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littlelesbinonny · 1 year ago

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The Devil’s Den

Chapter 14: In Which A Plunge Takes Place

You can read this also on Ao3 at:

https://archiveofourown.org/works/46831621/chapters/117962293

"Alcina!"

A voice called after her.

"Alcina!!"

She was really in no mood to be bothered. She had just had a most rewarding night with you, and now bloody what.

Turning on her heels with a prominent eye-roll, there trotting after her on the cobblestone street was Angie.

Oh. Wonderful.

Her face was alight with glee, for what she didn't know, nor was she so sure she wanted to. Whenever something concerned Angie, it was likely mayhem or destruction. Or hurt feelings. Not hers, of course.

With a huff to ward off her annoyance, Alcina offered a small smile and considered the much shorter, raggedy blonde now in front of her.

"Yes, dear Angie?"

"It's Victoria's fledgling," she grinned wide, "he's done it again! That's what, the fifth, or sixth human kill offense?"

Fuck.

She blinked hard and sighed once more.

"Bring him and Victoria to the council chamber hall immediately," Alcina commanded with an authoritative voice that sent a thrilling shiver down Angie's spine, "alert the other council seats, they are to be present as well. I shall not be long."

With a sharp turn she was off.

Angie wiggled her eyebrows excitedly at Alcina's word, a knowing smile creeping up on her lips as the remaining scent of you was clinging to the Matriarch like a thunder cloud as she walked away. Still, that was something else. Tonight, er, this morning, blood would be shed!

Off like a dash she went to round everyone up.

The council chamber hall was large and very reminiscent to a gothic cathedral. The pillars were tall, built from the ground to the ceiling, filling the large domed area with an ominous presence. In the middle was a large rectangular sunken floor, surrounded by 3 wide steps to the higher level, which, to one side lead up to the highest platform; a large seat against the large stone wall for the reigning Monarch at the time to sit during meetings such as this, and standing room for the other 10 council members.

Along the long, large four walls were tapestries painted depicting scenes of the many wars, the only one without bloodshed was the one where the Monarch sat. It depicted the peace treaty and alliance that was settled under Alcina's reign. Many regarded it as the most important, as it should sit above any and all Monarchs henceforth.

The long chamber was now filled with the council members and any other lycan or vampire who wished to view the trial. Word didn't sit idle underground, so damn near the whole city was packed into the room.

Everyone was buzzing very quietly to themselves. The two on trial were in the middle of the sunken floor, accompanied by two lycan guards, Gerard and Mateo, appointed by Alcina.

Victoria and the offender stood side by side, the offender chained by his wrists.

The hushed whispers and commentary were interrupted by the sound of pronounced heels clicking on the stone floors, the impending arrival of the Matriarch silencing everyone as the hush echoed loudly.

Alcina stepped into the chamber through the large dark archway with her daughters in file behind her. She was wearing a black dress, very similar to the white one she wore for council meetings, and her large brimmed hat. The girls mirrored their mother's fashion by donning black flowing dresses with plunging necklines. Each of them silent, unlike their mother.

With shallow nods to the vampires and lycans who offered them as she passed, she glided up the steps like wind, nodded to the council members, Donna the most embellished, and took her seat. Her girls stood in the wings.

She was truly a terrifying sight. Her beauty unmatched, her grand stature, her height, and wicked look upon her face.

Yes. She was the epitome of a ruthless Matriarch.

Eying Victoria and her fledgling, Alcina lifted her head just slightly and basked in the utter silence.

"Victoria Braithwaite," she stated, her melodious voice ringing through the hall, "it has come to my attention that Matthew Torrence, your fledgling, continues to disobey our laws. How do you plead?"

She was a scrawny thing. Strawberry blonde hair, plain, yet striking blue eyes. She shifted on her feet and stepped forward.

"Lady Dimitrescu, please, consider leniency. He is my first fledgling."

Alcina raised her brow unamused.

"First or fiftieth, you know the laws," she said, tilting her head towards Donna, "how many offenses are we aware of?"

"Seven, my Lady Dimitrescu."

Donna's answer sent a rustling of whispers through the crowd and Alcina cleared her throat, silencing it immediately.

"That is four offenses over the limit, Victoria. I ask you again; how do you plead?"

The young vampire at Victoria's side looked to her as if hoping for a lie. He was also scrawny, but his face held trickery and something else Alcina didn't like.

"How do you plead?" Alcina's voice became louder and sharp.

