The Bathory Curse

by Renee Lake

  “The curse has a time limit, 666 years.”

  “How do you know that?” Nea could feel her temper, why couldn’t Bendis tell her what she knew? Why did she have to make it this huge guessing game?

  “Because I do.”

  “It’s not FAIR!!” Nea sounded like a little girl, “you KNOW the answers, you know them and you won’t tell me! You are making it harder for me to do my job.”

  “I know, but I need you to break the curse without my help.” Bendis had a cold expression and refused to meet Nea’s gaze.

  “Where should I go?” Nea asked, frustrated, Bendis wouldn’t talk and Nea couldn’t make her, so instead she changed the subject, like always.

  “To England I think. Ruxandra has expressed a wish to see France and I have a perfect house there that will allow Stasi to travel between the two of you and become even better-rounded and learned.” Bendis didn’t usually speak to or have any interest in Strigoi, but she liked Ruxandra’s independence.

  “It will be hard to leave my home,” Nea bowed her head.

  “Yes, especially since all ten of your remaining Strigoi are here. You will need to make a new one to take with you on your travels.” Bendis told her.

  “I have just made Stasi.” Surely the Goddess knew that.

  “I know, but she doesn’t count, you won’t use her like you should.”

  “When will I be leaving?”

  “I have already spoken to Ruxandra, she shall meet you in France since you must travel the old fashioned way with your things and staff. I suggest you leave as soon as possible.” Then in true Bendis fashion she left, vanished in an instance.

  Even with Bendis suggestion Nea decided to go to sleep instead of crawl out of her warm bed to hunt for a potential Strigoi. She slept well and could thank Vlad for that.

  Chapter 11

  When she woke it was early in the morning and the castle was quiet. She dressed in what was common in society. She never grew tired of how fashion changed. She wore a black dress with a petticoat that had a linen jacket with a yellow tinted collar. The jacket had large cuffs that she quite liked.

  As she made her way down stairs she pulled on a matching broad rimmed black hat with yellow plumage. Marina was standing at the foot of the stairs with a breakfast pie in one hand a cup of tea in the other.

  “Thank you; tell cook it was wonderful as usual,” she said taking the food and beginning to eat as she and Marina went over the day’s schedule. She still felt a little raw after everything that had happened, but she had learned it was best to move past the negative and try again.

  “We shall be moving. I will contact Ruxandra myself. I am hoping to have her staff meet us here for the start of the trip within the next two weeks. We shall be going to France first to set up a house there and then on to England,” she explained.

  “Two weeks? That’s not a lot of time to pack everything.” Marina’s mouth was a stern line.

  “I know, but we are simply closing up this house. Only pack sentimental objects, all the furniture is to stay, including most of the books and silver. Bendis will provide anything else we need at the other locations.” Nea explained.

  “What about the house in Hungary?” Mariana asked.

  “I am still close with many of the Bathory line, I am sure they will tend to it for me, especially for the right price.”

  “I will need to hire extra help to get everything boarded up and covered in time.”

  “Not a problem. Make sure you tell the staff that any who wish to be free of their service are welcome to leave now, new help can be acquired.” Nea’s words brought a surprised reaction from Marina. Her castle staffed sixteen employees, Marina, a butler, three stable hands who also drove her carriages, a family of three who looked after the grounds and maintenance, a cook, cook’s helper, an accountant and five maids. All but five of them came from other times, in debt to Bendis. It would be a huge boon to be allowed out of their contracts early.

  “And the staff in Hungary?” Marina was writing everything down.

  “Are all natives to that area. Aside from those who will tend to this castle, they are being given the same option to go home or come here for the move.” Nea shrugged. She finished her food, “I am going out, if anyone gets up, which they probably won’t, let them know I’ll be back before lunch.”

  Pulling on a coat she walked outside, enjoying the fresh air, it was still a bit chilly. She raised her face to the wind and felt a tugging in her soul that meant someone who was meant to become Strigoi was in the area.

