There was no stopping them. They were positive that if water didn't work, fire definitely would. She stared hot daggers at them through a curtain of unruly hair. She knew they wouldn't be convinced that she wasn't corrupted unless an evil spirit flew itself from her chest. She knew they wouldn't stop until she was dead.
The priest dragged her there five days ago. Her father turned his head as the chief priest's minions dragged her away at the advice of the king's counselors. They fed him lies. "It's best for the kingdom to cleanse her of the evil that the monster enclosed within her."
She couldn't believe her own father, who was supposed to love her more than anything in the world, had let them take her away. He let Rumpelstiltskin take her, but at least that was her own choice. He knew what the priest would do to her, and yet he stood by without even giving a remorseful plea.
"Bring the torch" the chief priest commanded. Submersing her in water for two days hadn't been satisfying enough for them. Her lungs stung and head ached from the torture of the previous two days. Now they would burn her with flames to remove whatever imaginary demon that possessed her.
The chief priest was handed a torch with a bright yellow flame as his minions held her down. One pulled her white shirt up exposing her fair back that was peppered with ugly, purple bruises.
She knew pain was to come, pain so intense she had never felt in her life. No state of mind could ready her for what was coming in that very moment. Rumpelstiltskin's face flashed before her mind's eyes, and she longed to be locked in his dungeon hearing his maniacal giggles echoing through the corridors of Dark Castle.
Searing pain wretched through her body as the fire licked at her tender skin. She wished she wouldn't give them the satisfaction of her screams, but she wasn't in control of her body and the blood curdling scream jumped from her throat.
A bright flash and smoke suddenly filled the cleansing room. The minions cried out as the smoke burned their eyes, one yelling in a panicked voice about Belle using witchcraft on them. The chief priest dropped the torch, the fire sizzling out in an instant as it hit a small puddle of muddy water on the uneven stone floor. The smoke cleared as fast as it came, revealing the minions rubbing their eyes furiously.
Belle leaned on the floor with both hands, unmoved, the smoke seeming to not affect her. Her eyes widened, pain forgotten for the time being, at the sight of her rescuer. She was nearly taken aback by the fury that exuded from his face. His lips curled into a frightening growl, and his eyes held a rage that was beyond measure. He began attacking the minions, making them fall in rapid session. The chief priest was vulnerable as he rubbed his eyes yelling for someone to protect him from the monster.
Belle pushed herself to her feet, letting adrenaline take over as she smacked the priest in the nose with the heel of her hand. He bent over yelping, holding his nose, blood flowing from it. She kicked him hard in the chin with her bare foot, sending him to the floor.
"Impressive, my dear" Rumpelstiltskin sounded behind her, anger still apparent in his voice.
Belle's breathing was ragged and shallow as she turned to face him. "Get me away from here" she said, firmly but desperately.
"As you wish."