Piercing Chill
Chapter 16

I woke up to leather grazing my exposedskin. I blinked my eyes at my surroundings. I was lying on a leather sofa. Alarge TV was plastered on the wall in front of me. A small glass table stoodtall in the middle of the room. The more I took in my surroundings the familiarthey became. I was in Craig’s house in Amoris. How had I gotten here? I heardvoices coming from my left. I looked up at the staircase, it was Craig andCarla. Craig spoke frantically while Carla added in a few bits and pieces.

I looked around, trying to replace somewhereto hide but there wasn’t a place I could replace on time. Craig descended the laststair and headed my way. My heartbeat thrummed under my ribs. He was going tosee me and probably do something unimaginable. However, he brushed by mewithout glancing my way at all. He took a seat next to me on the sofa. Hesighed while raking his blonde hair with his fingers. He seemed tense.

“We have to do it tonight!” Craig spoke tenbreaths later. “She’s angry at Jason and she will probably do anything torectify the situation with him. On top of that, it seems like she isn’t fullyaware of her own gifts yet.”

“You’re right,” Carla chimed in beforewalking towards Craig with a small book in her hand. “I can put a glamour onher so that she thinks you’re Jason. However, it will only last for about tendays before it wears off.”

“Ten days is a lot. I need five at most.”Craig responded staring forward stuck in thoughts. “But you said before youcouldn’t get into her brain. How are you going to glamour her?”

“Good question, maybe if we catch her offguard.” Carla suggested.

“No, there has to be another way. Does thebook say how one can temporarily steal someone’s identity?” Craig turned hishead towards Carla pointing at the book in her hand.

“Um,” Carla began flicking through thebook until she came to a halt and began to read. “In order to occupy someone’sidentity temporarily, one must possess an item that belongs to them. It couldbe a lock of hair, clothing or anything the person has touched. The possessormust keep this item in their hand the whole time to avoid the removal of theglamour.”

“So that means I must replace somethingbelonging to Jason.” Craig spoke to himself. “I don’t think Jason has touchedanything in this house and I cannot go to his house to get it. I must go toMary-Kate’s house. There should be something that Jason has given her there. Toour advantage, her family is at that Christmas party two doors down.”

I gasped at the sound of my name. How hadhe known these details? What were they planning on doing?

“But we cannot get in. We are vampires,remember? We need permission from the occupier of the house to enter.”

Vampires? Craig and Carla? I had noticedtheir pale skin and irresistible beauty but I just thought they were blessed byexcellent genes.

“Don’t worry my dear. I befriended myhuman friend Kevin for a reason.” Craig glanced up at Carla, a mischievoussmile forming on his lips.

Minutes later, Kevin pulled up intoCraig’s driveway. Craig retreated from the curtains and turned towards Carlagrinning. “Show time.” Carla returned his smile and followed him to the door. Idid the same. Craig opened the door and headed down the porch the stairstowards Kevin. Carla and I followed closely behind.

What were they planning on doing to Kevin?

“Kevin my friend.” Craig exclaimed asKevin exited his truck. In a matter of seconds, Craig had his arms aroundKevin.

“Hey man. What’s up?” Kevin retorted,obviously confused by Craig’s actions.

“Not much man. I have a huge favour to askfrom you.” Craig responded hanging an arm around Kevin’s shoulders.

“Sure, what is it man?”

Craig turned his full attention towardsKevin. He placed his hands on Kevin’s shoulders and came level to his eyes. “Ineed you to sneak into Mary-Kate’s home and steal something that belongs toJason or something Jason has touched in her house.”

That’s when realisation hit me. They weregoing to steal Jason’s identity and trick me. I saw Kevin’s eyes become hazy.He stood still, eyes ahead and never wavering. He nodded. It was so small thatif I hadn’t been concentrating at him I would have missed it completely. Whathad they done to Craig? Hypnosis? But how had it worked so fast?

“Excellent.” Craig grinned before turningaway from Kevin to face Carla. He gave thumbs up to Carla before signalling herto join him. She quickly closed the house door and started towards Craig. Itrailed behind them. “Get in the car and drive us to Mary-Kate’s house.” Craigordered and I saw Kevin nod his head again before walking robotically towardsthe driver’s seat.

