Susana - Sins of the Mothers

Tony and the children rushed from the table to meet them. Virginia saw her disarray reflected in her father's worried eyes. After long and excited hellos the weary pair retired to their rooms for a much-needed bath and change. Acting naturally was the hardest part. Virginia was dying inside with each smile and caress. They would concoct a story to spare their family this horror. She would protect them now. They must not know this was the last time they would ever be together.

Virginia chose a simple but elegant dark blue angora dress. Wolf had always loved it. He had given it to her right after they had first moved back to the Kingdoms. Wendell had given them this estate and their titles. Wolf had called her 'Lady Wolf' and had said she must now dress the part. Virginia smiled at the memory as she brushed her hair and tucked in the little pearl combs Wolf had given her when her hair first grew back from its axe-cut. Finally she gently removed the singing ring from its little velvet-lined case. It seemed depressed as it turned its tiny face away from her. She tapped and prodded it, but it would not make a peep.

They joined their family for a noisy dinner and caught up on all the events of the Fourth Kingdom they had missed while asleep. Their own answers were vague and short. The reunion meal was noisy, and happy for the most part, but an air of melancholy hung over the room like a vapor. Nobody could see it or feel it, and though no one spoke of it, all knew it was there. Victoria still sniffled and seemed much the same as when they had left. Her fever, though not high, returned every night at sundown. Wolfie was full of tales of school and arguments amongst the local villagers regarding a recent spate of pig and poultry thefts. Virginia fought her instincts to reach out and embrace her children one last time throughout the meal. Despite herself, she was almost glad when it was over.

Wolf and Virginia finally retired to their room for the night. There was nothing to do but wait now for the inevitable. Virginia was very afraid but she still believed somehow a miracle would save them at the last minute. Whatever happened she had no intention of crying and begging when it would do no good anyway. They sat on the foot of their bed before a blazing fire. Hand-in-hand they waited, inhaling each other's scent and memorizing it for all eternity.

A puff of smoke from the fireplace heralded Andromeda's arrival. The fire was extinguished with a hiss. The she-wolf stepped through the hearth like an evil Santa Claus from the depths of hell. Gleefully she cackled, "Time's up! Where is the child? Or do I have to fetch her? Hmmm that could be fun too."

Wolf felt dangerously close to vomiting. Maybe if he did he could delay this evil. No, getting sick would be a sign of weakness. He did not dare show weakness to this wolf.

She turned to him, her voice dripping with sarcasm, "Wolf, whom do you choose?" Wolf looked the she-wolf in the eyes. She felt a tremor of fear at the hatred and loathing she saw there. Andromeda knew that only the power of the curse protected her from a very violent and rapid death.

He turned his face to the wall and whispered one word, "Virginia."

The tall woman froze in shock. "You chose the simp! Your mate?" Recovering quickly, she shrugged and turned to the petite woman. Virginia stood before her, no trace of fear on her calm face, but a strange secret smile on her lips as she gazed into Wolf's face. Her expression was almost triumphant. Like she held the secret to the universe in her heart and nothing could tear it away from her. Her arrogance enraged the powerful she- wolf. The little mouse was trying to steal her moment of victory. "Look at me you fool!" she screeched, "Your miserable, whining little life is over!" Andromeda pulled a long pointed crystal from her cloak. She held in both hands like a sword. It began to glow and sizzle as she pointed it at Virginia's heart.

She lunged toward Virginia, but Wolf was faster. In a blur of speed, he thrust himself between the crystal and his wife. He impacted it with a flash of light and crumpled to the ground. He lay there silently, with a triumphant smile on his face.