Enid paced back and forth hands folded behind her back. Eyre and Violet sat by the kitchen bar chins in their hands. Their eyes following Enid’s pacing.

“Mom, calm down.”

“I can’t, I’ve ruined it. You didn’t see the look on her face.”

“I’m sure you can sort it out.”

Violet didn’t say anything. Three months of living with the pair she’d come to the conclusion she was the only sane one in the room. Enid was capricious at the best of times. Eyre was much more controlled and always seemed to have a plan. Though usually they were overly complicated. Enid was very much a doer. She was kinetic, Violet had come to think of her as a force of nature. She realized she wasn’t far off, the woman was a two thousand year old vampire. And from what she had to come to understand an unstoppable killing machine. She had expected a gravitas about her, but the more time she spent near Enid the more she realized she didn’t care what people thought of her. She only cared about her loved ones and her current goal. Currently that goal was getting Mariana back as her sister. The thing that surprised her was the humanness of the mother daughter pair. No matter what else was going on she felt the bond of love they had. They had accepted her into their family unit and knew that this pair of vampires would do everything in their power to protect her. They had done it for no other reason than she needed them. Violet watched Enid pace. To think this woman had seen the fall of the Roman empire. Walked in the courts of kings and queens. Seen the rise of western world. Fought on the battlefields of countless wars. And here she was worried she had hurt her sister. Like she had thought, she was very human, for a two-thousand-year-old vampire.

“I told you I can arrange for you two to be grabbed off the street, you can fight your way out, that will jog her memory.”

“Eyre that’s ridiculous.”

“It plays to your strengths mother, fighting. Let’s face facts you can run a household and duchy like no one’s business, but you really suck at interpersonal relationships.”

“Don’t hold back.”

“I’m just being honest with you mother.”

“I’m doing fine at school, I have friends.”

“And your sister thinks you want to have sex with her.”

“Would you stop bringing that up, it’s embarrassing.”

“Not talking about it won’t change the fact it’s happening.”

“Kid, you are pushing your luck.”

Violet smiled herself. Eyre was seven hundred years old, and Enid still treated her like she was a teenager. That part always amused her.

“Kid or not, I never tried to make out with my brother.”

Enid rubbed her nose with her thumb and index finger.

“Okay even if I were interested in her that way, I’m adopted, it is completely different. Would you just stop with that?”

Eyre laughed. Violet could tell she had been holding it in and was having some difficulty not laughing as well and she started to laugh not able to hold it in any longer. Enid stopped pacing and leaned on the bar with her palms glaring at the pair.

“Are you done yet? Need I remind you this is about stopping the end of creation? And the longer we fuck about the longer the Black Sun has to find us?”

Enid instantly regretted her choice of words because it led to another burst of laughter from her daughter which spread to Violet. Enid shook her head and sat down on a stool and waited for them to calm down.

*****

Maria leaned down and washed her face in the sink she patted her face dry and when she opened her eyes saw her reflection in the mirror. She screamed and stumbled backwards. Maria saw her face with flecks of blood on it she looked down at her hands. Blood dripped from them. She could see Enid standing to the right of her wearing chain mail sword in hand, blood was splattered across her face and armor. To her right a blonde man armored like a Roman General. They held each other’s hands. She saw wedding bands on their fingers. Behind them an army of men with glowing purple eyes. She recovered her balance and when she looked back it was just her own dead face looking back at her. Plain brown eyes and black hair. Her roman nose. She reached out with a shaking hand and turned off the tap. She heard knocking at her door, and she stumbled towards it turning the door knob when she arrived. It was Sister Tammy still in her night gown.

“Maria are you alright?”

“I am fine ma’am. I just thought I saw something.”

“I will see you at breakfast and class today?”

“Yes ma’am.”

Sister Tammy nodded and walked back towards her room. Maria closed the door and started her morning ritual of getting dressed in one of her black dresses. She jumped when Ethel started talking.

“So, what did ya see? Was it bloody Mary?”

“Ethel, you scared me half to death.”

“You’re already dead silly vampire.”

“You know what I mean. I thought we had agreed you would not come in my room.”

“Ya, we did, but you screamed, big guy was worried, so I came to check.”

“I am fine, please leave.”

“Fine!”

Ethel stomped through the door pouting. Maria could hear her shouting.

“She said she’s fine. I told you she’d be mad.”

