Cult of the Hexad (Afterlife saga Book 6)

by Stephanie Hudson

  “I left the door to the dressing room open for you, after first checking it this time of course. I will leave you to dress in peace, for I fear if I have to lay witness to your beautiful body any longer then I will never let you out of our bed.” I loved the way he called it ‘our’ bed and I was still smiling to myself long after he left.

  It was only when I was up and had wrapped the comforter from the bed around myself that I started to wonder what he had meant when talking about the dressing room? Why had he needed to check it before I went in there? Also I hoped that he meant for me to go in there to get my bag because I very much doubted that he had anything that would fit, unless I could wear one of his shirts as a dress.

  I circled the bed, kicking the covers so I could actually walk until I saw the dressing room he spoke of. I approached the open doorway and got no further. I don’t know what was wrong with me but I couldn’t physically step in there and when I tried I ended up staggering back against the bed. What the hell was going on!? I got up angrily and tried again, ready to storm right in there but that’s when it hit me…

  This time I was terrified.

  “Katie?” I heard him approach from behind as he said my name gently, probably wondering what I was doing just standing in a sheet and staring into that room like it held all the answers. But that was it wasn’t it? That was the reason for him checking it.

  “This is where it happened…wasn’t it?” I asked him quietly.

  “Yes, it was.” The pain in which he said this was heart wrenching.

  “I don’t remember.” I told him letting a single tear fall. He didn’t say anything but he put his arms on the top of my shoulder as though knowing I needed the comfort only his touch could give me.

  “I don’t remember anything and I don’t know how to get it back or if I ever will. I don’t even know what they took from me…what they took from you, I know none of it! And yet when I look at this room now I find myself terrified that they will take it all away from me again and I don’t even know what they took! I don’t fucking know! Why don’t I know…WHY!?” I shouted the last part getting so angry that I let him turn me around, putting my back to the room. He then took me in his arms and I cried for what I hoped was the last time.

  “Ssshh, it will be alright. We are together now and that is all that matters. We will fight this as one, we will get your memories back…you are not alone anymore.” I suddenly pulled myself from his arms and walked away for a moment before telling him the root of my fears.

  “But what if I never get them back?! What if it’s impossible and they are lost forever!?” He folded his arms, took a deep breath and said,

  “Then I don’t care.”

  “You don’t care?” I questioned, I had to because deep down I knew what it meant to him. I knew what it meant to get his wife back.

  “No. I don’t care because we can make new memories, we have all our lives to do that.”

  “But…”

  “All I care about is you. All I care about is that I’ve got you back and I am never letting you go again.” He said interrupting me and I knew this was the point where I had to tell him my greatest fear before I fell too hard and I knew I would never return. Hell, who was I kidding, I was already there! But I had to do this…I had no choice. So I told him the truth.

  “But what if it’s not real?” He frowned not understanding where I was going with this.

  “I don’t…”

  “What if I am not her? What if I am not your wife!?” I snapped knowing my emotions were feeding my fear. He shook his head and said,

  “You are.”

  “But you don’t know that…not for certain.” I argued.

  “Yes, I do.” He seemed so sure and it was such a beautiful thing to witness. I was half tempted to agree and spend the rest of my life wishing for that very thing. But what if I wasn’t and what if there was a girl lost out there who just happened to look exactly like me. No, I couldn’t do it. I had to tell him the truth…I had to make him understand once and for all.

  “But you don’t know me. My name is Katie…Katie O’Brian. I have a Mother called Cynthia O’Brian who doesn’t give a shit about me ever since my Father, Matthew O’Brian died in a car crash when I was seven. The only person who loves me in this whole world is my twin sister Ari and what did I do…? I fucking left her! I left her to those bastards at the Colony!”

  “Sweetheart…” I turned away in shame and angrily wiped the tears from my face that now ran freely.

  “I left the only person I had in the world and I don’t even know if she is still alive! And what am I doing, having the time of my life with a man I have been dreaming about since the day you said I was taken. But what type of person does that make me…what type of person does that make your wife, Draven?!” I snapped again and instead of getting angry as I would have expected him to be when facing an angry woman, he softly said,

  “It simply makes you human.”

  “And you…what does it make you if I have been seeing you as a demon in my dreams?” I asked throwing the question at him like some cruel bitch that had lost my mind. I saw him wince and struggle to answer making me feel even worse for being so mean.

  “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said that.”

  “But it’s true isn’t it? That’s why you called me ‘Your Demon’ when you first saw me…right?” I nodded not able to speak the shameful words.

  “Do you often see demons, Katie?” The question caught me so off guard I faltered when trying to find my answer. I instantly thought back to that night when seeing all the Fathers drinking the blood of that poor girl. I had been convinced in what I had seen, what both Ari and I had seen. And then in Lucy’s house and that day at the fair, that gypsy hadn’t been human…but had it all been in my head? I just didn’t know any more so I gave him the answer I believed.

  “Only when I am asleep.”

  “Tell me then, why did you come here?” He asked and I so wanted to tell him what he wanted to hear. I wanted to say that I was his wife and I escaped that terrible place with the sole purpose of us being together again but I couldn’t.