Craig opened the door for his girl. Iquickly pushed in front of her and got into the car. She perched herself nextto me before Craig closed the door. He took his seat in the front passengerseat before Kevin started the engine. Everyone buckled their seatbelts and wewere off. The whole trip it was quiet. Less than five minutes later we wereparked in the street opposite to my home. Kevin killed the engine and waitedfor Craig’s instructions.

“Go now.” Craig ordered and Kevin was off.I had no idea how he was going to get in. Just as if he read my mind Craigstopped Kevin halfway up the porch and waved a key in his hand. How had hegotten my house key? Kevin turned on his heels and claimed the key from Craig’shand. He continued on his mission. He opened the door and disappeared behindit.

“How did you get the key?” Carlaquestioned, her voice radiating the same shock that was filled in my brain.

“I have my ways.” Craig winked beforeturning towards the entrance. He wasn’t at all worried about getting caught.

“It says here that an angel like herpossess a lot of gifts.” Carla started making me glance at her. She was readingfrom the small book. The top of the page was titled Angels of the high court. Why would Carla read something like that?She was far from being an angel, given her inner personality.

“The first thing she is able to do is topersuade people into doing what she wants them to do. I haven’t seen her doingit though. Secondly she can read people’s minds and emotions. Third, shebecomes able to block off any force that tries to enter her brain. That’s whyshe was able to block me that night at the club. Along with blocking offforces, she can also remove a glamour. It doesn’t say here how though. We mustbe careful. She is also able to control earth elements, water and wind, alsolightning. For every gift she is able to master, a golden swirl representingthe gift becomes engraved on her skin.” Carla paused before glancing up atCraig, her mouth hanging open. She closed the book in her lap and breathed“This girl can destroy us all in a matter of seconds.”

I went straight to the golden swirls on myshoulders. Was she referring to me? Three of those things she said had occurredto me.

“Agreed. Hence why it is best we catch hertoday before she comes to realisation of her own powers.” Craig finished beforeturning towards Carla’s worried face.

“Do you think we will succeed?” Carlacroaked next to me. I could hear the fear accompanying her words.

“Of course babe. As soon as all her bloodis drained, we will rule the coterie together.” Craig grinned before glancingat the sky in thought, “We will get married.”

This resulted in Carla’s frown turninginto a wide grin. “I love you.” She whispered before reaching for his hand. Hereturned the gesture by squeezing her hand.

He turned his head towards Kevin who wasemerging from the door. He quickly pulled the car door open releasing Carla’shand. She followed suit. So did I. Kevin marched towards us, with a book in hishands. I knew exactly what book it was before he even reached us. It was thenovel that Jason had touched when he came in my room the other night. Kevinhanded the book to Craig. He took it questionably. He sniffed the book andturned it over twice to check for something.

He turned to Kevin, frustration visible inhis eyes, “This doesn’t even smell like Jason.” Craig exclaimed at Kevin.

“Open the book.” Kevin spoke robotically,still under hypnosis.

Craig did as he was told. A piece of paperfell out and the ground caught it. I had never seen it before. Craig retreatedit from the ground before opening it. I scooted closer to Craig to see what thenote said. Carla did the same. I noticedJason’s exquisite handwriting on the page. When he dropped this in the book?

Mary-Kate

The most beautiful, kind and smart girl I’ve ever met.

Its such a shame that we’re from different worlds.

I wish I had been born human and maybe I could get

away with loving you. However, what I am is something

far worse than a human. I wish I can tell you but Ijust

cannot replace the right words to tell you. I hope youcan

forgive me.

Jason.

I couldn’t tear my eyes from Jason’swords. What did he mean by all of that? I watched as Craig scoffed beforecrunching the letter in his hand. “Lookslike my cousin has fallen for his prey.” Craig laughed before turning towardsKevin, “You’ve done well.”

