Marienne's life was completely undone when her village went up in flames. Badly burned and her eyesight lost, she awakes in a strange place, with no knowledge of how she arrived there. Her savior was the enigmatic and alluring Victor, the Lord of Az...
Author's Note: Again, this chapter needs a content warning for violence, blood and gore! Things are getting pretty tense here at the end, and I'm hoping y'all are on the edge of your seats for the conclusion of this story.
Also, I'd like to comment that this chapter is meant to be the conclusion to the story overall, where as the next is meant as an introduction to where the story is going next. I will just tell you now that I have the sequel planned, and should be releasing in the second half next year, perhaps in 2026. Nothing is planned firmly timeline wise, but fingers crossed I won't be leaving you waiting for too long!
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We ran as fast as our legs could carry us towards the Great Hall. I could hear Amelia gradually falling behind, but I daren't slow down. Every little second was one that could separate us from success or failure. We reached the Hall, and I slammed my shoulder against the great door, thrusting it open with the momentum carrying me forward.
Needless to say, me bursting through the room caused quite a commotion. Startled staff standing around the door stumbled away in every direction, in a muttering, uncontrolled mass. Several tall candelabras used for illumination in the evenings were knocked down, falling with a clattering crash. I pulled myself up, sides heaving with the exertion of running so quickly. Amelia came skidding around the corner a moment later, sliding and crashing into me. I caught her before she flung herself directly into the nearest person.
I looked around, slowly gathering my bearings. Genevieve was standing towards the front of the room, staring back at us with tears streaming down her eyes. She had been in the middle of speaking when we entered, and her mouth was open slightly. She closed it, her lips slowly settling into a hopeful smile. I turned towards the Council and my blood chilled when I saw the scene set up before me.
Victor lay on an altar of sorts that looked rather like some form of funeral pyre. The Councilman stood over him, silver blade clutched tightly in his hand. My stomach turned, and even though I hadn't eaten anything since lunch the previous day, it threatened to empty itself all over the stone floor. I swallowed back the bile that had begun rising in my throat, and started walking towards the Council, Amelia close behind me.
