Hello everyone! We continue with Cassandra's slow recovery. Mother Miranda has finally arrived with the medicine procured by Donna and Angie. Hope you guys enjoy! Thanks for reading.

Cassandra remained in the nursery for the next three days'. She would wake for a few hours and sleep the rest of the time. It was when she was awake did Alcina feed her extra blood and flesh to replenish the blood she lost. Each day Alcina would find less bugs dead on the bed and there had not been much swelling, but still. Alcina, Daniela and Bela spent the majority of their time reading through books. Trying to uncover the poison.

"Tell me again what it smelt like to you," Bela asked her mother.

"It smelt like a combination of ammonia, methanol and glycol," Alcina answered.

After cutting open the area so many times, Alcina had started to smell the odor and pick out specific scents from it. The three she had just spoken of the most potent. If there were any others, she had not been able to detect them.

"The scent was burning my throat and lungs," Daniela chimed in.

"Mine as well." Alcina smiled at her youngest, running her fingers through her hair lovingly. Daniela leaned into her mother's touch, purring softly.

"Do you think Mother Miranda has the antidote yet?" Bela asked.

"I expect by the end of the day she will arrive with something," Alcina answered. "Meanwhile we must keep an eye on our Cassandra and continue mending her back to health, and I want you two to know how proud I am of you both. I could not have gotten through this without all your help."

Both girls smiled at their mother, receiving kisses before the phone started to ring on Alcina's desk. The two siblings remained right by their mother as she spoke. The look of relief washing over her face making them relax.

"Thank you, Mother Miranda," she hung up the phone, wrapping her arms around her daughters waists and saying: "She has procured a medicine that will help Cassandra."

"She is going to be okay!" Daniela cheered, bouncing up and down in joy.

Bela's smile grew upon watching her sister, resting her arm on Alcina's shoulder and enjoying how things were starting to turn around.

"It has been too quiet without our delinquent," Bela whispered into Alcina's ear.

Alcina chuckled, patting her hip gently.

"Yes, I must admit our life here would be very tedious and boring without Cassandra causing some kind of drama."

"She has certainly outdone herself this time," Bela said.

"Indeed, Mother Miranda will be here soon and normality will be restored."

Just as Alcina had spoken, she went rigid at the feel of extreme pain. Getting up so fast from her seat, she nearly knocked Bela to the floor.

"Mother!" Daniela clearly sensing Cassandra's distress as well, she was the first to race out of the room, followed by Alcina and Bela.

When they reached the nursery, Cassandra was wiggling around in the bed. Tearing at the sheets with her nails.

"Cassandra…" Daniela whispered.

"Bela fetch me the syringe on the table."

Bela did as she was told while their mother held Cassandra down, as she was biting and snapping her teeth, like she had become some wild animal.

"I will keep her held steady," Alcina said, looking to Bela. "You must give her the injection. You remember how I showed you, yes?"

"O-of course," she said.

"Right there," Alcina said, easily holding out Cassandra's arm despite her now frantic thrashing. "Quickly."

Bela plunged the needle into her sister's arm, causing Cassandra to scream out in pain. She had punctured her too deeply in her haste, but the medicine was fast acting. No sooner had Cassandra been screaming was she laying limply in the bed, her eyes glazed over as she stared up at the ceiling in a dream-like state.

"Good girl. There now. Good girl, my Cassandra."

"I-I am sorry, Mother," Bela said softly. "I did not mean to be so rough."

"You did fine," Alcina assured her.

"What was it that Bela injected her with?" Daniela asked.

"Morphine. It will allow her to sleep and not be in any pain."

Daniela looked relieved to hear that.

"But it will not last long. She will need more," Bela said.

"Yes. Until Mother Miranda arrives with the medicine this will be all we can do to help her."

All three fell silent and stared at Cassandra. She was sleeping now. Her breath slightly ragged, but other than that she was stable. Alcina and Bela both left with a feeling of helplessness. Uncertain what else they could do for her.

"Daniela?" Alcina looked over at her youngest who was now standing by the door. "Dearest?"

"I am going to go to the library for a little while. Maybe I will find something else there that can help her."

Both smiled at her as she left the nursery.

"Did you see her face?" Bela whispered. "I have never seen such determination like that before."

"Indeed," Alcina smile broadened. "She is resolute to save Cassandra no matter what, which gives me more hope and belief she will get well."

Bela nodded her head, her little sister's spirit filling her with a renewed determination as well.

{…}

Alcina had retired to her study for the next hour. Expecting Daniela to come rushing in at any moment with information she had uncovered.

The grandfather clocked ticked away the minutes, but there was no sign of her youngest nor Bela for that matter. The two would not give up. Just as stubborn as she, and of course…

"Cassandra."

Alcina closed her eyes, thinking back to when all three had awoken after six long and arduous days. Uncertain if they would live through the experiment, but despite the odds stacked against them, they all overcame. Cassandra having been the most needy for her. Wanting to always be in her arms compared to Bela and Daniela, but now. She was happier being on her own and tormenting every living thing she could get her hands on.

