I hurried through my work, trying to avoid Nell. I just wanted to get away to my room and not face any more questions about the stranger. As I cleaned, images of his face flashed in my mind. The color of his eyes. The curve of his lips. And always, the anguish on his face. I finished mopping the foyer and headed back up to my room. Turning the corner, I was preoccupied with my thoughts. If I had been paying attention, I would have heard his footfalls and ducked away. Instead I walked right smack into him.

"Whoa, there, little missy!" Ian exclaimed as he gripped my arms. "Where're ya off to?"

His grasp made me uncomfortable. He held me too close and I could see the lines that etched the skin around his eyes. He was older than I had realized. I could also smell a faint garlic odor emanating from his skin. "Just headed to my room. I am done with my chores for the day, sir."

"Is that so?" His hands still gripped the flesh of my upper arms and he pulled me closer to him. My breath caught in my throat. I looked down at his chest to lessen the proximity to his face. His voice sounded light and I could tell he was enjoying the look of discomfort on my face. "Ya know, you're just too pretty a girl to be doin' this kinda work. Don't you want to become a wife and a mother? " Suddenly his voice became tense and he pulled me closer. "I could be the one to take ya away from this life. You just say the word."

I looked up to see the intensity in his eyes. He meant what he said. But I could not picture my life with him. Being Ian's wife was not much better than being Master's servant. More than that, I could not imagine marrying someone I didn't love, even if it meant getting away from this place. I looked back down and Ian released my arms. I didn't look up when I answered him. "It's a lovely offer, but it's one I can't accept. I'm sorry." I then took a step to the side and walked around him to my room. I never looked to see, but I could tell from the silence that he had yet to move. I shut my door and sat on the bed. I few moments later I heard him tread down the stairs.

I breathed a sigh of relief and lay back on the bed. My thoughts were muddled. Between the situation with Ian and the situation with the stranger, my mind hopped from one conversation to another. I heard the dinner bell chime for Master. It was six o'clock. It occurred to me that Master and Ian would both be at dinner and the stranger would be alone. I toyed briefly with the idea of going to check on him, but my fear kept me glued to the bed. If I got caught, I would face a severe punishment from Master. And I still feared the stranger, but something in my brain told me he should be the lesser of my two fears.

I must have fallen asleep because when I opened my eyes again it was morning. I decided to get an early start. By lunch time, I had finished almost all of my chores for the day. I stopped by the kitchen to pick up my meal and then headed out to the creek. I ate only half of the sandwich. That way I'd have something to share with the stranger. It was another beautiful day and the wind lightly whipped at the tall grasses, giving them the appearance of graceful dancers swaying along to a silent beat.

I had not seen Ian today and I was glad. I was certain he had hurt feelings and I didn't want to be reminded that I was the cause. And because I was ahead of schedule, I had not crossed my usual paths with Nell. It suddenly occurred to me that I had not uttered a single word aloud all day. I smiled at this thought and said aloud, "Silence is golden." The absurdity of it made me laugh out loud. It was the first time I had laughed in a very long time. Shaking my head, I stood and began walking back to the house. And I was surprised to find myself looking forward to my visit with the stranger.

I peered through the glass again before entering. No one was in the room except for him. I strode through the door with my carryall and he turned his head to look in my direction. He smiled and I was again surprised at how much better he looked. I moved to sit by his side, my eyes never leaving his beautiful face. The swelling was all but gone, and he had mix of fading purple and yellow blotches around his right eye. "You look much better today."

"I am actually feeling better, for now at least."

"I brought you half a sandwich, if you're hungry?"

"Yes … please." And so I fed him the sandwich, the same as the day before. Once he was finished, I decided to get to work on the bandages. I worked silently and quickly. Several of his gashes were all but closed up. It appeared as though all the bleeding had stopped. I was happy about that until I realized it meant they would just begin the new torture all the more quickly.

I must have looked distressed, because he lifted his head and asked, "Are you alright?" His voice, though still a little raspy, radiated concern. I nodded my head and continued my work. I finished rather quickly and then sat back unsure of what to do next. I didn't want to leave, but had no reason to stay. I was packing the supplies back into the carryall when he spoke again.

"Would you stay for a while longer? I'd enjoy the company." He gave me his beautiful half smile, so I sat back down. I wasn't sure what to say, so I stared down at my hands, clasping them together.

He spoke first, "How long have you been a servant here?" His voice was tender and I could see he was trying to put me at ease.

"A little over three years." I was surprised at how natural my voice sounded, given my nervousness.

"And how did you come to this place?"

I bit my lip and thought before answering him. "My father passed and my family needed the money. My uncle had done some business with Master and was able to get me the job."

"And do you like it here, then?"

I didn't know how to answer. No one had ever asked me whether I liked anything. It wasn't a matter of like, it was just something that had to be done. I decided to be cautious. "I have room and board and Master sends a stipend to my family for my service."

"That's nice, but it doesn't really answer my question." I shot my eyes up to his face. He looked expectant, like he was still waiting for my response.

I bit my lower lip again. "No, I don't like it here, but I don't have any choice," I answered honestly. He looked thoughtful for a moment, then said, "No, I suppose not."

We sat quietly for another minute. My curiosity was getting the better of me, so I decided to ask a few questions of my own. "You know my name, but I'm afraid I don't know yours."

"My name is Damon. Damon Salvatore."

"Damon," I repeated quietly. My resolve firmed and I decided to keep on. "Damon, do you have a family? Is there anyone who might be looking for you?" I tried to pose the question as though I was merely being curious, hoping he wouldn't see through my false pretense. I felt pretty certain demons didn't have families and his answer might help clue me in.

"No, there's no one looking for me. I've been on my own for a while." He looked away then, but not before I saw the emotion in his face. I immediately regretted my prying. It was obvious there was some story there, one that caused him pain.

Finally, I stated the obvious. "You know that Master will kill you, don't you?"

Damon's face was completely blank, but he answered, "Yes. I know that's his intention."

My hands were still clasped together and I began wringing them in earnest. I wished I had left this particular subject alone. I didn't like thinking of the torture and death that was to come. I looked at his lovely face again. I tried to smile, but my face wouldn't cooperate. I could feel myself getting upset, so I stood with the carryall. "I really must go now." I reached the door and turned, "I will see you tomorrow, Damon."

"Good-bye, Chloe."

As I walked up the stairs I made up my mind. I would have to try to save Damon, demon or not. I could not stand by and witness his death first hand. It was too horrible to imagine. I didn't know how yet, but I knew time was short. He was almost healed and then Master and Ian would be with him constantly. I was going to have to come up with something quickly.