Disclaimer: Miranda Arthur is the only thing in this story I claim. Everything else Belongs to the talented Jenny Nemmo
He approached the bars as she began to stir. Yes, Manfred had finally managed to get Miranda exactly where he wanted her. He couldn't help the twisted little thrill of victory at seeing her imprisoned in his trap. Granted it would have been a lot easier if he could have simply won her over without resorting to this sort of method, however he was looking forward to getting back at her for all those moments.
"Are you finally awake Miranda, I do hope you slept well." He said with a slight smirk when she groaned into her hands.
"Where?" She asked with a croak in her voice, not moving from her spot.
"One of the dungeon rooms of course." Manfred answered with the same silky tone, Miranda remained silent a moment before groaning again and pushing herself up slowly.
"God . . . Manfred, what the hell did you do?" Pushing the hair out of her face and rubbing her temples, "It feels like I was hit with a train or something." She said
"Just a mild sedative." He watched her in the flickering torch light, her hair was a tangled mess, face and clothes smudged from the dirt but still so alluring that it frustrated him to no end.
"I did try to be nice you know . . ." he said after another moment of quiet. Miranda gave snort of disdainful laughter, rolled her eyes then looked at him; those green, green eyes of hers burrowing into him. "I really did, however you continued to deny my attempts to be civil."
"You've given your fair share of threats too, Manny my dear. Finally grew the balls to follow through huh?" Miranda said as she looked around the room. Manfred clenched his jaw and worked to keep his temper in check, this woman was truly infuriating.
"We don't need to make this difficult, just your cooperation is all I really want Miranda."
"Oh please, I don't need to be in your head to know what you're thinking of doing to me." She didn't even turn to face him. Manfred's anger snapped and he was already at the bars, reaching in he grabbed her shoulder and spun her to face him.
"You will listen to what I say! If you want out of this place you will listen." He said forcefully applying more pressure to his grip as his hand flared with a bit of heat. Miranda locked eyes with him and glared, not making a sound as his power of burning bit into her flesh.
"Someone's really wearing his big boy panties today." She said, smacking his hand away from herself. Manfred stood, arms stiff, hands balled into fists, his face contorted with anger.
"Suit yourself! Perhaps a few days down here without food or company will put you in a better mood for negotiation." He turned on his heel noting with pleasure the look of shock on her face, he started to walk away but felt her grab at the back of his jacket.
"Wait! Manfred, please wait." His heart fluttered at the note of pleading in her voice. This was the moment he was finally about to get his way. He stilled but did not turn, her delicate hand was joined by the second and she pulled on him gently.
"Please..." He found himself giving, stepping back he turned and came closer to the bars. Miranda reached for him, the look on her face so captivating.
"Reconsider your choices, Miranda," he said softly unable to break his gaze from hers as she was standing and reaching for him, her hand snaked around his tie and she pulled him closer to the bars still, until they were practically nose to nose. Manfred leaned in a little intent on her face, he'd craved her kisses ever since that incident in the hallway.
"Just one thing," Miranda said softly and pressed her lips close to his ear. One of Bone's secrets perhaps? He tried to focus on what she was about to say, his mind hazy at her nearness.
"Are you sure?" She whispered, the confusion swirling in his foggy brain.
"Sure?" he repeated. Thoughts were so hard to string together, even time seemed disappear moments like these.
"Are you sure you're on the right side of the bars?" she asked again, time began to flow back into sharp and sudden focus, that devilish smile spreading across her lovely face, as her words finally started to register meaning, and the dawning horror filled his own.
Suddenly, Manfred found himself on the inside of the bars while she, still holding him by the tie through the bars, stood on the out. She let his tie go, and stepped back as his horror turned to white hot rage, no longer looking like the Cheshire cat, but completely unfazed as she began to straighten her clothes and right her hair. He was so angry he could not form a coherent sentence, just sputtered and made indignant noises.
"I must say, you really stepped into that one Manfred, my dear . . ." she said looking up at him again once she was satisfied with her progress. Her eyes glittered dangerously in the half-light. "Honestly, you should really know better by now."
"YOU!" Manfred shouted, straining to reach her through the bars. "Those sedatives should have rendered your powers useless!"
"Slightly less effective dear, not useless . . . ugh, you certainly did a number on me this time." Miranda replied rubbing her temples, "I'll probably be limited for the rest of the day now, all that noise will be harder to keep out."
"DON'T YOU DARE LEAVE ME HERE!" he snarled at her as she turned to leave. Miranda looked back at him with a thoughtful face.
"Like you were prepared to do?" she asked. "I'm afraid I must Manfred, I mean hopefully I can find something in the costumes to fix this," She pointed at her hair.
"I'll be sure to inform someone of your whereabouts eventually, don't worry." The smile she gave him then was very dark and dangerous, not at all like the usual ones. Manfred could tell, he had definitely crossed a line with this stunt. He knew very well just how dangerous this woman could be if she were to get serious, the memory of what she did to Zelda came to mind, and he was once again reminded just how much he would not want to have this woman as an enemy. Far better was it to have her a neutral party than to have her join the troublesome Charlie Bone.
"See ya later, Sunshine." Miranda said the dark amusement still in her voice as she blew him a kiss, Manfred shuddered as she turned on her heel and bounced out of the room, cape whipping around her in a flurry as the heavy door shut closed behind her with a finality about it that left Manfred feeling colder even then the air of the cell room.