Lycans and Gentlemen! Thank you for waiting, and now let the games begin! This chapter the sisters hunt down the four maidens along with enjoying a much needed blood bath with their mother. Hope you guys enjoy, and thank you for reading!
Chapter 10:
The game had started.
The grandfather clock chimed the hour was up. The four maidens below should be awake by now. Alcina pondered what their strategy would be. Would they stick together in a large group, separate, or would they go in pairs? Then came her daughters. Making a little wager with herself on who would be the most successful.
'Bela and Daniela will succeed, because they will work as a unit. Another area I am grading them on. Cassandra, on the other hand, will go solo. She believes to be far superior to the other two, and with her new ability, she truly considers herself greater. Even if Cassandra winds up killing all four on her own, I will have to fail her. In fact, I will fail them all if I do not observe some form of teamwork.'
Alcina was seated in her bedchamber downstairs as she thought this over. Taking a sip of her wine and staring into the fire. She knew she should be off as well. After all she had set up the playing ground as she saw fit. It would force the livestock to go in only so many directions. Preventing them from trying to escape. She had no doubt they had all considered that, too. Thinking they were going to die anyways so let us try to run away.
"No one will escape here. Never again." Finishing off her drink, Alcina set it on the table and got up. "Time to go and see how things are coming along." Out the door she went, sensing her daughters were not as far away as she had suspected. "Bela is in the kitchen area and Daniela is near the library, but where is Cassandra?" Yet again the child somehow managed to cut herself off from her mother. "Cassandra…, what are you plotting?"
Near the library, Daniela was pacing around the room and looking at the books. She was growing rather bored with all this waiting. She rather be back in the nursery reading, or listening to Mother read to her. She released a loud yawn, rubbing at her eyes as she examined the pile of history books she had collected that morning. She had trouble reading some of the covers. The titles appearing to be in an entirely different language. She cocked her head to the side, picking up the book and starting to flip through the pages.
She puckered her lips and then dropped it. Unable to comprehend any of it.
"Hurry up," she said, when she stopped suddenly a fresh new scent hitting her nostrils. "It's one of them." Daniela stood close to the door that lead in the direction of the Opera Hall, trying to hold back a fit of giggles. She could not believe her luck! She could only smell one, but that was good enough for her. This morsel would satiate her grumbling tummy.
She could hear the timid heels of the maiden headed towards her. Inch by inch. Daniela licking her lips, she did not even bother to hide. She stood right in front of the closed door and when the maiden opened it, AMBUSH! AHAHAHA! She would not even know what hit her.
So focused was she on her assault, she had not noticed another figure enter inside the library. She did not use any doors. She simply materialized inside, keeping her aura low enough not to alert Daniela.
She picked up the heaviest book and crept up right behind her. Suddenly Daniela flinched, another familiar scent in the air. She turned and just as she did the book slammed down right on her head, knocking her out cold.
Daniela collapsed to the floor, making Cassandra laugh at the pathetic sight of her idiot sibling.
"All mine." She focused her attention on the door, dropping the book and materializing outside of the room in a flurry to take down the first maiden. It was not the maiden she had chosen, but that made it all the sweeter. This maiden was the one Bela had selected.
The maiden had no time to flee or even scream. Cassandra was upon her in a flash, biting straight into her throat and tearing at it. Muscle, flesh and bone filling her mouth in a grand mixture of flavors. The warm crimson blood helping to wash it all down. She laughed again, raising her nose high into the air and smelling that Bela and Mother's maidens were together.
"Near the kitchen," she growled. "Bela there…"
Cassandra flew off in the direction of the kitchen. Reaching it in less than two minutes, she appeared in the short hallway and sensed Bela was still within. Just by instinct Cassandra knew Bela was must stronger than she. Not only that but she was smarter than Daniela. It would not be so simple as sneaking up behind her and knocking her out with a blunt object. No, she would have to plan something else.
She snuck in a tad bit further, ducking down at the sight of Bela moving out of the kitchen area and towards the back room. No doubt Bela could smell them headed in this direction. Cassandra keeping low as she made her way further in, stopped in the kitchen upon hearing a scream. Now her mind was reeling with panic. Had Bela managed to kill them already? Casting all caution aside, Cassandra bolted straight to the source.
