AN ETERNAL LOVE

"And that is her plan, Damien. To lure us all into sin, and damn us before she moves on to the next God-loving gathering," Alex Davies said.

Damien felt his lips pull into an expression of distaste. The man was a real fool. "Yeah, no doubt the ruination of mankind is all that the girl is living for," he said sarcastically. Though Damien had meant that as sarcasm, Alex Davies only nodded in enthusiastic agreement, which made Damien sigh and he tried another approach with the crazy village elder. "You said before that, even you have felt this witchly allure she emits," Damien said.

Lowering his head, Alex Davies said, "Yes. Though it shames me to admit it."

"And you do not believe it could simply be the natural feeling of attraction any man might feel when he sees a woman of such extraordinary beauty?" Damien asked him.

"Never," Alex Davies denied flatly. "It is witchery, I tell you. I am above the desires of the flesh. Or was, till she worked her devilish tricks on me."

Nodding, Damien said, "I am glad you have come to me with this, Alex." And he was actually, glad, because of the ridiculous things that Alex believed about Adira. Even Damien himself had been so foolish only moments ago. He was drawn to the woman and had been since he had first set his eyes on her. And it was no more due to witchery than was the sunrise or the changing phases of the moon. He desired her. And maybe more than that.

Damien had never lied in his lifetime, he had always made an effort at utter honesty. But for Adira, he would be willing to do far more. He could die for her, should the need arise.

"I have seen many witches during my time in England. And I can tell you beyond any doubt, Adira Thompson is not the one," Damien told the village elder.

Alex Davies' face fell, eyes widening. "How can you be so sure?" he asked.

tilted his head, "Have you never seen

Alex admitted. "But I was sure

Damien said, "The eyes of a witch are two different colors. The left is green and

true?" Alex

And the forefinger of a witch's hand is longer than the middle one,"

narrowed, and Damien was sure he had pushed it too

witch," Alex speculated, "could likely disguise those things. Don't see you, Damien? Something is not right with the woman! Her crops, her wealth. It is not by natural means she succeeds at everything that she sets her pretty hands to. All

wise and strong,

Damien. One of their acquaintance claims they have taken in another strange young woman, and I

I believe

out there tonight, Damien. They liked you, both the Aunt and the niece. Pretend that you are making a social call. And see what sorts of things they keep

asked, already thinking about the firmest refusal

close to her. I fear she would bewitch me even further. You are a man of God, Damien, surely you would be

his eyes slowly, Damien recalled the distaste he had seen in Adira's eyes when Alex Davies had touched her.

must be something to find. Some truth to Alex's suspicions. Adira was magic. Everything about her was mystical

No matter what else she was, she was not