Hello everyone! Thank you as always for reading and following! I greatly appreciate it. This next chapter is mainly focused on Daniela and a new change in her. She has become more bold and mature in Bela's absence. Given more responsibility, and spending more alone time with her mother. Daniela also spends some time with Cassandra, which winds up becoming a chaotic mess when they find their way into the Wine Room. The girls more than splurging themselves on the wine inside. Alcina will not be pleased with this, I can assure you a thousand percent on that. Hope you guys enjoy!

Journal Entry:

The days' have gone by so very slow. It has been three days' since the incident and Bela is still unresponsive. No matter how much we speak to her. No matter how much blood I pump into her, she remains in her coma-like state. Daniela is with her constantly. Reading through chapter after chapter of her favorite books. Cassandra, too, goes to her every once in a while. She does not say much. My little huntress has spent the majority of the time in the cellar. She cleaning up the mess left behind by the creature she created.

Rednic took care of both remains. That foolish Charlotte. She should have left the village when she had the chance, but instead she remained to finish me. Ambitious and strong. I will admit I had plans to experiment on her. She would have made a fine daughter.

"Mother."

Alcina looked up from her writing and over to her youngest. If Daniela was not with Bela then she would be trailing her. Alcina did not mind. Enjoying the company more so. Bela's absence in the study making the reality of the ordeal even more apparent.

"Come away from the window. It is far too cold for you to be that close."

"I am fine, Mother," she said.

"I can hear your teeth chattering from all the way over here."

Daniela said nothing, continuing to stare out the window.

Alcina lit herself a cigarette, drawing deeply and exhaling the plume of smoke through her nostrils.

"There are four deer," Daniela suddenly said. "The one ahead must be the mother and the three little ones her daughters."

"I am sure they must find somewhere warm. They, too, do not like the cold weather."

"Snow is starting to fall. I hate this weather…" Daniela said, watching the deer until she could no longer see them. It was then did she turn away, walking over to her mother's desk and sitting down in her seat.

"You look exhausted, dearest, go and get some rest. I will have a maid collect you when supper is ready."

"Could the maid just be my dinner?"

Alcina tittered at the comment.

"If that is what you wish, but remember you must clean up the mess after."

"Never mind."

"As I thought," Alcina said, noting Daniela's countenance. She was depressed. The child barely slept, and ate very little. She spent more time tormenting the maidens. Truthfully she was turning into Cassandra. One thing Alcina was not sure she really wanted. "Come along, dearest, I will bring you to the nursery."

Daniela did not complain. She took her mother's hand and walked beside her in silence. When they reached the room, Alcina was prepared for a round of sneeze attacks.

'That's right… even I forget the beast is gone at times.'

Alcina looked down to Daniela, who had not moved another inch into the bedchamber. Alcina finding her sleeping in odd places after the cat's death. It was like Daniela was still searching for her. Hoping she would reappear to her. And it was clear the cause of Daniela's sudden shift in character. Tormenting and killing maids in sudden fits of fury. One maid she had stabbed the other day for spilling soup.

Daniela released her hand and approached her bed. Eyeing it like it were a foreign object. She started to reach for the blankets, but stopped. Walking around to the other side and stopping again.

"I cannot sleep here, Mother."

"Where would you sleep, then?"

She shrugged her shoulders.

"Anywhere other than here."

"Daniela. You must stop this. I know how much you loved the animal, but you have to let her go."

"I cannot do that." Daniela rounded on her mother, her face filled with instant outrage. "I will not!"

"Daniela!" Alcina boomed, making the red head instantly shift backwards. "I would never treat nor speak to you cruelly, but you must let this beast go. Do you remember what I told you? How I need your help getting Bela through this trying time?"

"Yes, Mother," Daniela said. "Forgive me. I am being selfish."

Alcina bit her tongue. The sight of Daniela in such turmoil making her want to go over and comfort her, but she stood her ground. Resisting the urge in order for Daniela to understand the lesson.

"Get into bed and rest. I need you sharp and alert. You will be of no help to me or yourself if you are half awake."

Daniela crawled into bed without hesitation. Once again Alcina had to stay herself. Automatically starting to walk over and tuck her child in as she normally would. Watching her pull the blankets just up to her chin and staring straight back at she. This would be the first time Daniela had ever experienced true tough love, and clearly she did not like one bit of it.

