Afterlife - Stephanie Hudson Page 0,246

and motioned for me to take the seat in between himself and Sophia. I had never felt so out of place before in my life and I wanted to just get up and run away from how bad I felt. Why had I agreed to this? I was surrounded by scary guys and the most gorgeous girls.

Sophia was, as always, breathtakingly beautiful in her red bell shaped dress with perfect lips to match. And then on the other side was Celina with her amazing red hair that twisted down to one side making a cascade of curls that lay on her shoulder. She wore a black corseted dress that went up to one side mirroring her hairstyle. The black satin material made her hair look more wild and alive, like a head full of fire snakes.

I looked like the thorn amongst the roses and I couldn't understand why on an earth full of such beauties as these, he would want something as pale and plain as me. I couldn't swallow the self-conscious imagine I held of myself even when someone as Godlike as Draven sat here next to me. I wanted to turn to him and just scream out why... WHY ME! I knew the reason I had flown off the handle when Draven had described the feeding habits of Angel and Demons. Because finally it would have made perfect sense in a world that was completely void of all normality. Finally a reason I could comprehend, something I could grasp on to. One that made me understand what it was he was getting out of it.

“Lauren!” Draven had called over another beauty just to seal the lid on my pit of jealously. He leaned into me putting his hand on mine, bringing me out of my mental breakdown.

“Keira, what would you like to drink?” I turned to face him knowing exactly what I needed.

“Tequila with salt and lime please,” I said and his face exhibited shock.

“Really?” He whispered and I just nodded but the rest of the table looked amused.

“Bring a bottle, we will all have a drink.” He ordered and then he turned to me and kissed me on the top of my head making me stare at him in amazement, why would he do that in front of everyone.

“So Keira, now you know about us are you very angry at me for burning down our school?” Sophia asked me very sweetly.

“WHAT!” I shouted in shock and every eye stared at me, as this was the most noise I had made. I instantly regretted it but come on. She can't drop a bombshell like that on me and expect me not to react like a...well like a human!

“Sorry to shout but what? You did that...why?” I asked and I could hear her giggling along with a few others.

“Sophia, I hadn't got round to that yet!” Draven said and I shot him a look. Of course he had known.

“It wasn't just my idea Keira and besides we have paid so much into that place over the years it was about time we got some fun out of it.” She said sounding as if she had done this type of thing a few times before.

“You just love the pretty flames don't you Zagan?” She nudged him in a teasing way but he just shot her a look under his hood and then playfully pinched her nose. I couldn't help but laugh at the sight.

“So are you going to tell me why?” I asked but she was like a child and she reached across me and poked her brother’s arm.

“Nope but he will now he's not boring anymore.”

“Sophia behave!” He said trying to be stern but failing miserably. He then leaned into me again and said,

“I will tell you later.” He gave me a smouldering look that could have burnt my skin from my jelly filled bones. What was it with this man and what he could do to me with just one look. Of course this feeling amplified when he raised his hand to my neck to grip it gently. It sent a bolt of sexual sensations right down my spine and straight to my girly bits making me tighten my thighs. It was such a mark of possession by the most powerful man in the room, there was only one reason for it...

It was clearly a warning.

Then Loz came with our drinks. She set down the shot glasses all bunched together near me and then the bottle, which was