Cassandra is back and making up for all the lost time. Torture. Torture. TORTURE! One specific pass time Alcina enjoys IMMENSELY: Scarecrows. And three stupid-man things had the audacity to sneak into her castle and attempt to steal from she. Whoa boy. This will get gory so be prepared/warning. Hope you guys enjoy! Thanks as always for reading.

Alcina, Bela and Daniela remained in the nursery waiting for the antidote to take effect, but nothing appeared to be shifting.

"Damn it!" Alcina cursed, slamming her fist down on the arm of the chair she was seated in. "Why is it not working?"

Bela and Daniela glanced at one another nervously. Their mother's temper nothing to sneeze at, Bela whisked away to the wine room and returned with a bottle and glass for her.

"Here, Mother," Bela said, pouring her mother a drink.

"Thank you," Alcina said, taking the glass and drinking half of it in one gulp. Relaxing back with a light sigh as Bela stood behind her and started to gently massage her shoulders.

All the time they kept their attention glued to Cassandra.

Still inert.

"Cassandra," Daniela said, ever watchful and remaining right by her side. Adjusting her sister's blankets or pillow and then go back to just watching. Waiting on the edge of her bed for Cassandra to open her eyes.

"Daniela," Alcina called out to her.

She whipped her head in the direction of her mother.

"Yes?"

"I would like to hear you read. I am sure that would help Cassandra to awaken faster, too. To hear a familiar voice in the air to bring her back to us."

Daniela happily bounded off her bed and got right to work finding the perfect book for them. Row after row she went through until finally she came upon the one.

"What did you find?" Alcina asked, seeing the smile on Daniela's face turning her lips up into a faint smile.

"Castle Rackrent and Ennui by Maria Edgeworth," Daniela said.

"Oh, yes." Alcina nodded in approval. "The emblem of Irish oppression in the Rackrent estate."

"That one was my least favorite," Bela said. "My personal favorite is Mary Elizabeth Braddon's, Lady Audley's Secret. A gothic novel of mystery, murder and scandal."

"That too is another treasure," Alcina said. "Perhaps you can read that to me later on tonight, Bela."

"I would love to Mother."

Daniela rolled her eyes at them, already starting to read the first page to herself.

"Go ahead and begin, dearest," Alcina said.

"Yes, Mother," Daniela said, cozily snuggling down into her bed as she started to read.

Alcina resting her knuckles against her cheek, watched Daniela lovingly. Of all her daughters, it was Daniela she could listen to for hours. She had the perfect reading voice that soothed the soul and eased the mind. All the things Alcina needed in the current situation.

Time seeming to have slowed down, Alcina started to close her eyes when another moan from Cassandra jolted her awake. Daniela briefly pausing in her reading, looked over to her mother, who motioned for her to keep going.

Daniela doing as she was told, Alcina rose from her chair and knelt down beside Cassandra, running her fingers through her dark mane. Hovering her lips just inches from her ear:

"Cassandra. Come back to us. Come back to me, my little huntress. Please." Alcina pressed a kiss to her cheek, continuing to stroke her hair lovingly.

There was a slight twitch of her fingers, but nothing more. The rhythm of her breath steady just like her heart. Alcina could see the purple receding and her skin reforming to its original state and color, but it was painfully slow. She had thought about injecting Cassandra with another syringe. Yet she resisted for fear she would overdose her.

She rose back up to her full height, Daniela paused in her reading and stared up at her mother. Curious as to what she was thinking.

"Mother?" she inquired. "Do you think Cassandra heard me read?"

Alcina walked over to Daniela, placing a kiss to her forehead.

"I do," she hummed, resting her hand gently on the top of her daughter's head.

Daniela smiled up at her mother, sleepily.

All three were clearly exhausted. Bela covering her mouth as she yawned, while Daniela set the book aside and lay down in her bed.

"Bedtime," Alcina hummed, tucking her youngest in and kissing her cheek, she approached Cassandra and did the same thing. Running her fingers through her hair one final time before she exited out of the room with Bela behind her.

{…}

The next morning Cassandra blinked her eyes open, sensing she was being closely watched.

"C-Cassandra?"

She grunted, blinking a few more times to see it was Daniela. Of course it was the little pain in the neck.

"Oh, Cassandra!" Daniela burst into tears, flinging herself against her sister and hugging her tightly.

