The Quarter Moon (Afterlife saga) (36 page)

“NO!” I panicked and wiped away my tears and snotty nose. I knew this was my last chance and I couldn’t make him see by crying. He started to turn away from me and I grabbed him by the jacket he wore.

“Draven, no! Now listen to me! I have not done this to you, that life…” I motioned back behind me at the house I wanted no part of.

“…that is not what I chose! I am somewhere else right now and I am doing everything, and I mean every…
damn
…thing to find you! I won’t stop…Jesus Christ, I won’t ever stop…do you hear me! I will find you and when I do, I am NEVER letting you go! Do you hear me!?” I shouted as even more tears fell around me, but his face didn’t change. He looked away from me and I stammered out,

“
Dra…Draven…look at me.”

“I’m sorry Keira, I truly am
, but it was never meant to be.” And then he tried to walk away, but I held on.

“Draven…Draven Please! I…love you
.” But no matter how I begged or how the declaration of love was bleeding from my heart, his eyes remained determined. He gave me one last look, touched a fingertip to my cheek and then turned away from me for the last time. I watch in utter slow agony as the material of his jacket slipped through my grasp. I was left to watch as his back became smaller and smaller the further away the road took him and when nothing was left, I crumbled to my knees on a tortured cry, that sounded as though it was ripped from my very soul!

I was so torn apart
, that I barley even registered when the world around me started to blow away like everything was made from black sand…

Draven
’s black sand.

“Keira…Keira!” I heard my name being called and my hope soared. I lifted my head to see the last of the road disappearing but no Draven in sight. I was just looking back down when a hand came out of nowhere.

“Come with me Keira, I’ll keep you safe
.” I looked up and saw Jared staring down at me, waiting for my hand.

“Can you hear me?!” I heard shouting in the distance
, but where from I couldn’t tell as that distance could no longer be seen.

“Who is that?” I asked in a croaky voice
, just as the sun came from behind the clouds, turning Jared into a looming shadow stood above me.

“He can’t help you Keira, only I can help you now
.”

“What do you mean
...? I still…I can still get Draven back?” The shadow bent on one knee and said,

“Well now, that depends on what you are willing to give me in return?”

“What do you want from me?” I asked thinking there wasn’t anything I wasn’t willing to give.

“You may think that now Keira, but would you really give another life for his?” I jolted back surprised. 

“How did you…?”

“Hear your thoughts? I
n this place I can do many things.”

“And what is this place?” I asked looking up and taking in the nothing blank canvas that was my new world. He got closer to me and swept my loose hair back from my shoulder in a soothing gesture.

“This place is your projection, Keira. A place you feel safe enough to deal with your life’s choices.”

“I don’t understand.
”

“We’re in your mind
, Keira.” He whispered and just as my eyes widened, my body felt weightless. It was as though I was quickly sucked back into the now and I bolted upwards trying to catch onto something to slow my speeding flight backwards.

“Thank fuck for that! Keira…Keira can you hear me…
? Answer me by the Gods be damned!”

“Shadow Knight?” I mumbled blinking quickly
, trying once again to clear the blur. I was suddenly pulled into a tight embrace and I heard Sigurd’s deep chuckle by my ear.

“Yes lille øjesten, I am here
.” He sounded like a man who had just been put through the rough end of being helpless. I held onto him and kept taking deep breaths to try and hold back the tears that were desperate to break free. It was that ‘crying for your mum syndrome’, you are utterly fine coping until,

A. You see your mum or

B. Someone asks if you’re alright.

Both times bravery and pride go take a parachute jump out the window. That was what being safely in Sigurd’s arms was like right now. All that had happened and not just with the drea
m, it was all trying to unload onto his shoulders to share the weight. Thankfully though, the other company in the room brought me under control before I could fall to pieces.

“Just a little bit longer
.” Sigurd whispered into the top of my hair as though he had heard every one of my thoughts. I nodded because I didn’t have it in me to deny the truth of the matter. He let me go and held my face with both hands spanning the length of my head before letting me go completely. He lowered his head and caught my eyes, to which I nodded silently, communicating that I was ok. He nodded back and then released me.

“What happened?” I asked the room but it was Jared who answered me.

“I will explain but first…everyone out!” I saw Sigurd tense and the muscle ticking by his jaw told me he was grinding his teeth.

“That was not our agreement
, Cerberus.” He ground out.

“Things evolve
, Snake Eye.” He replied coolly and I wondered what I had missed when falling down the rabbit hole?

“Not today they don’t
.” Sigurd said crossing his arms over his chest and I noticed he was now back to wearing his usual gear of black, black and dark grey. Even the hood was back but this time at least he didn’t try and hide his face from me.