Maria sighed. Ethel was a recent addition to her ghostly entourage the other one. Had always been with her. He was just blob of darkness. Had never said anything to her. It was just there like a ghostly bodyguard. Always at a distance. Always watching. It seemed to frighten away other spirits that would get close to her. Except a few which it allowed in her presence. Ethel was an odd case. The dark one had tried to push her away, but Ethel just kept coming. Eventually it seemed to give up since the child spirt seemed to mean no harm to Maria. She knew she should be afraid of it, but she could never find fear when she caught glimpses of it. It was just always there a silent protector. Over the years Ethel had come to befriend the dark one and would often seem to have insight into its motivations and current feelings. That fact is partially why Maria hadn’t put more effort into divesting herself of the annoying child ghost.

*****

Enid settled into her seat and Mariana sat down next to her. Today’s Latin lesson was another one on day-to-day life in the empire of Rome. Enid did her best to not laugh she glanced at Mariana and saw only that she was paying rapt attention to their teacher. Enid sighed.

She doesn’t remember running in the streets of Rome with me. Doesn’t remember rushing to get a good spot to see the Legions returning victorious. The Colosseum. Why did I expect her to find this amusing?

Enid turned her attention back to the teacher who was explaining how everyone wore tunics and togas. Enid leaned down putting her face into her folded arms on her desk. Not only did she have to listen to this, but she also had to deal with it being wrong. It was a tiny bit soul crushing to see the humans butchering their history then passing it on to the next generation. There was a loud tapping on her desk, and she sat up and pretended to pay attention for another few minutes then she started looking at the scar on her hand. Tracing its path with her finger. Mercifully by the time she grew tired of that the class was over. She saw Mariana making her way out of class and rushed to catch up when she heard the teacher calling her name.

“Enid, you will be tested on the material we covered in class today, I know you are very good at Latin, but there is a history component to this class as well.”

Enid sighed. She was mentally exhausted from the Mariana situation and wasn’t choosing her words carefully.

“But your history is wrong.”

“Oh, and you’re an expert on Roman history?”

“Yes. Women wore dresses. And the whole husbands being favored in the divorce is wrong to a point. It depended on who the woman was related too. And woman could be just as educated as men. It depends on who their family was, who they married. Some even led legions. You make Rome sound like a misogynist’s paradise. It was just like it is now. Different families had different relationships with their wives and daughters. To boil it down to a sentence is an insult to the Roman people. They were people, the lived and they loved, and they did it differently as individuals. Not some collective Roman empire.”

Her teacher blinked as Enid unleashed her tirade.

“You obviously feel very strongly about this. However, I am teaching what the curriculum demands and it is what you will be tested on. So, for the purposes of your exam, just answer the questions like the textbook suggests, hmm? You have a lot of potential, I have no doubt you are one of the smartest people in this school, I hear it from all your teachers. They feel like you’re holding back. Even your coaches. I know high school sucks, especially if you’re independent minded and smart. Just play the game get high marks and enjoy university when you get there, then you can write your thesis about how amazingly wrong we have Roman History and then I can teach on the textbook you write. But until then just write the answers the province wants.”

This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Enid had her fists clenched. She hadn’t realized she had done it and she took a deep breath and nodded.

“Good, I’ll let your math teach know I kept you late.”

*****

Maria hadn’t rushed off down the hall she had waited outside the Latin class and heard every word spoken. When she heard the door opening, she hesitated momentarily but then moved quickly to her next class. Enid thought she caught a glimpse of Mariana but then shook her head. Enid frowned.

Seeing things now. Shouldn’t have gone off like that.

Enid slid into her seat in math. It deeply vexed her that she cared if she got high marks in these classes, using her real name and face she didn’t want to put a blemish on her reputation. Which was silly because she was only here to recruit Mariana to her cause. Still, she worked through the problems in front of her. Math in the end was easy at least compared to people. She couldn’t admit it to herself fully, but she was nervous about the upcoming religion class where she knew she would be sitting with Mariana, and she was worried how she would react.

*****

Enid sat down beside Mariana they were in the library again. Mariana was doing her best to focus on the computer screen in front of her. Enid opened her own laptop and started typing at the screen the keyboard. She stopped after a few minutes and looked at Mariana.

“I’m sorry I laughed yesterday.”

“It is alright, Enid. I am sorry I said what I did it was unfair to judge you based on how you dress.”

“I only dress like this because these are the clothes I was given. I just didn’t argue about it. Normally I like a t-shirt and combats. But my…family said that I’d look like a school shooter and gave me these.”

“Oh. But you still spend time with Heather, Julie and Kerri.”

“Yes, so I fit in. The Japanese have a saying, deru kugi wa utareru.”

