Surrendered To The Lord Of Sin-Chapter 27: Unnatural voices

Bone-chilling growls filled Lucrezia’s ears causing her body to jerk in reaction. Her eyes were still wide, not only by the beasts—from the sound of their growls—but the strange low-pitched voice echoing somewhere distant.

She couldn’t help but think if all these were a result of omitting her tonic. Her curse might have drawn a bad omen, and she’d learned that no matter how much she tried to avoid the bad blood in her veins, she couldn’t control it, especially whenever she skipped taking them. But the fact that it had only been less than twenty-four hours to display its effect, struck her.

Why now? It wasn’t even more than three days?!

Lucrezia’s throat ran dry. Her face became paler as she noticed the sounds becoming louder and louder. The beasts were doubling, approaching closer and closer, and it seemed to return clearly after it had been struck down. It sounded like a whole tribe had come for them.

Her hands flew to her chest as the fear spread throughout her entire body. What was going to happen? W-Was she... was she going to die here?

Dull sounds of what seemed like sword slashing into flesh filled the air and the growls became more violent. She felt the earth-shaking thuds that shook the carriage. At that moment, Lucrezia didn’t realize how bad she wanted to hear his voice. All she could hear was the overwhelming sounds of battle she never desired to pay attention to.

"Please, don’t leave me..." Lucrezia didn’t realize the words that were supposed to be mere thoughts escaped her lips, as she trembled in fear, crouching to the floor.

She knew she wasn’t supposed to look, but a part of her wanted to. The fear was eating deep into every fibre of her being that she could hardly breathe. What if... what if something might have happened to him? Doesn’t that mean she should run? But how would she know when she had been instructed to stay behind and not look?

For the first time, Lucrezia didn’t care about rules or orders. She had done so, following instructions and letting people tell her what and what not to do. But this time, this fear was so strong, almost leaving her paralysed in the same way she’d felt witnessing the capture and death of Madelyn.

She pressed her eyes shut, ceasing the images from displaying, but a whimper escaped her lips, followed by hot tears rolling down her cheeks. Quickly swatting it away, she inhaled a deep breath.

Of course, she didn’t care if he died, or if the beasts had fed on him the way he mercilessly took life away from her friend. All she cared about was knowing if he truly still breathed to determine whether or not she should bolt. Being fed into the stomachs of beasts would serve him right, but she wasn’t willing to be another meal to massive predators.

No, she wasn’t.

Liar, a voice disagreed with her and she stiffened. You care if he lives. You care if he needs help, if he’s safe, and if he’s well alive to carry out your ruse. Stupid, stupid, witch.

Lucrezia gasped, letting the judgment wash over her as cold water splashed on a burning skin. Crouching on the floor, she crawled with the little strength she could muster. Her mind and body were becoming numb from both fear and cold. All she wanted in that moment was to confirm if... if he was alright and take a glimpse of what was happening. The loud and barbaric noises faded into the background in her hazy mind as she concentrated on getting to the door.

’... Lucrezia...’ A distant drawl reached her ears, piercing through the air and she stiffened.

Lucrezia’s face paled. She couldn’t breathe, destabilized by the unnatural voice which beckoned her name, exactly like the distant incoherent one earlier. However, the only difference was for the fact that she could clearly grasp a word from it. A word which was her name.

Before she could process anything, the carriage shook again from a large impact—hopefully a dead beast— crashing against it, causing her to be thrown to the opposite wall.

Lucrezia yelped as her hidy crashed violently against the wall. It seemed like a whole new nightmare had come to life—where she was being chased and surrounded by creatures after her. But at that time, she felt a mild power surge through her veins no matter how weak she was. No matter how much her body screamed to quit, and no matter how her mind begged for rest.

This time was completely different. She possessed no power to fight off the creatures and certainly no one to hold on to. She was alone. Powerless. Weak. Vulnerable. Terrified. Her mind rushed back to the memory of Maddie; how her comforts soothed those nightmares and unease into something bearable. But she was no more.

Even if her husband was known to be created from Lucifer’s Bones, could he really go against that many beasts and survive? What if... w-what if he was already...

The fear in her heart was too much, and it was getting harder for her to breath. The moment she attempted to crawl towards the door, she heard the voice again:

’...crezia,’

Lucrezia froze to ice, straightening her back so hard she heard a crack. A gust of wind escaped into the carriage, raising the hairs at the back of her neck and a chill down her spine. Something in the atmosphere seemed to shift and curl, adding to the eeriness in the air.

She knew she should move, perhaps an inch or so, but her body betrayed every will. Her gaze dropped, noticing her trembling hands and she dragged in a shaky breath.

Lucrezia didn’t know what was happening to her, but there was this scorching heat around her chest, and chilling cold all over her body. The sensation was unexplainable, but it felt wrong and uncomfortable. It was beginning to feel beyond control, itching for something unknown.

Perhaps something away from this carriage, to the beckon of that voice. That voice that promised undoing, and strangely felt... odd.

Lucrezia’s mind was a swarm of piling thoughts and unspoken words, causing a terrible headache. Her earlier resolve taking a glimpse of the situation outside switched to fear and terror of what lay before her. And in that moment of utter terror, all she wanted was something real. Something to pull her out of the reverie of her wild imagination caused by overlooking her tonic.

She could only imagine the look on her father’s face if he’d seen her state. Disappointment. Irritation. Anger. All of it followed after the ludicrous laughter of her step-sisters, and the unmistakable cry of her mother.

The disappointment and curse of House Bathory.

A silent whimper escaped her lips and she drew her knees close to her chest, shaking uncontrollably at the chill in the air. How was she to act like her sister, Anastasia? How was she to pretend to be someone she wasn’t, and endure pain all because of the image her step-sister created to be heartless? But most importantly, was this how she was going to die, failing to prove to her father she was worthy of his time, investment, and... love? And to her mother that she was more than capable of saving her from the cruel hands of the man she called her father, and the kind she was meant to protect?

By being weak? Lame? Vulnerable? Scared? And controlled by the terror of what curse runs in her marrow?

No... she thought, fighting against her procrastination. She wouldn’t give up now... not here, not now, not ever, until she saves her mother and proves to the world Lucrezia Bathory wasn’t just a witch, but also a living being. She would be looked up to, no matter how rough the road would get. She recited the words of affirmation in her head, but it didn’t lessen her trembling fingers or the chill in her body. In that moment of utter despair, Lucrezia knew the only cure was something real. To see her... to see her husband and confirm whether...

No, she slammed the thought, ceasing the conclusion. Outside, there were still growls and cries, but the faint sting of the sword could be heard, which was more than enough relief that he was still alive.

But how long would he hold on for? How long would this continue? Lucrezia wanted to believe her husband was capable of handling the situation like swatting a fly, but the probability of something worse occurring couldn’t be overlooked. How long would he take several beasts on his own? She knew she was supposed to trust him, but couldn’t help but feel... worried too. Why? She couldn’t tell.

Did he need help? As time passed, she grew increasingly restless with her unanswered questions and the restraint she felt. Even if she were to offer a hand, she could barely even hold a sword, making her seem more like a liability than a support.

But the moment another thought attempted to wash through her, the world went eerily quiet. Tremors shook Lucrezia’s body and she swallowed. What happened? Was it over? Was he... was he alright?

She bit her trembling lips and crawled towards the door. However, the moment her hands proceeded to push it open, it was yanked away, bringing her towards a familiar face.

"My Lady," his voice held utter panic that caused her heart to skitter in full force. "We must leave. Now."