The Bathory Curse (7 page)

Mihail helped her with her trunks, “are you sure you
don’t want me to accompany you mother? Given how many of our men
are being used in the Turkish military the roadways are not safe.
Perhaps you should travel by magic.” Giving her a hand he helped
her into the horse driven carriage. The night felt cold, the air
burning in Nea’s lungs, snow crunching under their feet as silence
filled the trees surrounding her home.

“No, Mihail, stay and keep Sabine company. There is
not much I worry about any longer, do not concern yourself, I will
be home soon. If I need you I will call on you.”

“How will you feed?” he asked, settling a thick
blanket around her waist and shoulders.

“I am sure Ruxandra will be more than
accommodating,” she said, speaking of the Strigoi that stayed in
her home in Hungary.

“We have lost more in the last few years.” Mihail
warned.  Nea had created 19 Strigoi in the last 93 years, only
ten remained.

“Not all were as bright as you.” Nea touched a
gloved hand to his face.

“You should have changed Mihnea; he would have at
least served loyally like I do.”  

“Mihnea had his own part to play in history, his own
path and his own progeny; he would have resented it had I taken him
from his life.” Nea leaned back, looking at her son
affectionately.

“He was assassinated in front of a church, his life
had no meaning.” Mihail argued.

“He was a cruel tyrant and chose his own path, he
did give me three beautiful grandchildren, all who have gone on to
do great things.” As she said it her thoughts flickered to Ruxandra
her granddaughter; a beautiful, yet forgotten girl, the first girl
child in a string of dominant men, and now a powerful Strigoi.

“Did Bendis ever tell you why Ruxandra was spared
the Bathory curse?” Mihail asked, setting a small box near his
mother’s feet.

“Yes. Your father’s bloodline is powerful, it
dilutes the curse, we are playing with that idea as a way to end
the curse. If we can breed Bathory women with stronger families it
may fix things.”

“What’s the problem then?” Mihail knew it couldn’t
be that simple.

“Bathory women tend to be attracted to weaker men,
and pushing them into an unwelcome romantic entanglement ends
badly. We have found that only certain magic works on them.” Her
thoughts strayed toward her granddaughter again.

“Also she might have just have been too far off from
an actual Bathory for the curse to attach to her.” Nea hoped this
was the more likely answer, since the other path seemed
problematic.

“Ruxandra was a good choice.” Mihail said, almost
reading her mind.

Nea smiled, she hadn’t been able to ignore the
instinct to turn Ruxandra. Her grandsons had done so much better in
life. Mircea had taken over after his father’s assassination, Milos
had gone into the priesthood, but Ruxandra had been overlooked.

Sabine had lectured Nea on turning more family, it
hadn’t changed her decision. She had appeared to her solemn
granddaughter, alone and almost a spinster at 20 and offered
immortality. Ruxandra had gobbled it up. She wanted a life of her
own, and so had not come back to live with Nea, choosing to stay in
Hungary and keep an eye on Nea’s holdings there instead. Though
sometimes she appeared out of nowhere; wanting company and a
familial embrace.

“Has Ruxandra noticed the dark shadow we all have?”
Mihail said after barking an order to her driver.

“She mentioned it the last time she visited. I
cannot see it and Bendis is less than forthcoming with
information.” Nea lit a small lamp so she wouldn’t have to travel
the night in darkness, it was quite a journey to Hungary.

“I will let you know if anything goes amiss here.
Bright Blessing mother.” Mihail kissed her cheek and shut the door.
Nea heard him speak softly to the coachman and the footman and then
they were off, groaning Nea closed her eyes, she hated mortal
transportation.

The trip was boring and uneventful and she was only
happy that they arrived just after dusk, Strigoi took on a ghostly
appearance during the day and could not be out in the sun, she
wanted to actually be able to touch her granddaughter.

Her coachman helped her down and she stood for a few
moments looking at the large house before her. The staff and
Ruxandra managed to always keep it in such good condition. It
wasn’t pretty like her castle, more of just a large stone building
with huge wood doors and windows carved out, currently shuttered by
thick wood to keep out the cold. Nea could see smoke rising from
several chimneys and smell food cooking, her stomach growled.

