A/N: Sorry it's been so long since I updated last; the combination of midterms and being just plain busy have been taking their toll. But here's the next chapter!

When Victoria reached Demeter's normal den (an old empty VW van full of blankets and such), she had to take a moment just outside to compose herself. She couldn't believe it. She just couldn't believe it! In a matter of less than half a day Mistoffelees had gone from a sweet, gentle, caring tom who wouldn't hurt a fly to an uncaring, self-absorbed, egocentric cat who capable of violent mood swings, telepathic communication, and a lot more than that if he cared to be. The whole thing was preposterous! What could have possibly done that to him?!

Oh, yeah...

Or maybe the question was, "Who?"

Reminded why she had come, Victoria hastily dried her tears and called to the van, "Demeter, are you in there?" There was a response to the affirmative, so Victoria gathered strength and leapt up to the high window of the car. Inside, she saw Demeter, lounging on some pillows and seemingly dreaming about something. What, Victoria did not know. But just in case, she asked, "Are you alone?"

Demeter, looking up and seeing who was calling on her for the first time, cautiously answered, "Yes. Why? Is something wrong?"

Victoria couldn't reply for a moment, but she did jump down from the window ledge and take a seat across from the gold queen. "It's just..." she began when she found the words, "It's just...I really need to ask you about something..."

"Well," Demeter said tentatively, "I'm listening."

"You might not want to talk about it..."

Demeter looked away for a moment, thinking about what she might not want to talk about that Victoria might bring up, and finally said very motherly, "It's all right. If there's something about that that you don't feel you can discuss with your parents, then it's all right that –"

"No, it's not about that." Victoria cut in. (I would have gone to Bombalurina for that, she thought to herself.) "It's just...something else."

"Oh?"

"Yes."

Demeter sighed, cocked her head, and said, "All right. I'm listening to whatever you want to ask."

Scratching her head in a nervous motion, Victoria finally stammered, "What do you...feel...you know...when you kind of...call out...that one tom's name."

Slightly worried about where this conversation was going, Demeter gingerly squeaked, "You mean...Macavity?"

Victoria nodded, grimacing. Demeter grimaced as well. She had never been asked that, and she had sort of hoped she never would. "What do I feel?" she reiterated. Victoria nodded again. Finally Demeter asked, "Is there any particular reason you want to know?" Victoria nodded her head slowly. "Can you tell me?" She shook her head theis time. "Well," Demeter started hesitantly, "It feels like...like he's there."

"Is that all?"

Purposefully looking away, Demeter continued, "No...there's also...I don't really know how to say it...it feels like..."

"...Like he's there...stroking you...somewhere you don't want him to..."

"...Like he's all around you..."

"...Like he's got you right where he wants you..."

Demeter, who hadn't consciously realized that Victoria had been filling in her thoughts until a moment later, looked at her sharply, her eyes as big as saucers. "How did you know that?"

Victoria brought her head up; on her face was an expression of complete misery and agony, a cry of distress if there ever was one. Great tears formed in her eyes, and she flung herself into Demeter's arms, sobbing, and crying, "Because I feel it, too!"

At a loss as for what to do, Demeter could only hold onto the weeping kitten, gently rocking her back and forth until her tears subsided somewhat. Finally, Demeter paused, and said slowly and carefully, "Victoria, did Macavity...do anything to you?"

Victoria shook her head fervently, and continued crying and rocking back and forth in Demeter's loving arms. "No...no he didn't..." she started, having trouble speaking through tears. "It's...it's..."

"What?"

Victoria drew herself very close to Demeter and whispered whispered with difficulty, "Mistoffelees."

Demeter, taken aback, took Victoria's shoulders and got her to look into her eyes. "Mistoffelees?"

The white kitten nodded earnestly, closed her eyes, and began bawling her eyes out. Demeter held her close, and even shed a tear herself. The two queens sat in the car for a long time, simply holding each other as though their lives depended on it.

"Victoria," Demeter said softly between sobs when she finally found the words to. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. Mac... Macavity told me why...why that happens. He said it's the magic. When a magical loves another very much...they sort of...well, Misto must have done this unconsciously, but..." she looked the white cat straight in the eye.

"He's left his mark on you, Victoria."

A/N: sorry it's so short: I promise the next one's much longer, and much more fun to read!