The Bathory Curse (8 page)

“This is the path she has chosen, she has to keep
it. She has been unwise and selfish.”

“She’s only a girl! Shouldn’t she have a choice?”
Nea exclaimed. Strigoi were not allowed to speak to the Goddess
normally so Ruxandra cowered behind her grandmother.

“Yes and this was the one she made. I wish I could
change it Nea, but her path has unfolded. The curse almost missed
her, but she is destined to become a selfish woman, only thinking
about her own wants and desires. She will bare five children in
total, three girls. That is where the focus must be now.”

“I can’t accept that.” Nea said, looking at the pale
girl she had known for years.

“You must, if you try to interfere more it will make
her worse.” Bendis warned, and then she was gone. Nea hung her
head, she could hear Sabine’s words in her mind from years back,
“Lesson 11: Sometimes messing with stuff just makes it worse.”

Nea righted Anna’s clothes and sat her back up,
slowly she woke her, releasing her mind, and the girl blinked, a
little dazed.

“What happened?”

“You fainted.” Ruxandra thrust a glass of wine in
her hand, “sip slowly.”

“It was probably the baby.” Nea explained.

“I am so sorry, but Nea, will you help me?” Anna
drank, lips quivering, her hands were shaking but it slowly
subsided.

“I’m sorry Anna, I can’t. If you already tried and
it didn’t work all I could do is make it worse and the baby
wouldn’t be expelled, just damaged. Next time go see a midwife, or
come to me first.” Nea gently reprimanded.

“I can’t be a mother yet!” Anna wailed, clutching
her stomach.

“I’m so sorry, but I’ll be here. I’ll help you…You
can name me the baby’s Godmother!” Nea pretended like it was the
most exciting news ever. Anna stopped sniveling.

“You’ll help me, be the Godmother?”

“Of course, we can plan such a party announcing the
birth; you will be envied by all women with your rich handsome
husband and brand new son.” Nea gave the girl’s mind a gentle push
in the right direction and watch gladly as Anna lit up a
little.

“A son. Providing Gyorgy with a son would make me
the envy of many. Do you think he will let me hire a wet nurse, a
nanny and a governess, so I don’t have to do anything?”

“I am sure he will want to keep you happy,” Nea
agreed, melancholy in her words almost betraying the smile on her
face.

“I guess so, but I still would rather be able to
just get rid of it.” Anna said color filling her cheeks.

Poor Istavan was born five months later, he didn’t
learn to walk until he was almost two and didn’t say a work until
he was four years old. Over time Anna’s husband learned to despise
her over indulgence, spending and selfishness. By the time her
first daughter, Elizabeth was born in 1560 she had given birth to
another son; Gabor. Elizabeth was soon blessed with two sisters
Klara and Zsofia.

Nea was present at each child’s birth, hoping the
extra blessing from a Strega Godmother would be helpful. She
attended every birthday, sent presents and used magic to age
herself right along with Anna. She loved each child like she would
her own. So it was with a heavy heart she received a missive from
Anna that at 14 Elizabeth was pregnant and the family urgently
needed Nea’s special brand of help.

Chapter 5

1574

“Anna, what exactly is it you think I can do?” Nea
asked, standing in the shadows of the hallway of the large estate.
She had been notified a month before to come at once to Nyirbator
as there was a family emergency. When she arrived it was to
discover one of her goddaughters, Elizabeth, at 14, was pregnant
and due any day.

“I need you to take the baby away, kill it, sell
it…I don’t care. I am going to tell her that it died.” Anna had her
arms crossed over her chest, eyes cold. Over the years Nea had seen
that coldness infiltrate her old friend’s heart and mind. She cared
little for those around her, including her children. At 35 she
looked old, much older than Nea even with a bit of age magic. Jaded
and tainted by drink and that life hadn’t turned out quite as
happily ever after as she had wanted.

“Why didn’t you call for me sooner? We could have
handled this earlier.”

“Because my spoiled daughter wanted the baby,
refused to even think about getting rid of it and hid it until a
few weeks ago.” Anna’s mouth turned into a sneer.

