The Quarter Moon (Afterlife saga) (37 page)

In the Book of Enoch it is explained that Jared also meant "he who shall rule" because of his family connections that
, unsurprisingly, were not of this world. This made him the perfect host in which to merge with the Hellbeast that the club mistakenly released in their moronic attempt to gain entry to Hell. Just to mention at this point, I was not including myself in this stupidity as I actually had good, solid, valid reasons for my quest, not because I was some jumped up, spoilt rich man that didn’t know what else to do with his money and wanted to impress his friends!

No
, guessing that I didn’t exactly like the sound of this Dashwood guy after Jared’s story and I didn’t try to hide the fact. This I could tell when Jared’s molten eyes turned soft, that he liked my bitch rant that erupted upon hearing what was done to him. Anyway, as the story continued I found I was glad these actions at least bought about the end to the stupid club!

This didn’t surprise me as
, until this point, it was just about a load of rich guys playing dress up and convincing themselves they had dark powers by worshiping Hades (who Jared told me was known better as the Devil or Lucifer). What they didn’t know was that the Devil couldn’t have given two donkey shits about what these guys thought (Jared’s actual words) but he was then not too pleased when they stole his Alpha guard dog Cerberus. This part was a complete accident, as they didn’t realise fully that the man Paul Whitehead chose, was the only one who would automatically absorb Cerberus, acting as his host. Therefore Jared and Cerberus merged into man and Beast combined.

I couldn’t help but ask the question, why he couldn’t just go home? The answer came as this,

“Once bound to a host, you need one of royal blood to send you back and considering I was royal blood, there was no going back.” This made some sense until he started to explain about why he needed a heart to get me back in through ‘his’ gate.

After Jared Cerberus had been reborn
, his first job was to close the gate and in the same way it had been opened, he needed a heart to bind to it to keep it locked. It didn’t take him a second before he knew exactly which heart to choose…one belonging to Paul Whitehead. I had gasped a bit at the thought of him ripping the steward’s heart out, which made him laugh before explaining further.

“I didn’t kill him Keira, although when I first woke
, I will admit it was an appealing thought.” I released the breath I had been holding and he smiled. Then he explained how he bound Whitehead’s heart (whilst it was still beating) and the Hellfire Club was no more. I think after royally fucking up their first ritual they had learnt their lesson (Again Jared’s words, not mine).

But that
still wasn’t the end of it. It was decided, or more like demanded on Jared’s part, that when Paul Whitehead died, which he did in 1774, that his heart then belonged to Jared. It was then placed in an urn at the Mausoleum that was situated on top of the hill where the caves were chiselled a quarter of a mile into. For reasons Jared didn’t explain, all parties involved thought it best to keep the heart close to the caves and this worked well enough for years until in 1829, the heart was stolen by an Australian sailor.

This,
believed by Jared, was down to a man named Admiral Sir James Stirling who was captain of the HMS Success at the time. He was in London at the end of 1828 with the Foreign Office trying to gain support for a settlement in the vicinity of the Swan River, Australia.  He then departed right after receiving the heart from one of his lackeys on the 6 February 1829.

I naturally asked the question why…as in, a lot!  But this was something he admitted h
e didn’t have all the answers to. He did know, however, that all people involved were under the influence of his kind. The worst news came after this story was finished and that was that even to this day he still didn’t know where the heart of Paul Whitehead remained. This was going to be a big problem for me, considering I needed that bloody heart!

He explained
, after another rant of mine that consisted mostly of my lack of luck in life, that without the heart there was no way he could open the gate. This sucked the big one, which brought me back to now and why I was washing my hair like a woman possessed.

So there you have it, why man and beast became one and how the first werewolf was born…or kind of anyway
, as I still wasn’t sure what beast Jared turned into! I did know, however, I was totally screwed! We made a deal that he would help me, but what the ruggedly handsome bastard missed out when we were taking our vows, was that he couldn’t actually help me, not unless I was the one who magically found the heart.

Which wa
s when I came to the conclusion, after I had finished punishing my abused scalp, that it was in fact exactly what I had to do. I just hoped that a trip to Australia wasn’t on the cards, as it was a Hell of a long way to go and not really what I had in mind when planning my trip down under…although I’m sure it could be hot as Hell all the same!

