The Fire Within

The Truth

"Argh!" Cirice screamed, a blue flame bursting forth from her hand and obliterating a stained glass window portraying a beautiful young woman. She stumbled sideways into a broken pew as a coughing fit took over her. The chill bit into her as she righted herself and wiped her mouth.

"Cirice!" A voice cut through the cold early afternoon, startling her. Cirice turned to the entrance of the church where a figure appeared. "Cirice?" It was Alex. Cirice scoffed and dropped onto the pew, it's creaks crying out in distress. 

"Cirice what are you doing here? We have been looking everywhere for you." Alex said, walking up the aisle and dodging a still-flaming pew Cirice had taken out. Cirice sighed and threw her hands up in defeat.

"If you're here to rub it in, just leave. I just wanna go home," she said, her tone somber as her head listed to one side and she took in the altar. Blue hellfire had illuminated the candles and she was quite pleased with her discipline. Alex took a seat beside her.

"So burning down the place is going to get you home?" he asked, looking over at her. Cirice eyed him as she shook her head and shrugged. "Maybe," They sat in silence for a moment.

"Shouldn't you be cutting the cake by now?" she snapped, raising her eyebrows. Alex stood and extended his hand. Cirice watched it for a moment before taking it. She noted how cool it was to the touch and wrote it off on his journey here.

"About that, I did not go through with it." he said gently, watching her. Cirice's brows furrowed as she eyed him.

"What do you mean?" she shot back. Alex shook his head, biting his lip. 

"I could not go through with it, not knowing that you needed me so much," he said, pulling her close to him. Cirice's eyes darted around the room as he cradled her head against his chest. Something was off. Alex's hand shifted as he pulled away.

"I love you," he whispered, meeting her eyes. He neared her face and gently kissed her. Cirice kissed him back but was surprised to find that the usual spark that ignited her body was absent. He kissed her more forcefully, holding her in place. Cirice's open eyes watched his closed ones as he fought to deepen the kiss. Sensely her hesitation, he pulled away. 

"Come, we must tell your father at once," he said eagerly, starting away. When Cirice didn't move he looked back at her, eyes confused. Cirice laughed.

"What is it, love?" he asked as Cirice cleared her throat. 

"I was just thinking about the night we first met. You know, back in Boston." Cirice said as his features fell. Cirice eyed him as he gathered himself. "How could I forget."

"That shitty bar and that drink you ordered...what was that drink?" Cirice asked wistfully, her eyes distant as she let out a breathy laugh. Alex watched her for a moment, his jaw twitching before he spoke.

"Whiskey of course. Now come on, we do not have much time," he said urgently, grabbing her hand. Cirice planted her feet into the floor and glared at his back.

"Listen I don't know who the hell you are, but you are not Alex." Cirice snapped, clenching her fist as Alex stopped. He stood for a moment, shaking his head before scoffing. He clapped his hands, turning to her.

"What gave it away? The voice?" Alex's face began to morph as he walked towards her, black smoke pooling at his feet. 

"The kiss?" The smoke climbed to his waist. 

"The memories?" he asked, his voice morphing into another familiar one.

Mason. Mason stared back at her, his blonde hair and green eyes watching her with a mischievous grin.

"What? Why?" Cirice asked, confusion plaguing her as Mason watched her. 

"You may have been the fastest but you were never the brightest. Why do you think?" he asked, his voice sweet as he leaned against a pew. Cirice shrunk away from him, her eyes not leaving him as her cold, pale hands gripped the pew for support.

"The Cardinal? Really? Why?" she shot quickly, her head swimming as her eyes narrowed. Mason crossed his arms and gave her a distant smile.

"Why does anyone do anything? Power? Glory?" It was Cirice's turn to scoff.

"Really? You think that's what he can give you? What could he possibly offer you to convince you to betray your best friends?" Cirice spat, venom in her voice. Mason laughed mirthlessly.

"You," he said, pointing at her. He smiled, pleased with himself. Cirice shuddered and gripped the pew beside her.

"That wasn't his offer to make," Cirice said through gritted teeth. She shook her head, recalling that day in the forest. 

"That was you in woods, wasn't it? I didn't imagine Margaery," she said, glaring at him. He spread his arms and bowed, smiling. Cirice barred her teeth as she fought to control the fire that burned inside of her. The room started to become fuzzy, but she ignored it. 

"Growing up it was always you and Alex. You always chose him, and I was always last," he said, his eyes narrowing on her as Cirice's breathing began to quicken. The room began to spin. 

"W-What's happening?" she asked breathlessly as she fell forward. Her face slammed into the hard stone floor of the church, blood pooling at various cuts. 

"You really shouldn't kiss strangers, Cirice," Mason said darkly, walking over to her and kneeling down. Cirice coughed, her vision red from the blood and beginning to go dark as she gripped at her throat.

"Mason, please don't do this." Cirice pleaded, her voice hoarse as her heart raced on. A howl echoed throughout the cavernous room, causing Cirice to jump and Mason to smile devilishly. Through the gaping hole in the ceiling a dark, horned creature appeared and crawled through. More followed, climbing across the ceiling and down the walls. 

"Oh, love. It's already done."