“Why do you care about this at all? Just let her
keep her baby.” Nea said, leaning against the wall. Elizabeth was
in her fourth hour of labor, and her hips were almost too narrow at
such a young age to withstand the size of the babe within her. Nea
had brought Valora to help and hopefully they would not lose either
mother or child.

“Because she is betrothed to Count Ferencz Nadasdy
and will be leaving us within the year to marry him. It is a great
alliance for our family, especially since…” There was a moment of
silence when the ice around Anna seemed to melt, then she
straightened back up, “Since her father passed away.”

“Where is the babe’s father? Why not just send him
away with the child?” Nea had been there only a few days, but had
not seen the man who impregnated Elizabeth, nor heard a word about
him. Every time Elizabeth tried to mention him someone hushed her.
All Nea had gathered was it had happened very much like when Anna
had become pregnant. Except the boy was young and not good enough
for Anna to even consider letting them marry.

“I took care of him; I couldn’t have him spreading
rumors.”

“Oh Anna.” Nea passed a hand over her tired eyes, “I
wish you hadn’t.”

“Killing him was the only way, not like anyone paid
attention. His family is a bunch of paupers. Just a little poison.”
Anna bragged.

“You could have come to me, we could have figured it
out together.”

“And had you turn me away like when I got pregnant
with Istavan? I think not.” Rage laced Anna’s words.

“You know there was nothing I could do. I have been
paying penance for that ever since.”

“I know. Now will you take the little monster or do
I need to kill it myself?”

“I will take the babe.” Nea heard herself say. What
choice did she have? She couldn’t allow the child to be killed, and
maybe she could find a nice family to keep it until it was old
enough to become a problem.

“Good. Elizabeth doesn’t need a constant reminder of
one mistake.” Anna’s voice was harsh, memories of her own past
crowding her mind.

“How is Istavan?” Nea asked. She had not seen the
boy since he was married two years ago. He left home as soon as
possible, Gabor had done the same thing.

“I have no idea how his insipid wife puts up with
him. He needs constant handling,” was all Anna said as she led the
way back down the hall towards the birthing room.

“I think you should send Klara and Zsofia away for a
while Anna, Klara is 11, she could start an early season at court.
I could help you. Zsofia is too small, but maybe some schooling at
the convent.” Nea was desperate to get the other two girls away
from their mother.

“Why would I spend the money? They are worthless to
me until I can marry them off like their sister.” They stopped in
the hall and froze as they heard a weak baby’s cry. Anna took off,
running into the room to see Valora wrapping a small squirming pink
bundle in a linen blanket and preparing to hand it to
Elizabeth.

“No, give it to me.” Anna grasped the baby. Nea went
over to an exhausted, sweating Elizabeth. The girl had golden hair,
thick and curly with large beautiful sapphire Bathory eyes. She was
gorgeous, even covered in perspiration and tears.

“Aunt Nea, is the baby all right? What is it? Can I
hold it?”

“Perhaps. Let Valora finish up, you still have to
expel the after birth.” Nea stroked her forehead and followed Anna
as she took it out of the room.

“A girl, at least a boy would fetch a better price.”
Anna shoved the bundle into Nea’s arms just as it started to
cry.

“Shut it up, I can’t have Elizabeth hearing that.”
Anna barked.

“Just let her hold it, you don’t have to tell her it
died, just tell her she can’t possibly keep it. Not with the father
missing.” Nea begged. But there was only so much she could say,
could do. She could feel the curse wrapping around this scenario
and warping it to its own need. Sometimes being helpless,
especially with magical powers, was a horrible feeling. She wanted
to use mind magic on Anna, but there was a chance it wouldn’t work,
or could do more damage than good. Lesson 13: You cannot always fix
everything.

“No. Take it, or I will kill it myself.” Anna turned
and went back into the room. A few minutes later Nea heard a sharp
intake of breath and then Elizabeth began to wail. Valora came out
grimacing.

“That woman is colder than an iceberg.”

“Yes, something must be done,” Nea agreed. “Get the
wet nurse and take her and the babe back to Ruxandra. I will meet
you there.” She handed the bundle to Valora who tenderly kissed the
baby’s head.

