The Flames of Count Carillo:

04 - 20 - 25 / Day 14

(Thank you to

T.P. Kaaos

for the title)

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The crimson bricked shell covered the tongue of fire. Count Carillo ripped the letter in half. He fed it to the hearth. It crunched onto the paper and ink with ease. The Count ran his fingers through his raven-colored coils and pursed his lips.

“Do you see what the bastards are ensuing?” Count Carillo spoke like water flowing over stones.

The flames smiled. The heat kissed warmth into his pale and deathly chilled skin. It spoke in pops and clicks. “War and blood.”

Count Carillo smiled, revealing a blazing white fang that fell like a dagger down into his bottom lip. “If they continue to prod further –”

“No.”

It brightened up the room and the heat pushed back on the Count’s hair.

“No?”

“Do you see her dancing in the blaze?” His eyes bounced with the rhythm.

“Yes – yes.” He looked down at his boots. Accented by black iron on the toes.

“Put this farce down now.”

“She –”

“The stars are not getting closer. They are. They smell you.” Its tongue licked the bricks black.

Count Carillo looked down at his hands. No scars. Nails pruned to perfection. Hairless. Powerful. He tightened them into fists. He dug into his own palms.

“Sense their fear. Show them the face of it. Protect her. Us.”

“Of course.” Count Carillo let the tear bubble into the corner of his black eye. It never fell.

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(Thank you to Turtles of Alchemy for the amazing prompt, HEARTH. Cozy horror? Maybe. 230 words.)

BuymeAjoint <3

(Anda Lupulet via Unsplash)