What Bean Sidhe Found

She hid the child in a tiny basket covered with Guelder Rose and crept silently out. Not making a noise she made her way through the bushes that surrounded the tiny territory, where the Siog hid from human eyes. The tiny newborn stirred, but Brnach patted her until she settled back to sleep.

Criosha O'Hanlon lovingly wrapped the last Christmas present and set it under the dead tree, moving it until she liked where it was.

"Tomorrow is Christmas, my dear little Abby." She said. "I wonder at the weather though, it is quite hot for December and I swear the roses are blooming."

She picked up a bundle from a cradle and sat down in a rocking chair. Criosha offered her breast to the bundle.

"Still not hungry." She said. "I suppose you'll eat when you are ready. Such a good child you are."

The bundle in her arms did not move.

Bronach watched through the window. She thought the mother was loving and cared much for her child. She knew her own child would be safe there. She waited until the mother had put her baby back in its cradle and shut out the lights. She could not reach the door handle, but there was a small opening for animals and Brnach easily crawled through it.

The house was neat and well kept. A meow startled her and she looked around to see a small kitten. Animals in the house were a good sign. She softly picked up the infant from the cradle and placed her own tiny child in it. She quietly went out of the house, ran across the yard and into the woods where she had come from.

They were waiting when she returned. Another female grabbed the bundle and from it tumbled the cadaver of an infant long dead. Fingers pointed accusingly and lips of the Siog mouthed the word "cursed". She could not get away from them before they set on her and bit her viciously until no part of her flesh was whole. Bleeding, they tied the dead infant to her back and dragged her to the edge of the woods.

"Take your cursed child and go. There is no place here for a Siog who breaks the laws of the elders. You will not hide your transgression of laying with man by bringing that abomination to your people."

Criosha awoke to the sound of a tiny cry. She jumped from her bed and ran to the cradle. The tiny, naked baby looked up at her and Criosha picked the child up.

"You look so much better today, Abby." She said. "You do appear smaller, but at least you are finally awake. You slept for so long and I thought you would never wake

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