Victoria startled and looked back at the Matriarch, "G-guilty, My Lady."

Silence settled in harder than before, all eyes now on Alcina awaiting her ruling.

She rose slowly and stepped forward to the steps, looking down on the two vampires with an unreadable expression.

"Then it is my duty to judge accordingly; death by sun for the fledgling. As it is apparent he cannot be controlled or taught. Mateo please escort - "

By some wild insanity and ignorance the young vampire snarled and lunged at Alcina.

No one could be sure what was heard first; the collective gasps, the yank of the chain around his wrists, Daniela, Cassandra and Bela shrieking as they fled forward to protect their mother, or Alcina meeting him head on in full blood-rage form.

Slashing, screeching, and gurgling rang out through the chamber. She sliced him to complete ribbons with her claws, eyes as black as her dress, that color the only thing from showing the splattering of blood all over her clothing. Her pale grey skin however displayed it proudly as she stood over his body, twitching, and eventually slumping still as blood gushed with one more surge from his mangled throat.

Those black eyes peered over to Victoria who was stumbling away from the towering Monarch, her own wide with fear.

Alcina didn't move, still slightly hunched from the kill, merely watching her as she tumbled her way to a cold stone step and stayed solid as a rock.

"I say this once, and only once to all in this room..." her tone was icy and gravely, "our laws are not to be trifled with. Follow them. Or meet the same fate as this pitiful excuse for a vampire."

Angie was chuckling as quietly as she could on the sidelines, Karl was repositioning his hat, Donna was standing unmoved and tall, and Salvatore was already slithering off through the side door.

"Mateo, Gerard, throw his body in the sun tower," she commanded flatly as she began to transform back to some normalcy.

They nodded in compliance. Alcina returned the nod, hiked up her dress gently, stepped over the blood pooling on the floor and took leave herself. Her daughters were right behind her.

"Is everyone just like, losing their collective minds down here, or what?" Angie asked nudging Mitch, "who the fuck thinks it's a good idea to challenge the Matriarch. I mean, that's two vamp deaths in like, two-ish months. Maybe Alcina is just on a roll, I love it when she's on a roll, she can kill anyone in front of me any day, she's such a boss ass bitch."

"Ang," Donna said gently walking towards the group, "please... these really are serious matters, could you try to at least pretend to be a quiet, somewhat reverent council member?"

"Look, we all know I am many things, many many things, all of which are not quiet or reverent. And that's why I'm so loved."

The only one not trying to hide their eyeroll was Karl.

"Listen pixie dust storm, we're all very aware."

Angie cackled again and took off on her own in a flash.

Donna, Mitch, and Karl stood at the back watching the guards dragging off the mess of what was a body. Victoria had dashed as soon as Alcina took her eyes off her, and everyone else was filing out, off to continue their gossip and lives as if nothing had happened.

The city was exceptionally silent as she walked her way back to the manor, even with her girls in tow. Alcina was trying to dab away the remaining blood on her exposed chest, face, and neck with a handkerchief Bela had offered her. It didn't seem to be doing much good.

The girls were nervously eying each other behind her.

Blood-rage usually took several hours to come down from, however their mother had seemed to put it to bed in a matter of minutes.

That wasn't normal.

Without a word they deduced this had to do with you. The changes taking place in their mother over the last generous two months was easily apparent to them. They hoped it wasn't so for too many others here in the underground.

Alcina had hardly touched any blood wine in weeks. She was mellow. Sedate, even. And yet she was softer and more prevalent in giving them all affection than she had been in many years. It was wonderful, but it was also concerning.

As they entered the large gates and wafted through the courtyard, Alcina opened the front door and allowed them in before her with a wave of her hand, accompanied by a pleasantly soft smile.

"Are you turning in for the day, girls?" she questioned taking off her hat.

They exchanged some glances and nodded.

"Yes, I think so mother," Cassandra answered.

Alcina mused on her reply with a hum.

"Well, sleep sound my darlings," that low timbre cooed, reaching out to kiss them all on their foreheads, admiring each beautiful face with a sweet grin, "I shall see you come evening."

"You too, mama," Daniela replied slipping her arms around her waist, holding her tightly.

The other two joined the embrace and Alcina hummed warmly, that smile growing wider.

"My sweet daughters... now, off to bed with you. Rest."

Karl was puffing on another cigar; this was easily his third in an hour.

He was tinkering with another contraption that had been shelved for a while. He couldn't really remember why, until the rogue wire he was trying to reconnect shocked the ever-loving shit out of him. The whole thing sparking and puffing out tiffs of smoke.

