Ethan knew many people who adored the sight of the sun cresting the horizon, bringing about a new day after a long night. He also knew people who burned the midnight oil all the way until dawn, still looking fresh as a daisy by morning. Right now, feeling like he did – both those types of people could go fuck themselves.

With his hands gripping either side of the bathroom sink, Ethan rolled his neck. It released a series of soft pops that reminded him he was no longer the young twenty-something collegegoer who partied until sunrise. Rather, it informed him of just how much of a mistake it had been to fall asleep sitting upright.

"Another day in paradise," Ethan muttered under his breath. He bent low to splash more cold water into his face. His fingertips took the moment to massage his face; the last tendrils of sleepiness dissipated with each pass of his fingers. He didn't hold the position long, bent over as he was. His back was far too sore for that. When he straightened up, he got a good look at his damp face.

The tired circles under his eyes had largely diminished; regardless of his sleeping position, he'd still gotten a lot of rest. The black eye, unfortunately, was still prominently on display, despite the sleep and his treatment of it alike. The faint, pale splotch on his cheek – the new scar from Cassandra backhanding him with his gun – was just as visible.

All of that, paired with the general soreness, reminded him a little too much of his years of partying hard. When he'd imbued in a little too much gin and tequila, and he woke up the next morning with a bruised face and a pounding headache. Luckily, he was alive, and his wallet was intact. Unluckily, there was a video floating around YouTube of how not to make friends with strangers on campus, and the fallout that ensued.

Ethan's Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes had come in handy then – considering he'd gotten his face pummeled in and summarily knocked on his ass, only to put the angry stranger in a chokehold, all on drunken instinct. Ethan knew he was exceedingly fortunate that nobody kicked him in the head while he was grappling on the ground.

Not one of his proudest moments, but certainly one his friends talked about for the months that followed.

The morning after felt a little like how Ethan felt right now – sore as he was… if the current time could even be considered morning.

Judging by how brightly the sun shined down through the skylight, Ethan would have even hazarded to guess that they slept in.

His hair was a messy sort of thing – as it had been during the entire stint of captivity. It took a couple of clumsy strokes of his damp fingers to comb it into looking semi-presentable. His steadily growing stubble – more of a light beard more than anything, added to his rugged look. Put him in some loose clothes and give him a Styrofoam cup, and people may just toss some coins his way at the train station.

Ethan's gaze landed on his neck then, and the splotchy purple bruises marring his skin. He tugged down on the hem of his sweater to get a better look – not quite realizing how ugly they looked until now. The edges were already beginning to yellow, and you could just barely make out the imprint of fingers around his neck from his close call with Daniela.

Daniela, who stood behind Ethan, leaning on the bathroom's doorframe. Her hands remained clasped together, with her thumb rubbing against Maria's necklace around her wrist, producing the slightest tinkle. Daniela kept her eyes, still puffy and red, downcast. Occasionally, she sniffled, and wiped away at the last remnants of tears which trickled out. Her latest misstep evidently weighed heavily on her.

Running his hands through the water from the sink, Ethan looked at the most recent addition to his menagerie of scars. Two fresh puncture marks scabbed over, settled smack dab on the middle of his wrist, and nestled between the bruises Daniela's crushing grip had left. Ethan rubbed at the specks of dried blood to wash them off, drawing a deep breath. The fresh bite marks took a shade or two away from his complexion, making him just a little more pallid and pale – giving more contrast to his black eye.

Feeling Daniela's eyes on his back, Ethan raised his wrist to the air, where it was visible. The last remnants of dried blood had washed away. "It's okay, Dani – really. See? All gone."

When Ethan blinked his way to consciousness a few minutes prior, he hadn't expected there to be any incidents in need of defusal so soon.

Apparently, he was wrong.

The sharp neck pain and dull ache in his back were to be expected. Even the slight shiver brought about by the room's relatively cool temperature wasn't too out of the ordinary. On the other hand, Daniela's teary eyes and nearly hysterical distress and remorse were not par for the course.

Getting his blood sucked in his sleep was, to say the least, not the best wake up call. Losing his blood, and then immediately having to deal with Daniela's crippling remorse and guilt – definitely not the best wake up call.

Still, it certainly beat Lucas tossing rotten grub at his mouth. That held the top tier in his ten worst ways to wake up list – followed shortly by Cassandra chaining him up and making a jigsaw puzzle out of the meat in his arm. When contrasting Daniela's small relapse to that, he couldn't really be mad.

The feelings of disgust and violation should have been amplifying by now, brewing in his stomach as a storm of nausea. He'd had his boundaries completely trampled while he was defenseless and asleep – by someone who had declared herself as his friend, no less. Ethan didn't even have a chance to say no to the blood drinking.

Yet those feelings had not arisen when the clarity first settled into Ethan's mind. Now, minutes after the fact and fully awake – they still didn't come. Even after splashing all this cold water in his face, his mind simply refused to rouse any semblance of rage and disgust. By and large, he was… okay. Not exactly okay, okay – but he was apathetic to getting his blood taken, for the most part.

What that said about his sanity (or lack thereof) was one thing, but Ethan was determined to ignore that for the time being. What mattered to Ethan was something else entirely – when he saw the dried blood on his wrist and the weeping redhead beside him. He had not been bled to the point of lasting harm or unconsciousness, and that counted for something.

This was Dani, after all.

A strange, friendly enigma of a woman who could tease him to hell and back. Someone with a bright and burning seed of humanity within them, locked away and obscured by the animalistic urges the Cadou had cursed her with. One of his jailers, yes – but after spending the entire day with her, he knew better than to hold her misstep over her.

The BSAA's therapists would have a field day with him. Maybe he would be worth an entire professional dissertation someday.

Shaking his head, Ethan caught another glimpse of her in the mirror, still appearing largely crestfallen. Her hair was messy, afflicted with a mild case of bedhead. As if she hadn't taken her turn at the sink to gussy up a little.

The remorse weighed heavily on her. Even after a brief bout of defensiveness – it was just one bite, and she made sure not to hurt him – the remorse overpowered her, before Ethan could let out so much as a 'good morning'. She was as much of a weeping mess as she had been several times yesterday, when she realized she'd hurt her friend yet again. With the dam broken, Daniela struggled to stop speaking once she'd started. All the regret spilled forth – of how she was just so hungry and couldn't stop herself, and that she hated this part of herself which she was powerless to control. All Ethan could do was sit, watch, and listen as Daniela crumbled yet again with each word that tumbled out.

