First off, let me say I'm soo sorry that it's taken me this long to post another chapter. Writer's block is a bitch. And my life's been kind of hectic as of late. So, I'm not sure that I'll be able to update like I was, but I still plan on continuing this story. Sorry again!

Enjoy~

Days turned into weeks. The warm air turned cold, bringing snow and freezing temperatures with it. Due to the drop in temperature, the girls spent their time in the castle. Theo had expected to see a change in the girls, considering their anatomy consisted of insects. Instead, they seemed to stay the same. Theo guessed it had something to do with the castle. It was as if it kept the girls wrapped in its warmth, like a big blanket, protecting them from the frigid winter air.

Alcina sat at her desk, signing off on the last stack of papers needed for year. While the winter months slowed productions down, it didn't stop the process completely. There will still papers to sign, items to buy, and more importantly: things to get ready before the next season.

The soft sound of music pulled Alcina out of her thoughts. Glancing at the clock, she noted that it was far too early for it to be her daughters. She tried to return her attention to the paperwork at hand, but her curiosity only peaked when she heard the soft voice of Theodora singing along. Deciding to investigate, Alcina rose from her chair.

She entered the hallway, trying to pinpoint the room the singing came from. Thanks to her advanced hearing, tracking down the redhead was an easy task.

"'Cause you know it's over, before it began. Keep your drink, just give me the money. It's just you and your hand tonight."

Alcina raised her eyebrow as she watched the scene ahead of her. Red hair swung as Theo bobbed her head. She closed her eyes as she used the end of the feather duster as a microphone. After a second, Theo flipped the duster back around and dusted the shelf in front of her. If Theodora sensed her presence, she showed no indication of it. She continued on, singing and dusting.

"Theodora." Alcina called out, not wanting to startle the other woman. Alcina could see the small, round, black items that sat in Theodora's ears. They had been one of the items that Duke had gotten for her. 'Earbuds', she called them. Theo had explained that they went with the small pocket-sized music player she had also requested. Reaching up to her ear, she tapped the right bud once. Alcina could hear the music stop. "What exactly are you doing?"

"Cleaning?"

"Why are you cleaning? Is that not why I have maids?"

"Al, Ana's the only maid we have left." Alcina stared at her. Now that she mentioned it, the castle had grown quiet over the last few weeks. Thinking back, she tried to remember the last time she had seen anyone other than the dark-haired maid. None came to her mind. But that didn't mean Theodora was right. "Do not be ridiculous. If there were a shortage, the head maid would have informed me."

"You took her to the dungeon last week." Theo raised her eyebrow and gave a smirk. It wasn't often that things alluded the taller woman, especially when it came to matters of the castle. Alcina liked being in control, more so of the day-to-day life of her castle. When things slipped through, it gave Theodora the chance to see another side of Alcina. The flustered side.

Golden eyes narrowed. Theodora was toying with her. "Do not look at me like that."

"Like what?"

"You know very well what I am referring to." The vampire scoffed. Smug didn't suit the redhead. Waving her hand, she continued on. "I will send word that replacements are needed. When they arrive, Anna shall train them." Alcina started to head back towards her office. A thought popped into her head. Turning her head, she looked to Theo. A wicked grin spread across her face. "Theodora, if you insist on cleaning, do wear the proper clothes."

"Your wish is my command, my Lady."

Alcina sat on one of the large couches in her study. A half drank wine glass sat in one hand. The other held a rather interesting book that Bela had offered her. Soft footsteps alerted the matriarch to someone approaching her personal study. She didn't bother to take her eyes off her book. She could by the sound they belonged to her guard.

There were certain rooms that were off limits to any staff without supervision, maids included. Alcina's study sat near the top of the list of those room. She did not like the idea of just anyone being able to go through her things. Because of this, and her lack of time spent in the room as of late, the study had become rather dusty.

"Just comin' in to do some cleaning." Theo announced. Alcina nodded, engrossed in the book she held. It had been the first in a new series that Theodora had gotten Bela. The story itself was simple, yet enough kept her interest. A flash of red bobbed from behind her book.

Ladies didn't nearly choke on their drinks. That didn't stop Alcina as her gaze fell on Theodora. Once she finished, she turned her full attention to the redhead. More specifically, the new outfit she wore.

"Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why are you dressed in a maid's outfit?"

"Hey, you're the one who said, and I quote, 'if you insist on cleaning, do wear the proper clothes'. And I do insist on cleaning." Theo said with a shrug. "If it's that big of a deal, I'll go change."

"No!" She nearly yelled. She coughed into her fist, cursing herself. She didn't want to encourage this infatuation she had. Her plans were to ignore it, to wait for it to pass. "Ahem. What I mean to say is, you are correct. It would set a bad example if you were not in uniform, especially while training the new maids. Continue."

Theodora smiled to herself. Alcina had been 'reading' the same page for the last fifteen minutes. Every few seconds she would catch honey golden eyes staring at her, like now. Theo continued on, cleaning various things throughout the office. A knock echoed throughout the room.

"Enter."

Ana stepped into the room. Her hands were clasped together, resting in front of her. She glanced at Theo before turning to Alcina. "Mistress, The Duke has arrived. He is downstairs, awaiting your arrival."

