Through the Mists of Time (Oracle Dreams Trilogy Book 1) by Teri Barnett

Author:Teri Barnett [Barnett, Teri]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, mobi
Publisher: Lucky Crow Press
Published: 2019-08-20T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 19

“Clarus!” Stella called out through the back window. “Come here, girl!”

A thin, tow-headed child about nine or ten years old peeked into the room from the kitchen courtyard. She clutched a bunch of lettuce leaves to her breast, squeezing them tightly. “Yes?” she asked, her voice barely a whisper.

“Take this new slave to the bath and make her presentable.”

Stella glanced at Valerie and wrinkled her nose.

“And find her something more appropriate to wear. She’ll distract everybody trying to keep covered up with that length of cloth.”

Clarus dropped the lettuce and fell to her knees, wringing her hands in front of her. “Oh, please, isn’t there someone else who can do this?” She raised her eyes to Valerie, then quickly looked away. “She’s a witch!”

Valerie sighed and shook her head. “I am not a witch.”

Stella stared hard at her. “Keep quiet, you. It makes no difference to me what you are. The master brought you into this house and that’s all we need to be concerned with.” She drew herself up and shook a finger at Valerie. “But don’t even think about practicing your black arts in my kitchen. I find one evil herb here and I won’t be held responsible for my actions. I run a good kitchen and I won’t have you spoiling it.”

“I assure you I haven’t the faintest idea what it is you’re talking about.” Valerie put her hand on her hip and stared back at Stella.

Having spoken her piece, Stella turned her attention back to Clarus. She raised an arm and, before the girl could react, cuffed her on the ear. The child listed to the side, whimpering.

“How could you?” Valerie took a step forward, but Stella stepped in front of her, keeping her eyes on Clarus.

“Now, girl, you will do as you are told with no argument. Is that understood?”

Clarus nodded as tears ran down her cheeks. “I–I’m sorry.” She unfolded her gangly legs and stood, unsteady as a newborn colt. Walking past Valerie, she hesitated for only a moment before speaking. “Follow me.”

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.