"Shit! Piss! Motherfucker!" he spat shaking his hand after jerking it away.

"Son of a bitch - now I remember, you piece of hunkin', fuckin', piss-ant, no good -"

Continuing to throw and grumble expletives while rubbing his hand, he kicked the thing off his bench, mumbling and murmuring, unaware of the presence now watching from the door of his shop.

Donna was smiling only gently leaning up against the door, one arm folded under her chest while the other tried to hide the grin.

"I see nothing has changed much in this shop of yours," she offered.

His head snapped up and a large puff of smoke left his lips, his good hand scratching the stubble on his cheek.

"Yeah well, some hunks of junk just can't be fixed either," he kicked it one more time for posterity.

She chuckled as then neatly folded her hands behind her back, "may I?"

"Of course."

Karl grabbed two chairs that were the least dirty and plopped them together in the cleanest area of his shop, taking a seat himself, legs splayed and slumping.

"Why are you still up this late?" Donna asked, resting a little uneasy on the chair.

He eyed her with another puff of his cigar. He knew where this was going.

"Why are you up this late."

Wasn't a question. He knew why she was here.

Donna sighed. Eyes trailing off to settle on an unknown object for rest, an anchor for the time being while her thoughts tried to dismantle the tangle.

"I'm worried about her."

Karl sat still.

"I don't know how to help her."

"I'm not really sure what you want me to say," he said quietly, "the door is shut tight?"

She peered back to him and nodded quickly.

At her affirmation he scooted closer and hunkered his forearms on his legs, "Spill, D."

"You saw what happened tonight. I don't know if anyone else noticed. But her control, her strength, it's double what it used to be. She killed that boy with a finesse I've never seen from her, and I've known her for long enough, I..." Donna's tone dropped off, her face growing slightly severe, "it's that human," her voice now a whisper, "there is something about that human. I don't know what she is, but she has changed Alcina. I don't know how. But I have never seen a vampire recover that quickly from blood-rage, Karl, never."

He had to chew on her words. Yes, he'd seen it.

"Well... I don't know what to tell ya, D."

"Tell me you're with us, with me, with her, if something happens," Donna shot off quickly, "tell me I can trust you, and your men, if something goes awry, no matter what it is."

Karl could feel the apprehension radiating off the slender woman, her fear and uncertainty closer to the surface than he can ever recall. He didn't understand the whole of vampires, wouldn't even pretend to, but he knew where his loyalties were. He and his men didn't swear allegiance to Alcina lightly. She had proven herself to him, to them, over and over and they would die by her side. They would protect her, whatever that entailed.

"Of course. We're with you."

It was 10 AM when you finally got out of bed. Alcina had drank a lot from you last night. You weren't complaining. But damn you were sore, and kind of tired.

You turned on the light as you entered the bathroom and eyed your naked body with a grin. The faint pricks in the shape of her teeth were scattered all over you. A hum of satisfaction rumbled in your throat and you started the shower.

The desire inside you to pay her back all the pleasure she had given you was growing insatiable. Sex was usually so cheap for you; never had a partner that connected deeply enough, never satisfying the need you had. But her? The two of you hadn't even had sex and you'd had more pleasure than you could possibly account for.

But this was so much more than the physical bliss.

She had invigorated and stimulated every sense within you. Made you think, made you dream, made you alive and eager for life.

That was a fucking miracle.

Who knew a vampire, a creature of the undead, could make you feel life.

All you wanted was make her feel the same way.

Your day was slow and so were you.

Perhaps you'd both been a little more vigorous than you should have been.

Oh well.

The contented state you found just watching the cloudy day go by was easy; the sun shifted here and there through the clouds until they all seemed to scatter and hide permanently behind the reaching brick buildings. The blue of the heavens was pale and soft and you felt the heaviness in your eyelids tip over slowly.

Your bean bag chair cuddled you up and the lights went out.

In the darkness there was a familiar glow of golden eyes, half lidded and glorious. Calm. Tender, for whom they belonged.

It was quiet.

It was peaceful.

You felt protected even when she wasn't around.

A cool caress pulled you oh so carefully from your slumber and soon you were looking back into those eyes you loved so much. But now they were grey; deep skies of thunder and rain. So beautiful.

"Alcina..." you whispered, a smile quickly appearing as your bearings came back into focus. The view outside your balcony door was much different. Black skies, orange light beaming up and out of the architecture. You sighed.

