After I was nicely wrapped in lush white fluffy towels, I walked back into the room to find it wasn't as empty as I had left it. A Draven of the shorter variety smiled sweetly at me and I shrieked in response to find Sophia sprawled out on the bed playing idly with the edge of one of the fringed pillows.

"You scared me half to death!" I screeched but I was met by a cool look of knowing.

"I doubt that, giving the colour of your cheeks."

"Sorry?"

"The dead don't blush Keira dear. Anyway, did you enjoy my pleasure dome?" The cool look of knowing turned quickly to smugness garnished with a slice of demon. I decided to play dumb, evidently something I seemed to be good at.

"I'm sure that I don't know what you're talking about." It would have helped if I could look her in the eye when I lied but come on, that was never going to happen. She laughed making me turn from the opposite direction and when met by those amused dark eyes I just shrugged my shoulders.

"Oh come now, don't play coy with me sister, besides this bed hasn't been slept in and my rose petal floor had been crushed to a pulp!"

"NO it wasn't, it was fine this morning!" I said in defence but she had been expecting it and pointed at me, shouting, "HA, got ya!"

"Grow up!" I said in a way that I would have to Libby but with Sophia, it was like having a naughty sister watching my every move.

"I do try," she replied sarcastically, "but it's hard when you're immortal." I flashed her an un-amused eye roll but when it turned to a smile and we both laughed. Draven was right, it was utterly useless trying to stay mad at Sophia. Like telling off a puppy for peeing in your favourite shoes and then resisting cuddling it when its starts to cry for attention. Not that I was calling Sophia a dog, more like a tiger cub. Cute as a b.u.t.ton but with one swipe could take your face off!

As graceful as a dancer from Swan Lake, Sophia dismounted the bed and followed me into my new dressing room. There she stood by watching as I scanned my wall full of clothes but every time I went to grab something, she made a sound that reminded me of the TV game show Family Fortunes, the noise they made when you got an answer wrong.

"Ok, my fashion muse, what would you have me wear?" I asked as I folded my arms and took a step back. She floated ahead of me and picked out a tight pair of stretch jeans in black and a charcoal grey tunic top with big bell shaped sleeves and pretty, light pink flowers around the bottom. It had a big roll neck and it looked warm and inviting. It was just a shame that it wasn't me.

"That's lovely but I doubt Draven would want me wearing something like that just to meet Justin." She whipped her head round like it was attached to an elastic band.

"You're meeting with Justin today?" She looked shocked with the idea and once again I found myself shrugging my shoulders.

"So what?" I said pulling out a pair of faded blue jeans down off the rack and grabbed a plain black T-shirt with long sleeves. I turned round to get some underwear out of the drawers and when I saw Sophia now sat on top of the large dresser island, it startled me. Her short dainty legs hung down like she was sat on a giant's doorstep.

"Sophia what are you..."

"I'm helping!" She started and her foot reached down for the lower drawer and pulled it open with the slightest flick of her ankle.

"Knickers?" She wore the cheekiest of grins and I couldn't help but laugh.

"What? That's what you call them in England isn't it?"

"Yeah....sometimes. So what was with the face... don't look at me like that, you know what I mean... when I mentioned Justin?"

"Nothing major, just answered a few questions for me, that's all." She jumped down and landed lightly on her feet like a cat on a tin roof...soundless and flawless.

"Ok, so what's that supposed to mean?" She walked past me now and was leaving out of the door, when she stopped and flung her perfect curls over one shoulder before answering me.

"Just that it explains why Dom was in such a foul mood last night, I guess he didn't want this day to arrive. After all, it's not every day a prince lets his princess go out on a date with a pauper!.... See you tonight Keira dear." And with that she left making me want to throw something at the door behind her! In the end all I did was shout "IT ISN'T A DATE!"

After a quick change and a scribbled goodbye note to Draven I grabbed the outfit that Sophia had picked out before running for the door. I was still stuffing it into my bag whilst half running down the corridor, when I b.u.mped into someone with a solid chest, which incidentally knocked me down.

"Ouch!" I said as my b.u.t.t cheeks slapped on the cold stone floor.

"Keira!" Vincent's astonished voice filled the air and then quickly memories of us last night filled my mind. I started to mumble out words of apology, at least that's what I thought they were. I usually just start talking when I was nervous and while my mind was busy on other things, I was never sure what new trouble I was getting myself in with speaking.

