The Dimitrescu sisters wasted no time in leaving the run-down bar in the middle of nowhere behind. The two members of the staff that gave them no issues during the 'negotiations' were left unharmed physically, but mentally they were surely scarred by the horrible experience they just lived through.
Or maybe not. "You're on corpse disposal today, Carlos." The female said, standing up and dusting off her uniform. The man just nodded, grimly, as he looked over their ruined bar and all the corpses and blood that now decorated it.
Daniela at the wheel of their stolen car once again, the girls went on to rendezvous with the Duke's contact, near the shore.
Bela stared, unblinking, straight ahead as the car lurched back and forth. They have survived the ambush at their house and the violence that followed, yet Daniela's reckless and rough driving felt like yet another mortal challenge that had to be overcome today to the blonde.
Sharing a collective sigh of relief with Cassandra as they miraculously reached their destination in one piece, the girls disembarked the car. Approaching a small group of men and women all bearing the insignia of the Four Houses - Duke's new emblem - they all felt somewhat tense. They were just betrayed by a person not unlike these ones, after all. Cassandra hissed and was actually about to attack before a small hand on her shoulder stopped her.
"Wait, Cass! I know it's hard to trust the humans again, but we have no choice! We cannot hope to save mother by ourselves! We need their aid if we want to succeed in our endeavour!"
Feeling her elder sister's reassuring voice and sound logic, the brunette relaxed her tense shoulders and nodded, before looking into Bela's soothing amber orbs with her own vicious ones.
"You're right, as always, sister. But know this...if these humans decide to betray us too, I will have no mercy for them. Their screams will echo across the land."
Bela nodded at her younger sister, not breaking eye contact.
"I won't stop you if that happens."
Satisfied, the three sisters approached the strangers. Their likely leader - a medium height, slender woman with a ponytail in a simple dark two-piece suit greeted them warmly, thought cautiously as she saw their bloodied forms.
"Greetings, my friends. The Duke has sent us to escort you to safety of his own private ship." The woman with a black ponytail motioned at a small motorboat, moored to the shore behind them.
Bela approached the shorter woman slowly, holding her head tall. Looking down into her grey eyes, the blonde spoke softly, but firmly:
"We thank you for your assistance… you will have to forgive my sisters for being on edge. We've lived through a series of unfortunate events recently and I am afraid our patience for...lapses in loyalty has reached its limit."
The threat was clear in her statement and the shorter woman nodded, even as she slightly gulped in fear. She clearly knew that the three bloodied girls could tear her and her men apart with their bare hands, if provoked.
"Of course, my lady. There will be no lapses in loyalty here, I assure you."
Bela took a moment to scrutinize the shorter woman with her piercing amber eyes, searching for signs of deceit. Letting out a satisfied humm, the elder sister motioned for the rest of the Dimitrescu siblings to board the boat.
With everyone aboard, the motorboat was quick to depart the shoreline, heading into the ocean.
Bela let out a deep sigh of relief as she was bathed in pleasant and warm trade winds. The summer sun shined brightly down on them and the smell of salty ocean water tingled her nostrils in a satisfying way. This was a welcome respite after the carnage they had endured earlier today. The sisters took the time to clean themselves up - smeared dried blood all over and bits of flesh and brain matter in one's hair was not a way to make good impressions on their gracious host, after all.
It took them two hours to reach a large, luxurious yacht that was waiting for them in international waters. The majestic ship proudly bore its name - Nouă Speranță, on its hull. Daniela's eyes went wide at the sight as she spoke in a shocked tone.
"Is that Duke's? Wow… he sure has moved up in the world…"
Cassandra scoffed and folded her arms as she inspected the fine vessel herself. She added, scornfully.
"Thanks to our family's wealth, sister."
Bela noted diplomatically at that.
"Our wealth helped him to get where he is now, for sure. Yet you can't forget about his own vast mercantile talents and widespread connections, Cassandra. The Duke made his own fortune."
Boarding the luxurious yacht, the Dimitrescu girls were immediately greeted by the large man they all knew so well. He spoke solemnly, though his eyes blazed with determination.
"Ah, my dear girls. I am so overjoyed to see at least you three to be safe and sound. I swear it on my honor that I will do everything in my power to bring Lady Alcina back."
Bela hummed happily at that. She inspected the Duke - he hadn't changed much. Still the same morbidly obese man with a jolly smile and pristine, cherub-like face. He was now dressed sharply in an expensive-looking white suit and a pair of designer shoes. That same Four House insignia was decorating his suit, right under the heart. The blonde daughter spoke in a warm tone, after she made a small bow of respect and gratitude.
