14 the squares. Even the door to the Temple of Vesta had been closed to keep the wind from blowing out the flame maintained by the vestal virgins. These maidens consecrated to the goddess of the hearth ensured that the sacred fire never stopped burning. If anyone’s hearth went cold, he could come here for a flame to relight his fire at home. The Temple of Vesta in the heart of Rome was a sign that the goddess was watching over the families of the city and protecting the Roman Empire. If her flame should ever go out, by accident or through the carelessness of one of the vestals, great misfortune could befall the city, or so many people believed. Evacuated by the storm, Rome looked like a ghost town. And yet, two shadows moved at a rapid pace along the Via Nova, which ran beside the house of the vestals. Suddenly, a howling gust of wind swept the wide avenue. It blew the heavy cape covering the head of a young woman, revealing the immaculate whiteness of her vestal veil. The other shadowy figure immediately covered the maiden with a fold of his dark cloak and pulled her close, hiding her from view as they hurried past the house. After a long moment, the figure cautiously withdrew the cloak and re-covered the young woman’s head with her own cape. He grabbed her arm and dragged her into the night.
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