Alcina turned away and exited the room. She needed to check back in with Bela.

Inside her private chambers the room was stifling hot. Good. The hotter the fire burned, the better for Bela's health. She approached the bed, reaching out and using one finger to gently caress her eldest's cheek.

"Bela. Come back to us. Come back to me…" She waited and watched, hoping to see a sign of life, but Bela did not stir. Tears stung in her eyes. She forced herself to pull away and take a seat in the chair. Waiting. Watching…

{-}

She screamed. Such deep pain. Overwhelming strength. Claws digging into her flesh. The rancid breath of the beast hitting her face. Teeth baring down on her.

Crunch!

She blinked her eyes open. Once again finding herself on the ground. The beast on top of her. The same dream playing over and over again. Teeth digging into her face. Ripping flesh and muscle. She could not fight. Where was her mother? Where was Mother?

Crunch!

"Mother. Mother! MOTHER!"

"Bela! Bela can you hear me?"

Alcina, Cassandra and Daniela had just finished lunch when Bela had started to scream. The wretched sound had gotten all three up to their feet and bolting straight for the private chamber. Even the maidens had stopped their work at the horrific sound.

When the three entered into the room, Bela was wiggling about in the bed like she were attempting to fight something off. Alcina went straight to her side. Holding her as gently as she could not wanting Bela to injure herself.

"Bela. We are here. We are all here with you," Alcina continued to soothe her, patiently waiting until Bela slowly settled her. Her breaths labored and heavily, but she lay calm and still.

"Mother?" Daniela said.

The two had not moved from the doorway, watching and waiting for their mother to give them the word everything was all right.

"Come over here. She has settled."

Daniela went straight to Bela's side and took a seat in the chair, while Cassandra stood by the bed. Staring at her sister with no clear emotion on her face.

"Will she wake soon?" Daniela said.

"Yes. From what we just witnessed, it is a clear sign she is beginning to come out of her state."

"That's right, Dani," Cassandra piped up. "Our Queen B will return to us. She has no choice in the matter."

That got Daniela smiling.

Alcina took a seat in her rose embroidered chair. Quietly listening to her children talking. The two having grown a bit closer with Bela's absence. Cassandra not only allowing Daniela to join her below, but actually inquiring for her to accompany she.

'They have grown even more. It feels like only yesterday they had awoken and could barely speak. Now here they are.' Alcina thought, observing Cassandra wrap her fingers around Bela's wrist. What a momentous sight! Cassandra was not vocal about the incident, nor expressed her feelings outwardly, but through action did she speak loud and clear. Despite Bela always being a thorn in her side, Cassandra loved her. Admired her.

They remained with Bela for another hour before they all dispersed. Cassandra heading for the cellar while Daniela followed their mother to the study. Anya promptly delivering her schedule for the day, Alcina grabbed her pen and circled around the time of eleven.

"It looks like Rednic will be delivering a fresh crop to replace the ones we lost," Alcina said. "I expect you to help with this task, Daniela."

"Of course!" Daniela said, eagerly. "I think I am more than ready. Cassandra has been teaching me and sharing some tips."

"That brings me much joy to hear."

"And do you want to know something else?" Daniela leaned towards Alcina, who lowered her head enough to hear her. "I overheard her talking to herself about Pus-Pus. How she 'wished the beast was still around to dispose of the rats for her'."

"No, did she really?" Alcina straightened her posture, smiling down at Daniela.

"Yes!" Daniela giggled. "I knew she liked Pus-Pus."

"I think in some small way we all had our own personal affections towards the animal."

"I miss her still," Daniela said, her smile faltering. Chin quivering ever so slightly. "Why, Mother? Why does it still hurt so much?"

"Because, dearest, death is so final. It is the end. When someone dies they are gone forever, but there is one thing that remains. The love you felt for them. The memories and bonds you created with them. That is the one thing that lasts. Keep those memories of your cat in your heart and she will be with you, always."

"I-I will do that, Mother. Thank you."

Alcina reached out, wiping the tears off her child's cheek, though she could feel tears of her own stinging in her eyes. It rarely occurred when she would think back on her past life. And no matter how hard she tried, she could never remove Helena or Josie from her heart. Never. She could not, which had been the reason why she had Mother Miranda give her those memories. Not many, but just enough to remember them.

