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Based on the novels by

L. J. Smithand the TV series developed by

KEVINWILLIAMSON

J!LIE "LE#

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$E%A#E

They &all it the 'it&hin( ho)r* that time in the middle o+ the ni(ht 'hen no h)mans are a'a,e* 'hen &reat)res o+ the ni(ht &anr them breathin(* smell their blood* 'at&h their dreams )n+old. It-s the time 'hen the 'orld is o)rs* 'hen 'e &an h)nt* ,ill* prote&t.the time 'hen I-m most ea(er to +eed. B)t I m)st hold ba&,. Be&a)se by holdin( ba&,* by h)ntin( only those animals 'hose blooder )i&,ens 'ith desire* 'hose hearts don-t po)nd 'ith /oy* 'hose yearnin(s don-t ma,e them dream* I &an &ontrol my destiny. Ihold ba&, +rom the dar, side. I &an &ontrol my "o'er.

&h is 'hy* on a ni(ht 'hen I &an smell blood all aro)nd me* 'hen I ,no' that in an instant I &o)ld &onne&t to the "o'er I-ve beenstin( +or so lon( and 'ill resist +or all eternity* I need to 'rite. Thro)(h 'ritin( do'n my history* seein( vario)ss&enes and yearsne&t to ea&h other* li,e beads on an everlastin( &hain* I &an stay &onne&ted to 'ho I 'as ba&, 'hen I 'as a h)man and the only

od I ever heard r)shin( in my ears and +elt po)ndin( in my heart 'as my o'n0.

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ntents

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OKS B< L.J. SMIT=pyri(hto)t The ")blisher

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The day my li+e &han(ed started o)t li,e any other. It 'as a hot A)()st a+ternoon in 1864* the 'eather so oppressive that even+lies stopped s'armin( aro)nd the barn. The servants- &hildren* 'ho )s)ally played 'ild (ames and shrie,ed as they ran +rom onere to another* 'ere silent. The air 'as still* as i+ holdin( o++ on a lon(>a'aited th)nderstorm. I-d planned to spend a +e' ho)rs ridin(horse* Me??anotte* into the &ool +orest on the ed(e o+ Veritas Estatemy +amily home. I-d pa&,ed my sat&hel 'ith a boo, and 'asnt on simply es&apin(.

t 'as 'hat I-d been doin( most days that s)mmer. I 'as seventeen and restless* ready neither to /oin the 'ar alon(side myher nor to have %ather tea&h me to r)n the estate. Every a+ternoon* I had the same hope that several ho)rs o+ solit)de 'o)ld help+i()re o)t 'ho I 'as and 'hat I 'anted to be&ome. My time at the Boys A&ademy had ended last sprin(* and %ather had madehold o++ on enrollin( at the !niversity o+ Vir(inia )ntil the 'ar had ended. Sin&e then* I-d been &)rio)sly st)&, in the in>bet'een. Ino lon(er a boy* not )ite a man* and )tterly )ns)re o+ 'hat to do 'ith mysel+.'orst part 'as that I had no one to tal, to. Camon* my brother* 'as 'ith ;eneral ;room-s army do'n in Atlanta* most o+ my

hood +riends 'ere either abo)t to be betrothed or on +ara'ay battle+ields themselves* and %ather 'as &onstantly in his st)dy.nna be a hot oneF o)r overseer* $obert* yelled +rom the ed(e o+ the barn* 'here he 'as 'at&hin( t'o stable boys attempt to bridleo+ the horses %ather had p)r&hased at a)&tion last 'ee,.

p*F I (r)nted. That 'as another problem While I yearned +or someone to tal, 'ith* 'hen presented 'ith a &onversation partner* I never &ontent. What I desperately 'anted 'as to meet someone 'ho &o)ld )nderstand me* 'ho &o)ld dis&)ss real thin(s li,e,s and li+e* not /)st the 'eather. $obert 'as ni&e eno)(h and one o+ %ather-s most tr)sted advisers* b)t he 'as so lo)d and brasheven a ten>min)te &onversation &o)ld leave me eGha)sted.

ard the latestHF $obert as,ed* abandonin( the horse to 'al, to'ard me. I (roaned in'ardly.oo, my head. D=aven-t been readin( the papers. What-s ;eneral ;room doin( no'HF I as,ed* even tho)(h &onversation abo)t theal'ays le+t me )neasy.

bert shielded his eyes +rom the s)n as he shoo, his head. DNo* not the 'ar. The animal atta&,s. The +ol,s over at ;ri++in-s lost +ive,ens. All 'ith (ashes in their ne&,s.F)sed mid>step* the hairs on the ba&, o+ my ne&, risin( on end. All s)mmer* reports o+ stran(e animal atta&,s had emer(ed +rom

(hborin( plantations. !s)ally* the animals 'ere small* mostly &hi&,ens or (eese* b)t in the past +e' 'ee,s someoneprobablybert* a+ter +o)r or +ive t)mblers o+ 'his,eyhad be()n a r)mor that the atta&,s 'ere the 'or, o+ demons. I didn-t believe that* b)t it

one more reminder that the 'orld 'asn-t the same one I-d (ro'n )p in. Everythin( 'as &han(in(* 'hether I 'anted it to or not.)ld have been a stray do( that ,illed them*F I told $obert 'ith an impatient 'ave o+ my hand* parrotin( the 'ords I-d overheard

her say to $obert last 'ee,. A bree?e pi&,ed )p* &a)sin( the horses to stomp their +eet nervo)sly.ell* then* I hope one o+ those stray do(s doesn-t +ind yo) 'hen yo)-re o)t ridin( alone li,e yo) do every day.F With that* $obertde o++ to'ard the past)re.

al,ed into the &ool* dar, stable. The steady rhythm o+ the breathin( and snortin( o+ the horses relaGed me instantly. I pl)&,ed??anotte-s br)sh +rom the 'all and be(an &ombin( thro)(h her smooth* &oal>bla&, &oat. She 'hinnied in appre&iation.t then* the stable door &rea,ed open* and %ather stepped in. A tall man* %ather &arried himsel+ 'ith so m)&h +or&e and presen&ehe easily intimidated those 'ho &rossed his path. =is +a&e 'as lined 'ith 'rin,les that only added to his a)thority* and he 'ore a

mal mornin( &oat* despite the heat.e+anHF %ather &alled* (lan&in( aro)nd the stalls. Even tho)(h he-d lived at Veritas +or years* he-d probably only been in the stable a

times* pre+errin( to have his horses prepared and bro)(ht strai(ht to the door.&,ed o)t o+ Me??anotte-s stall.her pi&,ed his 'ay to'ard the ba&, o+ the stable. =is eyes +li&,ed over me* and I +elt s)ddenly embarrassed +or him to see meed in s'eat and dirt. DWe have stable boys +or a reason* son.F

no'*F I said* +eelin( as tho)(h I-d disappointed him.ere-s a time and a pla&e +or havin( +)n 'ith horses. B)t then there-s the point 'hen it-s time +or a boy to stop playin( and be&ome an.F %ather hit Me??anotte on the +lan,s* hard. She snorted and too, a step ba&,.

en&hed my /a'* 'aitin( +or him to tell me abo)t ho'* 'hen he 'as my a(e* he-d moved to Vir(inia +rom Italy 'ith only the &lotheshis ba&,. =o' he-d +o)(ht and bar(ained to b)ild a tiny* one>a&re plot o+ land into 'hat 'as no' the t'o h)ndred a&res o+ Veritasate. =o' he-d named it that be&a)se veritas 'as Latin +or tr)th* be&a)se he-d learned that as lon( as a man sear&hed +or tr)th

+o)(ht de&eption* he didn-t need anythin( else in li+e.her leaned a(ainst the door o+ the stall. D$osalyn #art'ri(ht /)st &elebrated her siGteenth birthday. She-s loo,in( +or a h)sband.Fsalyn #art'ri(htHF I repeated. When 'e 'ere t'elve* $osalyn had (one to a +inishin( s&hool o)tside o+ $i&hmond* and I hadn-tn her in a(es. She 'as a nondes&ript (irl 'ith mo)sy blond hair and bro'n eyes in every memory I held o+ her* she 'ore a bro'nss. She-d never been s)nny and la)(hin(* li,e #lementine =aver+ord* or +lirty and +eisty* li,e Amelia =a',e* or 'hip>smart and&hievo)s* li,e Sarah Brennan. She 'as simply a shado' in the ba&,(ro)nd* &ontent to trail alon( on all o)r &hildhood advent)resnever to lead them.s. $osalyn #art'ri(ht.F %ather (ave me one o+ his rare smiles* 'ith the &orners o+ his lips t)rned so sli(htly )p'ard* one 'o)ld, he 'as sneerin( i+ one did not ,no' him 'ell. D=er +ather and I have been tal,in(* and it seems the ideal )nion. She-s al'aysn )ite +ond o+ yo)* Ste+an.F

on-t ,no' i+ $osalyn #art'ri(ht and I are a mat&h*F I m)mbled* +eelin( as tho)(h the &ool 'alls o+ the stable 'ere &losin( in on me.&o)rse %ather and Mr. #art'ri(ht had been tal,in(. Mr. #art'ri(ht o'ned the ban, in to'n i+ %ather had an allian&e 'ith him* it

)ld be easy to eGpand Veritas even +)rther. And i+ they-d been tal,in(* it 'as as (ood as done that $osalyn and I 'ere to be man'i+e.

&o)rse yo) don-t ,no'* boyF %ather ()++a'ed* slappin( me on the ba&,. =e 'as in remar,ably (ood spirits. My spirits* ho'ever*e sin,in( lo'er and lo'er 'ith ea&h 'ord. I s)ee?ed my eyes sh)t* hopin( this 'as all a bad dream. DNo boy yo)r a(e ,no's

at-s (ood +or him. That-s 'hy yo) need to tr)st me. I-m arran(in( a dinner +or neGt 'ee, to &elebrate the t'o o+ yo). In theantime* pay her a &all. ;et to ,no' her. #ompliment her. Let her +all in love 'ith yo).F %ather +inished* ta,in( my hand and pressin(

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oG inside my palm.at abo)t meH What i+ I don-t 'ant her to +all in love 'ith meH I 'anted to say. B)t I didn-t. Instead* I shoved the boG in my ba&,,et 'itho)t (lan&in( at its &ontents* then 'ent ba&, to attendin( to Me??anotte* br)shin( her so hard* she snorted and stepped, in indi(nation.(lad 'e had this tal,* son*F %ather said. I 'aited +or him to noti&e that I-d barely said a 'ord* to reali?e that it 'as abs)rd to as, me

marry a (irl I hadn-t spo,en to in years.therHF I said* hopin( he 'o)ld say somethin( to set me +ree +rom the +ate he-d laid o)t +or me.in, O&tober 'o)ld be lovely +or a 'eddin(*F my +ather said instead* lettin( the door ban( sh)t behind him.

en&hed my /a' in +r)stration. I tho)(ht ba&, to o)r &hildhood* 'hen $osalyn and I 'o)ld +ind o)rselves p)shed to sit to(ether at)rday barbe&)es and &h)r&h so&ials. B)t the +or&ed so&iali?ation simply hadn-t 'or,ed* and as soon as 'e 'ere old eno)(h toose o)r o'n playmates* $osalyn and I 'ent o)r separate 'ays. O)r relationship 'as (oin( to be /)st as it 'as 'hen 'e 'ere tenrs yo)n(eri(norin( ea&h other 'hile d)ti+)lly ma,in( o)r parents happy. EG&ept no'* I reali?ed (rimly* 'e-d be bo)nd to(ether

ver.

