"Stop!" screamed Celia, whipping out her gun. But they were gone. She was alone again.
In disbelief, she leaned back into the dining table, heart pounding. She had a sneaking suspicion she had just met the daughters Dimitrescu. Not wanting to repeat the pleasure, she glanced back again to the kitchen, wondering if there was a way out through the back. Before she could consider the idea, the doors to the room again slammed open.
"We have a guest! How delightful." A new voice rang out. Through the dim light filtering through the dirty windows; a figure stood illuminated. Celia felt dizzy as she the woman swooped low to clear the door jamb and stood straight again to tower over her, an undeniable likeness of the woman in the picture at the altar. Could she move things with her mind like the guy that killed Ethan? She reached for her weapon.
"An outsider, no less. And a very pretty one, at that! To what do we owe the pleasure, young one?" This must be the lady of the house. She was strikingly beautiful; if not freakishly oversized. Clad in white save for her dark hat, she loomed over Celia in a way that felt less than menacing but not exactly welcoming.
Celia tried to think of an answer. She knew this woman was affiliated with Miranda.
"Are you…are you Mrs. Dimitrescu?"
"I am Alcina Dimitrescu, the Lady of House Dimitrescu. And you?" She stepped closer. "What is your name?"
She forced a twinge of worry into her voice, hoping it made her sound meek and unthreatening. Like she didn't have the capacity to stab this woman in the neck if push came to shove. "I'm, uh…" She stepped back trying to maintain eye contact with the woman without straining her neck. "I was in a car accident. With some friends. They got hurt, and...and I was just looking for a phone. To call for help."
"Is that right?" She didn't seem convinced.
Celia continued anyway; "Yeah. I…I just need to get to a phone. I have no idea where I am. If you could help me out, I would really appreciate it."
Blood red lips parted to reveal a smile. "My, you seem awfully prepared for a little ducking whose lost their way." Celia followed her gaze to the firearm she aimed at the ground, arms outstretched and finger grazing the side of the trigger. Her tactical vest suddenly weighed heavily on her chest. Alcina took another step, closing the distance.
"Back the fuck up." Celia dropped the act. Eyes narrowed and weapon aimed at the woman's heart, she waited to feel the familiar vibrations that would indicate she shared the same demonic talents as the man in the leather hat. But nothing happened.
"Excuse me?" She didn't seem like she was asking. Celia stepped back, wondering how sturdy the locks were to the courtyard as her back pushed against the double doors.
"I said, back the fuck UP!" Celia let a round fly into the beautiful wallpaper behind the woman. A warning shot.
"How…crude." Her sneer tore into her pale, perfect face. "I should have let my daughters take their fill of you and tear you to shreds. Bleed you dry and pick the flesh from your bones. I've been hoping for a good distraction."
Moving to the far size of the dining table to put some distance between them, she swatted absent mindedly at the swarm of flies that buzzed about her head. Before she could respond to her words, Celia's jumped as a powerful body clutched tightly to hers from behind. A strong thigh wrapped around her leg, forcing her stance to widen as she struggled to maintain control. She panicked as she felt her tactical vest unzip. Strong arms framed her upper body and locked her arms, one hand around her throat caressing her jaw and squeezing her jugular; the other jamming wildly down her shirt, cupping her left breast, icy fingers running along her nipple.
A soft, warm tongue ran up the side of her throat and she stiffened as a voice purred into her ear, "Intoxicating. You smell exactly like I thought you would."
Celia stifled a moan at the unexpected intrusion. What the hell was happening?
"Daniela!" Alcina stopped moving, eyes fire and rage, matching her tone as she spoke, "What are you doing!?"
"Daniela clung tighter, her pleading voice lowering to nearly a whisper as she pulled Celia to her knees. "Mother, please let me have this one."
"Get away from her!" Alcina's voice was unsteady. "Now!"
Frozen in shock, Celia struggled between bucking the woman off and planting a bullet between the Lady's eyes. Maybe she would attempt both. She braced her knees to follow through but before she could tense her muscles to spring, she was surprised as Danielas hold turned protective, nearly tenderly stroking her cheek. The woman whispered again to her. "Don't mind mother. She's just jealous that I have you now."
At this, Alcina charged towards them.
Daniela pulled her backwards as Celia fired, almost wildly, aiming for her head but missing; smashing through the windows sending shards of glass flying. Without warning, it was like everything was moving in slow motion. Daniela threw Celia forward towards the windows while doubling over and grabbing her shoulders, moving progressively slower as she knelt to the ground.
"Mother!" She screamed. A pool of pale skin and black cloth, she clutched at her own flesh which almost appeared to calcify before her eyes.
Seeing the concern in Alcina's face and despite the feeling of guilt; she whipped back around to Daniela and planted a foot directly into her chest, slamming her backwards towards the doors leading to the main hall.
"Daniela!" Alcina moved quicker than Celia could have guessed a woman of her stature could manage and grabbing the struggling girl underneath the arms, heaved her over her shoulder and without a backwards glance, whisked her through the doors and out of the dining room – into the heart of the castle.