Weeks ago, before Ethan learned all that he had, it would have been easy to let the disgust and the violation lead his thoughts and actions – he would have been well within his right to be pissed that he got his blood drank in his sleep – especially by someone who had the audacity to call herself his friend. But now, after everything, Ethan didn't have the heart to muster such potent, negative feelings. He didn't particularly want to, even if he could. Not over Daniela Dimitrescu, who looked more like a lost kitten than anything else. Even after hugging the poor girl for a solid few minutes until the worst of the crying subsided, she was a wreck.

Per se, Ethan didn't mind the blood drinking, really. He used to donate blood back in college. This wasn't much different, save for the method of extraction, and where it was the blood would ultimately end up.

The relative attractiveness of the women handling his blood extractions then and now were a common factor, admittedly.

But going back – Ethan wasn't new to losing blood. As strange as it sounded, it just wasn't a big deal. Even if it was a literal vampire in every sense of the word who had taken his blood this morning.

As long as he wasn't knocked unconscious, or left gritting his teeth and trying not to scream in pain – it was fine. He'd replenish the blood in time, and he wouldn't think twice about it.

If it was Cassandra taking his blood? He may have some choice words for her. But in Bela and Daniela's case – he really could not care less, as long as it was consensual. His sanity be damned.

It was also essential to note that it was Maria's necklace which helped Daniela return to her senses and realize she'd betrayed his trust. While feeding on him, the makeshift bracelet had apparently jingled, and had broken the nearly trance-like state Daniela was in.

That was what she had told him, when her sobbing diminished, and it was easier for her to get the words out. It was all Ethan needed to hear, and more than enough to banish the last of any ill will he could harbor for Daniela. The bracelet was helping, and Daniela was trying. As he'd told her the day before – that was more than enough for him.

It had only been a day into actively fighting her nature, and utilizing the pseudo-psychology he recommended. She made steps in the right direction. Not the largest, but each journey started with the first steps, after all. That was all that mattered.

"I'm sorry," Daniela's voice came out in nearly a whisper, but still cut through the silence.

Ethan had lost count of how many times Daniela had apologized this morning. He shut the faucet off and dabbed his hands and face with a towel. He took care not to irritate the fresh wound on his wrist, to avoid sullying the pristine washcloth. Ethan turned to face her and took a breath. As he'd told her earlier, he told her again, "I'm not mad, Dani – it's fine, I promise."

Daniela's brows remained pitched together as she bit down on her lips in worry.

"I really don't mind – just, y'know, just ask me next time, okay?" Ethan hoped the repetition helped get the sentiment through. He gave her a lopsided smile and added, "After that, just help yourself. So long as I don't wake up on the floor, it's cool."

She nodded sharply, red hair bouncing. "I'll ask. I promise." Daniela bit down on her bottom lip for a moment. She couldn't help herself when she added, "I'm sorry."

All the apologies nearly reminded Ethan of the apology he was due to be giving soon. Very soon, if the radiant sunlight was any indication. Even after years of marriage, apologies were not Ethan's strong suit. His planned speech to Bela was still far from being finalized in his mind.

While his words were undoubtedly the most valuable part of righting his wrong, a small present wouldn't hurt. After his fuck up with Bela, and the larger fuck up of wrecking that shelf of wine – maybe a bigger present was in order. So, Ethan leveraged Daniela's remorse in the slightest. "You wanna make it up to me?"

Her attention was captured in an instant, and she nodded with fervor.

"Could you take me to the Duke later?" Ethan gave a small smile, which Daniela soon returned. Though that did bring up the next problem – he didn't exactly carry cash on him in that moment. Repaying Daniela in the conventional manner was iffy because of that, and he was not keen on taking the adult film route of repaying the woman either. Though knowing Daniela, she would probably be the first to suggest that a striptease would be sufficient repayment for Bela's apology gift.

"Of course." Daniela's reply was swift. She stepped back from the doorway, allowing him to exit.

Ethan gave Daniela a brief squeeze on the arm as he passed her. Her smile grew all the wider as he chimed, "Thanks, Dani."

Returning to the open space of the library, Ethan slowed to a stop. The previous night's chill diminished as the sun's rays continued to pierce the skylight. The light was captivating, and Ethan found himself drawn to the central skylight. The great sun above was singlehandedly providing light to the library. All the candles and lanterns were as they'd left them last night – burned out and extinguished. He placed his hands on the back of his head, stretching and taking in the sunlight. At first, Ethan had just assumed morning was well underway, but now – with how high in the sky the sun appeared, he had to ask, "Any idea what time it is?"

"Around noon, I think," Daniela answered, following and keeping close. Joining him under the skylight, she closed her eyes, bathing in the warmth. With a sheepish edge to her smile, she added, "We slept in."

With the day Ethan had yesterday, it was no surprise. Even now, Ethan wouldn't have minded catching a few more hours of sleep – preferably in his actual bed. Ideally, without being interrupted yet again by Cassandra's rude awakening and sick idea of playing a game.

But that did then bring another matter to mind: where was Bela?

Bela had nearly talked back to her mother at the idea of him spending the day with Daniela. In the time he had gotten to know her, Bela was unfathomably precise and punctual. Each morning, she arrived at the same time to serve breakfast, if she was the one handling the delivery and not a maid. Ethan would have expected Bela to be in the library by now – catching him in the rather compromising position with Daniela's head on his lap just hours ago.

In hindsight, Ethan was glad he didn't have to explain that awkward position. But even dealing with that was preferable to not seeing Bela at all – considering she should be here by now. It was strange that she wasn't. Tardiness wasn't in the woman's vocabulary.

Maybe she didn't want to see him after his foul words the other night.

Taking a breath, Ethan voiced his thoughts, "What about Bela? Figured she'd pick me up by now."

Daniela's shoulders raised in a shrug. Eyes still closed, soaking in the light, Daniela combed her fingers through her hair. "I assume Bela and Cassie had a late night. Perhaps Bela slept in as well, tired from cleaning your mess up in the storeroom."

