Hello everyone! Thanks as always for reading the last chapter. In this chapter things get dark. The intro to the final showdown between Charlotte and Alcina. It all begins with Daniela's beloved cat going missing. What happened to Pus-Pus? Did Cassandra do something to her? Or did someone else do it? The search for the cat begins. Thanks as always for reading!

Bela and Alcina remained in the study. Working on paperwork. The silence falling around them making things a bit awkward.

"Bela, turn on some music for us."

"Jazz again?"

"Always."

Bela shook her head, not exactly a fan of the music genre, she did as her mother asked without complaint.

"Ahh, that is much better," Alcina said, beginning to sing to the music as she worked, and though Bela did not sing, she tapped her foot. "Good that is complete. Now on to this next portion."

"I gather this dress of Cassandra's was to your liking."

Alcina looked at Bela, completely caught off guard by this random comment.

"It was, why?"

"No reason. I was merely curious, is all."

Alcina quirked a brow, noting Bela's cheeks had redden a bit. Ah, jealousy. The one on one time she had shared with Cassandra was raging like a fire through her.

"Cassandra claims to have found the dress somewhere in the attic. Perhaps you will find a red or blue one and present it to me in the same fashion."

"I will, Mother," she said, suddenly looking up at her mother in alarm. "I mean, that is not what I mean. Stop smirking at me! I swear you and Cassandra get your thrills from tormenting me."

"Not true," Alcina wagged her finger. "What thrills me is seeing the way your eyes light up and burn like the sun. Your face flooding with color as the passion courses through your veins."

"Stop it," Bela said, truly not wanting her mother to stop. Please oh please keep going! She was leaning closer to her mother with adoring eyes fixed on her. Wanting to place a kiss to her sinful lips, but the spell was broken when the door opened and in wandered…

"Daniela?" Alcina said, frowning at the sight of her youngest. She was rubbing her eyes, sniffling. "My dearest, what is the matter?"

"Oh Mother. I-I…," she burst out into a fit of sobs.

Alcina got up from her chair and went over to her child.

"There, there. Shh, calm yourself and speak what is wrong."

"It is Pus-Pus."

Alcina looked over at Bela. Pus-Pus?

"The cat."

"Ahh, yes. Our pest control worker. What is the matter with her?"

"She i-is missing. I cannot locate her anywhere. I have searched and searched her frequented spots, but she is not anywhere." Daniela buried her face into her mother's dress, while Alcina patted her back gently she kept staring over at Bela. The question needn't be asked verbally or telepathically.

She wouldn't have. There is no way she would have done something to it, but where was she?

"I swear…"

Alcina whipped her attention down to Daniela, the sound of her voice no longer light and gay, but hoarse and menacing.

"Daniela?"

"I swear…, if Cassandra has done something to her. I'll kill her. I swear." Slowly she released her hold on her mother, who was still in a state of shock to see her youngest transformed in a flash. The look on her countenance emphasized her words.

"Dani, we will help you search for her, right Mother?"

"Of course we will," Alcina said. "And we need your help leading this mission, dearest."

"Me?" Daniela blinked as if she had just awakened from a long and dark sleep.

"Yes, you know every spot where she would be. We will need to split up if we are to make ground in finding her quickly."

"Okay," she nodded. "She normally goes into the library, kitchen, and the nursery of course. She will also frequent the hallways, because the mice are always scurrying about there."

"Then we will each go to these spots. Bela you go to the kitchen, Daniela to the library and I will check in the nursery…" Alcina said, sensing Cassandra was still in there and she would confront the child about this immediately.

"And what if we do not find her?" Daniela's eyes started to water again.

"We will continue to search every inch of the castle. We will find her."

"Thank you, Mother."

Alcina patted her cheek gently.

"Go on ahead. Bela and I will be off momentarily."

Off Daniela flew to the library, Alcina standing over by the door with a heavy heart.

