Piercing Chill
Chapter 18

I woke up after what felt like days. Every inch of my body aching as Istraightened myself on the concrete floor. My throat was dry and hot. Isearched my head for the last time they gave me food or drink but I couldn’tremember. I should have eaten as much as possible before Carla and Craig tookme into this cold and lonely room. My stomach growled at the thought of my lastuntouched meal that Joan had prepared. I really hoped that Joan was alright. Ishouldn’t have placed that spell on her. I should have just let it go andplayed along in their scheme. I sighed. What an excruciating way to start thenew year. A year I wasn’t going to live through.

My father and mother must have been so worried. Was Jason worried too? Ididn’t even know how I was going to face him after what Craig’s father told me.If his motive was to sacrifice me as well, did that mean he didn’t like me? Washe lying to me all along?

I clutched my chest as soft sobs escaped from my mouth. Someone I juststarted to trust was lying to me. Before I knew it, tears were raining from myeyes. I dragged my body to a corner, far away from the entrance, and curledmyself into a ball. Why did it have to be me?

I was startled by a rattling sound of chains. I hurriedly wiped my eyesbefore meeting Craig’s dark and bloodcurdling eyes. A wide grin was plasteredon his face.

“It’s time.” He announced with his arms wide open. He made his waytowards me causing me to press myself against the wall in attempt to run away.Soon I was going to be dead. I tried to comfort myself by crying but no tearscame out of my eyes. My cheeks remained dry and sticky from the previous tears.“Oh, how much I looked forward to this day.” Craig cheered in my face. “Jasonis going to be so disappointed. His little angel will be dead. Even better, Iwill be the leader of the coterie.”

Craig continued while tracing a finger along my arm. “It is such a shamethough, a beautiful angel like you didn’t deserve to die.” If I wasn’t in thissituation I would have been flattered by his words. I glared at him even thoughI knew it wasn’t going to change a thing. “I kinda wish I found you firstbefore Jason. Maybe I would’ve been lucky to kiss an angel.” Craig chuckledlooking away briefly.

Why was he saying all these things all of a sudden? I searched for hiseyes. They were glassy, yet dull. Did Craig have feelings for me?

“Craig.” I croaked.

“I’m just mocking you. Don’t take anything to heart.” He sniffed beforestanding up. “I’m sorry.” And with that, he walked out of the door and two men chargedtowards me.

I didn’t resist as they dragged me out of the room. There was nothing Icould do now, I was powerless and had nowhere to run to. I didn’t know what tothink or what to do. My life was going to be over probably within the nexthour. We walked through a series of corridors before reaching a wide door thatled to what looked like a normal backyard moderate in size and impressive greengrass carpeted the ground. Surrounding the backyard was a thick blanket oftrees. Where had all the snow gone?

My expectations were wrong. I expected to be welcomed by a loud cheercoming from every angle of view. However, there were only a dozen odd peopleseated in a semi-circle around a large oval shaped rock supported by foursmaller pillars. The scenery looked as if everyone was gathered for a funeral.They were all covered in dark cloaks and had grim expressions on their faces.

I recognised Craig’s father and mother and Carla’s grinning faces. Theothers I couldn’t recognise, however, a glance at one particular face caught myattention. The striking resemblance made me double take. A beautiful lady withlong wavy dark hair was seated stiffly next to Craig’s mother. Her deep blueeyes stared off into distance as if she was trying to supress a strong emotion.She must have been bothered by the whole situation. After all her son wasn’tgoing to be the leader of the coterie anymore and her husband was killed by hisown sister. Did she know this? My heart fell for her.

Suddenly she snapped her eyes towards me. Usually I would immediatelyturn away when I get caught staring but in this case I couldn’t. Her eyes,nose, face shape, they were all chillingly similar to Jason’s. What was shedoing here? Why wasn’t Jason here? She suddenly turned towards Craig’s fatherwho was making his way towards Craig. I averted my eyes to him as well. Hewhispered something in Craig’s ear before turning his attention towards thegathering. My gaze fell onto the woman again. Tears formed in my eyes. I missedJason, I wanted to see him. I diverted my gaze away from Jason’s mother andfixed it on Craig’s father.

“Let the sacrifice begin.” Craig’s father proclaimed.

Craig turned his back to us and nodded to his father. The men dragged metowards the rock table. I managed to get a glimpse of Craig’s face beforestepping up the steps. He couldn’t meet my eyes. He seemed more interested inhis shoes than what was happening. Why did I care how he felt? All he wantedwas to become the leader. He made clear of that when he lied to me andkidnapped me.