Carla laughed next to me, “That he has.”She glanced at Kevin briefly before turning back to Craig. They shared a lookthat made my stomach lurch. “All this undercover stuff is making me hungry.” Iwitnessed Carla’s eyes turning red. She grinned, showcasing her elongatedcanines. I gasped and removed myself from her bubble. Craig mirrored herexpression.

“We shouldn’t drain him dry though.” Craigstruggled to speak with the long teeth that barred his tongue from movingfreely. Carla nodded before charging towards Kevin. She plucked Kevin’s handfrom his side and pulled it towards her mouth. She made an animalistic soundbefore plunging her teeth into his wrist. Craig did the same with Kevin’s arm.I watched in horror as blood drained from Kevin’s body. So, they hadn’t beenjoking when they said they were vampires. I thought vampires only existed inmovies and books. I watched Kevin’s head lolling all over the place. He wasbecoming pale with every second that passed.

Craig removed himself from Kevin wipingblood from his lips before dragging Carla with him. “We need to stop. We can’tkill him.” Carla groaned before wiping blood from her own lips. “Go home nowand you’re not going to remember any of this.” Craig said looking straight in Kevin’s cloudy eyes. Kevin nodded againbefore retreating to his car. He fell for a few seconds before he pickedhimself again. For a minute I was worried about him driving home by himself. Helooked weak and disoriented. I couldn’t believe my eyes. I watched as Kevinstruggled to get into his car. He drove off, stalling the car a couple oftimes.

I turned towards Craig and Carla. Theywere composed again. I was going to run from their sight but then I rememberedI was invisible in their eyes. I watched Carla turn pages in the book beforegazing at Craig. “You ready?”

Craig clenched the fist holding the letterbefore nodding his head. Carla closed her eyes in concentration and reached forCraig’s shoulders. She murmured something and slowly, I noticed Craig’s hairshrink and turn into brown. His amber eyes shifted to an ultramarine colour,everything else remained the same including his clothes, dark jeans and a greyhoodie. I gasped at the sight. He looked exactly like Jason. I watched Carlaopen her eyes. She gasped at the sight before squealing and hugging Craig. “Itworked!”

“Excellent.” Craig replied shoving theletter in his trousers pocket, “It’s action time.” Craig continued grabbing hisphone from his hoodie pocket. He quickly dialled a number. After a few secondsCraig spoke, “Kate, hey.” He was calling me and sounded exactly like Jason.

“Where are you?” He asked, his voicecracking a bit. It seemed as if he was still getting used to his new voice. Icouldn’t hear what my other self was saying from the other side but Craigresponded, “What are you doing there?” he paused. “Well, wanna hang out?” He suggestedthrowing a smile in Carla’s direction. “So, you are in?”, “Ok. See you at yourhouse in a few?”

I watched Craig detach the phone from hisear with a huge smile tugging on his lips. “Let’s do this.” Craig rubbed hishands together before continuing, “You hide behind one of the houses at thecorner and I’ll bring her in that direction. As soon as she is in full range,strike! Ok?” Carla nodded, a big grin plastered on her lips. Craig pulled herby the hand and smacked his lips on her. She happily responded to the kiss. Ilooked away disgusted. Craig had lied to me when he was surely hooked on Carla.“Now go. She’s coming.” Craig’s voice drew me back to my surroundings.

Carla nodded before running the oppositedirection. Craig took his spot on the porch stairs. He turned towards his leftwith a huge smile plastered on his lips. He tapped his leg impatiently. Iturned to see what he was looking at. I saw myself closing the distance betweenCraig and the Jonathans’ house. Shocked, I eyed my other-self running happilytowards Craig. He stood up and jogged slightly to meet my other-self.

“Hey,” My other-self called tohim.

I watched in repulsion as my other-self happily embraced him. He removedhis hoodie and helped her get into it. I screamed at her but she didn’t hear me.She took the creep’s hand and started towards the other end of the street. Iwas shocked and watched the two in horror as they proceeded their journey. Ifollowed quietly behind them. My other-self was trying to strike up aconversation but Craig seemed to replace a way to shut her up. I knew what theywere talking about. I had been through this. All of a sudden Craig yelled ‘Shutup, ok?’