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The neGt a+ternoon* I +o)nd mysel+ sittin( on a sti++* lo'>ba&,ed velvet &hair in the #art'ri(hts- sittin( room. Every time I shi+ted*n( to +ind a spot o+ &om+ort on the hard seat* I +elt the (a?e o+ Mrs. #art'ri(ht* $osalyn* and her maid +all )pon me. It 'as as)(h I 'as the s)b/e&t in a portrait at a m)se)m or a &hara&ter in a dra'in( room drama. The entire +ront room reminded me o+ a seta playit 'as hardly the type o+ pla&e in 'hi&h to relaG. Or tal,* +or that matter. C)rin( the +irst +i+teen min)tes o+ my arrival* 'e-d

n(ly dis&)ssed the 'eather* the ne' store in to'n* and the 'ar.

r that* lon( pa)ses rei(ned* the only so)nd the hollo' &la&,in( o+ the maid-s ,nittin( needles. I (lan&ed at $osalyn a(ain* tryin( tosomethin( abo)t her person to &ompliment. She had a pert +a&e 'ith a dimple in her &hin* and her earlobes 'ere small andmetri&al. %rom the hal+ &entimeter o+ an,le I &o)ld see belo' the hem o+ her dress* it seemed she had deli&ate bone str)&t)re.

t then a sharp pain shot )p my le(. I let o)t a &ry* then loo,ed do'n at the +loor* 'here a tiny* &opper>&olored do( abo)t the si?e o+t had embedded its pointed teeth in the s,in o+ my an,le.* that-s "enny. "enny-s /)st sayin( hi* isn-t sheHF $osalyn &ooed* s&oopin( )p the tiny animal into her arms. The do( stared at me*tin)in( to bare its teeth. I in&hed +arther ba&, in my seat.e-s* )h* very ni&e*F I said* even tho)(h I didn-t )nderstand the point o+ a do( that small. Co(s 'ere s)pposed to be &ompanions&o)ld ,eep yo) &ompany on a h)nt* not ornaments to mat&h the +)rnit)re.-t she* tho)(hHF $osalyn loo,ed )p in rapt)re. DShe-s my very best +riend* and I m)st say* I-m terri+ied o+ her (oin( o)tside no'*all the reports o+ animal m)rdersFtellin( yo)* Ste+an* 'e-re so +ri(htenedF Mrs. #art'ri(ht /)mped in* r)nnin( her hands over the bodi&e o+ her navy dress. DI don-t

erstand this 'orld. It-s simply not meant +or )s 'omen to even (o o)tside.F

ope 'hatever it is doesn-t atta&, )s. Sometimes I-m s&ared to step +oot o)tdoors* even 'hen it-s li(ht*F $osalyn +retted* &l)t&hin(ny ti(htly to her &hest. The do( yelped and /)mped o++ her lap. DI-d die i+ anythin( happened to "enny.Fs)re she-ll be +ine. A+ter all* the atta&,s have been happenin( on +arms* not in to'n*F I said* hal+heartedly tryin( to &om+ort her.

e+anHF Mrs. #art'ri(ht as,ed in her shrill voi&e* the same one she a++e&ted 'hen she )sed to &hide Camon and me +or 'hisperin(n( &h)r&h. =er +a&e 'as pin&hed* and her eGpression loo,ed li,e she had /)st s)&,ed on a lemon. DCon-t yo) thin, $osalyn loo,se&ially bea)ti+)l todayHF* yes*F I lied. $osalyn 'as 'earin( a drab bro'n dress that mat&hed her bro'nish blond hair. Loose rin(lets +ell abo)t her s,inny)lders. =er o)t+it 'as a dire&t &ontrast to the parlor* 'hi&h 'as de&orated 'ith oa, +)rnit)re* bro&ade &hairs* and dar,>&olored

ental r)(s that overlapped on the (leamin( 'ood +loor. In the +ar &orner* over the marble mantel* a portrait o+ Mr. #art'ri(ht stared'n at me* a stern eGpression on his an()lar +a&e. I (lan&ed at him &)rio)sly. In &ontrast to his 'i+e* 'ho 'as over'ei(ht and red>ed* Mr. #art'ri(ht 'as (hostly pale and s,innyand sli(htly dan(ero)s>loo,in(* li,e the v)lt)res 'e-d seen &ir&lin( aro)nd thele+ield last s)mmer. #onsiderin( 'ho her parents 'ere* $osalyn had a&t)ally t)rned o)t remar,ably 'ell.alyn bl)shed. I shi+ted on the &hair-s ed(e* +eelin( the /e'elry boG in my rear po&,et. I-d (lan&ed at the rin( last ni(ht* 'hen sleep

)ldn-t &ome. I re&o(ni?ed it instantly. It 'as an emerald &ir&led by diamonds* made by the +inest &ra+tsmen in Veni&e and 'orn bymother )ntil the day she died. Ste+anH What do yo) thin, o+ pin,HF $osalyn as,ed* brea,in( me o)t o+ my reverie.sorry* 'hatHF I as,ed* distra&ted.

. #art'ri(ht shot me an irritated loo,.,H %or the dinner neGt 'ee,H It-s so ,ind o+ yo)r +ather to plan it*F $osalyn said* her +a&e bri(ht red as she stared at the +loor.in, pin, 'o)ld loo, deli(ht+)l on yo). +ive years.

ood )p* my le(s 'obblin( beneath me. DIt has been lovely visitin( 'ith yo)* Mrs. and Miss #art'ri(ht* b)t I-d be loath to ta,e )p the

o+ yo)r a+ternoon.Fan, yo).F Mrs. #art'ri(ht nodded* not risin( +rom her settee. DMaisy 'ill sho' yo) o)t*F she said* li+tin( her &hin to'ard their maid*

o 'as no' do?in( over her ,nittin(.eathed a si(h o+ relie+ as I le+t the ho)se. The air 'as &ool a(ainst my &lammy s,in* and I 'as happy that I hadn-t had o)r&hman 'ait +or me I 'o)ld be able to &lear my head by 'al,in( the t'o miles home. The s)n 'as be(innin( to sin, into the?on* and the smell o+ honeys)&,le and /asmine h)n( heavily in the air.

an&ed )p at Veritas as I strode )p the hill. Bloomin( lilies s)rro)nded the lar(e )rns +lan,in( the path to the +ront door. The 'hitemns o+ the por&h (lo'ed oran(e +rom the settin( s)n* the pond-s mirror>li,e s)r+a&e (leamed in the distan&e* and I &o)ld hear the'ay so)nd o+ the &hildren playin( near the servants- )arters. This 'as my home* and I loved it.I &o)ldn-t ima(ine sharin( it 'ith $osalyn. I shoved my hands in my po&,ets and an(rily ,i&,ed a stone in the &)rve o+ the road.)sed 'hen I rea&hed the entran&e to the drive* 'here an )n+amiliar &oa&h 'as standin(. I stared 'ith &)riosity'e rarely hadorsas a 'hite>haired &oa&hman /)mped o)t o+ the driver-s seat and opened the &ab. A bea)ti+)l* pale 'oman 'ith &as&adin(

, &)rls stepped o)t. She 'ore a billo'in( 'hite dress* &in&hed at her narro' 'aist 'ith a pea&h>&olored ribbon. A mat&hin( pea&h

'as per&hed atop her head* obs&)rin( her eyes.+ she ,ne' I 'as starin(* she t)rned. I (asped despite mysel+. She 'as more than bea)ti+)l she 'as s)blime. Even +rom a

an&e o+ t'enty pa&es* I &o)ld see her dar, eyes +li&,erin(* her pin, lips &)rvin( into a small smile. =er thin +in(ers to)&hed the bl)emeo ne&,la&e at her throat* and I +o)nd mysel+ mirrorin( the (est)re* ima(inin( 'hat her small hand 'o)ld +eel li,e on my o'n s,in.

n she t)rned a(ain* and a 'oman* 'ho m)st have been her maid* stepped o)t o+ the &ab and be(an +)ssin( 'ith her s,irts.loF she &alled.lo 0*F I &roa,ed. As I breathed* I smelled a heady &ombination o+ (in(er and lemon.Katherine "ier&e. And yo) areHF she as,ed* her voi&e play+)l. It 'as as i+ she ,ne' I 'as ton()e>tied by her bea)ty. I 'asn-t s)re

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ether I sho)ld be morti+ied or than,+)l that she 'as ta,in( the lead.therine*F I repeated slo'ly* rememberin(. %ather had told me the story o+ a +riend o+ a +riend do'n in Atlanta. =is nei(hbors hadshed 'hen their ho)se &a)(ht +ire d)rin( ;eneral Sherman-s sie(e* and the only s)rvivor had been a siGteen>year>old (irl 'ith notions. Immediately* %ather had o++ered to board the (irl in o)r &arria(e ho)se. It had all so)nded very mysterio)s and romanti&*'hen %ather told me* I sa' in his eyes ho' m)&h he en/oyed the idea o+ servin( as res&)er to this yo)n( orphan.

s*F she said* her eyes dan&in(. DAnd yo) are 0Fe+anF I said )i&,ly. DSte+an Salvatore. ;i)seppe-s son. I am so sorry +or yo)r +amily-s tra(edy.Fan, yo)*F she said. In an instant* her eyes be&ame dar, and somber. DAnd I than, yo) and yo)r +ather +or hostin( me and my maid*ly. I don-t ,no' 'hat 'e 'o)ld have done 'itho)t yo).Fs* o+ &o)rse.F I +elt s)ddenly prote&tive. D

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A)()st 21* 1864

I &an-t stop thin,in( abo)t her. I 'ill not even 'rite her name I daren-t. She is bea)ti+)l* entran&in(* sin()lar.en I-m 'ith $osalyn* I am ;i)seppe-s son* the Salvatore boy* essentially inter&han(eable 'ith Camon. I

o' it 'o)ld not matter one 'hit to the #art'ri(hts i+ Camon too, my pla&e. It is only me be&a)se %ather ,ne

mon 'o)ld not stand +or it* ,ne' I 'o)ld say yes* /)st li,e al'ays.t 'hen I sa' her* her lithe +i()re* her red lips* her eyes that 'ere +li&,erin( and sad and thrillin( all at on&e 0

'as as tho)(h I 'as +inally /)st mysel+* /)st Ste+an Salvatore.)st be stron(. I m)st treat her li,e a sister. I m)st +all in love 'ith the 'oman 'ho is to be my 'i+e.t I +ear it is already too late0.salyn Salvatore* I tho)(ht to mysel+ the neGt day* tastin( the 'ords as I 'al,ed o)t the door* ready to +)l+ill my d)ty by payin( aond &all on my soon>to>be>betrothed. I ima(ined livin( 'ith $osalyn in the &arria(e ho)seor perhaps some smaller mansion myer 'o)ld b)ild as o)r 'eddin( presentme 'or,in( all day* porin( thro)(h led(ers 'ith my +ather in his st)++y st)dy* 'hile she

, &are o+ o)r &hildren. I tried to +eel eG&itement. B)t all I +elt 'as &old dread seepin( thro)(h my veins.al,ed aro)nd the (rand path o+ Veritas and (a?ed 'ist+)lly )p at the &arria(e ho)se. I hadn-t seen Katherine sin&e she arrivedterday a+ternoon. %ather had dispat&hed Al+red to invite her to s)pper* b)t she-d de&lined. I-d spent the evenin( loo,in( o)t thedo' to'ard the ho)se* b)t I &o)ldn-t see any +li&,er o+ &andleli(ht. I+ I hadn-t ,no'n she and Emily had moved in* I-d have ass)med

ho)se had remained )no&&)pied. %inally* I 'ent to sleep* 'onderin( the 'hole time 'hat Katherine 'as doin( and 'hether sheded &om+ortin(.re my eyes a'ay +rom the dra'n )pstairs shades and tr)d(ed do'n the drive'ay. The dirt road )nder my +eet 'as hard and&,ed 'e needed a (ood rainstorm. There 'as no bree?e* and the air +elt dead. There 'asn-t another person o)tside as +ar as the

&o)ld see* yet as I 'al,ed* the hairs on the ba&, o+ my ne&, stood on end* and I (ot the )neasy +eelin( that I 'asn-t alone.bidden* $obert-s 'arnin(s abo)t 'al,in( o++ on my o'n +loated thro)(h my mind.

loHF I &alled o)t as I t)rned aro)nd.arted. Standin( /)st a +e' +eet behind me* leanin( a(ainst one o+ the an(el stat)es that +lan,ed the drive* 'as Katherine. She 'orehite s)nbonnet that prote&ted her ivory s,in and a 'hite dress dotted 'ith tiny roseb)ds. Cespite the heat* her +air s,in loo,ed as as the pond on a Ce&ember mornin(. smiled at me* displayin( per+e&tly strai(ht* 'hite teeth. DI had hoped +or a to)r o+ the (ro)nds* b)t it seems yo) are other'isea(ed.Fheart po)nded at the 'ord Den(a(ed*F the rin( boG in my ba&, po&,et as heavy as a brandin( iron. DI-m not 0 no. I mean*F I

mmered* DI &o)ld stay.Fnsense.F Katherine shoo, her head. DI already am ta,in( lod(in( +rom yo) and yo)r +ather. I 'ill not ta,e yo)r time as 'ell.F Sheed a dar, eyebro' at me.er be+ore had I spo,en 'ith a (irl 'ho seemed so at ease and s)re o+ hersel+. I +elt the s)dden* over'helmin( )r(e to 'hip the rin(

m my po&,et and o++er it to Katherine on one ,nee. B)t then I tho)(ht o+ %ather and +or&ed my hand to stay p)t.y I at least 'al, 'ith yo) +or a bitHF Katherine as,ed* s'in(in( her s)n )mbrella ba&, and +orth.

mpanionably* 'e 'al,ed do'n the road. I ,ept (lan&in( to my le+t and ri(ht* 'onderin( 'hy she didn-t seem nervo)s to 'al,*&&ompanied* 'ith a man. "erhaps it 'as be&a)se she 'as an orphan and so )tterly alone in the 'orld. Whatever the reason* I 'ase+)l +or it.

