Chapter 21

"The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery."

Galatians 5:19

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Safira had been unable to bring herself to go see Madellaine the following day. She was beginning to feel worse and worse about what she was doing and losing sense of what was right and wrong. Despite her instincts, she decided that paying Judge Leopold a visit was needed. She walked to the Palace of Justice as soon as she woke up and had demanded to speak to him.

She waited only a few minutes before she was being walked to his office by a soldier. When she entered his office, he had been standing by the window, peering out of it as if looking for someone. Leopold waited until the soldier who escorted Safira up had walked out of the room before he spoke.

"Lady Safira," He turned to face her, his face stern, "I assume you wouldn't jeopardize our mission by openly coming here were it not of utmost importance?"

Safira suddenly felt foolish. What had brought her here in the first place? The risk of breaking a circus girl's heart? When it came to catching a murderer and thief, were the emotions of a young girl as important?

"Your honor, I am feeling quite conflicted about what you have entrusted me to do," She admitted boldly.

Leopold seemed genuinely surprised, obviously not having expected that.

"Oh? What is it that is causing you discomfort, my lady?"

His voice was kind and passive. It gave her the courage she needed to speak upfront.

"I am slowly getting the information I need," She admitted, "But I feel that I am putting others in jeopardy through my… tactics."

"Ah," Leopold suddenly smiled, wrinkling his face, "You're speaking of the circus girl."

Safira frowned confusedly. How had he known about Madellaine? He answered her unspoken question immediately.

"I've had an eye kept on you during your missions, my dear. For your own safety, of course. You didn't think I would put you in such a dangerous situation without having your back guarded, did you?"

She did, quite frankly. Her silence told him so. Leopold approached her, placing a sympathetic hand to her shoulder.

"I know it's difficult. The girl seems like a perfectly nice young woman… but then again, looks can be deceiving."

"Madellaine's not like that," She informed him firmly, "She's different."

"That may be," He relented, "But then again, we can't afford to let our emotions get the best of us during such a critical time of our investigation. If you are as close as you say you are to putting that madman behind bars, we have to think with our minds rather than our hearts."

She lowered her gaze disappointingly. She hated to admit it but he was right. Sometimes sacrifices had to be made for the greater good. If catching Sarousch and preventing him from hurting others meant hurting Madellaine, it was for the best.

Leopold could see that Safira was growing attached to the girl and it worried him greatly. He had specifically chosen Safira for this mission based on her background. She was reputed as a calculating and cold hearted soldier who seemed to be void of any emotions.

"You have done this a million times before," He pointed out curiously, "Why is it so difficult now?"

Safira took a moment to think about it. She had been asking herself the same question over and over and it always led back to Quasimodo. That damned hunchback with his kind eyes and gentle soul; he had lit up whatever darkness Safira had in her heart. He started the dim light and it only blazed with the love of her mother, Esmeralda and Phoebus. The very thing that had brought her back to being human was what was holding her back now.

"Forgive me, sir," She looked up at him with determination in her eyes, "I've lost sight of what's important. I will take what you have told me into mind. I won't fail you."

"That's my girl," He spoke fondly, offering a gentle smile, "I knew I could count on you."

She forced a light smile before she dismissed herself politely from his presence.

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Phoebus trotted through the city in search of Madellaine. It was unknown to Safira but Leopold had entrusted Phoebus with the task of keeping tabs on his sister's movements and contact with the enemy. Leopold had made it clear that it was not Safira he didn't trust but the people she was surrounding herself with. Phoebus had agreed to do so only for the sake of being able to assure Safira's safety. As Phoebus continued to watch her, he could see why the judge was worried.

The only harmless member of the circus seemed to be the blonde-haired girl Safira was spending a large amount of time with. It seemed that every time he looked at Safira, Madellaine was at her side, pinning for her like a lovesick schoolgirl. Initially Phoebus hadn't been worried about the girl but his soldier instincts kept his mind open. Despite the fact that Madellaine seemed guiltless enough, he couldn't label her as innocent just yet. Especially when he remembered that she was still a member of the circus.

When Leopold had summoned Phoebus to his office that afternoon, the soldier had been thrown off when the judge request that he turn his surveillance towards Madellaine. Phoebus didn't dare question the judge nor did he share how he felt spying on Madellaine would be a waste of time. He did was he told and spent the remainder of the day looking for the suddenly lost maiden.

