Hello everyone! Thanks for reading and following my story! I greatly appreciate it. This next chapter focuses on Alcina meeting a new client, Bela has the birds and the bees talk with her mother, and Cassandra tormenting the maids as per usual. I hope you guys enjoy, and thank you all again!

The last of the guests had finally left. The castle once again silent save the sound of the servants cleaning up, the fire crackling in the hearth and the sounds of Alcina whispering her goodnights.

Inside the nursery, she tucked Daniela into bed. The child was out cold. Snoring so loudly even Cassandra could not fall asleep. Alcina leaned forward and kissed her youngest on the cheek.

"Sweet dreams, dearest one," she whispered into her ear.

"How am I supposed to sleep with that noise?" Cassandra snapped.

"You may join Bela and I, if you wish."

Cassandra folded her arms together, sitting cross legged on her bed with a fresh white nightgown donned.

Alcina shrugged her shoulders and headed for the door.

"My offer stands, Cassandra. You may join us whenever you wish."

Out she went in the direction of the bed chamber where Bela was waiting. Amazed how the palace was quickly falling back into order. It seemed so surreal. All the time and effort put into the celebration felt like it had taken years. Then there was the celebration itself that felt like it had only lasted an hour.

Success.

Though she had wished Mother Miranda had arrived, she had no doubt she would hear from her mother soon.

'Back to normal again.' She thought to herself. 'At least there was no issues regarding infiltrators. That being said, I wonder what happened to the woman lying on my doorstep? I do not recall seeing her on the floor serving. Perhaps she did die after all…' despite how exhausted she felt, Alcina decided to go and inspect the cellar. Taking a candelabra with her, she ventured through the kitchen and went down the tight corridors. She could hear the sounds of girls' moaning or simply whimpering as she neared the cellar.

Chains rattling from those who were chained to the walls or floor. They did not look up as she passed, the light from her candle making them scurry away from it. While others lay motionless. Dead from exposure, starvation, or sickness. The smell of their dead flesh making Alcina nauseous. Never would she devour anything that was not fresh, though she would not put it passed Cassandra to try a taste.

She shook her head, continuing her inspection of each cell until finally she found the blood bag. She was breathing, her face covered with filth like her clothing. She was chained to the floor by her ankles, and upon closer examination, Alcina could see she had been clawing at her ankles in an effort to pry herself free.

"My daughter. Where is my daughter?" she was saying, staring straight up at Alcina.

"I have no idea, pet," Alcina cooed. "I would need a name."

"K-Katja. What have you done to her?"

"I have no maid here named, Katja, that I am certain."

"What?" life had returned into her. A renewed hope as she stood up and managed to reach the bars. "Are you certain?"

Alcina reached her hand in-between the bars and snatched the woman around the throat, pulling her against the metal with such force the bars shook.

"I have names of all who worked here and I do not recall a Katja, which means only one thing…" Alcina chuckled, revealing her bloodstained teeth to the woman.

"What thing?" the woman gasped, her face turning blue.

"That if she was here, I sent her straight down here to be drained. I keep no records of who becomes part of my vintages."

Tears mixed with spittle flowed down her face. She was losing consciousness. Her life ebbing away in Alcina's iron-like grip. Katja could not have been killed. No, impossible! Could this monster have really done it and so quickly? And if so, where would her body be?

Suddenly Myra could breathe, dropping back down to the floor and coughing harshly.

"I like your moxy. To be so bold and approach my castle with the knowledge of the dangers that lurk here. Yet, you still came in hopes to find your daughter. As a mother, I understand the bond you have. The determination to keep her safe and protect her." Alcina licked her lips, yellowing eyes gleaming. "I cannot wait to taste your blood. What a special vintage you will make. I have no doubt it will burn going down my throat, and feel like a fireball in my gullet." She turned away, laughing at the sound of Myra's cries for her child. Coughing and sputtering to catch her breath as she wept.