"Well shit, seems I slept the day away."

She was softer looking than usual; a light grey jacket tonight, long, not form fitting in the slightest. But the usual black pants, and shorter, ankle height black heeled boots.

What a fucking vision.

This woman could grace the cover of one fashion magazine and ruin it for every other model in living, breathing existence.

Alcina couldn't help the toothy grin as she peered down at you, your eyes alight despite your weary nature.

"Mmm, I am not surprised in the slightest. I may have been a little too greedy with you last night, draga mea," she smoothed the air with her voice, outstretching a slender hand, "come... I have just the thing."

Her body reacted tenderly to your grasp as she pulled you up and into her arms. You flooded her with a crawling sensation of withdrawal; every guard she had once possessed seemed to lay down arms and take a seat on lush grass, lose their sense of self and urgency and just be. Just be.

You little wonder.

Alcina clasped her hands about your face gently and kissed you just the same, enjoying the slowness for once, taking time to remember you were still human. Frail. Not unbreakable. And, easy to hurt.

That was the last thing she ever wanted.

There wasn't a bone in your body you weren't sure wasn't turning to rubber and bending to her unspoken will. Alcina was pure command, pure direction, and dictation. She was in control, plain and simple. And what-the-fuck-ever. Were you gunna say no?

"Mmmmm. And what is this 'thing'?" you inquired slumping into her grasp, the lazy smirk on your lips making her arch that perfect eyebrow.

"Oh, well, that... I have to show you."

She winked.

And then you were on the roof of the apartment complex.

You would never get used to how fast she moved.

Ever.

The blur of movement and scenery left the butterflies in the pit of your stomach confused, shrieking, and running into each other. You had to shake your head to recollect.

You'd never been on the roof before but you were positive there was never a lovely little love-seat, tiny end table, and candles up here.

Alcina had left you there as she drifted towards the table and pulled something from the inside of her coat, placing it on the table. Turning to you she offered her long arm once again to you, beckoning you to her as she pulled you in and held you close.

It was darker up here, the light from far below creating a most perfect ambience. On top of the roofs of all of New York was a favorite for Alcina. Alone. Secluded. No one to see or bother. And now she had you all alone in a world closer to her own.

You snuggled into her. Ready to surrender to sleep in an instant. This was a little too cute and perfect.

"Draga mea... you poor, poor thing, I can tell how absolutely exhausted you are," she cooed, stroking your back and kissing the shell of your ear, "come, I brought you an elixir to help with the drastic drain. I thought perhaps we could watch the stars tonight, enjoy each others company in a gentler light."

There wasn't much time for your reply. Alcina had taken you by the hand and sat you on the quaint couch, grabbed the small bottle from the table and sat beside you.

You couldn't be sure what color the liquid was, but it seemed to be a dark blue or green.

A slight chuckle escaped Alcina's crimson lips, she could hear your question before you could even formulate it.

"It is an old elixir from when humans were still kept as pets; when a vampire and their human would get carried away, much as we did last night, the human would drink this to help aid in their healing and recovery," Alcina caressed your cheek lovingly, "I promise draga, it is completely safe, I would never give you anything that would harm you."

That warmed you.

"I know, I trust you."

Somehow your admission stumbled and calmed both of you.

You knew she was a vicious, dangerous, deadly killer. But to you, she was just Alcina. Your vampire. Your unintended, unexpected, unyielding saving grace.

She knew, too.

Popping out the cork, not even bothering to smell it, you downed it in one gulp. The surprise of it not tasting like absolute shit was very welcomed. It was a bit of a floral flavor, maybe a bit earthy, but other than that it was smooth on the way down.

Sitting back into the couch you eyed her intently.

"How many pets have you had in your day?" you asked kindly, yet curiouser than you'd care to admit.

Alcina wasn't sure if she hid the sting on her face as that question pierced her through the chest.

But, she wasn't going to lie to you. She had decided a long while ago that no matter what you asked, she would answer. Secrets did no one a favor in a life like this. At least, not in this situation. Repeating what happened with Madeleine was something she never wanted to do again.

"One," she stated carefully, "and truly, calling her a pet is... crude, at best," she took a shallow breath and released it slowly, but Alcina kept her eyes hooked to yours, "I never liked the term. For many, or possibly all vampires, it fits. Perhaps too well. But for me... I never saw her as such. I didn't consider myself her owner, as if she was chained like an animal to me and my will, that she was property for me to command and do as I pleased. No. She was... a connection. A living, breathing, thinking, feeling, person all her own."