  Because it was a lie.

  “I came here to find Dominic Draven to ask him to help me save my sister. I didn’t know it was you as I never heard her speak your name before and when one of my dreams led me to the name Afterlife all I could find out was…”

  “That I owned the place.” He finished off for me.

  “Yes and the last thing Ari told me was to listen to what my dreams were trying to tell me. She said it was the only way to save her and to save…” I stopped myself before I sounded even crazier than what he must already be thinking of me.

  “Continue, what did she say?”

  “Uh, and that was it.” I said turning away so he wouldn’t see the lie but he was too smart for that. He was at me in a heartbeat and now stood in front of me demanding what he wanted to know.

  “Katie.” All he needed to say was my name in that warning tone and I caved.

  “She must have been confused because she told me it was the only way to save the world.” He took a step back in shock and that’s when I knew that I had blown it! I started to think of any way I could pull it back or any second now he would be throwing me out of here and calling the men in white coats!

  “Look she was upset, confused, I don’t know she just was acting…”

  “I need to know exactly what she said to you word for word.” He said surprising me with how serious he looked. Okay, so much for thinking I was crazy!

  “Well I don’t remember it all…Why?” I asked warily.

  “Then, I’m afraid that I have no choice.” This scared me as I didn’t know what it meant but it sounded way too much like a threat for my liking.

  “I don’t understand what all this is about and what do you mean ‘you don’t have a choice’ a choice in what?” I asked looking up into his stern face and trying to find my answers there as well. He didn’t look happy but surprisi
ngly it had been what I had said about Ari that had disturbed him the most.

  He didn’t answer me, instead he disappeared into the dressing room only to reappear a moment later with some clothes in his hand. He threw them on the bed and instructed,

  “Get dressed.”

  “Why, where are we going?” I asked in a small worried voice, one that seemed to finally get his attention. He released a sigh before walking over to me and enveloping me in his arms.

  “It will be alright but you have to trust me.” I nodded knowing that now I did trust him and not because I had little option to do much else but because I wanted too.

  “Good girl.” Whenever I heard him calling me this I couldn’t help but dig deep and find what felt like the last shreds of my bravery.

  “Now get dressed as I must leave you a moment. I will have someone come to get you and bring you to me. Have no fear Katie as everyone you’re about to meet knows you well but more importantly they care for you deeply and…you care equally for them.” I knew why he had paused before saying this last part and I bit my lip against the pain it brought me. What he was saying was that in my old life, the one he was convinced was mine, I had once loved these people. People I could no longer remember.

  “I don’t know if I can do this, Draven.” I admitted looking up at him with wide eyes that clearly displayed my distress.

  “They understand the situation, no one will push themselves on you and as long as you are yourself around them then everything else will slot into place.” He seemed so sure, which is what I told him.

  “Of course I am sure.” He told me confidently.

  “Why?” I asked wondering how he could be so sure. A cocky grin appeared before he said,

  “Because it’s you.” And with that he kissed me softly and left.

  I slumped down on the bed and threw myself back dramatically.

  “What have you gotten yourself into this time Kay bear?” Hearing my sister’s nickname for me aloud again brought me the comfort I needed to do this, even if it had come from my own lips.

  This was enough to get my behind in gear, so I dropped the comforter back on the bed and started to get dressed. I couldn’t help but go red when I picked up the matching underwear set that was a deep purple colour and it reminded me of Draven’s eyes. I still couldn’t understand how they changed colour like that and had wanted to ask a few times but it was never really the right opportunity.

  After putting these on and being surprised that he knew my bra size I picked up a soft pair of indigo coloured jeans. They were tight and stretchy on the leg but still incredibly comfy to wear. The last items of clothing were a black strappy vest and a light grey sweater that had faded black wings on the back. It was cute and I loved it. But I had to wonder how he had picked the exact same thing that I would have picked if given the option.

  I had to ask myself if this had been one of his wife’s favourite things to wear but then if that was the case then why were the tags still on the clothes? I gave up wondering and went into the bathroom to see what I could do with my hair. Most of it was dry now and I quickly realised after brushing the knots out that it was clean. I bit my lip, smiling in the knowledge that he must have washed it for me before carrying me out of the bath. I was so astounded at the kindness of this man that no wonder this Keira had fallen so in love with him, I was beginning to think I was already there myself!

  I looked around but I couldn’t find anything to tie my hair back with so decided to do something I never did and that was leave it loose. I would have been shunned in the Colony for this, which is why the threat of having it shaved off in a public display was enough for me to hide it away at all times.

  I walked back into the bedroom and the instant my eyes spotted the food spread out on the tables my stomach sounded its approval. There was everything there, from a selection of sandwiches, cheese burgers and fries, chocolate muffins, croissants and Danish pastries, even…was that Chilli Con Carne and rice? I think everything and anything I would have picked off a menu if I had the choice was here!

