It was painfully easy to bring her in on the scheme. Even then the woman was so simple and deranged that she was really little better than an animal. Often, in the days of my passion for her, she would present herself to me exactly as an animal would: dropping to all fours the moment I approached her, hiking her shift to her waist, grunting, drooling. On her, I had satisfied the cravings so long denied, content that she was too debased to feel an ordinary woman’s affection or shame, assured that she would never be believed if she decided to reveal the truth. It seemed a perfect arrangement.

Until, one day, I realized she was with child.

Fearing that her condition would betray me, that her chants and babblings would reveal what it was becoming impossible to deny, I decided to take precautions. I had arranged for her to be secreted in the forest, in the home of a cunning woman with whom I had had some previous dealings. It was there I went to see her now.

By this time, Annie was very near being brought to bed, yet I suspect she still only half understood what was happening to her. When I explained what was to be done, she agreed to it instantly—distantly, as one speaking from a dream.

It was a distasteful meeting, but necessary. This is why Anselm and William had come to me in the first place. Because the stone needed to be tested. Because they were childless and Annie was close to term.

Because they needed this one ingredient more.

And so we conspirators met again soon after, met again in the night, in the woods this time, beyond the farmland. The elements of the crystal were once more mixed together, placed in a small cauldron over burning coals and finally cooled and allowed to crystallize. The formula had by then been made known to me. I record it here for him who has eyes to see with, and no fear of damnation or no soul to save.

The crystal was carried to an iron tub. A bath was drawn from the river. A small piece of the crystal was broken off and dissolved again in the water. It bubbled furiously as it dissolved.

Then, at the appointed hour, Annie arrived. She was carrying our newborn infant in her arms.

That scene will be before me when I die. It is before me now, has been before me ever since. I have no doubt it will be before me always and will add the torture of conscience to the torture of the everlasting flames.