The Fire Rose

"The Fire Rose" (1995) is a fantasy novel written by Mercedes Lackey and part of her Elemental Masters series. It is set during turn-of-the-century Chicago and San Francisco and is based on Beauty and the Beast.

Plot Summary

A young medieval scholar named Rosalind Hawkins (Rose for short), is left penniless after her father's death. A professor and mentor from the college she attended tells Rose that he received a letter from a railroad tycoon named Jason Cameron, looking for a governess for his two children. Rose, fitting all the qualifications and having no other options, accepts the job and travels by train to his manor outside San Francisco.

But when she arrives at the secluded country home of Jason Cameron, her new employer, she finds that he has no wife or children, and the only person she ever sees is his secretary, Paul du Mond, to whom she takes an instant dislike. Instead, she learns that Cameron has hired her to translate ancient texts to him, as a mysteriously referred-to accident has rendered him unable to conduct his research. Therefore, she is to spend her nights reading archaic and magical texts to Cameron through a speaking tube. After several days, Rose begins to realize that the large mansion is well taken care of, though she sees no servants other than Paul. After reading a book on magic, she becomes suspicious, as well as a little afraid. She confronts Jason and discovers that he is an Elemental Master of Fire and the house is tended by fire-spirits called salamanders.

After a visit to San Francisco, Rose is called into Jason's room by a salamander. There she discovers Jason's secret, that he is half man, half wolf, due to a botched lycanthropy spell. Rose is horrified at first, but she is able to overcome it and becomes accustomed to her employer's appearance. Jason begins to depend on Rose. Rose learns that her own Magickal nature is that of Air and, after becoming Jason's apprentice, calls up an air-elemental sylph. Unbeknownst to each other, they begin to fall in love.

Meanwhile, Paul allies himself with another fire master, Simon Beltaire, who is evil and Jason's nemesis. Paul attempts to kidnap Rose for a spell. However, she fights back and Jason, in a violent rage kills Paul. In confusion, Rose flees to San Francisco. Beltaire unsuccessfully attempts to persuade Rose to help him against Jason. Shortly afterwards, the San Francisco earthquake of 1906 occurs. Beltaire again tries to take Rose with him, but Jason shows up. There is a showdown between Jason and Beltaire. Rose asks the sylphs to help Jason and he wins. Two Chinese elemental masters, Master Ho and Master Pao, who are friends of Jason help Rose and Jason back to Jason's home. Master Ho, the air master, and also an ordained minister, marries Rose and Jason.