(ht 'ind ble' aro)nd )s* and I inhaled her lemony (in(er s&ent* +eelin( as tho)(h I &o)ld die o+ happiness* ri(ht there* neGt toherine. Simply bein( near her 'as a reminder that bea)ty and love did eGist in the 'orld* even i+ I &o)ldn-t have them.in, I shall &all yo) Silent Ste+an*F Katherine said as 'e 'al,ed thro)(h the &l)ster o+ oa,s that mar,ed the line bet'een the villa(e

Mysti& %alls and the o)tlyin( plantations and estates.

sorry 0*F I started* +earin( that I 'as as d)ll to her as $osalyn 'as to me. DIt-s simply that 'e don-t (et very many stran(ers insti& %alls. It-s di++i&)lt to spea, to someone 'ho doesn-t ,no' my 'hole history. I s)ppose I don-t 'ant to bore yo). A+ter Atlanta* I-me yo) +ind Mysti& %alls a bit )iet.F I +elt morti+ied as soon as the senten&e le+t my lips. =er parents had died in Atlanta* and here I* ma,in( it so)nd li,e she-d le+t some eG&itin( li+e to live here. I &leared my throat. DI mean* not that yo) had +o)nd Atlanta eG&itin(*

hat yo) 'o)ldn-t en/oy (ettin( a'ay +rom everythin(.Fherine smiled. DThan, yo)* Ste+an. That-s s'eet.F =er tone made it &lear she didn-t 'ant to delve into the topi& any +)rther.'al,ed in silen&e +or a +e' lon( moments. I ,ept my stride deliberately short so Katherine &o)ld ,eep )p. Then* 'hether bydent or by desi(n I-m not s)re* Katherine-s +in(ers br)shed a(ainst my arm. They 'ere &old as i&e* even in the h)mid air. DJ)st so,no'*F she said* DI don-t +ind anythin(abo)t yo) borin(.F

entire body +lamed hot as a &on+la(ration. I (lan&ed )p the road* as i+ tryin( to as&ertain the best ro)te +or )s to +ollo'* tho)(hly I 'as hidin( my bl)sh +rom Katherine. I +elt the 'ei(ht o+ the rin( in my po&,et a(ain* heavier than ever.ned to +a&e Katherine* to say 'hat* I-m not even s)re. B)t she 'as no lon(er by my side.therineHF I &alled* shieldin( my eyes a(ainst the s)n* 'aitin( +or her liltin( la)(h to rise )p in the )nderbr)sh alon( the road. B)t all

ard 'as the e&ho o+ my o'n voi&e. She had vanished.

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didn-t &all on the #art'ri(hts that day. Instead* a+ter sear&hin( the path* I sprinted the t'o miles ba&, to the estate* terri+ied that

herine had someho' been dra((ed into the +orest by some )nseen handperhaps by the very &reat)re that had been terrori?in(nearby plantations.en I arrived home* tho)(h* I +o)nd her on the por&h s'in(* &hattin( 'ith her maid* a s'eatin( (lass o+ lemonade beside her. =er

'as pale* her eyes lan()oro)s* as i+ she-d never r)n a day in her li+e. =o' had she (otten ba&, to the &arria(e ho)se so )i&,lyH

nted to stride )p and as,* b)t I stopped mysel+. I-d so)nd li,e a madman* re&o)ntin( the 'hirlin( tho)(hts in my head.hat moment* Katherine (lan&ed )p and shielded her eyes. DBa&, so soonHF she &alled* as i+ s)rprised to see me. I nodded d)mblyhe slid o++ the por&h s'in( and (lided into the &arria(e ho)se.ima(e o+ her smilin( +a&e ,ept +loatin( ba&, to me the neGt day* 'hen I +or&ed mysel+ to ma,e the &all on $osalyn. It 'as even

se than the +irst &all. Mrs. #art'ri(ht sat ri(ht beside me on the &o)&h* and every time I shi+ted* her eyes (leamed* as i+ she 'ase&tin( me to ta,e o)t the rin( at any se&ond. I-d &ho,ed o)t some )estions abo)t "enny* abo)t the p)ppies she-d had last J)ne*abo)t the pro(ress =onoria %ells* the to'n dressma,er* had made on $osalyn-s pin, (o'n. B)t no matter ho' m)&h I tried* all Ited 'as an eG&)se to leave so I &o)ld visit 'ith Katherine.

ally* I m)ttered somethin( abo)t not 'antin( to be o)t past dar,. A&&ordin( to $obert* there had been three more animal ,illin(s*)din( ;eor(e Bro'er-s horse ri(ht o)tside the apothe&ary. I almost +elt ()ilty as Mrs. #art'ri(ht )shered me o)t o+ the ho)se andmy &arria(e* as i+ I 'ere (oin( o++ to battle rather than a t'o>mile ride home.

en I (ot to the estate* my heart +ell 'hen I sa' no si(n o+ Katherine. I 'as abo)t to do)ble ba&, to the stable to br)sh Me??anotteen I heard an(ry voi&es emanatin( +rom the open 'indo's o+ the ,it&hen o+ the main ho)se.

son o+ mine 'ill ever disobey me dar,ened and +re&,led.re' my arms aro)nd him* than,+)l I had arrived home 'hen I did. =e and %ather had never (otten alon(* and their +i(htsasionally es&alated to blo's.

otherF =e slapped my ba&, as he p)lled o)t o+ the embra&e.e-re not +inished* Camon*F my +ather 'arned as he retreated to his st)dy.mon t)rned to me. DI see %ather-s the same as al'ays.F

-s not so bad.F I al'ays +elt a','ard spea,in( badly o+ %ather* even as I &ha+ed a(ainst my +or&ed en(a(ement to $osalyn. DCid/)st (et ba&,HF I as,ed* &han(in( the s)b/e&t. Camon smiled. There 'ere sli(ht lines aro)nd his eyes that no one 'o)ld noti&e

ess they ,ne' him 'ell.ho)r a(o. I &o)ldn-t miss my yo)n(er brother-s en(a(ement anno)n&ement* &o)ld IHF he as,ed* a sli(ht hint o+ sar&asm in hise. D%ather told me all abo)t it. Seems that he-s dependin( on yo) to &arry on the Salvatore name. And /)st thin,* by the time o+ thenders Ball* yo)-ll be a h)sbandF++ened. I-d +or(otten abo)t the ball. It 'as the event o+ the year* and %ather* Sheri++ %orbes* and Mayor Lo&,'ood had been

nnin( it +or months. "artly a 'ar bene+it* partly an opport)nity +or the to'n to en/oy the last (asp o+ s)mmer* and mostly a &han&ehe to'n leaders to pat themselves on the ba&,s* the %o)nders Ball had al'ays been one o+ my +avorite Mysti& %alls traditions.

' I dreaded it.mon m)st have sensed my dis&om+ort* be&a)se he started di((in( thro)(h his &anvas r)&,sa&,. It 'as +ilthy and had 'hat loo,ed

a bloodstain on the &orner. %inally* he p)lled o)t a lar(e* misshapen leather ball* m)&h lar(er and more oblon( than a baseball.ant to playHF he as,ed* palmin( the ball +rom hand to hand.

at is thatHF I as,ed.ootball. Me and the boys play 'hen 'e-ve (ot time a'ay +rom the +ield. It-ll be (ood +or yo). ;et some &olor in yo)r &hee,s. We-t 'ant yo) (ettin( so+t*F he said* imitatin( my +ather-s voi&e so per+e&tly that I had to la)(h.

mon 'al,ed o)t the door* and I +ollo'ed* shr)((in( o++ my linen /a&,et. S)ddenly the s)nshine +elt 'armer* the (rass +elt so+ter*rythin( +elt betterthan it had /)st min)tes be+ore.t&hF Camon yelled* +indin( me o++ ()ard. I li+ted )p my arms and &a)(ht the ball a(ainst my &hest.n I playHF a +emale voi&e as,ed* brea,in( the moment.herine. She 'as 'earin( a simple* lila& s)mmer shi+t dress* and her hair 'as p)lled into a b)n at the base o+ her ne&,. I noti&ed

her dar, eyes per+e&tly &omplemented the brilliant bl)e &ameo ne&,la&e that rested in the hollo' o+ her throat. I ima(ined la&in(+in(ers thro)(h her deli&ate hands* then ,issin( her 'hite ne&,.&ed mysel+ to tear my (a?e a'ay +rom her. DKatherine* this is my brother* Camon. Camon* this is Katherine "ier&e. She is stayin()s*F I said sti++ly* (lan&in( ba&, and +orth bet'een them to (a)(e Camon-s rea&tion. Katherine-s eyes dan&ed* as i+ she +o)nd my

mality in&redibly am)sin(. So did Camon-s.

mon* I &an tell yo)-re /)st as s'eet as yo)r brother*F she said in an eGa((erated So)thern a&&ent. Even tho)(h it 'as a phrase anyhe (irls in the &o)nty 'o)ld )se 'hen tal,in( to a man* it so)nded va()ely mo&,in( &omin( +rom her lips.e-ll see abo)t that.F Camon smiled. DSo* brother* shall 'e let Katherine playHFon-t ,no'*F I said* s)ddenly hesitant. DWhat are the r)lesHF

o needs r)lesHF Katherine as,ed* +lashin( a (rin that revealed her per+e&tly strai(ht* 'hite teeth.ned the ball in my hand. DMy brother plays ro)(h*F I 'arned.meho' I thin, I play ro)(her.F In one s'oop* Katherine (rabbed the ball +rom my (rasp. As they had been the previo)s day* herds 'ere &old* li,e i&e* despite the heat o+ the a+ternoon. =er to)&h sent a /olt o+ ener(y thro)(h my body and )p to my brain. DLoser

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to (room my horsesF she &alled as the 'ind 'hipped her hair behind her.mon 'at&hed her r)n* then ar&hed an eyebro' to'ard me. DThat is a (irl 'ho 'ants to be &hased.F With that* Camon d)( his heels

the earth and ran* his po'er+)l body h)rtlin( do'n the hill to'ard the pond.r a se&ond* I ran* too. I +elt the 'ind 'hip aro)nd my ears. DI-ll (et yo)F I yelled. It 'as a phrase I-d have yelled 'hen I 'as ei(htplayin( (ames 'ith the (irls my a(e* b)t I +elt that the sta,es o+ this (ame 'ere hi(her than anythin( I-d ever played in my li+e.

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The neGt mornin(* I a'o,e to breathless ne's +rom $osalyn-s servants that her pri?ed do(* "enny* had been atta&,ed. Mrs.t'ri(ht s)mmoned me to her da)(hter-s &hambers* sayin( nothin( had stopped $osalyn +rom &ryin(. I tried to &om+ort her* b)t her&,in( sobs never abated.'hole time* Mrs. #art'ri(ht ,ept (ivin( me disapprovin( (lan&es* as i+ I sho)ld be doin( a better /ob &almin( $osalyn.

) have me*F I-d said at one point* i+ only to appease her. At that* $osalyn had +l)n( her arms aro)nd me* &ryin( so hard into my

)lder that her tears le+t a 'et mar, on my 'aist&oat. I tried to be sympatheti&* b)t I +elt a stab o+ annoyan&e at the 'ay she 'asyin( on. A+ter all* I-d never &arried on li,e that 'hen my mother had died. %ather hadn-t let me.

