Thank you to everyone who has been reading! This next chapter is focused on the daughters' first phase of transformation. The blood transfusions. Thank you all again and enjoy!
Present day:
Alcina had gathered the girls into the single bedchamber where they would share the room. Within looked very similar to Alcina's bedchamber. The only difference was the three beds within. Having prepared it some time ago in the anticipation for having daughters.
She ducked in through the doorway, smiling as the three snooped around their new room. Sybilla and Ezrabeth happily content with it, Vivian had her arms crossed and sat on a bed.
"What is the matter, Vivian?"
"Nothing," she said. "It's just… I was hoping we would have separate rooms."
It made sense she would want that. Helena had been the same way. She wanted her own privacy and a place where she could spend time alone.
"This is only temporary, I assure you." Alcina reached out and dabbed Vivian on the nose.
"Very well," Vivian said, trying to hide a grin by turning her focus over to her sisters who had stepped into a large closet.
All they could hear was Ezrabeth's excited voice pointing out everything she saw.
"I adore these hats! Look, Vivian!" she popped out with a wide-brimmed purple hat with a feather attached on it.
"You look like a peacock," she said.
Ezrabeth stuck her tongue out at her, diving back in and pulling out shoes and gloves.
"Ezra," Sybilla said, picking up the things right behind her little sister. "You are making a mess."
"Where did you get all these things?" Ezrabeth asked.
"I am a collector of many things. Some things I have purchased in my past and other things I accumulate as the years go on. Many of them come from all across Europe and are custom made. You see those gloves you are holding, Ezra? Those were made for only I. You will not find those gloves anywhere else in this world. It is the only pair of its kind."
"Amazing," Ezra said, taking the gloves off as carefully as she could in order not to damage them. "May I ask you another question, Lady Dimitrescu?"
"Of course."
"How, um, how is it you got so tall?"
The room fell silent and still.
Vivian finding the entire thing rather amusing, leisurely sat back in the bed and got herself ready for the show. Sybilla, on the other hand, looked completely horrified. Embarrassed her sister would ask such a question. Why it was almost as bad as asking her age, or pointing out a mole!
The realization of how rude she had just been was slowly settling on Ezrabeth. She looking about ready to crawl under the bed and hide, Alcina then gave her an unexpected smile.
Vivian quirked a brow, sitting back up from her current position.
"My height is due to a great gift I have been given by my mother. I believe you three recently met her? She is a deity in this village. A goddess."
"Her?" Ezrabeth said, mouth agape.
"Yes, she goes by Mother Miranda. It was she who gave me this gift and with it I have acquired great power. Not her powers, but abilities unique to only I."
"Like the gloves?"
"I suppose so," Alcina nodded. "Only those who have been chosen will obtain such supremacy. Who are worthy to stand by her side…, and mine." She added, with an air of haughtiness. "And like my mother, I have been searching for those who can stand by me as part of my own family." She turned a hard eye on each girl. "Mother Miranda specifically picked you three. Of all the girls in this vast land, you were chosen."
Sybilla all the while listened to Alcina with a nervous knot formed in her stomach. There was something she was not telling them. A crucial detail, but what? Sybilla shot her sisters a glance and saw they were completely taken in.
To come from nothing; treated like nothing to this was all they had ever dreamt for. Sybilla, no matter what her heart told her, always made choices based on how it would affect her sisters. She who sacrificed her own food, clothing and whatever else in order for them to stay alive.
'And if it means living here with this woman then so be it…'
"… there is a process that must happen before you can become part of this house. A test if you will."
"What sort of test?" Vivian spoke up. "Math? Reading? Is that what you mean?"
Ezrabeth's eyes lit up. She loved to read and write. Math was fine, but she loved English.
"No, this will require a sample of your blood."
"Oh," Vivian said, relieved to hear that.