Enid glanced at Mariana as she scribbled down the matching kanji on a piece of scrap paper. She looked for signs of recognition. And smiled when she saw none. Mariana looked at her, confusion apparent on her face.

Hah, a language I understand, and she doesn’t. Don’t gloat, about the fact you’ve had years in the world and she just woke up.

“I didn’t expect you to understand, its uh, not something I would expect you to be able to translate. I spent some time in Japan. It means the nail that sticks out gets hammered down. By fitting in I avoid friction. And that serves my purpose here.”

“How do you know so many languages?”

“It’s a trick I picked up from my sister. She was a bit of a language collector. Is still, I hope.”

“You have a sister?”

“I do, I was adopted by her father, and we became best friends. Then sisters. We would do anything for each other. But then she did something that as against the law and was punished for it. I haven’t seen her in a long time, and I am wondering if she still feels the same way about me as she used too.”

“I would love to have a sister.”

You already do Mariana and I’m right here!

“Maybe you do and don’t realize it.”

Mariana touched her silver crucifix stroking it gently with her fingers.

“Even if I did, I would not want to be near her. It would not be safe.”

“Why would you say that? I doubt you’d harm a mosquito.”

“I have said too much. What does this mean to you?”

Mariana pointed at a line of scripture and Enid gave a small sigh.

Don’t rush her again. Just take it slow. It’s been a couple thousand years what is a few more months.

“Oh, that’s one of his favorites.”

“Whose?”

“No one. It is saying to me that Jesus was saying that sacrifice is personal, mercy is external. Sacrifice is, I have done this, I have given up this, but mercy, is a true sacrifice because you’re giving of yourself your real self. It is easy to say I’m giving up pie for lent. Whatever. It is not so easy to forgive someone who just fucked you over.”

“Please, do not use that kind of language.”

“Fine, it’s harder to show mercy to someone who has wronged you then to sacrifice something you care about. By showing mercy you’re sacrificing your need to feel avenged, justified. Basically, love your fellow man, or woman stuff. The same thing he always spouted. I’m terrible at this. I work better with examples. Like the story about Saint Sarah and the pig violator.”

“What?”

Mariana looked a bit shocked.

“You haven’t read it?”

Mariana shook her head. The pair didn’t notice Sister Tammy taking a position nearby.

“So, one day, Lady Sarah, or Saint Sarah, was holding court. Some men from the village pushed this poor teenager in with bound hands and a woman, who was disfigured by fire. Also bound. Lady Sarah was confused as to what these two were doing bound and standing in front of her. So, she asked, Why do you have these people tied up? One of the men, a pig farmer stepped forward, he was blushing very deeply at having to address such a crime with the Lady, Saint Sarah told him to calm himself and just speak plainly. And the farmer after a few false starts spit it out, that’s how it was described by a Bishop was watching. He was violating one of my pigs!”

Enid waited for it to sink in, and her last few words had garnered the attention of other students. She didn’t bother stopping her story.

“So, Lady Sarah was like, what the fuck? And before you say anything those were literally the words she used. The court erupted into laughter, but Lady Sarah, Saint Sarah she didn’t, she held up her hands. And asked for everyone to be quiet. She looked at the two holding the disfigured woman. And what about her? The pair answered that she was a witch who is in league with the boy. And she was having relations with him.”

“Sarah looked between the two accused. She first addressed the boy. She asked him to look up. She then asked him, is what they say true? The boy nodded. Sarah wanted more. I need to hear you say it, did you commit the act you are being accused of? The boy said yes. The court erupted into laughter again. But Lady Sarah did not. She was the very essence of nobility, or so the bishop wrote. She held up her hands for silence once again. And asked the boy, why did you do such a thing? The boy answered that some of the other boys in the village had said he could get a girl to like him that way. Saint Sarah nodded, and she looked to the boy’s hands. She then asked, and why were you at this woman’s home? The boy answered, she is a cunning woman and that he has a rash. She nodded. And then asked: The same rash that is on your hands? The boy nodded. She looked him up and down. She asked him his name, he gave it, she then said, Boy, have you learned your lesson? I would think the pain would be lesson enough for such a crime. He nodded. She shook her head and said I need to hear you say it. He spoke up, meeting her gaze and said, Yes, Milady.”

Sister Tammy and a few kids from her class were now all gathered listening.