Night swiftly approached hand-in-hand with a pouring rain. He had been ready to call it quits until he finally caught sight of the blonde-haired circus girl.

He was caught off guard to see her running through the rain with Quasimodo. He narrowed his eyes as he watched them run into the cathedral together, swiftly ushering his horse in a desperate attempt to find Safira. Part of him felt that what was going on between Quasimodo and Madellaine was meaningless. Yet, the other part – and stronger part – of him felt that she was up to something. He had thought Leopold crazy for suspecting anything from Madellaine but he was taking no chances.

He rode rapidly to his mother's house. It was the only place he could think Safira would be at the moment after having made herself scarce all day. He hopped off of Achilles and opened the door to Chandra's house, spotting Safira in the living area instantly.

She was curled up in one of the chairs, book in hand. She was still dressed in her "John" apparel, her hair tucked under her hat as usual. His presence brought her eyes up from her book.

"Hey," Phoebus attempted to make his greeting casual as he shut the door behind him.

"Shh," Safira pressed her finger to her lips, "Mother is sleeping."

"Sorry," He shoved his hands into his pockets.

She noted his anxiousness and narrowed her eyes.

"What brings you here so late?"

"I was… just wondering if you ever paid Quasimodo a visit," He eyed her carefully, "Like I told you to?"

She pursed her lips, bringing her eyes back to her book.

"No, I haven't had a chance-"

"You might want to."

She looked up at him, raising an eyebrow. His cryptic words grabbed her attention.

"And why is that?" She questioned him lowly.

It seemed no matter who she looked at, Safira's deep stare brought a sense of uneasiness to anyone, including Phoebus. At least it did now when he was trying to hint at her to check on Madellaine at the bell tower without giving away that he had been spying on the girl. He opted for a different approach.

"I don't mean now, of course!" He scoffed, "After all, he's with that circus girl."

Safira's stare hardened as Phoebus turned his back to her and headed towards the cupboards in casual search of food. Safira shut her book and slowly slid her legs off of the chair. She was unable to hide the darkness in her voice as she sharply demanded:

"What do you mean he's with the circus girl?"

"Oh, you know," He shrugged as he rummaged through the cabinets now, "Esmeralda was telling me how they've been spending a lot of time together. I was going to go visit him now but I didn't want to interrupt-"

The sound of a door slamming open brought Phoebus's eyes back towards the chair in which Safira had been sitting.

She was gone.

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Safira had hopped onto Achilles' without a second thought and began to trot towards the cathedral fiercely, clutching Achilles' thick mane. Her teeth were grinding so hard she could hear the shrieking of them in her head. She was consumed with a fire-red, blinding rage and couldn't even begin to find the right words for it, having never experienced it. All she knew was that she needed to find Madellaine and if she had to yank her by her hair out of the cathedral, she would.

She stopped Achilles in front of the cathedral, bringing a neigh of alarm out of the horse as his hooves skidded to a sudden stop. She jumped off of him, not even bothering to tie his reigns to a nearby post in her fury. She opened the doors of the cathedral violently, rushing immediately towards the stairs.

Her hands were shaking as she stormed towards the bell tower. Her heart began to race at the image of what was awaiting her. With her wrath hanging on by a thread, she attempted to calm herself as she climbed up the steps to the bell tower by taking deep breaths through her nose and exhaling through her mouth.

By the time she reached the bell tower, her attempts to calm herself would become useless. Her eyes immediately locked onto Quasimodo and Madellaine who were sitting a little too close for Safira's comfort in front of a fire. It took every ounce of Safira's self-control not to run towards Madellaine and snatch her away from the hunchback. She stepped forward, making her presence known to the pair.

Quasimodo's surprise was evident as he looked at Safira. Madellaine stood immediately, her eyes wide.

"J-John, what are you doing here?" Madellaine questioned him timidly.

"John?" Quasimodo frowned at her then back at Safira but her eyes remained rooted to Madellaine.

Madellaine thought she had been afraid when that homeless man attempted to steal from her but found that it had been nothing compared to what she felt under Safira's cold stare. Safira took a few steps towards them, never breaking eye contact with Madellaine who was now trembling under her fierce glare.

