The Bathory Curse (23 page)

“Thank you Nea, it’s always a pleasure to be able to
watch my daughter and her friends enjoy themselves.” The older lady
was sitting by the window in a gown of cream lace, a matching lace
fan in one hand.  

“Sabine and I appreciate the invitation; we were so
worried about not falling into the right crowd this summer,” Nea
smiled coyly. Like always, she and Sabine’s youthful image and
wealth had done wonders with ensuring the friendship of the only
other girls their age in their social class: Lucy and Mina. Though
to be honest, Mina was only present as Lucy’s best friend, she came
from poorer stock and was studying to be a teacher.

“Well, of course, and now that my Lucy has chosen a
suitable fiancée you and Sabine can have your pick of the rest.”
Mrs. Westenra giggled like a school girl, flushing under the powder
on her face.

“Well, I don’t know if Sabine and I are here to find
a husband this summer, but there are good prospects.” Nea caught
Sabine’s eye across the floor, she was being entertained by a Dr.
John “Call me Jack” Seward and looked as if she needed rescue.

“All young ladies need a good husband,” Mrs.
Westenra said. Nea agreed and took her leave, crossing the large
marble floor. The house the Westenras had rented for the summer was
large and airy with white walls and golden fixtures. There were
white flowing curtains on each of the large windows that let in the
cool sea breeze and all the furniture was brand new and in the
latest style. Lucy had informed them that her mother had the whole
place decorated before they had even packed their trunks.

The party tonight was in celebration of Lucy’s
engagement to Arthur Holmwood, a rich boy who had inherited all his
father’s money, title and property. Nea hadn’t met him yet, but
Lucy raved about his appearance, money and intellect. It had been
quite the courtship as two other young men had been interested in
her at the same time.

Nea was wearing her dark hair in a knot on the top
of her head, wisps of her hair floating down around her face. Her
dress was pale azure with squared décolletage, what was called a
wasp waist, and a long trained skirt. A style very in for evening
dresses, most of the ladies wore similar versions, some with lace
or pearls, some made of satin or with puffed sleeves. Sabine was in
a pearled trimmed version in a lovely coral color.

“Sabine, you are hogging Doctor Seward,” Nea
laughed, coming to stand by her friend and handing her a glass of
wine.

“You read my mind,” Sabine took the glass and drank
deeply, annoyed at the young doctor.

“Ah, Miss Nea, you are lovely this evening,” the
young man stammered. He was short with sandy blonde hair and blue
eyes, not handsome, but very kind.

“Thank you; now what were you talking about?”

“My patient, Renfield, his particular brand of
psychosis is fascinating: he eats bugs, seems to think they will
keep him alive,” He laughed, but there was darkness behind it.

“The human mind is a very interesting and powerful
thing,” Nea agreed.

“He was also mentioning how worried he was about
Lucy,” Sabine commented, and then turned to a waiter to deposit her
wine glass and ask for another.

“Mina assures us she has been feeling better the
past few days,” Nea’s brow creased in concern. Vlad had been
feeding on the child at least twice a week since the boat wreck; it
was only a matter of time before he killed her or turned her. The
girl was pale, tired and listless most days, which saddened Nea
because she very much enjoyed Lucy’s company.

“I examined her just a few hours ago, she seems to
suffer from severe anemia, but I cannot find the cause and neither
can her mother’s doctors,” Dr. Seward was quite concerned, his gaze
flew to the couch where Lucy lounged, slowly drinking champagne
while Mina fussed around her. The girl’s eyes were bright, but
under her makeup she was much too pale.

“Well, then it is a good thing her
fiancée will be arriving in Whitby soon, maybe his presence will
help,”
Sabine laughed. Nea didn’t think it was that funny
but knew Sabine was a little twisted.

“Maybe. If you will excuse me ladies I am going to
see if I can offer her my assistance.” He hurried off, pulling at
his collar nervously.

“Poor sap, he’ll love her until he dies,” Sabine
snorted.

“Or until she does.” Nea took a drink of her own
champagne, watching the room. There were several people milling
about, good food and half way decent conversation, but she didn’t
have much interest in any of them.

“Have you been back to Carfax?” Sabine asked.

