A sudden knock on her chamber door brought the reclusive woman out of her thoughts. Irina sat down her teacup and permitted entry to the person on the other side – most likely a maid as Lady Dimitrescu and her daughters rarely bothered her. Dinner was a few hours away, so she was curious as to what was needed of her. She hoped it was not a last-minute task as she was tired and ready for bed; it had been a long morning.

The door eased open, and a young maid walked in wearing a smile.

She was new, Irina reckoned. None of the older maids radiated such hope. Irina was envious of her. At least the said woman had a clue as to what horrors awaited her.

"Madam, Lady Dimitrescu has asked for your company in the east wing of the parlor. She asks that you make haste," the maid explained.

Irina raised a curious brow. What did she need her for? And in such a rush. Standing with a sigh, she walked past the young woman, heading down a gold-adorned corridor towards the stairs. Since Lady Dimitrescu took her in, she was given a room and ordered not to leave it unless she was called on. Honestly, that was fine. Irina was scared of the Lady of the castle and her three daughters; they were monsters, literally.

Irina wasn't too surprised.

Out of the frying pan and into the fire.

The number of maids employed under Lady D had begun to wane in the last few weeks. The first Irina noticed disappear was the woman with the bow; the note she gave her weighed heavy on her mind, but there was nothing Irina could do to save her. One by one they vanished; to where she didn't know. But if her time with Heisenberg told her anything it was that they were already dead.

She would be too if not for her temporary usefulness. Honestly, Irina thought Miranda was just keeping her alive to study the rate of infection in her. It was only a matter of time before she became one with the Megamycete.

Sighing in woe, Irina hurried down the stairs and across the parlor. She tried hard not to think about her impending death, but from time to time the thought crossed her mind.

Stay busy. That's all you can do, she told herself.

Standing in front of the door on the east end of the parlor, Irina took an uneasy breath and knocked before she entered. Her heart filled with hope as she noticed the Duke at his station. He was a sight for sore eyes, so much so that she ignored Lady Dimitrescu seated across from her until the said woman cleared her throat.

"Forgive my rudeness, My Lady," Irina uttered with a bow. "I came at your call."

"At least you have manners," the said woman stated.

The Duke laughed.

"Irina is a breath of fresh air, is she not?"

"An acquired taste," Lady Dimitrescu retorted.

She grinned as Irina visibly shivered. Her fear was delicious. Standing, Lady Dimitrescu averted her eyes to the portly gentleman.

"Mother Miranda insists that she attend a family meeting around dusk, so for the meantime she is yours."

What meeting? Irina raised her brow in question.

"You are as generous as you are beautiful, My Lady. Thank you for honoring me," the Duke retorted with a flourish of his hand.

Someone is smooth, Irina thought, grinning.

Lady Dimitrescu quickly sauntered from the room.

Once her footsteps were out of earshot, Irina sighed in relief. A weight had been lifted from her shoulders. She turned to the Duke and bowed.

"I never got to thank you for standing up for me during the trial."

"Certainly. As I said, it's hard to find good help around here," the Duke replied.

He was humble.

Irina stood with a smile.

"I missed you."

"And I too, have missed you, dear," he retorted.

Motioning toward the seat near the typewriter, the Duke insisted that Irina sit down.

"It's been a while. How have you been?"

Irina took the offer and sighed. Already her eyes were burning with tears. It had been forever since she had someone to talk to. But where should she start?

"I … I saw the Megamycete. Were you aware that it was down there?" She asked.

The Duke retrieved a cigar from his coat pocket and lit it with a match.

"I had my suspicions. You see, the Lords were human once. Lady Dimitrescu was a talented jazz singer of normal proportions if you get my meaning. She was infected by a parasite called the Cadou that our own Mother Miranda created from a genus of fungus that originates here."

So, what Heisenberg had said was true. Miranda forced the Cadou on him.

"But why? I can't understand Miranda's reasons for experimenting on the people here."

"That I do not know," the Duke answered. "People with the ability to play God seldom give up the opportunity to do so. But perhaps she has her reasons. Who am I to judge."

Maybe she did. Irina didn't want to think so, however.

"I … to am infected. She claims there may be a cure, but that depends on how fast the infection has spread," Irina admitted.

The Duke hummed.

"Are you not Irina?"

The said woman raised a brow. What did he mean?

"I am me," she answered.

"Then there is still hope for you yet," the Duke mentioned.

Knots formed in her stomach. Was he right? Was there still hope for her? Tears blurred her vision.

"I can't take losing it again; I've done horrible things to people," Irina sobbed.

Why should she be allowed to live when Luca and the others had to die? She should never have brought him to Heisenberg; the poor man.

"Listen to me Irina," the Duke ordered.

She gave him her full attention.

"Pull yourself together. I know that you are hurting, but until you are at death's door, there is no excuse for quitting. You may die, but you also may not," he explained.

Irina wanted to believe him; she did, but it was so damn hard when around every turn she was losing who she was.

