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"As for the other matter," Godfrey continued, "I have found Benjamin Ben-Gabriel as the Jews call him, or Benjamin Fuchs as the emperor knows him, or Benjamin the Blessed as he prefers He is in the east as you feared,between the emperor’s court, the Báthory, the Drăculeşti, and His I tales of Benjamin’s relationship with Countess Erzsébet, which, if circulated ation inquiries detrimental to the faation is near an end, as he will have served his half century If you will not involve him in business that so directly concerns hi you to see to it yourself or to send soary with all speed

"In addition to the tales of excess and ue similarly speak of the terror Benjamin caused in their district, when he threatened their beloved rabbi and a witch from Chelm Now there are impossible tales of an enchanted creaturethe Jews from those ould feast on their blood The Jews say Benjalishwoman who they claim was last seen with Ysabeau’s son But this cannot be true, for Matthew is in England and would never lower himself to associate with a witch"

Matthew’s breath hissed frolish witch with the English daemon Edward Kelley, who to your friend Joris Hoefnagel, Kelley was placed in Benjamin’s custody a feeeks later after he was accused ofone of the emperor’s servants Benjamin took him to a castle in Křivoklát, where Kelley tried to escape and nearly died

"There is one ence I h I hesitate to do so, for itto ary with the countess and Benjamin The witches of Pozsony have coation about women who have been taken and tortured by these three infamous creatures One witch escaped and before death took her was able only to say these words: ‘They search within us for the Book of Life’"

Matthew ree of Diana’s parents, split open froroin

"These dark er Gerbert cannot be allowed to fascinate Benjamin with the power that witches have, as he has been Matthew’s son must be kept away from Erzsébet Báthory, lest your mate’s secret be discovered And we must not let the witches pursue any further You will kno best to achieve these ends, whether by seeing to the the

brotherhood

"I remain your humble servant and entrust your soul to God in the hope that He will see us safe together so we ht speak more of theseson, Godfrey

"From the Confrérie, Paris this 20th day of December

1591"

Matthew folded the letter carefully

At last he had soo to Central Europe and search for Benjamin himself

But first he had to tell Diana what he’d learned He had kept the news of Benja as he could

The babies’ first Christht va, and three dogs in attendance, it was also lively

Mattheed off the half dozen strands of gray hair that had resulted from ive him more I had asked for a six-slice toaster, which I had received, along with a beautiful antique pen inlaid with silver and ifts as insufficiently romantic for a couple so recently wed, but I didn’t need , and wasn’t interested in clothes A toaster suited ed the entire faifts that were handful and practical Jack modeled the sweater Marthe had knit for hied to Philippe Phoebe wore a pair of glittering emeralds in her ears that I’d assumed had come from Marcus until she blushed furiously and explained that Marcus had given her so handmade, which she had left at Sept-Tours for safety’s sake Given her color, I decided not to inquire further Sarah and Ysabeau were pleased with the photo albums we’d presented that documented the twins’ first month of life

Then the ponies arrived

"Philip and Rebecca h this were self-evident She supervised as her grooes, led two srow accustomed to the horses before you put theht have different ideas on how soon that blessed day ht occur

"They are Paso Finos," Ysabeau continued "I thought an Andalusian like yours inner Phoebe said we are supposed to give hand-it-overs, but I have never been a slave to principle"

Georges led a third ani for a pony since she could talk Now she’s finally got one," Sarah said When Rakasa decided to investigate her pockets for anything interesting such as apples or pepper teeth, don’t they?"

"Perhaps Diana will have better luck teaching her ive her tothe horse’s lead rope Rakasa followed hiht you were a city boy," Sarah called after hi care of gentleet, Granny Sarah, cities used to be full of horses Pigs, too And their sh--"

"Where there’s livestock, there’s that," Marcus said before Jack could finish The young Paso Fino he was holding had already proved his point "You’ve got the other one, sweetheart?"

Phoebe nodded, coe She and Marcus followed Jack to the stables

"The little mare, Rosita, has established herself as head of the herd," Ysabeau said "I would have brought Balthasar, too, but as Rosita brings out his amorous side I’ve left him at Sept-Tours--for now"

The idea that Matthew’s enormous stallion would try to act upon his intentions with a horse as s in the library after dinner, surrounded by the re in the enormous stone fireplace, when Jack stood and went to Matthew’s side

"This is for you Well, for all of us, really Grand-rave;re said that all families of worth have them"

Jack handed Matthew a piece of paper "If you like it, Fernando and I will have it made into a standard for the tower"

Matthew stared down at the paper

"If you don’t like it--" Jack reached to reclaiht Jack by the wrist

"I think it’s perfect" Matthew looked up at the boy ould always be like our firstborn child, though I had nothing to do with his warmblooded birth and Mattheas not responsible for his rebirth

"Show it to your rae Jack had devised to symbolize our fale snake with a tail in its inning and no ending One was the de Clers tucked against her body and her wings extended A crown rested on the firedrake’s head

"Grand-rave;re said the firedrake should wear a crown because you’re a true de Clermont and outrank the rest of us," Jack explained matter-of-factly He picked nervously at the pocket of his jeans

"I can take the crown off And ht It’s already perfect" I reached for his hand and pulled hiive him a kiss "Thank you, Jack"