'Josie. Helena. How I miss you two still. How much it still hurts to no longer feel you in my arms. To see your faces. To hear your laughter. I pray someday we will be reunited again. That my words to Daniela are not true. I wish to be with you two. Speak with you on all that has happened. To tell you how much I love you and proud I am of the young women you had become…'

A light rap on the door and in entered Cassandra, smiling.

"I wager Rednic has arrived with the fresh supplies?" Alcina said.

"Yes, Mother," Cassandra said, bouncing up and down on her heels with impatience.

"Then let us not keep them waiting. Come along, Daniela."

The three marched towards the Main Hall with smiles glued to their lips. All could smell the fresh blood. The terror in the air from the girls.

"Ahh, Lady Dimitrescu and Miss Cassandra and Miss Daniela, your order has arrived."

"I can see that, Rednic," Alcina said, eyeing over each of the girls. All twenty girls were younger than what Alcina was anticipating. Some of them were indeed eighteen and a bit older, the rest were just barely fifteen and sixteen. Not that that would be an issue, but still. Alcina was not pleased with the Abbess botching her order yet again.

Each girl wore heavy jackets and skirts with thick stockings. With the additional hat on their heads and all carrying a traveling case. Their faces red from the bitter cold, but even that could not hide the fear on their countenances. All having been watching Rednic now stared up at Alcina agape.

"What do you think, Mother?" Cassandra spoke up.

"I think," Alcina said, lips now puckered as she continued her examination. "Not a very polite group we have here, are they?"

On cue Cassandra grabbed hold of the first girl, wrapping her digits around the back of her neck and forcing her to her knees.

"You filthy wretches!" she snarled. "How dare you disrespect my mother, your new mistress, Lady Dimitrescu! Lower your disgusting eyes, or I shall take each of them for a new necklace! Perhaps that will be sufficient enough apology you can present to Mother and be forgiven for this insult."

"Oh, but there is one more thing, Cassandra," Daniela suddenly spoke up, strolling up and down the line, stopping directly in front of a red head who was trembling from head to toe. "What's wrong? Look! You and I could be twins. We both have the same red hair."

The girl whimpered when Daniela grabbed hold of her chin.

"Do not be afraid," Daniela continued in a sing-song voice. "There is no need to tremble so. If you just obey and do as you are told, you will be most happy here with us. That being said…," Daniela released the girl. "I noticed upon arrival with Mother none of you bowed. Truly impertinent."

Silence.

"BOW!"

All jumped upon the order and obeyed.

"See?" Daniela patted the girl's cheek. "No harm done."

"The papers," Cassandra butted in, tossing the girl she had grabbed roughly to the floor before handing her mother the clipboard. "Shall I escort them to their quarters?" A malevolent glint appeared in her eyes.

"No," Alcina said, spotting Anya in the corner of the room awaiting her orders. "Anya bring them to the servants quarters. Have them wash themselves and give them a light dinner. Tomorrow I expect them to start their duties, is that clear?"

"Yes, my lady," Anya said, bowing her head before snapping her fingers at the group and barking: "This way!"

Cassandra sniffed the air and sighed contently.

"Fresh virgin blood. What a treat they will be."

"Oh, I agree," Alcina said, touching Daniela's shoulder.

She looked up and saw her mother beaming down at her. There was no need for an exchange of words. The praise was crystal clear, and Daniela could not help but grin broadly.

It was obvious with Bela's absence, Daniela had grown tremendously. Shining brighter with each day. Her actions and the way she spoke, commanding. Terrifying. Just as Alcina always knew she was, but never was given the right opportunity to show it, well, not until now that is…

"What shall we do now, Mother?" Cassandra asked.

"You may have the rest of the time to yourselves," she leaned forward and kissed Daniela's cheek. "Excellent work, my darlings."

They both watched their mother walk back in the direction of the bedchamber. Daniela's grin shifting into a frown of disappointment. She had been hoping she could show her mother her new art project, and then spend some time alone with her in the study…

"Ohhh, Dani," she turned as Cassandra jabbed at her back.

"What?" she growled.

"Come on," she wiggled her finger. "We have yet to celebrate Bela's swift return. Why don't we have a little party of our own. Just the two of us…"

"I don't—"

"Do not be such a party-pooper," Cassandra cut her off, wrapping her arm around her sister's neck in a strangle-hold and leading her up the stairs to the nursery. "After all, I managed to save some of the blood from the dead maidens. /And/ I created my own little vintage to give it more of a pop!"