"Thank you for everything, Duke. I am truly happy to see you in good health, yourself. We have a couple of leads I wanted to discuss with you."
The rotund man smiled at that, but noted, somewhat sheepishly.
"Ah, perhaps that can wait for a bit? We are actually on the way to pick up two more passengers, and trust me when I tell you - this concerns them as much as it does you three. It will only be fair for him to take part in planning our next move."
A list of potential people run through Bela's bright head at that.
Whoever could he mean by that, hmm? Two more passengers… 'him'? Well, it doesn't matter. If Duke feels like we need this man to save mother, I'll trust him.
We could use some time to unwind and relax ourselves. Rushing forward blindly never worked out well for anyone.
"I see… Well, let's make ourselves at home as we wait for the mysterious guests, girls. A small break will do us some good."
Even though the Dimitrescu girls wanted to attempt to rescue their mother as quickly as possible, they were all utterly exhausted from the bloody events of the day. Nodding their tired heads, they went deeper inside the yacht, in search of food and rest. The crew was more than accommodating.
Daniela, still worried sick about her beloved mother, was agitated and engorged herself on all kinds of sweet snacks that were offered to her. She had a habit of eating vast amounts of sweets when nervous. She soon found herself an empty bed and quickly fell asleep, though even in dreams, she was restless.
Cassandra, more independent and aloof by nature, could relax easier, trusting Bela and Duke to get them out of this mess. The brunette went ahead to sunbathe on the yacht's upper tier. The crew, apparently informed about her violent and unpredictable ways, gave her the space without complaint. She would occasionally call out for food and drink, that would be provided immediately.
Bela was ravenous. Unlike her sisters, she never stopped to take a bite out of their assailants or victims today. Locating a canteen, she proceeded to devour vast quantities of meat, cooked rare as she liked it. The crew watched in horror as the slender woman consumed enough to last a grown adult male for days, in mere minutes.
After that, Bela took her time to get acquainted with the ship and its crew, making small, casual conversations to learn about its history. She was ever curious. After thirty minutes of walking around or so, feeling tired, she snoozed off - curled in a sofa in a corner of some hallway. A couple of her flies detached themselves from her body to keep watch, and to wake her up if something warranted her attention.
Ethan, Rose and Tom unknowingly repeated the journey undertaken by the three sisters some hours ago.
Instead of using a boat, the small group was picked up by a helicopter. The aircraft was small, but fast and sturdy and, surprising Ethan, it took the group half the way across the Atlantic ocean.
Rose took all the recent events like a true champion and barely complained or even cried about her suddenly missing mother or the fact that she was yanked out of her bed in the middle of the night to travel God knows where. How Ethan wished to ease the tiny girl's burdens, yet if she had any, she kept them locked tight inside herself. The daughter was eager for any comfort offered, however and would always lean eagerly into the father's loving hugs. Ethan secretly hoped someone would comfort him, too.
Tom tried to entertain the child as well as her distraught father with some fancy card tricks, but quickly gave up as they only rewarded him with blank stares for his effort. The journey by air took around twelve hours. Ethan felt like it was the longest twelve hours of his life. He dozed off a couple of times, no longer than an hour each time.
The tiny girl at his side was snoring lightly as they finally reached what looked like their destination - a large, luxurious yacht with a small helipad in the front. Gently waking up his daughter, they disembarked the helicopter as it landed on the ship.
They were met by the familiar and unchanged shape of the Duke as well as a smaller woman with a ponytail at his side. Tom walked briskly to the woman and gave her a small hug, which she returned gladly. Duke was quick to raise his massive arms into air, in a warm greeting, as he spoke, in his same old jolly tone.
"What a joy it is to see you again, after all this time, Mister Winters! And the beautiful young Rosemary, as well! I only wish it was under better circumstances we were reunited."
Ethan could only nod respectfully, before thanking the owner of the ship.
"I can't thank you enough for all the help you've provided for us already, Duke. And here you are again, bailing my ass out of the fire once more… Rose, say hello to the nice man… We owe a lot to him."
The small girl who was hiding behind her dad's leg, stepped forth to give a shy "hello". She was clearly scared of the large man.
Giving a mirthful laugh, Duke makes an inviting gesture to his guests. He speaks in the mock confidant tone next.
"We have some interesting mutual acquaintances on board, Mister Winters. I think you will be overjoyed to meet some of them, after all this time."
