The Triple Goddess

by Stephanie Hudson

Chapter 30

  The Demons That Want You

  Standing on the balcony looking down at a sight that was fast becoming a scene I was used to, was a little unnerving. Pip was next to me as usual and she smiled at my reaction. The Great Hall had been decorated like a Gothic Grotto and given Pip’s love of Jack from the ‘Nightmare before Christmas’ it didn’t take me long to know where she had got her inspiration from. It was dark and it was beautiful…in a weird way. But mostly, it was not the type of Christmas I was used to seeing. Where you would normally find mistletoe, there were single dead flowers hung down in ribbons and all the holly had been spray painted black.

  A large Christmas tree was the focal point like any room at this time of year but I had never seen one like this before. It was made from black stone and instead of twinkling lights there were actually candles burning on the solid ends of each branch dripping with wax and I was amazed to see each flame was a different eerie colour. There was a string of sparkling skulls hanging in the place of tinsel and instead of bright cheerful baubles there were ones with bloody body parts painted on Christmas paper wrapped around large balls with black laced ribbon tied in a bow at the top. Added to these were different sized glitter spider ornaments crawling over the thin stone branches.

  The rest of the room carried through the same theme, with glass bowls filled with black and white candy canes in the middle of every table and instead of green lush garlands there were swags and swags of cobwebs and instead of berried filled wreaths, there were burnt twigs twisted into large circles that were decorated with flashing red lights, little bats and different sized bird skulls.

  As far as crazy went, this room ticked all the right boxes! And of course it was all Pip’s doing.

  “Soooo, what do think Chickadee?” Pip asked nudging my shoulder. I couldn’t keep the smile from my face, even after one of the craziest days of my life, this…right here…well it was like the cherry on top of a very big friggin milkshake!

  “I think…Pip…you’re awesome!” I said making her start bouncing up and down like the big/little kid she wasn’t. For a change Pip wasn’t a living colour swatch but it was still very unique and completely Pip. She wore mostly black tonight and most of her outfit actually matched, which was a first for me to witness on Pip. Black pinstripe trousers were three quarter length that showed off her calf boots that were high shine black with bright green hands that looked like a monster was trying to drag her body off somewhere by the ankles. These were in the shape of cowboy boots but the pointed tips were curled up like a pixie’s.

  The rest of her outfit was a ruffled black top that was slashed diagonally baring one shoulder and in the middle was a tight half corset that was also pinstriped black and white, only a section the size of a dinner plate was cut out of the middle. Instead of a different type of material, there was a picture of an x-rayed middle, complete with part ribs, spine and the beginning of a pelvis bone. This was all framed with pretty white lace and rippling black ribbon.

  As far as outfits went this one definitely matched the best with the theme of the room which was no doubt why she chose it. After taking one look at Pip I was surprised I had let her pick my own outfit but thankfully she at least knew when to tone things down for other people.

  I had woken from the most incredible dream that Draven had controlled, down to the bitter end. Did I really think I could have just said goodbye to Draven and think he would have just gone on without me having someone new…no, I had not. But I had never counted on him wanting both of us either. Draven had neither denied or confirmed my fears when it came to Aurora but one thing the dream gave me was an absolute answer to whether my future included Draven or not. And he had made it more than clear that he was not willing to let me go, so what next…because one thing I was clear on, was my decision not to stay in Evergreen Falls if Draven did think he could have us both.

  I had opened my eyes, got up, looked at myself in the mirror and saw the very moment that the decision finalised in my mind. I was not going to be any man’s doormat, even if that man was Draven, so the answer was one I was quickly getting used to…I would simply leave.

  Of course by the time Pip had arrived I was just picking myself up from the sticky mess I resembled on the bathroom floor and without her knowing the full extent of my heartbreak, at the thought of leaving Draven, I had found refuge in the shower. By the time I came out I had my game face plastered on in the form of a smile, food on a plate and a dress waiting for me.