My other-self furiously yanked her hand from the creep’s hold. A smallsmile formed on my lips. Go me! However, my celebration was long lived. Ablonde woman suddenly crept behind my other-self, Carla. I looked closer and yesit was. She lifted her hand just before my other-self whirled around to runaway from Craig. My other-self suddenly became limp and began falling down. Ina matter of milliseconds Craig was catching her.

“Are you crazy?” He shouted at Carla. “What if she had fallen?”

Carla scoffed, “I don’t care about this bitch.”

“I don’t either, but we need her alive, remember?” Craig sighed beforecarrying my other-self as if she weighed nothing. “Open the portal beforesomeone sees us.”

Carla sighed before looking away. She marked something in the air whilemumbling foreign words. I covered my eyes at the bright light emitting from thepoints she made in the air. Carla moved back as the light grew into a swirlingcircle filled with blue light. I tried to get a closer look but I couldn’t seeanything beyond the light.

“Hurry and get in.” Carla motioned to Craig. He walked towards the swirlingcircle and disappeared behind the light. Carla followed right after. Amazed, Ilet the portal close before getting in.

What were they going to do with my other-self?

Suddenly a bright light shone from behind. I turned my head around andtried to shield my eyes. The light kept on getting closer and closer. All of asudden it hits me, I was in the middle of the road and the light approaching mewas from a moving car. I quickly picked up my feet. The speeding car nearly hitme. Who drives a car like that? A drunkprobably. I thought dusting off a bit of dirt from my jeans and watched thecar as it skidded around the curve. The car somehow looked very familiar. Isquinted my eyes at the car. Jason? Whatwas he doing here? I broke out into a run towards the car. The car skiddedto a stop in front of the Jonathan’s house. Jason quickly got out of the carand bashed the door with his hand shouting my name.

I ran towards Jason. The door opened, Mr Jonathan stood there holding abat in his hand. However, my dad pushed through the door, an angry expressiondistorting his face.

“What do you want?” Dad’s voice boomed when he saw Jason.

“Mary-Kate, where is she?” Jason asked while searching the crowd that seepedfrom the house to see what was going on.

“I told you to stay away from my daughter.” Dad’s nose flared in anger.

“I know, but she is in danger.” Jason replied.

“What do you-” Dad didn’t get to finish his sentence because Jasoninterrupted him.

“I read someone’s thoughts and they were planning on taking Mary-Katebefore I did” Jason hesitated. Dad’s expression suddenly changed from angry toworry. He ran back inside the house yelling my name but there was no answer.Jason tried to follow him but couldn’t.

“This is my fault.” Dad cried from inside, “I shouldn’t have let her offmy sight.”

Mum emerged from the crowd and asked, “What’s going on?”

“Kate may be missing.” Dad replied.

“What?” Mum yelled. I could hear tears in her voice.

Dad comforted her, “Do not worry honey we will replace her.”

“We must call the police then.” Mum said fumbling in her purse for herphone but dad stopped her immediately.

“No you mustn’t” Dad replied. “This case, no human can be able toresolve it.”

“What do you mean?” Mum asked, confusion written in her voice.

I could hear people murmuring around us.

“I’ll explain later ok?” Dad said before exiting the house. “Come on,show me where they are.”

Dad grabbed Jason and walked towards our house. Mum just stood there andwatched dad and Jason. I tried to follow them but all of a sudden I was broughtback to reality.

I gasped as if I had just woken up from a nightmare. My eyes were wideopen and my heartbeat raced against my chest. I was sitting on the bed next toCraig. He was still asleep in his bed. I stood up immediately, my arms raisedup in defence. I had seen him drinking blood from someone. He could dosomething worse to me. I backed away until I felt the door knob on my back. Iopened it making sure not to draw any attention. I closed it behind me beforesprinting to my designated room. I had to get out of this house before theyrealised I knew everything.

A question still gnarled in my brain. What did they want from me? Craighad said only one of me could make him rule for centuries. What had he meant bythat? That night I struggled to replace sleep. I eyed the door afraid that someonewas going to bust in and drain me dry.