) have to be stron(* a +i(hter* he-d said at the +)neral. And so I 'as. I didn-t &ry 'hen* /)st a 'ee, a+ter Mother-s death* o)r nanny*delia* be(an absentmindedly h)mmin( the %ren&h l)llaby Mother had al'ays s)n(. Not 'hen %ather too, do'n the portrait o+her that had h)n( in the +ront room. Not even 'hen Artemis* Mother-s +avorite horse* had to be p)t do'n.

d yo) see the do(HF Camon as,ed* as 'e 'al,ed into to'n to(ether that ni(ht to (et a drin, at the tavern. No' that the dinnerere I 'as to p)bli&ly propose to $osalyn 'as /)st days a'ay* 'e 'ere headin( o)t +or a 'his,ey to &elebrate my impendin(tials. At least* that-s 'hat Camon &alled it* elon(atin( his a&&ent to a +lat #harlestonian dra'l and 'i((lin( his eyebro's as he saidtried to smile as i+ I tho)(ht it 'as a (reat /o,e* b)t i+ I be(an tal,in(* I ,ne' I 'o)ldn-t be able to hold ba&, my dismay abo)tryin( $osalyn. And there 'asn-t anythin( 'ron( 'ith her. It 'as /)st 0 it 'as /)st that she 'asn-t Katherine.ned my tho)(hts ba&, to "enny. Dnat)redly sl)((ed me ba&,* and 'e 'o)ld have bro,en o)t into an all>o)t brotherly bra'l i+ Camon hadn-t p)shed open the

oden door to the Mysti& %alls Tavern. We 'ere immediately (reeted by an enth)siasti& smile +rom the vol)pt)o)s* red>hairedmaid behind the &o)nter. It 'as &lear that Camon had made himsel+ at home here on several o&&asions.

elbo'ed o)r 'ay to the ba&, o+ the tavern. The room smelled o+ sa'd)st and s'eat* and men in )ni+orm 'ere every'here. Somebanda(es on their heads* others 'ore slin(s* and some hobbled to the &o)nter on &r)t&hes. I re&o(ni?ed =enry* a dar,>s,innedier 'ho pra&ti&ally lived at the tavern* drin,in( 'his,ey alone in a &orner. $obert had told me stories abo)t him =e neverali?ed 'ith anyone* and no one ever sa' him in the li(ht o+ day. There 'as tal, that maybe he 'as asso&iated 'ith the atta&,s* b)t

' &o)ld he be* i+ he 'as al'ays at the tavernHeled my eyes a'ay to ta,e in the rest o+ the s&ene. There 'ere older men ti(htly (ro)ped in a &orner* playin( &ards and drin,in(s,ey and* in the opposite &orner* a +e' 'omen. I &o)ld tell +rom the ro)(e on their &hee,s and their painted +in(ernails that theyen-t the types to spend time 'ith o)r &hildhood playmates* #lementine =aver+ord or Amelia =a',e. As 'e 'al,ed past* one o+

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m br)shed my arm 'ith her painted +in(ernails.) li,e it hereHF Camon p)lled o)t a 'ooden table +rom the 'all* an am)sed smile on his +a&e.)ppose I do.F I pl)n,ed do'n on the hard 'ooden ben&h and s)rveyed my s)rro)ndin(s on&e a(ain. Bein( in the tavern* I +elt I-dmbled into a se&ret so&iety o+ men* /)st one more thin( I ,ne' I-d have little &han&e to dis&over be+ore I 'as a married man ande&ted to be at home every evenin(.(et )s some drin,s*F Camon said* ma,in( his 'ay to the bar. I 'at&hed as he rested his elbo's on the &o)nter and easily tal,ed tobarmaid* 'ho tilted her head ba&, and la)(hed as i+ he-d said somethin( hilario)s. Whi&h he probably had. That-s 'hy all 'omenn love 'ith him. ho' does it +eel to be a married manHF

rned aro)nd to see Cr. Janes behind me. Well into his seventies* Cr. Janes 'as sli(htly senile and o+ten lo)dly pro&laimed toone 'ho-d listen that his lon(evity 'as d)e eG&l)sively to his prodi(io)s ind)l(en&e in 'his,ey.t married yet* Co&tor.F I smiled ti(htly* 'ishin( Camon 'o)ld &ome ba&, 'ith o)r drin,s.

* my boy* b)t yo) 'ill be. Mr. #art'ri(ht at the ban, has been dis&)ssin( it +or 'ee,s. The +air yo)n( $osalyn. )ite a &at&hF Cr.es &ontin)ed lo)dly. I (lan&ed aro)nd* hopin( no one had heard.hat moment* Camon appeared and (ently set o)r 'his,eys on the table. DThan, yo)*F I said* drin,in( mine do'n in one ()lp. Cr.es hobbled a'ay.at thirsty* h)hHF Camon as,ed* ta,in( a small sip o+ his o'n drin,.r)((ed. In the past* I-d never ,ept se&rets +rom my brother. B)t tal,in( abo)t $osalyn +elt dan(ero)s. Someho'* no matter 'hat I or +elt* I still had to marry her. I+ anyone heard even an in,lin( o+ re(ret +rom me* there-d be no end to the tal,.denly* a ne' 'his,ey appeared in +ront o+ me. I (lan&ed )p to see the pretty bartender Camon had been tal,in( to standin( overtable.) loo, li,e yo) need this. Seems yo)-ve had a ro)(h day.F The barmaid 'in,ed one o+ her (reen eyes and set the s'eatin(bler on the ro)(h>he'n 'ooden table in +ront o+ me.an, yo)*F I said as I too, a small* (rate+)l sip.ytime*F the barmaid said* her &rinoline s,irts s'ishin( over her hips. I 'at&hed her retreatin( ba&,. All the 'omen in the tavern*

n those 'ith loose rep)tations* 'ere more interestin( than $osalyn. B)t no matter 'ho I (lan&ed at* the only ima(e that +illed myd 'as Katherine-s +a&e.&e li,es yo)*F Camon observed.oo, my head. D

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The 'eather didn-t brea, by my en(a(ement dinner a +e' days later* and even at +ive o-&lo&, in the a+ternoon the air 'as hoth)mid. In the ,it&hen* I-d overheard the servants (ossipin( that the stran(e* still 'eather 'as a res)lt o+ the animal>,illin( demons.dis&)ssion o+ the demons did not stop people +rom all over the &o)nty &omin( to the ;ran(e =all to &elebrate the #on+edera&y.&oa&hes ba&,ed )p beyond the stone drive and sho'ed no si(n o+ slo'in( their onsla)(ht to'ard the imposin( stone str)&t)re.

e+an SalvatoreF I heard as I stepped o)t o+ the &oa&h behind my +ather.

my +eet hit dirt* I sa' Ellen Emerson and her da)(hter* Caisy* 'al,in( arm in arm* trailed by t'o maids. =)ndreds o+ lanterns lit thene steps leadin( to the 'hite 'ooden doors* and &arria(es lined the &)rved 'al,'ay. I &o)ld hear strains o+ a 'alt? &omin( +romde the hall.s. Emerson. Caisy.F I bo'ed deeply. Caisy had hated me ever sin&e 'e 'ere &hildren* 'hen Camon had dared me to p)sh her intoo' #ree,.y* i+ it isn-t the (or(eo)s Emerson ladies*F %ather said* also bo'in(. DThan, yo) to both o+ yo) +or &omin( to this small s)pper. It-s

(ood to see everyone in to'n. We need to band to(ether* no' more than ever*F %ather said* &at&hin( Ellen Emerson-s eye.e+an*F Caisy repeated* noddin( as she too, my hand.

sy. to>+a&e 'ith Mr. #art'ri(ht. I instantly &omposed my eGpression into somethin( I hoped resembledtement.

e+an* boy I+ it isn-t the man o+ the ho)rF Mr. #art'ri(ht said* o++erin( me a (lass o+ 'his,ey. Than, yo) +or allo'in( me the pleas)re o+ yo)r da)(hter-s &ompany*F I said a)tomati&ally* ta,in( the smallest sip I &o)ld m)ster.

'o,en )p 'ith a terrible 'his,ey heada&he the mornin( a+ter Camon and I spent time at the tavern. I-d stayed in bed* a &oolmpress on my +orehead* 'hile Camon had barely seemed a++e&ted. I-d heard him &hasin( Katherine thro)(h the labyrinth in the

,yard. Every la)(h I-d heard 'as li,e a tiny da((er in my brain.e pleas)re is all yo)rs. I ,no' it-s a (ood mer(er. "ra&ti&al and lo' ris, 'ith plenty o+ opport)nity +or (ro'th.Fan, yo)* sir*F I said. DAnd I am so sorry abo)t $osalyn-s do(.F#art'ri(ht shoo, his head. DCon-t tell my 'i+e or $osalyn* b)t I-d al'ays hated the damn thin(. Not sayin( it sho)ld have (one anden itsel+ ,illed* b)t I thin, everyone is (ettin( themselves all 'or,ed )p over nothin(. All this dis&)ssion o+ demons yo) hear all

r the damn pla&e. "eople 'hisperin( that the to'n is &)rsed. It-s that ,ind o+ tal, that ma,es people so a+raid o+ ris,. Ma,es themvo)s abo)t p)ttin( their money in the ban,*F Mr. #art'ri(ht boomed* &a)sin( several people to stare. I smiled nervo)sly.

o+ the &orner o+ my eye* I sa' %ather a&tin( as host and sh)ttlin( people to'ard the lon( table at the &enter o+ the room. I noti&edh pla&e 'as set 'ith Mother-s deli&ate +le)r>de>lis &hina.

e+an*F my +ather said* &lappin( his hand on my sho)lder* Dare yo) readyH

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ead a&ross her hoop s,irts* and there 'as a h)shed m)rm)r as she and Camon made their 'ay to the t'o empty seats at theter o+ the table. =er bl)e ne&,la&e (leamed at her throat* and she 'in,ed at me be+ore ta,in( the empty seat neGt to my o'n. =erbr)shed a(ainst mine* and I shi+ted )n&om+ortably.mon.F %ather nodded tersely as Camon sat do'n to his le+t.do yo) thin, the army 'ill be all the 'ay do'n to ;eor(ia by 'interHF I as,ed Jonah "almer lo)dly* simply be&a)se I didn-t tr)st

sel+ to spea, to Katherine. I+ I heard her m)si&al voi&e* I mi(ht lose my nerve to propose to $osalyn.not 'orried abo)t ;eor(ia. What I am 'orried abo)t is (ettin( the militia to(ether to solve the problems here in Mysti& %alls.

se atta&,s 'ill not be stood +or*F Jonah* the to'n veterinarian 'ho had also been trainin( the Mysti& %alls militia* said lo)dly*ndin( his +ist on the table so hard* the &hina rattled.t then* an army o+ servants entered the hall* holdin( plates o+ 'ild pheasant. I too, my silver +or, and p)shed the (amey meat)nd my plate I had no appetite. Aro)nd me* I &o)ld hear the )s)al dis&)ssions abo)t the 'ar* abo)t 'hat 'e &o)ld do +or o)r boysray* abo)t )p&omin( dinners and barbe&)es and &h)r&h so&ials. Katherine 'as noddin( intently at =onoria %ells a&ross the table.

denly I +elt /ealo)s o+ the (ri??led* +ri??y>haired =onoria. She 'as able to have the one>on>one &onversation 'ith Katherine that Iesperately 'anted.ady* sonHF %ather elbo'ed me in the ribs* and I noti&ed that people 'ere already +inished 'ith their meals. More 'ine 'as bein(red* and the band* 'ho-d pa)sed d)rin( the main &o)rse* 'as playin( in the &orner. This 'as the moment everyone had beentin( +or They ,ne' an anno)n&ement 'as abo)t to be made* and they ,ne' that +ollo'in( that anno)n&ement there 'o)ld bebratin( and dan&in(. It 'as al'ays the 'ay dinners happened in Mysti& %alls. B)t I-d never be+ore been at the &enter o+ ano)n&ement. As i+ on &)e* =onoria leaned to'ard me* and Camon smiled en&o)ra(in(ly.lin( si&, to my stoma&h* I too, a deep breath and &lin,ed my ,ni+e a(ainst my &rystal (lass. Immediately* there 'as a h)sh)(ho)t the hall* and even the servants stopped midstep to stare at me.

ood )p* too, a lon( s'i( o+ red 'ine +or &o)ra(e* and &leared my throat. )m*F I be(an in a lo'* strained voi&e I didn-t re&o(ni?e as my o'n. DI have an anno)n&ement.F O)t o+ the &orner o+ my eye* I sa'

her &l)t&hin( his &hampa(ne +l)te* ready to /)mp in 'ith a toast. I (lan&ed at Katherine. She 'as loo,in( at me* her dar, eyes&in( my o'n. I tore my (a?e a'ay and (ripped my (lass so ti(htly* I 'as s)re it 'o)ld brea,. D$osalyn* I-d li,e to as, yo)r hand in

ria(e. Will yo) do me the honorHF I said in a r)sh* +)mblin( in my s)it po&,et +or the rin(.lled o)t the boG and ,nelt do'n in +ront o+ $osalyn* starin( )p at her 'atery bro'n eyes. D%or yo)*F I said 'itho)t in+le&tion* +lippin(n the lid and holdin( it o)t to'ard her.alyn shrie,ed* and the room b)rst into a smatterin( o+ appla)se. I +elt a hand &lap my ba&,* and I sa' Camon (rinnin( do'n onKatherine &lapped politely* an )nreadable eGpression on her +a&e.