Right. Even if Bela was allowed to come pick him up by now, she really still did have all the reason not to. The storeroom was the bloody cherry on the cake to that.

"Nobody came in to drop off breakfast either," Daniela added, opening her eyes. It leant some credibility to the idea that maybe Bela was just sound asleep in the dungeon, and not fuming at him.

It felt equal parts good and bad.

Good, since it gave him a little more time to formulate the rough apology in his head, and pick up some kind of gift. Bad, because it meant she was in no means rushing to pick him up and reunite.

And then a gentle knocking came from the door, and Ethan tried not to hold his breath in anticipation. It was a little too much like the times he peeved Mia off in the early days following the Baker Incident – when they were both wound up so tight, and the tiniest things set them off. It was like walking on eggshells while trying to inch their way back to normalcy and making up. Their communication improved substantially in the years that followed though, much to both of their relief. It was almost like they could put the Baker House behind them.

That made it all the more jarring to be anticipating Bela's temper – especially considering last night's note. Ethan was a little out of practice when it came to apologizing to scorned women.

Well. Almost out of practice.

Ethan and Mia's communication had hit a bump in the road over the last two weeks before Chris and his goons shot up the house. For the most part, things were better, but those weeks had been particularly rough. Ethan had figured Mia's accident and losing the car must have rattled her – drew up one too many unpleasant memories from her time in the Baker House. He couldn't blame her. It turned that stretch of time into an apology simulator for him, since he stepped on her toes far too often those days.

At least he'd gotten a refresher course with Daniela yesterday. With any luck, Bela wouldn't add to the assortment of scars and bruises he was amassing. And if she did, at least Ethan could safely say he deserved it.

With complete nonchalance, Daniela chimed, "Huh – speak of the Strigoaica, and she shall appear."

The odd, foreign word jumped out at Ethan. He swiveled his head to face her, raising his eyebrows. "Speak of what?"

There was a vague familiarity to the word, but nothing Ethan could place. It wasn't good or positive by any stretch, at least. That was the most Ethan could get from the word's vibe.

His curiosity was ignored in favor of Daniela retrieving last night's dinner trays. As Ethan neared, Daniela turned, sliding one tray into his hands before saying, "Bela must have woken up." An almost childlike excitement filled Daniela's smile. "Maybe she will join us for lunch!"

Maybe it was for the better that he didn't have the extra time to stew in his head before getting the apology out. Caught with his figurative pants down like this, at least he could be honest and straight to the point.

Daniela led the way with her nearly skipping steps, and they arrived at the door. She wasted no time in pulling it open. Her voice carried a sing-song lilt to it, "About time you showed up, sleepy…"

A maid stood in the doorway, two meal trays in hand. The woman took an instinctive step back, nearly recoiling to find Daniela so close. A glance at her wrist revealed Zoria's bracelet.

"…head," Daniela finished the thought flatly, disappointment in her tone.

"Olga," Ethan could hear the surprise in his own voice. Peeking over the maid's shoulder revealed no blonde head of hair, sizzling temper or otherwise. "Where's… Lady Bela?"

Standing to his side, Daniela looked equally confused, regarding Olga with a curious tilt of her head. As a slight precaution, Ethan ensured he stood closer to Olga, positioning himself between the two women. Aside from the brief relapse into her baser needs, Daniela had her act together this morning – but it still paid to be safe.

Not like there was much he could do to Daniela if worse came to worst and something set her off. But still, that did not mean he shouldn't at least try to be a human shield.

Olga didn't anticipate the question, judging by the brief silence hanging in the air. Behind the veil, her head turned between Ethan and Daniela. When an answer still didn't come, Daniela noted aloud, "This isn't Bela's cooking."

Ethan wouldn't have been able to tell at a glance, but he trusted in Daniela's uncanny sense of smell. Each tray was loaded with a plate of grilled fish, sitting in a small pool of brine. A healthy serving of polenta joined the fish, along with the usual goblet of water.

When spoken to by Daniela, Olga flinched in the slightest – almost as if out of reflex. She turned her veiled face between the two of them – the unease evidently bubbling up within her. Ethan did his best to put on a reassuring smile to contrast Daniela's bloody reputation among the maids. At his side, his hand raised slightly in a calming gesture, and he mouthed out the words, "It's okay."

Olga appeared to take a breath, nodding from underneath the veil. Shifting her focus to Daniela, she bowed and answered, "It is not Lady Bela's cooking, madam."

Tilting her head, Daniela brimmed with equal parts curiosity and disbelief. The bewilderment was palpable when she asked, "Did she not… commandeer the kitchen?"

"Lady Bela has not been to the kitchen all morning, Lady Daniela. Madam Tatyana wished to get meal preparations underway, but she did not want to do so without Lady Bela's permission." Olga's thumbs fidgeted with the side of either tray for a moment, and Ethan took that time to give her a hand.

Ethan secured the first tray, exchanging the empty one and allowing Olga to continue, "Madam Tatyana visited Lady Bela's room in the dungeon. She did not find any trace of hers, nor any note to indicate where she had gone."

Ethan's heart skipped a beat at that moment.

In the nearly two weeks of constant communication with Bela, Ethan liked to think he knew her and her habits quite well. He knew her routine, and her frequent haunts in the castle. Aside from the kitchens, her own room, and Ethan's cell – Bela rarely spent much alone time anywhere else.

So where the hell was she?

He would understand if she simply barricaded herself in her room and decided she did not wish to see his face for the foreseeable future. But this was unusual.

Maybe she had a hiding place of sorts – somewhere she went to in order to be alone. Somewhere she hadn't told Ethan of.

"We don't know where Lady Bela is…" Olga lapsed into silence. She held the last tray in her hands, which now trembled in the slightest. Even with the obscuring veil, Ethan could picture her evasive eyes – anxious of retribution for not having the answers they sought.

With a shrug, Daniela suggested, "Maybe she's out."

Hmm.

Yeah, maybe she's –

What?

Out in the freezing cold, where death was a frigid gust of wind away. Out, where lycans and giant wolves prowled the entire village. Out, where Chris goddamn Redfield – the biggest threat to any bioweapon in the valley – was murdering anything that moved and would not hesitate to put Bela down.

