The Dark Sire Issue 2 (Winter 2019) | Page 26

the back of her translucent head, but I could tell her expression had transformed to one of stark horror. At that instant, still in utter silence, all three figures burst into livid flames. The fire consumed them as they writhed in agony, and the stillness allowed no syllable of the apparent shrieks coming from their burning lips. My perspiration increased, the smell of soot and smoke in the room grew overpowering, and I felt a fever rapidly press upon me. In a matter of seconds, these same livid flames enveloped me, and I screamed aloud as I felt my flesh searing. The pain became unbearable for one moment, and as quickly subsided, while the burning mother and children evaporated before me and darkness descended. After long minutes of gasping for air and shifting in the sweat-drenched bedclothes, I was able to sit upright and light the lamp with shaking hands. First, I examined my skin. Though I had positively felt it peeling from my frame while the ghost flame engulfed me, I had sustained no burns—or even redness. Indeed, I was freezing. I donned a robe and rang for Jeffries. He knocked so soon I had a thought that he had been waiting just without. Speaking no word, he poured me a brandy at the sideboard. “This will steel you, sir.” I gulped it down and motioned for another. “It seems to me you have some knowledge of my being parboiled by a little family unit of spectres.” “I trust you are recovered, sir? Master thought you should have the complete tour. You did want to 24