Cecaelia

A month later

Hearing the phone ring I pick it up frowning at having to stop my work on the pool "Beneviento house" I greet answering.

"Is Daniela there?" Alcina demands.

"No, I didn't think she'd be out at this time it's below freezing" I answer frowning, the temperature dropped so fast today, it started at a reasonable 57 but around noon it start dropping quickly it's barely 2 now and my cave's blocked with ice holding the rock in place.

"She went out hunting, we've searched the entire castle and she's not here" she says panicking.

"Where does she hunt?" I ask.

"She prefers to stick close to the castle woods but can get distracted and wonder off"

"Okay, call your mother and sister, I'm heading out" I order hanging out quickly.

"Donna, Daniela may be stuck out in this storm" I call grabbing my winter clothes to avoid suspicion.

Hearing Donna running I then hear the door bang before a freeze wind blows in, turning around I raise my brows seeing several dolls have left with her.

Grabbing a thick large bag with fur I toss several heat packs in with a jar of blood before rushing out, yanking the door closed behind me I look around before following Donna's foot prints.

Eventually I come to a halfway point seeing multiple foot prints around the area including some lycans "Daniela?" I call before waiting a moment to listen while carefully moving.

"Daniela if you can hear me please call out or find a way to signal" I call again.

Moving along I huff at all the foot prints "to many prints, any trail that could have possibly been found has been destroyed" I mutter.

Walking along I tilt my head seeing a branch that's got a cut along it like a sharp weapon sliced at it, moving to it I lean down looking at it closer "Cassandra said they all three had sickles" I mutter before looking around for anything.

Finding multiple signs I frown "frantic and energetic?" I ask out loud, hearing very faint crackling and a hacking cough I take off after it till I find Duke's carriage.

"Nova are you here to collect my guest?" He asks smiling.

"Is she hurt?" I demand.

"Cold, she could use more warmth and a good meal but we made do" he says sounding amused.

Grunting I walk around to the back cracking the door hearing crying, slipping in I sit the bag down opening it "Daniela, I'm Nova I work for Lady Beneviento" I say keeping my distance to not set her off.

"So cold" she mutters shaking.

Nodding I pull out the blood feeling it's warmed up slightly "drink this we need to get you warmed up so you can swarm" I urge while moving closer.

Getting her to drink I pull a few inactive packs cracking them to start before pulling my jacket off and wrapping it around her to tuck them against her while having to dodge her snapping at me.

"Easy, just get warm then we can get you home" I say grabbing her sickle from her hand after dodging her attempt to catch me with it.

Eventually she warms enough to swarm slightly, getting her in the bag was harder because she's decided to try attacking me till she realized I have no blood, gathering up her flies that froze I frown but put them in just in case any can be saved or something while placing the new packs in.

Zipping it up I leave a tiny opening that will stay tucked under my jacket open and get ready.

Jumping out I pull my jacket around the back more having given up my hat and gloves to tuck packs in for complete warm pockets to hide in for her.

Taking off I run for the castle ignoring the dolls I run past catching their attention, coming across Alcina ripping an abandoned building apart she looks up looking panicked.

"I got her" I yell continuing to run.

Seeing a lycan slide in front of me I stop and crouch snarling at it when it growls, easing my hand to my belt I pull my whip out while keeping my eyes on the lycan "move" I hiss.

It takes a step closer and I quickly swing catching it across the face and continue not giving it a chance to recover while forcing it back.

"Stand down" Eva roars sending a heavy metal hammer into it's side "get her home" she orders while keeping her eyes on the lycan.

Nodding I take off having to pass through the village edge, I'm sure it's a concerning sight seeing me running for the castle with Alcina chasing me followed by Donna with an army of floating dolls, then Eva with several lycans, and finally a murder of crows.

Passing Luisa I see her look of horror just before I cross the gate heading for the doors and rush in.

"Cassandra take her to a fire" I call catching sight of her.

Seeing her swarm over taking it I huff leaning against the wall with my hands on my knees "oh Scylla, I need to run more I didn't realize I was that out of shape" I mutter pointing the way Cassandra went with Daniela when I see Alcina come in.