Meanwhile, Alcina was moving in the direction of the library. She could sense Daniela was in great distress. Odd considering what could have possibly put her in such a state, she was soon to discover why. Alcina found the dead maiden on the floor. Her throat completely torn out. She stepped over the corpse and into the library where she found Daniela seated on the floor, sobbing.
"Dearest? What is the matter with you?" Alcina said, wondering if she was crying over the dead maiden. No that would be utter nonsense.
As soon as her mother had spoken, Daniela ran straight to her and continued to cry. Burying her face in her mother's dress and clinging on to her for dear life.
"Daniela, enough of that." Alcina stroked her hair. "Calm yourself and tell me what happened. Shh, breathe."
"C-Cassandra," she croaked, looking up at her mother with bloodshot eyes. "Hit me with that book. Killed the maiden."
"What?!" Alcina boomed. "She did that?"
"Y-yes," Daniela squeaked.
Alcina realizing she was scaring Daniela, softened her voice.
"It will be all right, dearest. I assure you Cassandra will be punished for this. Come along now." She took her daughter's hand and led her out of the library and into the Hall of Joy. From there they entered back into the hallway and towards the stairs leading down to the Main Hall. 'So, Bela and the blood bags are now in the cellar, is that it? Which means Cassandra will no doubt be there as well, but she should be very careful with how she proceeds. I have no doubt Bela is much stronger than she physically. I have held that child and felt how tight her grip can be. I best hurry before they wind up killing one another.'
Daniela remained with her mother. At first Alcina thought about bringing her to the bedchamber, but she did not want to waste time reaching the others. So, she decided to let Daniela stay with her. Telling her to do exactly as she says and stay right beside her.
"Yes, Mother."
The hunt was not a long one. Alcina and Daniela could smell freshly spilt blood, but it was coming from only one of the blood bags. Then came the sound of hissing and growling. Alcina did not have to see to know what was going on. Rounding the corner she found Cassandra and Bela fighting. Both biting and clawing at one another. Blood coating their faces from the fresh kill.
Daniela gasped at the violent sight, tears filling her eyes again at the sight of Bela hoisting Cassandra off her feet and slamming her against the wall. Clearly Cassandra had spent all her energy, for Alcina noted she had yet to use her ability or she was waiting for the perfect moment.
Alcina was not about to give her that chance. Once again Bela roughly slammed her against the wall when Cassandra bit down on Bela's arm. The blonde cried out in pain and released her; this is what Cassandra had been waiting for. She raised her fist to punch Bela in the face, when her wrist was caught by iron-like fingers.
"Cassandra."
Terror was the only thing on her face. Her first instinct was to materialize away, but her mother could tell that was exactly what she was thinking.
"Do not dare." She then set her sights on Bela, who shrank back against the wall, scared her fate would be the same as Cassandra's. "Bela."
"Yes?"
"You and Daniela may have the wretch and after you must find the last one. Once you have finished you are to return to the Main Hall, we will be waiting for you two."
Bela's face perked up. Not believing what she was hearing, nor Daniela for that matter.
As for Cassandra her countenance turned to rage in a flash, however, as Alcina easily steered her away from the scream of the maiden and giggles of her sisters, she was overcome with dread again.
"Sit." Alcina had brought her to the Main Hall and ordered her to take a seat on the couch.
Cassandra would not look at her mother, twitching at the sound of more screams. The smell of fresh blood in the air driving her crazy. Alcina said nothing as she took a seat and watched her middle child. She would make her endure this until Bela and Daniela returned, that was when she would explain.
Suddenly Cassandra looked at her, whimpering. Her eyes big and watery, like she were trying to make herself cry. She had done this trick a number of times and normally get her way, but not this time. Oh no. Not this time.
Alcina shifted her gaze to the fire in the hearth, though she was paying close attention to her daughter. Listening to her shift about on the couch. Finally her antsy child released an exasperated sigh and lay flat out on the couch on her stomach. Occasionally beating at the sofa with her fists, or kicking at it with her feet.
'Oh Cassandra,' Alcina thought, biting her bottom lip to fight back a chuckle at the sight of her. 'You have so much to learn.'
Finally after what felt like an eternity for Cassandra, she leapt up at the sound of her sisters' footsteps. They entered into the Main Hall with the last maiden. She was very much dead, both girls dragging her straight to Alcina's feet.
