The Quarter Moon (Afterlife saga) (13 page)

“Then
, you now know why I can never move on Vincent, not while there is breath in my body and blood pumping in my veins. I cannot and
will not
ever move on from Draven, what is left of my heart won’t let me. I thought he would have known this.” I said looking down, as seeing the pain in his eyes grow with every word heard from me was just mirrored pain. 

“I agree, he should have known and handled things very differently and I wish…”

“What? What do you wish, Vincent?” I asked knowing his answer would only be driving the spear further through my heart.

“Never mind, come
, there is no place to hold you here anymore and no need to add to your torment, I will take you home.” He said taking my hand and pulling me in the direction of the bar. I really wanted to know what he was going to say, but his next move halted me. He turned to face the stage and with his outstretched arm he moved the table he threw. It lifted and shot back into place with a simple flick of his wrist. The up turned chairs its destructive path had caused righted themselves and soon the place looked as untouched as when we had entered it.

I saw h
im swipe up a leather jacket from the bar where he had left it and he led me out through the very doors I had first tried. He pushed the door open and held it for me. Then he turned to the door and instead of moving away, I watched as he reprogrammed the code on the door in front of me. I smiled when I saw it was my birthday. I don’t know why he did this, knowing I would no doubt use it to get in, if ever I came back but when he looked over his shoulder at me he winked.

“Let’s have no more climbing up the side of buildings
, Keira.” He said as he came down the steps to my level and he gently brushed a loose strand of hair from my face. I gave him a cheeky little grin and said,

“You know Spiderman is my favourite superhero
?” This was the first beaming grin he gave me and it transformed his entire face into such beauty it was almost blinding. He grabbed my chin and shook it slightly, almost playfully and replied,

“I thought as much
.” He said then leaned down so close to my face that his next words were said over my lips,

“But let’s leave the heroics to the professionals and the breaking and entering to the bad guys…yes?” I smiled at him and just shrugged my shoulders before walking past him laughing at my response. I could feel him following close behind and as we walked round the corner I could just see a lone motorcycle waiting there. I say motorcycle but what I really should have said was a black metal panther waiting like a predator for someone to ride on its back at death speeds.

I must have stopped dead as I was staring at it because he passed me, walking right up to it like meeting an old friend, or in this case a new one as it looked like it had just been driven straight out of the factory. He had also put on his jacket when behind me and the sight of tight grey denim buttocks and fitted leather encasing his upper body was nothing short of mouth-watering. It wasn’t right for me to admit it or to even think it, but a girl was only human! 

He looked back at me and the grin he gave me was pure bad boy, one not expected on an Angel like Vincent.

“Is there a problem, Keira?” He asked doing a lousy job at trying to hide the humour he found in my face.

“Umm, no
, no, not a problem. I will just wait for Frank to pick me up, that’s all.” I said thinking…actually scrap that…knowing, there was no way in Hell I was getting on that thing!

“Then we both know you will be waiting a while, when are they back…in two weeks?” He said surprising me and when he saw my stunned face he walked back up to me and his expression turned serious for a moment.

“Don’t ever lie to me again….we understood?” I bit my lip at the new tone from Vincent and I wondered in that minute if he had taken his brother’s shoes in the control department. He sounded very much the royalty that was in his blood in this moment.

“How did you know?”

“How and why is not important, but your safety is, so don’t ever lie to me about it again and we will be just fine. Now come on, time to get you home.” He said taking my hand and leading me numbly towards the mass of black steel and chrome.

“Wait!” I shouted pulling back and I heard a sigh whisper from his lips.

“It’s just…I don’t want to go home.” When he raised an eyebrow at me I quickly carried on.

“I need to do something first and I need your help
.” This time he crossed his arms across his chest making the leather of his jacket groan. That’s when I noticed he now also wore black leather gloves and a naughty image flashed into my mind of him running them down my bare skin. Jesus, what was wrong with me, I mean this was Draven’s brother for God’s sake! I just blamed it on my fragile, comforted and sexually starved brain. Yep, that was it!