"If Cassandra has indeed murdered that blasted cat…"

"For her sake she best not have, or if she did, she had better made sure she disposed of its corpse thoroughly."

Alcina rested a hand on Bela's shoulder.

"Did you see her face? The look in her eyes?"

"She meant every word. I fear I may need to protect Cassandra from her. How odd it is to say that out loud."

"I never underestimated any of you, but I forget sometimes just how dangerous Daniela can be. Her temper. She has always had it under control, but I see the cracks. Her true nature slipping through. I wish to keep her under control. I fear even I may not be able to bring her back if she falls off that edge."

"You are not alone, Mother. I am here, too"

"I know. No I know that," she squeezed her shoulder. "Come. We best get hunting for this beast. I will confront Cassandra first. Be on your guard and prepared for what that may incur."

Bela nodded her head, materializing away to the kitchen and leaving Alcina to duck out the door and trek over to the nursery.

{…}

Cassandra had been sleeping in her bed when Alcina entered the room, closing the door firmly behind herself. It did not have the effect she had hoped. Cassandra merely turned on her side and kept on sleeping.

"Cassandra." Alcina approached the bed, shaking her child a little roughly until she woke.

"Mother?" she yawned, rubbing her eyes and sitting up. "Is it tea time already?"

"Not quite. There has been something that has come up that needs our immediate attention."

"Oh? What's that?"

"Daniela's cat has gone missing. We have begun a search for her."

Cassandra's face darkened as it dawned on her the reason why her mother had woken her.

"And you believe I had something to do with that?"

"I said no such thing. I am merely here to inquire if you have seen her. I am not suggesting you had anything to do with her disappearance."

"And I had nothing to do with it, Mother," Cassandra said, avoiding her mother's gaze.

"Cassandra, look at me."

She did.

"I swear I do not know where the cat is, Mother."

Alcina searched her child's face for any deceit. Any sign that she was lying. Along with any blood residue on her face, but there was nothing.

"All right, my dear, all right." Alcina stepped away from Cassandra and took a seat in the chair.

"Do you have any leads to where the beast could be? Or how long she has been missing?"

"Daniela has already told Bela and I. As for how long she has been missing, I have no idea."

"This castle is so massive. The thing could be anywhere," Cassandra sighed, laying back down on her bed. "Like a needle in a haystack."

"'Like a needle in a haystack', yes precisely." Alcina closed her eyes and sighed, too.

"You know, Mother, you are probably the best hope for finding the cat."

"How is that?" Alcina said.

"You will start sneezing if the cat is close by."

"Very amusing, Cassandra," Alcina said.

"I thought so," Cassandra said.

Alcina opened her eyes, her countenance shifting to one of a more serious note.

"I need your help, precious. I am not asking you to do this for Daniela, nor am I asking you to do this out of the goodness of your heart."

Cassandra rolled her eyes, groaning softly.

"Cassandra I am asking you to do this because /I/ am asking you. Will you do this for me?"

"I will."

"Thank you."

'Mother, can you hear me?' Bela's voice ringing out to Alcina, who could already sense the bad news before Bela had even said anything else.

'I can, you found her?'

Bela did not answer right away, her voice shaky as she finally replied:

'I found the cat… her head anyway.'

Alcina slowly stood from her chair, her thoughts on Daniela and the terrible; heartbreaking news she would have to give her. Even Cassandra could sense something was wrong. Sitting up in her bed, she watched her mother pace back and forth.

'Have you spoken with the maidens?'

'Yes. All deny even seeing the cat enter into the kitchen.'

'I will conduct my own interrogation with them later. For now, continue to search for the remains of the animal. Perhaps that will help to learn more of what happened.'

'Yes, Mother, I am headed down to the cellar. I found the cat's head in the passage leading down that way… what about Daniela? And what if Cassandra-'

'Is with me right now. I have already questioned her and I am sure she had nothing to do with this.'

Bela did not respond to that.

