Hello everyone! I hope you enjoyed the last chapter. This next chapter continues with Cassandra and Bela working on draining the maidens below, and Daniela looking for a spot to put up her portrait of her cat. Only Cassandra wants her portrait done, too, and shows off the dress she picked out to Alcina in a very intimate way. Hope you guys enjoy! Thank you again.

Alcina decided to go check on Cassandra and Bela first. She suspecting they were close to being done with the draining.

Poor Bela.

Alcina ducked as she entered through the door leading to the kitchen.

'The child did not look pleased with me to have stuck her with Cassandra for the day, but I feel this will help them grow closer. Or I may find either one strung up alongside the maidens…'

Alcina entered into the cellar and could hear Cassandra laughing. Next was Bela's voice, but she was not yelling or scolding her. No, she was joking with Cassandra. Laughing along with whatever inside joke was between them. She stopped and did not enter the room. Listening to the discussion between them with a smile until Cassandra said 'he', did Alcina begin to frown, what in the hell were they talking about?

"Did he really? And you did not tell Mother? You dirty little fox."

"Shut up, Cassandra, he just kissed my hand is all. Nothing else."

"Ooh, I think someone has a little crush. See! Look at your face. You. Are. Blushinggg!"

"I am not. That is truly disgusting. A stupid man-thing, or rather /all/ stupid man-things disgust me. Now hurry up and get her drained. Mother had specific orders."

"As you say, Queen B," Cassandra said. "Come along, little piggy, we have special plans for you."

"K-Katja… my Katja."

"What is she babbling about?" Cassandra said.

"I do not care. So many of these blood bags start muttering to themselves before their death. I have learned to tune them out."

"Hey!"

Alcina heard Cassandra smack the woman, resisting the urge to go inside and ensure Cassandra did not ruin or kill the woman before her blood could be properly drained.

"Cassandra either do it right, or I will do it myself."

"I am having a little fun is all. I like to hear their screams. Their cries for mercy. Will you do that for me, hag?" Cassandra took hold of Myra's face, showing the drill to her in the other. "Whoever this Katja is you hold so dear, I can assure you this is the last thing she ever saw." Cassandra pressed the button and the drill came to life. "Where shall I start? Or perhaps I could have a little fun and remove your eyes. Would you like for me to do that?"

"Cassandra!" Bela barked over at her. "Last warning."

Cassandra growled over at her older sister, but presented a smile to Myra.

"I am afraid it is duty before play. Well, that is Bela's motto anyway. What an old woman she is already…"

Bela ignored her sister as she continued her work. Making sure all the lines were running smoothly to the pump. Then getting to work removing the bodies of the young maidens who had already been drained of their blood. Listening to the screams of the woman as Cassandra finally got to work drilling into her flesh. When she stiffened and sensed their mother close by. She approached the door and opened it a crack.

"Odd." There was no one there, or rather… Bela started to smile just hearing the unmistakable sounds of her mother's heels leaving the corridor. "Oh, Mother…" her eyes suddenly widened, her cheeks beating red with embarrassment. How much of the conversation between Cassandra and she had their mother heard?

"Hey, Bela! Hurry up and help me with this."

"What? Something the great Cassandra cannot do on her own?" Bela sniggered.

"Shut your mouth and help me already. Unless you want to keep Mother waiting."

"What do you mean by that?"

Cassandra just tittered, making Bela wonder if Cassandra had known their mother had been in the other room the entire time.

{-}

Alcina walked up from the cellar and was headed in the direction of the nursery. She could sense Daniela was there, though as she climbed the stairs, she sensed her daughter moving.

"What is she up to?"

Alcina did not have long to find out.

Daniela was humming to herself, carrying in hand a portrait down the hallway and eyeing around at the walls with a serious countenance. Alcina did not round the corner right away, for Daniela had begun to speak to herself or rather the bloody cat. There the beast was as her constant companion, taking a seat if Daniela stopped, and get right back up if she started to move again.