“Keira” He said my name and I blushed as I realised I had been eyeing him up like a candy stick, one I was almost panting to lick! Now this was embarrassing!

“Umm…sorry, where was I?” He at least had the decency to laugh about my weak moment and if anything he looked quite pleased about the way my eyes wandered.

“You need me to do something
?” He purred and the way he lingered on that one word made me gulp. Oh I needed something alright, it was just a shame I would never let any other man give it to me but Draven…wait not a Draven, I mean Dominic…yeah that was better.

“Yeah, sorry, I was going to ask if you could take me somewhere…you know…to say goodbye
.” I added softly. He unfolded his arms and simply nodded.

“Alright Keira. Come on then, your chariot awaits” He motioned towards the beast with two wheels and I shivered.

“Don’t you have a car around here somewhere?” He laughed.

“Didn’t you hear…I am more of a biker than a petrol head” Now I laughed as a thought popped in my head and I made the next comment without activating that handy little filter that
was supposed to stop these things from happening.

“Next you will tell me you are a lover not a fighter
.” My cheeks nearly melted when I saw his heated look.

“Now we both know you ha
ve been witness to both and I think it is easy to say which I prefer…given the right partner of course.”

“Or partners
?” I said letting it slip out again when I could have kicked myself. Where was the bloody filter anyway, on holiday?! Of course I was referring to the time I had opened the door to find Vincent being kept company by two beauties in his bed…very, very close company…as in naked company.

I was glad when he laughed and was
about to laugh with him until he quickly grabbed me round the waist and pulled me to him. My hands flattened on his chest and I shook as he continued to let out a rumbled laugh.

“Flirting will not save you from a ride on my bike Keira, if anything it will only get you on
there sooner, so stop stalling.” He pulled me over towards his ‘ride’ and I nearly bit through my lip at the thought of getting on that thing! I let him pull me to the bike that looked far too heavy to sit in between someone’s thighs and that thought wasn’t ever going to help with my red face that gave me away like a fire alarm.

I felt him come up behind me so if I decided to back out of taking this ride, then he would be there blocking my only exit.

“Umm…it’s a nice bike.” I said not knowing what else to say about something I could die on. I knew I was being a bit dramatic but for someone as cautious on the roads as I was, bikes I didn’t understand. I liked to feel nice and safe when travelling killing speeds…boring… yes, but to be boring you had to be alive.

“This one I have been waiting for. She’s a Moto
Guzzi California1400, custom of course.” He said with pride and I smiled at hearing the passion in his voice.

“Of course
,” I said playfully and I felt him poke at my side for my cocky comment. Then he leant down to softly speak in my ear like a lover’s whisper,

“She is a handmade beauty, every single component a perfect combination of power and sleek grace and with 96 horse power,
she is a forceful touring bike. That said, I will take her gently as a beauty should be for her first ride with an Angel.” As I sucked in a quick breath at his sexual words I could feel him smile at my neck. I didn’t realise I even closed my eyes until his next words snapped me from his promised words.

“Time for something cute
.” He said with a cockiness that was new on Vincent. I looked to see him lifting a black helmet to my head and I ducked out of the way.

“Umm, actually I think I will pass on this, maybe I could just get a taxi or something
?” At this he laughed.

“You’re not scared are you
, Keira?” He said making me frown. I knew his game and I didn’t like it, so I crossed my arms to show him so. Of course he just laughed.

“I didn’t think so, not the brave beauty I know
so well.” His complement momentarily distracted me and before I knew it, he had the helmet over my head.

“Hey
!” I moaned.

“Hey yourself, now hold still while I adjust the strap
.” He said first holding down my arms from trying to take it off and then his hands came back up to rest on my neck. My pulse pounded and it wasn’t just down to the ride he wanted me to take.

“We don’t want this pretty little head of yours to get hurt now do we?” He said as his fingers first tapped against my pulse point before going to tighten the strap under my chin. He smiled as he felt my heavy swallow of doubt.

“And is there much chance of that happening?” I asked unsurely.

“Not a single one
.” He said with a level of certainty that burnt away my fears.

