Chasing Shadows Read Online Free PDF Page B

and someone else, then two sets of footsteps walked up the stairs and stopped at my door. The door slowly opened and revealed Sebastian’s tall frame. Trying not to seem as frail as I felt, I forced myself into a sitting position, and he smiled at my stubbornness. He quietly closed the door behind him, shutting us in darkness.
    “Clamora needs you to come to her place. She needs to teach you and show you how to handle this. Your parents agreed to let me take you and bring you back after a few days. I couldn’t explain in detail, but they understand what is going on. You are scaring them.” Sebastian saw my look of shame and continued, “I know it’s not intentional, but you are. They are worried for you; they don’t know what to do and can only help with medicines that are no longer meant for your body. I am going to pack some of your clothes. I know what kind you will need, so no worries. Then I will put them in my car and come to get you and we’ll leave. Do you understand?” Sebastian’s voice was serious and worried, and the look on his face said there was no arguing.
    I nodded and watched as he dug through my closet and drawers. Once Sebastian finished, he disappeared for a few moments and quickly returned. I protested as he picked me up, but it did no good. Without jostling my body, he made it down the stairs and out the door. He carefully placed me on the passenger seat and buckled me in. I squeezed my eyes shut as he started the long drive to Clamora’s. He never once turned on the radio or spoke a word, and for that I was grateful. My head was pounding, and the ache between my shoulder blades returned. When the car finally stopped, I opened my eyes and realized we were in a garage.
    Sebastian had carried me into the house, laid me down in a guest bedroom, and put my belongings on the floor. He smiled softly and hurried out of the room. After a few minutes, I began convulsing and broke out in a cold sweat, then a sharp pain took over my entire body. I tried crying out, but only a small squeak came out. Moments passed and my body stopped shaking, but it ached all over. I was exhausted and closed my eyes in hope of some sleep.
    The room was dark when I finally woke up. I moved my arms and legs, testing for pain in the muscles. A sigh of relief escaped my throat when I found only soreness in my body. Slowly, I got up out of the bed and walked to the window. The curtains were closed, and I was curious if it was nighttime yet. I opened one side of the curtains and let the moonlight bathe my skin in a soft yellow glow. The harvest moon was coming. An earthy yellow color began to encompass the moon, making it brighter, with a golden halo surrounding it. My hand rested on the cool glass and I took a deep breath.
    Turning toward my bag on the floor I prayed that Sebastian had remembered to grab my toothbrush and a sweater. After finding my toothbrush and toothpaste, I pulled on my black hoodie and went in search of the bathroom. The light in the hall was achingly bright. I had to squint my eyes to see clearly. With my hand on the wall guiding me, I found the bathroom and quickly brushed my teeth. Once I finished with my teeth, I grumbled at my hair and threw it up into a messy bun on top of my head. I looked into the mirror one last time and paused when I saw that the veins in my neck were silver. Reaching up, I ran my finger along one of the veins and was surprised to see it turn a deep blue. Curious, I looked at my wrists to see if the color there had changed too, but the veins there were still blue and purple. Sighing one last time, I walked back into the bright hallway in search of Clamora.
    The study was dark and looked much like the sitting room where she first told me what had happened to me. There were crystals hanging from various parts of the ceiling, and candles took over a few of the shelves on the bookcase by the window. Dark curtains hung on each side of the window, letting in the moon’s faint glow.