Horatio twisted in his bed uncomfortably. Natalia watched him thrash from her chair beside his bed. Sweat was glistening his forehead from the combination of the blankets,the thrashing,and the fight going on inside his head.

''I thought you said the shackles would stop Erzsébet from hurting him,''she said as she looked to the girl who was lighting candles on the dresser.

''I said they would keep her from taking over his mind. But she can still play with it.''

Natalia sighed and pressed a hand against Horatio's forehead. She wanted nothing more than to make the spirit go away. But she couldn't. Rain's ears twitched as she heard the almost non-existent screeches as both Horatio's and Erzsébet's spirits fought for dominance.

If it weren't for the shackles,she would have won. She couldn't take over her host,but instead Erzsébet could place images in his mind and torture him. She teased him with what was originally the locked away memory of Violet and Valdrigue's deaths.

Rain closed her eyes. There was no way she could convince this malevolent spirit to let go.

''Who is this Lunar Pirate?''she asked suddenly. Natalia looked at her.

''I don't know anything about her,other than she's a cousin to Horatio,and that she's at sea. There's no way we can contact her. She has cut off all contact with the Navy since she stole the ship.''

''Really?''Rain questioned. 'What could drive someone to something so careless,and how ever did she succeed?'she thought to herself.

''Lady Martha. Where does she live?''

Natalia shook her head. Rain's mind seemed to be going in every direction possible for a solution.

''I think she's lives in one of those private communities. But she likes to wonder. You may find her at the park.''

Rain nodded and relaxed.

''Can you take me to her?''

Natalia beckoned the girl closer,and Rain obeyed. A gentle kiss was pressed against the little girl's forehead.

''I know you want to help him,honey,but please don't overwork yourself trying to...''Natalia paused when Rain looked up at her pleadingly,''...But I suppose I can take you to meet her.''

Martha smiled as she sat on the park bench watching children play. She often spent days there remembering when she was young.

Footsteps could be heard in the distance,and she turned her head to see a small girl approaching her. She chuckled to herself.

''Oh,child,I knew you'd be comin.''

''Lady Martha?''Rain spoke hesitantly.

''Aye. And why does such a young girl like yerself wish ta share words with an old lady like me?''

''I came to ask about-''

''-The Lunar Pirate. I know. Trouble makin' one,Luna IX was...always bouncin' around the manner and breakin' me favorite flower pots...scarin' the other children and runnin' into the maids... Oh,she was a handful,that one,''the old woman smiled and giggled to herself.

Martha's rich Scottish accent seemed to pry at Rain's nerves slightly.

''It was almost impossible ta get that girl ta sit still,it was,''Martha chuckled.

''It'd be nice if maybe you could tell me about her because I was hoping she might have some knowledge on possession.''

Martha sighed. ''She's got more knowledge than anyone else in the family...despite that Horatio was the first case of possession in that house...but by the time he'd arrived,oh,she'd gotten up and left...said the waters were callin' her.''

''Were there many children in the house?''Rain asked curiously.

''Oh,yes. Dozens. When I was workin' there,it became a dumpin' ground for orphans...and because no one would come near the house,the children just wound up marryin' into the family.''

''So,out of all the children,why Horatio? What drew Erzsébet to him?''Rain questioned.

''Up till the time Horatio showed up,Madame had been dormant. Except for the first year after the house was built. Oh,my. That was the worst. Ta make sure everyone understood it was built for Madame's friends and family,we had one of her bones sent here. We kept it locked away in a little chest in the highest tower of the manor. That's probably how she became attached in the first place. She came with the bone.''Martha stated.

''But how does that tie into Horatio being possessed?''

''Everyone was strong physically an' mentally. When Horatio showed up,it was just days after his parents' death. The city 'ad just dumped him here. He was still mournin' for his mother. He was far more susceptible to Madame Báthory than anyone else.''

''Do you know why Erzsébet would want to possess him?''

Martha sighed heavily. ''Due to the nasty things she did in her lifetime,everyone started callin' her a vampire,which she's not. But the rumors fed her soul,urgin' her ta want ta live again.''

''Does she know that such a thing is not possible?''Rain blurted.

''You could tell her if ya wanted to,but I don't think she'd hear ya. Even so,if she remains bonded to Horatio,while she can't take over his mind with the shackles in place,she could still only technically kill him.''

''What?! How?!''

''She could drag him under...into sleep. At that point,your only option is ta burn the remnants of her... An I'm not about ta let ya do that.''

''What if there's no other way?''

''Only then will I consider such a thing,my dear.''

Martha stood up and started to leave.

''Wait,how can I contact Luna?''

''Use the tides. Her crew fishes for food. Send her a message. She's bound to catch it in the net sooner or later.''

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