re.F I too, $osalyn-s tiny 'hite hand and p)shed the rin( on her +in(er. It 'as too lar(e* and the emerald rolled lopsidedly to'ardpin,ie. She loo,ed li,e a &hild playin( dress>)p 'ith her mother-s /e'elry. B)t $osalyn didn-t seem to &are that the rin( didn-t +it.ead* she held o)t her hand* 'at&hin( as the diamonds &apt)red the li(ht o+ the table-s &andles. Immediately* a &r)sh o+ 'omeno)nded )s* &ooin( over the rin(.s does &all +or a &elebrationF my +ather &alled o)t. D#i(ars +or everyone. #ome here* Ste+an* son

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The neGt 'ee, passed in a bl)r. I ran +rom +ittin(s at Mrs. %ells-s dress shop to visits 'ith $osalyn in the #art'ri(hts- st)++yor to the tavern 'ith Camon. I tried to +or(et Katherine* leavin( my sh)tters &losed so I 'o)ldn-t be tempted to loo, a&ross the la'n

he &arria(e ho)se* and +or&in( mysel+ to smile and 'ave at Camon and Katherine 'hen they eGplored the (ardens.&e I 'ent )p to the atti& to loo, at the portrait o+ Mother. I 'ondered 'hat advi&e she-d have +or me. Love is patient* I rememberedsayin( in her liltin( %ren&h a&&ent d)rin( Bible st)dy. The notion &om+orted me. Maybe love &o)ld&ome to me and $osalyn.

r that* I tried to love $osalyn* or at least (arner some ,ind o+ a++e&tion +or her. I ,ne'* behind her )ietness and her dish'aternd hair* she 'as simply a s'eet (irl 'ho-d ma,e a dotin( 'i+e and mother. O)r most re&ent visits hadn-t been a'+)l. In +a&t*alyn had been in remar,ably (ood spirits. She-d (otten a ne' do(* a slee, bla&, beast named Sadie* 'hi&h she-d ta,en to &arryin(ry'here lest the ne' p)ppy s)++er the same +ate as "enny had. At one point* 'hen $osalyn loo,ed )p at me 'ith adorin( eyes*n( i+ I-d pre+er lila&s or (ardenias at the 'eddin(* I almost +elt +ond o+ her. Maybe that 'o)ld be eno)(h.

her had 'asted no time in plannin( another party to &elebrate. This time* it 'as a barbe&)e at the estate* and %ather had invitedryone 'ithin a t'enty>mile radi)s. I re&o(ni?ed only a hand+)l o+ the yo)n( men* pretty (irls* and #on+ederate soldiers 'ho milled)nd the labyrinth* a&tin( as i+ they o'ned the estate. When I 'as yo)n(er* I )sed to love the parties at Veritasthey 'ere al'ays an&e to r)n do'n to the i&e pond 'ith o)r +riends* to play hide>and>see, in the s'amp* to ride horses to the Wi&,ery Brid(e* then

e ea&h other to dive into the i&y depths o+ Willo' #ree,. No' I /)st 'ished it 'ere over* so I &o)ld be alone in my room.e+an* &are to share a 'his,ey 'ith meHF $obert &alled o)t to me +rom the ma,eshi+t bar set )p on the porti&o. To /)d(e +rom hissided (rin* he 'as already dr)n,.passed me a s'eatin( t)mbler and tipped his o'n to mine. D"retty soon* there 'ill be yo)n( Salvatores all over the pla&e. #an

pi&t)re itHF =e s'ept his hands eGpansively over the (ro)nds as i+ to sho' me /)st ho' m)&h room my ima(inary +amily 'o)lde in 'hi&h to (ro'.irled my 'his,ey miserably* )nable to pi&t)re it +or mysel+.

ell* yo)-ve made yo)r daddy one l)&,y man. And $osalyn one l)&,y (irl*F $obert said. =e li+ted his (lass to me one last time* thent to &hat 'ith the Lo&,'oods- overseer.hed and sat do'n on the por&h s'in(* observin( the merriment o&&)rrin( all aro)nd me. I ,ne' I sho)ld +eel happy. I ,ne' %ather

y 'anted 'hat 'as best +or me. I ,ne' that there 'as nothin( 'ron( 'ith $osalyn.'hy did this en(a(ement +eel li,e a death senten&eHthe la'n* people 'ere eatin( and la)(hin( and dan&in(* and a ma,eshi+t band made )p o+ my &hildhood +riends Ethan ;i++in* Briansh* and Matthe' =artnett 'as playin( a version o+ DThe Bonnie Bl)e %la(.F The s,y 'as &lo)dless and the 'eather balmy* 'ith /)st(ht nip in the air to remind )s that it 'as* indeed* +all. In the distan&e* s&hool&hildren 'ere s'in(in( and shrie,in( on the (ate. To

aro)nd so m)&h merrimentall meant +or meand not +eel happy made my heart th)d heavily in my &hest.ndin( )p* I 'al,ed inside to'ard %ather-s st)dy. I sh)t the door to the st)dy and breathed a si(h o+ relie+. Only the +aintest stream

)nli(ht pee,ed thro)(h the heavy damas, &)rtains. The room 'as &ool and smelled o+ 'ell>oiled leather and m)sty boo,s. I too,a slim vol)me o+ Sha,espeare-s sonnets and t)rned to my +avorite poem. Sha,espeare &almed me* the 'ords soothin( my brainremindin( me that there 'as love and bea)ty in the 'orld. "erhaps eGperien&in( it thro)(h art 'o)ld be eno)(h to s)stain me.

ttled into %ather-s leather &l)b &hair in the &orner and absentmindedly s,immed the onions,in pa(es. I-m not s)re ho' lon( I sate* lettin( the lan()a(e 'ash over me* b)t the more I read* the &almer I +elt.at are yo) readin(HFvoi&e startled me* and the boo, slid o++ my lap 'ith a &latter.

herine stood at the st)dy entran&e* 'earin( a simple* 'hite sil, dress that h)((ed every &)rve o+ her body. All the other 'omen atparty 'ere 'earin( layers o+ &rinoline and m)slin* their s,in ()arded )nder thi&, +abri&. B)t Katherine didn-t seem the least bit

barrassed by her eGposed 'hite sho)lders. O)t o+ propriety* I (lan&ed a'ay.y aren-t yo) at the partyHF I as,ed* bendin( to pi&, )p my boo,.

herine stepped to'ard me. DWhy aren-t yo) at the partyH Aren-t yo) the ()est o+ honorHF She per&hed on the arm o+ my &hair.ve yo) read Sha,espeareHF I as,ed* (est)rin( to the open boo, on my lap. It 'as a lame attempt to &han(e the &onversation I

yet to meet a (irl versed in his 'or,s. J)st yesterday* $osalyn had admitted she hadn-t even read a boo, in the past three years*r sin&e she had (rad)ated +rom the ;irls A&ademy. Even at that* the last vol)me she-d per)sed 'as merely a primer on ho' to be

)ti+)l #on+ederate 'i+e.a,espeare*F she repeated* her a&&ent eGpandin( the 'ord to three syllables. It 'as an odd a&&ent* not one that I-d heard +rom

er people +rom Atlanta. She s')n( her le(s ba&, and +orth* and I &o)ld see that she 'asn-t 'earin( sto&,in(s. I tore my eyes a'ay.all I &ompare thee to a s)mmer-s dayHFshe )oted.

o,ed )p* astonished. DTho) art more lovely and more temperate*F I said* &ontin)in( the )ote. My heart (alloped in my &hest* andbrain +elt as slo' as molasses* &reatin( an )n)s)al sensation that made me +eel I 'as dreamin(.herine yan,ed the boo, o++ my lap* &losin( it 'ith a reso)ndin( &lap. DNo*F she said +irmly.t that-s ho' the neGt line (oes*F I said* annoyed that she 'as &han(in( the r)les o+ a (ame I tho)(ht I )nderstood.at-s ho' the neGt line (oes +or Mr. Sha,espeare. B)t I 'as simply as,in( yo) a )estion. Shall I &ompare yo) to a s)mmer-s dayH

yo) 'orthy o+ that &omparison* Mr. SalvatoreH Or do yo) need a boo, to de&ideHF Katherine as,ed* (rinnin( as she held theme /)st o)t o+ my rea&h.

eared my throat* my mind ra&in(. Camon 'o)ld have said somethin( 'itty in response* 'itho)t even thin,in( abo)t it. B)t 'hen I'ith Katherine* I 'as li,e a s&hoolboy 'ho tries to impress a (irl 'ith a +ro( &a)(ht +rom the pond.

ell* yo) &o)ld &ompare my brother to a s)mmer-s day.

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am* 'here nothin( I said 'o)ld have any &onse)en&e b)t everythin( I said 'as important.ell* then* I m)st see that* Ste+an*F Katherine said. She pla&ed her i&y hand on my +orearm. DI-ve (otten to ,no' Camon* b)t I barely' yo). It-s )ite a shame* don-t yo) thin,HF

he distan&e* the band str)&, )p DI-m a ;ood Old $ebel.F I ,ne' I needed to (et ba&, o)tside* to smo,e a &i(ar 'ith Mr. #art'ri(ht*'irl $osalyn in a +irst 'alt?* to toast my pla&e as a man o+ Mysti& %alls. B)t instead I remained on the leather &l)b seat* 'ishin( I

d stay in the library* breathin( in Katherine-s s&ent* +orever.y I ma,e an observationHF Katherine as,ed* leanin( to'ard me. An errant dar, &)rl +lopped do'n on her 'hite +orehead. I had toall my stren(th to resist p)shin( it o++ her +a&e. DI don-t thin, yo) li,e 'hat-s happenin( ri(ht no'. The barbe&)e* the en(a(ement

heart po)nded. I sear&hed Katherine-s bro'n eyes. %or the past 'ee,* I-d been tryin( desperately to hide my +eelin(s. B)t had shen me pa)sin( o)tside the &arria(e ho)seH =ad she seen me r)n Me??anotte to the +orest 'hen she and Camon eGplored the

den* desperate to (et a'ay +rom their la)(hterH =ad she someho' mana(ed to read my tho)(htsH

herine smiled r)e+)lly. D"oor* s'eet* stead+ast Ste+an. =aven-t yo) learned yet that r)les are made to be bro,enH &olored lips* and she be&,oned me to /oin her on+ather-s &o)&h. I ,ne' I sho)ldn-t* b)t as i+ in a tran&e* I stood and &rossed the room. I san, into the &ool* &ra&,ed leather &)shiont to her and /)st let (o.r all* 'ho ,ne'H "erhaps a +e' moments in her presen&e 'o)ld be the balm I needed to brea, my melan&holia.

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-m not s)re ho' lon( 'e stayed in the room to(ether. The min)tes ti&,ed a'ay on the (rand+ather &lo&, in the &orner* b)t all I 'as

are o+ 'as the rhythmi& so)nd o+ Katherine-s breath* the 'ay the li(ht &a)(ht her an()lar /a'* the )i&, +li&, o+ the pa(e as 'e,ed thro)(h the boo,. I 'as dimly &ons&io)s o+ the +a&t that I needed to leave* soon* b)t 'henever I tho)(ht o+ the m)si& and the&in( and the plates o+ +ried &hi&,en and $osalyn* I +o)nd mysel+ literally )nable to move.)-re not readin(F Katherine teased at one point* (lan&in( )p +rom The Mysteries o+ Mysti& %alls.