  I actually didn’t know what to pick, so was completely greedy and had a bit of everything. I washed it all down with diet soda and was pulling at the waistband of my jeans laughing to see there wasn’t much room there anymore. I knew there would come a point where I would regret eating that much as I felt stuffed to the brim but boy had it all felt good! I was still giggling to myself when the door suddenly opened. I quickly shot out of the chair, as the last thing I wanted was someone to walk in on me and see me poking at my full belly that now folded over my waistline.

  “Hello Katie.” I heard that same voice I thought I recognised earlier and pushed all my hair back to see who it was. I gasped at the sight and as I had done with Draven, said the first thing that popped into my head without thinking…

  “Ari’s Angel!”

  Chapter 24

  Okay, so this is Awkward!

  “Excuse me?” He asked in one of the calmest voices I had ever heard spoken. In fact, I found the only reaction to this was to repeat my obvious blunder,

  “You’re Ari’s Angel.” As soon as I said it I wanted to smack myself. He gave me a confused look, which I had to admit wasn’t as frowny as it could have been considering what I had just blurted out at him for the second time.

  “Am I?” He asked obviously trying to contain the smirk that we both knew was lingering there on the surface.

  “I’m sorry, let me try that again…I’m Katie.” I said after shaking my head and walking over to him to shake his hand.

  “I know who you are, darling.” He said taking my hand in his and this time letting that smirk show. Once again the urge to smack myself reared its punishing head. Of course he knew who I was, for a start he had already said my name and after all he was here right now no doubt sent by Draven to fetch me.

  “Of course you do.” I rolled my eyes at myself and he laughed.

  “It’s good to see you again.” I knew he said this only because he felt like he needed to say it for his own benefit, as he must have known I had no memory of him. Well of course apart from dreaming of him in that shameful way with Ari that one time, but I definitely think that was better left unsaid…for like all of eternity!

  He raised an eyebrow at me as if he was trying to figure something out and I realised it was probably why I was just stood here not saying anything.

  “So I take it Draven is ready for me?” I said trying to prompt something from him as the way he looked at me now was starting to freak me out.

  “Yes, my brother is waiting for us.” He informed me after coming out of his dazed state…but wait, did he just say what I think he did?

  “Your brother!? Draven’s your brother?” I asked again in obvious surprise.

  “Dominic is my brother, yes. I am Vincent Draven and I believe you have met our sister Sophia.” He told me smiling and I don’t know what it was about it but there was something so calming about him. The soft way he spoke and the reassuring way in which he said everything was so bewitching. He drew you in to feeling safe and trusting.

  “But you don’t look anything alike!” I found once again my brain and mouth weren’t working together as I blurted this out. Thankfully he just chuckled and said,

  “Yes, we are different in many ways. I have been told that I favour my mother’s side of the family.”

  “Ah, like me and Ari, we take after our dad…thankfully.” I added thinking back bitterly to the wicked witch of the Colony!

  “And this Ari…she is your sister?” He asked and I couldn’t help blush knowing what I had shouted out when he first entered the room. Of course this wasn’t the only reason I blushed as I really didn’t need to think of these two being in the same room as each other, not considering what my dreams had shown me. No wonder Ari hadn’t gone into detail when telling me about him, not if that was what she dreamed of!

  “Are you okay?” I asked because he got that confused look again and I couldn’t understand why
…unless I was talking out loud again, but no, then surely he would have asked me about it.

  “If you are finished here, then should we go?” He asked me, looking to the mass of food I had barely made a dent in.

  “Oh yeah, I am stuffed! That chilli was amazing.” I said and the smile he gave me was one of the things I could relate him to his brother for. He was so handsome but in a different way to Draven, which reminded me, why I had got into the habit of calling him by his last name I didn’t know. Looking at Vincent in the flesh, it was strange how I could actually picture him and Ari together. He was gentle and serene which would calm Ari’s wild streak. Although thinking how gentle he looked I had to try hard not to think how he had been in the dream and nothing about what he had done to her looked gentle.

  Vincent coughed once as if needing to suddenly clear his throat and then said,

  “I am happy to hear that.” He said referring back to me enjoying the food. I smiled back at him and managed to take in more of his appearance without openly staring, which is really what I wanted to do. I couldn’t help it, a man that handsome and Angelic looking just needed to be stared at by any girl with a pulse. He had a halo of tight golden curls and a pair of the most striking, crystal blue eyes I had ever seen. Actually I think I had only ever come across one other man, other than Vincent, that I would have classed as being ‘beautiful’ and that was his brother. I looked sideways to catch another smirk and decided now would be a good time to say something before I did blurt out how attractive he was.

  “Did you know that in Latin your name means ‘To Conquer’” I told him remembering this from my tedious lessons at the Colony and one of the Fathers being a fan of the writer Vincent O'Sullivan.

  “I did and I believe it was the very reason I was granted the name.” He answered me, this time seeming surprised for the right reasons.

  “I wonder what Dominic means.” I asked myself out loud.

  “Of the Lord.”

  “Sorry?”

  “Dominicus, which is Dominic in late Latin, means ‘Of the Lord’ and quite fitting I think.” Well I couldn’t argue with him there as he did seem to fit the ‘Lord of the Manor’ title quite well.