“You want me to help the
girl, then we play by my rules. Now, I won’t ask again.” He stood strong, carrying out his order with just one look at the room, which was enough to get people moving.

“I will not leave her!” Sigurd however
, was clearly not getting the hint, so I felt it necessary to intervene.

“Are you going to help me?”

“Keira.” I ignored Sigurd’s warning and waited for Jared to answer me.

“If it is in my power and our terms are met
.”

“And will you swear not to hurt me?” At this he didn’t hesitate,

“I give you my vow that no harm will come to you while under my care, and as you know Snake Eye, a vow of mine is not given lightly.” I bit my lip and looked towards Sigurd who was outright giving Jared the death glare. Therefore, I got up from the sofa I had been placed in and walked up to my protector. I put my hand on his forearm and waited for him to look down at me.

“Let me do this
.”

“No
.” He snapped, going back to glare at Jared. I gave his arm a squeeze to draw back his attention and said,

“I need to do this Sigurd, so I will ask you again, as a friend…please let me do this and I promise you…I promise that if he breaks his vow then I will…”

“…Then I will break him!” He interrupted me on a snarl at Jared. This prompted a laugh and Sigurd showed his fangs on a growl.

“Sigurd
, please.” My word, it really was my day for begging!

“Fine!” He snapped and turned from me
, clearly anything but fine with this new arrangement. He stopped by the door the others had left through and said without looking at me,

“I will be close
.” And then he left, slamming the door until the frame shook.

“Okay…so now what?” I asked trying to break the tension. Jared gave me a coy smile and then motion
ed with an outstretched arm to the sunken seating area.

“Now we simply talk
.”

“Talk?” I repeated in question as I walked down the three steps to the unusual seating arrangement.

“I believe you are acquainted with the term.” He teased and I relaxed at seeing the earlier Jared come back. His mood when we were alone was so different, it was hard to keep up with him.

“Ha, ha, yes as a Northerner I am known to practise the art
.” I said making him smile and also thinking painfully back to Eddie’s comment that was of a simple nature.

“
Sooo…what are we going to be talking about?” I asked extending the ‘so’ for comical value, which again made him smile. Although, thanks to his answer, my own smile was swiftly swept away and was left gaping wide open in confusion. So I asked a dumb sounding,

“Come again?”

“You want a way into Hell, then that’s what I will need.” I shook my head as though this was just his idea of a cruel joke.

“Umm…could you just say what it is you’ll be needing
, as I didn’t think I heard correctly last time?” This got me another smile before he confirmed the sick feeling I had in the pit of my stomach was in fact warranted,

“A human heart…”

Yep, that’s what I heard. 

Chapter 33

Affairs of t
he Heart

“Ok, so you know you’re gonna have to explain that to me because I am telling you now, I am not killing some poor
bugger for a beast’s appetiser!” I said getting back up, making him do the same.

“Keira, sit back down and listen.” He held out his hand and led me to sit beside him.

“I’m listening.” I informed him in a haughty tone.

“I am not going to ask you to commit murder, I doubt you have it in you for starters.…that is unless you have before unknowingly driven another to commit suicide due to your endless questioning?” My reaction to his tease was to elbow him in the side, which is what I did before I even thought about who I was really doing it to! He let out a muffled laugh that was both shocked and amused (the last one I sent a thank you up to
God for!)

“Can you really blame me, human remember?” I received a shrug of the shoulders and a sly grin, but no words.

“Right, so I think this would be a good time to explain about the heart thing.” I said bracing myself.

“Before we get to the fun stuff, let’s first get our agreement concreted shall we?” As I was sat next to him I decided to get cosy, so I turned to my side to face Jared and pulled one bent leg up to rest on the couch.

“Alright, what do you want from me, Jared Cerberus?” He mimicked my position turning to me, but instead he rested a bent leg on the other and bent his elbow at the back of the cushions.

“What I want isn’t something physical, but what I need is nothing more than I gave to you.”

“A headache then?” I couldn’t help running my smart mouth but I was happy to see he had the patience for it. I did get an eye roll though so I nudged him saying,

“Sorry, I promise to behave.”

“Now I know that’s not true.” He winked at me and I joined him in the eye rolling.

“Ok, so you need…”

“A vow, Keira.” This had me frowning before I asked in a wary tone,

“What type of vow are we talking about here?”

“A simple one really…I merely need you to vow that, when the time comes, you will back me in an endeavour that others will not.”

“That’s a bit vague, Jared.” I commented wryly.