'Bela…'

'I will let you know what else I find when I do. I sense Daniela is leaving the library. You best apprehend her and tell her what has happened. No need to keep it a secret.'

Silence fell. Bela had gone.

Alcina turned towards the door, she too sensing Daniela was heading towards the Hall of Joy.

"Mother? What is happening? Did Bela find her? Mother!" Cassandra hopped off the bed.

"Cassandra come with me," she said, opening the door.

"Mother, why won't you—"

"Silence!"

Cassandra staggered back slightly from her. The anger in her voice and eyes. No doubt what Cassandra assumed was indeed true.

"She is dead, isn't she?"

Alcina gritted her teeth, turning and facing Cassandra.

"Do not say a word. We are going to collect Daniela now. It will be /I/ who tells her. No games, Cassandra, do I make myself clear? We will bring her back to the nursery and you will wait outside the room."

"I-I understand," Cassandra said.

Alcina gave her one last hard look before exiting through the door with Cassandra behind her. The brunette not understanding why she was being dragged along, but dared not ask the question for fear of her mother's wrath. So, she walked behind her mother down the hall where the sound of a door opening made her glance around her mother. There she spotted Daniela standing a few feet away, her head hanging low.

"Daniela."

She whipped her head in her direction, smiling weakly at her.

"Hello."

"Any luck?"

She shook her head, solemnly. Brushing away a few tears from her face when she noticed movement behind Alcina. That is when she stiffened, her focus straight on Cassandra, unblinking.

"Daniela," Alcina reached out and touched the top of her head. "Will you come with me to the nursery for a moment?"

"Okay." Daniela was guided by Alcina back around and to the nursery, Cassandra not moving a muscle as they passed, sensing the hostility growing from Daniela. The snake coiling and ready to strike if she made one false step. It was rather amusing to see. To think Daniela would even think about challenging her! She held in a snigger as she followed them.

"Why are we going to the nursery?" Daniela inquired.

"I just thought we needed a quiet place to speak for a moment."

"Speak about what?"

"I will tell you once we are there."

Daniela glanced back over her shoulder at Cassandra, who had her arms crossed and was staring up at the ceiling.

"Why can't you just tell me now? If it is about Pus-Pus, I want to know right now."

Alcina's grip around her daughter's shoulder tightened, thanking Mother Miranda when they finally reached the door. She ducked inside with Daniela behind her.

"Close the door, my love."

"Is Cassandra not coming in?"

"No. This is a private discussion."

Daniela closed the door, moving next to her mother who had taken a seat in the chair, her head cocked to the side awaiting for Alcina to speak.

Alcina took in a deep breath, reaching out and taking her child's hands into her own. Her penetrating eyes boring straight into Daniela's.

"Listen to me, dearest, you must listen to me closely."

From outside the door, Cassandra was leaned up against the wall and listening to their mother speak. Her words soft and slow.

"No. No!" Cassandra could hear Daniela now wailing from inside. The sound penetrating through her chest. She could not take that awful ruckus. Like the sound of an infant. Her body was beginning to tremble. Reaching down to her side and gripping part of her dress to control the shaking of her digits, but the louder Daniela wailed, the tighter her grip became; her nails poking holes through the fabric.

'Shut up! Shut up!' she could stand there no longer. Despite her mother giving her orders, she would disobey them. If she continued to listen to Daniela's cries, she would go inside and tear her head off. Down the hall she flew when the sound of a roar shook the very castle. "What the hell was that?" Cassandra was now standing at the top of the stairs leading down to the Main Hall. She sniffed the air. "The kitchen."

Off she went again, materializing inside the room to find it was completely empty. Where the hell had they gone? There were pots filled with steaming food. Carrots, potatoes and other vegetables left partially chopped on the counters. Cassandra turning her sights to the back room, she released some of her bugs and sent them ahead to see if they could detect anything. While she grabbed a large knife from the counter and walked in the direction of the cellar with a smile.

Time to hunt.