From Dusk Until Dawn

Chapter 25: Rescue

(DAY 10)

Alcina paced about her chamber, trying to desperately calm her rapidly pounding heart. No one had seen Rue for days; there was no sign of her anywhere. At first, Alcina's heart shattered at the thought that Rue had left her. But all of Rue's possessions and winter clothing were still in the servants quarters. To that, her daughters and Sofia pointed out that if Rue did run away, she would have taken her possessions and winter clothing if she were to run away. After pointing that out, Alcina utterly doubted that Rue had left but even so, there was still the smallest part of her that still believed that the maid had run. But the only other explanation was that she was kidnapped.

Before she could throw a chair across the room in anger again at the thought of someone stealing away her Rue, the doors to her chambers flung wide open; slamming against the walls. Alcina spun around on her heels, seeing her three daughters and Sofia standing in her doorway, panting like dogs. As soon as they caught even the smallest bit of breath, the four of them swarmed the Countess, frantically talking over each other while panting.

''Enough! One at a time.'' Alcina said, looking between them.

''It's the Duke, my Lady.'' Sofia gasped, placing her hands on her knees as she gasped.

''He says he knows something about Rue!'' her daughters shouted, all a different times.

Before they could blink, Alcina was out of her chambers and down the stairs. She had almost fallen down the stairs in her rush to get to the room the Duke seemed to favour, She threw the door open, no caring that she damaged one of the hinges and broke off part of the wall, which seemed to startle the merchant.

Alcina ducked into the room as the jolly merchant greeted her with a smile. ''Ah, Lady Dimitrescu, it seems that your daughters and Sofia have found you in record time! It's a pleasure to see you as always, how have you been?''

''My daughters and Sofia say that you know something about Rue. Do you know where she is?''

''Ah, straight to business as per usual. Now, I do have some information about your favourite maiden. To ease your worries, she didn't leave of her own accord. I suppose we both know what that means.'' Alcina felt just the slightest bit of relief before she was overcome with fiery rage that would burn, not melt, ice. ''There is a friend of hers outside. Just grab something that belongs to her, go outside and her friend will help.''

Alcina took a moment to breathe and calm herself. ''Thank you. Your services are appreciated.'' she gave the merchant a large bag of lei which made his eyes brighten with glee before clearing his throat.

''Oh, no need. The information is free.'' the Duke said, attempting to hand the bag back to the Countess, which he obviously didn't want to give up.

''Consider it a thank you. You're the only manthing I barely tolerate.'' she said, ducking out of the room. As soon as she stepped out of the room, her daughters were waiting for her as Sofia was rushing down the stairs. ''Rue has been kidnapped.'' she said and saw the angry expressions plastered on the face, even looked angry.

''Well? When are we going?'' Daniela said with angry determination.

Alcina looked down at her daughter before kneeling down, placing her hands on her shoulders. ''Daniela, you and your sisters cannot join me.''

''But mother, we can help save our future step-mom!'' Alcina felt a hot blush creeping up her neck. Bela and Cassandra glanced at each other while holding in their laughter due to their mother's reaction. Sofia's jaw nearly dropped to the floor as she sat on the bottom step to catch her breath from running around at full speed.