“Several times. I even tripped the wards, but he is
never there and I can’t seem to track his location. It’s like he
doesn’t want me to find him,” Nea shrugged.

“He didn’t show up the few times we have watched
Lucy at night, so I would say that’s an accurate conclusion.”
Sabine motioned over to where Lucy and Mina were. Mina was making
her way over to them. Nea didn’t like her much; she found her
overbearing and manipulative, no matter how kind she was trying to
come across.

“I am so glad you both could come tonight, I don’t
have to tell you how fond Lucy and I have become of you.” Mina
smiled, but it was fake and there was worry behind her brown
eyes.

“We wouldn’t miss it, but Mina, you seem so
distracted.” Nea was better at the play acting than Sabine.

“Oh well…” Mina lowered her voice and what sounded
like despair laced her words, but Nea thought some of it was
forced, “my fiancée, Jonathan? He went to Transylvania on behalf of
his company, to discuss some real estate purchase. At first I heard
from him every week, but the letters have stopped and the last few
sounded so frantic.” Tears filled her eyes, “I am afraid something
horrible has happened to him.”

Nea couldn’t speak, this could not be coincidence,
her fiancée must have been the solicitor Vlad hired before his
trip. Realizing her best friend was too busy thinking to talk,
Sabine took over.

“Oh no. I can see why you are so worried, what with
Lucy ill as well. But I am sure he’s fine.” She didn’t sound as
nice or convincing as Nea would have, but it worked.

“Yes, well I will feel better after I hear from him.
His employer has assured me he is getting behind Jonathan’s
whereabouts for me.” Mina had cooled her emotions a little, backing
off emotionally.

“Well, don’t worry, if you have to leave we shall be
sure to look after Lucy and her mother for you, we wouldn’t want to
you have added stress,” Nea came out of her own thoughts and
salvaged the conversation from Sabine.

“Oh, that’s too kind,” Mina practically cooed it.
“If you don’t mind I need to get some fresh air.”

“Bitch.” Sabine hissed as Mina walked away.

“I know, and insincere too.” Nea frowned, “she isn’t
as worried about Jonathan as she seems to be, she’s more concerned
Lucy and her mother will die and she will lose her ties to
society.”  Nea was about to freshen her drink and try and find
Quincy Morris, whom she had been told had an amusing anecdote about
a vampire bat, when there was a lull in the noise. The music still
played but the people had stopped talking.

The butler had appeared to announce a new party
guest and while normally there wouldn’t have been a pause all eyes
were focused on the man standing behind him. His eyes were only on
Nea.

“Count Dracula.” The butler
announced and Vlad swept into the room. His black hair was shorter,
the way men of the time wore it and he had shaved since she had
seen him last. He wore a black suit with a long black cape; his
existence alone was loud and commanding. His black eyes intense,
they broke away from Nea and rested on Mrs.
Westenra who had
stood at his entrance.

“Mrs. Westenra, I was so pleased to receive your
invitation to this party. I have had little chance to socialize
since I moved to Carfax.” His voice was deep, seductive, his accent
unique and alluring. Nea had long ago perfected the art of losing
her accent, but she was happy to hear the sounds of her homeland in
Vlad.

Dracula walked over to Mrs. Westenra, who blushed as
he took her hand and kissed it. As things went back to normal the
party picked up again and Nea and Sabine moved closer.

“Well, when Jack…Dr. Seward mentioned a man of your
age and breeding all alone out at that estate I felt it was my duty
to make you welcome. I am so glad you could come,” she said. He
dropped her hand and kept smiling.

“Yes, Dr. Seward has been a very gracious neighbor;
I have spent several evenings in his company.”

“I do not understand why in the world you would want
that old place. I’ve seen it; it’s going to take a fortune to
renovate” Mrs. Westenra said, frowning.

“I enjoy the history; in my own homeland it is rare
to find new things. I won’t be doing too much renovation.” His
voice was a little less pleasant.

“Have you met my daughter, Lucy?”  Mrs.
Westenra waved a hand at Lucy, on the couch, trying to brighten up
the mood, though motioning to a sick girl, not the best way to go
about it. One could tell she was used to Lucy being the prettiest,
most sparkling, joyous, belle of the ball

“I have not, though Dr. Seward raves about her
beauty.” Dracula made his way over, his eyes on the girl, she could
not look away, her hand reached up and touched her throat.

