Disclaimer: I don't own the Beauty and the Beast story, characters, or anything like that.

In one swift movement she scooped up Chevell and leaped over the bolt of red magic that undoubtedly came from the woman she hated most.

"Clara!" came the oily shout. "Leaving so soon?!"

Clara stopped in her tracks and slowly spun to face the hag. The woman returned her stare with a smug smile and sinister eyes.

"You wouldn't want the Master to find out you're abandoning his favorite servant, now would you?" the black-robed sorceress asked, her voice dripping with evil.

"Spare me of your empty threats this one time Babette. I have no interest in serving your Master today," replied Clara.

"Empty threats you say? I think we both know that I always come through on my threats," she said, eyeing the little boy, a malicious glint in her eyes, "Don't think I don't know where he came from," she said, indicating Chevell.

"I don't know what you're talking about." came Clara's reply, anger and fear growing inside her.

Babette laughed, her high pitched cackling scratching at Clara's ears, "Who do you think told the Master about him? How do you think he knew to kill-"

"NO!" cried Clara. She whipped her hand forward. A boiling torrent of water flowed from her palm, surging toward the woman. Babbete's eyes widened in surprise and she spun-throwing her hands up. A red ball of light appeared around her, covering her from the searing heat. Clara pushed a large swell of water at her and dashed for the door, her apron flapping behind her. She crashed through the door. Wasting no time, she turned swiftly and thrust her hand at the door, now glowing violet, becoming stronger. Not bothering to see if her protection had worked she ran into a room and slammed the door. Sliding down the wall, she came to rest at the floor, breathing out deeply.

"That was close, wasn't it Chevell?" she asked her son, smiling slightly.

"Yeah momma. You sure showed her!" he reached up and patted her shoulder, "Good job."

Chuckling slightly, Clara replied, "Thank you Chev." Looking at his face, her smile turned into a look of concern. "Uh-oh, it looks like you've got a little scratch on your head," she said, wiping the tiny cut with her apron. "Are you going to be alright?"

"Yeah!" he replied, puffing his tiny chest out.

She looked at him tenderly. If only she could keep him in this place, this place of peace. Not the room, the walls would be broken easily; too much like every other shelter she tried to make for him. She had been foolish to think that... to think that this place could possibly keep them safe. True, it was a huge castle full of powerful magicians, but it only shone pristinely on the outside. On the inside it was dark, evil and cruel. She wished that she could have stayed with Garon, he would have kept her and Chevell safe. He was strong, smart, and so very wise.

But that was in the past, and now the Spectrans were here to save them. She had to get Chevell to safety, she had to bring him up. He reminded her so much of Garon: his golden hair, his love of people, his eyes. Those same eyes that were looking up at her curiously, expecting her to take care of him, because she was his mother, and she was never, ever, going to let him get hurt.

Clara slowly stood up. She brushed off her apron, straightened her purple hat, and took her son's hand into her own. She looked into his dark, sparkling eyes.

"Let's go Chev; it's time to go to the library." she said.

"Are you going to read me a story?" he asked.

"Not this time, but I promise I'll tell you one soon enough." she replied, smiling inwardly at his innocence. She pushed the door open, slowly peering into the corridor.

Yes, the chapters are short. I'll be fixing that.

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