He started to laugh as he helped me up and when my stockinged feet slipped on the floor, he was fast as lightening catching me again. The feel of his arm tightly wound around my waist was like setting off a firecracker in my stomach. He leaned down to my face and for a second my heart stopped, I thought he was going to kiss me. But if that was true then why was I closing my eyes instead of pushing him away.

"Are you steady?" He whispered and this seemed to break the spell. My eyes flew open and all I managed was a nod. It appeared he was quite reluctant to let me go but after minutes of silence his hand left my side. He looked down at my feet and another low laugh came from deep beneath his chest.

"Perhaps you should think about shoes, after all, it is raining outside." Then it happened...I snorted out a laugh! If I didn't want to die of shame before, then now was a contender! His eyes widened making them look like crystal blue lakes that could have commanded the winter skies. His lips curved into an angelic smile at the new sound he had witnessed and I bent down to pick up my shoes that had dropped from my bag. I kicked my feet into them just so I didn't have to look into his alluring eyes. It was powerful enough to feel them burning into my every move.

"You seem in a hurry."

"Umm, yeah, I guess. Just errands and stuff, my sister is a bit hopeless when it comes to cooking and she wanted me to cook today, while Justin's staying." As soon as the name was out of my mouth, I wanted to slip again and, this time, bash my head against the hundred year old stone.

"Ah, Justin. I must say, I haven't heard that name spoken in a faltering tone yet." Speaking like this you could tell he was Draven's brother alright! I couldn't help but say what I thought.

"Oh, not you too! G.o.d what is it with the Dravens and paranoia. You all sound the same! Anyone would think I was running off to marry the b.l.o.o.d.y guy!" He was trying to hide his grin from my little outburst but he was as lousy at it as his brother. At least with Sophia you knew where you stood.

"Is it not the right of a man to protect his woman, even from evils they cannot see?"

"Evil?" At this I laughed. "Oh come on, he's a family friend, what could he possibly want but friendship with his brother's, wife's sister...you don't understand!" Ok did that come out right? Why did I say that?

"Umm yes... what indeed? I'm sorry I pried... after all, I know nothing about a situation like that, being non human and all." It was the first time I had seen him look hurt and his eyes turned to ice that looked ready to crack. He gave me a nod goodbye and turned but as he made his way down the hall he spoke one last time.

"Ragnar is waiting for you."

I wanted to smack myself on the side of the head for being so tactless. What was I thinking!

On the drive home I didn't say one word to Ragnar until I pulled up the drive and cut the engine. Over the last week Ragnar and I had become unlikely friends but after Draven had not only apologized to him but also commended him on thinking solely of me that night in the Temple, we had created an understanding.

I realized the real reasons behind his reluctance to have me under his guard. I reminded him of the daughter he couldn't save. Draven on the other hand had made a ruthless decision making Ragnar my guardian, he knew that if he had these feeling that he would lay his life down to protect me. I hadn't been too pleased to hear this at the time but in Draven's eyes, he knew the best way to protect those that are dear to him.

"d.a.m.n IT!" I shouted and hit the steering wheel with both palms. I had been stewing over what I had said to Vincent and what a complete idiot I had been. Ragnar looked over to me like I had lost my mind but in my current state I didn't care and luckily he didn't care enough to ask, or maybe he was just scared to. Ok, so not likely!

When I got in doors I was just glad to hear that Justin wasn't there. He and Frank had gone on a boy's day out that consisted of fishing and drinking beer. I think it was more Frank's idea because the way Libby described it, Justin had been reluctant to leave the house this morning. He had asked about my whereabouts and when my sister had told him, he had looked...well... disappointed. This is all according to Libby, who loves nothing more than a good drama, even when there's none to tell.

I decided to work some more on my report after hanging up the outfit Sophia had picked. I don't know why I had changed my mind but something in me had just snapped. They were all making a big fuss about me escorting Justin to the club...which was all it was ...ESCORTING! NOT DATING! I said to myself over and over.

I decided that I would make an effort tonight, if not for Draven then for myself. I knew deep down that I wasn't really angry at them, it was myself that I was upset with. I should have just nodded and kept my big mouth shut.

I tried to concentrate on my work but that lashing rain against my window was sending me into a daze. I was thinking about all that had happened in the past few weeks and how since me and Draven had become an item, my life really wasn't going to be the same again. I know that sounds like a daft statement but forgetting all the Demon and Angel stuff, this relationship was it for me. Draven would be the last man I would ever love or more like, would I be the last woman Draven would ever love? After all, he was going to outlive me.

