The Fire Within

Last Rites

Cirice coughed, her body arching against the stone floor as the action woke her. Her eyes slowly opened, closing slightly and then opening again as she took in the room around her. She was cold, freezing, to be frank. She was laying on a stone floor, the chill wrapping itself around her like giant tentacles.

Cirice pushed herself up, wiping her mouth as her aching arms held her in place. She looked around, the room dim. To her left were thick, wrought iron bars, to her right a stone wall that was just as damp and cold as the floor.

"What the-?" Cirice said, trailing off as she pulled herself up. She was confused, the events of the previous day hazy in her mind as she rubbed her head.

"Don't panic," She jumped, her head snapping towards the direction of the voice. Mason leaned casually against the wall, his arms crossed in front of him on the other side of the bars. Cirice squinted, making out his features.

"I might not remember everything, but I remember you," she spat, rubbing her head again and stretching her aching bones. Mason chuckled, approaching her.

"You are quite spirited, even in these dank conditions. I suppose you are wondering where you are?" he asked, his tone so casual it was as if he had asked about her favorite flower. Cirice looked around, hugging her arms to herself and shivering.

"You're in the Cardinal's castle. The Sisterhood once resided here before he took control." Mason explained, the faint firelight from the torch on the wall casting long shadows on his face. Cirice glared at him.

"Now what? We get married?" Cirice asked, sarcasm in her voice as she leaned against the wall. She was cold, but still rather exhausted and not wanting to be back on the floor. Mason shook his head.

"Not yet. He wants to see you, though." Mason alerted, reaching into his coat pocket and revealing a key. He inserted it into the large lock holding the barred door as Cirice approached him cautiously.

"I wouldn't try anything. I can outrun you now." Mason growled, wrapping his hand around her arm. He pulled her forward, taking a deep inhale of her hair and savoring the scent before they started out of the dungeon. The castle wasn't much warmer than the dungeons. Long, dark hallways twisted and tangled as they walked, large tapestries depicting macabre scenes towered over them.

Finally, they came to a large set of doors. He knocked once and released her arm. "You're not coming?"

"I have got to get back and report to your insufferable boyfriend and father." Mason snapped, bowing playfully as he started away.

"Hey Mason," Cirice called gently. He turned and glanced at her, taking in the beautiful creature before him that would soon be all his. 

"Fuck you." she snapped, throwing up her middle finger just as the door opened. 

A woman looking eerily like Cosette eyed her for a moment before opening the door wider so she could enter. Inside the room was just as cavernous as the hallways. A large fire roared in the fireplace whose mantle was as tall as she and whose width could rival a full-sized car. Above the mantle was a portrait of the Cardinal, on either side of them were cnadle-lit sconces. A set of chairs and a chaise lounge sat on a worn ornate rug. The room was lavish compared to the rest of the castle. Cirice cleared her throat impatiently, the cold getting the best of her.

The Cardinal stood from his chair, now in his red suit. He was a looming figure and Cirice unconsciously recoiled at his movement. He watched her for a moment, his face in the shadow of the firelight that illuminated his body. He noted her reaction and moved closer to her, taking in her shivering frame.

"You are cold. I do apologize for your lodgings, we did not know how you react when you would awake." Cardinal Copia said, seizing her arm and dragging her towards the fireplace. The warmth was delicious to Cirice's chilled body. She took a tentative seat on the chaise and he regained his seat. She leaned the fire, silent as he watched her.