  It felt a little different than normal, more frantic really, like she was being led, but after everything that had happened Nea suspected it was just her bruised emotions and nothing serious.

  She let the magic pull her to a woodland 30 miles away. As she stepped on the deep lush forest floor she took in the rich earthy tones and wondered who could possibly be out in the woods this far. There wasn’t a town or village in miles and this wasn’t an area very many people wandered in. The tales of fairy creatures scared most.

  As she followed her feelings she sent out a call to have her remaining Strigoi meet her at the Castle as soon as night fell. She would have to tell them she was leaving the area and let them know what to do with her gone.

  She chose to walk through the forest rather than use her magic, it was quiet and peaceful, and as a Strega she was in no danger. It was one time she could actually just be. She loved hunting for new Strigoi it made her feel just a little more alive.

  As she walked she thought about one of the Bathory girls. Borbala had turned 13 at the start of the year, a prize to her parent’s eyes. They had thrown a huge party and Nea had danced with the little girl until she was exhausted and sleeping on her skirts. She wouldn’t be able to see her for much longer even if she stayed; with her age magic, people in the town were still getting suspicious. Women didn’t live much past 50 and they all knew she had been a friend of the girl’s grandmother and mother.

  Nea came out of her wool gathering hearing a soft groan. She made her way into a partial clearing, scanning the area. Sitting up against a tree, holding his arm was a young man. He had a square face and hazel eyes that looked like the forest, green, brown and gold. His hair was long and flaxen, loose around his face, his skin dark.

  “Hello, do you need help? My name is Nea,” she asked, coming over to him. His gaze snapped to her and she was shocked at the intensity in them, something about him was compelling and a little scary, she enjoyed both.

  “What are you doing out here? Are you a hallucination?” His voice was soft, musical.

  “No, but I am offering help, I think your leg is broken.”

  “My horse spooked and threw me,” he answered, “I am called Costica.”

  “Well then Costica, of course your horse threw you, this is no place for a ride.” She clucked, kneeling down to examine his wound. There was a pile of vomit close by she assumed was from the initial break.

  “Or a lovely lady like yourself.”

  “I am no ordinary lady,” she laughed back, touching his leg gently, he winced, she didn’t have the power to heal him, but she could take him home to Marina.

  “You must be an angel then, or a vision.”

  “Not even close. Tell me why you were riding.” She was amazed he could even speak. He hissed in pain suddenly, face paling even further and took a deep breath.

  “Running away, if I stay home, my brothers will kill me.”

  “If you stay here you will die as well.” She sat back and looked at him, “why are your brothers trying to kill you?”

  “Because my father prefers me even though I am the youngest.” His breath smelled strongly of wine, she saw a wine skin lay near his hand, almost empty.

  “I’m sorry. What were you running away to?”

  “Anything would be a better option than what will happen if they find me.”

  “Have you had to fend off any animals?” She asked, glancing around, he wasn’t bleeding too
badly, it looked like he had a makeshift bandage, but his eyes had a bit of a fever in them, she touched his forehead sure enough he was very warm. She used her touch to ease the pain.

  “No thankfully, I don’t know what I would have done had a wolf or a bear come across me.”

  “I could help you to my home, I have a nurse that can heal you, but I worry there is infection in your wound, already killing you.” Nea touched his arm, when she had bent over the wound, it had smelled ghastly, combined with his pallor, she didn’t know if Marina actually could heal him.

  “I figured as much. I have been out here for two days.” Costica groaned, “Fair lady, would you simply take my sword and run me through?”

  Nea didn’t understand why she was feeling such a connection to the young man and the words came out of her mouth before she could stop them, “would you enjoy a second option to death?”

  “I would welcome it.” He leaned his head back; his leg didn’t hurt as bad but just looking at it made him sick. Nea quickly explained who she was and what she was offering. Like always he was disbelieving until she showed him, then he sat in stunned silence for a few moments.

