Two days had now passed. In the great ruined cathedral, now the meeting place of the council of lords, Mother Miranda had ordered a new assembly through her messenger crows. But this time, this meeting turned out to be a special case, and this, the three lords, Karl Heisenberg, Donna Beneviento and Salvatore Moreau could notice it after their arrival. Lady Alcina Dimitrescu, although a member of the lords and therefore of the council, had strangely not been invited, her bench remaining empty. And despite this absence, Miranda began this new meeting. Not afraid to express what he thinks, Heisenberg was the first to comment on this point.

_ "Hey, where are the tall grasshopper in dress and her human pet? Yet it's not usual to start an assembly without the presence of all the lords."

_ "The reason for this assembly concerns her directly, as well as this young mortal man." Miranda replied firmly to everyone, standing as usual towards the altar. "I was able to learn from a reliable source that the two seemed to have gotten closer, and that now, they had started a love relationship."

Faced with this revelation, a silence of a few seconds fell. Then, Heisenberg leaned back against the back of his bench, bursting into a laugh that echoed throughout the cathedral. Miranda sighed in annoyance, expecting such a reaction from the most unruly of her lords.

_ "Him and her? Together? Ha ha, damn, I can't believe it!" Heisenberg laughed openly.

_ "But ... it's not logical! He is not one of us!" Moreau growled, confused and trying to understand.

Donna, meanwhile, seated in her chair, remained motionless behind her black veil, still holding her doll in her lap. This silence on her part did not surprise the others, for she had always been the most silent and discreet of lords. Tired of Heisenberg's hilarity, Miranda ordered silence, which he did despite a deliberately provocative smile he continued to show.

_ "Either way, this relationship may not be a good one for us." Miranda explained in a deeper voice. "Just like me, you know that this human is the last surviving descendant of our fallen sister, Alice Derune and what that implies for the ceremony to come."

The three Lords looked at each other, understanding what their leader meant by that.

_ "Do you think ... that Lady Dimitrescu would want to prevent us from using the young mortal for the ceremony?" Donna said speaking with the help of her doll.

_ "But... she has always been faithful to you, mother. Why shouldn't she do it now?" Moreau asked Miranda.

_ "Very simple, you slime-spitting moron ..." Heisenberg sneered, lighting a cigarette. "Love can change everyone's minds. Some, out of love, can betray their best friends and switch sides ... and as she apparently looks very happy with him, nothing says she doesn't will not choose him rather than you, mother."

Miranda said nothing, but had heard Heisenberg's words, which stuck in her memory. Indeed, she was aware of it, love was a feeling capable of bringing about drastic changes, especially when it came to allegiances. This unforeseen relationship between the lovers Dimitrescu and Derune would force her to advance her plans. The ceremony should take place earlier than planned, but that didn't seem to bother Miranda. On the contrary, she said to herself. She returned her attention to the three lords again.

_ "Well ... given the circumstances, I have no other choice ... Heisenberg. Beneviento. Moreau. You have been good and loyal servants. Know that the sacrifice you are about to make will not be not in vain, I can assure you, and your place will be assured alongside our great black god."

With these rather disturbing words from Miranda, dozens of Lycans began to come out of their hiding places all over the cathedral, and gradually unfolding in a movement of encirclement and showing a rather hostile behavior, showing their teeth and growling. At the appearance of the creatures, Donna Beneviento and Karl Heisenberg looked rather puzzled, looking around, but Heisenberg in particular, not being a fool, didn't like it at all and pulled his hammer into his hand.

_ "Hey, what is this joke?" Heisenberg growled with a very bad presentiment.

Donna, rather worried and hugging her doll like a frightened child, came to join Heisenberg and stood behind him to be protected.

Salvatore Moreau, for his part, completely subject to Miranda's influence, stayed with her, which she seemed to appreciate, gently patting her misshapen back.

With Donna behind him, Heisenberg began to slowly back up with her towards the entrance to the cathedral, but unfortunately they found lycans blocking the passage, growling louder and bracing themselves as if they were going to leap on a prey.

_ "Shit ..." Heisenberg breathed, gritting his teeth.

_ "I had foreseen Heisenberg's refusal and Moreau's total obedience ..." Miranda said with great confidence. "But you, Donna... I have to say that you disappoint me. I thought you would support me in my big project."

_ "But ... and my family? You promised me that I would see my sister Claudia again. That we would be reunited again!" said Donna, lost.

_ "And as I promised you, you will see her again." said Miranda. "Once your blood and your flesh have nourished the black god, your essence will become one with it, and thus, you and your dear sister would finally be reunited for eternity in the great consciousness of the Megamycete."

At Mother Miranda's statement, Donna Beneviento, although suffering from some mental deficiency since her parents' suicide in the 1950s, then understood what it meant. Claudia had not died in an accident, as Miranda had made her believe all this time ... in fact, she had been sacrificed to the Megamycete, for Miranda's personal experiences.

Caught in another emotional panic attack from this shock, Donna began to breathe poorly and cry, falling to her knees, realizing that she would never see her sister again in the living world.