I got out
of the shower, dried, dressed and was rubbing a towel in my hair when I walked into the suite’s sitting room. Jared was now up and looked like he too had showered. I was surprised to see him without his jacket and his sandy hair now wet and slightly darker waves curling back from his hands. He looked so beautiful with the sun from the window lighting up his perfect features. Those high cheek bones, those ochre coloured eyes that matched the tawny stubble that dusted his jaw. I saw the darker ring of his Ouroboros pulse when his gaze turned to me. He gave me a head jerk and said,

“You alright
, øjesten?” I gave him a small smile and walked to him. I don’t know why but I gave his hair a little ruffle and said,

“I am
, but you must be ready to consume a whole cow by now, it’s at least noon.” I joked making him release one of those, ‘I’m not really angry but still a badass’ growl at me that I laughed at.

“Don’t worry big guy, I’ll call room service
.” I looked back and smirked when I saw he was trying not to smile but when the edge of his lip curled up, both of us knew he was on a losing battle. I flopped down on the yellow couch and picked up the hotel menu. Then my eyes went sideways to note he was still watching me and I decided I wasn’t satisfied with just a hidden smile, so I said,

“So
, should I just order you a steak in every cut they do, or do you just eat it raw from the bone…? You look like a bloody steak kinda guy.” The look I got made me laugh out loud and then I was fully satisfied when I saw him crack and start laughing along with me. And just like that, all the tension from the previous night was lost and added to the frightening past vault in my head. Worryingly it was getting quite full in there and I was only 23…oops no, now 24!

“
Gimme that, you cocky little shit.” He said, trying to go for stern only failing, this by the crinkles around his eyes giving away his enjoyment my banter brought him.

“Hey! Enough of the little shit
, big guy or I can easily find you a new nickname, one less flattering to your physique.” I said after throwing the menu at him on the ‘Hey’ part of that.

I ordered room service and while we were waiting I explained all that Jared had told me to Sigurd. I felt bad doing this but knew I had no choice than to share
‘cause I was seriously at a loss on what to do next. Sigurd didn’t look at all surprised at my story and I put this down to being his age, he must have heard something about the King of the Hell Beasts. I mean, for a big player in his world like Sigurd I doubted when someone like Alpha Cerberus goes missing, it is simply swept under the Demonic carpet.

I sat back waiting for some genius idea but when the silence grew to lip biting proportions I snapped.

“So? What do we do now?” His head snapped up and he said,

“Fucked if I know!” I took that as a resounding he didn’t know.

I deflated back to the sofa just as room service knocked. I got up to get it saying sarcastically,

“No, no, please don’t get up…I’ll get it
.” He laughed at my grumbling and I groaned angrily when he said,

“Then get to it
, little woman.” Ok, so I gave him that one, it was a good come back and if his laughter was anything to go by then he knew it also. I opened the door wide for the guy to wheel in the trolley that as predicted, was filled mostly with meat. I then looked around the room trying to locate my bag.

“Umm, just one sec
.” I said to the guy, trying to find my bag that would lead to my purse, which would then lead to this guy getting a tip. I looked to Sigurd and mouthed ‘bag?’ who nodded to a single chair by the window and there it was. I looked back to the fidgeting bellhop, who looked uncomfortable with my strange antics. I soon knew why when it was obvious he couldn’t see Sigurd and saw me mouthing words to inanimate objects. Oh well, bigger tip it is.

I scram
bled in my bag for a second, when I felt the Ouroboros book and that’s when it hit me and also when I had to triple the tip for I shouted out,

“Son of a bitch!”

Chapter 34

Asking the Obvious

After I had sufficiently freaked out the poor room service guy and it had cost me a few notes, I turned back to Sigurd and jumped up and down with the book clutched to my chest. Needless to say, this was after the door closed. I didn’t know if I was surprised or not that Sigurd was more interested in the food trolley than the sight of his book. Either way it was obvious the steaks were a good choice. I sighed and joined him when my stomach started to complain about its neglect.

“What’s with all these rules anyway?” I said after swallowing a milk chocolate, Earl Grey and raspberry macaroon, yes that’s right, I said Earl Grey in a macaroon! Gotta love some afternoon tea action in London!

Sigurd raised his head to see me cross-legged at the coffee table having just devoured most of the goodies on the three tier cake stand. I had the open Ouroboros book next to me and the looks I kept receiving from Sigurd, told me he was worried I would get clotted cream or posh egg salad on his precious pages. I had to grin every time.

“Well, considering you are the first to be blood bonded to me and the first human’s blood tasted by its pages, then I have no clue, as I have not yet read them.” I gave him my deepest frown and then skidded the book across the floor to where he sat.

“There you go buddy boy, knock yourself out!” I said with attitude and stuffed down the remainder of a scone piled high with a cream and jam tower.

“I think I prefer big guy
, if you don’t mind.” I almost choked on a swallow when he added a wink. Of course, he knew he had won a round when the only come back was a lame,

“Whatever
.”