  “Either way, I shall help you.” Nea stood, he must not like the idea of being bound to her in Strigoi form for eternity, she’d had refusals before. She just wiped their minds and moved on. She only hoped he didn’t throw a fit and become weepy, hysterical, or afraid…she had dealt with people like that before too.

  “No…I think that this might solve problems.” He smiled, a little nervous.

  “You seem calmer than most about my offer,” Nea said, wary all of the sudden, but still feeling like this was the right choice, compelled almost.

  “It is odd, and frightening, but my options are not much better. I wasn’t kidding; if my brothers find me…they will kill me.” Costica grimaced in pain, swallowing down some bile.

  “You cannot take this back if you change your mind, unless you wish for true death,” Nea warned.

  “Just do it, please, my brothers were not far behind me,” he begged. Nea grabbed his arms and began, the process took much longer than it ever had before and she wondered if he was resisting and she had made a bad choice. Then it was over and he stood in her embrace, healed.

  “How do you feel?” she asked, excited about his creation and the upcoming travel. He seemed like a well learned, polite, interesting man who would be good company. She enjoyed having new friends.

  “I feel great,” he moved away and bowed low, “at your command my lady.” With those words he grabbed her shoulders and kissed her, cruel and feverish against her lips. She strained away from him for a moment, but when his hands slid over her hips she felt her skin prickle and her heart rate speed up.

  This was just what she needed, a tryst with a good looking man, to make her feel warm, alive and happy again, even if it wasn’t permanent. The night before with Vlad and been wonderful, but full of too much emotion.

  So Nea kissed him back. She allowed her hands to roam over his body as his kisses excited her. It was hot and quick, consuming her. His own hands cupped her bottom, her breasts, lightly brushed her hair. He smelled of the woods and she couldn’t wait to have him inside of her.

  “I am sorry, but since there is no bed.” Costica growled and pushed her up against a tree. His hands thrust between her thighs as Nea used one hand to steady herself and the other to hold up her skirts. She wrapped both legs around him.

  Pleasure danced through her system as she watched him unlace his breeches and pull out his hard and waiting cock. He pressed against the apex of her legs and she could feel his heat. Arching against him she moaned deep in her throat, muttering a word her under garments disappeared. Not a bad trick, Sabine had taught her 20 years or so ago.

  “That’s handy, I would have hated to ruin such pretty under things.” Costica grinned, eyes wide and dilated. His fingers found her wet and ready for him. Without any warning he impaled her with his shaft, driving the air from her lungs. He rutted against her like a wild animal and she took every thrust, even as the bark on the tree became painful at her back.

  “Go, go, go.” he said frantically, head buried at her neck. She strained against him, trying to reach climax.

  “Harder.” She begged, and he gave her what she asked and she screamed his name as her orgasm racked her body. He couldn’t contain himself and followed her quickly, pulling out, he came hot on her thigh, breathing heavily, he leaned into her, giving her all his weight.

  The sound of her bright laughter had him meeting her gaze, he too smiled and then stepped away, holding her arm as she cleaned up and righted herself.

  “That was wonderful, thank you.” Nea sighed, a wave of her hands restoring her appearance.

  “Hopefully that isn’t how you greet all your new Strigoi,” he teased.

  “Of course not, you shall be a good distraction on my trip however. I have never taken a Strigoi lover before.” Nea felt quite relaxed and happy, a dim shadow in her mind felt guilty, like she was cheating on her husband.

  “Happy to be of service,” he bowed, “now what?”

  “Well, you must feed, we are traveling to France in two weeks and you will come with me, until then you can do whatever you want,” Nea said. Her Strigoi always enjoyed their freedom. She briefly explained about feeding on emotions, most of her Strigoi did not need much in the way of guidance. It was a built in fail safe when they were turned.