“Leg over sweetheart
.” He said and before I could have blinked he was on the bike and patting the space behind him. I looked down at the Emblem of an Eagle pressed into the saddle and just hoped that these weren’t the only wings that would keep me safe.

I took a deep breath, took the last few steps towards the bike and did as I was told. I felt awkward mounting the bike as if ready for it to start bucking or something but the knowledge of its heavenly rider was the only thing forcing me to sit down. Once there
, Vincent looked over his shoulder at me. The way the back part of the seat was raised put me at the same level as him.

“Hold on to me and put your feet here
.” He pointed to the foot rest further back from his own and that’s when I noticed his booted feet. I couldn’t help but shiver as I noted the heavy biker boots with steel caps. He must have taken this for worry about the ride, which could have easily been a factor.

“Keira, don’t worry if you get scared or want me to slow down just tap my stomach and I will pull over…ok?” I nodded when he looked round and then when he seemed satisfied, he flipped my visor down and he kicked the stand back with one foot before taking the weight of the bike. I gripped on tighter and heard him chuckle.

“So, where are we headed sweetheart?” He asked me before firing up the beast.

There was only one answer to give and only one place I wanted to be for this next part, so I didn’t hesitate,

“Draven’s cave
.”

Chapter 13

Cutting off the Reasons

He didn’t say a word about the choice of destination I had in mind and instead of a comment, he just put the key in the ignition and started the brute of steel that thundered beneath us. It was my first experience on a bike and I couldn’t help but grip onto Vincent like my life depended on it. I held on until my fingers ached and we hadn’t even moved yet. I didn’t want to be a
wuss and tried to convince myself it was just a bike…just a bike. Yeah right! I mean the fact that it was one mean looking bike was one thing but the fact I was sat on a bloody engine was quite another. I was just about to tell Vincent that I couldn’t do this when the bike started to move and I was left with only the urge not to die.

I tightened every muscle in my body to grip on with great force to the steel between my legs and the Angel in front as we started to pick up speed. I couldn’t help what came next as I found myself tapping madly on his stomach but when I felt it vibrating I just knew he was laughing at me…Not surprising, he didn’t stop.

After about ten minutes of trying to convince myself I wasn’t going to die and I had in fact faced worse things than this in my life, I finally started to relax. I watched the world whiz by and soon I felt a type of liberation. It was like my fear was being replaced by pure adrenaline and it was almost like getting drunk on fun. I couldn’t believe I was actually enjoying this, even though the first corner we went round had me shrieking out in my helmet. But the way he controlled the bike was nothing short of beautiful…and oh, so Goddamn sexy.

The time fell into a supercharged hole that shot us right to our destination in what seemed like only minutes. When I saw we were at the top of the mountain track
, I actually felt disappointment that it had come to an end. It was only when I felt Vincent’s hand on mine and tap a few times that I knew that was my cue to release him. He had already cut the engine and once I let him go, he got off first. He didn’t say a word as he undid my helmet and lifted it off me.

“Well, look at you smiling.”

“Wow, that was….just wow!” I said knowing I was beaming up at him. His grin made my heart stammer but I tried pass it off as I told myself it was just from the ride, nothing more.

“Umm…Another biker in the making I think.” He said and when I wrinkled up my nose he laughed.

“Maybe not.”

“I loved it
, but I don’t think I would ever be brave enough to ride one myself.” At this he smoothed back some hair that had come loose from my plait and sweetly planted a kiss on my forehead. I didn’t know what prompted it and I didn’t ask.

“Be careful when getting off, you might be a bit unsteady.” He said giving me more room to swing my leg round. I felt tiny on this massive machine and even more so with Vincent
, who was at least six foot two. He wasn’t as bulky as his brother but he was still made from pure muscle on a sleeker level. His body was made for stealthier actions. His fighting skills more of a graceful dance that were the steps to a deadly song. Even his Angelic looks could be turned into a weapon with just one stare. He was like his brother in the way of the essence of leadership that just poured from him and it was easy to see the warrior commander beneath the cool countenance his eyes usually held.

As soon as my feet touched the ground I did the pathetic girly thing and nearly toppled over. He caught me as if he had been ready and pulled me to him for the second time.