You watched as her eyes trailed away as her memories drug her down a jagged path.

You needed to get her back.

"What was her name?"

Oh, your question was so soft. Alcina smiled gently, the remains of a doleful wince lilting as the name sounded in her head.

"Madeleine."

"That's pretty," you smiled brighter, trying to keep this light, "tell me more about her? I mean, if you want."

Alcina leaned back into the arm of the couch and beckoned you into her, you complied and she settled there with you, her eyes drifting to the very pale pin-pricks of light in the black blanket above. Damn city light pollution.

"Well... what to tell..."

The two of you lay there, Alcina regaling you once again of stories from her past; this time about her love, her human, Madeleine. How she was a beautiful thing; a curly haired red-head barely into her 30's, tall, slender, cheek bones you could cut glass with, and a sad and broken heart of a child she lost far too young. The bonding they shared, the deep connection and learned and respected differences and similarities that complimented the two so perfectly. How hours between them seemed to slip by the same way it did for the two of you, and how she and Madeleine would steal away any moment they could until the sun was clawing it's way to the surface; a demon hell-bent to rip them apart. As always.

The story had fizzled out and you felt Alcina still.

You could sense the coolness of sadness and something else seep into her.

There was more.

"What happened to her?"

There it was.

The question Alcina dreaded you to ask but knew your intelligence, and curiosity, would never let lie.

"She died."

Her reply was quiet. In fact you weren't sure she had actually uttered it.

You carefully repositioned and looked at her, a steady hand on her chest, looking for the unspoken answer to the question you hadn't yet pressed.

"How?"

'Alcina, please.'

Madeleine's plea was shaky, trembling, just as the rest of her frail frame.

Her dress was torn and ragged. Tears had painted trails of smudged grey down her cheeks where her mascara once graced her beautiful long eyelashes. Her teeth were chattering; it was cold in the underground and she was barely clothed.

In the middle of the council hall stood Alcina, Madeleine, hundreds of other vampires, guards, and Mother Miranda; standing tall and ominous at the top step looking down to the two women in the judgement circle.

Alcina couldn't look up. Her eyes were sealed to the floor at her feet.

She too, was clad barely in any clothing. Her side was side was an ugly, open, bloodied mess. Her gown was plastered to her thigh and all down her leg with her blood. Her chest was hastily trying to intake air, half to ease the pain, half to steady her senses that were wild as an injured, cornered lion.

Her body ached.

Her heart was screaming.

Everything around her was spinning and all she could hear was Madeleine's quivering breath, and Mother Miranda.

'Quit being weak, Alcina!'

It rattled her core. All she could taste was copper, a toxic bitterness from whatever was on that dagger. How it coursed through the dead black veins in her body made her sick. Like slugs pulsing, slithering, moving within her with no way to expunge the putrid feeling.

She felt like she was dying all over again, but this time in a much more horrid way.

'ALCINA!'

Her eyes finally snapped up from the floor to find Madeleine now in the grasp of Mother Miranda's guard.

'I will do this if you make me, but if I do, know that it will be more horrific than the blight of your own hand. Her suffering will endure for as long as I see fit and I WILL make you endure every second along with her.'

Alcina quite literally could not move. She could feel the hot, sticky trails of tears cutting down her cheeks and the shattering of her chest.

It was only when Madeleine finally caught her eyes up in hers, that tender plea once more falling from her lips, the slightest nod from her head full of long red curls, could Alcina shakily grasp a semblance of strength.

'Please', she mouthed, 'please.'

Please.

Alcina owed it to Madeleine to do this by her hand, by a loving hand, not one of cruelty and malice. She owed it to her, her lover, her confidant, to end her life by way of love. Regardless of the sick and twisted bane it bore.

'Her blood is the only thing that will end this suffering, yours and hers, Alcina. Do it.'

If Alcina had had the strength she would have slit Mother Miranda's throat, tore her head from her pompous body and everyone else's in this room. But Mother Miranda knew her strength, knew her capabilities, of course she did. Hence the poison drenched on the dagger she so easily plunged into Alcina's side earlier.

Crippling her not only gave her sick pleasure, it was the only upper hand she had. The only leveling of the playing ground.

Stupid fucking bitch.

She hated her.

Hated her.

A last whimper of Madeleine sent Alcina over the edge.

She tore her lover from the arms of the guard and held her close.