"I do not know, Pus-Pus. Do you think your portrait would be good here? No? Maybe here, then?"

The cat was now stationed by a wall. There was a small hole where a mouse would pop out and then scurry back in.

Daniela giggled at her. Enjoying the sight of the cats tail swishing back and forth. Back and forth.

"You silly kitty," she said, once again focusing on the walls. Up and down she walked the hall, but could not determine the right spot. "I do not know, Pus-Pus, perhaps we should ask Mother first," Daniela said, her focus now down the hall. "Mother! You can stop hiding now."

Alcina quirked a brow and was quite befuddled by her daughter's unexpected awareness. Cassandra was always the one to be quick to sensing, well, practically everyone and thing in the castle. Not even Bela had such an acute sense.

"My, my, dearest. How long did you know I was there?"

She giggled at her mother.

"Do my powers of observation leave you pitch-kettled? As for how long, well, to be honest I had sensed you coming up the stairs."

"I am impressed, but that does not surprise me in the least. You are my daughter after all." Alcina did not get too close with the cat, already feeling a tickle in her nose that would soon turn into sneezing episodes if she did not leave quickly. "What is it you are doing?"

"Looking for a spot to hang up my portrait of Pus-Pus. I cannot seem to find a perfect spot."

"Come with me, dearest, I have a spot for it."

Daniela skipped up behind her mother, Pus-Pus remaining behind in hopes to catch a mouse.

"She reminds me of Cassandra when she does that."

Alcina glanced back at the beast, resting a hand on the top of Daniela's head with a slight smile.

"I agree."

Squeak!

Daniela laughed at the sound.

"Did you hear that?! She got the little vermin."

"She is a good hunter."

"She is excellent!" She started to grow quiet as she continued: "I wish I could hunt just like her. Like Cassandra and Bela."

Alcina frowned, not pleased to hear Daniela say this.

"What do you mean by that?"

Daniela shrugged her shoulders, eyeing around the walls to distract herself from her mother's hard gaze.

"What about there? Near the fireplace?"

"Daniela."

She sighed.

"Never mind what I said. It was foolish."

"Sit down in the chair."

Daniela did as she was told while Alcina took a seat in the couch opposite her. The two in the Main Hall alone. The maidens working in the kitchen or elsewhere that needed cleaning.

"Now you listen well. I have had enough of this self doubt. How is it, Daniela, that your sisters and I can see the change in you? See how far you have come and achieved, yet you cannot? Tell me, how is this possible?"

"What do you by 'achieved'?"

"You tell me. Think of one thing you have done that made you proud."

"Learning how to use my ability," Daniela said without having to think hard on that. "Oh! And learning how to drain the blood of the maidens below. That was so much fun."

Alcina sat back and listened to her daughter, seeing the light once again appear in her eyes, but yet when she stopped did her enthusiasm begin to fade. Her eyes focused down to the floor.

"But is that good enough for you?"

"Good enough? What a silly question."

Daniela was now sagging in her chair, her heart dropping further down into the pit of her stomach at her mother's words.

"That is more than enough."

"Mother."

Suddenly the doors leading from the dining hall burst open and in entered both Cassandra and Bela. They came to a halt at the sight of their sister and mother, looking perplexed as to why they were both there.

"Hello, my darlings, finished with the work downstairs?"

"Yes, Mother," Bela said promptly. "I will go back down and check on the blood bag you wanted drained separately in an hour."

"Wonderful," Alcina said, continuing to look at Daniela, who was picking at her dress.

"Whoa! Dani did you actually paint this?" Cassandra took hold of the portrait, examining it over closely.

"I did," Daniela looked up at Cassandra.

"This looks…"

"Gorgeous." Bela said quickly, resting a hand on her little sister's shoulder.

"I was going to say lifelike, thank you very much. The detail of its fur and eyes. Kind of freaky in a way, it feels like it is watching my every move. I am sure Mother finds this Pus-Pus is even better than the real one, considering it does not cause her to sneeze. Right, Mother?"

"Cassandra!" Bela snapped.