"D-Daniela…, I cannot b-breathe!"

"Daniela! Get off her," came Bela's voice from the doorway.

"Bela to the rescue," Cassandra grumbled. "I never thought I would be so happy to hear and see you."

"I could say the same," Bela said, approaching Cassandra's side once Daniela had moved and rested her hand on her shoulder. "Welcome back, Sister."

Cassandra smiled faintly, rising up in the bed.

"Where is Mother?"

"In her study, working," Bela said.

Cassandra threw the blankets off and shakily rose to her feet. Walking not an easy task and gliding was not any better at the moment. Using the bed as far as she could for support, she stood to her full height and glared in the direction of the door. One step at a time. She released her hold off the bed and took a first step.

She dropped down to one knee, her entire body shaking as she pushed herself to get back up.

Daniela wanting to reach out and help her, quickly stopped upon remembering the last time she tried to help. Cassandra having cruelly shoved her away, but to watch her sister struggling. She made a brave step forward and another until she was beside Cassandra.

"Um, Cassandra? May I-"

Bela at the ready to defend Daniela from their sister, crossed her arms and cocked her head slightly at the sight playing out before her.

There were no words from Cassandra. Not looking at her little sister, she only raised her arm to indicate for Daniela to come to her.

Daniela momentarily stunned as well, she quickly went to her sister's side and guided her arm around her shoulders. From there she led Cassandra out of the nursery and to their mother's study.

"Interesting," Bela mused, following after them. A growing smile formed across her lips while her sisters giggled and talked. The sight and sound had been absent for what felt too long.

Bela who would spend nights sleeping with her mother. Recalling how angry and depressed she had been. Truly believing Cassandra would succumb to the poison. Bela comforted her mother as best she could through the stress along with Daniela. Being the strong; sensible one was something Bela was natural at among her other many gifts, or so her mother continues to tell her.

She had easily been able to comfort her mother and Daniela, though she was mightily relieved to have Cassandra awake and moving about.

"Mother! Mother! Look who's up and about," Daniela announced when they entered into Alcina's study.

Alcina had a smile on her face when her daughters entered inside. Her gaze falling to Cassandra first.

"Come," she said, motioning her over with a gesture of her fingers.

Daniela letting her sister go uncertainly, watched on as Cassandra took her steps nice and slow. Stumbling only at the last second and falling directly into Alcina's arms. Daniela's eyes welled with tears. To see Cassandra cuddling up to their mother was quite the anomaly. She was not into the tender embraces like them.

"Mother." Bela and Daniela heard her say, nestling right up to their mother; purring happily and nuzzling her head against Alcina's as she received kisses.

"My huntress," Alcina whispered. "Welcome back, my precious one."

"I heard you whispering to me," Cassandra said into Alcina's ear. Not wanting her siblings to hear this private discussion. "I wanted to wake up, but there was something fighting me. It blocked me from doing so."

"And what did you do?" she hummed, lips grazing across her temple.

"I destroyed my enemy."

Alcina tittered, patting her gently on the hip.

"I expected nothing less."

Cassandra grinned, when suddenly her stomach started to growl.

"Hungry?"

"Starving."

I imagine you are, my sweet. Come, then. Let us go and have our dinner." Alcina pressed a kiss to her forehead and rose from her seat. Leading the way in the direction of the dining hall. Cassandra needing assistance some of the way, refused to be seen as weak in the eyes of their mother, marched right down the stairs with her head raised high. 'That's my girl.' Alcina smiled, watching all three with pride. 'Well done.'

{…}

Journal Entry:

Cassandra has made a full recovery. Mother Miranda informing me the toxins were created from a poison called, Phyllobates Terribilis. According to Mother Miranda this is known as a species of frog. A golden something or other. She had also uncovered other toxins, too, these I will not even attempt to write down. In addition to that, Mother Miranda told me she had captured the bastard who attacked my daughters. A man named Gerhardt. She has uncovered he had been bitten by one of the Lycans, but the man did not turn into one, though he inherited their speed, agility and strength. Mother also made mention of another individual that had appeared on the scene as well. I have no doubt it was Charlotte, which makes me sense she will return here soon. I have no doubt of that meaning I must prepare my daughters. And speaking of them…

Alcina placed the pen back in the ink holder, leaning back in her chair and shutting her eyes. It had been only a few days since Cassandra had awoken. She was quick to recover once she had started to eat normal flesh again, and back to her usual job: torturing the maidens. She would allow Cassandra to go off on her little sprees much to Bela's chagrin.