* I-m not.FhyH Are yo) distra&tedHF Katherine rose* her slender sho)lders stret&hin( as she rea&hed )p to pla&e the boo, ba&, on the shel+.

p)t it in the 'ron( spot* neGt to %ather-s 'orld (eo(raphy boo,s.re*F I m)rm)red* rea&hin( behind her to ta,e the boo, and pla&e it on the hi(h shel+ 'here it belon(ed. The smell o+ lemon and

(er s)rro)nded me* ma,in( me +eel 'obbly and di??y. She t)rned to'ard me. O)r lips 'ere mere in&hes apart* and s)ddenly thent o+ her be&ame nearly )nbearable. Even tho)(h my head ,ne' it 'as 'ron(* my heart s&reamed that I-d never be &omplete i+ I

n-t ,iss Katherine. I &losed my eyes and leaned in )ntil my lips (ra?ed hers.a moment* it +elt as tho)(h my entire li+e had &li&,ed into pla&e. I sa' Katherine r)nnin( bare+oot in the +ields behind the ()estse* me &hasin( a+ter her* o)r yo)n( son sl)n( over my sho)lder.then* entirely )nbidden* an ima(e o+ "enny* her throat torn o)t* +loated thro)(h my mind. I p)lled ba&, instantly* as i+ str)&, by

tnin(.sorryF I said* leanin( ba&, and trippin( a(ainst a small end table* sta&,ed hi(h 'ith %ather-s vol)mes. They +ell to the +loor* the

nd m)++led by the Oriental r)(s. My mo)th tasted li,e iron. What had I /)st doneH What i+ my +ather had &ome in* ea(er to open the

midor 'ith Mr. #art'ri(htH My brain 'hirled in horror.ave to 0 I have to (o. I have to (o +ind my +ian&e.F Witho)t a ba&,'ard (lan&e at Katherine and the st)nned eGpression that 'ase to be on her +a&e* I +led the st)dy and ran thro)(h the empty &onservatory and to'ard the (arden.

i(ht 'as /)st be(innin( to +all. #oa&hes 'ere settin( o++ 'ith mothers and yo)n( &hildren as 'ell as &a)tio)s revelers 'ho 'ereid o+ the animal atta&,s. No' 'as 'hen the li)or 'o)ld +lo'* the band 'o)ld play more lo)dly* and (irls 'o)ld o)tdo themselves?in(* intent to &apt)re the eyes o+ a #on+ederate soldier +rom the nearby &amp. I +elt my breath ret)rnin( to normal. No one ,ne'

ere I-d been* m)&h less 'hat I had done.ode p)rpose+)lly into the &enter o+ the party* as i+ I-d simply been re+illin( my (lass at the bar. I sa' Camon sittin( 'ith other

diers* playin( a ro)nd o+ po,er on the &orner o+ the por&h. %ive (irls 'ere s)ee?ed onto the por&h s'in(* (i((lin( and tal,in(dly. %ather and Mr. #art'ri(ht 'ere 'al,in( to'ard the labyrinth* ea&h holdin( a 'his,ey and (est)rin( in an animated +ashion* nobt tal,in( abo)t the bene+its o+ the #art'ri(ht>Salvatore mer(er.

e+anF I +elt a hand &lap my ba&,. DWe 'ere 'onderin( 'here the ()ests o+ honor 'ere. No respe&t +or their elders*F $obert saidally.

salyn-s still not hereHF I as,ed.) ,no' ho' (irls are. They have to loo, /)st ri(ht* espe&ially i+ they-re &elebratin( their impendin( marria(e*F $obert said.'ords ran( tr)e* yet an )neGplainable shiver o+ +ear r)shed do'n my spine.s it /)st me* or had the s)n set remar,ably )i&,lyH The revelers on the la'n had &han(ed to shado'y +i()res in the +ive min)tese I-d been o)tside* and I &o)ldn-t ma,e o)t Camon 'ithin the (ro)p in the &orner.vin( $obert behind* I elbo'ed my 'ay past the party ()ests. It 'as odd +or a (irl to not sho' )p at her o'n party. What i+*

meho'* she-d &ome into the ho)se and she-d seen 0that 'as impossible. The door had been &losed* the shades dra'n. I 'al,ed bris,ly to'ard the servants- )arters near the pond*

ere the servants 'ere havin( their o'n party* to see i+ $osalyn-s &oa&hman had arrived.moon re+le&ted o++ the 'ater* &astin( an eerie* (reenish (lo' on the ro&,s and 'illo' trees s)rro)ndin( the pond. The (rass 'as

'ith de'* and still trampled +rom the time 'hen Camon* Katherine* and I had played +ootball there. The ,nee>hi(h mist made meh I 'ere 'earin( my boots instead o+ my dress shoes.)inted. At the base o+ the 'illo' tree* 'here Camon and I had spent ho)rs &limbin( as &hildren* 'as a shado'y l)mp on the

)nd* li,e a lar(e* (narled tree root. Only I didn-t remember a tree root in that spot. I s)inted a(ain. %or a moment* I 'ondered i+ itld be a pair o+ intert'ined lovers* tryin( to es&ape pryin( eyes. I smiled despite mysel+. At least someone had +o)nd love at thisy.then the &lo)ds shi+ted* and a sha+t o+ moonli(ht ill)minated the treeand the +orm beneath it. I reali?ed 'ith a si&,enin( /olt thatshape 'asn-t t'o lovers in mid>embra&e. It 'as $osalyn* my betrothed* her throat torn o)t* her eyes hal+ open* starin( )p at thebran&hes as i+ they held the se&ret to a )niverse she no lon(er inhabited.

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t-s di++i&)lt +or me to des&ribe the moments that +ollo'ed.

member +oot+alls and shrie,in( and the servants prayin( o)tside their )arters. I remember stayin( on my ,nees* yellin( o)t o+ror and pity and +ear. I remember Mr. #art'ri(ht p)llin( me ba&, as Mrs. #art'ri(ht san, to her ,nees and ,eened lo)dly* li,e anded animal.

member seein( the poli&e &arria(e. I remember %ather and Camon 'rin(in( their hands and 'hisperin( abo)t me* allies in tryin( to

elop the best &o)rse +or my &are. I tried to tal,* to tell them I 'as +ineI 'as* a+ter all* alive. B)t I &o)ldn-t +orm the 'ords.ne point* Cr. Janes hoo,ed his arms )nder my armpits and dra((ed me to my +eet. Slo'ly* men I didn-t ,no' s)rro)nded me and

((ed me to the por&h o+ the servants- )arters. There* 'ords 'ere m)mbled* and #ordelia 'as &alled +or. DI-m 0 I-m +ine*F I saidly* embarrassed that so m)&h attention 'as bein( paid to me 'hen $osalyn 'as the one 'ho-d been ,illed.

hh* no'* Ste+an*F #ordelia said* her leathery +a&e &reased 'ith 'orry. She pressed her hands to my &hest and m)ttered a prayerer her breath* then p)lled a tiny vial +rom the vol)mino)s +olds o+ her s,irt. She )n&apped it and pressed it to my lips. DCrin,*F she

ed as a li)id that tasted li,e li&ori&e ran do'n my throat.therineF I 'himpered. Then I &lapped my hand over my o'n mo)th* b)t not be+ore a startled eGpression &rossed #ordelia-s +a&e.&,ly* she dosed me 'ith more o+ the li&ori&e>s&ented li)id. I dropped ba&, to the hard steps o+ the por&h* too tired to thin,more.

brother is here some'here*F #ordelia said* so)ndin( as i+ she 'ere spea,in( )nder'ater. D%et&h him.Fard the so)nd o+ +oot+alls and opened my eyes an instant later to see Camon standin( above me. =is +a&e 'as 'hite 'ith sho&,.l he be o,ayHF Camon as,ed* t)rnin( to #ordelia.

in, 0*F Cr. Janes be(an.needs rest. )iet. A dar, room*F #ordelia said a)thoritatively.

mon nodded.0 $osalyn 0 I sho)ld have 0*F I be(an* even tho)(h I didn-t ,no' ho' to +inish the senten&e. Sho)ld have 'hatH Sho)ld have

e loo,in( +or her +ar earlier* instead o+ spendin( my time ,issin( KatherineH Sho)ld have insisted on es&ortin( her to the partyHhh*F Camon 'hispered* hoistin( me )p. I mana(ed to stand* sha,ily* beside him. %rom o)t o+ no'here* %ather appeared and heldother arm* and I haltin(ly mana(ed to step o++ the por&h and ba&, to the ho)se. $evelers stood on the (rass* holdin( ea&h other*Sheri++ %orbes &alled o)t +or the militia to sear&h in the 'oods. I +elt Camon ()idin( me thro)(h the ba&, door o+ the ho)se and )p

stairs be+ore allo'in( me to &ollapse on my bed. I +ell into the &otton sheets* and then I remember nothin( b)t dar,ness.neGt mornin(* I a'o,e to beams o+ s)nli(ht s&attered on the &herry'ood +loorboards o+ my bedroom.

od mornin(* brother.F Camon 'as sittin( in the &orner in the ro&,in( &hair* the one that )sed to belon( to ;reat>(rand+ather. O)rher had ro&,ed )s in it 'hen 'e 'ere in+ants* sin(in( son(s to )s as 'e 'ent to sleep. Camon-s eyes 'ere red and bloodshot* andndered i+ he-d been sittin( li,e that* 'at&hin( me* all ni(ht.

salyn-s deadHF I voi&ed it as a )estion* even tho)(h the ans'er 'as obvio)s.s.F Camon stood )p* t)rnin( to the &rystal pit&her on the 'aln)t dresser. =e po)red 'ater into a t)mbler and held it to'ard me. I((led to sit )pri(ht.* stay*F Camon &ommanded 'ith the a)thority o+ an army o++i&er. I-d never heard him spea, li,e that be+ore. I +ell ba&, a(ainst these>do'n pillo's and allo'ed Camon to brin( the (lass to my lips as i+ I 'ere an in+ant. The &ool* &lear li)id slipped do'n myat* and on&e a(ain* I tho)(ht ba&, to last ni(ht.

d she s)++erHF I as,ed* a pain+)l series o+ ima(es mar&hin( thro)(h my brain. While I-d been re&itin( Sha,espeare* $osalyn m)ste been plannin( her (rand entran&e. She m)st have been so eG&ited to sho' o++ her dress* to have the yo)n(er (irls (ape at her* to have the older 'omen ta,e her o++ to a &orner to dis&)ss the parti&)lars o+ her 'eddin( ni(ht. I ima(ined her dashin( a&rossla'n* then hearin( +ootsteps behind her* only to t)rn and see +lashin( 'hite teeth (listenin( in the moonli(ht. I sh)ddered.

mon &rossed over to the bed and p)t his hand on my sho)lder. S)ddenly the r)sh o+ terri+yin( ima(es stopped. DCeath )s)allypens in less than a se&ond. That 'as the &ase in the 'ar* and I-m s)re it 'as the same +or yo)r $osalyn.F =e settled ba&, in hisir and r)bbed his temple. DThey thin, it 'as a &oyote. The 'ar is brin(in( people east +or battle* and they thin, the animals are

o'in( the blood trail.Fyotes*F I said* my voi&e trippin( on the se&ond syllable. I hadn-t heard the 'ord be+ore. It 'as /)st one more eGample o+ ne'

ases li,e ,illed and a 'ido'erthat 'ere abo)t to be added to my vo&ab)lary.&o)rse* there are those people* in&l)din( %ather* 'ho thin, it 'as the 'or, o+ demons.F Camon rolled his dar, eyes. DJ)st 'hat o)rn needs. An epidemi& o+ mass hysteria. And 'hat ,ills me abo)t that little r)mor is that 'hen people are &onvin&ed their to'n iser sie(e by some demoni& +or&e* they-re not +o&)sin( on the +a&t that 'ar is rippin( apart o)r &o)ntry. It-s this head>in>the>sand

ntality that I simply &annot )nderstand.Fdded* not really listenin(* not able to vie' $osalyn-s death as part o+ some sort o+ ar()ment a(ainst the 'ar. As Camon &ontin)ed

amble* I lay ba&, and &losed my eyes. I vis)ali?ed $osalyn-s +a&e at the moment I +o)nd her. There* in the dar,ness* she-d loo,ederent. =er eyes had been lar(e and l)mines&ent. As tho)(h she-d seen somethin( terrible. As tho)(h she-d s)++ered horribly.