"We were looking for a spot to hang it up. I think right over the fireplace here will suffice, don't you agree, my girls?" Alcina said, resting her knuckles underneath her chin.

"I do," Bela said.

"Quite." Cassandra nodded. "Hey, Dani, when will you paint a portrait of me so I can hang it in the nursery?"

"I can start sketching it now, though I still have to complete Mother's, too."

"Well hurry it along. I already have a dress in mind to wear."

"You are such a liar," Bela said.

"It is the truth," Cassandra said, raising her chin haughtily.

"Enough you two," Alcina said, winking over at Daniela who smiled at her. "Let us enjoy ourselves without a squabble."

The four remained in the Main Hall. Bela stationed next to Daniela while Cassandra took a seat beside their mother on the couch. Laughing and telling stories of the blood bags below, or whatever came to mind. The time ticked away without a care from Alcina. Ordering one of the maids to fetch them some tea when the girl stepped into the room.

"Bela? May I go down to the cellar with you to check on that blood bag?"

"You do not have to ask permission to do that with me, Dani. You are always welcome to join me whenever you wish."

Daniela's eyes were shining with happiness. The two going off on their own private conversation, while Cassandra and Alcina both took a sip of their tea. Perfectly in-sync with each other as they watched the two.

"Do you really want your portrait done?" Alcina said softly.

"I do, and I do have a dress picked out for the occasion."

"The red one?"

Cassandra shook her head.

"Gold. I mean, it is really yellow."

"I would love to see you in that, my darling," Alcina said.

"How about now?"

"After our tea."

"Very well, Mother."

Once they had finished their tea, the family split apart. Bela and Daniela venturing down to the cellar while Alcina and Cassandra headed upstairs.

"How long will it be before you have to change the collars on them?" Daniela had asked as they passed by the cells.

"In a few more weeks," Bela said. "You can help me with that, too."

"I look forward to that."

Daniela continued to eye around the cellar in awe. Of course she had been down there numerous times, but she never got over the sheer grandeur of it.

"Come along, Sister."

"Coming!"

Daniela trotted up behind Bela as they entered into the draining room.

"Looks like she is dead. Daniela I need you to start removing the other bodies out of the room. I will take care of her."

"Where do I put them?"

"The barrels against the wall there. Mother makes sure to collect every single drop of their blood."

"So much blood they have."

"Why do you think we call them blood bags?" Bela teased.

"I know, Bela," Daniela said, getting right to work on her task.

A refreshing sight for Bela. Rather than arguing and worrying about Cassandra doing the job, here was Daniela who did everything she asked without question or nasty remark.

"Tasty, tasty," Daniela giggled. "Once they're in the barrels do we leave them in the room?"

"Yes, Mother will place them somewhere."

Both sisters worked for another thirty minutes before their task was complete. Bela deciding to show Daniela the process of where each maiden went depending on their collar.

"It is very elaborate," Daniela said.

"It has to be. Mother cannot remember everything, which is why she writes it down. It then allows me to come down here and quickly get the task accomplished."

"Is this Mother's workshop?" Daniela stepped into the space that contained notes, jars, syringes and torturing tools.

"Yes, Dani, you have seen it before."

"I do not remember ever seeing it."

"Well, Cassandra has one, too."

"I know. She always warned me to never go in there unless I wanted to wind up on her table with a blade in my face."

Bela was silent. Reminded of the fight that had incurred due to she snooping about inside. Cassandra had completely lost it when she had found the maiden in the cage.

"She is very territorial," Bela finally said. "Come, Daniela, let's go upstairs."

Meanwhile upstairs Cassandra had donned her dress. Showing it off to her mother, who was seated in a chair and observing her with a hint of lust in her eyes. The dress was a sleeveless off-the-shoulder sweep that dipped low to reveal much cleavage.

"What do you think, Mother?" Cassandra twirled about so her mother could eye every inch of it.

"I think you know what I am going to say, Cassandra."

"I know, but I wish to hear you say it."

"Come closer."

