Ill Met By Moonlight

Chapter 41: Unfortunate Events

Donna chuckled as her three nieces practically squealed when they saw Shadow. Their hearts melted each time the infant cooed or laughed. Donna smiled as she took a small sip of the tea that a maid named Sofia had made for her. She couldn't help but smile each time anyone spoke gibberish to the child.

The door swung wide open and shut a bit loudly, causing Shadow to start crying. Donna shot up and gently took hold of Shadow, not fully knowing what to do but trying to copy what she saw Lex doing. The ravenette softly hummed, trying to sooth the baby. However, Shadow wouldn't stop. 

''Is that... a baby?''

''Mother Miranda, was an unexpected surprise.'' Rue said, the shock evident in her voice. Donna turned to the woman, still trying to sooth Shadow. 

Mother Miranda ignored Rue and stalked towards Donna, her brows furrowed, obviously confused by the fact Donna was holding a baby. The blonde woman looked at crying baby for a moment before adjusting Donna's position. ''Hold her close and walk around slowly. Speak in a soothing voice. They should calm down.''

Donna blinked a few times before holding Shadow close to her, and began pacing very slowly. Within a few minutes, Shadow's cries ceased. The ravenette smiled at the infant before walking back to the others. The Dollmaker looked at the blonde and knew exactly what question was coming.

''Where did you get a child? Did it have something to do with Miroslava?'' Mother Miranda glared at the front door as if she was trying to glare at Lex. That was a good sign at least, that means she had the flask.

Donna was about to answer when she started to feel light headed. Her knees wobbling and she started to cough. Rue immediately took hold of Shadow and the three daughters grabbed Donna before she could fall over. Her cough only got worse and she clasped her hand over her mouth. A thick crimson liquid seeped from between her fingers. She looked down at her hand and started to panic. Her vision started going in and out of focus, her hearing went fuzzy and a loud ringing erupted in her ears. There was a loud yet muffled bang from somewhere and a flash of white hair, before everything went dark.

***

Lex stared at the ground for what felt like hours. Mother Miranda's words echoed in her mind, trying to convince her that it was true. She was about to succumb to the words and believe they were true when her nose was assaulted with an earthy metallic smell. She shot up, head snapping to the the front door of the castle. Without thinking, she burst through the front door and saw Donna slumped over the the three Dimitrescu daughters' arms. She was starting to foam at the mouth and blood leaked down from her chin.

She rushed to her, Mother Miranda was right next to Donna, two fingers against her pulse point. ''You need to get her to the infirmary, now! Keep her on her side and make sure she doesn't choke!'' Mother Miranda shouted before disappearing.

Lady Dimitrescu didn't bat an eye when she saw Lex in her home, to focus on her younger sister. She scooped Donna into her arms and rushed up the stairs. Lex followed close behind with someone else behind her. Her heart was pounding and she felt sick to her stomach. She wasn't even looking where she was going, just following Lady Dimitrescu.

Both of them entered a room and Donna was set on her side. Her black eye that was as mysterious as magic were glossed over and her skin was even more pale that usual. Foam and blood continued to leak from her mouth, letting out gurgled coughs ever now and then.  Lex was right next to her, along with Lady Dimitrescu until they heard Mother Miranda forming behind them. 

''Move.'' Both women reluctantly stepped away. ''Both of you, out. I need to focus.'' the woman ordered.

''Please Mother Miranda, let me-'' Lex said but was immediately stopped by Lady Dimitrescu. Lex shakily left the room, the door closing with a barely audible click. Lex stumbled to a wall on the opposite side of the hallway and slide down it, staring blankly at the door. She didn't know what was going on or what had happened to Donna, but whatever happened was bad. Really bad.