The men who held me suddenly released me. Craig’s father motioned for meto walk up to the table, I did as I was told. I had nowhere to run now and theonly thing I could do was abide to their wishes. I remembered the book had saidthe angel had to be hypnotised so that they neither agreed nor disagreed to besacrificed. They had gotten that part wrong. When stuck in this situation therewas no other choice but to surrender yourself. I couldn’t run. I didn’t haveanywhere to run to. I didn’t even have the energy.

Tears that I thought had dried up started falling from my eyes onceagain. This was it. This was the end of Mary-Kate. I sighed before making myway towards the rock table.

“Lie down on the table.” Craig’s father commanded. I hesitated beforelying on the stone cold and hard table. “We may now begin.” I heard Craig’s father speak. “Please stand.”

There was ruffling coming from the audience before he continued. “Wewill begin by saying the blessing. Our creators we come to you on this gloriousday …”

I slowly closed my eyes and drifted away from the situation. My thoughtswent straight to my parents, Tina and Jason. I regretted telling my dad that Ihated him. I was never going to see him ever again. Did Tina know that I wasmissing? How was my mother coping? Was I ever going to see Jason again? I feltsomeone take hold of my arm, followed by the deep voice of Craig’s father. “Iwill now call upon your future leader to take the first sup of the blood”

Silence followed before someone else took hold of my arm. A cold chilltravelled up my arm making me snap my eyes open. I met Craig’s amber eyes, theywere glassed and sad. His eyes lifted from my eyes to my arm. He slowly brought it towards lips. I watchedhim attentively as he lifted my wrist towards his open mouth. I could see twosharp teeth that weren’t there before slowly growing to a size twice his normalteeth. Craig glanced at me before his sharp teeth connected with my skin.

Intense pain pulsed into my skin making me close my eyes in agony. Icould feel blood being drained from my body. I felt weaker and weaker withevery drag Craig took from my body. Ididn’t feel Craig detaching from my skin. All I heard next was Craig’s fatherspeaking. His voice was faint in my ears but strong enough to rumble mystomach. “I shall now pierce through the skin to let the power in this Angel’sblood flow for the Gods to feast and grant us with what we need.” Craig’sfather took hold of my other arm.

Piercing pain pulsed on my wrist. I screamed from the unexpected pain.Panic settled in my stomach. I tried to jerk away my arm away but Craig’sfather only gripped it tighter. I felt another sharp pain on my other wrist.And the procedure continued on my neck, legs, upper arms and stomach. I felthands pressing the wounds as a way to let the blood flow out faster. I screamedand cried but I knew that no one cared. The throbbing pain from the cuts wasunbearable, I squeezed my eyes shut and opened them again. Black spots floodedmy vision. The sky swayed and swirled above me. I closed my eyes once again asmore tears slipped from my eyes. All I could see was blood. I didn’t hear thecontinuation of the ritual. My ears were ringing, my body was burning and painpierced every inch of my body.

With every drop of blood lost, the weaker I felt. I could feel my powersbeing drained from my body. The sounds around me became shallow. I was slowlydrifting away. I didn’t try to stop it. This was my fate, I was going to die onthis stone table and no one was going to come to my rescue. If they wanted torescue me, they would have done so sometime during the few days that justpassed. There was no hope for me now.

Memories of the times I have had with my parents, Tina and Jason flashedbefore me. I was never going to see them again. I said a quick prayer to theLord, to guide and protect them and not let them suffer on my expense. I closedmy eyes waiting for the sacrifice to be over and done with.

A loud thunder roared above me making me snap my eyes wide open. The skyabove me was filled with dark clouds and dangerous flashes of lightning. Aflash of lightning struck the ground, merely missing a man situated near thedoor of the house. The rock table moved beneath me making me brace myself for afall. Someone shouted, “Take cover.” As another lighting struck the ground nearthe gathered crowd.

Everyone dispersed away from the lightning flashes. I looked around,searching for one face. I saw her beautiful face filled with terror. Jason’smother shouted something at a man running next to her before shielding herselfwith the dark cloak she was wearing. She continued to run away from the sceneuntil she disappeared behind the forest. It was total chaos. Craig was crouchedat the bottom of the stairs, anger and fear distorting his face. His father was busy giving orders to his menwhile shielding himself using his cloak. These cloaks must have worked as theirshields.

Suddenly a bright light formed in between dark clouds and the flashes oflightning. I noticed figures descending from the light. From this height Icouldn’t tell if the figures were human or some kind of weird creature. A silhouette of wings framed each of thefigures. Could they be angels? Did this mean I was dead already? After all theonly place one could see angels was heaven.

