Flame of Frost (The Caelestian Chronicles: Book #1)

Chapter 10 - Austin Eats Kristina's Noodles

My parents are taken captive for Christmas. How cheerful.

I don't even realize I'm holding my breath till my lungs start hurting. I take a shallow breath.

The announcer says:
'Today is the day when we'll finally take revenge from this witch, for betraying us—'

"Betrayed you? You dare say that!" Mom yells to no one in particular. "I left, in all my senses, formally. You all were there. I left! You dare to call me a traitor? You know you have broken ancient laws by capturing us."

'Now, now, Stella,' the announcer counters. 'I would save my breath if I were you. It's not long before you witness and experience your and your lover's— Bellator's — terrifying death.'

"We'll see that, bloodsuckers." Dad sneers.

"Alacritas will never let you get away with thi—" Mom gets cut short; she struggles to open her lips but it seems as if bound by some invisible force.

I want to reach out to her. Help her. I don't know if I'm going to be any help against this army of vampires, but I want to run to her, envelope her in a hug and tell her I'll get her and dad out of here.

A few things start swirling around my head. 'Witch', 'traitor', 'Bellator'. Mom's and Dad's clothes. The way they are talking to a vampire announcer as if it's completely normal. Who is Alacritas?

I start walking towards them only to be pulled back by Austin. His eyes are wide in alarm, darting continuously from me to Mom and Dad, his grip tightens on my arms.
After a moment, he manages to give his head a vigorous shake and mutter: "No way... It's not possible. It cannot be."

"What?" I mutter absently. "Let go of me."

"No, you can't. Look..." Then he mouths 'around you'.

"I don't care!" I yank my arm free and start to take a step to them but this time I'm lifted off of my feet and carried backward.

"Austin! Stop!" I struggle to free. "Let go!"

People are too engaged in the announcer's and my parents' conversation to pay any attention to us.

"Austin!"

'My people, would like to see them in pain?' Announcer taunts.
I take a silent pledge to smack this announcer's face until his nose goes a different path.

Cheers go up.

Why did they call Mom 'witch'? Who is Bellator and why he's my mom's lover? Why are they calling Mom their traitor? What ancient laws?

I feel dizzy from straining my brain too much. Everything churns together, making it feel like a whirlwind in my head. My legs go wobbly and weak when Austin puts me down behind a pillar. I hold onto it quickly.

"Careful!" Austin half whispers.

I start to say only to be cut short by the worst. "We have to—"

"ARGHHH!" I hear my father scream, his throat scraping raw, as a guy chants standing right beside him. His face contorts in pain.
It looks as if the guy is...vacuuming Dad's life essence, except, it is clearly visible. His golden glow is sucking very slowly towards the guy who now has a scarlet vortex like thing open right in front of him. Dad's face becomes red with pain. Mom's eyes widen with horror.
More cheers go up.

I'm about to wail, telling them to stop when Austin clasps my mouth shut and pulls me behind the pillar.

"Mmm! Mmmmm!!" I complain as Dad continues to bellow in pain behind us. A warm tear drop rolls down my right cheek. I try to free my mouth, hitting my head against the pillar several times in the process, but his hand doesn't falter. More tears fall out and soon Austin's hand is completely wet.