Chapter 1
Hunted
Draven’s eyes scanned over me checking that I wasn't going to go into shock from Vincent's outburst.
“I'm fine, you go,” I managed to say but before I knew it Draven's hands were touching my face making me look into his incredible deep eyes. His gaze was edged with a concern he was most likely trying very hard to hide, no doubt to stop me from panicking...
It wasn't working!
“Keira it will be alright, you don't have to worry.” Was he joking! Of course I had reason to worry. I mean, I was being bloody hunted and images of me on a “Wanted” poster in some supernatural tavern were filling my mind. But of course instead of saying this, I just nodded and pushed his hands from me.
“Go, I will be fine on my own and Takeshi needs you.” I couldn't help but lower my face as I said this, not needing him to see the pain in my eyes nor hear the worry in my voice. After all, my acting skills weren't ever going to win any awards. So despite my best efforts, he didn't look convinced but he knew as well as I did that he needed to go. With that in mind he kissed my forehead and begrudgingly left with his brother, to leave me with my own thoughts of dread.
I couldn't understand how just hours after my own personal nightmare we were having to deal with Draven's. It was like a cruel game of chance that we couldn't win. We just wanted to be together but it was like every force of Heaven and Hell was telling us NO! I decided to get up as I knew I would never sleep without Draven's warm touch on my skin. I went over to my bag which was still on the couch from the last few days I had spent here and grabbed the last pair of jeans and T shirt that I had left. At least now it would be safe for me to go home and get some new clean clothes and some other things that I might need soon. Then I stopped, thinking, was I right....would it be safe or was I forever to be in danger?
I had to stop myself before I lost my mind to all the dark places it wanted to go, I mean I couldn't live in fear forever and with Draven as my protector, what really was there to be frightened of?
Just as I had slipped into my clothes and tied my hair back there was a light tap on the door. Without waiting for a reply Sophia came strolling in the room looking radiant as always followed by Candra who had a plate full of food.
“Dominic thought you might need some company and also feeding,” she said smirking as my face said it all. He was worried I would be sat here freaking out on my own, so he had sent Sophia to check on me... Or more like Human sit me!
“He worries too much.” I said frowning but still the smell of hot chicken soup and crusty bread had me close to salivating! She just shrugged her shoulders and made herself comfortable on the couch opposite, folding her legs as though she was ready to start meditating.
“Well at least you’re looking better, you looked like Hell....and trust me, I’m acquainted with the big man downstairs!”
This she found hilarious, it being her idea of a joke and I couldn’t help but relax at the sound. Draven had been right to send Sophia. It was just something about her that had you forgetting your worries and making you see the bigger picture or no picture at all, either way it worked. I mean she didn't seem as worried as Vincent or Draven but who really knew her true feelings?
I sat in the big red velvet chair and rested the tray of food on my lap before diving in.
“I take it you were hungry?” She giggled as she watched me wolf my food down. I just nodded, not realising how hungry I was.
“Sophia... I need to know, what's going on?” I asked not knowing whether or not she was ever going to tell the truth. Her eyes widened and her face tensed for a moment before returning back to her usual relaxed state. She flicked her curly hair back over her shoulder before eyeing my face carefully.
“Keira there is nothing that you should be worrying about, Dom will sort it out and make it right. This was something that he predicted would happen and he has taken precautions.” She said all this in such a way that made me believe it had been rehearsed. It was so “matter of fact” that I couldn't do anything but not trust her words. I had seen the panic on Vincent’s face and then on Draven's too, so I knew this wasn't as clear cut as Sophia was making out. But I decided to play along and wait until I could get my answers from the one man I knew would give me what I wanted....after all, I knew his weaknesses!
“Ok then, answer me this...why is it nobody told me that Layla was being held prisoner right here under my nose?” I was determined that I would get at least that out of her.
“Oh no, I'm not falling for that trap again....these are things that only Dom can tell you, it is not my place.” She held up her hands as though I had a large pistol in my possession and was about to mug her. But the only thing I needed from her was the truth, which just so happened to be the one thing this family had difficulty in disclosing. I decided to admit defeat. I mean, Draven couldn't keep what was going on from me forever. I knew he didn't want me to worry but not knowing was far worse than the truth.....wasn't it?