The boat tilted and rocked violently. Resen grabbed hold of Fand, but he was too late. Her face smacked against the side causing one of her wounds to reopen. He sniffed the air and whispered, "Damn. They may smell your blood."

They? Fand heard heavy feet clomp above them. The boat rocked again. It must be Sonpur. They had found them after all. Resen handed her a thick cloth. "Put this over your face." When she did she saw her own reflected light. She was still glowing! If the Sonpur didn't smell her, this light would betray her. Panic reamed in her stomach. She gasped.

In her ear Resen said, "Easy now. Match my breaths. You can do this. They will be gone soon." Fand struggled to do as she was told. Above she heard the sound of the hatch opening. A beast growled. The growl was familiar. She knew it belonged to, Trug. A strange sensation took hold of her as she listened to him bark orders. The temptation to reveal herself struggled in her brain. She pushed it away. Beyond their hiding place, kegs crashed against the boards and feet shuffled. The temptation grew stronger. With its growth she saw her body’s illumination grow stronger. If Trug saw her light through a crack in the boards, he would take her home. He would take her to Angs. She needed to be with Angs.

Resen pulled his cloak over her. He held it firmly in place. He hissed one word, "Resist." She did not want to resist. The boat swayed again and she heard the feet moving upstairs back to the deck. Trug was leaving without her. She tried to cry out to him, but Resen clamped his hand over her mouth. She jerked her head and bit down hard on the hand that covered her mouth. Resen grunted, but did not remove his hand. They felt the boat sway as the Sonpur disembarked. Within moments, the temptation begin to ease. What lunacy was inside her veins. To want to be with that monster! She opened her mouth releasing Resen's hand. The glow of her illumined his face. He put his finger to his lips cautioning her to remain silent.

Once the boat set off again she asked, "Why did I want to betray myself?"

"I don't know, but you must fight the temptation if it ever comes again. By the Keeper's grace I pray it doesn't. You have quite a bite." He held up his hand revealing a row of red teeth marks and broken skin.

"I am sorry." Tears of confusion and fear filled her eyes.

"You are forgiven. Now, shh. Let's try to get some sleep."

Fand settled herself into the narrow space. Tears continued to slip from her eyes but she didn’t speak. What could she say? She did not trust herself at all. The nearness of Resen was a comfort to her. He had saved her twice now. How many more times would he have to save her from herself and from Angs? By the Keeper’s grace he had said. Would the Keeper protect her?

Around and beneath the boat the river flowed. The sound of it assured Fand that she was moving further and further away from Angs and hopefully closer to safety. For a while Resen lay awake behind her, then she heard his breathing relax and he slept. She could feel the rise and fall of his chest against her back. His breath tickled the nape of her neck and his right arm slipped around her waist. She did not move it. It was an anchor to her, a tether that kept her safe. She had never been this close to a man. The smell of him filled her nostrils, the feel of him soothed an ache deep inside of her. She had known so little physical contact in her life that she had little experience with the comfort nearness could bring. The night passed slowly, but it did pass.

Before dawn the boat lurched to a sudden stop. She heard the old man open the hatch. The stairs creaked as he descended them. Within seconds he banged against the boards. They popped open. The old man snickered. "My don't you two look cozy."

Behind her Resen said, "That is enough Grinwal." How long had Resen been awake? He let go of her and backed out of the space. Fand followed.

Grinwal looked at her and said, "The girl is still glowing."

Resen nodded. He extended his hand to Fand and helped her out.

She asked Resen, "What is wrong with me?"

Grinwal said, "Its the demon blood."

Incredulous she looked at him and said, "What?"

The old man said, "All you concubines is descended from demons. And Angs is your kin. Demon blood runs in your veins."

Resen said, "Hush. There is not such thing as demon blood."

The old man grunted.

Panic ripped through Fand. Had she been kissed by a demon, wanted to mate with a demon? Was she part demon herself? Tears blurred her vision. Resen pulled her to him. Angrily said, "Don't listen to him." To Grinwal he said, "Now look what you've done you old fool. The girl has been through enough without you scaring her."

Grinwal was not repentant. "She should be scared. Angs ain't lost a concubine yet. He was riding those critters hard last night. It's a miracle they didn't sniff her out." He wagged a gnarled finger in Resen's face, "And when they do catch up to you, you are as good as dead."

"I haven't lost a case yet old man."

"You ain't never thieved Angs concubine afore either. Remember, he’s supernatural. You ain't."

"Shut up."

Grinwal shrugged his shoulders. He muttered, "The truth is the truth. It can't be denied. You will see soon enough, who the fool is." He hobbled back up to the deck.

Pressing her face against Resen’s shoulder, Fand asked, "What is going on?"

His grip on her tightened and he sighed before he spoke. "Long ago when the earth was young some say fallen angels walked the earth and mated with humans. By the color of your eyes, some would say you are a descendant of those Nephilim. The race is dying out. We don't know how many of you remain."

"No! I am just a girl from Tashe!"

With rough fingers he grabbed the neck of her tunic and pulled it down baring her shoulder. His finger pressed into the back of her shoulder blade. "Feel that scar?"

Scar? Fand ran her finger along the surface of her shoulder. There was the slightest rise. It was almost imperceptible. She knew it was there, but she never knew it was a scar. She just thought it was some kind of birth mark.

Resen said, "You have another on the other side, don't you."

It was true. There was. Frightened she asked, "What are they?"

"Scars from your wing buds. They were snipped off at birth."

"I was born with wings?"

"Apparently."

"Wings that could fly?"

He shrugged and said, "Maybe.”

Maybe? Fand’s mind raced to Uncle Wert. Had he known? Zolla had been her mother’s midwife, had she known? Was that why she had called Fand a bad seed? Why had no one told her? No, no...this must not be true. What if she could have flown? What would that be like? To clip a birds wings had always seemed like a sin to her. To have her own wings clipped...was a devastating thought. Had she really had the potential for flight?

Before Resen released her he gave her a quick hug and , said, “I know this is all confusing, I wish I had some answers for you but, unfortunately I don’t. But, perhaps, Bruel can answer your questions. She's a very wise woman. If we are lucky, we should reach her home before night fall. For now, we must leave before the sunrises. We have distance to go.” He leaned over and picked up a filthy potato sack. “I need you to get in here. For today, you are a bunch of potatoes.”

This statement would be comical if it weren't true. Fand did not want to get into the bag, but she would do it. It would hide her damned glowing skin. He opened the bag on the floor and she stepped into it. Resen told her to scrunch down and he pulled the bag over her and tied a knot in the top. He asked, “Can you breathe in there?”

“Yes.” He lifted her body and literally threw her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.