With everyone distracted I struggled into a sitting position. Theinvisible force that was keeping me strapped to the rock table seemed to havevanished. I lifted myself from the rock, throbbing pain existent on every partof my body forgotten. The site before me was mesmeric and spectacular. Everysingle one of the angels shone bright as if they had little diamonds engravedon their skin. Golden light radiatedfrom every single part of their bodies reminding me of joy and peace. Their dispositionmade me question their entrance that involved thunder and lightning. Weren’tangels all about sunshine and happiness?

“What is happening?” Craig’s father ordered. “Guards, get them.”

As soon as the angels landed on the ground a group of men startedtowards them. A wisp of worry flooded my veins. The angels were outnumbered.Before the guards attacked, a strong and beautiful man among the angels madehis way to the front of the flight.

Dad?

He looked so different. Every inch of his body shone bright. It was amesmerizing site to see. Was my dad really an angel? No words could express howbeautiful he looked. Feathery, silky smooth and snow white wings stood tallbehind him. My hands ached to touch them.

“This is not the time to be admiring my wings Mary-Kate.” I heard dadsay in my head “Run”. My eyes snappedwider, I wriggled on the rock.

“Craig, get the girl out of here.” Craig’s father called.

I didn’t get far as I was snatched from where I sat unexpectedly and atlightning speed I was carried over someone’s shoulder. The person was runningvery fast, faster than any mere human being. I tried lifting my head to callfor my dad but Craig was moving way too fast for me to even lift my head. Itried kicking and hitting but Craig didn’t stopover. The movements made me feelnauseated and light headed. So I gave up with fighting.

A bright light reflected the grass below Craig’s running feet. I knewexactly what he was doing. He had opened a portal. Soon the grass beneath usturned into a pavement. Craig came to an abrupt stop. He dropped me on a coldand hard ground before I could even catch my breath. I looked up at him, he waslooking behind him to see if anyone was coming but quickly turned back to mebefore I could make any move.

“This was not the plan, but I am going to have to go through theprocedure all over again.” Craig puffed.

Shock filled my stomach. I was going to go through that agonizing painagain? I could taste bile in my mouth. I tried to get up, but just likeearlier, it seemed as if all the power in my body had been drained. I waspinned to the cold, hard ground. Craig began doing the prayer, the same prayerhis father did earlier.

“Let her go!” A familiar voice interrupted Craig’s prayer.

Rage filled Craig before whirling his heard towards the voice. “How’d you get here?” Craig growled.

“You’re not the only one with the ability of speed, cousin.” Jasonpointed out.

The power forcing me down on the rock table seemed to lift. I sat up onthe rock to check if my instinct was right. My breath was caught in my throatas soon as I laid eyes on him. He was here, in flesh and as beautiful as he hasalways been. His gaze fell on me and my heartbeat increased. I couldn’t move,all the feelings I had before I was kidnapped came back again. I yearned forhis touch, his kisses, everything. Jason, I had missed him very much. All the stupidstories about him being a vampire were forgotten in that moment. He seemed toread what I was feeling because he started towards me. However, Craig stoppedhim before he moved any further.

“Where do you think you’re going? Stop right there or else I will hurther” Craig warned with his hand raised towards me. Small sparks shot fromCraig’s palm. I could not read Jason’s emotion, but his face seemed to bedistorted with worry and anger. He stopped in his tracks knowing what Craigcould do if he did not obey.

Craig mumbled something under his breath and fire shot from his otherhand like a fire machine. I didn’t know vampires had the ability to controlfire. He was so focused on making a ring of fire around us and I realised thiswas my chance to make a run for it. I shifted myself into a sitting position onthe rock table, I had to do something. I was seated with my legs dangling atthe edge of the table. I jumped to my feet but I didn’t get anywhere, my legsbuckled beneath me and I fell on my knees. Pain shot through my knees making mecry in pain.

“Kate!” Jason called.

“Don’t even think about it.” Craig warned Jason, abruptly stopping theformation of the fire ring. He turned his head towards me and ordered, “Get upnow and go back on that rock.”

I lay on the ground with no energy to lift myself up. I looked at Jasonwith plea in my eyes. Jason glanced atme before glaring at Craig with death in his eyes. “What did you do to her? Whydoes she have wounds all over her body? How dare you touch her like that?”