  The dress was like all the others had been… beautiful, tight and forced on a body more comfortable in jeans and a T-shirt. I think in this week alone I had worn more dresses than in my entire life but even this was not getting me used to the idea of playing dress up with Pip every night. Although it must be said that Pip was indeed a genius when it came to ‘Dressing the dolly’ as Pip worded it and tonight was no exception.

  Tonight’s dress was a strapless, large patterned lace top with a very wide black satin ruffled belt that tied in a large bow at the back. The ends of which trailed down the skirt that was a black floaty material with numerous layers that flared out above the knees. A pair of strappy black heels that had white lace ties, high up the ankles was to complete the outfit. The only thing missing was a pair of gloves that I would not be seen without. Thankfully Pip once again used her expertise and did as she had on the first night in the Great Hall and wrapped thick black ribbon around my forearms until they made unlikely sleeves with bows tied at the wrists.

  “So, you ready to rock, Toots?” One look at my frown said enough and didn’t match my answer when saying ‘yes’.

  “Right, well then…let’s get this showboat on the river.” Pip said with a wink making me roll my eyes behind her. I walked down the stairs, again being cautious of the spiked railings that made no sense at all, for their purpose I would never know and once again I found myself spending an evening in a room full of vampires. An evening that I should be spending sat in a dark room, getting shit faced drunk and singing ‘Think Twice’ by Celine Dion in my horrendous singing voice. I think the lyrics to that song would definitely be playing right about now if this was a movie of my life!

  As usual I followed Pip into the crowd, a crowd that were using the festivities as an excuse to play even more erotic games than they usually did. On one side of the hall there was food laid out like a breathing buffet and playing the role of serving trays were a naked man and woman spread eagled on long tables. Another section was closed off by knee high gates where two naked women were wrestling in what looked like a mixture of blood and snow with people around placing bets.

  “Ooooh the TTS wrestling has already started.” Pip clapped excitedly and I raised an eyebrow.

  “TTS?” I asked already knowing the answer would weird me out even more than the man eating a vol au vent off a man’s nipple then turning to pass it on to the next in line…using his mouth... Eww.

  “Taste. Touch. Sex. The one who makes the most money gets the winner for the night”

  “And the loser?” I was almost scared to ask.

  “Oh, everyone else gets to play with them.” I almost choked.

  “But there’s like twenty people around there!” I was horrified at the idea but Pip just gave me a smirk as if to say ‘Naive much’.

  “Yeah, and if I know that blue haired little slut like I do then she will lose on purpose!” I shot a look her way and nearly bumped into a man leading another man on a dog chain over to the sex/food conga that was happening near the bar….man what some people could do with spray cream I thought, shaking my head.

  “Well, I think someone is going to be sore in the morning.” I said referring to the blue haired beauty that I remembered seeing at Lucius’ feet the first night. Speaking of whom, the man himself sat watching our every move like some damn hawk at his perch. Ok, so one hot looking hawk I would give him that and damn, tonight was no different.

  Lucius made the smart casual look into something beyond sexy, he also made it da
ngerous and risky. He sat there in a pair of charcoal coloured jeans that looked tight in all the right places or for me…all the wrong ones. To this he added a black shirt open at the top and tucked into his jeans showing his gunmetal studded belt. The sleeves were rolled up his forearms showing the strength in his corded pale arms.

  But it was the light grey waistcoat that was fitted tight to his large upper body that was making me gulp at the sight of him. His hair was pushed back from his face as usual which made his penetrating features stand out like an angry beacon. Sculptured cheekbones led up to a pair of deep set eyes, the colour of a storm brewing, which took in my form the way I did to him. I could see from here the twitch of a smirk playing at one corner of his mouth and I couldn’t help the frown. One he full out laughed at, the bastard!

  I tried not to let it show but considering the last time I had seen Lucius, it was hard not to blush the way my body always did, giving away my embarrassment. Last night I had shamefully called out his name when finding my pleasure and there was no way I could go back on that, no matter how guilty I felt. But last night the memory of seeing Draven making love to Aurora had scarred me until I needed another vision to take it away. Lucius had been that vision and as guilty as I did feel about that I couldn’t find it in myself to regret it. Now, if the fantasy had been real then that would be a different story but the fact remained that when I thought I had been alone I had come apart at the thought of Lucius’ hands touching me and Lucius had witnessed the whole thing!

