Esmeralda arose with discomfort to her jaw, Frollo seized her quite aggressively yesterday. It was rougher than when she had her arm twisted behind her. At least then she was able to get loose. Esmeralda couldn't risk Quasimodo getting injured if she tried to fight back. The Gypsy shook the thought as she quickly dressed and tied her head scarf around her voluminous raven hair. She wandered over to the craft table and began to eye the bellringer's different trinkets until she heard him thump down in front of her. He shyly walked forward with a small smile until he noticed something awful. His face twisted into a scowl. Esmeralda took note immediately.

"What, what is it Quasi?"

"You're bruised, Master Frollo grabbed your face too hard…I'm so sorry."

Esmeralda searched for a small shard of glass and took a look at the purple coloration by her cheeks, about the size of his fingertips. The Gypsy bared her teeth enraged at what he did to her.

Quasimodo noticed her expression immediately and sighed.

"I…I don't know what is wrong with him. Believe me, I have never seen him so …impulsive."

The bellringer approached her.

"I need to know…what did he try to keep you quiet about, what did Frollo do?"

Esmeralda looked at Quasimodo, her eyes averted his gaze as she rubbed a hand along her neck. Should she tell him the details? The Gypsy did not think it to be wise, she could not afford him to suffer more from the Judge's cruelty should he do something brash. Looking up, trying to condense it as cleanly as possible, Esmeralda began:

"…Your Master, after I claimed sanctuary, snuck up behind me and he… unnerved me a bit. He…he told me he wants me."

Esmeralda met a pair of astonished aquamarine eyes. Frollo…wanted Esmeralda? For what? Quasimodo would not put it past his Master to want to kill her being a Gypsy but…the way he looked at her, the longing look…He recognized it as he sometimes stared at the beautiful woman the same way.

"I…I have never known my master to ever…"want" women, at all really. T-This is all so strange. I am so sorry he did that to you…is that all?"

"Yes, nothing more." Esmeralda said curtly.

Quasimodo felt there was something missing but he did not want to pry at the girl after all she did for him… The bellringer felt ashamed, he needed to help her in return. She could not stay trapped. He was used to it, but she had a life of her own, Frollo could do his worst to him, but if she could leave Paris…then at least he could have peace of mind that she was safer…no matter how much it would hurt him to see her leave.

"Esmeralda, you helped me and I will forever be thankful, but it is my turn to help you…I-I can help you escape."

Esmeralda's eyes shot open. Was he serious?

"Quasi-…how? I-I"

"I can climb you down, please let me help you!"

"Quasi…I can't. I simply cannot have Frollo angrier for your sake…I care too much about you."

Quasimodo was baffled by her response, his face reddened astonished, and a small smile began to spread over his face.

"Oh… but Esmeralda, if you do change your mind…I-I"

Esmeralda embraced Quasimodo suddenly and ruffled his red hair.

"Don't worry I will let you know. I can handle this and besides: at least I have a stable roof over my head…Thank you."

That morning, Claude Frollo was met with intense pain. It seemed that was becoming the norm since his encounter with the Gypsy siren. His back throbbed beneath the bandages and he cursed himself when he turned his body towards the edge of the bed. The blood had dried onto the wrap and he yelped in pain as he began to remove the bandages. When he finished, his hands were covered in the all too familiar sanguine fluid. Frollo began to quickly heat some water to prepare for a bath. He stepped in, groaning in agony as he felt the hot water sting his back as he lay against the rim of the tub. He envisioned the events from yesterday in contempt. How could she be so bold as to try and reveal information such as that in front of the bellringer? Frollo sneered in frustration. He had no choice but to bail out after that look Quasimodo gave him. The Judge could never account for a time when the lad gave him such an expression of animosity. He sneered, how dare he! He began to fume and he felt himself redden in anger until Esmeralda seemed to fill his mind once more… Her frightened green eyes… the way her soft lips were parted as if wanting to say something and yet; she did not fight him. She could have broken his aquiline nose, scratched, kicked…something. Frollo was aware she was capable of doing so. He contemplated her actions, perhaps she was just scared… or perhaps it was a trick to make him feel sorry for his actions. The witch was most likely toying him into submission so she could destroy him. But somehow, the Minister could not bring himself to believe it, she looked truly terrified. By the time he returned to the present, his bath had turned a reddish hue and he grimaced. Frollo quickly dressed afterwards and marched down to the kitchen ordering a breakfast to be made. He wondered if it would be wise to show his face there again after yesterday…He'd be a coward if he did not and he had to speak to her without that hindrance of a hunchback intercepting.

