As predicted, Phantalmina stayed most of that night asleep. She woke up around five o'clock in the morning. She started to cry again once she recalled the situation she had placed them. At that moment it was a good thing that Demeter, Justin and Ashley were there with her. Later on that morning, Justin, Munkustrap and others requested her to make at least two of them stay on their big form for the needed time. They tried to convince her that this way they could watch after the others and make sure Goth wouldn't attack them again. Of course, she wasn't sure about their plan. It would mean she had to do the transformation every evening and every morning. But then again, no one knew what else Goth might try and this was the only way to make sure they were safe while she was gone outside.

Sadly, those were the only sweet tunes they would hear for some time. Mostly because in the following weeks Phantalmina went outside and brought back fresh pieces of meat to Goth every night, as she promised. For some reason she didn't feel like playing music after she came back from that trip.

This made Munkustrap, Ashley and others dislike Goth even more. Munkustrap couldn't help but to reveal his teeth to Goth every time he came down to pick up his meal. As if showing him how dangerously close he was to lose his safeplace.

In those few weeks everyone tried to do their usual things. Cats were resting a little distance away, bats were roosting and rats and mice were in their pointed area socializing. The only troubling part was that Phantalmina had to go every night to get food for everyone. Even though there was still enough food, Goth demanded to have fresh meat every night. And of course, she didn't dare to refuse his demands. When Phantalmina left for her shopping-trip, things turned little unpleasant as all the rodents moved closer to the large ones to be safe and bats flew closer to the floor with others. It was obvious that no one trusted Goth and once the child was not at present all the tension was quite close to get loose.

However, what others didn't know is that the only time when Goth didn't seem to be going to attack was when he got some opportunities to change a word with Ashley. It looked more like he was calm with her around. Not that she planned that, Ashley didn't like him any more then others did. And who knew, maybe it was one of his tricks giving him time to plan his next move.

But besides that everything seemed to be going pretty well. Everyone slept and ate without trouble. And no one went missing. Everything seemed to go back to their normal routine. That however didn't make Munkustrap and few others feel anyway safer. They kept an eye on Goth any moment they got, knowing that he was still up to something. Some nights Dusk spied and reported if he noticed Goth up to something. And sure, these things only made them more critical and paranoid about him. Of course Goth used an excuse that he wouldn't do anything bad to break his part of the deal.

As December was going to its holiday season, a new night was falling. Phantalmina got up and checked on everyone making sure things were alright. Bats who didn't have the blood-bands had already gone to hibernation, leaving only the "banded" ones to a lookout.

It was the middle of December, this time Brutus and Logan were in their large form. Sure having a big rat and mouse didn't seem to be that much intimidating but at least they were able to keep others on the ground safe. Munkustrap was easy to find. He stayed in his "regular" place. Ever since Goth came Munkustrap stayed on the same corner of the stage no matter if he was in his large form or not.

Once checking him Phantalmina just had to look up and wait for Ashley, Dusk or Luna to come down.

"How are things?" she asked them as they landed.

"Good. Things look quite normal." Luna answered to her.

"So far no one hasn't gone missing." Dusk said and surely he received a little slap from Luna, noticing that his comment was not well put to Phantalmina to hear.

"Okay then." was all she actually said for that matter.

At first when Phantalmina was turning back to prepare herself to go outside, Ashley felt worried about her. As Phantalmina was putting her coat on she flew closer to ask.

"Are you alright?"

"Hm? Oh, yes. I'm okay." she smiled as if she kinda tried to fake it. "I thought I better go early and try to catch something so he won't be mad."

Ashley wasn't happy to hear that. No one didn't like to see Phantalmina tired and then coming back to hear Goth talking low on her.

"Mina..." she tried. "You don't have to do this all the time."

"It's only for this one time. It's holiday season and there is enough meat for everyone, including for him for the rest of the winter." she said smiling and then she went to the outside world before anyone else had a chance to turn her around.