Heisenberg, next to her, gritted his teeth, showing a truly hateful look towards Miranda and threatened her with his hammer. Faced with this threatening gesture, Moreau immediately stood in front of Miranda to defend her.

_ "I was sure ... so was that your plan from the start, you bitch?" shouted Heisenberg to Miranda. "Your dear children, your dear family, my ass! We were just potential sacrifices while waiting for the arrival of the last heir, all for your fucking ceremony!"

Miranda didn't even answer, not at all afraid of Karl's threat and smiling even behind her golden mask. With a simple wave of her hand, she ordered the dozens of Lycans to come closer and be ready to immobilize Karl and Donna who did not seem ready to cooperate with her. Donna was still on her knees, crying behind her veil, shaking her head and still hugging her doll against her. Although not liking any of the other lords, Heisenberg knew that alone he couldn't get by. He grabbed Donna by the arm, forcing her to stand up and kept her close to him, preparing his hammer for a fight, as the Lycans troop around them both closed dangerously, leaving them no way out. to escape.

************

Meanwhile...

Over the following two days, Mathias gradually found his marks in the castle. From now on linked by a still recent but very strong and sincere love to Lady Dimitrescu, he could move where he wanted without having to fear being chastised. He could even leave the estate if he wanted to, but with all these Lycans swarming around in the village, he preferred to stay safe behind the estate gate. Even though he had spent the last few nights sleeping with the Countess in her private apartments, Mathias continued to have his own room. Alcina had even sent servants to the wreckage of the bus to retrieve Mathias' suitcase, which was now stored in the bedroom. Mathias had however asked Alcina that the zombies do not bring back the corpses of other passengers so as not to turn them into living dead or to extract their blood. Out of respect for her lover, Alcina had accepted. The corpses of the other passengers on the bus had been buried in anonymous graves somewhere in the forest.

Alcina's three daughters had since learned of their mother's romantic relationship with Mathias, and although surprised at first, they had welcomed the news quite well, rejoicing that their mother could finally have a strong love with a man, even though he was just a human.

While Lady Dimitrescu was once again in business with the Duke, Mathias had decided to spend the time in the company of the three sisters. The four of them were now in the large living room, gathered around the little table by the fireplace, and playing a few games. On the table was a small board game board with pawns, and also a stack of cards next to it. Sitting on the armchairs or on the sofa, Mathias, Daniela and Cassandra were very attentive while Bela, a map in hand, asked the next question of general knowledge.

_ "Which writer wrote the horror short story called The Black Cat and published for the fist time on August 19, 1843?"

Mathias thought he had the answer, but Cassandra was faster and rang her little bell giving her the right to answer.

_ "I know! It's Edgar Allan Poe!" Cassandra said, very sure of herself.

_ "Correct! You can move forward spaces." Bela told her.

Cassandra moved her pawn forward on the game board, further ahead of the progress of Daniela and Mathias, who was then last.

_ "Well then, Mr. Writer, you should wake up a bit otherwise you will end up last." Daniela mocked gently, rubbing the top of Mathias's head, who then laughed and pushed her hand away without a sudden gesture.

_ "It's true that I take a beating." confessed the young man, but remaining a good player, because after all, it was above all in order to have fun and laugh a little. "You impress me, ladies."

_ "What do you think? As girls of the Dimitrescu family, it is normal that we have a minimum of knowledge." Cassandra said to him, offended.

_ "Sorry, I didn't want you to feel insulted, I was just saying that ..."

_ "Idiot, I'm kidding you!" Cassandra laughed, ceasing to play her act of an outraged little lady.

Bela and Daniela shared their mocking but not mean laughter with their sister. Mathias sighed, feeling really silly that he had been taken in by the jokes of these three witches again, who couldn't help but tease him.

But after this little moment of jovial joke, Mathias quickly became more serious and wanted to ask the three sisters a question.

_ "By the way ... and don't feel like you have to answer, but ... do you mind that me and your mother ... well, we're together now?"

_ "We already told you, Mathias ..." Bela reminded him, speaking for her and her sisters. "Even though we were there, Mother suffered from a different kind of loneliness. She had never been able to feel love with a capital A, and share it with a soul who would not only understand her, but who would love her for what she is. You gave her hope, Mathias, and for that we will be forever grateful to you."

Daniela and Cassandra nodded with conviction to their big sister's words. Mathias was reassured and smiled at them, thanking them for these words.

But as they was enjoying this moment in the lounge by the fireside, the recognizable sounds of the large castle doors in the hall were heard, drawing the attention of Mathias and the three sisters. After that...

_ "Daughters! Mathias! Come quickly!" Alcina's voice called out from the hall then, forcefully and in a tone both surprised and worried.

Without wasting a moment, Mathias and the three sisters gave up their game to run as quickly as possible to the main hall where, when the large doors had been closed by zombies to avoid the cold entering, a surprising vision presented itself to them.

Lady Dimitrescu was supporting Heisenberg, himself supporting Donna Beneviento, and helping them both to walk to the middle of the hall. Both had their clothes damaged by scratch and fang marks and they looked hurt and weakened.