Esmeralda dreaded what was to come that morning. Her conversations with Quasimodo were shorter and less vibrant. If Clopin saw what that brute did to her face, he would have put his hands in the pilliwinks. Sighing, she recollected what happened, his expression absolutely frightened her. It was of both agony and resentment, but his eyes…those eyes could truly scorch a person. It was no wonder why the Gypsy's nicknamed him "The Hawk". Suddenly, the Romani woman heard the call of the Archdeacon from below.

"Quasimodo? I am in need of your assistance. If you could please help me move some old pews I would be very grateful." The hunchback quickly and gracefully reached the bottom to help the kind Archdeacon.

"O-of course…Esmeralda, I shall be back shortly. It should not take long."

She smiled and waved, suddenly enveloped by fear. What if Frollo came back while he was gone? Before she could turn back and follow Quasimodo, the looming shadow of a chaperone could be seen ascending the staircase. Esmeralda's heart stopped.

Claude Frollo's hollow face appeared over the stairwell. He did not have his usual smug look, but rather a morose expression. His eyes widened when he lay his eyes on the Gypsy girl, bruised like a peach. He frowned, it was his doing! Frollo began to walk urgently to the girl and held her face in his spindly hands. Esmeralda shut her eyes in fear and contempt.

"What now? What could you possibly want now?"

"I came to atone my misgivings."

Her emerald pools shot open with an aporetic look and she pushed him away roughly. What a fool!

" 'He feels', how endearing." She spat. "You're lucky Quasimodo cares for you, he's probably the only one that does so. You are despicable coming in here and thinking I would forgive you. You may bruise me, but you will never bruise my will! And—" Esmeralda's nostrils flared as she kept on.

Claude Frollo's eyes were cold and severe as he listened to her rant. They were completely desolate from the few seconds of actual shame shown when he held her face. He rolled his eyes at her as he made his way to the table, hiding how much those words seared him. He shrugged, she was an undeserving wretch, he cannot show that he was affected by her. Nonetheless, he began to lay down the basket leaving a pitcher of water, some bread and a few vials.

"I have never met a woman so contumelious." He interrupted. "No matter, pass a message to Quasimodo that we will resume lecture some other time. I am dreadfully busy you know, so many different crimes need to be punished thusly. Here are a few painkillers and creams, but if you are as stubborn as I believe you to be, I will find them untouched in the morning…"

Like lightening, his face appeared over hers. Her furrowed brows softened into a look of dread.

"Tsk, such a shame beauty was wasted on a foul mouth. Do you honestly believe I care what you think of me? Do not doubt for a second who you are dealing with you witch. Your spell cannot defeat the will of God!" He replied mockingly.

Esmeralda scoffed. "Are you delusional? I feel and I bleed like any other human. You are the abnormal one. In all my life I have never seen you express anything but hatred and contempt! You are an unfeeling monster!"

Claude Frollo seized Esmeralda's shoulders, his eyes burned with black fire.

"That is a lie! You Gypsy's ruined my life, how could you be so blind woman? Do you believe all those lies the jester speaks of? You cannot possibly believe all your brothers and sisters to be innocent, after what I've seen!"

Frollo's breathing became ragged from both anger and the sensation of having her so close.

"Frollo I…I don't know what you have seen. But you cannot blame every Gypsy for a few bad people! We are not all evil. We-"

"Silence. I have heard enough. If you are not evil, then release me from your spell so I can get on with my life."

Esmeralda was rendered speechless.

"…Frollo, I cannot undo what I have not done. It is you…you are doing this to yourself, I have no power over-"

The Minister scowled in disgust, the bloody liar! At that moment Quasimodo entered to see his Master clutching onto Esmeralda, both with pained looks in their eyes. The Archdeacon followed suit and before he could reprimand Frollo for grabbing the poor girl, he stalked passed him giving the Archdeacon the most venomous look he had ever bestowed. Finding Quasimodo's gaze, he burrowed his pained eyes into his.

"Quasimodo, whatever you do, do not put your full trust in that sorceress. She will destroy you."

The bellringer had a look of bewilderment as Claude Frollo walked away. How could an Angel…destroy?

~A/N

Hey guys! So sorry about the weird chapter post of the same chapter earlier! I had some typos I was fixing and I didn't realize there was an edit button. Of course I find it after deleting the chapter -_-

Anyway, woo! What drama! This is a little shorter than the rest of the installments, I do apologize but I needed to create more Frollo/Esme dynamic as of late. She's starting to realize that his obsession runs deeper than just a crush.

Thanks for faving and reviewing! I really appreciate the feed back. If there are spelling mistakes, please let me know! It's so embarrassing when I find them. After re-reading my own writing for so long I often don't catch them.

I would also like to apologize for forgetting about Djali! I assume most of you have seen hunchback that are reading this and Djali is implied but regardless let me know! I'll see if I can segway him in if I have enough people asking so :)

Hope this finds you well!