THE DEAN'S STORY: BEHIND CLOSED DOORS

"Four to make a circle, four to make a cage

the word, the blood, the chalice and the liar's heart per saved…"

The prose echoed through the cavernous office. They appeared in streaks of red and gold – dancing about the dimly lit room before slowly settling above her desk as if it were taunting her. The betrayal burned, washing over and settling deep in her heart — if she had a heart, that is. Her eyes glazed over; she knew what her daughter had done.

Her daughter – after all that had transpired, she scoffed at the idea that she would still consider the insipid brat her daughter. She had saved that girl from a life of servitude. The girl was destined to be a trophy wife to a simpering slob of a man, a life where she would be trotted out and expected to perform on command and dote on his every whim.

Instead, she had whisked the girl away, given her immortality and the power to rule beside her. In return, she would be defied and betrayed over what – a poor excuse of a beau who happened to have a vice grip on her daughter's heart?

Carmilla is meant to be by my side. I don't choose lightly and I am never wrong, so she will not choose a fleeting romance over everything we have built. These humans are merely a means to an end.

The dean grew impatient. She raised her hand in a dismissive wave –– the words above her desk dissipated. She closed her eyes and muttered, "I am a god, I am a god," repeatedly as if the mantra would somehow penetrate through the walls and settle the ever growing restlessness within her.

She knew Carmilla could sense this, but she was a god; therefore, she was better at this game. A sacrificial lamb here, a pawn there and she would be the victor. It should have been that easy, yet world domination still was beyond her grasp.

Why must she go against me? I let her have the toy. Bah! She thinks it is love. Immortality makes love fleeting. Humans are fragile, so prone to dying. But, did I separate them? I am a benevolent one.I allowed her to keep the object of her affection. And, she dares … she dares to treat me as if I were the pawn.

Bah! I should just let this other one loose on distraction could prove useful. The very idea that a lovesick puppy and 2 snivelling children could unearth the true potential behind the Book of Lives… it is laughable.

Now that they had reached the 5th seal, she knew it wouldn't be long before they reached the 7th and this game would be over and none of this would matter.

Once I open the gates to hell I will finally take my rightful place at the head of the table and everybody would be forced to bow down to me or fear my wrath. My daughters will see and they will come and rule by mummy dearest like the good little daughters they were trained to be. All these other distractions will melt away and everything will finally be as they should be.

I have waited centuries for this moment and I am not about to let anything force my hand. All good things come in time, patience is all that is needed.

At that very moment, she doubled over, an unfinished thought bounced dangerously off the walls as she emitted a low growl and flew out of the room.

"The Sword of Hastur …"