Ring of Fire

Ring of Fire
In the Mag Mell

Alroy stares past the two deities. His focus solely on the figure emerging from the opposite doorway. His eyes rake over her curves and rest on the small bundle in her arms. He flinches as the infant stirs, letting out a small coo. Then a vindictive smile forms on his lips. They part and spill out words laced with malcontent. 

“You cunning witch. How could you so easily paralyze me? Who helped you move me?” He wishes no answer. After leering at her for a moment, his eyes rest once again on the baby and he continues speaking. “I would have let you satisfy his hunger before you satisfied me. All you had to do was ask nicely. No need for such drastic measures.” He stomps across the room towards her.

Dian Cecht hesitates, taking in the scene unfolding before him. Had The Cailleach woken Alroy? That second of reflection costs him as the old hag draws her talons across his throat. Blood spills forth on the floor. Dian Cecht stumbles backwards. He grasps his neck and a golden glow emanates from his fingers. A shallow laugh escapes his throat. He turns his attention to The Cailleach but not before seeing Alroy lunge for Quinn.

“Old hag, did you forget I am a god, too.” He reaches his other hand towards her wrinkled throat. She pulls away. A sickening smile settles on her face.

“I never forget, brother. I just provided a distraction, bringing you back to the moment at hand.” She quickly glances towards the empty doorway, then turns her focus back to Dian Cecht. “Now where were we?”

During the moment, Alroy hurls Quinn through the doorway. She crashes into the crib, desperately trying to hold onto her baby. When she regains her stance, she lowers the infant into the crib and turns towards Alroy. She places herself between Alroy and the baby. He wants her. She cannot defend herself or her child with the baby in her arms, she tells herself. Alroy only wants to hurt her, she thinks.

“Good choice, abandoning the child. I will deal with him later. For now, you can use your talents to pleasure me.” Alroy madly lunges at Quinn, ripping her blouse as he ensnares her in his arms. “Now be a good little dove and we can resume the fun that was so rudely interrupted last time.”

Images of dangling from the ceiling, Alroy’s naked body inches from her own, the excruciating pain surging through her blood from electrocution swirl through Quinn’s head. She feels her feet give beneath her. Her body surrenders to the intensity and stress. She wishes to give up, just die. Death must be easier than this. Then a small cry arises from the crib. She gathers the strength she lost to doubt. Her legs regain footing and she thrashes against Alroy trying to create a gap between them.

Her movements jostle the crib. The baby’s cries grow louder. She glances back, moving to comfort him. Alroy catches her off guard. His blow sends her sprawling towards the floor. She lands on her hip, the pain shooting up her back and toppling her completely to the ground. She cusses and whimpers in pain. The infant’s wail increases urgency.

Alroy roars. He springs forward and crashes his body on top of hers. Another wave of pain shoots through her as he lands. 

“Good to see you being so compliant, little dove.” He pins her chest with his forearm. “The screams of your child will provide romantic music for what I am about to do to you.”

Quinn bucks below him, working hard to remove herself from his hold. She focuses on escaping. Alroy’s hand creeps towards her waist. He drags his fingers across her skirt’s fabric, crinkling it upward. When it is all bound by her waistband, He reaches his hand down and roughly caresses her thigh, moving inward. Quinn kicks her legs and thrust her knee forward. A sharp pain pierces her muscle. She feels blood trickle down her skin towards the floor.

“I love the fight in you, little dove. Makes devouring you more pleasurable.” Alroy whispers as he wipes the blood from her thigh with his index finger. He raises his hand towards her lips and presses the finger against her mouth. She scrunches her lips together and shakes her head violently. Alroy draws the finger away. He stares down at her as he licks her blood from the tip of his finger. “Suit yourself. But I do have to say, you taste delicious, little dove.”

Quinn closes her eyes. She squints hard, desperately trying to wish herself away from here. A rough pull, then an agonizing sting consumes her head. Alroy wraps his hand in her hair and yanks her head towards the ground. 

“Open your eyes, little dove.” He demands. “I want to enjoy the pain and fear in them.”

She keeps her eyes closed, squinting harder. Another pull at her hair causes her to wince and a quiet sob escapes her lips. She swallows hard, trying to stifle any further sound. Her pain is Alroy’s bliss. She will not give him the satisfaction of enjoying her torture.

He bellows and growls, “Open your eyes now or I will turn my attention elsewhere.” 

Quinn feels him raise off of her. She opens her eyes slightly. The giant beast stands easily. His body turns towards the crib. He moves forward. Millions of fears collide in Quinn’s mind. Her eyes blink wide. The terror Alroy wishes for is etched behind them. 

She cries out, “Stop. No. I will do whatever you want. Leave him alone.” 

Alroy does not turn his attention to Quinn. He focuses on the baby in the crib. With his back to her, he replies, “I do not wish you compliant, little dove.” He bends down over the crib.

Quinn rocks herself into a seated position and then springs towards Alroy’s calves. She tries to pull him backwards. Her effort is met with resistance. She pounds her fists on the back of his knees, hoping to buckle them. 

Alroy laughs, “Is that the best you got, little dove?” He lowers his hands into the crib. “I thought you would fight harder for this bastard.”

Quinn screams out. All of her fear and anger escapes her throat. The sound saturates the air and with it, fire encircles the crib. Alroy jumps away and topples to the floor.