“Ok
, so it’s obvious that given the first rule, the only way to break this bond is to kill me, which I would prefer was a last resort…if you don’t mind.” I gave him a mocking smile as my answer.

“And the other?”

“To kill you.”

“Ah!” I said nodding a frightening understanding in a comical way. Because let’s face it, anything other than humour right now and
I would end up a sticky mess on this expensive floor in a pool of my own misery.

“So blood buddy, does this mean you will be joining us for Christmas dinner t
his year or what?” Again my coping mechanism came through in the form of sarcasm.

“I am thinking no
.” I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Jeez, mum is gonna be so disappointed not to have my very own blood brother over for the festivities this year
.” A little corner of a smile emerged and he said,

“I’ll send a card” This made me laugh out loud.

“So, the rest is basically saying that it isn’t a great idea for another to read the book or try and destroy the book. I also wouldn’t advise using it to start a book club, considering anything that kills its readers isn’t ever gonna make the best seller list.”

“
Ain’t that the truth.” I agreed.

“And the last rule?” I asked referring to the cryptic words of ‘Communication of the bound cannot converse in a parallel time but speaking what needs to be said will find a time unparalleled’
. This time Sigurd ran both hands through his hair and scratched the back of his head before answering.

“I am only assuming that this means that the Oracle has found a way to communic
ate through the book to you…and I take it from that spark in your eyes, that this has happened before.

“Yeah, right after she gave me the book a message appeared…well I say message in the loosest sense of the word considering it was like a cracking a Dan Brown novel!”

“A what?” He asked me with clear confusion written all over his face.

“Seriously?” I asked and he shrugged his shoulders before I muttered,

“Forget about it. Ok, so this is what we do know…We need a heart from a dead asshole that was stolen and could quite possibly be in bum fuggle nowhere of some Australian outback being eaten by coyotes as we speak, although, eww for them right?” He held up a hand and said,

“Ok…what now?”

“What, I didn’t leave that part out of Jared’s story did I?”

“What the fuck is ‘bum
fuggle nowhere’ Keira?” I couldn’t help it, I burst out laughing again.

“I don’t like saying the F word unless it’s completely warranted, so that’s what
fuggle means…look can we get back to my rant?” You could tell he was really trying to hold in his laughter and I was even impressed when he restrained himself and just motioned me to continue, with a hand gesture.

“Ok
, so even if when we ask the book where it is and we catch a break when it gives the answer clear as day, then what…? I mean I still have to get Jared to fulfil his side of the bargain, break into the Hellfire Caves and then somehow break out my boyfriend…I don’t know about you but this seems like a lot of breaking of things.”

“Yeah like a
shit load of rules, that’s what. Shouldn’t kids at your age be getting drunk off your ass at parties and shit?” I gave him a disgusted and insulted look and said,

“Really…kids my age?”

“My mistake oh old and wise one, please remind me, exactly how many wars have you lived through again?” He asked crossing his arms over his chest and waited for my answer.

“Alright smart ass, let’s just get on with the problem at hand should we
.” His look said it all…

He had won another bloody round!

The rest of the day continued with me and Sigurd bickering like we were actually related. It was as if the more time we spent together the stronger the bond became. We would start finishing each other’s sentences and pretty soon all it would take was a single look and we knew what the other was thinking. But it was strange and not at all in a brotherly way, as there was no ignoring the unique pull that was heating up between us. For example, at one point in the day I got up to sit next to him, just because something in me needed the closeness. It was only after he started playing with my fingers that rested near his own, that I realised he needed that connection just as I did.

The other weird factor in all this was that it didn’t seem to be a solely sexual urge, which helped in controlling myself around him. It was almost like o
ur bodies’ cells were communicating to each other and needed the contact to increase the intensity. This was the one thing we both avoided mentioning and I was glad. More than glad in fact, as I think my skin would have bubbled from my cheeks if this conversation ever arose. I mean here I was looking for death defying ways to spring my soul mate from a slammer in Hell and I was acting like a damn cat needing to be stroked!

Shameful
, Keira Williams!

Thankfully 5:36 rolled around quick
ly enough and I sat staring at the clock on both my phone and the grandfather clock which displayed the same time right down to the last minute. Well, you could never be too careful and Sigurd obviously found this highly amusing as he didn’t refrain from taking the piss out of me whenever he could. The last time he got shushed, as I only had one minute to go.

Then it came. I looked down at the closed book and took a deep breath to ask the only question that mattered right now.

“Mighty book of the Ouroboros…” I started all official sounding before Sigurd interrupted me,

“Jesus Keira
, let’s just get on with this shit…Book tell us where the damn heart is!?” My mouth dropped on a gasp as disbelief set in.