"Out?" The word slipped out before Ethan could reel it in. He turned to face Daniela as his eyes widened a fraction. An anxious hand went up to his hair, where he gripped a messy fistful of it for a moment. He released his hair, instead gripping the tray with both hands, tightly, "What do you mean 'maybe she's out'? In this weather? It's fucking freezing out there."

Daniela's brows were raised in apparent surprise over his distress. She placed her hand on his arm and gave a slight squeeze. A nonverbal message to calm down – which had absolutely no effect on Ethan now that his alarm bells were firing off.

She craned her head to Olga then, and began switching out her empty tray for the fresh one. "What is your name?"

Olga was stunned for just a beat, before she bowed her head deeply. "Olga, Lady Daniela."

"Thank you for the food, Olga – you may be on your way now."

With Olga dismissed, the door soon closed shut, and Daniela led the way back to their coffee table. Ethan's legs moved on autopilot, following Daniela as his mind raced.

Ethan shut and locked into the back of his mind the idea that Bela had possibly exited the castle.

Because, frankly, why the fuck would she leave the castle? The slightest cold would do her in and condemn her to death.

He focused instead on the likelier explanations for Bela's absence. Surely, Bela was just avoiding him after their argument. That had to be it.

Ethan had been out of line that night, and hit her far below the belt. He'd since long come to terms with that. But regardless of how he felt about that night, Bela had to have her own view of their argument. She was right to be upset with him for being a dick. So, it made sense for her to be avoiding him, and giving him the silent treatment. It made perfect sense.

But… after getting his bacon saved from Cassandra, and Bela had tried to stick up for him when he was assigned to Daniela – well, Ethan thought perhaps talking it out with Bela would happen sooner, rather than later. In the time he had gotten to know Bela, Ethan found her highly mature – discounting for the moment their occasional immature bouts of banter and bickering. It made sense that Bela would desire to talk things out as much as he did.

Hopefully.

He hoped Bela's anger and hurt would simmer down enough for some dialogue to take place between them. He was quite ready to take the heat for his lack of tact and common decency, and… well, he figured Bela would be in a calmer state of mind by now; a talking mood, of sorts.

And yet the note in last night's dinner was fair indicator that Bela was upset. She was upset, and he wasn't getting out of this so easily. Maybe she was just creating space? Undoubtedly, Bela had gone through her fair share of stress yesterday. Diverting the blame of the storeroom's mess away from him could not have been easy. While the details were lost to Ethan, he could only assume it wasn't easy, yet Bela somehow pulled it off anyway, being the brilliant woman she was.

Perhaps it was space and breathing room that Bela needed, so that when their inevitable reunion did come about, she would be in a better headspace. Maybe she was even getting herself a drink or two. Some of that wine to drown her sorrows before their confrontation came about.

Yeah.

That sounded right.

Or, she was out. Just like Daniela had said.

No matter how much Ethan ran it through is head, it didn't add up. Something was off. Something critical, and he couldn't wrap his mind around it.

He was aware of Daniela's uneasy eyes giving him a long look. As the silence stretched on, she eventually shrugged her shoulders from her armchair to his side. She gave a polite, "Enjoy your meal," and into her lunch she went.

Ethan, sitting on his side of the sofa, didn't have much of an appetite. Not with the confusion morphing into fear in his veins. He was blankly staring at the polenta in his spoon when he finally spoke up again, "Why'd you say that? Why would Bela be out?"

Daniela's eyes went up as she looked at him mid-bite of her fish. She chewed, swallowed, and wiped her mouth with a napkin in her dainty hand. She smiled at Ethan, brows pitched together, "I'm sorry, Ethan – it was just a bad joke. Nothing to worry about, mhm?"

Fiddling with his spoon, Ethan gestured and spoke, "I'm trying, but… think about it, though. Where is she? Does she have some Bela only spot in the castle? Would there be any reason she's out there, in this weather? Isn't that suicide for you three? Have you been out in weather like this?"

Daniela raised a hand, and Ethan was all too aware of how fast he'd been speaking, and how the unease was audible in his voice. He let out a quick, "Sorry," and stopped to take a few deep breaths.

It gave Daniela the opportunity to nod and answer, "I've never been out in this weather, no. It is…" She winced tight, eyes crinkling at the corners in displeasure. "Dangerous for us, that is for sure."

Her knife carved out a neat slice of fish as she went on, "I cannot think of any reason she would be out there, honestly." Daniela paused, glancing once to meet his gaze before her eyes went back to her plate. "Though I do not know where else Bela would be, if not the dungeons or the kitchen. She doesn't quite have any other favorite spots." Daniela's knife hovered in the air for a second, fish left forgotten. "But I'm sure she's somewhere around here. It would not be the first time she's gotten herself a break from everyone. Me, Cassie, mother… especially mother, sometimes."

The old, rusted gears in Ethan's mind cranked, and a connection, loose and unlikely as it was, was formed. It was a longshot, but Ethan felt it may have been worth bringing up regardless, "Bela worked with Miranda once, right? Is it possible that she got your mom to bring Bela back over to her?"

Daniela's brows shot up, and she frowned, mouthful of polenta and all. Ethan patiently – if not anxiously – waited for her to finish, busying himself by taking a deep sip of water instead. Clearing her throat, Daniela answered with clear surprise, "Bela told you about that?"

At his affirmative, she added, "Just to be clear – Mother Miranda put up a temporary lab in the dungeons to assess Bela's skill. She never took Bela to her own lab."

Shrugging, Ethan pushed the matter, "Still. What if Miranda needed another pair of hands in her lab?"

"Honestly, I doubt it, but… anything is possible, I suppose." Daniela sighed, glaring at her plate of food as though her mind was chewing through an unpleasant memory. "Bela detested being Mother Miranda's assistant, if I remember correctly. But… if Mother Miranda spoke to our mother about it, I doubt mother would be able to truly put her foot down and stop Mother Miranda from borrowing Bela."

Seeing the mounting distress on Ethan's face, Daniela continued with a wince and a shrug, "Mother Miranda is almost like… a goddess around here. Her word is saint. Those that oppose her…" Daniela's pause was thick with apprehension, "They do not last long."

Here they were in the cozy library, safe and warm – and Bela may just be out there, getting bossed around by Miranda herself, whether she liked it or not. Forced to toil away on their subjects and create more lycans, or whatever it was Miranda was up to these days. Ethan's stomach swirled with unease all the more, and it was a struggle to eat with his appetite rapidly diminishing.

