Afterlife - Stephanie Hudson Page 0,262

of jeans on and said “Aqui!” Which I knew meant “Here” in Spanish. Then she jumped on his arm digging her claws into his skin, which didn't even tear and more amazingly he didn't even flinch. He grabbed her beak in his fingers and shook it playfully.

“Are you ready for it baby?” He asked her as he was now looking up into her beautiful face and her eyes widened with what seem like excitement. She squawked an answer.

“Well you wanted to show off, so you'd better make this good old girl!” He teased before he produced something black and spiky in his hand. He then teased her again pretending to move his hand as if to throw it, catching her out. It reminded me of what I used to do to my grandparents’ dog Sandy, trying to make her go for a stick before it had left my hand. The second time however he did throw it making it rocket through the air and it went so far I couldn't follow it for long. He then put his arm down and lifted it quickly to send Ava off into the sky after it in a graceful dismount. She flew off until out of sight going so fast it was like trying to watch a bullet hit its target...too fast for human eyes.

“What was that you just gave her?” I asked as we walked back inside.

“You don't want to know,” he said smiling to himself as if I was missing something he didn't want to tell me.

“Yeah, sure I do,” I said hoping that I did.

“It was a bird's foot,” he said laughing at my face which was now screwed up as if I had just smelled something bad...like Frank's feet!

“She eats other birds, it's how she consumes her souls...and well for some reason she favours the feet, saving them for last.”

“Yuck! That's really gross. How do you know that?”

“Well firstly, I did tell you that you wouldn't want to know. Ava lets me into her mind but we share it when I am there and sometimes...well…she gets hungry!” He said pulling his own Yuck face!

“Ok I think I just hit my limit on the weirdo scale!” He laughed at my humour, which sent little sparks of pleasure down to my stomach. I loved the idea that I could make him laugh.

“So where did she come from?”

“Ava has been with me since the beginning, a gift from my father to keep an eye on us all. She is a demon of course, being a cross between a raven and a golden eagle to you and she has her own powers. But since she was sent she favoured me from the start and this is why she doesn't like...well you know?” He started to try and find the words I already knew he wanted to say so I finished them for him making it easier.

“You mean other woman you have been with!” I said rolling my eyes at him at his reluctance to finish that statement.

“Well yes, but I knew her connection with you would be different...she pleased me...trust me she is never normally that well behaved and has given me the run around a few times in the past. When she was young especially, she went through a stage of terrorising small villages, scaring them and aiming for the younger ones...for some reason she hated children!” I looked on wide-eyed trying to imagine how terrifying that must have been, as not so long ago I was also in the same mind.

“But with age she has become quieter and grumpier, spending most of her time alone as she prefers.”

“Aww, well I think she was sweet” I said putting my arms around his neck which seemed to be a weak spot of his as he melted into me doing what I wanted him to.....which was of course kiss me.

“I hate to put a downer on this good mood of yours but you will not think so kindly of me in a minute.” He smirked at the thought of me turning into an angry kitten no doubt!

“And why is that?”

“Because in a moment my sister is going to walk through those doors and take you away from me.” He didn't look happy at the prospect.

“Why?” I said hating the idea of even spending a minute from his side.

“She has it into her head that she is going to get you ready for the party tonight.” OH NO!

“No, no, you have to talk to her,