"You need to start reining her in, Mother! She is going to kill every single servant at this rate."

"Yes, yes," she had conceded. "I will allow her this last day and then stop her fun."

Truthfully she was allowing this to continue because she wanted Cassandra distracted. She knew her child would turn her sights back on plotting her vengeance against the man who had hurt her. That had been the topic of discussion ever since she had awoken. Even daring to ask if she could revisit the village.

"No, you cannot. Not with the weather changing to colder temperatures, and then there is the hunter Mother Miranda is dealing with. I cannot have you interfering, my precious."

"Which is the reason why I wish to go down there!" Cassandra said. "And what about the shipment of maidens from the Abbess? We need more staff due to the outbreak at the orphanage."

Alcina had turned a cold gaze down at her child.

"Eavesdropping were we?"

"You were speaking quite loudly, Mother."

Throughout this intercourse, Bela and Daniela had been listening in. For them it was like watching a lancing tournament, though Alcina always came out the winner, Cassandra never failed to keep them on their toes till the very end.

"Cassandra! You are not to set one foot down in the village, do I make myself clear?" Alcina had said, sharply. "As much as I wish I could let you go, you will mind me and my orders. You must settle for the victims below and torture them if that is what will amuse you. Now do not dare ask me this again."

Cassandra was unsatisfied and had stormed away, shutting herself in her own little workshop below.

Alcina rubbed at her temples. She had intentionally made no mention of Mother Miranda capturing Gerhardt nor a possible Charlotte spotting. She was; however, putting them on a tight schedule of hunts. She would set lose a maiden and have them continue practicing their skills. Quick and stealthy. Was the best course of action, which Cassandra had a difficult time practicing. Loud and explosive. Scaring her prey to the point they were so paralyzed they simply crumbled. Practically taking the scythe from her and slicing open their own throats, but this particular prey was not like these scared peasants. Whom her children could attack them without hesitation. With no need for being furtive. No. This Charlotte had a warriors blood in her veins. A fire burning in her soul. Burning brighter and hotter by the winds of revenge.

A knock came at her door. Omitting the person entry, she opened her eyes to see Bela with fresh blood on her lips.

"Enjoyed yourself, I see."

"Mother?"

Alcina pointed at her lips.

"Oh, sorry." She wiped the blood away with the back of her hand, stepping up next to her mother and kissing her cheek. "Everything all right?"

Alcina scoffed.

"Where do I begin?"

"Well, if it makes you feel better, I have Cassandra under some control. I have given her dozens of small projects to occupy herself in the cellar. She appeared quite content with it…, for now anyway. One of them is dealing with those three bastards sneaking around the castle grounds last night."

"Oh yes… that." No wonder she felt so drowsy and out of it. She had nearly forgotten about those three bastards. "Have you seen or heard anyone else roaming about?"

"No, Mother," Bela said. "Should I be?"

"Just keep your eyes and ears open at all times. Especially with the maidens. We do not need a repeat of a second rebellion."

"I will not allow that to happen."

Alcina began to smile at her eldest, stroking the ends of her hair adoringly.

"Shall we go down and see how Cassandra is coming along with them?"

"Yes, would you like me to go and collect Daniela?"

"Please do. I will wait for you in the Main Hall."

{-}

Daniela was giggling with excitement. She had just finished one of her sketches when Bela had come in to collect her. She was thrilled to be joining them, but she was still uncertain as to what they would do to the man-things.

They had found Cassandra in the little workshop area. She had already chained one of the men down on the table. He was dead. Cassandra had already began to cut him open and remove his inners. Setting them in a bucket to be brought up to the kitchen later on.

"Well done here, Cassandra."

Cassandra turned and smiled at her mother, though it dipped at the sight of Bela and Daniela. Personally she had hoped her mother had not brought them along…

"Bela, please fetch the three blood bags from cell A5."

"Yes, Mother," Bela said, gliding away.

"What about me, Mother?" Daniela piped up as soon as Bela left to fetch them.

"You can help me get the utensils out."

Daniela happily skipped about the room as Alcina directed her to retrieve the items they would need.