"Well done to you both," she smiled broadly, they both had come together on the last maiden and caught her as a team, though if this hiccup with Cassandra had not occurred, Alcina wondered if the outcome would have been this. She doubted it, which would mean putting them through more of these tests.
"Stop!"
Daniela's voice snapped her out of her train of thought, realizing that Cassandra had gotten off the couch and was hissing at Bela, who was growling a deep chested sound back.
"Cassandra sit back down. Bela sit here next to me."
"Mama?" Daniela said.
"Just sit beside Bela for the moment. This will not take long."
Once they were all seated, Alcina started:
"Do you three understand why you were put through this trial today?"
Bela and Daniela looked at one another blankly while Cassandra lay comfortably on her back, uncaring.
"SIT UP!"
All girls reacted instantaneously. Sitting with their backs straight, hands in their laps and attention focused straight on their mother.
Alcina cleared her throat and took a deep breath.
"I will say it again, do you understand why I put you through this trial today?"
Daniela raised her hand.
"Yes, darling?"
"To kill the blood bags?"
"Yes, but there is much more to it than just that," Alcina said. "Bela, would you like to take a guess?"
Bela crossed her arms, tongue partially sticking out the side of her mouth as she thought deeply.
"Skills?" She ventured.
Alcina started to smile.
"You are on the right track," she said. "There is one very important tactic I want you three to learn. It is crucial for your safety, especially after what happened just last night. In fact, you three showed this very tactic during the attack."
All three looked to one another in hopes one of them would know what their mother was talking about.
"I will give you a hint. This word starts with a 't' and ends with a 'k'."
Cassandra groaned, pulling at a strand of her hair as she thought, while Bela and Daniela whispered to one another.
"You both are doing it right now," Alcina said to her eldest and youngest. "As for you Cassandra, you and I did the same thing just last night."
"Work together?" Bela said.
"That is correct. The word is teamwork, my loves." She looked directly at Cassandra as she said this. "You must work together, which is the reason why you all did not pass this first test, but I am more than confident you will succeed next time."
Daniela and Bela giggled together while Cassandra silently watched them. Alcina could not quite put together what the look was. Boredom? Indifference? Or perhaps something had finally clicked in her thick head. Her sisters were not her competition nor her enemies. They were allies. Ones she was meant to protect not harm. Just as she did last night, but Cassandra had not seen it in that way. Or rather had not been aware of until now.
'They will all learn. I have no doubt about that. Even you Cassandra will learn this, my beautiful; stubborn huntress…'
{…}
The little family had entered into the Hall of Ablution with the maidens and Anya. All had their hands tied behind their backs, forced down so their necks hovered over the already full bath. The blood warmed and ready to be enjoyed.
"Anya," Alcina purred, holding in her hand a knife. "You will slit their throats."
"N-no," she squeaked, staring at all the maidens pale, terrified countenances. Some were crying and pleading while others were very quiet. They were already gone mentally. There was nothing left but an empty shell.
"No?" Alcina stepped up to her, using the knife and slashing at her face.
Anya screamed out in pain, blood dripping down the side of her face.
"You will follow through with this last order from your mistress."
Anya shook her head.
"May I kill her?" Cassandra asked.
"No, I want too!" Daniela said. "Please, Mother?"
Bela crossed her arms, watching on in complete silence.
"It would seem you truly are a traitor. Thank you for fully confirming this to me. And here I was even considering to spare your life if you did this."
That grabbed Anya's attention, making Alcina titter at the hope breathing life back into her. Without another word, Alcina continued to hold the dagger out to Anya. With trembling fingers she took hold of the blade and walked passed her mistress.
Cassandra unhappy to not have been allowed to do the job herself, her sour mood quickly shifted to gaiety at the sight of the maidens. Alcina allowing the girls to help Anya by holding the struggling maidens still.
"Look at the blood!" Cassandra laughed, the blood spurting in every direction at first before she plunged the head into the bath. "They are twitching just like the little mice I catch. Poor little mice!"
"Let me do one! Cassandra," Daniela whined, looking over at her mother with her bottom lip puckered out.
"Cassandra," Alcina said.
Cassandra growled in response, not wanting to stop in the middle of it.
"We will take last four," Bela spoke up, ushering Daniela over on the opposite side of the tub.
Alcina smiled at Bela, who gave her a nod before smiling back at her.
"No way!"
