Satisfied that her attacker would not be going anywhere very soon Magdalena took a deep breath coaxing her power under control. It wouldn't do if any of common folk happened by and saw her true power. Somehow the idea of being strangled then dumped in the river didn't appeal to her.
Her carnelian pendant continued to glow as Magdalena knelt down beside her attacker and cautiously pressed her fingers against the side of his neck. She was surprised to press against the cool skin and not feel a heartbeat but when she briefly held her free hand under his nose it was warmed by the steady breathing of a healthy man. Also when she withdrew her fingers from his throat her fingertips were tinged pink by a thin layer of fresh blood.
"Interesting." Magdalena muttered.
Before she could proceed further Magdalena suddenly heard the unmistakable sound of loud and frantic footsteps crashing through the woods followed by an equally unmistakable voice.
"Maggie! Maggie!" a man's voice cried out.
Magdalena sighed there was only one living person allowed to call her by that name.
"Over here, Pierre!" she hollered back.
Within seconds the crashing had come to a stop and beside Magdalena stood Pierre Ledoux, the husband of her older sister Mariana. He was a burly man but a harmless one who adored his wife and was fiercely protective of those closest to her. Magdalena was no exception.
"Are you all right, Maggie?" Pierre asked towering over them both.
Magdalena smiled reassuringly, "I think our friend here would benefit more from that inquiry." she said gesturing towards the man.
"Mariana sensed something happened to you. I'm surprised you didn't summon half the county with that power of yours. Mariana would've come herself if I hadn't persuaded her otherwise."
"I'm glad that you did. No harm was done to me but I shall require your assistance to get him to my home before dawn."
Pierre's eyes grew wide, "This filth attacked you and you are going to give him shelter? You're getting soft in your old age, Maggie."
"As I recall I am five seasons your junior, Pierre. I simply wish to know why this imbecile attacked me and the things I need to tend his injuries are in my home. Now will you help me or must I do it myself?"
The look on Pierre's face told Magdalena that he didn't believe one word but unable to deny her anything the older man agreed to help. Magdalena couldn't help but wince as her brother-in-law less than gently heaved the man over his shoulder like a sack of flour.
As they returned to the beaten path and walked towards Magdalena's home the young woman briefly glanced back at her brother-in-law and wonder what exactly she was getting herself into.