Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God,
the Lord alone—
Deuteronomy 6:4

Seuche in Deutschland

Chapter V

Rabbi Herschel directed Lysander and Alcander to a house a block over. The master and mistress of the home were a couple in their early forties. The master—like other Jewish men in the ghetto—had a long beard; but his beard and hair were of lighter color, as were his eyes. The mistress was without her wig and her hair was ash-blonde.

"They don't look like Jews," said Alcander.

"I always thought Jews had dark hair and dark eyes…Or at least that's what everybody told me," added Lysander.

"Moses and Ruth," began Rabbi Herschel, "this is Lysander and Alcander Tepes. They're brothers from Romania. Lysander and Alcander, this is Mr. and Mrs. Moses Sherwin."

The brothers extended their hands to greet the Sherwins, but Mr. Sherwin's facial expression changed when he noticed Lysander's crucifix through an opening in his shirt.

Moses Sherwin motioned his rabbi to converse with him in a corner of the room. Lysander tried to perk his ears so he could hear what the two discussed. He could not make out the entire conversation; but he did hear, it somehow centered on him and Alcander being Christians, and that he was a representative of the Wallachian Government.

When Rabbi Herschel and Moses Sherwin returned from their conversation the two of them directed Lysander and Alcander to a bedroom. Inside was a girl of about fifteen years, with blonde hair and blue eyes.

"Now this is really queer," began Alcander. "That girl looks almost exactly like Jessica, and she's no Jew."

"She looks very much like Sophia—at least in terms of her hair and eyes," added Lysander.

"Rachel," Rabbi Herschel began, "This is Lysander and Alcander Tepes. They're brothers from Romania, and Lysander's a representative of the government there."

Rachel smiled at the brothers. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

Lysander and Alcander returned the smile, and added, "You too."

"So, Lysander," continued the rabbi, "what do you need to see?"

Lysander stepped forward. "Rachel, I need to see your throat."

On Rachel's throat Lysander noticed two small wounds that were white with a red center.

"Everyone step forward."

Those in the room did as Lysander requested, and Lysander turned to his brother.

"Cander, what do you make of that?"

When Alcander noticed the wounds he gave the Sign of the Cross.

Alcander's gesture brought a few glares to the non-Christians in the room, and Lysander was quick to notice.

"You'll have to excuse me and my brother. As Christians, we sometimes make the Sign of the Cross when we see something that shocks us."

Rabbi Herschel nodded. "I understand, Lysander; but what shocked you?"

"See those marks, Rabbi? What do you think they are?"

"…I've no idea."

"That's the first time I've ever seen those marks," replied Mr. Sherwin.

"Same here, I haven't seen them at all since Rachel became ill," added Mrs. Sherwin.

"From what I can tell though," continued the rabbi, "they look almost like a bite."

"You're correct, Rabbi," replied Alcander. "It's a bite."

"But I wonder what causes it?" asked Mrs. Sherwin. "It's too cold for insects, and I doubt that an animal could've done that."

"That's because it's not a bite, Mother," Rachel responded.

Lysander smirked, and sat next to her on the bed. "Oh…then what is it then?"

"It's marks from a pin. I accidentally pricked myself when I was pinning a shawl one morning."

"Really…You certainly did a good job making it precise."

Rachel glared. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Oh…nothing."

"Well, Mr. Tepes," began her father, "are you finished?"

"Not quite. This is usually where I use a cross or crucifix to see how a person reacts. But even if Rachel did react to someone under a vampire's curse, how do I know that her parents or rabbi wouldn't blame her reaction on the fact that she saw a Christian symbol? Hmm…I wonder…I'll be finished in a moment, sir. I just've to ask Rabbi Herschel a question."

"What's that?" replied the rabbi.

Lysander directed the rabbi to a corner of the room, away from the others.

"Yes, what is it?" Rabbi Herschel asked again.

"Rabbi," whispered Lysander, while he motioned him to lower his voice, "do you have a Star of David?"

"Yes…why?"

"Please, let me see it."

Rabbi Herschel placed a hand in his pocket and removed a small Star of David.

"Thank you."

Lysander then returned to Rachel.

"Rachel?"

"Yes?"

"Please hold out your hand."

Rachel did as Lysander requested, and Lysander placed the Star of David in her hand. Rachel shrieked. Steam ascended from her hand. She immediately released the Star of David, but not before the image left a charred imprint.

Her parents—and rabbi—came to her aid, as her parents held her in their arms.

Lysander and Alcander stood back and observed the scene.

"I thought as much," replied Lysander.