"I was always so hard on you, my precious one," she said, recalling the times where she had hit her. Slapping her across the face if she did something wrong. It was no wonder she acted the way she did. All she was doing was looking for attention, and the only way she knew how was by getting into trouble. "You push yourself too far all for my sake. Even after I had attacked you that night…"

The fire crackled in the hearth. The three had just finished suckling their mother's blood. With bellies full Daniela and Bela crawled into bed, getting ready to sleep; Cassandra was not of the same mind. Instead she wanted to play and play. At first she made up her own little game of catching the mice, but the little beasties were getting smarter. They did not come out of the hole in the wall and soon Cassandra was sitting on her bottom, pouting.

What was she to do now?

It was then did she set her sights on Daniela. Crouched low, Cassandra crawled towards her bed, barely able to contain her girlish giggling as she thought out Daniela's reaction. No doubt she would be absolutely terrified! Screaming like a big baby.

She was now at the end of her bed, reaching up she grabbed at her sister's blankets and started to pull them away.

Daniela groaned in her sleep, pulling at the blankets, but Cassandra would yank back. Successfully removing the blankets off the bed.

'What?' Daniela groggily sat up.

Cassandra covered her mouth to smother the laugh, peering up slightly to see Daniela was still sitting up in the bed, looking around clueless. Now! Cassandra exploded up with the blankets, tossing them over her little sister. Daniela crying out in surprise as the blankets piled back on her head, Cassandra tackled her right off the bed.

The entire room shaking from the impact, which had awoken Bela. She turned her focus over to Daniela's bed. There she could hear Daniela crying and who was straddled on top of her, a nasty grin spread across her face and holding her down.

'Cassandra!'

Bela leapt off her bed and tackled her sister off Daniela, slamming her against the bed frame. Cassandra grunted in pain, quickly sensing Bela was not playing around, she released a guttural roar and started to attack back. Biting and clawing at one another. Rage fueling them to become much more vicious and violent, neither heard Alcina enter the room. One moment Cassandra was rolling around the floor with Bela and the next she was airborne.

Her body making a crashing impact with the wall where she stared into the yellow eyes of her mother. She released a whimper that went unheard by Alcina, who raised her hand and smacked her across the mouth. Over and over. Until Cassandra raised her arms to shield her face, but Alcina ignored her and was prepared to hit her again when an unexpected savior came to Cassandra's aid.

'Just plaing, Mother. Just pla-ying.'

'Daniela.'

The red head wrapped her arms around her mother, burying her face into her side and then cried.

'No.'

Slowly she set Cassandra down, the child scurrying away from her and hunkering down in the corner of the room. Breathing heavily, a stray tear streaking down her cheek. The look in her eyes one of distrust.

At once Alcina realized her grand error, approaching her child who shrank further away; the damage had already been done. She then got up and ran out of the room in tears, hiding for three whole days. No matter how long they searched. Cassandra had completely vanished.

Alcina was in utter turmoil. Normally she could sense all three; however, Cassandra somehow completely blocked herself from her mother. The utter fear that Cassandra had wandered outside was Alcina's worst nightmare. She did not eat nor sleep in her mad haste to find her daughter.

Finally on that third night Cassandra had reappeared, but in a most unexpected way. Having completely exhausted herself, Alcina had crashed into her bed and fallen into a deep sleep. A queue of nightmares plaguing her until she awoke in tears, but then came a familiar sound. A gentle purring met her ears. Arms wrapped around her neck and a warm face nuzzling up against her cheek.

'C-Cassandra? Oh my darling.' Alcina took hold of her precious child, being extra careful not to crush her, as she pulled her in. Cassandra's purring growing louder in her ears. 'I am so sorry, sweetheart. Forgive me.'

Alcina smiled at the memory. Cassandra had used to be such a little cuddle bug, but that had all changed once she developed their unique ability. She had matured from the infant phase to the adolescence; teenage phase of her life. No longer did she cuddle, unlike the other two who never missed an opportunity.

"Mother?" Bela called from the door, knocking.

Alcina opened her eyes.

"Come in, darling."

Bela glided right up to her, placing a kiss to her cheek and then taking a seat beside her.

"Something the matter?"

"No," Alcina said.

Bela crossed her arms, not believing a word of it.

"Hmph, you see right through me, as per usual."

"You can be rather transparent, Mother."

"And you can be rather plucky," Alcina said, dabbing her nose. "Oh, I was reminiscing of the past is all."

"Pleasant memories."

"Some yes and others no."

"With us, you mean?"

Alcina reached over for her cigarette, Bela automatically pulling open a drawer and retrieving a lighter for her mother.

"I cannot help but believe it was I who led Cassandra to this situation."

Bela lighted her mother's cigarette and placed the lighter back in its proper place.