“You did not just do that!
” I said turning slowly as anger filtered through my blood stream, taking root of my actions and when he shrugged his shoulders and said,

“What?” I let rip. I launched myself at him…literally. I saw his eyes widen quickly just before I land
ed on him and extracted an ‘umph’ sound before I slapped at his arms over and over again.

“What the
Hell?” He shouted but his questioning was being drowned out by my rage.

“WHY!? Why did you do that?
You idiot!” He quickly grabbed my attacking arms and restrained me, pinning my upper body to his chest.

“Calm down!”

“Sod your calm down! Why? That was our one shot today and you ruined it! You…you…” I accused looking him straight in his eyes, one burning with a snake ring that started to move at the sight of my anger.

“Keira…”

“You just don’t care! How could you do this to me?!” I was so lost in my devastation that I was missing what he was trying to tell me. He growled loudly and then gave my pinned arms a shake.

“Keira
, look!”

“I just can’t believe it, why you…!”

“Christ øjesten, just look for fuck sake!” My scowl turned into a drop dead plasma death stare before I turned my head to look at the failure of knowledge that I was certain I would find in a closed book. Of course, I didn’t expect to see the book open and filled with new crimson words staining the pages. I also didn’t handle his reaction to my ‘overreaction’ in the best possible way either. I turned my head back to see all the amber in his eyes being replaced by a dark storm and a glowing snake. Man, even his snake looked pissed with me!

So I did the only thing I could think of doing to defuse the situation. I gave him a nervous smile and mumbled a sheepish,

“Uh…my bad?” His eyes flashed darker and his lips remained in a straight line of disproval. So I tried a different approach, this one named bullshit. I leaned forward, gave him a kiss on the cheek and patted his back saying,

“Just kidding big guy, I knew you wouldn’t let me down…good job partner
.” I tried to extract myself from his lap after he let loose another deep and throaty growl. However, when his fingertips bit into my arms before shifting down to hold my spread thighs in place, I decided the only course of action was to let him have his moment and bit my lip. Oh and I added a little whispered sorry in there for good measure. Luckily, this one clinched it for me as the darkness left his eyes and his hands became less demanding and more soothing.

“Do not let distrust taint the bond we have again
, Keira…do you understand?” He demanded and I could only give him a small nod in return, now feeling a bit ashamed. He held me a little bit longer and his assessing gaze must have found my shame, for he then rested his forehead to mine.

“My silly blood mate
.” He said in a soft voice that only held a hint of the scolding I deserved.

“I’m sorry
.” I whispered again and he nodded once before letting me go.

“I know you are øjesten. Now go and get the answers you seek before you drive me insane
.” I gave him a little sideways smile and jumped from his lap to do just that. When I saw the words of hope I had so desperately needed right now, I had to close my eyes briefly in a silent prayer of thanks. That was until of course I opened them again and actually read those words!

Nine keystones sit at the Entrance

As guardians to the river Palace,

At a time after housing Royals

To become an Admirals place for Malice.

“Oh
, you have got to be shittin’ me!” Sigurd groaned, slapped his palms to his knees and then sat up to lean forward at the sound of my outburst.

“Christ
, what now?” He asked when I let my head fall forward on the coffee table where I was sat with my legs folded under. I banged my forehead against the open book in hopes that a good smack to the brain might help in decoding this cryptic nonsense.

“Maybe you
’re right, maybe I should just be getting stupid drunk with all the other kids, ‘cause I am telling you right now, this party is no fun!”

“Well
, before we breakout the cheap cider or beer that tastes of piss, let’s take a look shall we?” He leant across and whipped the book from under my head like a magician with a table cloth, making my forehead slap the top.

“Uh…
oww!” Not surprising, I didn’t get much of a reaction to my rough treatment. However, this was soon forgotten when I thought I heard angels singing in the form of Sigurd saying,

“I know where this is
.”

“You do?
” I shouted and jumped to my feet to plant myself in the seat next to him.

“I do. There is only one build
ing that had nine keystones which referred to the principle rivers in England at its entrance. One that was built to be a palace to then be used by the Navy Board.”

“And that is?” I asked gripping onto his forearm in anticipation.

“Somerset House.” He replied to my question in a way that he must have been sure of my knowing it. It was confirmed that I didn’t quickly after when I frowned and repeated,

“And that is?” This wa
s when he released a trademark groan of frustration, something I was quickly getting used to considering I seemed to spend most of my time around Sigurd, annoying the crap out of him.

“Never mind, I will explain on the way
.”

“You mean we
’re going now?” I asked not even trying to mask my excitement.