"Yeah, you know, 'The Mistress of Pain', Hannah did tell you that the house we're in now used to be my parents didn't she?" No, I'm afraid the young m...stress had left that rather surprising detail out." Well anyway, do you have time to take me there today? Before the kids finish school?" Absolutely, we'll go immediately on arriving home." You know, I always believed that when I found it, I would want some time alone there, just to reconnect with mom's memory—" —I fully understand, I will. There were so many flowers in bloom I had difficulty deciding which ones to shoot with my Nikon.The path led up a slight rise. The trees that surrounded me reminded me of a virgin forest. Their beauty was not lost on my eyes. I saw a mocking bird in an oak tree. He was fussing that I was too close to his territory. As I walked along, I came across a small pool fed by a spring. There was a blanket beside the spring with shoes, shorts, a t-shirt and bra laying in one corner. Then, I saw her.. “Someday soon, it will be obvious even when I’m dressed. I don’t know how long I can hide it.”“Well, you’re a married woman. Do you really need to hide it?”“I can tell the world I’m pregnant. I just can’t tell them how long I’ve been pregnant. Unfortunately, you can’t persuade anybody that you’re showing in your second month.”“Really, the people you should tell are Carolyn’s circle. After all, they can give you advice. Really, there are only so many places in the church where gossip happens.. ? A smile curved her full lips,seductive in its cruelty, and hellfire lit her eyes with white flame.? Her voice was half Sabine, and half thedemoness who hid within her soul.? ?Ohdarling,? she breathed softly, ?I?m not going to make you talk.? I?m going to make you scream.?? ??????????? Almost,when Sabine walked towards the high, windowless chamber in the rear of theguardhouse, almost they stopped her.? Shewas young; sixteen was barely old enough to accompany patrols, and this was afar more.