“What are you talking about Jason? This is the normal process ofsacrificing. There are a lot of wounds because we knew that you’d come andinterrupt, so we wanted the blood to be drained faster.” Craig continued, “Foryour own information, I can touch her any way I want. She is the key to mysuccess, so I could care less ab-“

Jason strike at Craig before he could finish his sentence. He moved sofast I didn’t even see him leave where he was standing. Before I knew it, theywere both sprawled on the ground ripping each other’s throats. If any meremortal was to walk upon the fight, he would think that they were just sillyteenage boys fighting over a girl. However, their extreme force, power andincredible jumps, gave them away.

Jason flung Craig high towards the sky. Craig landed gracefully on hisfeet and charged towards Jason. He didn’t get far as Jason held out his handand a force of wind sent Jason flying back where he landed earlier. He fell onhis back before lifting himself from the ground breathing heavily. He didn’tgive up. Jason charged at Craig as well. They threw punches at each other forwhat felt like hours. One time they both disappeared into the forest on myright and came back running again. However, I could see that Jason was weakerthan Craig.

Jason breathed heavily, watching Craig on the other side of the field.Jason closed his eyes before opening them again. Anger in his eyes. I saw hiseyes turn red and his canine teeth extended. He was indeed a vampire. Jason chargedtowards Craig with all his power. He blew wind in Craig’s eyes making himdisoriented for a few seconds. Jason used the situation in his advantage. Hepicked Craig from the ground and flung him into the ground. He plunged a silverstake into Craig. He went limb.

Jason sighed before rushing towards me. He lifted me into his armscalling my name.

“Jason.” I whispered a smile on my face. I eyed a cut on his forehead,it was already healing.

“Mary-Kate.” I could see tears forming in his eyes but they didn’t fall.He brushed a few strands from my face before continuing.

“I missed you.” I whispered lifting my hand to touch his face. He closedhis eyes when my fingers grazed his skin.

“I’m sorry Mary-Kate.” Jason sobbed opening his eyes. They were back totheir normal blue. “Do you want to know why I ambushed you that night?” Jasonwhispered. He didn’t wait for my reply. “It’s because I had a dream about youfor more than three months. It may sound crazy but that is the honest truth. Afortune teller told me I was going to replace you here. I didn’t believe her.Coincidentally, my uncle and Craig were moving here as well. Hence why, I camewith them. I had to replace you and see ifyou were real.”

“Fortune tellers are not real Jason.” Iwhispered to him in disbelief.

“Where I’m from they are.” Jason impliedconfidently. Where exactly was he from? “Mary-Kate please believe me. I wouldnever hurt you. I promise you and I never go back on my promises. I don’t knowwhat Craig told you but please you have to believe me. I wish I can tell youeverything about me but the time isn’t right at the moment. You need to surviveand get out of here.”

“What about you?” I sobbed.

“I’ll be fine.” Jason replied, tracing his finger on my face. “You’ve tolisten to me. I can’t defeat Craig. He’s too powerful. He’s had human blood andI haven’t for a while. The silver stake will only hold him down for a fewminutes. He is strong enough to kill me but he cannot kill you if you use yourpowers on him. The portal has already closed and your father cannot get to usunless another vampire or witch leads him here.”

“So, what am I supposed to do?” My voice slurred. I clutched my bleedingstomach.

“I’ll give you my blood.” Jason spoke before gazing behind him. Craigwas still sprawled on the ground but I could see him waving his arms around.

“What?” I questioned him, my voice coming out in a whisper. “What gooddoes your blood have on me?”

“It will help you to heal faster.” Jason replied reaching for somethingfrom his pocket. “I’ve heard you’re able to shoot lightning from your fingers.If you do that, you’ll be able to shoot Craig down and it should give us enoughtime for your dad to make it here.”

“But you said he needs a witch or another vampire.” I slurred again, myeyes becoming heavy.

“We’re wasting time right now. Here.” Jason whispered before running theblade across his palm. He winced in pain before shifting me in his lap. He heldit to my lips. “Drink.” I shook my head. I couldn’t drink his blood. I didn’teven know if he spoke truth about the lightning. “Please Mary-Kate. Drink itfor me.”

“Won’t I turn into a vampire?” I spoke in his head, too tired to open mymouth.

“No you won’t.” Jason sobbed out loud. I felt a drop of blood fall ontomy lips. “Please drink before the wound closes.”

More drops of blood fell onto my closed lips. Jason believed in me. Theleast I could do was obey his plea. I opened my mouth. Metallic taste filled mytongue. I swallowed when my mouth was full. I did again until I couldn’t feelJason’s blood falling into my mouth. I opened my eyes. Jason was smiling aboveme. Suddenly he was pulled away from me. I felt my head hit the concrete groundbelow me. I cried from the sudden impact.