Chris' breathing cycles were a small help, but they went a long way in struggling to calm his turbulent mind.

It was all just speculation, wasn't it? As Daniela had said – it was doubtful. There was no concrete proof that Bela had gotten snatched up by Miranda to act as a second pair of hands to create more ghoulish creatures.

In Ethan's mind – in the sprawling mental map of possibilities, he put a pin on that one. He compartmentalized, doing his best to reel his emotions in and focus on the facts. Being forced to work with Miranda was possible, but there was no way of verifying it. Not here, not now. It was far likelier that Bela was somewhere in the castle, hidden from sight.

If Bela was out there, it would be for another reason. Something that Ethan was still missing. She wouldn't be putting herself in danger over nothing. Certainly not to take a leisurely stroll and reminisce. She wouldn't so much of think of that with everything going on. Not with Chris out there and –

Ethan's heart stilled once more.

Right now, Chris Redfield was the most dangerous thing in the valley. And nights ago, Bela had held Ethan tight in her arms as she promised him that she would settle the score with Chris.

Oh God.

Chris had spent his life fighting mutants and bioweapons. Even on fair footing, Bela's chances were dubious – but in this weather? With Chris' highly trained band of killers backing him up? It would be a massacre. Head on, Chris would kill Bela without breaking a sweat, or giving her body a second glance.

No – it wouldn't even be a fight. Chris wouldn't let it reach that stage. More realistically was that Bela would hit the ground dead before she knew what was coming. Ethan knew Chris and how he operated. He wouldn't bother drawing a whole encounter out if he could end the whole thing with a single bullet through the head. From hundreds – if not thousands of meters away, Chris would neutralize the threat. There was just no reality wherein Bela went on the hunt for Chris in this weather and emerged the victor. There just wasn't.

No. She couldn't be out there. Bela was smart. She was smarter than him, and smarter than that – than to get herself killed on Ethan's behalf.

In the little time Ethan had come to know her, Bela was one of the most clever people he'd ever met. She would know her odds against Chris were nearly laughable. She was smart enough not to go after him and get herself killed. Besides, Bela was still pissed at Ethan – she had no business going out there and risking her neck for someone she was upset with.

Ethan scoffed to even think of who he was to Bela – a prisoner? Maybe a little more at this point – more like a friend than anything. But still – not someone to outright risk life and limb for.

At least, that's what Ethan told himself, to reduce the slight tremble that set into his anxious hands.

His overactive imagination was already going into overdrive – conjuring up all the images of Bela's cold, frozen corpse in the snow, pecked at by birds, and lost to the harsh elements. But that was just his imagination – nothing more, and they would never be anything more. There were far too many possibilities – realistic possibilities of where Bela was.

Even if no epiphanies struck him, and he was left to brood in his anxious mind as time trickled by.

Lunch had wrapped up by the time either of them spoke again. Daniela had a knack for getting lost in her own thoughts, but she was just as adept at spotting the brewing worry within Ethan. Not that it was particularly difficult, given the tension in his entire being.

"I know you're worried about Bela, but I'm sure she's fine." Daniela smoothed out her dress and gave an encouraging smile. She stood up, moving towards the door leading out. "Maybe we can work on arranging the shelves a little? Take your mind off it? It always helps me." Like clockwork, she plucked her matchbox from the shelf next to the door, and gathered a collection of spare candles. "So, what do you say?" Her ritualistic lighting routine was about to resume – despite how amply lit the library was, thanks to the skylight.

Ethan's own nerves were frayed at the edges – sensitive and anxious thanks to Bela's absence. He wasn't about to risk steering Daniela away from her usual habits. Not now, anyway. He settled for a safe, compliant, "Yeah. Let's."

Daniela meandered along the library's perimeter, relighting every fixture in sight, or replacing them as needed. As each light came to life, she took her time angling each lantern and candelabra to ensure they fit whatever image she had in mind for the library.

Ethan followed close behind, observing her meticulous arrangements. It was calming in a strange way, watching Daniela toil away. There was a steady pattern to it. A stability. An anchor to the chaos in his frantic mind.

Perhaps Daniela's rituals were not so odd after all. That may have been precisely why they were so important to her, as nonsensical as they may seem. The simple act of relighting the library and tidying her bookshelves was a chance to center herself. It was the eye in her storm. The moment of calm.

"It's possible Bela is simply somewhere that the maids don't check," Daniela spoke with her head craned over her shoulder as she tended to another candelabra.

Ethan's hands flexed anxiously at his sides – balling and un-balling his fists – as he watched Daniela. He took slow steps towards the central bookshelves. "And where do the maids not check?"

The candles cast a warm glow on Daniela when she turned to face Ethan, and she continued along the sides of the library. "The dungeons beyond Bela's room, for one."

With a slight shrug, Ethan asked, "That's… possible." Ethan held onto that chance Bela was not outside. "What would Bela be doing there all morning?"

"Cassandra had you fight the Moroaice yesterday, right?" Daniela struck another match against the side of the box.

"When she wasn't trying to smack me around herself, yeah." He had all the scars to show for it.

One by one, more of the candles came to life under Daniela's care. "Maybe she's busy wrestling them back into their cages?"

"Maybe." Ethan hoped she was right. "Probably, yeah."

He hoped to God Daniela was right. Getting a scratch or two from an easily overpowered basement ghoul was nearly inconsequential for someone as hardy as Bela. If such powerful beings like the Dimitrescu sisters could even be scratched by the Moroaice to begin with. Dealing with them was child's play, compared to venturing beyond the castle walls.

If she was out there in the cold, hunting down Chris – if she got hurt –

Ethan swallowed hard as the anxiety bubbled in his gut and pounded against his ribcage.

He didn't even want to consider the possibility. No way she was out there. She couldn't be out there. Being an idiot and diving face-first into danger was Ethan's forte. Louisiana was the perfect example of that. Bela was nothing like him in that regard. She would be aware of the dangers out there, weigh the risks, and decide to stay home. She was somewhere else in the castle, perfectly safe, if not wrestling with the moldy former maids in the dungeons.

