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Alsace region. There were delegates there from the cities of Bern and Zofingen, and they claimed that the Jews in their towns had poisoned the wells, causing an outbreak of the Black Death. They said that these Jews confessed to this crime under torture.”
    I nodded. “Yes, Mama told me that our rabbi received a letter about this same terrible situation.No wonder those poor Jews confessed. Wouldn’t you confess to anything if you were tortured?”
    “Anybody would! I’m only telling you what I overheard. Schwarber also told my father that these delegates convinced the representatives from the cities of Basel and Freiburg to join them in killing all the Jews in their own communities.” She grasped my arm. “They asked the Ammeister and the other Strasbourg envoys to do the same,” she whispered.
    “What did Schwarber say?”
    “He refused. He said that the Jews of Strasbourg pay dearly for letters of protection from the city. He also said that the Jews pay higher taxes than any other citizens, and that they are important to the wealth of Strasbourg. He refused to harm the Jews in our city.”
    I took both her hands in mine. “Why are you so worried, then? The Ammeister stood up for us. He’ll protect us.”
    “He did, but he also told my papa that he will order the well in the town square covered so that nobody will be able to use it. Why is he planning on such an action if he is so certain of your innocence?” She stepped so close that her breath fanned my face. “How long can he keep you safe? I’m so frightened! You and your family must leave Strasbourg. It’s dangerous for you to remain here.”
    “We have nowhere else to go.”
    “I will pray every night that you find a safe place.” Her face was drained of color.
    I pulled her into my arms. “You worry too much.” I smoothed away the furrow between her brows until she gave the ghost of a smile. Then I kissed her and told her I loved her. She told me she loved me back. We were alone in the world. Nothing else mattered—not my parents’ anger if they found out about us, and not the punishment of the law that forbade us to be together. I kissed her again and drew her so close that I could feel her heart beating.
    She pushed me away. “I can’t,” she whispered. “I want to, but we mustn’t.”
    “But, Elena—”
    She backed even farther away from me.
    “Tell me a poem. I love to hear you talk.”
    So I repeated to her the words my mother sang to me every night when she settled me into bed when I was but a babe:
    The stars are the souls
    Of loved ones
    Gone, never to return
.
    Never to meet us again
    Until the end arrives
.
    The stars look down upon us
    And keep us safe
    From danger and need
.
    Their love is a cloud of protection
    We feel but cannot see
.
    She laid her head on my shoulder.
    “So beautiful,” she whispered. “Nobody else I know has words like you.” She snuggled against me. “Please be careful. I’d be lost without you.”
    Her concern imprisoned my heart. I swore to myself never to disappoint her. We talked and the hours passed and we didn’t even notice. She began to weep when I said that it was time for me to leave her.
    “Don’t cry! I have to go home before my parents awake.”
    “I suddenly feel as if I’ll never see you again,” she said.
    “I’ll come again tomorrow at the same time.”
    “But if the sentries catch you…”
    I stroked her cheek. “Don’t worry. I’ll be here. Nothing can keep us apart.”
    Then I left her.

CHAPTER 6
    T he Angel of the Night was hovering over Strasbourg as I made my way home. It was so dark that I could barely see my feet as I scurried across the town square. My mind was full of her. I could still feel the silkiness of her hair beneath my fingers, still see the dimples quivering at the corners of her lips as she smiled. I could still hear her sweet voice soothing my spirits.
    The cathedral bells broke my reverie. I was so startled that I stopped in my tracks, almost