Who was shaking and quivering more was as good as anyone's guess. Madeleine's heart beat was rapid and sounded so loudly in Alcina's ears, it hurt. It all hurt so much.

'I'm so sorry!'

Came the pained whisper of pure and utter regret.

'I'm not.'

Replied the gentle reassurance, filled with love and acceptance Alcina would never understand.

A clench of her eyelids, tears forced free, Alcina bit down on Madeleine's throat.

You didn't know what happened just then, but you felt a tidal wave from Alcina you hadn't before. It was cold just as much as it was scorching hot. Her eyes seemed to flash in those brief seconds upon you asking and feared perhaps you should have just left it alone. But the static began to evaporate and you felt Alcina's body release.

"I... killed her."

Oh.

The admission wasn't as candid as it seemed. There was so much more beneath this. You couldn't see it, but you could definitely feel it. And it felt like a thousand and one weights on top of your chest.

Something terrible had taken place. Alcina would not do this by mere chance, by accident, by choice. No, not the way she spoke of her.

"Wh-why?" you asked with a hush.

Please don't, draga mea.

Alcina swallowed.

"I... chose to spare her one death in exchange for another."

You opened your mouth to reply but you couldn't. Something held your words, pressed a hand to your pressing curiosity and settled the unease and need for more answers. Alcina was hurting. You sensed it, felt it. And you didn't need her to tell you everything, you didn't need to make her relive anymore pain just for your own sake. No. This was enough.

In a moments passing you simply gave a slight nod, and nestled back a little, letting her know silently you weren't going to pry any further.

Alcina was stunned when you didn't immediately pull away and run. You didn't push. You just accepted it? She narrowed her eyes at you but felt nothing awry, nothing to tell her you were puling away from her. You were so perplexing.

She placed a hand over yours, "It's a story I cannot bare to tell you all of now," her breath was sharp on the inhale, "please know it was a decision I never wanted to make, one I shouldn't have had to... and I..."

"It was Mother Miranda wasn't it."

Alcina's eyes about went black.

"How could you know that?"

You shook your head and sat up, looking at her with more love and acceptance than you were aware you had in your body, "I don't know, I don't know how or why I knew that I just... when you talk about her, it's like I can just... feel and know things without any real reason and it's actually kind of infuriating at this point. It's happening more and more."

Alcina continued to stare at you.

"I'm - I'm so sorry, I... is that why you tried to break things off with me a while ago?"

Good hell. Did your baffling, blunt, all-knowing questions ever cease?

She huffed.

"Yes. And since you seem to be so privy to things you shouldn't, I suppose I needn't explain any further."

You smirked, eliciting one in exchange.

Grasping her hand firmly you brought it to your lips, kissing her pale knuckles, "I really am sorry. I know it means very little, but, no one should have to make that choice."

It meant everything.

No one had ever apologized to Alcina for anything. Not for harm they caused, not for pain she endured, not for anything in the world. And now you. Apologizing for something you had no hand in.

The size of the enigma that was you was just getting bigger.

Alcina didn't know how to regard you, how to understand you, respond or speak. You had empathy beyond her comprehension.

How she wished to put you together like a puzzle, the big picture of you becoming clearer and clearer with each piece placed.

She was beginning to fall for you. Deeply.

The remainder of the night was spent oddly silent, yet without a scent of awkwardness. Another unspoken exchange of awareness, understanding, and acceptance had the two of you cuddling once again to watch the muted stars inch ever so slowly across the velvet heavens.

You had fallen asleep a few hours before dawn and Alcina was peacefully content to hold you. Admire you. Ponder your vast array of intrigue and weave a dream of what life could have been like with you if things were entirely different. She could and would be able to love you in any lifetime, that she was sure.

Alcina placed a groggy you back into your bed as the sun threatened its entrance. She kissed you with reverence and tucked you in soundly, left you to slumber on as a busy mind kept her company on the way back to the underground.

Still, she felt no indifference from you. Had no fear that you would shy from her even from what she'd told you. There was much clarification needed, she wanted to tell you, but Alcina wasn't sure she could revisit it as of yet.

Time heals all wounds.

Bullshit.

The manor was oddly lit up as she approached.

Upon entry she heard several voices from the living room, and jazz from the antique gramophone player buzzing it's way through the air.

She hung her coat as the bones in her spine became unnaturally stiff.

As Alcina rounded the corner, her heart, had it been alive, would have stopped. Died. Shriveled up and collected into dust in the pit of her stomach.

"Mother Miranda."

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