  Not good Keira…so not good!

  So what to do now in that kind of situation, the only thing I could do…pretend like nothing happened and pray like a horny nun that Lucius wouldn’t mention anything about it…yeah like that was ever going to happen!

  I watched Pip go bouncing up the steps to the raised seating area where Lucius and his minions sat, one nicely placed to watch over his kingdom like some King of the Pride. And at that moment Lucius reminded me of more Lion than man. His gaze was predatory as always, taking in every weary move I made and when I must have frozen he motioned me forward with two flickering fingers. I wondered at that moment if he could hear my pulse racing as my feet finally gave in to the movement he wanted them to make.

  I followed Pip’s steps, although not as exuberant as when she did it, but soon I was stood directly in front of Lucius as though I was awaiting criminal sentence for my actions. Then he surprised me by standing up which in turn caused me on instinct to step back. He noted my retreat and raised an eyebrow. For a moment the whole room seemed to stop and only the music from a solo pianist on stage filled the Great Hall. Then Lucius’ voice cut through the silent time like his favourite weapon.

  “Come here, Keira girl!” He said, which was nothing short of an order, one I had no option but to obey. I bravely walked towards him around the large centre table and only came to a stop when I was directly in front of him. It felt like the first night seeing him all over again. Palms sweaty, heart pumping like a generator, all in reaction to not knowing what was going to happen.

  Then he surprised me by looking me up and down before pulling me roughly to his chest. I let out all the air I was holding in with an umf sound and he lowered his head to my ear.

  “You are stunning enough to make a beating heart shudder but you test me by making me wait for the sight. Now sit, my Keira girl!” With that he spun me around to face the crowd, one staring at us, and sat down with his arm still around my waist taking me with him. Before I could get my bearings on what had just happened, a black goblet was placed in my hands and I found myself drinking it back before the taste registered.

  “Mulled wine?” I asked, but Pip was the one to answer me, making me focus her way.

  “Yep, I had it made just for you, Toots.” She said smiling which flashed me her lip ring in the wall of red fairy lights behind her and Adam.

  “Umm…Thanks,” I said giving her a shy little smile.

  “You’re umm welcome.” She mocked, making Adam pull a curl of her hair. I smiled at him and he winked behind her at me. I then had to look away as she twisted round in his lap and started attacking his lips, which reminded me a bit like a face hugger from the Alien movie. I saw Liessa looking graceful as ever in a gorgeous ink blue dress that cut across the shoulders and came down into a pencil skirt which showcased her beautiful long legs. Legs that were resting on the lap of one pissed off looking Caspian. Man did that big dude ever look happy? Even as he lovingly ran his hands up and down Liessa’s smooth looking legs he still didn’t look happy….maybe she hadn’t shaved for a few days, I thought cheekily.

  And then there was Lucius’ Kimosabe, who instead of being called Tonto was named Hakan. This was one dude who I still hadn’t figured out and what was with all that wire that was twisted around him like it always belonged there? Well one thing was for sure, Lucius’ council were certainly an interesting bunch of unusual suspects. Of course none were as mind bending as the man himself…Lucius.

  I was surprised that instead of a confident reminder of his role last night he chose not to say a word about it. Instead the night went on as any other with the same possessive display of having me sat where he wanted and sharing his drinks with me every now and again, even though German beer and mulled wine didn’t really mix, I couldn’t find myself turning down his offer. It was like being taken care of and this show he put on was for my own benefit amongst this crowd, that much he had made clear on the first night and every night since.

  I would have liked to have hated Lucius, hell it would have made it so much easier but the truth was, the more time I spent around him I was beginning to understand not the Vampire that ruled all others but the man that had been there before… before the living darkness that met him every time he woke. I saw the man who felt betrayed by his faith and who had forsaken his soul as a result.

