Dong!
The bell resounded through the cathedral, filling the stone castle with its low, dark tone.
Dong! Dong! Dong!
Over and over the bell was struck until it reached the ominous number of thirteen. Slowly, the last rich bell faded into the distance, leaving behind it a hollow silence.
The open coffin rested on the steps gravely. Inside it lay a young woman. Her long black hair cascaded around her softly, bringing beauty to an otherwise lifeless face. No smile played on her ruby lips; it looked as though life had never existed within her still body.
Frost stared down at her mother through a mist of silent tears. Outside a sudden clash of thunder broke into the eerie silence. Slowly Frost leaned down and kissed her mother's cold face. Next to her a woman reached into the coffin. A flash of lightning filled the church, lighting the rose she held in her hand. It flashed into a dagger. Quickly dropping it into the coffin, the woman straightened as it turned back into a rose. Reaching down, she took hold of her young granddaughter's hand.
"Don't worry," the whisper barely reached Frost's ear.
"I'll take good care of you."