“Easy.” He hummed and I wondered if he was aware that his arms had tensed around me. It was only when I placed my hands on his chest that he let me go.

“Thanks
.” I muttered shyly, still filled with the lush scent of male musk and leather.

I brought my bag round to the side, happy that it had survived the journey and glad I had brought one with me that had a long strap that crossed over my body. There were things inside that I was going to need.

“So, how did you know about this place?” I asked Vincent as I thought that no one but Draven and I were supposed to know about it. When I first told him my destination I had been surprised when he didn’t ask me where, not that I would have explained in full detail but getting to this point on the mountain was as close as a human like me would ever get to it. But Vincent hadn’t asked for directions or questioned why, he had just told me to hold on and off we went.

“Dom told me about this place when he thought you might have been in danger.” He answered as he walked to the edge to look over at the sheer drop.

“Why would he think that?”

“Because Keira, he maybe King
, but even Kings have enemies.” He said, again without looking at me.

“He
was
King but now…?” I let the horrible question linger and it was only then that Vincent turned to me and the pain there was understandable.

“Now…well that danger is over at least.” At this I shook my head making him raise an eyebrow at me but I didn’t comment. No, instead my mind just went back to that day in the warehouse and I wondered just how many more times on this journey were going to be filled with dangers just like that one.

“So when was that?” I asked getting back to the subject.

“Just before we left to look for the Oracle.” He said and he shrugged his shoulders as if it wasn’t a big deal. So I pushed further.

“Did you at least find her?”

“No.” Was the only answer I got and one I knew with absolute certainty was a lie. In a way the fact that it came from an Angel just made it all the worse and it was hard to hide the fact from my face. But nothing more was said and I walked past him further to the cliff’s edge.

“This will be fine.” I said kneeling down and opening my bag but I jumped when I felt myself being picked up.

“Hey! What are you doing?!” I said as I was being adjusted so that he had me in a more secure hold. He had taken his jacket and gloves off and I saw the way his biceps bunched when he had one arm under my knees and the other holding my back.

“Hold on to me, put your arms around my neck.” He said ignoring my surprise at suddenly being picked up.

“W…why?”

“Because this isn’t the cave, Keira” He stated calmly as he walked us both to the very edge.

“Vincent?” This time I was rewarded with an Angelic smile that was under laced with crazy intent.

“Oh God, not again!” I said grabbing him around the neck and burying my head there.

“Don’t worry sweetheart, I fly my wings better than I drive my bike.” Once he said this I looked up to see a pair of massive pure white wings erupt just as he took that last death step of the cliff. I screamed at our free fall and my plait fluttered past my head along with my stomach.

“Vincent!!!!!” I shouted and I could feel him laughing as the air tunnelled around us as we plummeted to the bottom. Then I felt a great whoosh and his heavenly wings opened and took us straight up like a deploying parachute.

“Come on, open those eyes for me, it’s beautiful up here and it would be a shame to miss it.” He spoke into my hair and I was surprised he could even manage words with the way I held on to his neck.
Hell, it was a miracle he could still breathe!

“I think I am good like this.” I said into his neck and being this close to him, the natural scent I inhaled was near intoxicating. He chuckled and I felt him tickle my back.

“Ahhh! What are you doing! Don’t you dare do that again, you got me?” I said sternly and this time he laughed harder.

“Oh
, I wouldn’t dare me, not from up here…now come on, just open your eyes and take one peek and I promise not to tickle you again…or I could…”

“Don’t you dare...! Ok, ok, I will look for heaven’s sake!” I snapped, not that he was bothered by it but at least it stopped him tickling my side.

I lifted my head from the little nook I preferred to stay in and opened my eyes for longer than a few seconds. Once I did this I found he was hovering at the same level for me to see the sunset over the mountains. It cast the skies out like fire and the National Park was the perfect shadowed frame to such beauty. The clouds created patterns on the landscape and beams shone down in the distance. It was one of the most beautiful sights I had ever seen this earth create and if I wasn’t being held over the deepest ridge so many feet in the air, then I would have loved nothing more than to paint it’s splendour and magnificence.