"I will have you each enter my bedchamber with me alone," she said. "But for now you three must get some rest." Alcina walked over to the closet and just barely managed to squeeze in; Vivian bit her lip to stop from laughing. "I think these nightgowns shall suffice for you three." She laid them out on each of their beds and started to walk over to the door when she felt one of the girls touch her arm. "Ezrabeth?"
The girl stared up at her with a wide smile before she unexpectedly wrapped her arms around her thighs.
"Thank you," she said unevenly, burying her face against Alcina's dress to hide the tears. "Thank you for rescuing us…"
Alcina swallowed, resting her hand on the top of Ezrabeth's head.
'No,' she thought to herself. 'Thank you for rescuing me.'
Ezrabeth quickly pulled away, realizing how inappropriate she was acting.
"Forgive me, Lady Dimitrescu," she said, wiping the tears away. "That was rude of me."
Sybilla walked next to Ezrabeth and wrapped her arm around her waist to comfort her.
"I will send Anya to help you prepare for bed. Sleep well, girls…" she turned away, her eyes glistening with tears.
{…}
Vivian had fallen asleep as soon as her head had hit her pillows. Snoring away without a care in the world. Sybilla sleeping in the bed directly in-between Ezrabeth and Vivian, had the urge to get up and pummel Vivian. There would be times where she would be truly snoring and other times she would be faking it.
Her bed then shifted and a pair of cold feet touched her back. She jumped, spinning right around to see Ezrabeth.
"What are you doing?"
"I can't sleep. It is too cold."
"Too cold? You are the closest to the fireplace."
Ezrabeth buried her face in the pillow.
Sybilla rolled her eyes, slowly pulling the pillow up in order to look at her sister.
"What's the matter?" she said.
Ezrabeth started to pull at the bedsheet, sucking in her lips.
"D-do you think Lady Dimitrescu looks like Mother?"
"What?" Sybilla whispered. "Is that what is bothering you?"
"No, not at all," she said. "In fact, I take great comfort in it, don't you think?"
"I suppose," Sybilla answered, not having thought much about their mother in a long time.
"I wonder why Lady Dimitrescu needs our blood?" Ezrabeth said next.
"I do not know. Personally I am beginning to think this is all rather peculiar. Clearly there is some aberrant force here. The proof right before us with Lady Dimitrescu herself and that deity, Mother Miranda."
"I do not care about that…" Ezrabeth said firmly. "All I care about is we are finally safe. At last we have a home again."
"Is it, though?" Sybilla said, receiving a cold glare from Ezrabeth before she got off the bed and marched back over to her own bed.
Sybilla sighed, throwing the blankets over her head.
Eventually she drifted off into a dream filled sleep.
The man watched the scene with a look of boredom on his face. A thick cigar pinched between his pointer finger and thumb as he watched the doctor look over his wife.
"M-my daughters," she coughed harshly, blood on her lips. "Please send them in…"
"Of course, Greta," the doctor patted her shoulder gently, glaring at Iacob before he exited the room.
"Y-you will take care of them, won't you?"
"Yes, my love," Iacob said robotically.
"Quietly now girls," the doctor said, returning with Greta's three daughters: Sybilla, Vivian and Ezrabeth.
"This way, Ezra," Sybilla said, guiding her over to the bed.
Greta smiled weakly at her youngest.
"Here, my love," she said, extending out her arm.
"Mother," she said, grabbing hold of her hand and kneeling down.
"Well done," Greta smiled, running her fingers through her daughter's curly mane. She then turned her focus over to her middle child, Vivian, who was knelt down with her head hung low on the opposite side of her. Eyes firmly shut to keep the tears back, it was only when Greta reached out and touched her wrist did Vivian open them.
Anguish.
The deep sorrow in her daughter's eyes left Greta with a feeling of guilt.
"Vivian," her voice was so weak, causing Vivian's face to screw up in distress.
"I hear you, Mother."