Cassandra giggled, stepping right over to her mother.

"Satin, I see." Alcina hummed, trailing her fingers up and down Cassandra's sides.

"Indeed. Brush Train Applique, Mother."

"The flower designs are in good taste," Alcina continued, wrapping her arm around her child's waist and pulling her straight into her bosom. Holding her in a loving embrace. "Wherever did you find it?" a gentle peck to Cassandra's bare shoulder, inhaling her scent.

"In the attic, Mother." Cassandra wrapped her arms around her neck and took a seat in her lap, placing a kiss to her cheek. Her attention now trained on her mother's hat. "May I try on your hat?" she blinked her thick lashes up at her.

"I fear it will not fit your head." Alcina nipped at her soft flesh.

"Please."

Alcina stared into her child's eyes before she finally lowered her head.

Cassandra smugly took it off her mother's head and placed it on. It was a little loose, but she could wear it.

"I like it."

"You were never fussy," Alcina commented, plucking the hat off her child's head and placing it back on her own.

"Oh, Mother."

"Hush," Alcina hummed, kissing her forehead.

"Do not slobber me," Cassandra said.

"I will do as I please," Alcina said. "And I have you right where I want you."

"Mother!" Cassandra squealed, unable to get free of her mother's firm grasp and was bombarded with more kisses. "You are going to wrinkle the dress!" she was laughing loudly, enjoying every second of this despite her cries of protest.

"A simple ironing will remedy that," Alcina said, closing her eyes as Cassandra bombarded her with kisses. To her forehead, cheeks, nose, chin and then a peck to her lips. "Ouch!" Alcina chortled at the feel of Cassandra nip her bottom lip. "Did you draw blood?"

"Oops." Cassandra not in the least bit sorry about that, ran her tongue along the wound. It was a small laceration, but it was enough to drip down from Alcina's lip and to her chin.

"How do I taste?"

"Good enough to be bottled up."

"You think so, my huntress?"

"I know for certain."

Alcina took hold of Cassandra's chin, forcefully pulling her face closer to her own.

"You little vixen. You are making me want to eat you right up."

"If I was one of your favorite little maidens you would."

"You are lucky you are not," Alcina said, sensing Bela and Daniela were on their way.

"You can hear them, too. I suppose that means our little one on one time has come to an end."

"It would appear so," Alcina placed a kiss to Cassandra's cheek again before releasing her. Watching as Cassandra began to undress and don her usual black dress. Just as she had slipped it on did her sisters arrive in the room.

"Hello, Mother!" Daniela skipped right up to her and kissed her cheek.

"Hello, dearest, I gather all was successful below?"

"Everything is in order," Bela said.

Alcina nodded to Bela in approval. An exchange of words becoming less and less a necessity between them. A smile. Raise of a brow. Subtle exchanges spoke a thousand words.

"Cassandra, is that the dress you were mentioning?" Daniela took the dress and raised it up to get a good look. "Beautiful. Will you try it on for us?"

"No," Cassandra said.

"Why?" Daniela said.

Cassandra glanced over at their mother, who acted as though she was oblivious to this conversation, however, Bela was fully aware. Noting the way Cassandra was acting smug. Clearly harboring a secret. One she would soon rub in their faces. One for Cassandra and zero for them.

"Because I do not want to get it dirty for the portrait. Now give me that so you do not ruin it." Cassandra took her dress and hung it up in the closet.

"What are the plans for the rest of the day?" Bela asked.

"I have paper work to finish in the study, you are more than welcome to join me."

"I will," Bela said, wanting to spend some alone time with her.

"And you two?" Alcina said. "What are your plans?"

"I am going to continue painting," Daniela said, beginning to look around for Pus-Pus. "Though I need to find my muse first."

"Cassandra?" Alcina said.

"I have not decided yet. I may go to the cellar. Take a nap, or I may join you in the study, too."

Bela glared at Cassandra.

"Very well," Alcina said, rising out of the chair. "Tea will be in a few hours. We will join together in the Main Hall."