Blood Countess (On Hold)

Chapter 15

1609

Køge, Denmark.

It was a brief escape from the scrutiny of the kingdom who accused Erzsébet Báthory of the treacherous things they said she has done. The rumors started after she became a vampire in 1604. She couldn't control her thirst for human blood but with Anna's help, she mastered the art of controlling her thirst. She did kill a number of young girls in the beginning but after learning how to control her hunger, she discovered that she could just take a bite and drink, then use compulsion to make them forget.

Erzsébet suspects that there was a spy at Čachtice castle, working for the minister István Magyari and the Palatine of Hungary,György Thurzó. Her husband was such a dalcop for entrusting her and his heirs to György Thurzó ! He was nothing more than a selfish, cunning bastard who obviously envied their riches.

She glanced out of the carriage. Anna was sitting opposite her.

"You look worried," Erzsébet said.

"It is our fourth day and yesterday, someone told me witchhunts were going on," Anna said very quietly.

"No one here knows you..." Erzsébet pointed out.

"I'm aware of that," Anna muttered.

Erzsébet thought about it for a while.

"We'll stay here for one more day before going somewhere else," Erzsébet said.

Anna wondered if Erzsébet did cared about her after so long.

"Besides, I'm getting bored here," Erzsébet continued.

Anna look at her, heart hardening a little.

The carriage came to a halt and the two of them gracefully stepped out of the carriage. Just as they got out, a woman was being dragged by two men.

"I am no witch!" she yelled repeatedly.

She fought her hardest against the two men and when she gave up she shouted that she wasn't the only one.

"You'll answer to the court!" the men frowned, dragging her forward roughly. A small crowd formed to watch.

Countess Erzsébet and Anna did not proceed until they were out of their sights.

"We probably should get out of here sooner," Anna told her, lowering her voice.

"Just one more day," Erzsébet said sternly. Nothing should scare the both of them, or at least just her.

Anna sighed, "Alright." She knows that it is better to listen to Erzsébet than to object her decisions.

***

That night, terrible things happened. The accused witch earlier that morning was brought to the center of Køge. Everyone was invited to watch and if anyone didn't go and watch, they would be considered a witch too.

"Yer Witch!" one of the peasants shouted, raising his torch up. The fire danced on the top of the torch. A few others copied his actions.

"Die Satan worshiper!" yelled another as many joined in the chants.

The woman looked around frantically as she was tied to the wooden pole.

"There are many of you here who claim not to deal with the dark arts!" she growled fiercely.

"You are all liars. I can point out a few now!" she yelled, as she felt the rope tightening around her wrists.

Anna felt her heart stop. She asked herself a few times if people knew her here. She looked over to Erzsébet and she saw nothing but a stone mask. Erzsébet was always good at managing her emotions.