"You and I have not always gotten along, have we? We butted heads due to the fact we are so alike. You have always been so very talented. Along with your ability to predict things before they happen. Allowing you to make accurate projections and avoid issues that may arise. I entrust that you will continue to work alongside your stepfather; he will need your ingenuity, my brilliant girl."
"Y-yes, Mother," Vivian swallowed thickly, her chin quivering uncontrollably.
Greta shifted her eyes to her youngest, sliding her hand down to Ezrabeth's chin and raising it up.
"Ezrabeth, my compassionate girl."
The youngest daughter latched her fingers gently around her mother's wrist, tears flowing down her cheeks.
"Mother," she squeaked. "Please don't leave us. Please. What are we to do without you?"
"You will live. Thrive." Greta began to cough, grabbing the attention of the doctor who was about to tell the girls it was time for them to leave, stopped at the sight of Sybilla approaching the bed. She had been seated in a chair near the hearth, intently staring into the flames as if the answer to a cure for their mother were somewhere within.
"Ezra, Vivian please leave the room. Mother needs her rest now. "
The two girls didn't budge at first. It was only when Greta gave them a stern look did they obey. Receiving kisses from both before they left, she had then turned her full attention to Sybilla.
"Sybilla," Greta smiled weakly. "I'm counting on you. They will need your strength now more than ever."
'Yes…, Mother,' Sybilla said, managing to keep her emotions in check, taking a seat on the bed. "I will keep them safe. You don't need to worry about them."
Greta had taken Sybilla's hand into her own, giving it a loving squeeze and kiss.
"I-I wish for you to stay with me, Sybilla, but if you'd rather leave that is fine, too."
"I will remain, Mother," Sybilla said, kissing the top of her mother's veiny hand.
Iacob and the doctor left the room soon after. The night slowly passing them by when Sybilla was jolted awake. She had fallen asleep with her head rested on her mother's stomach.
Sybilla already knew something was wrong. The room felt cold and far too quiet.
She sat up straight to get a good look at her mother, reaching out and quickly withdrawing her hand. She was cold.
"Mother?" she touched her wrist, shaking it lightly. "Mother?" Anger and denial took control of her as she shook her mother harder. She could not be gone! No, she refused to believe that. "Mother!"
Silence.
"Please…" Hot tears streaked down her face, she lowered her head back down on her mother's stomach and sobbed. She was gone. They were truly alone with no one to keep them safe from him. He would send them away. That is what she had overheard him saying. He would take the money; their home all for himself and be rid of them. "No…" she choked, wiping away the tears and staring hard at her mother. "I promised you I would keep them safe and I will, Mother. I swear."
Sybilla was slowly brought out of her dream at the feel of someone stroking her cheek. Through sleepy eyes she saw her face.
"Lady Dimitrescu?"
"Forgive me, my dear, you were having a bad dream."
Sybilla sat right up in the bed, sweat visible on her forehead from the dream. The memory so fresh and painful it was bringing tears to her eyes.
"Sorry," Sybilla said ashamed, wiping them roughly away.
"Do not apologize," she said. "Would you like to go for a little walk with me?"
"Yes, my lady."
Alcina smiled, taking Sybilla's hand into her own and leading her in the direction of her bed chamber. On the way, Alcina noticed Sybilla eyeing over the paintings and sculptures.
"Here we are," Alcina said, opening the doors into her bed chamber and taking a seat in her chair, observing Sybilla taking a look at the paintings. "I can tell you have an appreciation for art."
"I do," Sybilla said. "My family had some pieces of art, but nothing like your treasures."
"And what of your family? Your mother? Father?"
"My father died in a war before Ezrabeth was born, and our mother passed away due to an illness. We, um, we had a step-father who did not want anything to do with us. He sent us far away after the death of Mother. They called it an orphanage, but it was really a prison. Once I had reached the age of eighteen they had released me. I was an adult and they did not keep children that old, but I would not leave my sisters behind," Sybilla paused, admiring the designs on the walls.