Back upstairs Alcina entered into her bedchamber to find Bela seated on the edge of the bed. Alcina could not help but notice how much of her breasts were exposed. The nightgown thin and short. A surprise to Alcina Bela would chose attire such as that.

"What's the matter, my love?"

"Nothing, Mother, I just could not get to sleep right away is all. My body is still twitching from the excitement of the party."

"I am glad you enjoyed yourself," Alcina said, beginning to remove her dress. "Bela, can you unzip the back for me?"

"You need to sit down, Mother. I cannot reach it."

"As you wish, my lady," Alcina said teasingly, taking a seat on the bed.

"Was Daniela still snoring up there?"

"Yes," Alcina said. "Cassandra may be joining us soon."

"Cassandra seemed to enjoy herself, don't you think?"

"More so than I thought," Alcina said, rising up once Bela had unzipped her dress enough where it slipped right down to the floor. "Did a maiden bring me my nightgown?"

"No, but I did. It is resting there," Bela pointed to the chair.

"What would I do without you?" Alcina said, snatching it up and slipping it on right over her head.

"Throw yourself from the highest tower no doubt."

"Oh-ho, you think so?" Alcina gracefully turned and approached her eldest, leaning forward and kissing her cheek.

"Perhaps. You and Cassandra have a knack for being overly-dramatic."

"Now you are being a bit cruel in your critique," Alcina said, reaching out and adjusting one of Bela's straps that was hanging down past her shoulder, intentionally stretching it out and letting it snap back.

"I did not mean to come off as harsh, though you were very cruel to have had me sing in front of all those people. I have not forgiven you for that just yet."

"Oh, goodness. How long are you going to hold that over my head?"

Bela puckered her lips, arms crossed over her breasts as she stared over at the fire roaring in the hearth.

Alcina stared at her unable to resist reaching out and tucking a strand of her child's hair behind her ear. Bela automatically leaned into her touch with a faint smile lifting at the corner of her lips.

"Thank you again for all the hard work you put into the party for us. I had a wonderful birthday."

"I am glad you enjoyed yourself," Alcina whispered, taking notice of the scar on her scalp left behind by the surgery. Much of her blonde hair had grown back to cover it up enough not for it to be noticeable, but still.

It was a reminder to Alcina how precious each of her girls were to her. She did not mean to show a difference when it came to their relationships, but Bela was just different from her siblings. Daniela the youngest and was babied beyond what Alcina would have accepted in her past life. Yet here she was giving in to that child's every whim. The damn cat the prime example. Then there was Cassandra who she was very strict with. Of course Cassandra did not help herself by acting like a wild child and needed to be constantly reined in and monitored.

That being said, her love for them was equal. She would die for all of them. Destroy anyone who threatened or harmed them.

Bela released a soft yawn.

"Time for bed."

"I'm afraid so."

Bela getting herself comfortable on her side of the bed, shivered slightly. Her side was not close to the fireplace, which was the reason why she slept with many blankets piled on her.

Alcina turning on her lamp and snuggling down to read a little, lowered her glasses and looked at Bela.

"Cold?" she said.

"Just a little chill," Bela said.

"Come closer to me," Alcina said, stretching out her arm and pulling Bela right up against her.

"Mmm," Bela sighed contentedly, starting to close her eyes.

"Better I take it?" Alcina said, adjusting her glasses to start reading.

"Yes, Mother, thank you."

Silence fell, but Bela did not fall asleep right away. Just as she had said to her mother, she could not get the thrill of the party out of her mind. Over and over she kept thinking about the music and the dancing, especially the dancing with that boy. Never had she thought she would enjoy it as much as she had, but there had been something else, too. A new sensation that was foreign to she. She bit her bottom lip, not wanting to disrupt her mother's reading, but she wanted to know so badly.

She shifted slightly, keeping her legs tightly knitted together as she struggled to speak the question to her mother.