As she vanished to the mirror Ashley, Dusk and Luna only watched as the reflective suffice wiggled back to it's normal form. Only a sigh or two could be heard after that. All they could do now is to wait for her return, and who knows how long it will take this time.

It didn't take long for Munkustrap to come to them and ask the same question.

"How is everyone?"

"Banded ones all clear, others hibernating." Dusk said quickly.

"Brutus and Logan are with the others. So far nothing has happened." Luna followed.

"Good." Munkustrap said. "This way that bat won't play us anytime soon."

"Please, can we change the subject." Ashley said, sounding a little sad. "I don't like to think about being on patrol every time she is gone."

"I know it's hard, but we can't take any chances with him around."

"I know. But so far nothing has happened and he won't be doing anything with someone large one around. Can't we just leave it at that?"

"She is right." Luna said. "We can't go all winter like this. Some of us need a rest too, otherwise we are easy prey for him. If one of the larger ones starts to go back to normal before Mina returns then we should be on our guard."

"They have a point." Dusk agreed with them.

Munkustrap simply turned to go back to his side of the stage.

"You can go and rest. I'll be watching in the meanwhile." he said while walking away.

It didn't take long for Dusk to yawn and to take off.

"Come. If we go rest close to the structure at least we can notice if he tries something." he said before going higher.

Luna followed after him as both went to roost to the structure close to where others rested. But Ashley on the other hand stayed lower. She flew to the corner and stayed on the same level as the beds canopy. This way she could see when Phantalmina would come back and get quickly to her before she might go away again. Not only did she agree that they need a rest, she did too. Just because she said she might get something for Goth for the whole winter doesn't mean she would still go again tomorrow. She needed to stop. At least for the next couple of days. Obviously she or one of the cats would gladly go to get that stupid meat if only Phantalmina could rest for awhile.

But one thing for sure they couldn't go like this the whole winter. There gotta be a way for Goth to stop treating Phantalmina like this. He is the one who is playing the dangerous game, not them.

Speaking of the devil… Ashley could recognize the sound of those wings easily.

"Hola, señorita." Goth greeted her in his evilsh way.

Ashley turned her angry face to him. She obviously didn't want to give him any satisfaction about this conversation.

"What do you want? Still planning to torment us more?" she asked him angrily.

"Oh no. Why would I do that?" he answered pretending to be a little hurt as he circled around her.

"What then?" she asked as she felt nervous seeing him circling her.

"Well, nights are getting quite cold all alone up there. I could really use some… hmm… company."

"Excuse me?"

He smiled at her reaction.

"If I have to survive this cold winter I need more heat. And it clearly won't work if I have to be alone all night and day. And it is obvious that some of your friends are not letting me get anywhere near them."

"Oh really? I'm not surprised." she said sarcastically. "Should have thought about when you started threatening us."

"I was actually going to ask if I could get close to that bed where the child sleeps so..."

That part surely made Ashley almost lose it.

"ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?!" she yelled at him. "There is no way you are getting near her after what you did."

Goth chuckled at her answer, as if he was expecting she would say something likely. How predictable.

"I simply suggested that I would stay a little closer for you and your... friends to keep an eye on me. Making things easier for the child. But it seems you are not interes..."

"Wait!" Ashley quickly interrupted before he might turn away. "What do you mean easier for her?"

Goth smiled hearing that. It was getting so easy.

"The warmer and comfortable it is for me to sleep the less 'picky' I would be with her." he smiled as he replied.

"Even agreeing to eat whatever she will give?" She wanted to make sure about it.

It took awhile for him to answer that. "Y- Yes. Even for that."

Ashley wasn't sure she could trust him with that, but if there was any way for making it any better for Phantalmina... She has to take that chance.

"Alright then. I talk about it with others. I can't promise all that but at least something to make you get sleep better."

"Why thank you, señorita." he said charmingly and bowed gently. "I assure you, you won't regret this."

"I'm already regretting it." Ashley thought for herself as she watched Goth to go back to the dark corner he usually was.