"Saws, large knives, large hooks and meat cleavers."

"That shall do nicely," Alcina said, examining the chains and then the hooks to make absolutely sure they were secure.

"What exactly are we doing?" Daniela asked, looking at the table.

"Think about it," Alcina said.

Daniela rubbed at her chin, lips pursed.

"Well…, we are obviously going to torture the man-things, but the tools you told me to gather are very specific."

Alcina nodded, smiling at her.

"Meaning?"

"Meaning that, um…" Daniela's mind was turning and turning.

"Do not overthink it too much, dearest."

As Daniela continued to decode the mystery, Bela's footsteps could be heard nearing along with the jingle of chains. As soon as Bela stood in the lip of the doorway, Daniela burst out:

"Scarecrows!"

"Correct," Alcina tittered, smiling manically at each of the man-things.

The men were all trembling from head to toe. Their faces bloody and bruised from the beating they had received from Rednic. The sight brought a fond smile to Alcina's lips upon the memory of that night. Sitting in the Main Hall. The smoke from her cigarette fluttering and weaving through the air. Mingled with the fresh smell of blood from Rednic beating the men over and over with his iron-like knuckles.

'Be sure you do not leave a mess on my floor, Rednic. Or else you will share the same fate as them, do I make myself perfectly clear?'

'Yes, my lady,' Rednic said, a crazed glint in his eyes as he bowed his head and continued on.

Elegant legs crossed as she had sat back on the sofa, her body quivering with ecstasy when the men started to cry out for mercy. Blood. So. Much. Blood.

'Stop!' they begged.

Alcina rested her knuckle underneath her chin, blowing smoke in their direction.

'These vermin. Naked, overgrown babies. Writhing larvae as all men are.'

Oh, and how Alcina would teach them respect before they died. The Dimitrescu School of Castration was now in session! Though the ungodly hour Rednic had awoken her and brought her to these bandits was the only sour note, but still…

"Mother?"

Bela's voice broke her of her thoughts.

"Bring our big blue eyed friend over first. The other two will be set on the hooks to wait."

"No! Please. Don't!" The men struggled, but to no avail. Bela had the strength of twenty men and restraining them was like holding back four-year olds. She pulled them in and with the help of Daniela and Cassandra, they chained the first man down to the table, while Alcina grabbed the other two by the throats.

"Now, then," she grinned, setting the men down into the hooks. Both screaming out in agony as the hooks dug deep into their flesh. She stepped back and watched them grab the chains and attempt to free themselves, but each time they moved, the hooks would sink into them deeper.

They kept on crying out, making the sisters laugh with joy.

"Who will make the cut?" Alcina inquired.

"Me!" Cassandra raised her hand, jumping up and down excitedly.

"Remember to not pierce their organs."

"Yes, yes."

The man was shaking from head to toe, sweat pouring off his body in gallons. Cassandra stared straight into his eyes, sliding the blade tip from his cheek and trailing it passed his chest and stopping over his groin.

"What an useless extremity," Cassandra commented, the man whimpering as Cassandra applied pressure over his manhood. "Shall I cut it off before or after I cut you completely open?" she trailed the blade back up to the center of his heaving chest. "Stupid man-thing." Cassandra slowly stuck the blade into the man, who began to convulse as Cassandra savagely sliced straight down to his belly button. Blood oozing out of the wound and splattering the table. "Stubborn bastard!" she cursed, having to move the blade back and forth in order to continue sawing away at him.

"The clamps," Alcina directed Bela and Daniela. "We need to pull the flesh back in order to retrieve the organs safely."

"Are we to break his ribs?" Bela inquired.

"The clamps will do that for you. All you two need to do now is pull as hard as you can."

"Yes, Mother."

Bones snapped and broke apart. The muscle was what made pulling the man open difficult, but soon Daniela and Bela had opened him up completely. The other two men who had been watching vomiting at the sight as Bela and Daniela dug their hands into their friend. Laughing like they were children playing in some kind of sandbox.

"In the jars, my darlings, it will keep the organs preserved until they are to be cooked tonight."

"C-cooked?" one man stammered.

"That is correct," Alcina grinned at him. "And you both will be part of the fun very shortly."

Bela and Daniela licking the blood off their fingers, smacked their lips at the two men, ready to continue this delicious process…