"Now you sound like me, Mother. Always telling me I am too quick to blame myself for mishaps."

Alcina did not speak, drawing from her cigarette and releasing a stream of it through her nostrils before passing the holder over to Bela.

"Mother?" Bela said.

"Go on. It helps calm the nerves."

Bela placing the piece to her lips, drew in a deep lungful and sputtered. Gagging as the smoke choked her. That got Alcina laughing heartily, taking it back from Bela.

"My god that is awful!"

"Tis not," Alcina said. "I am sure you will sing a different note the more you taste it."

"I think not. I could see Cassandra enjoying that, but not I."

"Yes," Alcina started to grow silent. "You are probably right."

Bela stared up at her mother, observing the sadness on her face. If only she could do something to help her more…, but what? Bela did not know. Perhaps just sitting here and keeping her company was enough. After all, whenever she felt depressed, sitting beside her mother was all she needed.

Scooting her chair just a tad bit closer, she reached out and took her mother's hand into her own and squeezed. A smile forming across her crimson lips at the feel of her mother squeezing back and keeping a firm hold.

They sat like that for a little while longer when a knock sounded at the door. Alcina permitting the person entry, narrowed her eyes at the maiden.

"What?" she snapped.

"You have a visitor in the Main Hall, my lady," she said, keeping her attention to the floor.

"Who, you foolish child?"

The girl blanched.

"M-Mother Miranda…"

Alcina squeezed Bela's hand once more before releasing her and rising out of her chair, hastily making her way downstairs. Her heart galloping out of her chest in anticipation for the good news. Finally she had the antidote! Finally Cassandra would be well again.

She had reached the stairs to see Mother Miranda seated in a chair with a glass of wine in hand.

"Mother Miranda."

"Ahh, Alcina. I come with good tidings for your Cassandra. The medicine has been procured." She rose from the seat and set the glass down. "Including the toxins that I uncovered in Cassandra's bloodstream."

Alcina released an audible sigh of relief. Cassandra would be healed and it was all thanks to Mother Miranda.

"I am forever in your debt."

"Not all was my doing. Credit for procuring the antidote goes to Donna."

"'Donna'?"

"Yes, you remember from the trial. She and her dear companion, Angie."

"Oh, yes, of course." Alcina shuddered at the memory of her three 'siblings', though she knew thanks was in order no matter how deranged the woman was. "Well, I will be sure to send two of my best vintages of wine as my thanks."

"She will be pleased," Mother Miranda said. "Now shall we—"

"Mother! Mother!"

Alcina whipped around at the sound of Daniela, who had fallen silent and did not move from any further down the stairs, her eyes locked on Mother Miranda.

"Daniela? Is something the matter?" she said, observing a book in her child's arms.

"No. Sorry. It is nothing. Sorry…" she materialized away.

"Forgive me, Mother Miranda," Alcina said. "My youngest can be ingenuous at times."

Mother Miranda said nothing, reaching into her dress pocket and about to pull out the medicine when Cassandra screams echoed through the Main Hall.

Alcina forgetting her manners, raced right up the stairs and left Mother Miranda alone below, her heart pounding at the sound of Cassandra's screams growing more agonized.

"Cassandra!" Alcina nearly burst straight through the door, going right to Cassandra's bedside and wrapping her up into her arms. "There, there, my sweet." She fought back the emotions, watching tears slide down her daughter's face from the pain.

"Make. It. Stop." She managed to say.

"I will. I will make it all better. I promise."

"Alcina."

Alcina looked to the doorway where Mother Miranda stood with the medicine in hand.

"Pull up her sleeve."

Alcina did as she was told, continuing to hold Cassandra as Mother Miranda prepared the syringe.

"This may sting. Be sure to hold her securely."

"Y-you." Cassandra stared at Mother Miranda, a smile appearing on her pale lips. "Mother… M-Miranda."

"That is correct, my dear, you remember me, don't you? That night when you had awoken. How you told me how much you loved your mother."

Cassandra gave a faint nod.

"And she loves you, my dear."

"Mother," Cassandra whispered, her eyes fluttering closed once Mother Miranda had injected her.

"There now. Give her the same amount until it is all gone and she will make a full recovery."

"Thank you," Alcina said, resting her chin on the top of her child's head.

"I must leave; I will call you in the morning to check in."

Alcina about to rise up to walk her out, stopped at the feel of Cassandra's digits grab her arm. Even though she was now fast asleep, she was making her intention clear; Alcina could only chuckle.

"Stay with her. I can see myself out." Mother Miranda said, a flicker of sadness appearing in her eyes before she turned away. Images of her daughter Eva creeping into her mind. How she had done the same thing before her death. The nights in the hospital she would hold her child, tell her it would be all right. Her fragile fingers gripping onto her. The empty promises she had told her that she would get better. That she would find a cure to save the one thing that was most dear to her. "Stop it!" she cursed to herself. "She will come back to me. I will have her again. No matter the damn cost!"