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:September 4* 1864

Midni(ht. Too late to +all asleep* too early to be a'a,e. A &andle b)rns on my ni(htstand* the +li&,erinado's +orebodin(.m ha)nted already. Will I ever +or(ive mysel+ +or not +indin( $osalyn )ntil it 'as too lateH And 'hy is shethe

e I vo'ed to +or(etstill on my mindHhead is po)ndin(. #ordelia is al'ays at the door* o++erin( drin,s* lo?en(es* po'dered herbs. I ta,e them* li,ee&)peratin( &hild. %ather and Camon (lan&e at me 'hen they thin, I-m asleep. Co they ,no' o+ thehtmaresHo)(ht marria(e 'as a +ate 'orse than death. I 'as 'ron(. I 'as 'ron( abo)t so many thin(s* too many

n(s* and all I &an do is pray +or +or(iveness and hope that someho'* some'here* I &an s)mmon stren(thm the depths o+ my eGisten&e to step +irmly onto the path o+ the ri(ht a(ain. I 'ill do it. I m)st. %or $osalyn.d +or her.' I 'ill blo' o)t the &andle and hope +or sleepli,e that o+ the deadto en()l+ me )i&,ly0.

e+an Time to (et )pF my +ather &alled* slammin( my bedroom door.hatHF I str)((led to sit* not s)re 'hat ho)r it 'as* or 'hat day it 'as* or ho' m)&h time had passed sin&e $osalyn-s death. Cayed into ni(ht* and I &o)ld never really sleep* only do?e into terri+yin( dreams. I 'o)ldn-t have eaten anythin(* eG&ept that #ordeliatin)ed to &ome into my room 'ith her &on&o&tions* spoon>+eedin( them to me to ens)re that they 'ere eaten. She-d ma,e +ried,en and o,ra and a thi&, mash o+ 'hat she &alled s)++erer ste'* 'hi&h she said 'o)ld ma,e me +eel better.-d le+t another one* a drin, this time* on my ni(htstand. I dran, it )i&,ly.t ready. Al+red 'ill help yo) prepare*F my +ather said.t ready +or 'hatHF I as,ed* s'in(in( my le(s onto the +loor. I hobbled to the mirror. I had st)bble over my &hin* and my ta'ny hair

od )p on all ends. My eyes 'ere red* and my ni(htshirt 'as han(in( o++ my sho)lders. I loo,ed a'+)l.her stood behind me* appraisin( my re+le&tion. Dbreasted bla&, s)it. I blan&hed. Its the s)it I-d have 'orn at my 'eddin(and the &h)r&h 'here 'e 'ere mo)rnin( $osalyn 'as to have been the site o+ theemony establishin( o)r )nion. Still* I mana(ed to &han(e into the s)it* allo'ed Al+red to help me shave* sin&e my hands 'ere so,y* and emer(ed an ho)r later ready to do 'hat I had to do.pt my eyes do'n as I +ollo'ed %ather and Camon to the &arria(e. %ather sat )p +ront* neGt to Al+red* 'hile Camon sat in the ba&,

me.' are yo)* brotherHF Camon as,ed above the +amiliar &lip>&lop o+ C),e-s and Ja,e-s hooves do'n Willo' #ree, $oad.t very 'ell*F I said +ormally* a sti++ l)mp in my throat.

mon p)t a hand on my sho)lder. The ma(pies &hattered* the bees b)??ed* and the s)n &ast a (olden (lo' on the trees. The entire&h smelled li,e (in(er* and I +elt my stoma&h heave. It 'as the smell o+ ()ilt over l)stin( a+ter a 'oman 'ho 'as never to

&o)ldnever bemy 'i+e.

)r +irst death* the +irst one yo) 'itness* &han(es yo)*F Camon said +inally* as the &oa&h p)lled )p to the 'hite &lapboard &h)r&h.&h)r&h bells 'ere rin(in(* and every b)siness in to'n 'as &losed +or the day. DB)t perhaps it &an &han(e yo) +or the better.Fybe*F I said as I des&ended +rom the &oa&h. B)t I didn-t see ho'.rea&hed the door as Cr. Janes hobbled into the &h)r&h* his &ane in one hand and a +las, o+ 'his,ey in another. "earl and Annae sittin( to(ether* and Jonathan ;ilbert sat behind them* his elbo's per&hed on the ed(e o+ "earl-s pe'* /)st in&hes +rom her)lder.ri++ %orbes 'as in his )s)al pla&e in the se&ond pe'* (larin( at the &l)ster o+ ro)(ed 'omen +rom the tavern 'ho had &ome to payr respe&ts. At the ed(e o+ their &ir&le 'as Ali&e* the barmaid* &oolin( hersel+ 'ith a sil, +an.vin Bailey* the or(anist* 'as playin( an adaptation o+ Mo?art-s $e)iem* b)t he seemed to hit a so)r note every +e' &hords. In thet pe'* Mr. #art'ri(ht stared strai(ht ahead* 'hile Mrs. #art'ri(ht sobbed and o&&asionally ble' her nose into a la&e hand,er&hie+.

he +ront o+ the &h)r&h* a &losed oa, &as,et 'as &overed 'ith +lo'ers. Wordlessly* I 'al,ed to the &as,et and ,nelt do'n in +ront o+

so sorry*F I 'hispered* to)&hin( the &as,et* 'hi&h +elt &old and hard. !nbidden* ima(es o+ my betrothed popped )p in my mind

alyn (i((lin( over her ne' p)ppy* (iddily dis&)ssin( +lo'er &ombinations +or o)r 'eddin(* ris,in( the 'rath o+ her maid by plantin(overt ,iss on my &hee, at the end o+ one visit. I moved my hands o++ the &as,et and p)t them to(ether* as i+ in prayer. DI hope thatand "enny have +o)nd ea&h other in =eaven.F I leaned do'n* lettin( my lips (ra?e the &as,et. I 'anted her to ,no'* 'herever she* that I 'o)ld have learned to love her. D;ood>bye.Fned to ta,e my seat and stopped short. $i(ht behind me 'as Katherine. She 'as 'earin( a dar,>bl)e &otton dress that stood o)t

he sea o+ bla&, &repe that +illed the pe's.so sorry +or yo)r loss*F Katherine said* to)&hin( my arm. I +lin&hed and dre' my arm ba&,. =o' dare she to)&h me so +amiliarly in

li&H Cidn-t she reali?e that i+ 'e hadn-t been &arryin( on at the barbe&)e in the +irst pla&e* the tra(edy mi(ht never havepenedH

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&ern re(istered in her dar, eyes. DI ,no' ho' hard this m)st be +or yo)*F she said. D"lease let me ,no' i+ yo) need anythin(.Fmediately +elt a 'ave o+ ()ilt +or ass)min( she 'as doin( anythin( other than sho'in( sympathy. A+ter all* her parents had died. 'as /)st a yo)n( (irl* rea&hin( o)t to o++er her s)pport. She loo,ed so sad that +or one 'ild se&ond* I 'as tempted to &ross the

e and &om+ort her.an, yo)*F I said instead* s)&,in( in my stale breath and 'al,in( ba&, to the pe'. I slid neGt to Camon* 'ho had his hands &rossed)sly over a Bible. I noti&ed his eyes +li&, )p as Katherine brie+ly ,nelt do'n by the &o++in. I +ollo'ed his (a?e* noti&in( the 'ayeral &)rls had es&aped +rom beneath her hat and 'ere &)rlin( aro)nd the ornate &lasp on her bl)e ne&,la&e.' min)tes later* the $e)iem ended* and "astor #ollins strode )p to the p)lpit. DWe-re here to &elebrate a li+e &)t +ar too short.re is evil amon( )s* and 'e 'ill mo)rn this death* b)t 'e 'ill also dra' stren(th +rom this death 0*F he intoned.vertly (lan&ed a&ross the aisle at Katherine. =er servant* Emily* 'as sittin( neGt to her on one side and "earl on the other.herine-s hands 'ere +olded as i+ in prayer. She t)rned sli(htly* as i+ to loo, at me. I +or&ed mysel+ to loo, a'ay be+ore o)r eyesd meet. I 'o)ld not dishonor $osalyn by thin,in( o+ Katherine.

?ed )p at the )n+inished* steepled beams o+ the &h)r&h. I-m sorry* I tho)(ht* sendin( the messa(e )p'ard and hopin( thatalyn* 'herever she 'as* heard it.

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The mist rose )p aro)nd my +eet as I 'al,ed to'ard the 'illo' tree. The s)n 'as )i&,ly settin(* b)t I &o)ld still ma,e o)t ado'y +i()re nestled bet'een the roots.

an&ed a(ain. It 'as $osalyn* her party dress shimmerin( in the 'ea, li(ht. Bile rose in my throat. =o' &o)ld she be hereH She 'ased* her body siG +eet )nder(ro)nd at the Mysti& %alls &emetery.'al,ed &loser* steelin( my &o)ra(e and (raspin( the ,ni+e in my po&,et* I noti&ed her li+eless eyes re+le&tin( the verdant leaves

ve. =er dar, &)rls st)&, to her &lammy +orehead. And her ne&, 'asn-t torn o)t at all. Instead* her ne&, displayed only t'o neat littlees* the si?e o+ shoddin( nails. As i+ ()ided by an )nseen hand* I +ell to my ,nees neGt to her body.

sorry*F I 'hispered* starin( at the &ra&,ed earth belo'. Then I raised my eyes and +ro?e in horror. Be&a)se it 'asn-t $osalyn-sy at all.

as Katherine-s.mall smile &)rved her roseb)d lips* as i+ she 'ere simply dreamin(.)(ht the )r(e to s&ream. I 'o)ld not let Katherine die B)t as I rea&hed to'ard her 'o)nds* she sat strai(ht )p. =er visa(ephed* her dar, &)rls +aded to blond* and her eyes (lo'ed red.rted ba&,'ard.yo)r +a)ltF The 'ords &)t thro)(h the still ni(ht* the tone hollo' and other'orldly. The voi&e belon(ed neither to Katherine noralynb)t to a demon.reamed* (rippin( my pen,ni+e and sli&in( it into the ni(ht air. The demon l)n(ed +or'ard and &l)t&hed my ne&,. It lo'ered itsrpened &anines to my s,in* and everythin( +aded to bla&,0.

o,e )p in a &old s'eat* sittin( )pri(ht. A &ro' &a'ed o)tside in the distan&e* I &o)ld hear &hildren playin(. S)nbeams 'erepled alon( my 'hite bedspread* and a dinner tray 'as sittin( on my des,. It 'as dayli(ht. I 'as in my o'n bed.ream. I remembered the +)neral* the ride +rom the &h)r&h* my eGha)stion as I &limbed the stairs to my bedroom. It had /)st been aam* a prod)&t o+ too m)&h emotion and stim)lation today. A dream* I reminded mysel+ a(ain* 'illin( my heart to stop po)ndin(. I, a lon( ()lp o+ 'ater strai(ht +rom the pit&her on the ni(htstand. My brain slo'ly stilled* b)t my heart &ontin)ed to ra&e and myds still +elt &lammy. Be&a)se it 'asn-t a dream* or at least not li,e any dream I-d ever had be+ore. It 'as as i+ demons 'ere

adin( my mind* and I 'as no lon(er s)re 'hat 'as real or 'hat tho)(hts to tr)st.ood )p* tryin( to sha,e o++ the ni(htmare* and 'andered do'nstairs. I too, the ba&, steps so as not to &ross paths 'ith #ordelia in,it&hen. She-d been ta,in( (ood &are o+ me* /)st as 'hen I had been a &hild in mo)rnin( +or my mother* b)t somethin( abo)t her&h+)l (a?e made me nervo)s. I ,ne' she-d heard me &all o)t +or Katherine* and I +ervently hoped she 'asn-t tellin( tales to the

vants.l,ed into %ather-s st)dy and (lan&ed at his shelves* +indin( mysel+ dra'n yet a(ain to the Sha,espeare se&tion. Sat)rday seemeda li+etime a(o. Still* the &andle in the silver &andlesti&, holder 'as eGa&tly 'here Katherine and I had le+t it* and The Mysteries o

sti& %alls 'as still on the &hair. I+ I &losed my eyes* I &o)ld almost smell lemon.oo, that tho)(ht a'ay and hastily pi&,ed o)t a vol)me o+ Ma&beth* a play abo)t /ealo)sy and love and betrayal and death* 'hi&hed my mood per+e&tly.&ed mysel+ to sit on the leather &l)b &hair and (lan&e at the 'ords* +or&ed mysel+ to t)rn the pa(es. Maybe that-s 'hat I needed in

er to pro&eed 'ith the rest o+ my li+e. I+ I /)st ,ept +or&in( mysel+ to ta,e a&tion* maybe I-d +inally (et over the ()ilt and sadness andI-d been &arryin( 'ith me sin&e $osalyn-s death.

t then* I heard a ,no&, on the door.ther-s not here*F I &alled* hopin( 'hoever it 'as 'o)ld (o a'ay.Ste+anHF Al+red-s voi&e &alled. DIt-s a visitor.F* than, yo)*F I replied. It 'as probably Sheri++ %orbes a(ain. =e-d already &ome by +o)r or +ive times* spea,in( to Camon and

her. So +ar I-d mana(ed to be( o++ the visits. I &o)ldn-t stand the tho)(ht o+ tellin( himtellin( anyone'here I-d been at the timehe atta&,.e visitor is )ite insistent*F Al+red &alled.

are yo)*F I m)ttered )nder my breath as I strode to the door and opened it.e-s in the sittin( room*F Al+red said* t)rnin( on his heel.

aitF I said. She. #o)ld it be 0 KatherineH My heart )i&,ened despite itsel+.HF Al+red as,ed* mid>step.be there.Fnti&ally* I splashed 'ater +rom the basin in the &orner on my +a&e and )sed my hands to smooth my hair ba&, +rom my +orehead.eyes still loo,ed hooded* and tiny vessels had bro,en* reddenin( the 'hites* b)t there 'as nothin( more I &o)ld do to ma,e me