"Get the hell out of here," Safira spoke in such a quiet tone, it was more unnerving than if she had yelled.

Madellaine didn't hesitate and began to head towards the bell tower steps, darting past Safira.

"Madellaine, wait!" Quasimodo stood up, attempting to run after her but Safira had no patience left.

She drew her sword, stepping forward aggressively to block Quasimodo's path. Quasimodo stared at Safira's face with wide eyes. He hadn't seen that look on her face since he had known her as Sacha. If Quasimodo hadn't felt so outraged, he would've been intimidated by the other's actions.

"If you go after her, it's your head."

Quasimodo looked at her incredulously before he suspiciously began to eye her pirate-like apparel.

"What's going on, Safira?" He demanded to know.

"That's none of your concern," She hissed, sheathing her sword, "What the hell was she doing in here?"

"Why do you need to know?" He challenged her.

"Because!" She roared viciously, finally startling him, "I'm in the middle of an extremely important investigation and your involvement with Madellaine is detrimental to my case!"

"What investigation?" He looked at her in bewilderment, "What does me spending time with Madellaine have to do with whatever you're looking for? And why does she seem to think you're a man named 'John'?"

"Under order of the judge, I am not at liberty to discuss any details with the likes of you," She spoke so venomously, it brought a shattering chill to Quasimodo's heart, "If I see you with her again, you'll regret it."

She turned her back to him with the intention of heading after Madellaine but his next words stopped her dead in her tracks.

"I'm not going to stop seeing her."

His words were like a slap to the face. Whatever reign she had on her temper was now gone. She turned to face him slowly, a bitter laugh involuntarily escaping her lips.

"Why? Because you like her?" She sneered at him, "Do you really think that Madellaine's intentions are pure?"

Quasimodo frowned at her for a moment before he realized what she meant. Though he and Madellaine were nothing more than friends, it appeared Safira thought there was more to their friendship. He could have told her the truth but her cruel words clouded his common sense.

"Why wouldn't they be?" He snapped at her angrily, "Because no one could like me just for me, right?"

"I never said that!" She retorted sharply, "Whatever feelings you may have towards her will end now! You don't belong with her!"

Quasimodo felt his hands roll into trembling fists at her words. He had never been as furious with her as he was now. Her words were hurtful, like poison-tipped darts that were thrown straight at his heart.

"Then tell me, who do I belong with?" He spoke quietly.

Safira grit her teeth. She didn't want to admit to herself that it pained her tremendously that Quasimodo hadn't spoken to her in weeks but was spending his free time with Madellaine. She didn't want to acknowledge that her anger was stemmed from her jealousy of the pretty, feminine blonde.

"I don't have time for these ridiculous questions-"

"You have no right to tell me who I belong with," Quasimodo's voice rose, "When all you do is lie to others and yourself!"

Her eyes widened at his harsh words. She lost it.

With a fierce growl, she tackled him to the ground. Quasimodo had been unprepared and fell on his back as she attacked him. Her fist connected to his face once before she pulled it back in an attempt to punch him a second time but the hunchback was quicker. He gripped her fist in his and began to squeeze harshly. A frustrated growl escaped Safira's lips; she was so consumed with rage and hurt that she hadn't even felt the physical pain he was causing her.

She brought her other fist up but he quickly grabbed her wrist with his other hand. He rolled over, pinning her wrists above her head, kneeling down on one knee in between her legs. Her hat fell off of her head, spilling her long hair onto the floor.

"Let me go and fight me like a man!" She demanded fiercely, her legs kicking fiercely.

"I'm not going to fight you," He tried to speak calmly but Safira wasn't have it.

She slid one leg in between both of his, knocking his bended knee down, forcing him to loosen his grip on her wrists as he fell against her. She wrapped her legs around his waist and flipped them so that he was now the one laying on his back. Despite being caught off guard, he immediately reached for her wrists before she could attack him once more.

"Safira, stop!" He shouted now as he sat up, the woman now sitting on his lap with her legs dangling on either side of his hips.

She continued to struggle against him, wincing as he began to slowly squeeze her arms.

"Stop it," He spoke once more, a bit more calmly.

"You stop it," Her voice was deathly quiet as she pushed against him.

