Curse of the Raven Witch

The evening stars appeared over in Corpus Christi, Texas. David and Dominique Matthews, renowned hematologist and President of DMD, have taken time out of recent events at Dominique's company to enjoy the company of their family at the estate pool. However, Dominique had been aloof from her newlywed husband which puzzled David. I remember how David felt when he confessed of his handling of Dathan Sardovsky, Dmitri Sardovsky's oldest son. How can I tell him of my darkest moment as a soulless vampire? She lay out in the turquoise bikini she wore on her honeymoon with her hair wet from swimming in the pool. David jumped out of the pool wearing a baggy swimsuit and parked himself on the chaise lounge next to his wife.

"Are you ok angel, you seem distant this evening."

"I'm feeling...the weight of my past, haunting me tonight. This is a similar to your experiences with Dathan. The difference is when Dmitri sired me in France; he had no idea what he let loose upon the world at that time."

"Nikki-I see no dark side coming from you..."

"David please, let me finish?" David nodded as Dominique began a tale of horror that matched David's only ferocity with Dathan Sardovsky. "You remember the horrors I suffered prior to becoming a vampire? This is a period fifty years after I was turned. Tell me...what stories have you heard concerning a female pirate named Marie Devereaux?" David sensed this was a past name Dominique went by to hide her identity.

"Not much, just stories told to me by "old salts" during my "Navy" days. History was sketchy about Devereaux and her ship, the Raven Witch. There was something mentioned concerning her ship being...cursed, but no details as to the curse." Then, Dominique pulled out the silver 18th century necklace she wore their first night at a club called Jazzy's.

"The reason I wear this is...a reminder of how...out-of-control I was as a soulless vampire. The medallion was worn by...me as Marie Devereaux over 257 years ago."

"Ok, tell me more about Marie Devereaux."

Dominique took a deep breath. "The Raven Witch was the fastest ship on the Spanish Main. No ship built at the time could catch her in the act of piracy. My only targets were merchant ships owned and chartered to Smith Shipping, Sardovsky's company. I was so notorious, sailors in that region believed my ship carried a damning curse; you went aboard the Raven Witch, you never left. They were right; it was a curse-but only a curse on me. I would use the men for my...pleasures and if they had family aboard, I sold them into slavery to the gypsies. Like I said, I was notorious!"

June 11, 1745
Caribbean Ocean
Between Tortuga and Jamaica

"LOOK ALIVE MONSIEUR DUMONT, if we're going to catch a merchant vessel in our web, you need to be awake!" Philippe Dumont stood rigid as he heard the bark of his captain. He began his tour of aboard the Raven Witch only two months prior. He was a handsome young man, the type Marie could easily charm into service aboard her ship. Like most crew, he had ragged tan breeches that only came down to his knees and his cotton shirt was white and tied in the front. Philippe had light brown hair that looked like a mop head, but he kept it tied back when on duty.

"Oui Capitan, there is nothing!" Dumont scurried down the rope ladder from the crow's nest. "Capitan, the fog is too thick to see anything; even with lanterns and bells. We would never find a ship in this mess!" A heavy sigh came from Marie.

"You're correct Philippe-we have searched this fog for days and not even a mast to show for it. Your eyes are sharp, keep up the good work!"

"Merci Capitan, I shall endeavor to serve you and this ship faithfully."

"Capitan, it is an hour before sunrise." Marie turned to find her daytime ship master-Edmond Gaumont, a tough, rigid sailor who had proven his metal over and over again by the scars that litter his once attractive brow. His clothing was in pristine repair, and maintained this example for those who served the daytime watch with him.

"Very well Monsieur Gaumont, I'll be in my cabin."

"Capitan, if we happen to find the Red Dagger, what are your orders?" Marie appreciated Gaumont's positive attitude.

"Perform the usual maneuvers and track them from a distance. Then, we'll attack them at night!"

"There are three...courses in your cabin this morning." Devereaux nodded and displayed her fangs, as she went to her cabin. She entered to find three succulent Russian, sailors related to Sardovsky tied up on her bed. Marie walked over and closed the wooden shutters. Her porcelain face and dark hair were envied by other women. She sported a shapely figure and refused to be constricted by a corset.

"Don't go anywhere my dears, I'll be with you in a moment!" The horror displayed in their eyes was distinct. This was what each man feared when a prisoner aboard this vessel: either a man became food or a plaything, which was a fate worse than death. Marie removed her deck clothing and put on a red silk robe. "Because Dmitri Sardovsky is your patriarch, you shall be executed...by moi! He murdered my family; then made me!" The first two sailors, she quickly bit and drained them like a keg of ales.

