After Henry (Once Upon a Time)

Chapter Thirty: Believer

Hyperion Heights, Seattle, hours before dinner at Lake House...

Ivy: Victoria Belfrey, sat at her table, cold piercing blue eyes taken out of color, numbed breathing fasted up by the rhythm things weren't going her way. It had been six months since she was trying to find Anastasia's body and there was no luck at all.

In that morning, however, things were about to take an unexpected twist. The dangerous woman received a call from Lucy's school principal. The man was terribly worried because it would appear the ten-year-old was failing in most classes, lately, she was obsessed with a fairytale theory making her impossible to distinguish reality from fantasy anymore.

That was indeed an interesting tale that could be studied closely. After all, belief like that is rarely found and can come up to be one of the strongest forms magic can take. Powerful enough to bring back someone to life, for instance. 

Anastasia...the cold-hearted woman thought only to herself, it looked as if her heart could melt every time she conjured her dearly beloved's firstborn daughter's name. Lucy's belief could be the magic strong enough to wake up Ana, but first, the body needed to be found and there was no luck in that department.

Once again, after so many decades stranded by obstacles, Victoria found herself in a daring situation that desperately needed an old ally's help. The dark one, or as he was known in this realm, detective Weaver.

"Miss Belfrey, you wanted to see me." The black-eyed crocodile-like face man said, entering the office in his green coat that seemed to combine with denim pants very well. 

"Oh, yes, detective. It's been a long time, you went MIA, I thought something was wrong with you." Victoria mocked, using her sarcasm very wisely.

"I don't think social calls were a part of our understanding."

"No, but finding my daughter is. You see, it's been six months since Ivy did a deal with Baron Samdi, and for the last time, while you've been doing...well, whatever it is you do...I've been channeling all efforts to find her."

"You act as if that is any of my interests." 

"It should be. Don't forget about the deal we made. I help you get the guardian and in exchange, you help me resurrect my daughter. You clearly forgot that because Ivy has played the part being your baby maker, but don't forget that Rumpelstiltskin never breaks a deal and we're on this together, till the end."

"Miss Belfrey, I appreciate you liked me being your team play, but our deal said I'd let you use the guardian for your purpose, after she reunited me with Belle, I didn't say I would be searching for Anastasia's corpse."

"You..." Victoria mumbled, piercing her eyes to the shady detective who always seemed to have everything and everyone playing out the way he wanted to, wrapped around his little fingers. "You want this, don't you? I'm starting to realize that Samdi getting Anastasia's body wasn't just Ivy's plan, it was yours. Fate always seems to work the way you want it to."

"I don't understand your implications, miss Belfrey."

"Oh, but I do. Of course, Rumpelstiltskin has now a heart of gold and he wouldn't sacrifice his great-grandchild to bring back the Red Queen. You'd rather silently take Ana from me so there's no way I can sacrifice Clara for her."

"I appreciate you for distinguishing me from the monster you are. Sacrificing your own grandchild for a daughter who turned evil...that doesn't seem like something a nice granny would do." Weaver teased.

"I won't be hearing any of this, Ella and Drizella brought doom upon themselves when they killed my daughter! But, things can take another turn...it would appear I found another way to bring back Ana, once I get her body, which I will, eventually, with your help."