Page 85 of Mongrel
Erzsébet takes a hesitant step forward, over the dead body of a man she’d seen slaughtered, her velvet-slippered foot gingerly avoiding a puddle of blood. She has a sort of hypnotic charm I find repulsive. “You will find me an eager student.”
What in the full moon am I witnessing here?
Bettina meets her halfway, takes Erzsébet’s chin in her fingers, and tilts her head so they stare one another in the eyes. “Will I?”
“You have my word,” says Erzsébet.
I’m disgusted. Men lie dead and dying. Girls have been tortured and killed within these walls. Is Bettina really suggesting Erzsébet remain free?
Bowie appears at my side from thin air. I may never get used to that, though I manage not to startle.
“Are you all right?” he asks, eyes full of concern.
I nod. “You?”
“Yes, fine. What’s happened?” Bowie takes in the carnage. “Why isn’t she dead?”
Bettina whirls around, putting Erzsébet at her back to face Bowie. I wonder if the countess will grab for her knife, but she remains still. Watching.
“You had me worried sick,” says Bettina as she approaches, arms spread, to embrace Bowie.
Growling, I angle between them.
Bettina snarls back. “Out of my way, wolf.”
I stand firm. I don’t want her wicked hands to touch him. The thought of her scent on Bowie makes me cringe.
“I see you’ve already met,” says Bowie as if we aren’t posturing to go for each other’s throats. “Bettina, please back up. Andras and I have had a very long night.”
Bettina doesn’t step back, but she does halt her progress.
“If you wouldn’t mind,” Bowie continues, hand raised to single out Erzsébet, “I have someone to kill.”
Tutting, Bettina shakes her head. “I’m afraid not, dear. The king has plans for the countess, and I have plans for the king. Her murder would impede us both.”
Janos returns during this bizarre conversation happening over the bodies of a dozen men. He’s brought with him a human man dressed in servant’s clothes but with the fine fabric and cut of a noble’s. The man pulls a handkerchief from a pocket and presses it over his nose. From the expression on his pinched face, he’s as revolted as I am.
“This is the court master, Benedikt Deseo,” says Janos. “He knows where Báthory’s many victims are housed throughout the castle.”
Deseo appears as if he’ll pass out at any moment. Meanwhile, the countess has the gall to look put out by this revelation. The fact that she remains alive boils the blood in my veins.
“Ivaz will be along to shuttle the women to safety,” says Bettina.
“Girls,” I correct. “Your pet project murders children.”
Bettina narrows her gaze in my direction. “Your disapproval is noted, and that will be enough out of you. I will only put up with so much on Bowie’s behalf. And it’s not as if Erzsébet will enjoy her time in my care. She’ll be punished in due course.”
My mind is rattled. I turn to Bowie. “Let’s get the girls and go. Cecily must be terrified.”
The mention of her name brings a saddened, weary expression to Bowie’s face. He nods, resigned. He must know there’s no use arguing with Bettina when she’s put her foot down.
Janos pushes Deseo past the dead guards. “Lead us to them.”
As we leave, I glance over my shoulder to find the two women eyeing one another, each taking the measure of the other. Though it pains me to leave the countess alive, I think to myself perhaps this is what they deserve.
They can be each other’s punishment.
Chapter 26