Suddenly Alcina snapped the book closed and placed it on her bedside table along with her glasses.

"M-Mother?" Bela swallowed, feeling a cold sweat start to break out all over her body. Just ask! Do not be afraid. "May I ask you something?"

"Of course," Alcina said, clicking off the lamp and settling further into the bed.

Bela kept gnawing at her bottom lip, struggling again.

"Bela, speak whatever is on your mind." Alcina stifled a yawn.

"Mother, while I was dancing with the boy Colin I felt something stirring in my belly. A tightness."

Alcina quirked a brow, wondering if this conversation was headed where she thought it was headed.

"Go on."

"Well, I felt this sudden hunger that stemmed from a similar feeling I have for blood, but only this was… something else entirely. I wanted him in another way."

And this was precisely why Alcina did not like extending invitations to young men… her daughters kept sheltered away from the outside world, which she had already known would make them even more curious about it. And with the party and those young men, she had started to worry her daughters would grow curious about them, though she was relieved to find Daniela and Cassandra had wanted nothing to do with them. It was odd now to think it would be Bela who she would be having this conversation with.

"Do you understand what the Hall of Four represents in the castle and the rooms? Joy, sadness, rage and pleasure. These are all basic emotions we feel like the mortals. Joy, sadness and rage are one dimensional in my opinion, but pleasure can come in many forms. You can feel pleasure torturing something, or simply feel pleasure sitting down and reading your favorite book. And… there is another word for it, too."

"What?" Bela inquired.

Alcina started to stroke her hair with a growing smile. Thinking if this was Daniela, she would know the word instantly.

"It is lust, my darling, a basic instinct that only those disgusting mortals feel."

"What, really?" Bela said, looking at her mother horrified. "You mean to say I wanted to…" she frowned still unsure of what it was.

"Reproducing, Bela."

That is when it started to click. Bela looking about ready to throw-up, she covered her face with one of the pillows and groaned.

"It is a natural feeling, Bela, but one that you must not allow to grow, is that clear? Do not ever let your passion consume you…, unless it is with me," Alcina said smugly.

"Mother," Bela said, feeling her cheeks heat up.

"I am teasing," Alcina said, removing the pillow from her daughter and pecking her on the lips. "Now get some sleep. We must resume our normal work lives tomorrow."

"Ugh, more shipments?"

"Do not grumble, darling," Alcina said, patting her hip. "Remember this is what you will start to learn very soon. You will be the one to keep the Dimitrescu family enterprise running once I decide to retire from it."

"You will not retire from it," Bela said. "I mean, you may for a couple of days, grow weary of no stimulation and be right back to work."

Alcina puckered her lips, which made Bela laugh.

"See?" she said. "I know you too well, Mother."

"Yes, yes," Alcina said, unable to stifle the next yawn. "You see right through me…"

The two fell silent and were soon fast asleep, though it wasn't until Alcina felt a gentle tug at her arm did she stir awake again. For the briefest of moments, she thought it was Josie standing there, but after a rub of her eyes did she find it was Daniela.

"M-Mother?" Daniela said.

"What is the matter, dearest?"

"Cassandra kicked me out of the nursery, because I was snoring too loud."

"Very well," Alcina said, allowing Daniela entry and did not notice Pus-Pus slip in through the slight crack of the door.

Alcina able to scoot herself back to leave enough space for Bela and give Daniela enough room to squeeze in, Alcina remained on her back with both her loves rested on either side of her. Daniela smiling as she snuggled deep into the warmth of the blankets and pressed up against her mother to receive even more heat, she was asleep before her head had even hit the pillow.

"Good night," Alcina said, kissing her daughter's temple. Her eyelids beginning to flutter closed when she heard purring at the end of the bed. She looked up and spotted the cat with what she could have sworn was a smirk upon its lips. "Damn it all…" she sneezed.