"Really?" Daniela said. "What kind of a 'pop'?"

Cassandra giggled wildly.

"Just you wait, little sister…"

{…}

Alcina had been walking in the direction of the study when she distinctly heard Bela calling to her. Unable to believe her ears, she reverted direction and went back towards the Main Hall. When she reached her private chamber, she could hear Bela moaning from inside. She calling out to her in a weak voice.

"Bela." Alcina entering into the room with such force, she nearly broke the doors off the hinges.

"M-Mother…" Bela had her hands over her face and was now crying out in pain. Her legs kicking out as though she were trying to run away.

"I am here, my darling, I am here."

Slowly Bela eased back into a state of calm. Blinking her eyes open to find the world blurry and out of focus.

"Where a-am I?"

"You are home, beloved," Alcina said softly.

Bela continued to blink her eyes rapidly to adjust her sight, but as her vision cleared her head started to ache to the point she had begun to shed tears. The light from the fire making the pain worsen.

"My head…" she croaked, painfully lifting her arm and shielding it over her eyes.

"The pain will fade, I promise. Here. Take some of my blood. It will help." Alcina whispered, taking a seat on the edge of the bed, making a laceration on her wrist for Bela to drink. "I have missed you so. To have you awake."

"M-Mother," was the only thing Bela managed to say, latching her lips over the flow and sucking.

"I am here. I am here, my darling, and I swear to you I will not fail you ever again. I was unable to protect you. F-forgive me for that," she breathed in shakily to control her emotions. Closing her eyes for a moment before reopening to feel Bela slowly pull away. Despite how weak she remained, the digits closed around her wrist were bone crushing. "That's my girl." She took Bela's hand and kissed the top of it. "My Bela, my love."

{-}

Upstairs Daniela and Cassandra had finished off five bottles of the 'special wine' Cassandra had concocted. The two were giggling madly, opening another bottle and pouring them each a tall glass.

"To Bela!" Cassandra toasted. "The biggest pain in the neck this world has ever known!"

"Yeah!" Daniela said.

The two clinking their glasses together with such force both shattered. Wine and glass raining down on the carpet. Both sisters glanced at one another and then burst into more fits of laughter. Daniela collapsing back on her bed out of breath.

"Oops," Cassandra snorted. "Let's try another." She got right to work opening another bottle and drank straight from it.

"Cassandra," Daniela moaned, sliding off the bed. "Save me some…"

"Get your own!"

"Casssss!" Daniela whined, attempting to grab at the bottle, but Cassandra would not give it up.

"No, Dani! I said stop, you little gnat!"

"I am not a gnat you, ugh, you bitch!"

"BITCH?!" Cassandra's eyes flashed with instant rage. "How dare you, you stupid little shit."

"BITCH!" Daniela yelled.

"LITTLE SHIT!"

"BITCH!"

"THAT'S IT!" Cassandra tossed the bottle to the floor and tackled Daniela. The two rolling around and slamming into bookshelves and causing one to fall over with a crash.

"STOP PULLING MY HAIRRAAA!"

"APOLOGIZE AND I WILL!" Cassandra roared.

SMASH! A vase crashed and broke into pieces to the floor.

SMASH! Went four bottles of wine, leaving only two left over.

"NEVER!"

"WHY YOU!" Cassandra yanked Daniela's hair roughly, making her cry out in pain.

"Get off me!" Daniela then vanished in a plume of bugs, however, with the alcohol in her system made her clumsy. Having tried to slip through the door, she crashed directly into it. Rubbing her forehead, she turned at the sound of Cassandra screeching and charging straight for her.

Just as Cassandra was about to snatch her, Daniela disappeared yet again and this time she made it to the other side of the door, wincing at the sound of Cassandra now slamming full force into it.

All fell silent save the sound of moaning near the bottom of the door.

"Cass?" Daniela started to knock on the door. "Cassandra? Are you alive?"

Slowly she started to reopen the door.

"Ouch…" Cassandra said, Daniela accidently smacking her with the door.

"You do not look good."

"H-help me up, brat."

Daniela offering out her hand and helping Cassandra to her feet, she staggering and nearly falling back down on her butt, as Daniela helped her sit on the bed. The two sat side by side to catch their breaths. Staring around through hazy vision at the mess they made of the room.

