To Deceive A Duke

Chapter 42

Clarissa is standing on the deck, a fiery tornado of deadly flame swooping around her, but she doesn't feel afraid. A figure is standing behind her, their arms wrapped around her shoulders, holding her, comforting her. She turns her head and smiles, looking up into Daniel's handsome face. A sense of relief and calm flows through her and she leans her head against his shoulder, closing her eyes. The fire creeps closer to them, biting at their ankles but they stay locked in their embrace. 

Then, a searing pain grips Clarissa's wrist and she gasps, looking down. A charred hand with pealing flakes of flesh has attached itself to her and trying to pull her into the fire. She struggles against it but the grip is punishing and brutal, she turns to Daniel for help but her eyes widen as he grins manically and lets go of her. She begins to scream as she is yanked closer to the wall of flame. She fights with all her might, kicking and yelling, but she cannot escape the burnt hand as it pulls her to her death. A solid shove to her back sends her stumbling forwards.  She glances over her shoulder just in time to see Daniel smirk and give a small wave before the fire engulfs her. The betrayal and hurt rip through her but she barely has time to process it as she falls. She puts her hands out in front of her, expecting to be falling onto fire and wood but instead her palms hit cold ground. 

She groans as she hits the stone, the impact sending waves of dull pain through her body. Once the ache has subsided, she raises her head and squints around her. The fire has vanished and she is lying on the pavement in front of her old house. A small whimper draws her attention and she clambers to her feet, moving towards it. A burnt and shaking body lies on the top step, curled up and helpless, moaning something terrible. Clarissa immediately rushes over to kneel at their side. She brushes the remaining wisps of hair from their face and then she freezes. 

Staring back at her are the same purple eyes she sees when she looks in the mirror. She tears her hand away, scrambling back, her heart pounding in her ears. She feels sick but she can't drag her gaze away from her dying self, their pitiful cries filling her ears. A dull thud echos through the street and she looks around, terrified of what is coming next. She feels invisible hands seize her shoulders and she starts to scream as she is shaken like a rag doll.

"Clarissa,"

She moans and pushes out. 

"Clarissa!"

"Wha...what?" Clarissa jolts awake, disorientated. She blinks and sees Daniel leaning over her, his tousled blonde hair falling lazily across his face.  She sits up, looking around, her fear falling away when she realises that she is safe in his room. The dull thud happens again and she jumps.

"What's going on?" She asks, pinching her arm to make sure she still isn't dreaming. The faint light from a single candle illuminates half of the room, casting the rest in shadow but she can see the clock on the bedside table is reading a little after half 2. 

Daniel places a finger to her lips and shakes his head. He gestures for her to stay and then he climbs out of bed and picks up the poker by the fireplace. He creeps towards the door, his weapon held aloft. The knock happens again and they share an alert and alarmed look, both ready to strike. Before they can make another move the door crashes open and a young boy stumbles into the room.

"Who the hell are you?" Daniel barks, brandishing the poker and advancing on him. The boy skids to a halt to avoid the sharp point, holding up his hands in surrender. 

"Simon, what are you doing here?!" Clarissa demands, frowning at his dark hair, wonky jaw and the S Guard badge sitting askew on his jacket. Simon ducks around the sharp iron rod, giving the duke a wary look before approaching the bed. 

"You have to come now!" He pleads, grabbing her nearest hand, panic alive in his eyes, "There's an emergency in Kingsway,"

"What?" Daniel drops the poker and strides over to him. He removes the boy's grip on his wife, and holds him firmly by the shoulders, looking directly into his eyes, "What's happened?"