{-}

Alcina woke late the next morning to find Bela was already out of the bed. Daniela on the other hand remained fast asleep beside her. The child twitching from time to time, or mumbling incoherently.

Doing her best not to wake her, she got out of bed and used the telephone to call for Anya to send a maid up to prepare her a bath. The request did not take long to fulfil and soon Alcina was relaxing in her tub. A fresh cigarette in hand and a well-deserved scrubbing of her hair and skin.

Once she had been groomed and dressed, she ventured downstairs to the dining hall. It was there she found Bela seated at the table and drinking a cup of blood tea, her eyes glued to a newspaper.

"Good morning, Mother," Bela said. "Breakfast will arrive momentarily. Those blood bags are dragging their feet today. Lazy wretches!"

"Well, if they move any slower, I will be forced to find more help to replace them," she said loud enough for the workers to hear and spur them to move faster.

Smirking at the sight, Alcina kissed Bela's forehead before she took a seat in her chair. "Any news worth hearing about?" she picked up her goblet already filled with steaming blood tea of her own and took a sip.

"Not really," Bela said, flipping to the next page. "Just more inane news of humans killing each other over some foolish dispute."

"That sounds about right," Alcina said, turning her attention to the dining room door to see Cassandra enter.

"Morning," she grumbled, taking a seat to Bela's left and eyeing over the paper. "Can I have the—"

Bela handed the paper with the crosswords and other puzzles to Cassandra, who pulled out a pen from her dress pocket and got to work.

"Was Daniela still sleeping, Mother?" Bela asked, folding the paper back up and setting it to the side.

"Yes, I probably should have awoken her, but she looked too comfortable to disturb. I will have something set aside for her later."

Cassandra just rolled her eyes in annoyance. If that had been her, her mother would not have saved a morsel. She would have forced her to wait until lunch to eat something or even later than that. Glaring down at the crossword, she started to write only to find the pen did not have any ink.

Cursing inwardly, she spied a young maid walking out with a platter of food. Once the woman had set the item down, Cassandra snapped out:

"Come over here!"

The maid obeyed, flinching when Cassandra snatched her wrist and then plunged the tip of the pen into her flesh. The maid cried out in pain, her instinct to pull away only making the situation worse.

"Stay still!" Cassandra snarled, pulling out the tip now dripping with her blood and using it to write. "Do not move until I say, understood?"

"Y-yes, Miss Cassandra," the maid whimpered, tears filling her eyes from the pain as blood oozed from the small puncture wound. Over and over Cassandra would dab at the blood, or spill more if it dried to finish her puzzles.

All the while Bela and Alcina ate without a care, talking amongst themselves and planning out the days schedule further. While the servants cleared plates or refilled their goblets…

"I will be meeting with a new client today," Alcina was saying. "However, I have another idea in mind for you… and Cassandra."

"What is that, Mother?" Bela said, dabbing at her lips and turning her focus over to Cassandra. She had not touched much of her food and was still completely focused on the puzzles. Her eyes going back and forth as she worked out the riddles.

"And what are your plans for today, Cassandra?" Alcina spoke up.

"I do not know," Cassandra said, not looking up at her mother.

"I see, and would you like to have something to do today?"

That made Cassandra look up.

"Like what?"

"Well, there is a new a woman below who needs to be drained along with four others. I would like for you to join Bela and help her."

"Very well, Mother," Cassandra said, refocusing her attention back on the puzzle.

"Oh, and Bela, there is one blood bag I wish to be drained. She is in cell A5. Please drain her separately. Despite her not being a virgin, I have no doubt we can make use of her blood."

"As you wish, Mother, would you like me to move some of the blood bags around once we have collected the others?"

"Yes, and I will allow you two to make your own judgements on where each one goes." Alcina smiled, winking over at Bela who did not look thrilled to be stuck with Cassandra for the afternoon…

{…}

The client arrived promptly much to Alcina's approval and to her greater shock it was a woman, who stared up at Alcina in just as much astonishment.

