Cirice Forge doesn't know who she is. Other than a piece of paper with her name on it, she knows nothing about her time before she was dispersed into the foster system. Now, she bartends at a popular gentleman's club with plenty of ogling and still...
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"Argh!" Cirice screamed as she slammed against the ice. The ice below her gave way and she was plunged into the frozen lake water. Cirice opened her eyes, the dark world around her blurry. The water cut into her skin as she was pulled deeper. The hand released her only for a moment before traveling up to her neck.
It was attached to a dark creature, similar to a ghul with its skeletal appearance and dark black flesh. Its deep crimson eyes bore into her as Cirice let out her last air to scream. Icy water rushed into Cirice's lungs, burning her throat as she struggled against the creature's iron grip. It dragged her further down, rows of razor-sharp teeth bored at her.
From above, she could hear the water breaking at Alex dove into the water. With one last blink, her world turned black.
Alex's eyes fell to the creature and Cirice in the murky, frozen depths of the lake. His unnaturally warm skin caused the water to burn like acid as he fought his way over to Cirice and the creature. The creature met his eyes and sneered, just as Alex ignited his hand.
There was no fire, but there was a bright light that alarmed the creature long enough for it to release Cirice and scamper off into the depths of the lake. Alex was losing air and seized Cirice's arm, yanking her upward until the broke the surface.
"M-Mason! Mason!" he cried, his voice hoarse as frigid air caressed his skin. He forced Cirice up as much as he could just as Mason skittered onto the ice and morphed to his original form. He yanked Cirice up onto the ice and then reached out a hand to Alex.
"What the hell happened!?" he cried as Alex went to Cirice, placing his face next to hers. She was cold, her eyes closed.
"A ghul attacked again. It's not safe here, the Cardinal will probably come expecting her to be dead." Alex said as he began pumping Cirice's chest. He had very little knowledge of CPR save for some movies he had seen but he knew the basics.
"Come on Cirice. Come on!" he screamed. He pushed again, this time warm water shooting up and into his eyes as Cirice coughed, gasping for air. She was dazed and frozen to the bone as she turned to her side, spitting up more water.
"Alex?" she croaked softly. Alex pushed her hair from her face as Mason eyed him.
"Take her back to New Vale at once," Alex said as Mason morphed into a sleek, black horse.
"What about you?" Mason asked as Alex scooped Cirice up and placed her on Mason's back.
"He will be here soon," Alex said, his stomach pitting as he watched Cirice's body fall limp against Mason.
"How do you know?" Mason pressed as Alex secured Cirice's hands in Mason's mane. Her lips were beginning to turn blue.
"I just do. Now go!" Alex screamed. Mason neighed and took off from the ice and into the woods. Alex wiped his bloodied knuckles on his soaked shirt and then ignited his hand. The warmth enveloped him as he limped over to the steep bank.
The Cardinal would come and he would wait. He just hoped Cirice got help in time.
****
"What is the meaning of this!?" Ithica cried as she answered the door to find Mason carrying a numb Cirice. Ice crystals had formed over her blue lips, her closed eyes eerily dark and veiny. She was barely conscious as Mason pushed through and into the warm parlor.
Ivy was knitting by the fire and when Mason appeared she brightened but her expression immediately fell to worry. Cirice's normally bright blue color was barely above a dull glow as compared to Mason's green.
"What has happened?" she shot.
"Get Papa immediately!" he urged to Ithica as he placed Cirice on the sofa. Ivy immediately went to her side as Mason placed a blanket over her. Ivy began to rub her hand, muttering an incantation barely above a whisper. A small flame appeared in Cirice's palm for a half-second before sputtering out. Ivy sighed in relief and fell against the couch.
"What happened?" Ivy repeated, this time grabbing his hand. Mason shook her off and ran a hand through his hair.
"We went out for a walk when a ghul attacked her and dragged her into the lake."
"Where is Alexander?" The steady voice from behind them made them both jump. Papa strode into the room, pushing them aside as he kneeled by his daughter. She was barely stirring, shivering occasionally as her lips trembled.
"He is still in the forest," Mason explained, watching as Papa ran a hand along Cirice's cheek.
"Ithica prepare a lukewarm bath. Ivy please go and fetch the Sisters and Potentials." Papa ordered as he pushed the blanket from Cirice and pulled her into his arms.
"I can carry her." Mason offered, reaching out.
"No!" Papa cried, flinching away as Ithica held the door open.
"You will stay here and alert me the moment Mr. Idris arrives." Papa glowered at him before stalking off, anger boiling inside of him.
