Dark Realm 71
Elizabeth stared down at the town from her stone balcony. “Pitiful species.” She spat. The sound of pounding hooves made her turn around. “What do you want, Ottoline?”
“I have news, my queen.” Ottoline’s face contorted in a hideous grin. During the fight on the Isle of Magnesia Being lost in the caves drove him a bit mad.
“I am not your queen, you imbecile. I am a Countess. What news do you have? Tell me quick before I drain you.”
“I’ve been watching the gypsies as you commanded.” Spittle dripped from the corners of his mouth.
After several silent minutes, Elizabeth asked. “What did you see?” Elizabeth handed him a piece of cloth. “You can be pretty gross.” Elizabeth strode by.
“Sorry, my qu….”
Elizabeth glared at Ottoline.
“I’m sorry, my countess.” Ottoline handed Elizabeth the used cloth.
“No.” Elizabeth sat on the high back chair.
“While hiding in the thick brush I saw a banshee arrive. I’ve never seen one of them before not alone.”
“A banshee?” Elizabeth stroked her delicate chin. “Continue.”
“She was also spying on the gypsies.”
“I thought you had some real news; you fool.” Elizabeth threw her arms in the air. “Maybe keeping you around is a mistake. I’ve never tasted a centaur. I’m beginning to wonder what you taste like.”
“No, wait, please. I saw another woman. I knew her face she walked side by side with some old man with white hair.”
“Pyramus.” Elizabeth pushed off her throne. “What are you up to?”
“I couldn’t get a good look at her. I was so tired. I dozed off for a minute.”
Elizabeth slapped Ottoline in his face.
Ottoline bowed. “Sometimes I can’t think straight.”
“Why do I keep you around?” Elizabeth pushed past him.
“Because I obey.” Ottoline nodded, following behind the countess. “I have a present for you.”
“I have no patience for your ignorance.” Elizabeth snapped her fingers. “What present?”
“The banshee from the camp.”
Elizabeth snapped to attention. “Bring her to me.” She rubbed her palms together. “Bring me something to eat. I’m famished.”
“Yes, my Countess, right away.” Ottoline rushed out of the room.
“Oh, Ottoline, if the girl is no use to me, I will drain you dry.”
“She’s a banshee. I promise.” Ottoline pranced down the stone hallway.
Elizabeth walked over to a long shelf full of various sculpted glass containers. Meticulously, she plucked a long slim bottle from the mantel shelf. Elizabeth swirled the bottle causing the essence inside to twirl around. Elizabeth opened the bottle. A droplet of essence trickled on her tongue. She recapped the bottle as a wispy form developed in front of her.
“Why are you doing this to me?” The otherworldly woman asked. “Please set me free.”
“Because your torment brings me joy.” Elizabeth flashed a toothy grin. The smile contorted Elizabeth’s appearance.
“You have no heart to feel joy.” The haunting figure replied. “Release me.”
Elizabeth walked through the apparition. “I can feel your hatred against me, it keeps the memory of what I did to you alive.”
“This is no life.” The spirit replied.
“Do you still hate me?” Elizabeth rubbed her hands together.
“Hate? No, I no longer hate you. I pity you.”
“Pity?” Elizabeth flew into a rage. “I do not need your pity.” Elizabeth whipped her arm through the mist.
The ghost chuckled. “That may be so, but it doesn’t change my feelings for you. I pity you because you have never felt love. You may not want my pity, but you deserve it.”
“You are dead.” Elizabeth spat. “I’m alive.”
“Your heart does not beat. You are dead.” The spirit said in a cold tone.
“I will never release you, Nora. I still have something you do not.”
“What is that?”
“I know where your husband sleeps.” Elizabeth cackled.
“No, please don’t hurt him. I will do what you wish.” Nora pleaded.
“Such a little attitude adjustment, eh?” Elizabeth smirked, uncapping the long slender bottle. “Get back in.” Elizabeth drew in a deep breath sucking the spirit into her mouth before transferring Nora’s soul back into the container. Elizabeth shook the bottle before placing it back on the shelf. “Ottoline.” Elizabeth bellowed. “If I were alive, I would starve to death.”
“I’m sorry. Here she is.” Ottoline pushed Isabella forward. She fell at Elizabeth’s bare feet.
“Who are you?”
Isabella glanced at a drooling Ottoline. “Gross,” Isabella whispered.
“Ottoline step away. I’m sorry.” Elizabeth softened her tone.
“She was almost dinner for the hounds.” Ottoline folded his arms across his chest.
“Who are you?” Elizabeth repeated.
The young woman lifted her head to whisper, “I’m Isabella.”
“You’re a banshee, aren’t you?” Elizabeth placed a kind hand on the young woman’s shoulder. She helped her to her feet.
“Yes, my Countess.”
Elizabeth walked around Isabella. The long train of her gown slipped along the stone floors. “Why are you here?”
“I have news for you, my Countess.”
Elizabeth stood behind Isabella. “What news do you have?”
“I will tell you everything I know if you promise to protect me.” Isabella trembled.