"Lady Alcina Dimitrescu, I presume?"

"Indeed I am, and you are Robyn Wojcik. What a pleasure it is to meet you," Alcina shook the young woman's hand, guessing her to be in her mid-twenties. "Come, we will discuss the proposal further in my study."

"Your castle is beautiful," Robyn said with a Polish accent. "I have been in many castles and never seen one as grand as this."

"It has been in my family for centuries. Estimated all the way back to the fifteenth century," Alcina explained.

"I understand your family has always been in the business of wine, but your spin on it has become a universal triumph. The reason why my father has been very interested in purchasing."

"Ahh, your father," Alcina said. "I believe I spoke with him on the phone weeks back. I hope he is not unwell." She opened the door for Robyn to step into the study, closing it behind herself before she took a seat behind her desk and offered Robyn a drink.

"He has not been feeling his best, which is why he has sent me. I have studied under him since I was eight, and made it my goal to take over his estate after his passing," Robyn said, accepting the wine Alcina poured for her. "Thank you." She swished the liquid in her mouth before swallowing with a satisfied sigh.

"You are much like myself," Alcina said, relaxing back in her chair. "My mother taught me around the same age how to run the family business. My dream and ambition was to do better than she, and I think I have accomplished that." She raised her glass to Robyn and then took a small sip.

"I hope I can do the same," Robyn said, tracing the top of her glass with her nail. "I want only to make my father proud."

Alcina set the glass down sharply on the desktop, leaning closer to Robyn who stared at Alcina with uncertainty.

"My lady?"

"Think bigger, my dear. You will never achieve what you want if you have that kind of weak constitution. My mother died when I was nineteen; all I thought about was just making her proud. Was I running the business the way she would have? It wasn't until I decided I must do this for myself did I truly begin to succeed. I no longer cared if my mother would have approved or disapproved. Like you, Robyn, you must walk your own path and not one of your parents," Alcina said with a smile as she pulled out the paperwork from her desk. "Come, let us put you on that path here and now. I promise I will ensure you will not make a mistake, but I want to see what /you/ would choose to do, rather than what you think your father would do…"

Robyn had never sweated so much in her entire life. Her throat and lips so dry, she could not stop from drinking more wine. Alcina noticing the child's insecurity, waited ever so patiently. Smiling at her every now and then to prompt her to continue, Robyn finally set the pen down and sat back in the chair, exhausted.

"Let's see," Alcina scooped up the papers and eyed through them quickly. Nodding once in a while, which made Robyn's heart lift, but when the nod stopped and Alcina puckered her lips, did her heart drop back down into her stomach. "Not bad. Not bad at all. Your decisions are similar to what I would have made, but of course there are others that will need to be fixed."

"I see," Robyn said, her shoulders slumped.

"Look at me," Alcina said, reaching out and capturing Robyn's chin with her thumb and pointer finger. "Do not despair. Making mistakes is all part of the process. It is how you learn. Make the mistake once is what I call a learning curb; however." Alcina's eyes darkened. "If you make the same mistake twice, well, that is what I call negligence and should be punished accordingly."

"Y-yes, Lady Dimitrescu, I understand," Robyn said, unable to stop staring into her penetrating eyes.

"Good. You are a very smart girl," Alcina said, releasing her hold on Robyn and then pushing the papers over to her. "I have written down all the corrections. Go ahead and bring these back to your father. If he likes what I have to offer him, or perhaps doesn't, I will expect him to call and confirm."

"I will do that, Lady Dimitrescu," Robyn said, rising up out of her seat and bowing her head. "Thank you."

"It was my pleasure to meet you, my dear. I imagine I will see you again soon."

"Indeed," Robyn said.

Robyn leaving the room with a maid to escort her out, Alcina lit a cigarette for herself and decided to take a little walk to see what her children were up to.