Legacy of a Countess (A short horror story)

Legacy of a Countess

  By: Romarin Demetri

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law. For permissions contact:

  [email protected]

  Published by Block 13 Publishing

  Copyright © 2016 Romarin Demetri

  All rights reserved.

  Block 13 Publishing

 

  Author’s note

  This short story was released in celebration of Halloween, 2016. It was formerly the prologue of “A Mirror Among Shattered Glass”, book one in The Supernatural London Underground Series. Because the short story takes place in 1590, and the novels are set near present day time, the story was a fun exercise that acquiesced to exist on its own. We will never have Countess Bathory’s own account of what happened at her castle, but one thing is for certain: There is no getting away with murdering hundreds of girls without a few rumors being started.

  More about Book One of The Supernatural London Underground Series

  It's been two decades since an attempt to eradicate the supernatural forces in the city under the guise of understanding them began, and about seven since it ended in chaos.

  After their escape, four twentysomething housemates try to learn what being human means, as the hidden part of the city starts to rebuild itself, and they must open their world up to a daft American girl with a dark secret, and potential for their cause.

  A Mirror Among Shattered Glass: Unable to contain the deadly nature of her family secret and powers, nineteen year old Romarin Demetri hails from California, USA to unearth her heritage as a descendant of serial-killer Countess Bathory, the woman that lent Dracula his legend, and cursed Romarin with an appetite for blood.

  Unenthusiastic about relocating to her birth city of London, a charming paranormal investigator with claim to the throne could change her mind, as he leads her to the only living and distant relative she has: A raven-haired recluse named Talia, who has taken refuge in an old castle in the heart of the city, and doesn’t seem to have a heart of her own.

  After a rough introduction to the lethal, inappropriate, and enchantingly sarcastic people Romarin calls her housemates, perhaps the other misfits will be her first true friends; however, as much as these people are like her, they still have hidden vendettas, a taste for revenge, and will struggle between what is just and what will settle their psychological upheaval. There is only one way for Romarin to become part of the Supernatural London Underground: Can she be the one who challenges them to put down their ghosts and demons and make their world together?

  A Mirror Among Shattered Glass is published by Block 13 publishing, RRP: $12.99. ISBN-13: 978-0692612545. Ebook $4.95. Available on Amazon, Kindle, Barnes & Noble, and select independently owned book stores.

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  Legacy of a Countess

  By: Romarin Demetri

  circa 1594 A.D

  “Dear God,” she breathed out in vex, knowing a word, an invocation preparing her for her following actions, did not exist in the confines of her native tongue. The word she was looking for only existed to someone else of a different time and standing, who had the pleasure of knowing the word as something material enough to touch. Her folded arms made a shaky cradle for the blameless infant, clutching the bundle to her chest as if making her last, finite walk down the scarcely lit corridor.

  There would be no returning.

  The bundle of frayed fabric, the unexpected reason she had come to the castle to work, caused the wound on her to arm burn and fade. She shifted the weight on the lengthy walk through the pitch dark.

  Moving forward, she was pacing in her mind. The pain pushed her backward, and the numbness propelled her through the hall ahead, knowing there was a light circling the destination. She was more than aware of what was bound to happen to her only child after this night. Such traitorous actions against her own blood were etched into her head, neighboring the nightmarish evening a few weeks ago, in which she stumbled upon that hideous hidden chamber.