“Besides, I don’t know what having me backing you would accomplish for your…um…cause.” I added making him smirk before saying,

“Oh trust me, when the time comes your help will be paramount to my success, of this I have no doubt.”

“Will anyone get hurt?” This was the most important question I had to ask before giving him anything. I would absolutely not hurt anyone to get what I wanted, no matter how much Draven meant to me!

“Not through your acceptance no, as for the rest… well, I am no Oracle but I will give you this…” He got slightly closer and said softly,

“The person it will mostly concern would never be hurt at my hands…
never
Keira.” He said the word ‘never’ with such sincerity that I would have been a fool not to trust his words. I had no idea what future he spoke of but I knew that the world I was living in was all about chance and this was one of life’s games that I wanted desperately to win. So, I made my decision in about five seconds from when he last spoke. I held out my hand for him to shake and said,

“I’m in! I
, Catherine Keiran Williams, vow to back you when the time comes that you need it.” He gave me a knowing smile, placed his hand in mine and in turn gave me his own vow,

“And in return, I
, Jared Cerberus, King of all immortal Hellhounds and guardian of the Underworld gates from the River Styx, do vow to help you any way I can to get you through those very gates.” He nodded his head to me respectfully and I found myself doing the same. Then we sealed the deal and shook on it.

“Right, well, cons
idering we are on the subject of helping me bust in the joint, let’s talk tactics. How exactly are we gonna get me in...? ‘Cause you know I am not fond of the committing an horrendous crime and then topping myself plan.” I added this last part for good measure, although now thinking back, I probably should have made that clear before my vow. I mean, his way of helping might be to just point me in the right direction to some Hell worthy deed and then hand me the knife to finish myself off with! Would he at least draw me a map for when I get there…or maybe there was Hell’s version of a Holiday Rep to point me to the right bus.

“Now
, I bet that’s a scary place to be.” He said laughing.

“What… where?” I asked shaking myself from my runaway thoughts.

“Inside that head of yours, if you could just see your adorable and very expressive face right now, you would know what I mean.” I shot him a ‘not impressed’ look that got me a deeper laugh. Well, glad I could entertain his big Royal Ass! I thought on a scowl.

“As fun as this is to witness, I think it’s time I put your over active imagination to rest. When I said Keira
, that I needed a human heart to get you in, I wasn’t joking or being metaphorical.”

“But…” He lifted a hand to silence me and said,

“I think it’s time you heard my story, pet.” Now this was something to shut me up! I was practically gagging to hear this story that I unconsciously brought my other leg up to cross them on the couch. He smiled at my action and relaxed back.

“Now
, where to begin?” He dragged a hand down half his face and caught his shapely beard between his thumb and fingers, pulling it down in what I gathered was a thinking habit.

“It was 1763 when I was brought into your world and I think you know by now what I was doing before this
.” I nodded, too scared to say a word that would prolong my wait in hearing his story.

“My rebirth was instigated by a man call Sir Francis Dashwood. This fool was the founder of the
Hellfire Club and held his ridiculous cult meeting in the Hellfire Caves of West Wycombe.” It became very clear with the venom he injected into his words, that he did not like the man he spoke of or this club, so to take his mind off his anger momentarily I said,

“West Wycombe…that’s not far from here
.”

“You
’re right, but forgive me, where are my manners?” He said getting up as if needing some sort of distraction.

“Drink?”

“Please.” Considering the story I had coming to me, I thought a drink was a bloody good idea! He walked over to one of the wooden panels and pressed against it. The whole panel then slid down into the floor and a stainless steel bar emerged behind it.

“Cool
.” I said in such a geeky way, even I winced after saying it. I think if I could have gotten away with slapping my hand to my forehead and saying ‘Durr’ I would have done, just to make myself feel better. However, he turned his head to me and gave me knowing grin that said he was clearly entertained by my goofy behaviour.

He then shifted his immense shoulders and shrugged out of his worn leather jacket that was fitted biker style. I bit my lip at the
sight of his bulging biceps under the long sleeves of his black t-shirt. He threw his jacket over the back of a dainty embroidered chair and the contrast was almost funny. He pulled his sleeves up his forearms and I got sight of some kickass tribal tattoos on one arm. The other wrist was covered in leather bands with what looked like crude hammered metal attached. I watched him turn his back to me and thought everything about him screamed bad ass! It wasn’t just his black leather waistcoat that sat snugly to every sleek line of his muscular back, his worn biker boots half tied up his ankle or his heavy silver rings of flames and claws. It also wasn’t his ripped jeans or tied back hair. It was just him. The way he moved like he owned everything in his world and didn’t give a shit what the rest of that world thought, as long as they played by his rules.   

