Part 13 (1/2)

”That's a little over the top for shopping.” She shook her head and again I caved.

”Ok, but I need to get some food on the way back.” They both looked shocked but what did they think, that I was getting the maid in to cook!

”What? I'm cooking tonight...Libby can't cook for toffee.” They hadn't heard this expression before and Sophia giggled.

”Are you sure?” Draven came up to me and I looked up to his bemused face.

”Yeah I'm sure, I mean that girl burns everything. Once she...”

”No, I mean, do you not mind cooking tonight's meal?” Aww bless, he must be looking at this as a ch.o.r.e.

”No of course not, I cook most nights. Besides, I enjoy it and I'm quite good at it.” I said being modest about something for the first time and Draven noticed it.

”Oh really?” He said as he kissed me and Sophia just cleared her throat to indicate that she was still waiting.

”Ok, I'm ready,” I said but it was a lie as all I wanted to do was stay there having him kissing me all day.

”Sophia, you remember what we talked about?” He said as he threw her something I didn't see. She caught it like it was part of her body she'd been missing and she slid it into her pocket before I could see.

”No problem, leave it to me.” She said winking at him and now I was doubly worried.

”What are you up to?” I asked before she dragged me away from my happiness. I could just make out him laughing as she pulled me out of the door.

There was a car waiting at the side of the building and it was like she said, a long black Limo. I really didn't want to turn up at home in this so I used the excuse that I needed my truck at home and that I would meet her there. She moaned a bit but agreed in the end.

I walked over to my blue beast and found Ragnar, my guardian stood leaning against it. I sighed and hoped my car door wasn't dented from his immense size. I knew I wouldn't get away with driving back on my own. I couldn't believe how protective Draven was over me.

”Do you want me to drop you off somewhere?” I said sarcastically but he just grunted.

”To your home!” He said not getting my humour. Ok, I was going to have to work on this. He got in the cab and I could almost hear the suspension cry out in pain. I tried to get it to started, but it was cold and didn't want to move like last time. And like last time I rubbed the dash and said, ”Come on baby!” Making Ragnar stare at me in disbelief.

”You speak to your car?” His question was serious and I coughed back a laugh.

”Oh yeah, I don't have many friends.” I looked across to him and he thought I was serious. I started the car and then turned to face him.

”I'm joking but it worked didn't it?” At this he finally laughed, making me jump. Would I ever get used to his version of a laugh. It was a cross between a deer's mating call and sandpaper being swallowed, then being thrown back up!

”You are a strange human girl.” I couldn't tell if this was his idea of a good thing or bad, so I stayed silent. I swung the car round and made for the main road. I could tell he wasn't happy with my slow driving but my motto was 'I preferred to get there later than dead' but considering he was immortal I doubted he would agree with me on this one. I was wracking my brain to try and bring up a conversation but come on, what did I have in common with a Viking Demon?

”I know it must be very boring for you to be babysitting me,” I said but he seemed not only surprised that I was speaking to him but also that I had sympathised with him at all.

”It is different. But I have been entrusted with guarding My Lord's most prized possession, so it is an honourable one.” I let out a growl of my own.

”I'm not a Ming vase or his family's crown jewels and I am most definitely not one of his possessions!” I said trying to get it through, but he remained unmoved by my outburst.

”Humans are too sensitive,” he stated but I counteracted his statement for one of my own.

”And you? Were you not once human?” He turned towards me and I got a bit scared that I had gone too far.

”Yes I was, but I was a Warrior King and our women weren't outspoken. They knew their place well enough.” He said this as a warning for me to behave for my Master but I just chuckled as it was clearly far too late for that.

”Well times have changed and I doubted even back then that Queens kept their mouths shut.” I snapped back making my point. He didn't reply but he did at least look as though he was giving what I said some thought but then his thick lips curved on one side and his eyes moved sideways at me. I however, was confused by his sudden amused behaviour but I was smart enough not to question it.

We pulled up outside my house and the Limo pulled up after. Thankfully Libby and Frank were out. Ragnar walked over to the Limo and waited for me there. I made a motion at the blacked out windows and one rolled down.

”I will be five minutes,” I shouted to Sophia before running in the house to get ready. It didn't take long but I remembered to grab my purse with my bank card and some cash, as I really did need to get some new clothes. I quickly changed my clothes and picked up my mobile phone that had been left to charge. And that was it, I was ready. I checked myself in the mirror and for a moment I didn't recognise the happy Keira staring back at me. It wasn't long ago that it had been a rare sight but these days I just couldn't stop smiling. Then the unbelievable hit me...

Draven really had fixed me.

The drive there was interesting but this was more down to its pa.s.sengers. Three Demons and a lip biting human. If I wasn't already a little crazy this would have terrified me. But let's face it, I wasn't exactly normal. If anything I felt more comfortable than I would do with most humans. This was probably down to the fact that finally, I didn't feel crazy anymore. Being around these Demons and Angels made every second of my life real. Every sight, every dream and every scary touch, I now felt that it had all pointed me to this strange family that I felt so much a part of, that it in itself scared me. I was terrified but for reasons opposite than what they should be.

I never wanted it to end.

Zagan sat in the front with the driver and Ragnar sat at the front of the Limo's long seats. He looked a little cramped but I could imagine this he would be used to. I think he'd even look big in a hummer!. Me and Sophia sat next to each other at the very back and I really didn't understand the need for this car for a simple shopping trip. But then we pa.s.sed the turning to the mall I knew, so it made me speak for the first time.

”Umm, did we just miss the turning?” Sophia laughed at me in response.

”Keira did you really think we were going shopping in that tiny little mall? For starters they don't have any designer stores.”

”I don't buy my clothes from designer stores.... remember, boring non rich human here.” She was laughing again, only this time she flicked her hair back.

”Well you do now.”

”OH no, I'm not been dragged around some fancy store and spending a ridiculous amount of money on stuff I won't wear.” She let out a moan but I ignored it.

”Draven likes me the way I am, not because I come with diamonds, an expensive handbag and a five hundred dollar haircut!” She was now pouting and this might have worked around Draven but not me. Although, it was adorable. When I didn't budge she spoke.

”Fine! We can go in your boring plain shops but you have to at least come in some of mine.”

”As long as you don't make me buy anything in them, then sure, no problem.” She was happy with this outcome. Well this was a first, I had never had to get the rules straight before going on a shopping trip.

”What did Draven mean back there?” I asked once again breaking the silence. She tried to put on a blank expression but it was hard when she really wanted to smile.

”I don't know what you mean.”

”Oh come off it! What did he throw you?”

”You will just have to wait and see.” And that was all she would say on the matter. I could tell we were heading into the city as I vaguely remembered coming back from the airport this way. The Limo got a lot of attention, especially when we got into more populated areas. People beeped their horns and waved as if we could have been celebrities. I was going bright red even though no one could see me through the blacked out windows.

”You don't like attention much do you?” Sophia asked being a little surprised.

”What gives you that impression?” I said sarcastically but then I felt guilty afterwards so followed it by, ”Sorry, that was rude. I just get embarra.s.sed when people watch me.”

”Umm... but you don't mind Dom watching you?” She smirked and I laughed.

”I'm starting to get used to it but it is still embarra.s.sing. I didn't like it before you know...back when I thought he hated me.” She turned to me in shock.