“Is someone chasing you? Fear not, you are safe here.” Elizabeth wrapped her arm around Isabella’s shoulder. “Stop crying. I cannot help you if you continue to cry.” Elizabeth shook Isabella so hard that Isabella’s long curls of hair swayed. “Let’s start at the beginning.” Elizabeth stared at Isabella. “Are you thirsty?”
Isabella nodded.
“Ottoline, bring her something warm to drink. I’m still awaiting my meal as well.” Elizabeth nodded at the centaur. Once Ottoline was out of the room Elizabeth whispered. “You said you had news for me. Please tell me what it is.” Elizabeth’s eyes sparkled with interest.
Several moments later Ottoline returned with a goblet of warm tea and a very scared maiden whom he threw in front of his mistress. Ottoline stepped back to block the doorway keeping the maiden inside the room.
“Please,” the young maiden mumbled. “I want to live.” Flowing tears made streaks down her dirty face.
“Isabella, please excuse me but I’m famished. Please feel free to drink your tea.” Elizabeth twirled the maiden around in a strong embrace. Elizabeth ran her hands down the woman’s breasts, and nuzzled the frightened woman’s neck, with one hand she reached down to yank up the linen dress. The maiden stared at Isabella with wide eyes. “Does this bother you, Isabella?” Elizabeth slid her hand into the scared maiden’s panties. The maiden winced as Elizabeth shoved her fingers inside.
“No.” Isabella's voice shook.
“Good.” Elizabeth kissed the maiden’s neck as euphoria made the maiden’s legs tremble. “Yes,” Elizabeth moaned in the maiden’s ear. Elizabeth lifted her gaze to stare at Isabella as her fangs slid into place. “I like you already.” Elizabeth plunged her sharp fangs into the young woman’s slender throat.
Elizabeth’s gaze never left Isabella as she drained the maiden dry. She dabbed the side of her mouth then stepped over the corpse. “Get rid of that.” Elizabeth ordered Ottoline. “Wait,” she snapped her fingers. “I’m sorry, I was rude. Would you like something more than tea?” Elizabeth asked with a crooked smile.
“Uh.” Isabella glanced around. “No thank you.”
Elizabeth laughed. “Don’t be silly nilly. I have a human staff. If you are hungry, you may eat whatever you wish. Would like something?”
“No, thank you.” Isabella smiled.
Elizabeth clapped her hands. “Well don’t waste my time. What is it that you think you know?”
“Have you heard the name of Brinley before?”
“Brinley?” Ottoline shook with fear.
Elizabeth looked from Ottoline and the banshee. “Who is this woman?”
“Brinley has ridiculous abilities, and her best friend Joy is a true Van Helsing.”
“A true Van Helsing, you say.” Elizabeth stared out the window. “I have not encountered a true Van Helsing in ages. Tell me more about this Brinley?”
“Brinley can conjure lightning.”
Elizabeth giggled. “No, human has that ability.”
“I was there when Mahala attacked them. I saw her. It comes from her right hand. Mahala found my sister and me at a restaurant run by a Wendigo named Asher, who is now dead. My sister and I would still be together if it wasn’t for that stupid old woman. During the conflict, I saw her use her powers.”
“If what you say is true how did you escape?”
Isabella nibbled her bottom lip. “Brinley let us go.”
“Ha,” Elizabeth shouted. In a blur, her hand gripped Isabella’s neck. “Are you lying to me?”
“No.” Isabella croaked. “Mahala poisoned Joy. Everyone thought she was dead, but it was a lie.”
Elizabeth released her grip. “Continue.”
“Recently, one night Joy summoned my sister and me. Brinley was missing and they wanted us to find her. I said no, but my sister. They brainwashed her. Joy will die for taking her away from me.”
“And what about your sister now?” Elizabeth arched her eyebrows.
“I don’t have a sister,” Isabella spat. “We are now enemies.”
“I am sorry, sweet Isabella. I have never had a sister. The bond between sisters is precious. I would never leave you.” Elizabeth raised her hand. “Why you’re here telling me this?”
“All my life I’ve lived in the shadow of my sister, but I never thought she would turn against me so easily. I hate Brinley. This is all her fault. I want to see her pay. Maybe you could kill her.”
“Would you like that?”
“Yes. Her connections are gone. She’s alone. We should strike soon.”
“You are very smart, Isabella. I have always wanted to taste a true Van Helsing. Their blood is legendary. What’s your sister’s name?”
“Gabriella.”
“Brinley can meddle with lightning?”
“Yes, my Countess.” Isabella stepped forward. “The first time I met her was the night Mahala broke into their home. Brinley’s powers were raw. It seemed like she had no control. I’m sure she has learned to use them better.” Isabella added.
“Do you know where Brinley went?”
“I retraced my sister’s beacon. Brinley wasn’t too far from here. I believe she stayed with the gypsies.”
“Damn you, Pyramus. You have interfered one too many times.” Elizabeth pulled the train of her gown and then strode from the room.
“Uh, my Countess. What shall I do?” Isabella called out.
“You’re not going to be clingy, are you? I don’t like clingy.” Elizabeth turned to glare at Isabella.
“No, no, I wouldn’t dare.”
“Good.” Elizabeth continued down the hallway.
“Till darkness forever,” Isabella called out.
“Yes, yes,” Elizabeth mumbled. “Hail to the dark.”