"Okay," Daniela put the matchbox down in its usual spot. "I'm ready. I hope you're warmed up, Ethan. We have much work to do."
While it seemed that Daniela was trying to keep them busy for Ethan's sake, it appeared she herself was a tad uneasy as well. She knew her sister far better than Ethan; it wasn't amiss to Daniela that Bela should have arrived by now to pick him up. Whatever the cause for delay must have been important. So, with her big sister MIA, there was little Daniela could do but bury herself in the mind-numbing, repetitive task of rearranging the library.

Ethan didn't want to use the word 'relapse' as they took apart a shelf which they had rearranged yesterday morning.

But it was a bit of a relapse into old habits.

Still, it was a day into Ethan's pseudo-therapy, and he refrained from passing judgment. Any progress was significant in this long, potentially painful journey. The little wins had to be celebrated, and the little relapses had to be taken in with understanding and patience. As dutifully as he could, Ethan kept his mouth shut and helped with the central bookshelves

The previously meticulously created sections were reevaluated and rearranged. The same books were filed away into different shelves, multiple times. Max Blecher was plucked out of his previous home and placed on another level – slightly more accessible and within arm's reach. Ethan avoided questioning it much, lest he ignite Daniela's latent temper. If it wasn't her mood swings to be wary of, it was the possibility of lifting another heavy shelf in its entirety – so no suggestions were made in that regard. He waited until most of the central bookshelves were sorted out before he even considered diverting their attention.

Which, thankfully, Daniela wasn't entirely opposed to. It was easier today to get her onboard with focusing on the outer shelves, which still had to be arranged. Many sections remained missing, with stacks of books still littering the perimeter.

Ethan wasn't sure how much time had passed, but going through title after title was a good way of keeping his mind occupied. Anything was preferable to contemplating Bela's absence. Eventually, he found himself carrying a stack of books, walking along the library's perimeter with Daniela. They periodically stopped, and Daniela would give a thoughtful hum before taking a book from the top of Ethan's pile so she could tuck it into the shelf.

Daniela turned a copy of The Handmaid's Tale over in her hands. She gave Ethan a sideways glance and began, "So…"

The feigned innocence in her tone was a dead giveaway. This was going to be a prying question. Ethan crossed his fingers that it wasn't going to be related to his college stories, or worse – something sexual in nature. Or something Bela related and sexual in nature.

"You mentioned a trip to the Duke." Daniela ran her fingers along the hardcover's edge. She raised her shoulder in a slight shrug, playing up her innocent curiosity. "What did you want to buy?"

Maybe he should have crossed his damn toes while he was at it. He would have taken more prying into his wild college days over this – over spilling the beans over his fuck up with Bela. This must have been karma for something. Some inane, roundabout way the universe was getting back at him for something.

Maybe it was all those wooden goats he kicked in the village in his bouts of frustration and panic.

Alas, around Daniela, it was always good to be transparent. Better now than later, since it would only be a matter of time until she found out, anyway.

Ethan tilted his head side to side, and made an effort to downplay his answer as much as Daniela tried to disguise her curiosity. "…an apology gift."

Daniela faced Ethan fully now – dropping all pretense of nonchalance. "Huh." Her brows knit together in the very picture of suspicion. "An apology gift? For whom, if I may ask? Bela?"

Maybe being forthcoming with the truth would stop Daniela from beating him with the book.

"Yeah," Ethan sighed. There was no use to stalling and delaying. The follow up of why would come any moment now, so Ethan explained, "Bela and I…" He drew in a short breath and steeled himself for the fallout, "We kinda got into it the other night."

Without so much as a second look, Daniela tucked the book she held into the closest shelf to their side. She then crossed her arms, leaning on the shelf and frowning his way. Ethan should have seen it coming by now, but apparently, she had a protective little sister mode.

"What did you fight about?" Daniela asked, before her lips reset into a tight line. Her narrowed eyes pierced right into his soul with how intensely Daniela glared.

Ethan went through his breathing cycles – quickly, since he had little time before Daniela's temper potentially popped off. With a tower of books balanced in his arms, there wasn't much Ethan could do in case she grabbed at his throat. There was no way to drop the books to free up his limbs to defend himself – not without setting her off even worse, anyway. Yet again, the only way was forward, telling the truth, and hoping for the best.

"It's a little complicated, but…" He was stalling, but not keen to admit that to himself. He wasn't proud of the way he'd spoken to Bela that night. With a final breath, Ethan let it come tumbling out, "I wanted her to take me to Rose, okay?"

Daniela's expression softened a fraction, brows raising for a moment before settling. Her eyes remained narrowed and guarded. "And then?"

"Let's just say it escalated from there." The hurt on Bela's face was a look he was not keen on ever seeing again – especially not when caused by himself. "I said some things I shouldn't have."

Daniela glowered and said nothing, which was clear enough of a silent message to elaborate further.

Without any way to soften the blow, Ethan elected to simply rip the band-aid off. He kept his eyes trained on the stack of books and recounted, "She was trying to calm me down and empathize with me," Ethan licked his lips, suppressing a wince, "And I told her she didn't know loss."

The firm line Daniela's lips had formed tightened further, and the furrow at her brow deepened. "You really have a way with words, don't you?"

For what little good it did him, Ethan kept the stack of books in hand between them – on the off chance her temper had yet to spike to its maximum. Daniela would avoid damaging the books in the pursuit of ripping him a new one. Or at least, she would avoid soaking them in his blood. But if the bloodstains on Grimm's Fairytales was any indication, he was probably out of luck.

"I wasn't thinking straight. Hurting her was the last thing on my mind," His own features tightened into a frown, eyes slowly peeling up from the books to look at Daniela. "If I could take back what I said, I would, okay? But I can't, so the least I can do is try to make up for it somehow." He sighed, "Starting with saying sorry, and how big of an idiot I was, and then," His head tilted in the direction of the door, "Maybe getting her something nice."

Daniela's chest rose and fell with deep breaths. She clamped one hand over her wrist, and her thumb began to rub against Maria's necklace; it was steadily becoming a new habit of hers. With some relief, Ethan found her scalding glare to begin cooling off. Daniela spoke slowly, like she was making the conscious effort not to yell at him, "I know it's only natural that you want to see your baby. I understand that." Her tone grew firm to add, "But swinging below the belt is not going to help your case. Saying such stupid and hurtful things will get you nowhere. And to Bela of all people – she is your biggest supporter in this castle, Ethan."