Tom asks his female colleague, at that: "How did that meeting go, Millie?"
The woman shudders and answers, as if recalling a particularly unpleasant memory: "Ugh, don't even ask. I think I'll be seeing these freakish yellow eyes in my nightmares for the rest of my life."
Ethan can only stare dumbly at that.
Mutual acquaintances? Yellow eyes? They can't mean…'them'...can they?
As the group made their way down from the helipad, the blonde father heard the unerringly familiar gentle voice calling out to him. He never expected to hear that beautiful, melodical tone ever again.
"Ethan…?"
Looking at the source of the voice, Ethan can't believe his eyes.
There stands the changed, yet unmistakable figure of Bela Dimitrescu, the kind vampire who aided him in his biggest hour of need two years ago.
One would struggle to connect this gorgeous woman with the bloodied, black-clad and grey-skinned vampire from that time.
Bela, dressed in simple shoes and a long, bright yellow summer dress that went down to her knees, has her own wide molten gold eyes locked on Ethan in disbelief. She is remarkably less pale than she was two years ago - her skin now is almost healthy-looking. She still has her ruby pendant and the black flower tattoo on her forehead, yet it looks remarkably less sinister with the rest of her current outfit to go along with. She also still has her long, soft-looking locks of blonde hair, almost shining in sunlight. The only visible indication that she is, in fact, a dangerous and powerful creature are some smears of dried blood on her summer dress.
Taken aback by the shock of seeing Bela again and her undeniable radiant beauty Ethan can only stare at her as he mumbles out her name.
"Bela…?"
It's like the rest of the world ceased to exist for a moment and just two of them were left, staring at each other, two pairs of wide eyes. As they slowly approached one another, the woman couldn't help but admire the man herself. Clearly he kept himself in shape in the two years they were apart. His kind, grey-brown eyes were locked onto her own amber orbs. His unkempt dirty blond hair and dark circles under the eyes spoke volumes about the stress he had experienced in the last two weeks. Yet he was, obviously to her, still the same kind and enduring man that she had entrusted her own family's fate to. The strength and conviction in his gaze was indisputable. Here was a man who would venture into Hell and back for those he called family. A kindred soul to Bela.
As they stopped mere inches from one another, still as if entranced by each other's mere presence, so far away from where they originally met - their eyes were on the same level now.
"Hi…" Ethan mumbled awkwardly, his brain denying him the capacity for a more complex greeting at the moment.
"Hi…" She repeated, softly, her expression serene once again. The spoken words were enough to finally break the trance the two found themselves in. The rest of the world returned and the kindred souls found a number of gazes locked on them, some with mirth and some with surprise in them.
"Oh, perhaps we should give you two some space? Let's get going, friends!" Says the Duke cheerfully, even as he motions for his two helpers to move along, soon leaving just Bela, Ethan and Rose in that part of the ship.
Humming awkwardly, Bela takes her time to admire the daughter at the father's side. The girl looks back at the tall woman with unbridled curiosity in her eyes, yet shows no fear. Bela kneels down before the fateful child.
"And you are young Rose, I presume… My, you've grown so big already! Did daddy tell you everything he had to go through for your sake? I am Bela, by the way! So nice to finally meet you...whole."
Ethan, with a slight blush of his own at their awkward reunion finally finds his capacity for coherent speech back. Rose kept quiet, clearly too busy drinking in the strange woman's features to respond.
"Oh, come on, Bela… She is just a small kid, she doesn't need to know all this stuff…"
Giggling at that, the woman stood back up to her full height before giving Ethan another long gaze.
The man felt heat coming back to his face at such close proximity to her piercing, yet kind eyes and especially her soft, full lips. He still remembered their touch upon his cheek two years ago, the gesture was just that shocking. He would be lying to himself if he said he never thought about her again after leaving Romania. Her unexpected kindness in that dark, cold place full of nothing but death and misery. Her sharp wit, surprisingly gentle touch and fair features came to him in pleasant dreams more than once.
Bela brought a single, dainty hand up as if to cup Ethan's cheek, the same one she kissed so long ago. Before she could do so, they were interrupted by a shrill cry of delight.
"Bela! You have to try this strawberry cake… Oh my God! Is that Mister Winters!?"
Daniela the redhead wasted no time in leaping at the shocked man and grasping him in her death-grip, smearing his back with her cake meanwhile. Her slender frame belied her inhuman strength and the man felt the breath pushed out from his lungs at her bone-crushing embrace.