"You broke them out?" Alcina inquired softly.
"I made a promise to my mother," Sybilla answered resolutely, fingers clenched into tight fists. "They are powerless; helpless. They do not know the cruelties of this world. Even now they see this world through a child's lens. I almost lost them on so many occasions. I know I cannot always be there to protect or save them. Can…" she swallowed and stared up at the ceiling. "Can you truly give us this gift that will protect them?"
"Sybilla," Alcina said, motioning for her to come over. "I can promise you whatever fears linger inside of you can be discarded. With this gift they will be able to protect themselves. No harm will ever befall them or yourself; /I/ will not allow it."
"But why? Why would you do this for us?" Sybilla brushed away a stray tear.
"I have already told you why," Alcina said, taking hold of her wrists and pulling her closer.
"Lady Dimitrescu…"
"Hush, darling," Alcina hummed, yellow eyes penetrating Sybilla's brown, smiling when the girl's eyes glazed over. "You will enter into a whole new world with no limitations." She pulled Sybilla's gown partially down to expose her breasts. Plump and supple. Nipples a healthy pink. "All humanly concerns and affairs will no longer be part of you. For you will step into a glorious realm where only gods and goddesses can enter. Human beings are but the bugs that crawl beneath your feet." Taking off her glove, she used her nail to make a small laceration across Sybilla's breast.
Sybilla did not flinch, her body automatically leaning further into Alcina, who pulled her right into her and began to drink her blood. The contact of their bodies making Alcina want her with a ravenous hunger.
A gasp passed from the girl's lips. Her eyes rolling up into the back of her head as Alcina started to suck.
"Mmm," Alcina released a light moan, cupping Sybilla's chin with one hand to look at her. "Your turn now…" Making a similar laceration across her breast, Alcina gently guided Sybilla to the blood. At first she was hesitant. Her lips dragging across the sticky, sweet flow and reflexively she pulled back.
"Drink," Alcina hummed, pecking her lips to encourage her.
Sybilla leaned her face in closer and clamped her mouth over the blood.
Alcina sucked in a sharp breath, eyes closing. Never had she felt a connection like this before. All the other girls were but small sparks, but this child. It was fireworks. Intense; powerful; loud and beautiful.
"Yes," she moaned, wrapping her arms around Sybilla's frame in need to be as close as possible to her. "I feel your joy, anger, sadness and pleasure. All you have seen and endured."
Sybilla began to purr contently, continuing to drink until Alcina had to pull her away. Wiping away the excess blood on her face, Alcina once again placed a light kiss to her lips, smiling as Sybilla's eyes fluttered closed and she fell into a tranquil sleep.
Alcina rose out of her chair with Sybilla securely in her arms and brought her back to the nursery. Setting her down in the bed, she walked over to Ezrabeth who was already awake. She had a smile stretched across her face as she raised her arms out to Alcina.
She knew Ezrabeth would be the easiest to seduce. The child yearned for motherly affection. For love. Sweet thing. She dropped down to her knees and answered the child's longing by pressing a kiss to her lips, pulling back and tucking her hair behind her ear.
"Good girl," she hummed, nuzzling her nose against the girl's neck and inhaling. Smelling the honeyed fragrance of her innocence made her nip at the young, smooth skin.
Ezrabeth moaned, wrapping her arms about Alcina's neck.
Releasing a shuddering breath, Alcina pulled away some for fear she would bite right into Ezra's throat and kill her.
"Relax, my darling. That's it. Well done…"
Just as she had done to Sybilla, she made the laceration and started to drink.
Ezrabeth made a low moan, her body shuddering with pleasure in response to Alcina. All of who she was before she stepped into the castle. The sadness and anger in her heart was slipping away; the dark poison extracted. For the first time, Ezrabeth felt whole and at peace.
"Ezrabeth?"
Alcina pulled back swiftly, blood dripping off her chin as she turned to see Vivian was out of the bed and staring at her in horror….