CHASING ASH (GXG MAFIA) BURN THE DEVIL SEQUEL

Chapter Nine

3rd person P.O.V

The elevator doors slid open as Carmilla motioned for Jane to enter the apartment. Pondering her options for a moment, Jane complied and stepped inside the high penthouse. Golden orbs reflect through the ceiling as Jane walks into the open-plan apartment. Black and gray marble cement flooring illuminates the dimmed, brass chandelier, and an L-shaped leather sofa situated in the center of the living room. Jane glances over at the paintings on the wall that oppose the ceiling-high windows. Simple abstract images are canvassed in ornamented gold frames, the muted colors blending in perfectly with the aura of the home.

Tossing the house keys into the little bowl on the island sitting at the center of the kitchen, Carmilla makes her way to the cabinet leaning against the wall. Jane stands still, awaiting the high chance that she will never leave this apartment alive. "You drink?" Carmilla speaks up at last with her back faced to Jane, her voice low and tired.

Jane snaps out of her dwell to the sound of Carmilla's voice, "I... yeah, I do. Wine, preferably" Jane responds in a slight stammer, confused but intrigued by the strange ambience that Carmilla is projecting.

Carmilla lets out a single tut, scanning the different variations of alcohol. "I don't have wine. Does Baileys work?" she offers as she pulls two glasses from the alcohol trolley situated near the bottle cabinet. Jane hums in approval as Carmilla pours her a glass, following with a glass of whiskey for herself.

Without uttering another word, Carmilla treads over to Jane, stretching her arm out to pass her the drink. Jane glances up at Carmilla and then back down at the glass inches away from her chest. She takes the drink from her grasp, their fingers brisking for a moment before Carmilla lets go.

Jane remains frozen in the middle of the room as Carmilla walks back to the island, propping herself up on the high chair. An unnerving quietude lingers around them, Jane not knowing whether to join Carmilla or speed away and hide. "Come, sit" Carmilla orders flatly, her body facing away from Jane as she gulps down the glass in her hand, swinging the glass gently, waiting for Jane to obey her command. But she doesn't dare to move, hoping Carmilla will allow her to remain at a safe distance. "Relax, I'm not in the mood to fight" Carmilla chided with a little scoff, her back still not turned to witness Jane's uncomfortable stance. Flipping the lid off her Zippo lighter to spark a flame, Carmilla places a cigarette over her whiskey-tainted lips, lighting it up and inhaling the fumes.

Jane gives in after a brief moment, walking over to sit next to Carmilla. Silently, she lifts her body up to settle on the high chair as Carmilla remains focused on the wall in front of them, not wanting to look at the woman sitting besides her. "I'm sorry, that was a stupid thing to do. I was scared for George, for Adeline. I wouldn't risk losing them." Jane admits in a muted voice, her finger tapping nervously on the milky-stained drink in her hand.

Carmilla soaked in her apology as she let her cigarette rest in between her teeth, taking a pull from her cigarette every few seconds. "I had a feeling you were up to something, but I didn't think you would actually try something so fucking idiotic, no matter what you had to risk" Carmilla speaks up calmly. Her voice held betrayal, laced with frustration but holding back the urge to raise her voice. "You could have got us both killed and then what would they have done?" she scolds sedately, her voice muffled slightly by the cigarette in her mouth.

Jane wallows in guilt as she listens to Carmilla's words, regretting her frantic decision. The thought of them dying now seemed ever so fragile. She has a little girl to live for, a husband to come home to, a family to feed and provide for. "I know, I got scared when you showed up at work, that wasn't the plan. I needed to make sure I got to you before Cole got to me'' Jane defends, aiming to defuse the blame all onto herself.