She watched for a moment as the coach and horses
were taken away and went into the house, it was warm but not stuffy
inside and she could smell the fireplace scent that always
permeated the walls in winter. Her housekeeper, Valora, met her and
she gave over her hooded cloak and gloves, and kept walking. She
knew Ruxandra would be in the dining room, she didn’t care to eat
with the staff.  Strigoi didn’t have to eat real food, but
many of them still enjoyed it.

Ruxandra stood upon seeing Nea. Both women wore
their hair similarly, braided and pinned back decorated, Ruxandra
had pearls woven into her hair while Nea had chosen dried flowers
that morning at the inn. Ruxandra wore a ruched gown in rose with
gold lattice work, while Nea had on a traditional Tudor dress in
black and blue.

“Bunica!” Ruxandra exclaimed, using the familiar
word for grandmother, she hugged her.

“Ruxandra, it is so good to see you, you look well.”
Nea squeezed her, they sat down to a meal of stew, bread and cheese
with warm mulled wine. Nea observed her granddaughter, the girl had
darker skin than Nea, her hair rich brown, favoring her mother. Her
eyes though, they were all Mihnea, bright blue. Her features were
handsome, rather than beautiful and her figure strong and sturdy,
the result of growing up in Mihnea’s household, around
warriors.

“How are you?” Nea asked.

“I am good, full to the brim with pride for you to
gorge yourself on! Anna Bathory has already left a calling card for
later this evening, I told her it would not be a problem, she
seemed excited to see you, told me she had very much enjoyed your
last letter.”

“I haven’t been here in almost a year; I figured she
would want to see me.” Nea nodded, she halted a servant as they
walked by and instructed them to send a message that she would see
Anna at once.

“Don’t you get tired of pretending to be so young
just to gain her trust?” Ruxandra asked, continuing to eat.

“Sometimes, but it is what I have to do, we all have
duties.” Nea ate heartily, knowing she would soon have a
visitor.

Once they were done Nea linked an arm with her
granddaughter and they walked into the front parlor, which was the
nicest room in which to receive guests.

“Before that brat comes you should feed, Bunica.”
Ruxandra presented her cheek to Nea who leaned over and pressed a
dry kiss to her skin. It warmed quickly, Ruxandra made a hissing
noise, like it stung a little, while the emotion transferred from
her to Nea. It only took a minute and when Nea pulled away Ruxandra
was a bit paler and Nea felt like she could pop from so much stored
up emotion, it was almost a heady thing.

“I think we should not go so long between feedings
that was quite a lot.” Nea giggled, slapping a hand over her mouth
in shock. She felt powerful, even more so than normal, a good
reminder that feeding from her Strigoi was what fueled her own
magic.

“Emotion drunk are you? Well, hopefully that will
just make you seem younger to Anna.” Ruxandra teased. They both
heard the knocker of the front door and the murmured voices of
people in the hallway. Anna Bathory came in at a quick pace. Her
navy eyes lighted on Ruxandra and annoyance filled them, but when
they tracked over to Nea there was worry and delight.

“I will give you two some privacy.” Ruxandra rolled
her eyes and left.

“Nea! It has been ten months since you were here
last!” Anna rushed over and took her friends hands. Her dark blonde
hair was in a deep orange snood, she wore a long bronze gown over a
linen chemise that matched the veil.

“I know. I’m sorry, but I don’t get away as often as
I’d like to see my cousin, Mama wants me married by the summer.”
 Nea easily fell into the lie she had created.

“Well you are 18 now, it’s time I guess,” Anna
seemed depressed and they sat down.

“What’s wrong?” Nea asked, “I’m here now, we have
all winter season to do what we’d like”

“No, we don’t. My parents have decided I am to be
married well before the Winter Holidays.”

“That is in less than a month!” Nea exclaimed,
shocked, “To whom?”

“To Gyorgy Bathory,” Anna huffed.

“He is a Voivode of Transylvania and from a
prominent branch of your family.” Nea nodded, approvingly, even
though she knew he was 33, much older than Anna.

“I know. He is rich and handsome, but I don’t feel
like I can get married yet and I want a spring wedding.” Anna
complained.

“Then talk to your mother. I am sure plans can be
changed. It will be exciting to help you with a wedding.” Nea tried
to tease the girl.