,* let alone +eel* more li,e mysel+.ode p)rpose+)lly into the parlor. %or an instant* my heart +ell 'ith disappointment. Instead o+ Katherine* sittin( on the red velvet(ba&, &hair in the &orner 'as her maid* Emily. She had a bas,et o+ +lo'ers on her lap and held a daisy to her nose* as i+ she didn-te a &are in the 'orld.lo*F I said +ormally* already tryin( to &ome )p 'ith a 'ay to politely eG&)se mysel+. Salvatore.F Emily stood )p and hal+>&)rtseyed. She 'ore a simple 'hite eyelet dress and bonnet* and her dar, s,in 'as smooth

)nlined. DMy mistress and I /oin yo) in yo)r sorro's. She as,ed that I (ive yo) this*F she said* pro++erin( the bas,et to'ard me.an, yo)*F I said* ta,in( the bas,et. I absentmindedly p)t a spri( o+ lila& to my nose and inhaled.)se these in yo)r healin(* rather than #ordelia-s &on&o&tions*F Emily said.' did yo) ,no' abo)t thatHF I 'ondered.rvants tal,. B)t I +ear that 'hatever #ordelia-s +eedin( yo) may be doin( yo) more harm than (ood.F She pl)&,ed a +e' blossoms

m the bas,et* t'inin( them into a bo))et. DCaisies* ma(nolias* and bleedin( heart 'ill help yo) heal.Fd pansies +or tho)(htsHF I as,ed* rememberin( a )ote +rom Sha,espeare-s =amlet. As soon as I said it* I reali?ed it 'as a +oolishement. =o' 'o)ld an )ned)&ated servant (irl possibly ,no' 'hat I 'as spea,in( o+H

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Emily simply smiled. DNo pansies* altho)(h my mistress did mention yo)r love o+ Sha,espeare.F She rea&hed into the bas,et and,e o++ a spri( o+ lila&* 'hi&h she then p)shed (ently into my b)ttonhole.ld the bas,et )p and inhaled. It smelled li,e +lo'ers* b)t there 'as somethin( else the intoGi&atin( aroma that I-d only eGperien&ed

en I 'as near Katherine. I inhaled a(ain* +eelin( the &on+)sion and dar,ness o+ the past +e' days slo'ly +ade.no' everythin(-s very stran(e ri(ht no'*F Emily said* brea,in( my reverie. DB)t my mistress only 'ishes the best +or yo).F Sheded to'ard the &o)&h* as i+ invitin( me to sit do'n. Obediently* I sat and stared at her. She 'as remar,ably bea)ti+)l and &arried

sel+ 'ith a type o+ (ra&e I-d never seen be+ore. =er movements and manners 'ere so deliberate that 'at&hin( her 'as li,e&hin( a paintin( &ome to li+e.e 'o)ld li,e to see yo)*F Emily said a+ter a moment.

se&ond the 'ords le+t her lips* I reali?ed that &o)ld never be. As I sat there* in the dayli(ht o+ the parlor* 'ith another person rathern bein( lost in my o'n tho)(hts* everythin( &li&,ed into +o&)s. I 'as a 'ido'er* and my d)ty no' 'as to mo)rn $osalyn* not to)rn my s&hoolboy +antasy o+ love 'ith Katherine. Besides* Katherine 'as a bea)ti+)l orphan 'ith no +riends or relations. It 'o)ld

er 'or,&o)ld never 'or,.d see her. At $osalyn-s 0 at the +)neral*F I said sti++ly.at-s hardly a so&ial &all*F Emily pointed o)t. DShe-d li,e to see yo). Some'here private. When yo)-re ready*F she added )i&,ly.e' 'hat I had to say* 'hat the only proper thin( to say 'as* b)t the 'ords 'ere hard to +orm. DI 'ill see* b)t in my &)rrentdition* I-m a+raid I-m probably not in the best mood to (o 'al,in(. "lease send yo)r mistress my re(rets* altho)(h she 'ill not 'ant

&ompany. I ,no' my brother 'ill (o 'herever she 'ishes*F I said* the 'ords heavy on my ton()e.s. She is )ite +ond o+ Camon.F Emily (athered her s,irts and stood )p. I stood )p as 'ell and +elt* even tho)(h I to'ered a head

er* that she 'as someho' more po'er+)l than me. It 'as an odd yet not alto(ether )npleasant +eelin(. DB)t yo) &an-t ar()e 'ithlove.F

h that she s'ept o)t the door and a&ross the (ro)nds* the daisy in her hair s&atterin( its petals into the 'ind.

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-m not s)re i+ it 'as the +resh air or the +lo'ers Emily had bro)(ht me* b)t I slept so)ndly that ni(ht. The neGt mornin( I 'o,e )p to

ht s)nli(ht in my &hambers and* +or the +irst time sin&e $osalyn-s death* didn-t bother to drin, the &on&o&tion #ordelia had le+t onni(htstand. The smell o+ &innamon and e((s +loated )p +rom the ,it&hen* and I heard the snort o+ the horses as Al+red hit&hed themside. %or a se&ond* I +elt a thrill o+ possibility and the nas&ent b)d o+ happiness.e+anF my +ather boomed on the other side o+ the door* rappin( three times 'ith his 'al,in( sti&, or ridin( &rop. J)st li,e that* I

embered all that had transpired in the past 'ee,* and my malaise ret)rned.mained silent* hopin( he-d simply (o a'ay. B)t instead he s')n( the door open. =e 'as 'earin( his ridin( bree&hes and &arriedbla&, ridin( &rop* a smile on his +a&e and a spri( o+ a violet +lo'er in his lapel. It 'as neither pretty nor +ra(rant in +a&t* it loo,ed li,e

o+ the herbs #ordelia (re' do'n by the servants- )arters.e-re (oin( ridin(*F %ather anno)n&ed as he s')n( open the sh)tters. I shaded my eyes a(ainst the (lare. Was the 'orld al'ays so

htH DThis &hamber needs to be &leaned and yo)* my boy* need s)n.Ft I sho)ld really attend to my st)dies*F I said* (est)rin( limply to the vol)me o+ Ma&beth open on my des,.her too, the boo, and &losed it 'ith a de+initive &lap. DI need to spea, to yo) and Camon* a'ay +rom any pryin( ears.F =e (lan&edpi&io)sly aro)nd the &hambers. I +ollo'ed his (a?e b)t sa' nothin( eG&ept +or a &olle&tion o+ dirty dishes that #ordelia hadn-t yetred.+ on &)e* Camon strode into the room* 'earin( a pair o+ m)stard>&olored bree&hes and his (ray #on+ederate &oat. D%atherF

mon rolled his eyes. DCon-t tell me yo)-re on abo)t that demon nonsense a(ain.Fnot nonsenseF %ather roared. DSte+an* I-ll see yo) and yo)r brother at the stable*F he said* t)rnin( on his heel and stridin( o)t.

mon shoo, his head* then +ollo'ed him* leavin( me to &han(e.t on my +)ll ridin( &ost)mea (ray 'aist&oat and bro'n bree&hesand si(hed* not s)re I had eno)(h stren(th to ride or to)re another marathon bi&,erin( session bet'een my +ather and brother. When I opened the door* I +o)nd Camon standin( at theom o+ the &)rved stair&ase* 'aitin(.elin( better* brotherHF Camon as,ed as 'e 'al,ed o)t the door and a&ross the la'n to(ether.dded* even as I noti&ed the spot )nder the 'illo' tree 'here I-d +o)nd $osalyn. The (rass 'as lon( and bri(ht (reen* and s)irrelse dartin( aro)nd the tree-s (narled tr)n,. Sparro's &hirped* and the droopin( bran&hes o+ the 'eepin( 'illo' loo,ed l)sh and +)llromise. There 'as no si(n that anythin( had been amiss.

eathed a si(h o+ relie+ 'hen 'e rea&hed the stable* inhalin( the +amiliar* loved s&ent o+ 'ell>oiled leather and sa'd)st. D=i* (irl*F Ispered into Me??anotte-s velvety ear. She 'hinnied in appre&iation. =er &oat seemed sil,y>smooth* even more so than the last

e I-d br)shed it. DSorry I haven-t &ome to visit yo)* b)t it loo,s li,e my brother-s ta,en (ood &are o+ yo).Ft)ally* Katherine-s ta,en a shine to her. Whi&h is too bad +or her o'n horses.F Camon smiled +ondly as he /er,ed his &hin to t'ol>bla&, mares in the &orner. Indeed* they 'ere stampin( their +eet and starin( at the (ro)nd de/e&tedly* as i+ to eGpress /)st ho'

ored and lonely they 'ere.)-ve been spendin( )ite a bit o+ time 'ith Katherine*F I said +inally. It 'as a statement* not a )estion. O+ &o)rse he had been.

mon al'ays had an ease aro)nd 'omen. I ,ne' he ,ne' 'omen* espe&ially a+ter his year in the #on+ederate army. =e-d told meies abo)t some o+ the 'omen he-d met in &ities li,e Atlanta and LeGin(ton that had made me bl)sh. Cid he ,no' KatherineH

ave been*F Camon said* s'in(in( his le( over the ba&, o+ his horse* Ja,e. =e didn-t elaborate.ady* boysHF %ather &alled* his horse impatiently stampin( its +eet. I nodded and +ell into stride behind Camon and %ather as 'eded to the Wi&,ery Brid(e* all the 'ay on the other end o+ the property.&rossed the brid(e and &ontin)ed on into the +orest. I blin,ed in relie+. The s)nli(ht had been too bri(ht. I m)&h pre+erred the dar,do's o+ the trees. The 'oods 'ere &ool* 'ith 'et leaves &overin( the +orest +loor* even tho)(h there hadn-t been a rainstorm

ently. The leaves 'ere so thi&,* yo) &o)ld see only sli(ht pat&hes o+ bl)e s,y* and o&&asionally I-d hear the r)stle o+ a ra&&oon or(er in the )nderbr)sh. I tried not to thin, o+ the animal noises as &omin( +rom the beast that had atta&,ed $osalyn.&ontin)ed ridin( into the +orest )ntil 'e rea&hed the &learin(. %ather abr)ptly stopped and hit&hed his horse to a bir&h tree. Idiently hit&hed Me??anotte to a tree and (lan&ed aro)nd. The &learin( 'as mar,ed by a &olle&tion o+ ro&,s set )p in a ro)(h &ir&le*

ve 'hi&h the trees parted to provide a nat)ral 'indo' to the s,y. I hadn-t been there in a(es* not sin&e be+ore Camon 'ent a'ay.en 'e 'ere boys* 'e )sed to play illi&it &ard (ames here 'ith the other +ello's in to'n. Everyone ,ne' the &learin( 'as the pla&es &ame to (amble* (irls &ame to (ossip* and everyone &ame to spill their se&rets. I+ %ather really meant to ,eep o)r &onversation

et* he-d have been better o++ ta,in( )s to the tavern to tal,.e-re in tro)ble*F %ather said 'itho)t preamble* (lan&in( )p at the s,y. I +ollo'ed his (a?e* eGpe&tin( to see a +ast>movin( s)mmerm. Instead* the s,y 'as spotless and bl)e. I +o)nd no sola&e in this bea)ti+)l day. I 'as still ha)nted by $osalyn-s li+eless eyes.-re not* %ather*F Camon said thi&,ly. D

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mon.I 'anted 'as +or my boys to have the best. I ,no' 'hat 'e-re +a&in(* and I do not have time +or yo)r s&hoolboy ar()ments. I amtellin( tales ri(ht no'.F %ather (lan&ed ba&, at me* and I +or&ed mysel+ to loo, into his dar, eyes. D"lease )nderstand. There are

mons 'ho 'al, amon( )s. They eGisted in the old &o)ntry* too. They 'al,ed the same earth* tal,ed li,e h)mans. B)t they 'o)ldn-t, li,e h)mans.F

ell* i+ they don-t drin, 'ine* that 'o)ld be a blessin(* 'o)ldn-t itHF Camon as,ed sar&asti&ally. I sti++ened. I remembered all the timesr Mother had died that %ather 'o)ld drin, too m)&h 'ine or 'his,ey* lo&, himsel+ in the st)dy* then m)mble late into the ni(ht)t (hosts or demons.monF %ather said* his voi&e even sharper than my brother-s. DI 'ill i(nore yo)r imp)den&e. B)t I 'ill not have yo) i(nore me.en to me* Ste+an.F %ather t)rned to'ard me. DWhat yo) sa' happen to yo)r yo)n( $osalyn 'asn-t nat)ral. It 'asn-t one o+

mon-s &oyotes*F %ather said* pra&ti&ally spittin( o)t the '