The last man...became Marie's plaything and was stripped of every stitch of clothing. Then, she savagely tortured and abused the poor soul by biting him and draining him from different parts of his body. She made a scratch on her upper left breast and forced the man to drink blood from the wound. Moments later, he turned into a monster, like her and his patriarch Dmitri. Suddenly, she buried a stake in his chest and turned him to dust.

When this was concluded, she heard a knock at her door. "Come in young man!" It was the messenger boy, who ran messages between Marie and Gaumont. Marie turned her head to the side, mystified by the young man of twelve years old. His blonde hair wasn't quite long enough to knot in the back and was the best dressed among Marie's crew. She noticed his deep blue eyes and shining of adventure.

"Capitan, do you wish me to send for crew mates to remove these...men?"

"Oui, and who are you boy?"

"I am Gerard; I was brought aboard after your run in with the British Man O' War last month."

"I see, and how did you end up on the Man O' War?"

"My father...commanded the merchant vessel Marchello. The British captain...murdered him and now, I'm an orphan."

Marie tightened the wrap on her robe. "Gerard, do you plan to honor your oath to serve me and this ship faithfully?" The boy quickly stood, insulted by Marie's question and turned away in total anger. This was dangerous to do in front of a vampire, but Marie showed no anger toward Gerard. "I...apologize to you my young friend. The question was not meant to stain your honor. Young...men your age tend to make promises without thinking of the consequences. I merely wanted to know...would you be as faithful as if your father commanded this ship." Gerard turned to face his captain with tears in his eyes; still feeling hurt by the question. "How may I make this right between us Gerard?"

"We could duel Madame, but I would lose that fight." Marie smiled as she stood and walked over to her youngest crew member.

"No, I have no desire to harm you Gerard. I have my answer and will never question your loyalty again." She hugged Gerard to reinforce her apology. "I still feel honor bound to right the wrong I inflicted, is there nothing you desire?"

Gerard fidgeted, "Madame, I wish to learn to read and write."

"Very well-I will teach you during the day here in my cabin as well as keep me company. You may also stay here at night for your protection from the other crew members as well."

July 18, 1745
Caribbean Ocean
Near Tortuga

During the night, as Dmitri was occupied with a member of his family, the Raven Witch struck! With the captain and most of the officers dead, Sardovsky sensed something was wrong and came topside to investigate. He was rudely greeted with a boot to the jaw. "Dominique-how lovely to see you again my dear; how have you been?" Marie kicked Dmitri back to his knees.

"It's Captain Marie Devereaux-Mistress of the Raven Witch! Don't ever forget it Monsieur Sardovsky!" She smiled an evil, wicked grin at her sire. "I like this little reversal of fortune; you on your knees before me and...my prisoner!" Her crew laughed as they brought aboard not only the sailors related to Sardovsky, but also the families of the patriarch as well. "Behold-your family's master; soon to meet Davy Jones in his locker!" The women and children screamed as the men bowed their heads. She nodded to Monet, her Master-At-Arms to prepare a brig cell aboard the Red Dagger for Sardovsky.

"Capitan, can we not...parley some mutual accord to where you get what you want and I get what I want?" Dmitri's blood-thirsty smile sickened Marie to the pit of her stomach. She looked to Philippe.

"Oui, Monsieur Dumont?"

"Capitan, Monet informed me Monsieur Sardovsky's...quarters are ready. Also, we found these Russian sailors related to the Sartin Gypsies." Marie stepped passed the freed Russian sailors. "No doubt Capitan, these men were condemned by Monsieur Sardovsky."

"See to it personally Philippe that Monsieur Sardovsky is...secured in his new quarters. Then, make sure you put these...people in proper holding cells. Gaumont will instruct you on how to separate them." Then she turned in her colorful blouse, black breeches and thigh-high boots and faced the three Sartin Gypsies. "Do you men swear your lives and swords to this ship for three years?" A collective "Aye" resounded from the sailors. "Welcome aboard the Raven Witch gentlemen. You will be rewarded with suitable companionship once we're underway." Before he disappeared below deck, Sardovsky turned with crosses and torches positioned around him.

"Capitan-what are your plans for my family?"

"After we scuttle your ship, my men will enjoy the company of your women and I your men...until all the men die!" Sardovsky was taken below deck and secured in a brig cell surrounded by crosses and garlic strands. As he waited for the powder magazine to explode, he heard the distant screams of horror coming from the condemned men. His own horror was without measure as he replayed Devereaux's cold, evil description in his mind. The former Countess Dominique Dubois had surpassed even his cold and heartless depravity. She was truly a monster of his design and regretted simply not killing her as she requested.