"What?" Alcina said, looking over at Cassandra.
"This one just wet herself. You disgusting… ugh," Cassandra paused, trying to come up with a word. "Wrench!"
Alcina just shook her head, unamused by Cassandra's boorishness. ('Wretch or wench not 'wrench', precious'), Bela clearly unimpressed as well, Daniela was about ready to burst from laughter.
Once all the maidens had been bled, Alcina ordered for Anya to set them in a pile. Their bodies easily removed into the gallows below the very tub.
"Now then," Alcina turned her sights on Anya. The miserably, blood stained thing. "Help me out of this dress and fetch me my shampoo. I want my hair shiny and smooth."
"Y-yes, my lady," Anya said, getting straight to work.
"Hurry, or you will join the pile!" Alcina sneered at her.
The daughters giggling along with their mother's laughter, she turned her sights on them.
"What are you waiting for? Get in."
Cassandra stripping out of her dress, kicked her dress aside and cannonballed straight in, splashing her mother; sisters and Anya.
"Cassandra!"
She laughed at the sight of her siblings, but one look from Alcina stifled the laughter. Blood dripped off the brim of her mother's hat and had stained the front of her cream dress.
"Oops…"
"Do not do that again!"
Cassandra nodded her head, sinking further down into the blood so only her nose and up were visible.
Meanwhile Bela was helping Daniela out of her dress and once she was out, Daniela helped Bela get out of hers. Daniela self-conscious about standing bare naked, quickly scurried into the bath while Bela waited for their mother. Anya making quick work with the dress, she unbuttoned the last constraint and the dress fell away in a heap to the floor.
"Ahh, that certainly feels much better," Alcina said, removing her hat and handing it to Anya, who had gone and collected all the attire. "What do you think, my sweets?"
She watched as Cassandra and Daniela were seated together, whispering to one another with mischievous grins on their faces. The sight made Alcina smile turning her gaze to Bela.
"Getting in?"
Bela nodded to her mother, gracefully walking down the few steps and took a seat opposite her sisters.
"This is…," Bela could not come up with the right word, a soft sigh passing from her crimson lips.
"Divine?" Alcina said, taking a seat beside her.
"Does that mean good?" Bela said.
"Better than good."
"Then yes. Yes it does."
Alcina released a low moan, leaning back and closing her eyes. Enjoying the warmth of the blood on her skin. She could already feel it rejuvenating her skin; healing the aches and pains in her bones.
"Anya! I require my hair washed, and bring me my cigarette."
The maiden got straight to work by lighting and handing Alcina her cigarette before she got to work on her mistresses' hair. Bela watched the process and started to mimic what Anya was doing. Running her fingers through her blonde hair when she stopped. Her fingers had grazed over part of her head where the skin felt bumpy and slightly raised. She kept sliding her fingers around her head to see if she felt that anywhere else. She frowned, once again touching the spot.
"Mother? May we wash our hair?" Daniela inquired.
"Not today, dearest," Alcina said, setting her cigarette behind her so Anya could rinse the shampoo out.
"I will wash your hair," Cassandra said, cupping some blood into her hands and pouring it over Daniela's head. She did this for another five minutes and inspected her work. "There you look and smell much better."
"My tur—hey!"
Cassandra laughed, splashing at Daniela who responded right back. The two making sure to keep the splashing away from their mother, continued their little game until Alcina clapped her hands together.
"I think you both have successfully cleaned one another."
"Yes, Mother," they both said, the two stopping their little game.
Alcina watched them closely, pleased they were enjoying this bath. Bela, too, seemed to be relaxed. Feeling her daughter's body growing limper against her due to the effects of the soothing atmosphere around them.
'You three are my world,' she thought, wrapping her arm around Bela's waist to pull her in a little closer. 'You know this, yes?' she looked down at Bela who was sound asleep, her head rested right underneath Alcina's right breast. 'And I am your whole world…' Alcina felt the blood stir, watching as Daniela scooted right beside her with Cassandra close in toe. The two did not argue over a spot. Daniela seated right up against Alcina while Cassandra situated herself directly into her mother's lap.
"Always looking for the fence, aren't you, precious?"
Cassandra looked straight up at her mother with a smirk.
"Thank you for this, Mother," Daniela said.
"You are most welcome." Alcina kissed her forehead and did the same to Cassandra.