Hello everyone! Thank you so much for reading. This next chapter continues with Alcina finding a strange figure laying at the feet of her castle. Not to mention the birthday celebration for the daughters is finally underway. What sort of chaos and mayhem will that stir? Hope you guys enjoy!

Alcina hating to wake so early knew she had to meet Rednic with the delivery. The maidens' already awake and preparing breakfast, Alcina walked in the direction of the Entrance Hall. Deciding she would go out and meet Rednic, she pushed open the doors and was caught completely off guard by what she found.

There was a woman lying face down on the ground. At first Alcina thought it was one of those disgusting creatures that inhabited the bowels of the castle. Carefully she used her heel to turn her over on her back.

"Ahh, we are human after all, but what in the name of Mother Miranda are you doing here? And how?" The woman was still breathing. Asleep despite how much she was shaking. "Not dead. Meaning you have a deep purpose, don't you? But what purpose would you have to come here? Looking for employment? No, it has to be something much deeper than that." Alcina pursed her lips together, the sound of footsteps coming from farther down the path catching her attention. "That must be Rednic with my order. If you are still breathing when I return, I shall grant you entry into my home."

Down the path she went, stopping short at the sight of Rednic limping and wearing a bandage over his left eye.

"My lady," he bowed. "I was able to get your prizes."

"Good, may I ask what happened to you?"

"You will not believe me if I told you."

Alcina glared down at him, not in any mood for childish guessing games.

"It would seem the little rebel who escaped is out for revenge. She managed to hunt me down and nearly killed me."

"What?" she hissed, her fingers clenching into fists. "Charlotte? How?"

"It would appear she was attacked by a Lycan, but managed not to fully turn. Well, not yet anyway. I barely managed to escape."

"Where is she now?"

"I do not know. She disappeared upon someone calling after her."

Alcina cursed, not having the time to deal with such nonsense. She took in a deep breath, unclenching her fists and turning her focus to the ten girls behind him. Rope tied around their necks and wrists, trembling.

"Take them inside and tell Anya to take care of them. Along with the wretch lying on the road up ahead. If she is alive that is."

He bowed his head to her, and jerked at the rope to get the girl in the lead to move. Alcina watched them hike up the road, her temper about to boil over. Of all the times for this drama to happen… No. Nothing would ruin her children's party. Nothing. She would just have to be extra vigilant.

'If what Rednic said was true, how can that bitch still be alive? It is downright impossible! Inconceivable to think someone could not turn after being bitten. Unless the transformation was slower for her. She is doomed, and she must know that, too. Which means she will act on that impulse. She has nothing left to lose. If she learns of this celebration and infiltrates the castle, I will need to double the watch. I will put her down this time.'

{…}

Alcina trying not to allow the distraction of Charlotte, focused her attention on the remaining clean up of the celebration. Rechecking that all was in place and accounting who would be in attendance, Alcina had one final thing to do. She had gathered birthday gifts for her children. Having had the maids wrap them, threatening that if any who wrapped the gifts poorly would be sent down to the cellar, she then had them place the gifts into the nursery.

Having kept the children down in the cellar to preoccupy them, called out to them. Telling them to meet her in the nursery. Daniela was the first to enter followed next by Bela and then Cassandra. Each girl stared hypnotized at the pile of presents on their beds and around it.

"Well?" Alcina said, having expected more of a reaction from them than just gawking.

"Are these really all for us?" Daniela said.

"Who else would they be for?" Alcina chuckled, watching Cassandra walk over to her bed and grab a medium sized present. She started to shake it, placing it up against her ear and then shaking it again.

"You are supposed to open it," Bela said.

"I know that! Must you micromanage everything?" Cassandra snarled at her. "I am just trying to see if I can guess what is inside first."

"Mother!" Daniela had opened one of hers to find a full canvas with paints and paint brushes. "Thank you! Thank you!" Once she got the taste for the first surprise, she wanted more and more. Tearing apart her presents with no mercy or control. "Look at this book! Oh! I adore this hat."

Alcina took a seat, watching all three tear through their presents, though Bela took her time and savored each gift while Cassandra opened one set it aside and went to the next. She was not as impressed by the things she had gotten like her siblings, well, not until she opened a large box containing two new scythes. It was then did Alcina watch Cassandra's eyes light right up. A devious smile plastered to her crimson lips as she examined the weapons with deep adoration.

"Did I choose wisely, Cassandra?"

"Oh indeed, Mother, where did you find them?"

"That is my secret," she smiled.

Cassandra rolled her eyes at her, going back to examining the blades.

"These are beautiful, Mother," Bela spoke up, examining a pair of ruby red earrings.

"I thought you might like those," Alcina said, winking over at her.

"Red is my favorite color along with blue."

"Blue? I did not know that," Alcina said. "I will keep that in mind for later."

