sam Jones,

Samantha Taylor,

Sammi Gash,

Sara Turner,

Sarah Beaumont,

Sarah Chatfield,

Sarah Moore,

Sarah Torpey,

Scarlett Martin,

Shannon Taylor Shuey,

Sharon Barksdale,

Shernel Stevenson,

Simone Woodin,

Stacey Marie Adams,

Stacy Edmonds,

Stacy Needham,

Stephanie Pederson,

Stephanie Taylor,

Stephanie Wooddell,

Sue Wright,

Susan Gray,

Susan Hurst,

Tammy Donovan,

Tamsyn Hawkins,

Tanya Lock,

Tanya Watson,

Tara Whitley,

Tiffani McDonald,

Tina Awock,

Toni Flounders,

Torhild Borg,

Tracy Moody,

Trisha Benton,

Vicki Chandler,

Vicki Mattox,

Vicki Scholtka,

Vickie Watson,

Victoria Clifford,

Victoria Tierney,

Zara Duggan