  “Pip, take Keira back to her room. Now!” Lucius’ command brought me out of my trance and I noticed two things in seconds. One being the room had now dropped the volume to a deathly silence and the other, every muscle at my back was now as ridged as a plank and I could practically hear Lucius’ teeth grinding.

  “I don’t think…” Pip started to say as the crowd parted to let though a figure I’d hoped never to see again.

  “I know Pip, there won’t be time. It is as he planned.” Lucius said in a growl and I could almost hear him weighing up the different options in his mind. But it was too late for that now, Malphas was here and one look told me everything I needed to know…

  He was here for me.

  Chapter 31

  Being Triple Crossed

  Malphas was not a Being you would ever forget meeting and it took me back to the night that I had foolishly put myself in harm’s way just to piss off Draven. And just like then, I felt a chill run down my spine like the long fingernails on his pale hands. He walked through the room like he owned the place and from the looks of people around him cowering away, there seemed to be some solid backing to the arrogance he wore.

  As before, he was wearing a suit with some sort of half cape to the side. I wanted to say it looked corny, 1930’s Dracula style but unfortunately I would have been lying. If anything it just made him look more royally powerful and judging by everyone in the room getting out of his way, they felt it too. His suit was black with a strange deep red piping around the edges. The dark clothes just made his pale features all the more startling and his piercing eyes were directed on only one person…me!

  I think Lucius must have felt my reaction because his grip on my waist tightened and I was drawing safety from it like a leech. Malphas quickly noted the position I was in as he mounted the dais, clearly intent on being heard.

  Two guards followed close behind him and one of them motioned to someone in the crowd who went running off like his ass was on fire…can’t say I blamed him as I felt like doing the same….Hell at this point I wouldn’t have been opposed to a rocket in the same place, at least that way it would have got me out of here quicker!


  “Malphas.” Lucius acknowledged and this brought an evil leer from his thin lips.

  “Lucius.” His hoarse voice had me wincing and the memory of how bloody reckless I had been on Halloween put me back in the Limo with the man that was trying to convince me how much I had meant to Draven. But now I knew why he found this so important. After all you can’t be a pawn if you’re not on the damn chess board!

  “I would say it is a pleasure but as you know I would be lying, so time to cut through the shit…what are you doing here?” Lucius’ voice took on a tone I only had heard when roaring out his dominance and a strange thrill ran through me. I guess it was the same as going to a boxing match and seeing the fighter you supported get in a good uppercut.

  “Ah, as always the politician,” Malphas commented sarcastically.

  “I don’t care for your kind’s idea of politics,” Lucius counteracted. Meanwhile the man in the crowd that had made a run for it, had come back with a fitting chair for Malphas to sit in, one high backed and cushioned…one word went through my head…pansy!

  “Nor do you care to keep your word on certain matters.” He said after taking his seat and resting his foot across his knee.

  “You never had my word Malphas, at the time you just had my acceptance on your plans…plans that changed along with that acceptance. I would have thought I had made myself clear on that, but if not, then let me now.” Lucius’ voice had gone from authoritative to lethal in the time it took for one of Malphas’ eyebrows to rise. Then I gasped when one of his guards held Malphas by the shoulder and the other guard put his hand around his throat. Malphas didn’t move, not like he could even if he wanted to but one thing I did think odd, considering he had his neck in a big guard’s hands, was that he didn’t even look fazed by it.

  “I may not be able to control you so close to the Winter Solstice, but do not underestimate me Malphas, you will not be leaving here with the girl as you no doubt planned.” At Lucius saying this I felt like adding on my own ‘Yeah Asshole!’ but thankfully thought better of it. For starters Malphas was one scary ass pale dude, one I didn’t think it wise to piss off any more than Lucius was already doing. I expected Malphas to admit defeat and leave at this point…it is what any sane person would have done considering the feral vibes coming from Lucius in an invisible steam but no, instead he simply smiled.