Passion for Blood

Chapter 34:

Fitz:

I watch as they begin to chain her, first her wrists, then her legs, to the floorboards. I'm still too weak to accomplish anything, but that doesn't mean I can't signal Thea. As I say the lines with my hand to my lips, a small flame bursts from my hand and increases as I repeat the spell. I hear a few gasps, but I concentrate on the spell, hoping she arrives on time. I conclude the magic by covering the blossoming flame with my other hand, lifting my arms above my head, and the flames spread from my palm through the glass sealing smashing the windows. People scream and flee as glass shards fall all over the place. I can't help but grin as I hear their shouts; it gives me joy to know that no matter how much they claim to be on top, I will and shall always be there. I notice glass falling around Madeleine; my magic isn't as strong as it once was. Mostly because I never taught myself how to use it, but that doesn't imply I don't understand the fundamentals. I close my eyes and remember my mother showing me how to use our bodies as a shield for others without physically being present. Apotropaic magic is another name for it. I open my eyes to see the intensity of my force wrap around her petite body, her eyes squeezed firmly as she awaits the blow. I keep my attention on the shield; if I am distracted, it will disappear. The only problem now is that it's consuming the last of my energy, and unless I feed, I'll only get weaker.

Madeleine:

I open my eyes having not felt anything, looking up I watch the glass fall all around me but never on me. My heart slows a bit when I realise I am not in danger, for now. Looking forward I see Fitz with his eyes closed and his hand to his mouth, is he doing this? I remember the visit with Thea, she told me he hardly ever uses his magic. I also remember her telling me that using magic drains your energy, he's already weak as is from having not fed. He'll only get worse if he continues.

The glass soon stops but everyone has left the room, leaving me and Fitz behind. They left me? I knew the council hated me but my own family didn't try and stay to help me? How can you worry about them when you are still in danger? the voice in my head reminds me.

On que Lucian walks in, his hair is a mess, and he is followed by three hunters, a woman and the council's Bishop. I met him with Nathaniel, we were discussing my marriage to Lucian, and he scared me. His grey hair and the constant disapproving look on his face. "Irene?" Fitz says. He knows her? "Take him away before he brings the building down on us." His voice thunders through the room. "But sir what about the trial?" one of the hunters ask. "We can't kill him when she is still controlled by him, we help her first then we continue." I try and move but I remember that I have been chained to the floor. "Irene don't touch her!" Fitz shouts but the woman ignores him as she removes her cloak. They soon take Fitz away and the room refills with everyone. "Shall we begin, sister?" Lucian asks Irene who smiles sinisterly, I feel my stomach drop. "Madeleine Collins you are accused of fraternizing with our enemy, betrayal of the council you swore loyalty to, you are however pardoned for your sins for your mind is not your own, how do you plead?" The bishop reads from his bible.

Looking around I can't find Grace or my brothers, "Where are they?" I say cutting the bishop off. Lucian's face falters as he realises who I am referring to. "Find them," he whispers to a hunter who nods before leaving. "Fitz," I whisper as the bishop continues reading, I feel tears fall down my face as I look at the ceiling of broken glass.

"How do you plead?" he repeats his question. Everyone looks at me, I feel humiliated in this position. "I'm guilty of killing someone, I'm guilty of my relationship to our enemy yes but in those decisions that you claim are mistakes, I was and still am in control of my mind," I say looking the Bishop dead in the eye. "She isn't thinking straight, father please help her." Lucian feigns worry. "There is evil within you child and it must be driven out, turn to God once more and leave all your sins in the underworld." He reads a few more lines. Irene begins to murmur incomprehensible phrases. My chest tightens in pain, and I grind my teeth while arching my back off the floor. "Repent, child!" The Bishop says, but my only response is a scream. My heart is pounding in my chest, and I can feel my body warming up. It stings. More tears fall as the anguish worsens.