“See, I told you it was worth a look and as if I would ever drop you.” I looked up at him and he winked at me before we started to move again. I looked at the next beautiful sight behind us as his wings manipulated the air around them. They were so graceful and pure I wanted to smack him about lying to me earlier, knowing that nothing this heavenly should be allowed to sin.

He looked ahead and we changed directions slightly making me slam my eyes shut again. Like this I was being held more directly over the immense drop and I was happy when I felt Vincent’s muscles pull me closer against him.

“Keira, we are here
.” He said after a minute and I peeled my eyes open to find the dark cave. He let my legs slid down him and he held me steady until he knew I wouldn’t wobble all over the place like last time.

“It…it looks so cold
.” I said wrapping my arms around myself and feeling the familiar tugging at my heart. Vincent didn’t say anything but just turned from me, lit one of the torches on the wall and walked back to the edge.

“I will give you the time you need
.” He said in an emotionless tone and I watched as he launched himself up in the air with a little bend of his knees. I ran to the rock wall to grip on as I saw him fly off to where his bike was sat on the top of the mountain.

“Oh Vincent
.”
I whispered as the whiplash of his playful mood disappearing stung. I knew he was hurting just as I was but there was something else I couldn’t place, almost as though he had felt betrayed by someone. Of course, he knew how Draven had died so maybe that was it. Was that the reason he cursed the fates, had he felt betrayed? ‘Cause if that was the case then didn’t we all? Or did it have something to do with the Oracle? Could she have betrayed them and if so, what was her plans for me…was this journey, I was so blindly throwing myself into, safe?

There were just too many questions and never enough answers for someone like me. I was now out of the loop and that fact hurt a lot more than what I wanted to fully admit
, but the main question was…should I be telling Vincent about my plans? Every gut instinct in me told me no, but what if all this was a trap? Oh God, this was just hopeless!

I pushed away from the rock once I saw Vincent as a tiny speck walking over to his bike on the far side and he sat down as if to wait for me. Well I sure hope so,
‘cause otherwise the next people to find this cave would be in for a shock finding ‘cave dweller’ Keira’s remains curled up on a massive bed.

I looked around the space and became consumed with the image of Draven and I. His hands holding me down as he found home inside my body. The endless kiss that
had rooted his soul to mine every second that connection lasted. Every word uttered in that blissful sense of peace just being together created. Everything hit my chest like a tsunami of memories that made my knees give out. I landed on the bed and once again my body was overtaken with the depth of my loss. The very level of it was enough to render my body useless as the only thing it wanted to do now was weep, sob and cry out at the cruelty my life’s path had been thrown down.

I couldn’t understand why? Why lay my body down for only one person to take, someone I was supposedly made for, my one true soul mate if such things exist, why then let us join together in a love so
strong it could withstand all we had been through and still they decided to take him from me…it just didn’t make sense!

“I just want him back! Please…please…oh
Gods hear me now…I am on my knees begging!...BEGGING!...pl…ple…please.” At this point I lost it and fell forward into the bed and gripped the covers so tight I could hear them start to tear. I sobbed all I had left out into the one place I knew was so special to Draven and it just so happened to be the place I gave a dark Angel my virginity.

But where was my dark Angel now?!

After all the tears had broken the dam and all memories had seeped from my veins, I finally sat up. I took one last look around our special place and knew that there were only two possibilities that were going to happen. I was either going to be back here one day with Draven or if everything else failed, then I would never see this place again. Either option meant there was only one thing left for me to do.

“Time to say goodbye
.”

I pulled my bag round and took out the two things I needed. One was a letter I had written to Draven and the other was a large pair of scissors.

“I know there is no way for me to bury you or even attend a proper funeral, so this is the only way I know how to tell you one last time that I love you and that I will never stop believing that one day we will be together again. Whether in this life or the next, I will see you again but until then, I wanted you to have a part of my body along with that part of my soul you own. And well, I know how much you love this part so, now it can be yours forever. I love you Dominic Draven.” I said and then I held the blades to where I needed to cut and closed my eyes as I felt them cut through every strand of hair.