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

Chapter 5 - Wow! More depressing news? Shocker!

Austin and I jump to our feet after the awkward ordeal.
"It's probably Grace and Kristina," I mutter, striding past him.

"Lights: Brighter by 30 percent." Yelling to the lighting system, I hurry downstairs and open the door. They stand there.

Grace steps forward and hugs me, my face buries in her long, brown hair. She holds me for a moment, then lets Kristina hug me. Kris squeezes me for a short moment and steps away, towering over me.
"Are you all right?" She holds me at arm's length. I nod in answer. Her straight, raven black stand out like she forgot to brush it, along with the electric blue highlights.

"Gods, why are you sweating so much?" Grace frowns. 'We told you not to worry, your parents must be around here or the city squares." She is standing in purple pajamas.

"I'm not worried." I wipe my forehead without thinking.

"Don't lie." Kristina narrows her steel blue eyes. She always applies thick black eyeliner, and kohl on her waterline, which I often find scary. She is always dressed in punk clothes, always ready to react to an unpredictable act.
"At what time did you find—"

"Oh my god!" Grace suddenly screams near me, which makes me jump and grab Kristina by her arms.

"What's wrong Grace?" Kris scowls, tightening her own grip on me.

"Is that blood?" Grace points to the dried and frozen blood stain near the door.

Kristina stares at it. Her jaw drops slightly. "Yes."

"Oh god!" Grace shudders. "So much blood. Why is there blood?" She is afraid of blood, especially when a person is bleeding. Usually more scared than the victim themselves.

"Don't panic." Kris turns to me, her eyes do a quick survey over my head, my arms and legs. "Were you bleeding?"

"I wasn't." I shake my head. I was shocked to see this too."

Her jaw clenches. "What happened here?"

"Okay. First—" Before I can say anything further, Austin's steps echo throughout the house.

"Who is that?" Grace whispers, taking uneven breaths.

"Smells funny," Kristina says thoughtfully.

"Sorry, I heard someone scream. I should go now." Austin turns back.

Stupid.
"Austin, wait." I rub my face in frustration. "Everyone, come here."
Walking to stand near the couch, I let everyone follow me to the living room.
"Austin, this is —"

"Kristina and Grace?" he asks, cutting me off.

I nod. "This is Austin. He goes to Nottwill High too."

"Oh." Kristina nods as if remembering something. "Hi." She extends a hand in an attempt of shaking it with him and but ends up with a tragic take back of her hand as soon as Austin touches her. "Whoa, dude! You're like ice." She shudders.

"I-I just washed my hands." Austin tries to come up with a convincing lie and fails. He looks at me for help and I frown in reply.
Kris nods nonetheless, shivering and rubbing her hands together.

Grace watches intently.

"I needed to tell you guys something," I say finally.

Grace's silver eyes widen. "Is it what I think it is?" She scans Austin. "Are you two..."

"Are we two what, Grace?"

Grace pulls Kristina's to her, whispers something in her ear and they both laugh.