"Mother? What is all of this for? Did we do something good and this is our reward?" Daniela asked.

"No, this is for something very special."

"Like what?"

"Your birthdays', my daughters. In a few days' will mark the day you were born."

"Oh…," Daniela said. "Do we do that all the time?"

"Every year, Daniela," Bela said.

"Gifts like these every year?" Cassandra said. "Excellent."

Daniela giggled happily, skipping up to her mother and wrapped her arms around her neck, kissing her cheek.

"Thank you, Mother."

"Yes, thank you," Bela said.

"This is not all you will receive."

"There is more?" Cassandra said.

"Indeed, but I will say no more. I wish to keep that a surprise."

"Oh, Mother, can we have just a little hint? Please?" Daniela said, puckering out her bottom lip.

"No," Alcina hummed, nuzzling her nose against her cheek. "Patience, dearest."

Daniela pouted, continuing to remain beside her mother.

Alcina just smiled at them. Allowing herself to finally relax and enjoy being in this moment. The four of them. Together and happy. No fears. No stress. No worries. Just happiness.

"Meow."

Oh gods!

Pus-Pus started to rub against Alcina's leg, the cat suddenly jumping up and into her lap. The moment this happened, Alcina went into a fit of sneezes.

"D-Daniela!"

"I got it!" Cassandra laughed manically, raising the scythe high into the air.

"No!" Daniela shrieked diving to shield the cat, while Bela grabbed Cassandra's wrist to stop her.

"I was only teasing her, sheesh. Can no one here take a bloody joke?"

Alcina gasped for breath, her eyes watering terribly and even after Daniela removed the cat and remained in the corner with it. Hissing and glaring over at Cassandra, who was laughing at her.

'One step forward… twenty paces back. Ugh.' Alcina thought, lowering her hat just enough to hide her face.

{-}

The day was finally here.

The music swelled. The chatter of all those who were in attendance bringing the castle much needed life. The guests were still arriving. Anya and other maidens welcoming the guests and taking their hats, jackets and coats. Alcina already prepared in a fine blood wine dress, spent some time welcoming as many of the guests as she could before turning her focus on Cassandra. Who she glimpsed attempting to sneak off into the kitchen with a whip to crack at the workers backs.

Excusing herself from a group of women with similar yellow eyes as her own, she stormed right after her daughter, exiting out of the room seconds later with Cassandra tucked under her arm.

Feeling her cheeks searing red from embarrassment, she glared down at her middle child, who was glaring right back up at her with arms crossed.

"Do not dare give me that look!" she barked, kicking open the nursery door and causing the maids who were attending Bela and Daniela to jump. "Sit down! You are going to cause us all to be late now!" she plopped Cassandra down in a chair, ordering the maid who had been seeing to Daniela to get right to work on Cassandra.

Daniela already finished rose up from her seat and spun around for her mother to get a look at her light purple dress.

"What do you think?"

"You are most ravishing, dearest, the color suits you beautifully." Alcina smiled, both girls' faces completely spotless and painted with makeup. Of course her daughters did not need makeup. They all were already so very beautiful.

"Mother, you look enchanting," Bela said, her blonde hair kept down in lovely waves, bringing out her features much more prominently; Alcina could not tear her gaze away from her eldest.

'Look at her. How much she has grown and changed. Even Daniela looks much older. Far more mature. Where has the time gone?'

"No hat tonight?" Bela continued.

"Not tonight," she answered, walking over and kissing her cheek.

"Mother," she groaned. "You are going to ruin my makeup."

"Nonsense," she whispered into her ear. "Nothing can mar your beauty."

Bela could feel her temperature rising at the closeness of her mother. The warmth of her breath against her skin, making her automatically lean into her. Captured in her mother's adoring throe.

"Ouch!"

Smack!

The spell was broken when Cassandra crowed out in pain and then hit the maid in the face with the brush.

"Not so rough fool! I would like to keep my hair attached to my head."

Both Bela and Alcina rolled their eyes together.

After another forty-five minutes, all three girls were prepared and looking as lovely as ever. Bela donning a light blue dress that made her look almost like Cinderella. Then there was Cassandra who had donned a red dress similar to their mother's. ("She looks like Little Red Riding Hood in that,") Daniela had commented in Bela's ear, who stifled a snigger.

Cassandra glared at them both nastily.

"Now, my daughters, are we ready to meet our guests?"

"Yes, Mother," Bela said.

Daniela nodded her head enthusiastically.

Cassandra crossed her arms and huffed.

"Good. Let us show them what we ladies of House Dimitrescu are really made of, hmm?"

"We will knock them dead," Daniela giggled.

Alcina chuckled.

"That we will, dearest, but remember they are not on the menu. There will be plenty of food downstairs. Keep up appearances, my sweets. Carry your names with pride and make me proud…"