“No, it has to be now,” Anna murmured.

“Why? What aren’t you telling me…I can keep a secret
you know that.” Nea had a horrible feeling.

“I am pregnant, at least three months.” Anna
admitted.

“What?” Nea felt tears well in her eyes. That was
the ping she had felt. Anna’s realization she was pregnant, a girl
becoming a woman. She would have to talk to Bendis about a more
accurate warning system.

“During the Fall Feast, I had too much to drink in
celebration of Gyorgy proposing. He and I danced, then he kissed
me. Before I knew it we were in the barn with him rutting on top of
me,” she admitted, shame filling her cheeks with pink.

“Did he take you by force?” Nea asked, angry, this
she could do something about.

“No! I wanted him…the next morning he seemed so sad
and angry with himself I just….well…I have seen my maids…I knew how
to make him happy again. He showed up at the house that night and
spoke to my parents. They were furious, but Gyorgy simply told them
we would push up the wedding date.”

“And now you are pregnant. Have you told anyone?”
Nea asked.

“No. I need your help…You’ve mentioned you know a
bit about herbs and such…I tried by myself but it didn’t work…I
have to get rid of it…I don’t want to be a bride and a mother right
now.” She gripped Nea’s hands tighter.

“What…wait...you already tried?” Nea was aghast;
without proper guidance and knowledge her actions could have
damaged her and the baby. She quickly took hold of Anna’s mind, as
weak and fragile a state it was already in this wasn’t hard. The
girl whimpered briefly as Nea laid her back on the settee and
called for Ruxandra.

“Bunica, what’s wrong?” Ruxandra burst in the
room.

“Get Valora,” she demanded, speaking of the
housekeeper. A Strega’s magical gifts were great but what was
greater was the staff that Bendis provided.

Valora was the main housekeeper for Nea’s three
homes. She travelled in between them making sure the minimal
permanent staff was doing what needed to be done; like the ordering
and seasonal cleaning. Valora was from 2003, she had been blinded
in a freak accident. Bendis gave her back her sight and in payment
she had come into service for Nea.

Valora came rushing in, an abrupt woman, a little
heavy set with a pale freckled face, her brown hair, threaded with
silver, was long and kept in a braid. Almost tripping over her long
black skirts she growled, “barbaric female customs” and was quickly
at her mistress’s side. She had been a doctor in her other life.
Stregas didn’t have a lot of power to heal. So along with new eyes,
Bendis gave her enough magic to do everything she could have done
in a hospital with thought and touch. It wouldn’t work miracles,
but it was awesome to behold. Nea quickly explained the
situation.

“Damned girl, there are at least three good midwives
in this town that could have given her the results she wanted.” She
shoved the girls dress above her hips while Nea put her further
into a sleep.

“When I get back to the present first thing I’m
going to do is buy a thong and some jeans.” she snarled, fiddling
with the bulbous undergarments. Finally she could get her hands on
the small budge of Anna’s lower abdomen. She closed her eyes and
began to hum.

Nea and Ruxandra watched with awe as she brushed her
fingers over the girl’s pale soft skin and cooed at the tiny spark
of life inside. After about ten minutes Valora opened her eyes,
sighed and sat back on her heels.

“Stupid girl,” she cursed again, “the babe lives,
but it’s going to have problems. She’s done a good deal of damage.
The thing’s kidneys probably won’t develop right and its mind will
never be correct. In this day and age they’ll probably lock him
away.”

“Oh no.” Nea groaned.

“Serves her right. All women know the dangers of
taking herbs to expel unwanted babes. If it doesn’t work it does
horrible things to the child.” Ruxandra had no pity in her.

“Can you do anything else?” Nea asked Valora.

“I’ve done all I can, unless you want me to abort it
myself, which I can do, painfully, but quickly.”

“No.” All three women spun around to stare at
Bendis. She had the form of the maiden, a younger, spryer and perky
version of the Goddess who had saved Nea so many years ago, she
simply glowed with sexual desire and energy.

“Really? Like I don’t have enough to deal with than
your presence giving a boner to all my male staff.” Valora stood,
“I’m going to find my boys something to do, if you need me yell.”
Then she stomped off.

“What do you mean no? She doesn’t want the baby.”
Nea stood, facing the Goddess.