"NO! Don't do this" I said out loud. I sat at my window seat trying desperately not to think about the real nightmares haunting me...my real fears. They weren't only the ones that wanted to hurt me, they were the ones that would indefinitely hurt me. Like Draven's face when I started to get older. Could he still love me then? And if so, we would have to hide away our love.

After a certain while n.o.body would be able to see us together. For one, Draven wouldn't age and two, I would just look like the sad granny that bagged herself a toy boy or worse, people would think I was his grandmother! Urgh gross! The thought had me near gagging. Thankfully Libby had knocked on my door to save me from myself.

It didn't take too much to get my mind occupied on other things and after Libby had finished with telling me about every client at work and moved on to what morning sickness was like, I was very close to forgetting my others worries. I was however grateful to her for leaving this last part until I had fully finished the sandwich she had brought up for me.

The day pa.s.sed too quickly and as the night approached I was starting to dread the evening even more. RJ had called to check it was still on and that brought comfort to know that I wasn't going to be alone in this. The whole gang was meeting us and if I was lucky I could just palm Justin off with RJ, who let's face it, didn't exactly mind any male company. I started to get ready when I heard Frank and Justin come in and Frank's usual first question was about food...after Libby's health of course.

Frank had become obsessed with what Libby was now allowed to do and not do. The other day, I heard him telling her off because she was standing on the bed trying to change the quilt cover. He told her, as sternly as I had ever heard him, that she was not to be allowed to do these types of thing again until the baby was born, as she now had two people he cared for to think about. Of course my sister thought this was not only wonderful, as she hated doing laundry but she quickly added anything else she hated doing to the 'no can do pile'... this quickly included ironing! Only what harm can come from standing over a board, moving one arm back and to do I wasn't quite sure.

I was now stood in front of the mirror arguing with myself, as to whether Sophia's choice of outfits had been a good one. I was happy with the colours at least...or more like the lack of colours. Shades had always looked better on me. It wasn't the top that was the problem. No this was both comfortable and warm. It was the tight trousers that concerned me.

They hugged my skin like liquid tar, showing every curve on my bottom half. I tugged down the sweater tunic but unfortunately it didn't come down to my knees like I would have preferred it to. It pa.s.sed my cheeks but only just. I made a loud tut and said "Ah to h.e.l.l with it" before turning away from the mirror.

I had done my hair a little differently too, deciding I didn't want to look like I was just there to do another shift. I twisted each side back into a low pony tail and let my waves hang loose. Only today they were more curls than waves due to it still being damp from this morning's shower. The shorter bits framed my oval face and I couldn't help keep tucking them behind my ears. I had also added the slightest touch of mascara and clear lip gloss to "enhance what was already there" in Libby's words.

I was now ready but I hadn't yet seen Justin. It was strange to know there was another person staying in the house but it was only for one night and I would no doubt be staying at the club, so what did it matter. Justin was staying in one of the guest rooms on the floor below and I could hear footsteps directly below my room. I stayed up there for as long as I deemed acceptable beyond the point of being rude.

I grabbed my bag and phone before turning off my light to make my way downstairs but of course in true Keira fashion, I missed the last step onto the next landing and stumbled into the wall. I was just straightening up when I could feel myself being watched. I looked up to find Justin dripping wet, with only a towel covering his lower half. Oh my!

It seemed Justin had changed somewhat since Libby and Frank's wedding. Age had granted him with a well toned body and sun kissed skin. There were fine lines defining his washboard stomach and a trail of light blonde hair travelled down amongst where the towel was covering. I couldn't help scan over his features with my cheeks ablaze.

His dreadlocks were different lengths but all looked like golden snakes following his every movement, like a master. Some had metal bands round with different symbols etched in the centres. There were also a few wooden beads here and there that matched the numerous beads tied around his wrists. There were other bracelets as well that spelled out, well travelled surfer dude but right now it was hard to focus on anything with the grin he was now sending my way.

"Well h.e.l.lo gorgeous, looking for me?" His tone shouted confidence but the wink he added at the end screamed c.o.c.ky! I rolled my eyes making him laugh at me. He reached into the cupboard and grabbed another towel to hang around his neck, catching the drips that were clinging to his skin. That's when I noticed a huge deep scar that ran down one shoulder and disappeared into the underside of his arm. He noticed me staring but I looked away before I could judge his reaction.