I turned to face the field. Craig was pinning Jason to the ground. Ifelt tingles and warmth spreading all over my body. I suddenly felt my brainbecoming less hazy. I lifted my arm to my face and watched in astonishment atthe cut closing and leaving nothing on my skin. I wiggled my toes, feet andfingers. They all moved freely. I lifted my legs wincing ahead of time but nopain came from my knees. Had Jason’s blood already reached all the places thatneeded healing? I propped myself on my elbows, still shocked at how great Ifelt. I lifted myself to my feet. I watched Craig punching Jason repeatedly. Ifelt my hands forming into a fist.

“Stop.” I roared, the sky above me agreeing with me by sending shards oflighting.

Craig snapped his head towards me before releasing Jason who lay limb onthe ground. My heart ached at the sight of him but I couldn’t let him down now.Craig laughed before storming towards me with a smirk on his face.

“You’re no match for me Mary-Kate.” Craig boomed. “You haven’t evenlearnt the basic techniques in using your powers. How can you defeat me now?”

I felt anger building in my veins for Jason, for Craig hurting me, forCarla’s evil scheme and finally for Kevin. I watched Craig. My anger increasingwith every step he took. I felt my whole body warming as I breathed loudlythrough my nose. I felt electric buzz go through me. I felt its power runningfrom between my shoulder blades to my fingertips. I could hear a zapping soundcoming from below me. I looked down and small sparks emitted from myfingertips. Jason was right. I lifted my hands to my face. Could lightningreally shoot from my fingers? I turned my gaze towards Craig. He was stillcharging towards me, a huge grin on his face. I lifted my hands and pointed myfingers towards him. I willed my fingertips to release the electricity chargingin me. Nothing but a few sparks emitted.

Craig laughed at my pathetic attempt closing the distance between us.Panic settled in my stomach. I couldn’t do it. Craig was going to finish menow.

“Focus.” I heard Jason’s voice in my head. I looked around Craig atJason. He was still sprawled on the ground motionless. Tears streamed from myeyes. He looked like he was dead. “I’m not dead. Please focus on the powerthat’s in your body.” Jason said again in my head.

I closed my eyes and breathed in and out. When I opened my eyes Craigwas in my personal bubble grinning at me. His eyes were red and teeth werebared. He threw his arm to my neck, squeezing the breath out of me. I struggledto free his hand from my throat. “Please, let me go.” I struggled to speak. Hisgrip only got tighter.

“Focus,” I heard Jason’s voice in my head again. I did just that. Ifocused on the electric power that filled my body. I could feel it chargingfrom my shoulders and slowly making its way down to my hand. I heard sizzlingsound when I held Craig’s hand.

“Ow.” He exclaimed before throwing me across the field. I rolled on theground until the momentum decreased. “You stupid bitch.” I heard Craig’s voicenear me. “You burnt me.”

In a matter of seconds, he was crouched next to me. He lifted me bypulling on my shirt and hissed in my face, “You’re going to pay for what youdid.” He released me and turned away from me, recharging himself.

I gazed at Jason’s motionless body before turning towards Craig. I wasthe only one who could save Jason and I in this situation. I stood up with myhands clenched into tight fists. I had had enough with Craig thinking he couldcontrol everything. I could feel electricity charging in my body. I glanced atmy forearms, golden swirls traced my arm to my fingertips. This was it.

I slowly lifted my hand towards Craig’s back, sparks teasing my fingers.Craig whirled around and his face filled with horror. Lighting cracked from myhand and hit Craig square on the chest. He flew backwards before falling ontothe ground with a loud thud. I waited for him to get up again but nothing. Itwas all over.

I turned towards Jason with shock and fear creeping inside me. I rushedto Jason’s side. He was still limb. I lifted him onto my lap. I stroke his face,tears falling from my eyes. Suddenly I felt very tired. Too tired to hold him. Igently placed Jason’s head back onto the ground and I laid myself next to him,watching him. He slowly opened his eyes. The corners of his mouth tugged into asmall smile. He pulled me towards him and placed a small wet kiss on myforehead. A chill ran through my body. My body moved involuntarily towards him.I buried my head on his chest as my eyelids became heavy and it becameimpossible to move away from him.

“They killed my father. I’ll notlet them take you away from me too.” Jason whispered, a small tear falling from hiseye. I lifted my hand to wipe his tear away. I could feel tears escaping my owneyes. I mourned with him. I closed my heavy eyelids feeling Jason in my heart.I wanted to gaze at him a little longer but I was exhausted.

“Go to sleepmy love. I shall see you in another life time.” He whispered in my head.

Those were the last words I heard from Jason before everything wentblack.