Donna was moaning in a weak voice, but struggling to still hold her precious doll to her. As she was about to fall to the ground, no longer able to stand up, Daniela and Cassandra came to support her and help her sit down for a moment on the ground. Mathias and Bela on their side came to Lady Dimitrescu who helped Heisenberg to sit down too. The man was breathing like a breathless bull, his coat, face, hat and hammer covered in blood that was not his. Obviously, he had fought like a madman before coming here.

_ "Heisenberg, what happened? Who did this to you?!" asked Alcina, who although not liking him, cared about what had just happened.

Heisenberg then spat a glaviot of blood on the ground before answering.

_ "It's ... it's Miranda!" he grumbled in response. "She ... sent the lycans against us."

Alcina, Mathias and the three sisters looked at each other with the same confused expressions. Although this could have been another trick from Heisenberg to make his mess even more, Donna came to confirm his version, nodding with insistance.

_ "But ... why would she do that? It's absurd! Mother Miranda has always helped us." Daniela said, who couldn't believe it.

_ "Because of him, that's why!" Heisenberg unveiled, pointing to Mathias with his accusing finger. "His relationship with the mistress of the castle was not really to Miranda's liking, and therefore, she preferred to take the lead and advance the time of the ceremony! You should perhaps have explained this detail to her before leave you to your feelings!"

Alcina then sighed heavily, showing by her expression that what she feared the most but would have liked to avoid, almost naively, had just happened. Heisenberg was telling the truth, she really should have told Mathias more about this planned ceremony, but in doing so, she feared losing him forever.

_ "But ... but why? What the hell do I have to do with this ceremony?!" Mathias asked in confusion.

_ "She wants your blood! All your blood!" said Alcina to him, taking him by the shoulders, falling on her knees in front of him and completely cracking, not being able to bear to keep this secret silent any longer.

Mathias remained silent, his eyes wide with incomprehension.

_ "My ... my blood?" stammered the young man.

_ "The blood of the last of the Derunes." replied Alcina, consumed with remorse.

Mathias was speechless at this revelation. So from the start, Miranda and the Four Lords had planned to sacrifice him in a ritual? But why? What could be so special about his blood?

_ "Me, Dimitrescu, Beneviento and Moreau ..." Heisenberg growled with annoyance. "We are just additional creations of Miranda, for the one and only purpose of being able to replace Alice's blood for the ceremony, but in the end, neither of us was perfect. This is Alice, the first of her creatures, who had the perfect blood to carry out the ritual. And obviously that blood has been passed down through generations."

_ "Moreau has remained totally loyal to Miranda. It will not be long before they come here, with all their hordes of Lycans, to take us all, whether we agree or not." Donna said then, still in shock.

Mathias didn't know how to react or what to say to everything that was happening around him. All his feelings were mingled. Alcina then came to hug him with strength and love, a tear beading from her eye.

_ "I wanted so much to tell you before, sincerely, but I couldn't ... I wanted above all to protect you, but all I did was put you in even more danger. I should have get you away from here early on." moaned Alcina with more than palpable regret, and then supported by her three daughters.

Mathias was angry of course, but not with her. He knew she only wanted to protect him. No ... he was furious against Miranda and everything she had done, not only to her family, but to those other families as well, all for her little personal project. With the tip of his finger, Mathias wiped the tear running down Alcina's cheek and looked her in the eyes.

_ "I will not let her have my blood, nor yours for that matter. Let her come! By uniting us all, we can surely beat her!"

_ "Fighting Miranda? This is madness!" Bela said then, looking at Mathias as if he had gone mad.

_ "She is not wrong." Heisenberg said, leaning on his hammer to get to his feet. "She has Moreau and all the Lycans with her. I can't go back to my factory and bring all my soldiers back, and the zombies won't be very effective in combat. But well, we have no other choice. It's fight or die, and believe me, I plan to give this feathered bitch as much trouble as possible."

Mathias did not believe it was possible one day but for the first time he agreed with Heisenberg. Lady Dimitrescu, during this time they were speaking, had quietly moved behind Mathias and had prepared something behind his back.

Mathias didn't have time to react as, from behind, Alcina grabbed him firmly by the arms, just enough to immobilize him, and then applied a handkerchief soaked in chloroform to his nose and mouth. Surprised, Mathias struggled a little but immediately felt the effects on him, unable to fight and gradually sinking into sleep.

_ "Forgive me my love, but I can not lose you ... not like that ..." sighed Alcina while Mathias fell asleep in her arms, under the gaze of all the others, surprised by what she had just done.

_ "Mother ..." Bela sighed.

_ "What the fuck are you doing?! Miranda and her hordes will be arriving soon!" Heisenberg asked the countess.

Alcina, a new tear beading from her eye, glared at Karl, but chose to ignore him and carried the unconscious Mathias in her arms to bring him somewhere she hoped he would be safer than here from now on.

_ "That's why Mathias can't stay here anymore." she said sadly. "This is our fight, not his. He deserves better than this."