“She should be fine the birth was easy and she
handled it well. If there are any issues call me. I left some herbs
and such just in case.” Valora cuddled the baby and rushed away.
Nea went back into the room to see Elizabeth sobbing and Anna
standing as far away from her as possible.

“I am so sorry Lizzy.” Nea crooned, sitting next to
the girl and holding her. She didn’t like this particular lie, but
knew that the truth would be worse. She could not raise her child,
not alone in this day and age, especially not with her family
working against her. Nea was worried if she went against Anna’s
wishes it would make things worse, if that was even possible.

“I don’t understand. I heard the cry.” Elizabeth
sobbed.

“It wasn’t meant to be, get over it and be glad it
wasn’t alive to torment you like Istavan.” Anna growled.

“Was it a girl?” Elizabeth asked, eyes swimming with
tears.

“Just another in the long line of cursed Bathory
women.” Anna spat out.

“Yes dear heart it was…Would you like to name her?”
It was the least Nea could do.

“Yes… Anastasia… will we have a burial?”

“Of course. We are not barbarians; it was the first
grandchild after all.” Anna came over and placed a hand on
Elizabeth’s arm, Nea noticed the girl flinched away, “now enough of
this, you must get better and fast for your upcoming nuptials.”

“I can’t get married after this, mother,” the girl
started to protest.

“It was your father’s dying wish to see you married
well. No argument.” Anna stormed from the room as a couple of maids
came in to help clean up and move Elizabeth back to her bed
chamber.

“Help me Aunt Nea.” Elizabeth begged.

“I can’t Lizzy…if I could I would, but she is your
mother. I will try talking to her again. You rest and heal.” Nea
kissed her forehead and followed Anna from the room, hatred
swirling inside her, she thought about talking to Anna again but it
would do no good. Anna’s heart was so frozen it would take a
volcano to melt it.

As she left the house, she overheard Anna shrieking
at one of Lizzy’s sisters and her heart hurt. Anna had so much
potential as a girl, bright and interesting; she would have been a
good wife and a good mother. Now she was destined to destroy the
lives of her own daughters. Nea didn’t know what to do. If she left
Anna with Klara and Zsofia it would ruin them, they would turn out
just like her, if not worse.

Nea was afraid the only possibility was to kill Anna
before any more damage could be done. The thought made her head
hurt. She was Anna’s friend, like family. She had watched her grow
up, get married, have babies. Wouldn’t it screw up the little girls
to grow up without a mother just as much as the opposite?

Stopping at the market she bought some dried
currants and figs as a gift for another little girl she knew.
Looking down at the dark purple, almost black dried fruits she knew
that she had to take the risk. If Klara and Zsofia stayed with Anna
the curse was certain to take them. If they grew up in a more
loving, forgiving household, perhaps they stood a chance. Decision
made, she hurried off, but the weight in her chest was a heavy
thing.

Nea had one more stop to make before she took care
of Anna. Anna’s older brother Christopher had a daughter as well.
She was five and Nea always tried to peek in on her. She wasn’t as
welcome in Christopher’s home, having been Anna’s best friend, but
he did allow her to leave presents and such. The side trip took no
less than an hour as she used magic to make little Gryzelda’s dolls
dance for her and present her with the dried fruits, a special
treat she didn’t get at home often. The little girl was adorable,
precious even, and Nea hoped she could keep the curse from her and
Anna’s daughters. Too soon she had to leave; there was much to be
done before the night ended.

She walked into her front door and called her
granddaughter. She didn’t like the dark thoughts in her head, she
didn’t want to sign the death sentence of another Bathory female,
but she had no choice. Anna was like venom, in that she would seep
in and ruin those little girls if Nea let her

“Yes, Bunica?” Ruxandra appeared.

“I need you to find Imre,” she said, talking about
one of her nastier Strigoi, he hadn’t quite turned dark enough for
her to kill him, but he enjoyed feeding off fear and didn’t care if
he created the terror to feed from. She had made him ten years
before and he had skirted a fine line the entire time. She had
chosen him on a whim, enjoying his dark humor. She had come across
him after delivering supplies to a local doctor. He had been dying
from too much drink. Normally she would not have cared until the
doctor told her he was a single father and had just recently sold
everything he owned to pay for his daughter’s way to court and a
better life.