She was unable to swing her leg over to get off of him and began to kick wildly. The action only brought their hips repeatedly against each other. She began to breathe heavily as he pinned her wrists behind her back, forcing her chest against his. Quasimodo stared hard at her face, his own breathing deep from the struggle.

When her eyes met his, something happened that neither of them could explain.

Safira crushed her lips to his fiercely, placing every ounce of emotion she was feeling into a violent kiss. Quasimodo gasped softly but it only parted his lips enough to where her tongue was soon seeking his. He slowly closed his eyes, groaning softly into her mouth as their tongues met. He let her wrists go, bringing them up to her hair to grip her raven locks, meeting her angry kiss with a fierce one of his own.

Safira brought her hands to his tunic, gripping it hard. Her hips began to grind against his and soon they were panting against each other's lips. She began to pull at his tunic, forcing his arms up to fully remove it. She tossed the olive-green article of clothing aside, bringing his attention back to her.

Quasimodo's mind, clouded by his lust for the woman he loved, reached for her blouse and ripped it apart effortlessly, bringing a shudder of desire from Safira who reveled in his strength. His hands then reached for the banding that kept her breasts flat against her chest and removed it equal ease, spilling her large breasts.

She panted as he buried his face against her neck, worshipping it with his lips as his hands ran down to cup her ample bottom. Safira bit her lower lip, her eyes dark with lust as she began to reach for her own trousers, lowering them eagerly. He lay her back onto the floor, his hands dragging the remainder of her trousers down her creamy legs swiftly until she was fully nude before him.

He didn't have time to admire the vision of sensual loveliness before him as she was quickly climbing back onto his hips, reaching for his hosiery as she pressed her lips to his. He kissed her fiercely, his hands resting on her back as her hands slid down into his hosiery and brought out what she was looking for. With eager pants, she positioned herself over him. Safira closed her eyes with a gasp as she eagerly impaled herself onto him.

A soft cry escaped both of their lips as he entered her for the first time. Quasimodo buried his face in her neck, panting against her glistening skin. Safira clung to him, breathing heavily against his hair, wincing in pain as she slowly adjusted herself to his shockingly thick girth. He was trembling as he held her tightly, the feel of a woman was more than he could ever even imagine it would be. Her aching, moistened heat wrapped tightly around his throbbing member. Nothing that felt like this could ever be earthly.

Safira welcomed the pain, grinding her hips fiercely against his. The pain mixed with the pleasure provided a deliciously sensual release of the anger she had felt earlier. She dug her nails onto his back as the momentum picked up. His hands drifted to her buttocks, slamming her hips down onto him violently.

They both clung to each others sweating forms, their pants and groans echoing through the bell tower. Every hour they had spent without each other, every emotion they were both afraid to speak or even acknowledge, every tense moment between them had built up to now.

Quasimodo found himself digging his lips onto her neck as he was reaching the peak of his pleasure. Safira cried out shakily at the feel of his teeth embedding roughly onto her soft skin, her limbs trembling as the pleasure she felt in her core as it built higher and higher. She threw her head back as he held her tightly against him, both releasing shaky screams as they shared their first sexual release together.

The bell tower slowly quieted to that of soft pants as their grip on each other loosened. Quasimodo closed his eyes as he held the raven-haired beauty in his arms. Safira's arms fell off his neck, her hands coming to rest on his arms as her breathing calmed. Her closed eyes opened only slightly when she felt him move.

With his hands coming to rest on her bottom, he kept her in place as he stood up slowly. She shuddered at the feeling of their most private areas still connected as he began to walk with her in his arms. She closed her eyes once more when he entered his bedroom. Never once breaking his hold on her, he sat down on the edge of his bed and very carefully laid on his back.

Safira sighed contently as she lay against his chest, her eyes closing. The last thing she felt was the strong grip of his arms around her and the feel of his slow breathing against her skin before she drifted to sleep.

Her anger was now dead and forgotten.

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Author's Note:

It only took 21 chapters but thank you to my loyal and faithful readers for remaining patient.

I felt that with the built up tension, passion and love between these two characters, it only made sense to make for an unexpected and passionately angry love scene unlike any other Quasi x OC story you may have read.

I hope you enjoyed it!

There is still much more to come.