Bathing in Blood

Bathing in Blood - Part 14

"Hurry Anna! We must take the body to the baths before it cools down."

"Yes, Elizabeth." With a great heave, Anna was able to pick up the body. It was considerably heavy despite Natalia being so small, but then again it was now dead weight. Literally.

"Come, come! We have to go!"

Not bothering to take the dogs, the two walked as quickly as they could back to their room.

"Addy! Get over here!"

"Aye, Ma'am!" she squeaked.

Anna handed the body of the girl over to the maid. "You know what to do, Addy. Be quick about it.

"Aye, Ma'am."

Elizabeth sighed. Her eyelids closed for a moment. "I needed that, Anna. Really, I did. The thrill. The rush. I feel alive again."

"As do I." Anna took a step closer to her mistress. She ran her fingers through the Countess's hair comfortingly.

They waited in silence for just a few minutes. Addy was quick with her work, as she was so used to it. Soon she was able to leave the baths and go to call her mistresses.

"Ma'am, the tub is ready for ye."

"Thank you, Addy." Elizabeth stood from her seat on the velvet chair. "Come, Anna."

They walked across the red carpet to the door at the back. It was a different door from the one Natalia had been sent through. This door was large and made of white marble, unlike the smaller wooden one. It was Elizabeth's private room; no victim had ever been allowed inside.

The warm light of candles greeted them. Despite the cool marble floors, the room felt warm, for the fireplace in the corner was burning brightly. There wasn't much else save for the enormous porcelain bathing tub in the center of the room. It was filled to the brim, ready for Elizabeth to get in.

She was quick to step behind the screen and have Addy help her undress. After tossing her gown and cloak aside, she stepped out towards the tub. Anna turned away, respecting the Countess by not looking at her. Elizabeth's steps over the floor were quick and light as she made her way to the bath. She put one foot in, then the other, and slowly sank down until her chest was mostly covered. Anna opened her eyes and went to sit on the chair that was readily positioned next to the bath.

Elizabeth seemed to melt away as the warmth of the liquid covered her. She closed her eyes in pleasure. Anna took up a silver comb and began to run it through the Countess's hair.

"Do you feel better, Elizabeth?"

"I do, Anna. I do." She slipped down even lower. "She was so pretty, I'm sure her blood will do me well."

Anna nodded, smiling, and dipped her finger into the tub. It came out red and warm. She felt the texture of it; thicker than water, but not yet congealed. The furnace lit beneath the floors insured that the bath would not grow too cold.

"I must thank you for allowing me to join you this night, Elizabeth. It truly honours me that I am your chosen companion."

"It was nothing, Anna. Really. Who else would I want with me? No one, that is the truth."

Anna bent her head down and kissed Elizabeth lightly on the forehead. "Nor would I want anyone other than you."

Elizabeth opened her eyes. "Is that supposed to mean something, dear?"

"What do you mean?"

"Oh, nothing." She closed her eyes again. "I am very glad we were able to do this tonight. I couldn't bear to see another wrinkle appear on my forehead. I must look beautiful for..."

Her words trailed off. She hesitated to finish her sentence, though Anna knew what she was going to say. Ferenc; her darling husband. But she never said it, and that, to Anna, spoke volumes.

"I must look beautiful," she finally finished. She smiled softly at Anna, her eyes looking sideways.

"You always look beautiful. But these baths do certainly relax you."

"Mm."

The rest of the night was spent in a comfortable silence. Elizabeth remained in the bath for another half an hour, until she felt the blood had been given enough time to replenish her skin. Then she stood up, observing her own body as the blood ran down. She called for a towel.

"Are you ready to go to sleep, Elizabeth?"

She nodded in reply as Addy helped to dry her. "I am suddenly very tired, Anna. And I need to be awake at a decent time so that I may welcome Ferenc back home."

"Of course."

Elizabeth dressed, and the two left the dungeon.

The jailor was standing stark-still, his eyes still open and glassy. The trance hadn't left him.

"We are finished," Anna said.

"Yes Madame."

"What are you going to do once we leave?" she questioned.

His voice was monotonous. "I will leave the trance I am in and I will not remember anything of this night."

She grinned. "Good, good."

Anna and Elizabeth left the dungeons.

After five minutes of navigating the underground corridors, they were back to the stairwell. Anna followed behind as Elizabeth climbed the stairs. They reached the halls of the first floor of the castle. Not a sound could be heard from anyone, save for the soft footsteps, like two cats padding along the floor.

Elizabeth's chambers were still warm from the dying embers of the fireplace. Anna helped her out of her gown and into her chemise.

"Sleep well, Elizabeth."

"Indeed I will. Tonight was exhilarating."

Anna's dark eyes shone with the last bits of excitement from their excursion. "It was, Elizabeth. Sweet dreams." She left the room.

. . .

The next day was busy. Servants bustling about, preparing the castle for the return of the Count. Elizabeth and Anna were dressed and waiting when Ferenc's carriage and entourage pulled up into the courtyard.

Ferenc stepped out, looking regal and distinguished as usual. He smiled – almost fondly – when he saw his wife.

"Ah, my dearest Elizabeth. How have you been?"

"I have been well, Ferenc. I missed you." She reached up to kiss her husband.

Ferenc nodded in Anna's direction. "Lady Darvulia."

She curtseyed, but did not smile.

Ferenc took the arm of his lady and led her away towards the castle. "Did you do anything interesting while I was away, love? What have you been up to?"

Elizabeth smiled innocently, appearing like a perfect angel. She batted her dark eyelashes. "Oh, nothing dear, absolutely nothing."

Anna couldn't help but chuckle.

And that's everything! I hope you all enjoyed my first ever horror story, Bathing in Blood! Now, a little history lesson. Elizabeth (Erzebet) Bathory was a real historical figure in Hungary in the 1600s. She was married to the Count Ferenc at a young age and quickly became very interested in the dark arts. She began torturing her victims and then murdering them to bathe in their blood because she believed it would make her young and beautiful. Anna Darvulia was also a supposed historical figure. She was a witch, a Satanist, and the lover of Elizabeth. Together, along with a few other accomplices, they killed nearly 650 young virgin girls. When the problem was finally brought to the attention of the authorities, they were able to hang Elizabeth's friends, but because of her noble status they weren't allowed to execute the countess. Eventually she was arrested for the murder of 80 young women and she was placed under house arrest. She died four years later. Elizabeth had several children before her arrest, and little is known about what happened to them. She was also said to be a kind and caring mother!