"I'll meet you downstairs," I said in a shy voice as I made my way past but just as I came closer, he shook his head so that droplets of water flew around him like little fruit flies around grapes. They sprayed me and I giggled.

"Oi... Behave!" I warned in a less than threatening tone and then added a little punch on the arm. It instantly took me back to Draven earlier and the smile I wore, Justin misinterpreted. I was surprised to find his slender arms as solid as rock under weathered skin.

"I'll be down in a minute, just once I get the trout out of my hair!" He joked as he watched me go down to the living room. There I found Frank still wearing his fishing gear, including a hat with tackle clung to the rim. His face was wind swept red and Justin was right...he smelt like fish! He started to tell me all about his day, just as Libby came in with two mugs of tea and one coffee for Frank (the none tea drinker in the family).

"You look nice, is that new?" Libby nodded my way and I couldn't help but fumble out a semi lie. The last thing I wanted was to admit Draven was now buying me clothes, let alone a whole new wardrobe.

"Bor...borrowed... from Sophia." She frowned like she didn't believe me but I quickly switched the conversation round and asked her if she knew when B day was going to be. Of course B day was code for "b.i.t.c.h day". In other words, when our dreaded cousin Hilary was going to be arriving. She pulled a face like it was sour milk she was drinking and I was sure I saw a shiver crawl up her back.

"She enters our life and the misery begins next week."

"Be nice honey bee," Frank said without dragging his eyes from the ice hockey game that was on replay.

"That was being nice...trust me, I could say far worse." She stated and I couldn't help but laugh at the sentiment that we shared. There was a whole book on what I could say but more than half of it would have to be bleeped out.

She was the essence of evil and would make a perfect match to Lucius! The trouble that girl had landed me in over the years was epic and above all....unforgivable! Stealing boyfriends was only the tip of the iceberg but at spreading rumours, she was the t.i.tanic disaster. She had once told an entire year of my school that the reason I had a large chest was due to an overdose of hormones I had to take, because I was really born a boy but my parents wanted another girl to save on buying me new clothes. Of course this didn't help when I would borrow some of my sister clothes...adding fuel to the fire per say.

By the time Justin came down, Libby and I were sat in the kitchen talking about the Terminator/Predator that would be staying next week and most of all, who we could palm her off with for the duration. Justin cleared his throat to get our attention causing us to both turn at the same time. There our eyes met Justin leaning casually in the door frame. For once he looked smart in a tight black shirt, even if the sleeves were rolled up to show strong looking forearms, due to years of throwing a board around the sands of the earth, no doubt.

His wrists, as usual were covered in beads and leather ties but now with an added thick leather strap that was edged with a metal zip. His hair was different too, instead of hanging down around his face, like vines from the jungle, it was tied back and knotted at the back with pieces of dreads. It was now that you could see his handsome face clearer and the sun induced freckles added to his charm. His long legs carried him well in stone washed jeans that had little tears at the knees and pockets.

"So, are you ready for our date?"

I grabbed the black, leather boots Libby had lent me and tugged them on. I walked over to the door, realising they made me a little taller when opposite Justin but when I tried to pa.s.s him his arm blocked my way, leaning across the frame. I turned to him and said in a low voice "It's not a date!" But his c.o.c.ky smile told me he'd been expecting my response because before he let me pa.s.s he replied, "Aww, don't kill the dream honey." Then he lowered his arm and followed me to the door where I was putting on my jacket. Libby had now joined Frank and perched herself on the arm of the chair her husband occupied.

"Have fun!" Frank said cheerfully, like we were off to the prom or something.

"Right kids, no candy after ten o'clock, no scary movies, unless it's Jaws of course." Libby laughed and Frank sighed at his brother's humour, making me do the same until he added the next bit, which made my pulse quicken and Draven's angry face flash from my memories...

"Oh and most importantly...don't wait up!"

He finished this with wink.

Chapter 29.

Pistols at Dawn.

All the way to the club I had been on edge and it wasn't only down to my pa.s.senger. I hadn't seen Ragnar outside and kept expecting him to pop up in my rear view mirror. I know I didn't have to worry about Justin seeing him because he was still invisible to everyone else but I knew I wouldn't be able to help my reaction and I was pretty sure Justin would cla.s.s me as a mental case if I just screamed for no reason. Although this idea did have its advantages, it might have stopped him flirting every time he opened his mouth.