  “If you like I have several Strigoi that can teach you to hunt.” Nea blinked a few times; like a veil that had formed over her mind was being lifted. Why had she been so desperate to turn this man? A bit of her joy from earlier left, had she really just had sex with a stranger? That wasn’t like her. She shrugged it off, she had a good time after all. However now the guilt of being with Costica felt like lead in her stomach, she and Vlad didn’t live as man and wife, but she had never really stopped considering herself his spouse.

  “Whatever I want? I thought I was to come home with you?” he asked. She could tell he was stuck on that one comment and hadn’t been paying attention to anything else she said.

  “You can if you like. You can do anything now. Most of my Strigoi relish in their independence.” Nea was proud of that, some Stregas kept all their Strigoi in their household, like play things, she hated the practice.

  “Independence; but I assumed I was to be your mate. I figured that was why you took me as your lover.” Costica’s eyes darkened as he looked at the beautiful woman before him. His family had always had a weakness for pretty girls.

  “I don’t have a mate and while I am flattered, I don’t need one. I did enjoy our encounter and wouldn’t be against it happening again in the future.” Nea laughed, complimented by Costica and thinking he was bound to be fun to have around, though a tinge of worry breathed across her skin.

  “No, that’s not how this works. You make me a Strigoi, fuck me and then you abandon me?” He was getting angrier with each word.

  “I am not abandoning you. You are my Strigoi, you may see me whenever you like.” She was confused at his words; he seemed agitated, his hands clenched at his side.

  “You saved me, tended to me, offered me great power. You let me inside you. You must want me, it seems only logical that we now be together,” he stated. Nea didn’t care for where this was going.

  “You can come home with me if you want, but I am not going to be with you, not in a romantic relationship way.” She played the get out of this free card, “I am married.”

  “Married! So you acted like this with me knowing that you belong to another man! You whore!” He roared.

  “It is complicated. I understand how it must seem and I am sorry. I suggest you calm down. Like I said, as long as you are at the castle in two weeks you can do whatever you want. That includes coming home with me.” She was a little worried, there was something about him now that bothered her. She left him there, before he could yell at her any more. She took her time getting home and would later regret
it.

  Chapter 12

  “Where have you been?” Sabine yelled at her as she came through the door.

  “I told Marina to tell you.” Nea took her coat off and placed the large bouquet of flowers she had picked on the entry way table. She wanted to talk to Sabine about the romp she had in the forest and why she still felt sick about it, hadn’t she had a great climax and a nice time?

  “I have been trying to reach you for hours; didn’t you get any of our summons?” Sabine seemed much shaken up.

  “No, but I wasn’t paying attention. Did you ask Mihail or Stasi to come find me?” Nea asked, looking at her friend. Sabine was flushed from the top of her red hair down to her bare feet. Nea focused on her outfit, her friend rarely wore clothing from the correct time period, but today she had on a green tabbed skirt with a black high waisted bodice over a ¾ sleeved white chemise and on her head sat a capotain; a tall black felt hat. She must have been out and about among normal people. Nea took half a second to admire the satin gold sash and remind herself to go shopping before her trip.

  “Has something happened?” She came further into the room.

  “I couldn’t send Mihail or Stasi because as soon as we figured out what happened I had to send them to Hungary.” Sabine’s anger deflated as she realized her best friend had no idea anything was wrong.

  “What. Has. Happened.” Nea repeated, fear curling in her belly, apparently she couldn’t even have a day off.

  “That new Strigoi you made came here, furious that you have abandoned his love or some such nonsense. You really should change stupider more naïve people, I swear. Mihail tried to calm him down and sent him into the library to wait for you. He found your journals about the Bathory women and went into a rage, he destroyed half the library before Mihail and I were able to control him.” Sabine led her to the destruction.

  Nea pressed a hand over her mouth, the library was a wreck. Books were flung every which way, loose pages lay around the room, lost and alone. A table was upturned and two shelves were splintered and destroyed.