doctor's orders

Now that Deathbelle had the faintest air of pregnancy about her, it was time to vet all those closest to her. Lucretia would not risk even a chance of the Empress falling ill, especially not in her condition. It was time to closely vet Belle's inner circle within the pack, which for now consisted of herself (always clean, recently purged, empty and pure), Sirius, and that strange little slave girl whose name she hadn't caught.

It was smart of Archon to come bearing fits. Luce's only regret was that she couldn't vet him, too. No matter. She doubted he would come around often now that he'd deposited the slave. It was probably for the best. The rest of the family would have to be seen to eventually, but for now she needed to focus on those closest to the Empress.

Luce had chosen a roomy den near one of the smaller "toes" of the lake. It was intentionally difficult to find - a small cave tucked behind a copse of new growth trees. The walls had plenty of natural hidey holes for herbs, and she was grateful to have an excellent (and clean) place to work. Settling just outside of her den, Lucretia called loudly for Sirius and the new girl, hoping they wouldn't be ornery patients. Those were the worst.