"I know," Ethan's eyes went back down, boring into his pile of books. If he had a free hand, this would be the part he'd rub at his face in frustration. "It was just… I know it's no excuse, but I think everything just caught up to me and I lost it for a little bit." He bobbed one shoulder in a half shrug. "Everything, you know? Mia getting shot to pieces. Rose being taken. All the bullshit before you three locked me up." His eyebrows popped up as he emphasized, "Still, it doesn't excuse anything. The past day, I've thought a lot about what I said to Bela, and it really doesn't sit right."

Daniela appeared to chew the thoughts over in her mind for a moment. She was shaking her head slightly – whether in disbelief or disappointment, Ethan wasn't sure. She placed a hand on Ethan's shoulder to nudge him further along the library's perimeter – to resume their current task. Ethan complied, taking a few steps over to the next tall shelf on the wall. Daniela picked a book from his stack, holding it in both hands and toying with the edges of the cover. Eventually, it lowered down, and her frustrated gaze returned to Ethan.

"Of all the stupid things you could have said to her, you picked the most hurtful one." Daniela untightened her hold on the book, biting her lip instead for a second before continuing, "I recall next to nothing from that past life. Cass only remembers the terrible things." Daniela leaned in a fraction to ensure the message was received, "Bela on the other hand, is very, very much aware of all she lost in that life." She continued chewing on her lip for a beat, only to finish, "You keep that in mind."

Ethan hung his head for a second as another ripple of remorse ran through his body. "Yeah." Even with all the blurred lines, Ethan did in fact still remember he was a prisoner in this castle. It may have been getting harder and harder to remember that, but he knew that his desire to reunite with Rose was a reasonable one – something a father like him could only naturally want. But it still did not excuse the way he'd spoken to Bela. She did her best to make his miserable imprisonment a tolerable experience. She deserved better. "I'll keep that in mind," He muttered.

He should have known better, especially after hearing all of Bela's dreamy recollections of days long gone. But there was little use to be kicking himself for it again. The only way was forward.

"What are you planning on getting?" Daniela's query pulled him from the funk before he could sink too deep into it.

There were a couple of loose ideas floating around Ethan's mind. His past with Mia, and the far less serious girlfriends that came before, had all taught him a few things. A bouquet and a box of chocolates for the mild fuck ups, and something bright and shiny for the major ones – and all the heartfelt apologizing until his throat gave out, as needed.

Yet Bela was neither Mia, nor a past girlfriend. This castle wasn't college, or his cozy home. Those ideas felt largely out of the question.

Maybe the Duke could recommend some kind of tool for Bela's miniature laboratory. Or a new batch of specimen slides gathered from the lycans. A book perhaps; something to do with her studies. Maybe something practical, like pocket and hand warmers. Mia went on a frenzy when she first discovered them, and they rarely ventured into the Romanian weather without a pocket warmer handy.

It was anybody's guess if the Duke stocked those, though – but knowing him, he seemed prepared for anything. It wouldn't surprise Ethan if the guy had baby toys in one drawer, and a small nuclear warhead in the other, next to the shelf of kitchenware and lingerie. It was like Walmart condensed into a single room, but without the music.

If the Duke had no pocket warmers on hand, then Ethan would wing it. Winging it had gotten him this far, after all. The entire Baker Incident was just one long, long night of winging it. Surely, the Duke had something appropriate in store to fit the occasion.

Otherwise, Ethan could find the prettiest cup in sight and bleed into it.

"Not too sure yet, honestly," Ethan answered. "I guess I thought I'd figure it out when I got there."

Daniela's familiar, thoughtful humming filled the air as she carefully slid the next book into the shelf. Another was pulled from Ethan's pile, and she studied the cover. Terry Pratchett's Wyrd Sisters stared back up at her. "Your actual apology is what will matter the most, anyway. This gift idea of yours is just the cherry on top."

"Yeah, but after everything, I think Bela deserves the biggest cherry on top, y'know?" The sentiment got a small smile from Daniela.

Ethan only hoped Bela was actually safely inside the castle so that he could get that apology out.

Regardless, Ethan felt the tiniest bit sheepish discussing with Daniela the prospect of gift giving, considering this was for her sister. It was a miracle Daniela wasn't teasing him to kingdom come yet. To preempt that, Ethan turned the conversation towards Daniela.

"You on the lookout for anything from the Duke? New books, maybe?" Ethan asked.

Like clockwork, Daniela's mood shifted, and she beamed right at him. "I hope he has some new stock!"

"Yeah? Anything particular?" Ethan tilted his head to the numerous shelves, "You got so many books in here – what missing link are you in the market for?"

Daniela's eyes scanned the bookshelves as she let out a long, contemplative hum, "Hmm…" With a shrug, she said, "A new romance novel, hopefully. Something… bold and new. In the modern setting, perhaps." Daniela gave a slightly frustrated humph, and added, "The last 'bestseller' was a bore. Do you have any suggestions?"

Ethan chuckled to himself. With his eyes absentmindedly scanning the titles in his hands, he half-joked, "You could get yourself a copy of Fifty Shades."

When the trilogy first entered the mainstream public's eyes, Ethan and Mia had laughed about it – especially thanks to the less-than-poetic snippets and excerpts posted online. Ethan wound up buying them a copy to read at night, and to poke fun at. A little thing to read together in bed and laugh at before turning in for the evening.

That was how it started, anyway – and maybe Ethan just had a trashy taste in literature, but he enjoyed the book more than he cared to admit. Mia caught onto that rather quickly, and it wasn't long before her velvety voice was purring in his ear and calling him Mr. Grey.

Well, maybe that was why he like the books as much as he did.

Daniela's eyes shot up from the current hardbound she was studying. Her head tilted to the side, and her curious gaze pinned Ethan in place – and he knew he was a goner. "Fifty Shades? What's that about?"

Oh no.

Clearing his throat, Ethan shook his head, "That – oh, that's nothing."

"Ethaaaaan," Daniela's voice was a combination of singsong and warning alike. Before Ethan could deflect any further, she cut in, fluttering her eyelashes his way, "You promised me yesterday that you would answer any questions I haaaad."