“Saint Sarah then said, well in that case, cut him free. You will stay over there, and she pointed to a spot on the floor, and not move for the rest of court, then I shall supply you with a balm for your rash. She looked to the farmer who was quite disappointed in her judgment. She said, Farmer, why are you upset? He said, why I need restitution for my pig. Saint Sarah nodded. Then she said, first of all your pigs are ill. You will move them to a fresh pen, you will build two, the boy will help you build them and if you’ve not the funds then I will supply them so you can do this properly. You will then be supplied the same balm for your pigs. The ground they are on is sick and must be burned. You will do it twice this season but be careful the fire does not spread. Then twice next season, and you will do the same to the second pen. In the third pen you will put the healthy pigs, you will know this because their rashes will clear up. If you provide the meat as, is you will make people ill. So, you shall not do that. The boy will work off his repayment to you and once he has you will pay him a fair wage. You owe him as much for bringing this pox to your attention. The farmer nodded. She turned to the cunning woman. Her face disfigured by fire at some point in the past her lips were twisted in anger, but her shoulders were slumped.”

“Cunning woman, why was the boy in your house? The woman didn’t answer one of the villagers hit her on the back and yelled answer the lady. Saint Sarah grew angry at his actions, saying, if you hit her again you will soon find yourself standing before me accused. She looked back at the cunning woman. Please answer my question. She looked up even though she was blind folded. He was ill so I was helping him. And what were you asking of the boy in return? Nothing came the reply. Saint Sarah nodded once again. Cut her loose she said to the two villagers. They refused, stating she would hex them. Saint Sarah drew her blade, and, in a fluid, strike cut the bindings leaving the woman unharmed. The bishop at this point assumed she was about to behead the woman, but she didn’t. She pointed her silver sword at the two villagers. She asked, would you wish me to smite this woman for the crime of being merciful to her fellow man? Should I not smite you for binding her and beating her, this defenseless woman who has already had so much pain her life? Who has committed the worse crime here? The villagers backed away shaking their heads. The woman pulled off her blind fold and looked around the court her eyes were wild with fear. Saint Sarah spoke again, you will come to no harm in this village kindly lady, and I would ask you if you would share lunch with me after court. The court was shocked, a lady sharing lunch with such a disfigured ungodly woman. The bishop paralleled this with the Gospel, where Jesus shared a meal with the taxmen. From her own writings, we know that the boy eventually got married and took over the pig farm. Helping the original farmer in his old age. And that she healed the cunning woman’s scars and entered into the service of a much greater cause.”

She had the rapt attention of most of her class now. They huddled around her and Mariana in the library. Even the vice principle who had stopped by the breakup the crowd was standing and listening.

“The point is the villagers and the farmer wanted only to punish the two and didn’t see them as human. The court only saw a comedy routine and didn’t see them as people. Saint Sarah saw them as people. That is why he asks us for mercy and not sacrifice. Because mercy brings us closer to our fellow humans. Punishment doesn’t fix a person, showing mercy, living by the word of God, which includes showing mercy, is what brings them closer to God, or that is what I think Jesus and Saint Sarah were saying.”

There were a few claps and then Sister Tammy shooed the class back to their research.

“You should have saved that for your presentation Enid, you would have had an A+.”

Enid shrugged.

“I have a hundred more.”

Sister Tammy smiled and motioned for them to continue their work. Mariana spoke quietly, for the first time since the story had begun.

“You seem to know a lot about Saint Sarah.”

“You might say I have walked in her shoes. As annoyingly ornamented as they were.”

“How do…you think she would have dealt with someone, who was, I do not know. Was a vampire?”

“Where did that come from? Are you reading those Twilight books? I thought they were sinful.”

“I am just curious.”

“Do you want the fairy tale answer or the truth?”

“The truth, always please.”

“It depends on if the vampire was hurting people.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, if say vampires existed. Is the vampire killing people? Are they making a mess? Did they get caught doing vampire things?”

“No, they did not get caught but Saint Sarah sensed their curse.”

“She would let the vampire be. So was very much the kind of person who would only get involved if she had to protect someone, or she was forced to because someone got caught.”

“Are you sure, if vampires existed, they would be cursed things, out of god’s light. Why would she a saint let it continue to exist?”

That’s easy because she is one you silly girl.

“First of all, she wasn’t a Saint in life. She probably would have been very upset at being accused of that, you can tell from her writings, she didn’t aspire to be anything but a servant and protector to her people, a good wife, and mother. And second, mercy to the unredeemable is the very core of the gospel we are presenting on. They are the ones who need the most help. And Saint Sarah tried her best to live by the gospels.”

Mariana’s hand fell from her crucifix, and she nodded and looked to her screen and began typing. Enid looked to her own screen and began working on her own part of the project.