From Dusk Until Dawn

Chapter 1: The Beginning

Alcina Dimitrescu. The eldest of Mother Miranda's adopted children and one of the Four Lords. She had lived in her family estate for years along with her three daughters, Bela, Cassandra and Daniela.

Taking a sip of her wine as she walked down the empty hall of her home. The taste of fermented fruit and iron danced along her tongue for only a moment when she spotted a familiar painting. The woman had beautiful fair skin, beautiful flowing brown hair and was wearing a lovely pink dress with no straps. She looked so innocent and pure. Just below the painting was an assortment of red, pink and purple flowers.

Her heart clenched painfully in her chest. Every time she passed these paintings all she felt was betrayal, sorrow and love. She had tried numerous times to remove just one of these many paintings but she just couldn't bring herself to do so. 

She closed her eyes, looking away from the painting and drew in a long, deep breath.

''My Lady?'' a voice said suddenly. Startled, her grip on her wine glass tightened and the glass shattered in her hand. She turned around, seeing the Head Maid of the Castle, the only one to have lived for longer than two years. She had dirty blonde hair held back in a neat bun. Her gray eyes glanced up at the 9'6'' woman, her hands folded neatly behind her back. Her uniform was similar to her hair, neat and tidy. Her black sleeves were rolled up to just below her elbows, dress going down to her knees and apron tied back.

''I didn't mean to interrupt, but I couldn't help but notice you seemed troubled by the painting. Would you like me to remove it?''

Lady Dimitrescu glanced at the painting before looking at her glove, picking out a glass shard that had gotten stuck within it. ''No. I'm quite alright. I just need another drink. And leave the painting be.'' she said before turning and quickly walking away.

Making her way to her chambers, she stumbled upon her youngest daughter running through the halls while being chased by her older sister. The red haired girl ducked behind her mother, running around her in order to dodge her sister.

''Dani! Hiding behind mother isn't fair!'' Bela shouted while pushing her blonde hair out of her eyes.

''It totally is fair.'' Daniela smiled, sticking her tongue out at her. The girl glared at her sister before launching herself at her. The youngest Dimitrescu laughed as she continued to use her mother as a shield. 

A thought crossed the tall woman's mind. Reaching down, she grabbed her youngest, stopping her in her tracks. Daniela looked up at her mother and saw the smirk plastered on her mother's crimson lips. Taking the opportunity, Bela grabbed her sister and started poking her sides and neck. Daniela immediately started laughing, struggling to break free of her mother.

''Mother! That's not fair!'' she shouted between laughs as she mother join her eldest in tickling the girl.

''It's completely fair.'' the woman said. After a moment, the woman released her daughter. The girl managed to free herself from her older sister before running off again. Bela immediately started chasing after her. ''Be careful you two.'' the woman shouted after them.

Sighing happily to herself, continuing on her to her chambers. Perhaps afterward she would go to the Opera Hall or pick up a book from the library since she had already finished all her paper work.

Passing the front door, she heard a loud banging sound. Glancing at the door and hearing the sound of the biting winter wind, she wondered if she had imagined the sound. But then the knocking came back. Suddenly, Cassandra appeared next to her.

''I don't recall us getting a new maid mother.'' she said, placing a hand on her hip.

''Cassandra, please back away from the door.'' the woman said and the girl stepped back. Lady Dimitrescu looked back at her and gestured for her to move further back. 

Once Cassandra was a safe enough distance from the door, she reached over and opened it. A body suddenly collapsed from the other side as soon as the Castle doors opened. Acting fast, the Countess managed to catch the falling body before they could fall against the floor. Quickly, Lady Dimitrescu closed the doors so the cold air would not endanger her daughter.

She looked down at the shivering person who had fallen into her arms. Carefully, she brushed the hair from their face. As soon as she saw her face, her eyes widened. Her skin was a beautiful dark colour. Her dark hair had a slight wave in it. She had a slightly round, innocent looking face. She looked like she had the bones of a bird. Then, the woman opened her eyes with a bit of difficultly. Enchanting green eyes met with Lady Dimitrescu's majestic golden ones.

''I heard... you were hiring...'' the woman said before losing consciousness completely.

The Countess just stared at the woman with bewilderment and a slight pain tugging at her heart. This woman woman looked so similar to... her. Her scent was so familiar. Chamomile and peaches.

''Mother?'' Cassandra's words snapped the woman from her thoughts. ''Is everything alright?''

''Yes, my dear. I'm alright.'' she said quickly, standing slowly with the woman still in her arms. She stared down at her, stealing a glance at what she was wearing. Only a thin coat and boots that had practically fallen apart. ''Cassandra, tell a maid to bring some firewood to my chambers immediately.

''Of course mother.'' she said immediately, bursting into a swarm of flies and drifting away.

Alcina steps were long yet quick. The woman in her arms still shivered but not as badly as before. As soon as she made it to her chambers, she set to woman down in her large bed, pulling off the woman's boots carefully after to woman groaned painfully. Once her boots were off, Alcina inspected her feet closely but making sure not to touch her. The skin along her feet was red. There were a few cuts along her feet, most likely from her damaged boots.

As carefully as she could, she placed a thick duvet over to woman. The woman took in a shaky breath before opening her eyes. It was as if she forced herself to wake from her unconsciousness.  The woman moved herself to the side in order to better look at the woman who was helping her.  

''Th-Thank you... I-I'll try to repay-''

''Shhh, be still. Rest now, you're still far to weak.'' Alcina cooed gently. The woman looked at her for a moment before falling back into a deep sleep.

Alcina stared at her for a long moment, only moving away from the woman when the door opened and a maid with fire wood entered the room.