Fuck.

It was absurd to Ethan how they had gone from him nearly being smacked with a book, to him being forced to discuss Fifty Shades all within the span of five minutes. And how the hell was he even supposed to broach that topic with Daniela of all people, who undressed him with her eyes every chance she got?

The next time he got locked up by some other vampires in another castle, he would pretend to be mute. That would save him a lot of stress.

"It's – uh," Ethan cleared his throat and avoided Daniela's gaze. He busied himself snatching the current book from Daniela's hands, tucking it into the shelf to their side. He started filing away the books in his pile – their author names were somewhat alphabetically arranged, and that was good enough. He would take being mauled over poor alphabetizing over a deep dive into Fifty Shades. "It's a book series."

"What kind of book series?" Daniela leaned in closer with her grin steadily spreading – keenly aware now of the heat gathering on Ethan's own face. He staunchly kept his eyes fixed on the shelves.

Ethan let the answer out in a single breath, "It's an erotic romance series."

The delight built on Daniela's face, "How promising…"

"…with a lot of BDSM."

"Very promising!" The giddiness was out in full force on Daniela's pink face. "Do tell me more!"

Thinking quick, Ethan replied, "Oh – but I don't wanna spoil it, y'know?" He could feel Daniela's eyes boring into him as he tucked more books away into the shelf. "You should get the trilogy from the Duke – experience the story for yourself. I won't do it justice by telling you about it."

Slowly, Daniela bobbed her head in deliberate nods, grinning as wide as a Cheshire cat. "When I first laid eyes on you, I never expected you to be the type, Ethan."

Ethan was down to the last few books in his hands as he sorted them away in the shelves. Still avoiding turning his flushed face to Daniela, he asked, "What type?"

"Oh – the type to have sex in supply closets and read erotic fiction." Daniela giggled, keeping close to Ethan's side as she bit down on her bottom lip. "Mm, I am so jealous of Bela. Does she know how much of a naughty boy you are, Mr. Winters? Or should I tell her?"

Cringing hard, Ethan muttered back, "Remind me to just keep my mouth shut around you."

"I will do no such thing." Daniela replied, upbeat and unabashed.

They reached the corner of the library, having sorted out the current batch of books Ethan had been holding. The desk, along with its accompanying typewriter, and the overflowing trashcan on the floor, were tucked away in this corner.

Eager to shift the focus away from himself, Ethan asked, "If you don't mind me asking, what's with the typewriter?" He motioned to the messy desk with his now free hand. "That's a lot of paper."

"Oh!" It was Daniela's turn to appear somewhat shy as her eyes flicked away from his. She stepped closer to the typewriter, fingers delicately brushing across the keys. "I do a little bit of writing. My mind is just… brimming with so many ideas because of how much I read."

Ethan smiled, peering at the currently loaded typewriter – and what looked like blocks of dialogue on the page. "Yeah? What are you writing? Let me guess…" He pursed his lips in a show of thought, and turned the tables on her, "Is it an erotic romance novel?"

Daniela's jaw dropped, and she sputtered out, "No!"

"Full of BDSM?" Ethan asked, cracking a smile and savoring the sight of Daniela's red face. "Is that why you're interested in Fifty Shades? Need to get the research in?"

"Ethan!" Daniela yelled, beginning to smile in spite of it, "You are just irredeemable, you know that?"

With a final laugh, Ethan shook his head and spared her the teasing, "No, seriously – what are you writing? I'm curious."

Daniela didn't meet his eyes, still blushing. "Nothing special," She waved a hand in dismissal, "Largely freeform stuff – nothing with any real substance or structure. I would not even hazard to call them short stories. Just… loose ideas."

It was good to see the number of creative outlets Daniela had. The more focus she placed on the writing and the painting, the less time wasted on obsessive library rearrangement. With an encouraging smile, Ethan told her, "Well, if you ever need an editor, you know where to find me."

Daniela laughed softly, gathering the loose paper on the table, bundling them together. Looking his way, she asked, "Do you have any experience as an editor?"

"Nope." Ethan assisted Daniela in tidying up the cluttered desk. With a shrug, he asked, "How hard can it be?"

He got an eyeroll and a snort in response. "I appreciate the offer." Daniela accepted the bundle of pages Ethan had gathered, setting the collection down neatly next to the typewriter. She smiled to herself, and a dreamy, faraway sort of look flitted across her features. "I would like to write a book someday." She scrunched her face up in a show of annoyance, "If my attention span and perfectionism would allow it, anyway."

There was little to discern from the glimpses Ethan got of Daniela's writing. He would have to do a deep dive into the pages to tell what she had been typing away. So, rather than snooping around, he asked, "What kind of book?"

"Hm," Daniela hummed. "You know me – aside from those raunchy false assumptions," She paused to glare at Ethan, earning her a short, amused chortle. Daniela continued, "I'm a sucker for romance and the classics… so, some kind of love story," She raised a finger and added with emphasis, "But, I'd like it to be something fresh. Something unconventional. I don't know what yet, though."

Ethan watched Daniela tug open the various desk drawers – mostly empty. Blowing out a raspberry, she announced, "Aaaand, I am out of paper." She turned to face Ethan fully, smiling. "What say we go pay the Duke a visit now?"

A/N: Thanks so much for reading! Do be sure to fave and follow, and leave me a review on the way out. Love hearing from you guys as always!

Where, oh, where is Bela dearest? Hopefully not far. Maybe her uber just needed to gas up. We'll find out by the next update what's taking Bela so long.

I hope you guys enjoyed this delve into Ethan's fresh source of anxiety, and his contemplations over finally talking to Bela, now that it draws nearer and nearer. The dedicated Dani arc is coming to a close now, and I hope you all liked our time with her. Definitely not the last we'll see of her - far from it. But things will start moving in a different direction once Bela finally decides to pick Ethan up. The reunion's gonna be worth it, that much I can guarantee you guys.

I think that's it from me for the moment. Next chapter should drop at the usual time next week. Hard to believe it's already been 30 chapters. I got a little something in store to commemorate the milestone, but we'll get there when we get there. Would you believe my original outline was slated for 20 chapters from start to end? I'm bad at making outlines, as you can see.

Anyway, I'll catch you guys at the next one. Thank you once again for all the support. Stay safe out there!