Carefully prying her younger sister off Ethan, Bela looked at them both with fondness in her eyes. Daniela just mumbled happily.
"Bela told us about what you did, Mister Winters! How you went against Miranda herself to save us all from her! I am so sorry for what we did to you before! Can you ever forgive us?"
Even though Daniela never made quite the impression on Ethan like her two sisters did, he still remembered her wild, crazy eyes well.
Just like Bela, the redhead was no longer in her sinister black robed dress and instead had a beautiful, colorful summer dress on her slender frame. Her wide yellow eyes contained genuine, undisguised mirth. She never harmed or helped Ethan, yet he could still remember the clear implication made by Cassandra that her passiveness only came from the fact that she was fell-sated back then. Not to mention the redhead's own stated desire to devour his flesh... Still, he wasn't petty enough to hold something she would have potentially done to him against her now. She looked so carefree and happy right now, the man couldn't help but give her a warm smile back, even as he felt pieces of smeared cake dribble down his back.
"It's fine, Daniela. I forgive you."
Squealing in joy, the redhead spinned in place, before suddenly making Ethan's blood chill in his veins at her next gesture.
Her slim hand shot into a pistol holster that was tied to her leg and quickly grabbed a Desert Eagle before aiming it right at his head. Even as she did the threatening gesture, she spoke in her mirthful voice, her mouth wide in a cheerful grin and with no malice in her eyes whatsoever.
"Look, Mister Winters! I am a gunslinger like you now! BANG BANG!"
Bela was quick to force Daniela to lower the firearm, gently but firmly pushing her hands down. The blonde woman gave a sheepish laugh as she spoke.
"Sorry Ethan! Cassandra gave us some lessons with guns when she picked up that hobby, but she obviously skipped the firearm safety course… I see we need to remedy this issue immediately…"
With guilt in her eyes now, Daniela spoke meekly.
"Did I do something wrong again..?"
Looking at her sister fondly, Bela, nevertheless, spoke in her harsh, elder sister tone.
"Yes, Daniela! Never point a gun at anyone you don't want to kill! Most people aren't like us, they can't survive being hit in the head with that thing!"
The redhead frowned before speaking, sounding truly apologetic.
"I am sorry sister… I am sorry Mister Winters! I didn't mean any harm... "
Ethan could only awkwardly run a hand through his dirty blonde hair at the sight. The redhead seemed completely genuine, if impulsive in everything she did. At her honest, remorseful expression he found himself to be unable to be truly cross at the woman.
"It's fine, Daniela...just don't do it again, alright?"
Nodding her head vigorously, Daniela's eyes fell upon the small girl behind Ethan. Gasping in delight at the sight, she wanted to immediately leap at the child, but to father's relief, was held back by Bela.
"Is that little Rose!? OH MY GOD! SHE IS SO CUTE! Can I play with her!? I will be super gentle, I swear! Oh, I could eat her right up! Well, not literally... I mean I guess I could... not that I ever would...ugh...nevermind!"
The volume and the pitch of her voice almost made Ethan want to cover his ears with his hands. Feeling apprehensive at the notion of leaving his precious angel at the unstable redheaded woman's side, he looked at Bela, pleading with her with his eyes. Understanding his discomfort, the blonde woman nodded and spoke softly, yet with finality in her tone.
"Perhaps later, Dani? Ethan and his daughter are surely exhausted from their own journey. We should not bother them too much."
The crazy woman pouted, but relented and smiling gently on Ethan and Rose, spoke, sounding genuinely happy.
"I am so glad to see you guys here… We have had some hard times ourselves… It's so nice to see some more friendly faces. We will surely save mother now!"
Pumping her fist into the air at the last exclamation, the redhead went back into the innards of the ship, likely in search of more sweet treats. Looking at Bela questionably, Ethan didn't have to wait long for elaboration. She spoke even as she approached him from behind, to clean his simple blue shirt from the confection still glued to it with a handkerchief she produced.
"Some people abducted mother, Ethan. We aim to get her back. We could use your help again, if you'd be willing to aid us after everything, of course…"
To say Ethan was shocked at the news would be an understatement.
Their mother? The nine-foot plus lady with blades for fingernails? Who would be foolish enough to kidnap her? Could it be the same people Mia went to work for, perhaps... Who else would possibly have the resources and the motivation to go for Lady Dimitrescu herself? Jesus Christ…
"I'll help. If these are the same people I think they are, I have a debt to settle with them myself."
