Afterlife - Stephanie Hudson Page 0,271

seconds! I placed it in my mouth and wiggled it round, holding one end secure. Then I folded the rest with my tongue making a loop and when I had it positioned right I pushed it through and as I pulled it out of my mouth I pulled it tighter with my teeth. I did this all under twenty seconds.

I held it up for everyone to see and dropped it back into my empty glass and slid it over to Aurora's place for her to have a closer look, feeling fantastic at my entertainment, as she had called it. I finally looked at the rest and I smiled at the surprise, but Sophia nudged me saying,

“That was brilliant! You have some skills there honey.” She said winking at her brother, who I could finally look at. He had the biggest, bad arse grin on his lips and he repositioned my head so that he could kiss me fully...in front of everyone! Once he had finished he turned Sophia and said,

“Oh yes, skills indeed!” And the whole table erupted into laughter...all accept one.

He moved my hair off my shoulder and came to my ear to tell me his private thoughts on my act.

“To say that I am impressed is a great understatement, I am sorry I doubted you but do you think I could get a private show later?” He said winking at me and I popped the cherry in my mouth trying to flirt back. Only it ruined it when his hand slid up my leg and I swallowed the stone in the middle. Thankfully he didn't notice as his hand rested there. I shuddered as his fingers flexed in and out on my skin as he drank the rest of his champagne.

This was by far the most relaxed I had felt and after a while even the looks that Aurora was trying desperately to receive back from Draven didn't bother me. Sophia was right, he never took his eyes off me and I swam in a sea of bliss, knowing this. I got to talk to his Council more and was included in all conversations as if I belonged, like I was a part of them now, like one of the family. As the night went on I could tell Draven was getting restless as his flirting only increased and he just didn't care who saw us and nor was he as embarrassed as I was. I just blushed at his attentions, which seemed to make him want me more. I tried not to tease but it seemed everything I did made him ask if time was up yet.

“Dom behave, the poor girl can't have a conversation! You will have her all to yourself soon enough....try and show some self-control.” Sophia said loud enough that I wanted to bury my head in a molehill! But he just laughed at his sister and leaned over around my back to get to her, pulling one of her curls down making it spring back up.

“Ouch! Dom, don't be a bully!” She said playfully and it seemed as if I was sat at the naughty table at a wedding.

“Sophia, don't be a baby and stop moaning...you don't see Keira complaining.” Vincent said back in a cool collected tone and I couldn't help but smile at the banter. Meanwhile Aurora looked at me as though she wanted to rip off my head and use it as an ashtray as she was smoking one long black cigarette.

Then something happened shattering the nights ease. Takeshi broke his glass in his hands making everyone stunned into silence. I was the only one that didn't know what this meant and when I looked his eyes were now glazed over in what looked like muddy water. They flickered, changing from black to clear like a stormy night. Then they cleared, resuming their normal state and he rose from his seat and walked behind Draven.

“Draven, there has been a development you need to see at once!” He said in the low calm voice he always used. Draven looked serious at him as if searching for what it was and when he found it he first looked at Vincent who got up and stood next to Takeshi. Then he looked at Sophia and it was as if she could hear his thoughts.

“Don't worry she will be safe,” she said smiling at me. Draven held my hand and pulled me up walking me away out of earshot.

“What is it?” I asked, concerned