He confirmed this when he didn’t ask me what I wanted but I was thankful to see him grab a chilled bottle of white wine. He also brought a bottle of red under hi
s arm and two black stemmed glasses. After putting the two glasses down he lifted both bottles to me and I nodded to the white. We were both silent as he poured the drinks. He handed me mine and then settled back with his red. He swirled it round as if trying to pluck the rest of his story from his memory bank and I couldn’t help but think that this action looked totally out of character. I mean, here I was describing another big scary biker dude (In a completely different way to Sigurd) and he was drinking the wine like a connoisseur!

“So
, where was I?”

“You were about to tell me about the
Hellfire club, Sir Francis Dashwood, how they brought you here, The caves, the need for a human heart and how you plan on getting me into Hell without…” I made a slitting my throat action and he threw his head back to release a throaty roar of laughter, then said,

“I think we’ll have to order take out, as something tells me this is gonna take a while
.” I had to agree and also suddenly had the biggest craving for some crispy noodles with seafood.

Now
, all I had to do was hope they delivered to a King Hell Beast’s Devil’s Ring!

I didn’t think after hearing and seeing all that I had in one single night I would have been able to sleep
, but damn, I must have been out like someone with narcolepsy! I knew this because after Jared had finished his story he excused himself to speak with Sigurd and the next thing I felt was being lifted into a pair of arms. I remember looking up into a hidden face and knew Sigurd was back to taking care of me. I couldn’t help the deep sense of safety I felt being held close and therefore gripped onto his t–shirt tight, snuggled closer and rested a cheek on his chest before passing out again.

I woke when the light of day started to penetrate my hotel room. I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and stopped mid yawn when I noticed the dark figure of a man asleep in a chair. Sigurd had stayed in my room with me and I felt a lump form in my throat. Just the sight of him with his arms folded, hood pulled over hi
s eyes and his legs out-stretched in a lounged position, I felt my chest compress. I knew why he had done this and the answer was in the look of relief he gave me when I woke from my nightmare in Jared’s office. There were other rooms in the suite but instead, he spent the night in a chair close to my bed because he was worried about me!

This made me feel like crying. Here I was
, on this ridiculous quest to save the man I loved and the family I thought loved me, which I built around that man, were nowhere to be seen. No, only one man stood by my side now and I knew already without him, I would have been kidnapped, possibly even dead twice. I didn’t care that I was some mission for him.  That I was some contract given to him by whom I had no clue. All these things meant nothing to me because looking at that man sleeping in the chair by my bedside, so that I wouldn’t have a bad dream, was not only doing this for honour and duty. He really cared. And that, right there, was why I got up, grabbed the comforter on the end of the bed and lay it over him. I then leant down, kissed his cheek and whispered,

“Thank you
, my Shadow Knight.” And then I left to shower in one of the other bathrooms so as not to wake him.

Once in the shower I thought back to Jared’s incredible story. My love for history wasn’t lost on him considering I bombarded him with questions. What surprised me was how pat
ient he was with me but what surprised me the most was how brutally painful his story was and how deeply it touched me.

In 1763, the human, Jared Well
er, was a blacksmith in West Wycombe. He was a quiet but hard working man and lived alone. He made it sound as if he was a recluse and didn’t like being around people much. The reasons for this he didn’t explain, but I could tell there was something more to this due to his tensed jaw, hard eyes and the flash of pain I saw in their depths. However, I didn’t think it wise to push this as we were far from bosom buddy status.

Anyway back in 1763 rumours of Sir Francis Dashwood
’s after dark exploits weren’t completely unheard of, but not exactly widespread knowledge either. Therefore, when Jared Weller was approached about a job by Dashwood’s steward, Paul Whitehead, he simply agreed. Of course, he had no idea of the real reason he was picked for the ‘job’ and that was because he was the best candidate for what the Hellfire Club had in mind. This was for two reasons. The first being that he was a known recluse and therefore nothing was much done for a man who went missing, who had no family connections or even friends to care. But it was the second that was the most interesting and also… frightening.

It was discovered upon looking for the right person for their ‘job’ that the meaning of the name Jared is "he who descended" in Hebrew history. This
, to them, meant no-one else even came close to aiding them in their attempt to not only enter the Underworld but to steal a piece of it. As for this, they needed a human sacrifice and poor blacksmith Jared was to be the one.

Of course
, the story didn’t end with Jared’s life. No, something they didn’t count on was that Jared was the only living host who was both strong enough and royally connected, to contain a rather important being. Although, admittedly he had no clue to his supernatural bloodline at the time and this was the reason he simply didn’t just die when they cut out his heart. See, not only did Jared mean “he who descended” but it also meant something much more.