"Mother is going to kill us," Daniela groaned, flopping back and staring up at the ceiling.

Cassandra did not answer. Her mind was miles away. She could hear her again. Only this time she sounded much louder. Closer. Calling out for her. Desperate; pleading.

"Shut up!" she growled, digging her thumbs into her eyes. "Shut up! Shut up!"

"What is wrong with you?" Daniela snapped, thinking Cassandra was talking to she.

"I will kill her! I am going to kill her." Cassandra got off the bed, causing Daniela to sit back up and watch her stagger out of the room.

"Kill who? Cassandra!" Daniela started after her, now wondering if Cassandra was referring to Bela.

"I will silence her…" Cassandra kept muttering, using the wall as support as she walked down the hall and then stopped in front of the wine room. "Shut up!" She entered into the room, Daniela just rounding the corner to see her sister go inside.

"Cassandra," she entered inside to see her sister opening a bottle of their mother's best vintage, and begin to slurp it down. Half of it spilling down her face from a shaky grip. "We are not supposed to be in here."

Cassandra smacked her lips together, hiccupping. The crazed look that had been in her eyes fading to one of a dull glint. The wine working like magic and removing her voice.

"Do not worry, brat," She giggled. "Live a little, or will you be like Bela serving Mother hand and foot. 'Yes, Mother.' 'As you wish, Mother.'" She mocked Bela. "What a goody goody. Always wanting to please, Mother."

"I am not like, Bela."

Cassandra snorted, placing the empty bottle on the table and grabbing another.

"Then prove it!"

Daniela slowly took hold of the bottle, opened it and inhaled the intoxicating aroma. This was the real thing. Not Cassandra's cheap knock off.

She could not help herself. Drinking down half the bottle, she started to cough and hand it over to Cassandra to finish it off.

"Let's try this one," Cassandra pulled out another bottle with a label faded and unreadable. "Ooh, a surprise. I like surprises. What do you think, Daniela? Daniela?" she turned around and watched her sister playing with one of their mother's gramophones. Unable to resist, Daniela placed the needle on the record.

At first nothing happened, but then softly came the music. Slow paced and making the girls feel very sluggish and tired.

"Daniela put something else on."

Daniela going through the other records next to the gramophone switched it out. A loud chorus of trumpets assaulted their ears. Daniela going to switch it out, too, stopped at the sight of Cassandra marching to the beat.

"Today we hunt all the virgins in the village!" she proclaimed in a mock speech, beating the wine bottle to her chest. "They will be drained of their blood. While we take the stupid man-things and cut out their organs for dinner."

"And use their bodies as scarecrows!" Daniela laughed.

"We will string them up and cut off their extremities!" Cassandra raised the wine bottle in the air, gracefully spinning around and marching to the other side of the room again. "We will bath in their blood; dance to the sounds of their terrified cries!"

The trumpets then stopped and what replaced them was the beat of a drum.

Ba-doom.

Ba-doom.

Ba-doom.

Ba-doom.

Click. Clack. Click. Clack.

Alcina stopped in front of the Wine Room door. She had heard the ruckus coming out of the hall from her bedchamber. If that wasn't obnoxious enough, Alcina could hear the sound of Cassandra's voice shrieking out.

"What is she doing?" she had climbed the stairs in less than a second, and banged her fist against the door. Unable to get inside the room, she was forced to continue this ridiculous knocking until she heard Daniela say:

"Mother!"

There was the sound of a chair crashing to the floor, followed by the needle scratching against the record as Daniela pulled the needle off.

Silence.

The two no doubt debating to face their mother, or whisk themselves away and hide.

"Come out here, NOW!" She was furious. Knowing they had been drinking the wine inside.

The door creaked open and out stepped both daughters. Daniela gulping at the sight of their mother- who's countenance was tense— her lips curled inward as she eyed them both.

"What is the meaning of this?" She hissed, her nostrils flared at the sight of them.

Cassandra looked up at her mother, opening her mouth and hiccupping.

Daniela sniggered, quickly sucking in her lips to stop more giggles from bursting out of her, though there were still soft snorts audible coming from the back of her throat.

"Answer me!" Alcina demanded again.

"We were just celebrating, Mother," Cassandra said. "Right, Dani?"

Daniela nodded her head vigorously, when her eyes suddenly bulged. Her body stiffening. And then she opened her mouth and vomited.