"Even if I pressed forward I lost my best chance to leave. I told Heisenberg that I was done with his plans. I have no chance of escaping Miranda or this place."

"There is a storm coming and you may want to ride it out before you make that call," the Duke mentioned.

Did he know something? Irina raised a brow. The man knew things no one in the village should. But how?

"You are a strange man, Duke," Irina uttered.

He laughed.

"Take my word for it. Learn to shoot and play your cards right."

Irina shook her head in agreement. The Duke had been pushing her to learn to shoot since he gave her the gun. And though he was impartial to the misfortunes that were happening around the village, he had never led her astray. He was the only person she trusted.

"You have my word," Irina declared.

She just needed to get her gun case from the factory; if that was at all possible given her falling out with Heisenberg.

Not to mention my mask is also broken.

"I'm a mess, aren't I?" Irina asked, sighing.

The Duke grinned.

"A gorgeous mess."

Irina snorted, wiping away her tears. Standing up, she walked over to the desk and looked over the knickknacks displayed to her.

"Do you happen to have more ammo for the gun you gave me?" She asked.

"There is no need to ask," the Duke mentioned. "I will have more for you the next time I see you. On the house, of course."

Irina was grateful. Where would she be without him?

As the sun set west of the mountains, Irina set out with Lady Dimitrescu from the castle. The air was bitter and the first sign of snow had begun to tumble down from the heavens as they trekked north to the castle gate where the old abandoned church sat.

Descending underground from the hallway, Irina followed the tall woman down into the meeting room. Miranda and two of the four Lords – Moreau and Lady Beneviento – were already inside. Irina paid them no mind as she stood beside the chair Lady Dimitrescu sat in; she was after all under her care.

Now, where was Heisenberg? It was like him to be late.

Irina got lost in her mind as she waited. She wasn't looking forward to seeing him, given their spat and the fact it was his fault she was––

Oh, who was she kidding? He didn't force her to open her legs. If anything Irina was more upset with herself.

Face it, girl, he didn't have to do much to make your panties drop.

Irina rolled her eyes.

Feeling a tug on her cloak, the said woman peered down and noticed Angie at the leg of the chair, staring up at her. Irina shivered in fear.

"Lady Angie, what do I owe the pleasure?" Irina asked.

"Where is your mask?" She asked.

Irina raised a brow. Why did she want to know?

"It's broken."

The doll laughed.

"You seem normal without it."

Did she? Compared to the Lords, Irina was the most normal one.

"I like the sound of that," Irina uttered.

"You're so bizarre," Angie retorted with a snort.

That was something coming from her.

The sound of heavy boots echoed across the room as someone descended the stairs. Irina felt the hair on her neck stand as Heisenberg sauntered into the room.

Lady Dimitrescu curled her nose in disgust.

"I thought I smelled something foul."

"Not today Giga bitch," Heisenberg sneered as he sat down on his pew with a grunt.

Irina widened her eyes. Was something wrong with him? He was moodier than usual.

Mother Miranda cleared her throat in annoyance.

"I have an announcement to make," she stated.

An air of suspense-filled the room.

"I am going to leave the village soon," Miranda declared.

Irina widened her eyes. Was she serious?

"But Mother Miranda, I don't understand," Lady Dimitrescu uttered.

"Have we angered you mother?" Moreau asked with a sob.

The said woman raised her hand to silence them.

"Something has come to light; something that may be of importance to me, however, I am unable to say what it is at the time because I don't have enough information."

"How long are you going to be gone?" Heisenberg asked.

Lady Dimitrescu gave him a heated look. But honestly, she too wanted to know.

"I don't know yet, but not long," Miranda answered.

Was this the storm the Duke was referring to? Irina had a feeling it wasn't but this information certainly put the ball in her court. Her heart was pounding in anticipation.

"What are we to do mother?" Moreau asked.

Miranda averted her eyes to him.

"You are to do as you have always done until I return."

Somehow Irina had a bad feeling about this. There was no telling what the Lords would do without her to govern them.

"Then our duties still stand?" Lady Dimitrescu asked. "Because I am low on maidens. The few my Irina has brought me are not enough to sate even one of my daughters."

"Your fucking Irina?" Heisenberg snorted. "Last I checked she was a pet to all of us."

Lady Dimitrescu grinned.

"Mother Miranda put her under my care. If she were exclusively yours then you'd have her tied to a bed."

Irina felt her face heat up. Why were they putting her in the limelight?

At her side, Angie laughed.

"A love triangle; how scandalous."

"Shut the fuck up, you little rat," Heisenberg sneered.

Angie burst into laughter again.

"That is enough," Miranda shouted. "She is to remain in the castle, doing the job that I gave her. Now leave my sight; all of you."

Heisenberg stood up, walking over to Irina.

"Come and get your shit," he barked.

Irina felt small under his gaze.

"Y-yes My Lord."

She watched him leave in a rush and took an uneasy breath. Something bad was brewing. The Duke was right, a storm was coming. And she was caught in its path.