Then I saw them...headlights, with a strange red glow that Justin didn't seem to notice. They flashed once and I knew I was being followed and Justin didn't have a clue. The black car behind looked as huge and intimidating as its driver did and it had me gulping at the sight. And it didn't help that the closer we got to Afterlife, the more I kept thinking I was playing with fire and tonight I would see a Demon throw sparks.

"What you thinking about?" Justin was staring at me with confusion plastered across fine cheek bones. What should I say...Umm well actually I'm kind of hoping my boyfriend doesn't rip your head off and give it to his pet bird to play with! In the end I said, "Just college stuff," which I could tell he didn't buy.

"So will I get to meet my rival tonight or will he let me have you all to myself?" He laughed lightly at the end but I just growled and looked in my mirror tensely, praying that they could only see us and not hear us.

"You shouldn't joke...I'm taken and that means there's a no flirting rule." I said sternly but when I looked from the road to his face, I gathered I was just playing right into his hands by responding.

"Who said I was joking? Besides, I don't know how not to flirt...not with you anyway." I was expecting him be wearing a c.o.c.ky smile when he said this but the serious tone and glance out of the window, I wasn't expecting. Thankfully the conversation turned to light hearted tales of his expeditions around the world and I found myself hanging on his every word. I couldn't help myself. It was a mixture of the subject of travelling that was close to my heart and the fact that he was so d.a.m.n charismatic.

He had just finished his story on helping baby turtles get to sea after just being hatched, when we pulled up outside the vast ivy covered building that was both work and home to me. It made me wonder what my life would have been like without this place. If I had never come to Afterlife that night, never found a job here, what would have become of me? I would have probably been dating Jack and playing it safe by now and instead of worrying about a supernatural King's reaction, I would just have the usual, mundane human reactions...shouting, pushing and maybe a fist fight to be broken up by security.

No instead I had the image of Draven in his Demon form demanding power from Heaven and h.e.l.l, two large blades protruding from his hands all aglow and ready for action, a mighty roar into the night before striking his victim to the sound of my screaming! Yeah, something like that.

I took a deep breath and got out of my truck, slamming the door a little too hard for big blue. I couldn't help but say "Sorry" out loud which made Justin chuckle.

"That's adorable."

"Shut up!" I said playfully before hitting him on the arm, which he then placed around my shoulders and gave me a squeeze.

"Don't look so worried doll, just a bit of harmless fun...drinking, dancing..."

"Demons" I whispered under my breath.

"Sorry?"

"Oh nothing," I said looking nervously around in case Ragnar was seeing him with his arm around me. The car behind had turned down the side of the building and out of sight but it didn't mean that no one was out there in the dark watching. My heart started to sound like Dave Grohl playing the drums as the thought entered my head. I shrugged out of his hold and nodded to Jo and Cameron, the doormen.

Of course knowing Frank they knew Justin, so instead of being stood out in the cold for another ten minutes chatting, I left him there and said I'd meet him at the bar. Once inside I felt that usual euphoria wash over me whenever I stepped through the doors. Like a magnetic pull or a drug that I didn't know I had swallowed as I entered. I had felt the same feeling the first night and it had remained that way ever since...the feeling, like I belonged and the building knew it. I don't know why but every day it seemed to get stronger, especially since the Temple incident. Maybe it had acted like an amplifier.

The club was in full force, with bodies everywhere there wasn't an inch of s.p.a.ce. Some looked clung together by the tight black clothes and matching pale faces, supporting heavy made up eyes. When I first started I thought it was all very intimidating but now I knew what was upstairs, these lot looked like pet kittens playing under a tiger cage.

I pushed my way pa.s.sed a couple that looked recently risen from the grave and with the evil stares I received, they could have been zombies after my flesh. Who knows, in this place it could be possible for looks to kill, after all, there was only one rule in Afterlife, no humans in the VIP...So what did that make me?

The bar wasn't as packed as everywhere else due to the band that was playing. It was a heavy gothic band with a girl as its lead singer. The soft sound from her lips then shocked me as she started to scream out the last few lines of what I a.s.sumed to be a chorus. Actually the beat wasn't that bad and the crowd was enjoying themselves, which freed up the bar. Mike was working and unfortunately Ca.s.sie the 'Goth Barbie' was collecting gla.s.ses. Jerry was also serving but Mike saw me first.

"Hey cutie, who gave you the night off...? Ah, don't tell me, I think I can guess." He was smirking the whole time which told me he was pulling my leg.