It was early afternoon when Magdalena climbed down to a happily crackling fire and the merry bubbling of bacon broth in the old pot, which her vampire 'guest' stirred slowly. His hands carefully wrapped to avoid the small bit of sunlight that managed to stream down through the smoke hole.

"Bonjour, Mademoiselle. I trust you slept well."

"Well enough." was all Magdalena could say.

"I was taught long ago that even a woman's chores are not beneath a man's knowledge. If a soldier can eat he can also cook." LaCroix replied to the unbelieving expression on Magdalena's face.

"You were a soldier?"

"Long before your elders were a gleam in their grandfather's eye."

"But you must not be so old to have forgotten such skills."

"Perhaps."

Without another word LaCroix spooned a portion of the broth into a crude bowl then fetched for Magdalena a few pieces of the bread and cheese the family had given to her as payment.

"How do I know it's not poisoned?" Magdalena asked lightly as she sat on her stool beside the fire.

"How do I know that you do not have a sharpened stake at the ready?"

"Touché." Magdalena replied as she began to break her fast.

LaCroix sat nearby carefully warming his hands.

"I take it your shoulder is better." Magdalena remarked around a mouthful of bread as she recognized the linen.

"It mended properly earlier."

Magdalena sighed and shook her head, "If I could heal others as quickly I'd have enough earnings to never know hunger again." she said wistfully.

"I would argue that you already can."

"I suppose so were I able to use my power fully. If I ever did I'd find myself thrown in the river. If I were lucky."

"Would the people not be grateful for your aid?"

"If the good preachers weren't telling them to look for demons behind every tree maybe."

"But aren't the most revered of saints those who can heal?"

"Miracles don't happen in a hovel. Besides a hand raised in spite is better understood than a hand extended in benevolence."

"One so young should not be so bitter."

Magdalena shrugged, "I came to terms with my lot long ago and do my best to get by. You don't live long as a soothsayer if you never learn when to keep your head low. I would imagine as a vampire you had to learn similar lessons."

"Indeed. I know well what it is like to be punished for what you are." LaCroix replied as he fished a leech out of the bucket and raised it in a toast.

Magdalena raised her bowl, "To being an outcast."

"To being above the rest." LaCroix said firmly.

A comfortable silence ensued as kindred spirits enjoyed their respective meals.

************************************************************************

Pierre was relieved to return home to find his wife Mariana and their young twin daughters Bria and Yvette safe and sound. The young girls eagerly greeted their father before being sternly reminded of their chores.

Mariana smiled and embraced Pierre as the girls scampered outside, "I am pleased that your business did not delay you greatly."

"I couldn't allow it to. Are you better?"

"As good as I can be. I felt it quicken again today!"

"That's wonderful."

Pierre managed a weak smile hoping to hide his worry but Mariana was not so easily fooled.

"What troubles you?" Mariana asked bluntly.

"Did you send the girls to your mother's house today?"

"Of course. Why should that trouble you?"

"What troubles me is what your mother teaches them."

"Bria and Yvette are daughters of the coven. They are duty bound to learn what my mother has to teach them." Mariana replied stiffly.

"They are also duty bound to me as their father and my wishes."

"You have never objected to their studies. The skills they are learning are invaluable and part of their heritage."

"Is living as a feared spinster part of their heritage? Constantly worrying whether or not their actions will cause them to be declared witches? Is that what you want for them?"

"What has brought this about all of a sudden? Is it my sister? What I sensed had happened last night?"

"And what I have heard this morning. Three vile murders have taken place on the outskirts. The people are growing uneasy. They suspect either a witch or the demons summoned by a witch."

Mariana shook her head, "Magdalena is a pure and virtuous girl. She has enough sense not to do anything that could endanger any of us."

"Then why is she at this moment harboring a stranger, whom she claims attacked her? I saw him, Mariana. His skin is deathly white and Maggie seemed extremely eager to get him inside her home before daybreak. Even I can somehow see that there is something strange about him. Mariana, can you honestly say that you didn't sense something peculiar?"

"I will admit that I have never sensed such raw power from my sister. Not since before she left us to study with the great Malachi but I say that you are wrong. Magdalena would never ever be so stupid as to summon a demon."

"She has chosen a hard and lonely life, love. Whether she will admit it or not Maggie has always coveted what you have."

Mariana's face contorted with anger, "HOW DARE YOU! How can you even think that?"

"Mariana…"

"Enough. I will hear no more of it. No matter how much she desires a child my sister would not sell her soul for one."