Not wanting to pry into his reasons for the moment, the woman was grateful for his quick acceptance. It was time to talk with the Duke. Heading to the yacht owner's cabin, Ethan and Rose following, Bela murmured softly.
"Thank you, Ethan. Mother means the world to us…Regardless of circumstances, I am truly glad to meet you here. If we have to undertake this journey, there are few people I'd want to have at my side as much as you."
Touched at the woman's words, the blonde man responded quietly.
"Same. It seems like we found ourselves in another mess...but I am sure we can come out of it in one piece if we work together. It's… nice to see you again, by the way…"
Giggling at his shy tone for a few seconds, Bela could only humm in satisfaction. She was more than merely content at this sudden turn of events. She thought more than once about the man now trailing behind her. How he turned from just one more victim in their dungeons to their savior. And he was quite easy on the eyes, too… Her heart melted as he started to gently soothe the small girl walking at his side.
And a fine father too… no matter what the cruel world throws at you, you just keep going forward, to protect the ones you love…
Bela spoke softly as she slowly walked forward.
"It's nice to see you too, Ethan. I'll make sure my sister won't pester you too much. Daniela is a bit more excitable than normal because of the stress right now, but I am sure you guys will get along splendidly. She is a good person. My dear sisters can be...hard to deal with, sometimes, but they will both behave."
At that, Ethan's heart skipped a beat. A thought he desperately tried to ignore before was now his only concern.
'Both sisters'... Cassandra is here too then, lurking somewhere in the ship, no doubt…
He remembered the brunette sister well. She also appeared in his dreams, occasionally. Or, more accurately, his nightmares. Her wicked, cruel giggling as she violated his flesh with her dirty knife. Her insane, merciless eyes never breaking contact with his own.
Ethan couldn't help but gulp at the unwelcome realization that he will, very likely, have to meet her again soon.
The universe must truly get a kick from having him suffer, since, at that very moment, from the opposite hall the man heard the familiar cruel voice, saying his name exactly the same way she did the last time, two years ago.
"Ethan."
Stopping dead in his tracks, the man turned to face his foe. He was not a person easily cowed, not after everything he went through. Yet he would lie if he said he was not afraid of Cassandra.
Locking his gaze with her own immediately, he couldn't help but gulp, audibly. She looked different now, just like her sisters - more human; yet her aura of unmistakable malice was still the same. Her burning eyes promised him unspeakable agony. For a couple of tense moments they stood, doing nothing but staring into each other's eyes. Ethan could tell that the psycho's fingers were twitching erratically, even without looking at them.
Finally, the staring contest was interrupted by Bela, who stood in between them and let out a loud sigh, before speaking, in an authoritative voice that brooked no argument.
"That's enough, Cassandra. You're not to hurt Mister Winters in any way or form. Is that understood?"
Cassandra grinned evilly, making Ethan doubt the sincerity of her next words.
"Sure thing, mom. Whatever you say."
Walking past the elder sister, who clicked her tongue in annoyance at the defiant tone, Cassandra winked at Ethan and went to do whatever it is she wanted to do, showing them her backside.
Finally having a chance to look down from her cruel eyes, the man was astounded to note her state of undress. The brunette had nothing but a two-piece black bikini on her, showing off her pale skin and more than that - her very athletic-looking and just-right curvy body. Her musculature was well-defined and her long, toned legs wouldn't look out of place on a marathon runner. Ethan wasn't sure if his next gulp came from fear...or some other emotion.
Dat ass…
"Admiring my sister, already? And here I was worried you two wouldn't get along…"
The blonde that was at his side now spoke playfully, though her yellow eyes were narrowed just slightly.
Red in the face from embarrassment, Ethan just cleared his throat and went ahead to the owner's cabin, Rosemary following him along.
For whatever reason, he was now dying to know whether Cassandra had such an athletic build even before her infection, or if their mimicry of the human form was advanced enough to allow for further development after. He gave voice to his query, sounding sheepish.
Bela just hummed before responding with a mysterious but playful tone.
"Wouldn't you like to know?"
This will be an interesting journey, for sure…
Author's Note:
Sorry for the longer-than-normal wait for this update. Finished my other major story and the evil Cassandra oneshot I wanted to write so now I can focus completely on this work! Hope this update will be worth the wait, though! It's really fun for me to write the sisters and I just hope I did their personalities justice in this chapter.
Also, just to make it clear, Ethan is not a horny dog in this story, but he is a man of culture and can appreciate the assets of the fair gender.