Free The Pentagram Child: Part 1 (Afterlife Saga Book 5) by Stephanie Hudson

the nerve of him! He didn’t get to do all that he had done to me and then act like this!
    “I knew this was a mistake! Come on, we’re leaving!” I snapped standing up and reaching for Alex. He simply laughed and said,
    “Come now ma chérie, I am not offended…sit back down, Catherine.” I did as he said with a huff, shooting daggers at Draven, a look he ignored I might add.
    “I am from Bordeaux, monsieur.” Alex said answering Draven’s question calmly and I couldn’t believe how he could act so cool in the face of Draven’s obvious hatred.
    “But you weren’t born there.” This was said as a statement not a question and once again Alex smirked.
    “No, I was not but I call it home.” He turned to me and smiled, taking my hand in his to bring it to his lips to kiss. I blushed fuchsia knowing the look of death we both received because of the act. I could have sworn I heard wood splitting. Jesus, what had I been thinking coming here!
    “And your parents, what of them?” Draven growled out the question and my head snapped back to him.
    “Draven stop it!”
    “Dead. Now if you will excuse me I must make a phone call.” He rose from his seat after answering his question just as abruptly as it had been asked.
    “Wait, I will come with you.” I said rising but he put a hand on my shoulder and said,
    “It’s fine, I will only be a moment…stay and talk with your friends.” I bit my lip again worrying about what to do but in the end I just nodded and let him walk a few tables away to make a call.
    “Subtle as always I see.” I said looking back to Draven making him cock an eyebrow at me.
    “I think I have a right to these answers, Keira.” He replied arrogantly.
    “No, if I remember correctly, you in fact gave up that right, Draven.” I replied trying to keep emotion at bay. I wanted to appear as though saying this didn’t shred at my soul like claws from a bitter beast. Well at least he had the good grace to flinch at my words as he knew them to be born from the truth of his actions.
    “I…” Draven started to say something in annoyance but Sophia quickly interrupted asking me if I had heard from Pip lately. I was more than thankful for her change of subject and started to talk about the last time I had seen her, when Alex came back. He bent down and gave me a quick kiss when Draven barked out an order,
    “Drink!” making us both jump and ruining the moment. Loz quickly came over to the table and I gave her a little wink when she smiled at seeing me again.
    “Set up a fountain for the table, Loz for I think our Lord is in the mood for something a little stronger this night.” Sophia asked referring to absinthe. She nodded and was about to walk away when Draven called her back.
    “And for Keira, she will have a Corona…”
    “Red wine,” Alex interrupted and poor Loz looked lost and torn between the two men.
    “It’s alright Loz, a Corona will be fine.” She looked relieved and quickly made her escape to get the drinks.
    “I thought you never cared for red wine?” Draven asked and even hearing his abrupt, harsh voice gave me goosebumps as I was flooded with too many memories to cope with.
    “Tastes change, Draven.” I replied quietly knowing he would get the inner meaning to that statement.
    “That they do.” He gritted out his reply and I bravely raised my eyes to see him glaring at the new taste in question.
    “Catherine, I am afraid I have to leave you sooner than I thought.” I looked to Alex and realised what he was saying.
    “Why…is everything alright at the office?” I asked knowing Alex was working on a big project and would often have to leave suddenly.
    “Leaving so soon, how disappointing.” Draven commented dryly gaining another fifthly look from me. Loz came then and placed an elaborate green glass fountain on the table. She turned to take the black, gothic looking crystal glasses from Rue’s tray that were just the right size to fit under the four taps