"Very well. I shall be down momentarily."

"Yes Mistress." Ana nodded, closing the door softly behind her.

"Duke?"

"Yes." Alcina closed her book and placed her glass on the table. She would have to reread the pages when she didn't have a distraction. "Duke gathers any villagers or strangers whom he thinks would interest us. After that, he brings them here so I may choose the ones I wish to keep. The left overs are given to Karl, who will arrive shortly."

"That makes sense." Theo nodded. Her explanation cleared up a lot of questions Theo had about the process. At first, she had thought the women were volunteers. However, she learned quickly that it wasn't the case. Alcina stealing girls in the night had crossed her mind at one point. But Theo knew that Alcina rarely had the time.

Walking towards the door, the matriarch realized that the redhead hadn't followed her. "Come along."

"Good afternoon, Lady Dimitrescu. Lady Theo." Duke greeted happily as the pair exited the castle. Duke sat atop his carriage. Theo noticed that he didn't wear a coat, even though snow floated down from the sky.

The redhead gave a wave, but Alcina was the one to speak. "Good afternoon Duke. How did your travels go?"

"They went well! I managed to secure some rare items that I had been searching for, for quite some time now." Duke said excitedly. It had taken him some time, but he finally managed to track down the items he had spent the better part of a decade looking for. "Moving on, here are the servants you requested."

Gesturing to the side, sixteen people were lined up against the side of his carriage. The nine men all varied in age, but the seven of the girls seemed to be much younger. If Theo had to guess, she'd say none of them were older than twenty.

Theo glanced over the women, memorizing their faces. She'd learn their names as they spent their time in the castle. Her gaze stopped one of the maidens. The woman had short cut strawberry blonde hair and hazel eyes. The blonde locked eyes with her. Unlike the others, her eyes didn't hold an ounce of fear or uncertainty. Instead, woman narrowed her eyes, like she were sizing the redhead up.

"These will do. Give the men to Karl, I have no use for them." The vampire turned to the new maids. "Enter the castle, the head maid will greet you inside." The girls filed into a single file line, walking up the stairs and into the castle. Alcina noticed the look on Theodora's face. Her stare never left the maidens as they entered the castle. "Are you alright?"

Theo blinked, turning her focus back to the Lady of the castle. For now, she wouldn't say anything. She could be imagining things. The blonde was on her radar now, though, and she planned on watching her like a hawk. "Huh? Oh yeah. I'm good"

"Why the fuck are you wearing a maid's outfit?" Theo watched as Alcina's eyes rolled at the sound of her brother's voice. Heisenberg wandered up the pathway, a group of lycans behind him. With a snap of his fingers, his pack launched forwards, grabbing the remaining men before dragging the men back to The Factory.

"Why does it matter to you?"

"It was just a question. No need to get bitchy, Gigantor."

Duke shot a knowing look at Theodora. While the latter could watch the two bicker for hours, he had more pressing matters. Like testing out the new recipe he acquired on his travels. Duke leaned over to the redhead. "I think he's jealous."

"You wish." Karl snarled.

Taking advantage in the break of their argument, Duke changed the subject. The matriarch wasn't the only one he had business with. "That reminds me, Theo. The items you have requested should be arriving before the end of the week."

"That's great! How much do I owe you?"

"I managed to find a few things cheaper than I thought. That brings the price down from ten thousand, to nine thousand Lei."

"Okay cool." Theo pulled out a medium sized maroon pouch. "There's ten in there. Keep the extra for getting them so quickly."

While Karl wanted to ask where she had been hiding the pouch, considering she only wore a maid's outfit, with no pockets. A more pressing matter came to mind. "How in the fuck did you get that much money?"

Theo stared at Heisenberg as she tossed the pouch up to Duke, who caught it in his hands. "I do work for a living."

"Ha! You're telling me Big and Tall actually pays you?!"

"Of course, she receives payment for her services."

"That's a lot of money for a few months of work! How much are you paying her?!"

"That is none of your concern."

"It is my 'concern'." Karl's tone rose as he mocked his sister's voice. "You don't pay anyone anything! I've done work here more times than I can count and the only thing I got was bitched at that I did it wrong!"

"If the tasks I gave you were done correctly, I would pay you. However, you half ass everything."

"I don't half ass shit!" All three raised an eyebrow. The scruffy man opened his mouth to defend himself, but decided against it. He knew they were right. But that didn't mean he had to stand here and take it. "That's not the point anyway! I bet you're only paying her because you're scr-"

"Theodora."

Instantly, Theo snapped into action at the unspoken command. Grabbing the back of Heisenberg's trench coat, she planted her right foot into the ground. Effortlessly she threw him into the forest. Dusting her hands off, she watched as he soared through the air, a string of curses echoing in the distance. "Doubt we'll see him for another week or so."

"Tragic." Sarcasm laced her comment. Focusing back on Duke, Alcina handed him a pouch of her own. He tipped his hat in gratitude. "Continuing on, here is the payment for the maidens."

He tipped his hat in gratitude. Taking the reins into his hands, he motioned for the men to enter the back. "It's always a pleasure."