“Dracula, old man, what a thing to say.” Dr. Seward
blushed; sitting next to Lucy with his doctor’s bag.

“Have you been ill, Miss Lucy?” Dracula asked.

“Just a little tired,” Lucy murmured.

“The good doctor thinks she is anemic.” Nea could
stand it no longer, she thrust herself into his path. His eyes
fired as they raked over her body and then became distant.

“This is Miss Nea Bathory and Miss Sabine McLendon,
friends of my daughter. Both are staying in Whitby for the summer
and single,” Mrs. Westenra added, quickly introducing them.

“A pleasure to meet you both,” Dracula said.

“Wine, Count?” Sabine asked, as a waiter stopped
near his elbow, she was baiting him.

“I never drink…wine.” The humor in his voice only
Nea and Sabine could appreciate.

“If you are anemic Miss Lucy, you should eat more
meat, iron is good for the blood.” He turned his attention back to
the girl.

“I don’t care for dead animal.” Her voice was almost
a whisper, her eyes still latched on Dracula.

“I’ve tried to tell her that,” Dr. Seward
commented.

“You must eat meat. I have seen anemia in my time,
and quite often it is the only solution, the rarer the better.”
Dracula took another step towards the girl.

“Count, why don’t I show you the terrace, Lucy is
tired, all this attention is too much for her.” Nea tried to be
coy, but they both knew she was interfering.

“Alas, I would like nothing better, but I cannot
stay. I have business in London. I wanted to stop by and simply
thank Mrs. Westenra for the invitation.” Dracula turned back to the
older woman and bowed over her hand.

“I am sure we shall all see each other soon.” Then
with a swirl of his cape he quickly left the room, Mina passed him
as he walked out, her eyes going wide.

“Who was that?” she asked.

“Oh Mina! You missed it!” Lucy exclaimed; stopping
to try and breathe, overly excited. Mina sat down next to her
friend and began to calm her down. Sabine and Nea walked away to
talk.

“We will have to watch this evening,” Sabine
said.

“What was that all about?” Nea asked, “he had to
know we were here.”

“He did. It’s a game Nea, and we better figure out
the rules.” Sabine shook her head, both watching as Lucy told Mina
all about the strange Count.

That night Sabine and Nea stayed over at the
Westenra house, faking fatigue and spirits, they acquired a room
next to the one Lucy and Mina were sharing so that they would be
within close proximity if anything should happen.

It was almost two in the morning when Nea noticed
the change in the air and felt Vlad lingering outside the
house.

“Sabine, it’s time,” she whispered to her friend.
Both Stregas were in night gowns, having had to imitate getting
ready for bed with Mina and Lucy.  Nea pulled on a long black
satin robe.

“You go make sure Mina doesn’t wake, I’ll take care
of this,” Nea said. “When I have Lucy away from him, wake Mina up.”
she stepped out the doors that led into the moonlit court yard,
just as Lucy’s room did. It was a little cold and she shivered,
pulling her robe tighter around her. The glass doors to the room
next door were open and she could see Lucy was already across the
courtyard and out the gate leading up to a hill.  

“Good luck,” Sabine murmured and went to take care
of Mina.

Nea didn’t need luck, this wasn’t about anything as
mundane. She followed Lucy and watched as a man came out of the
shadows and beckoned to the girl. Lucy went and the man embraced
her, it was intimate, but was really just the vampire feeding. Nea
knew it would feel likes excess amounts of pleasure was running
through the girl’s system, it was easy to become addicted.

“Stop, Vlad,” Nea said a few feet from the entwined
couple. He did, but it took a few seconds for him to raise his
mouth from the girl’s swan like neck.

“Nea, don’t interfere,” he growled, eyes red. He
lowered his mouth back to her neck, keeping eye contact with Nea as
he drank.

“I said stop, you will kill her.” Nea took another
step forward, gathering her magic around her, she would strike him
if she had to. He drank deeply for a few more seconds and then
pulled away from the girl, not even bothering to lick the wounds
gone.

“She is only a child Vlad, what use could you
possibly have for her?”

“I need a companion here in England; she is lovely
to look at and will do nicely.” He stepped away from Lucy, the girl
stood in a trance, eyes blank.