The Spell of Rosette Read Online Free Page A

need the blood of the witch-child”. ’
    ‘What’s that mean?’
    ‘Shut up. I’m thinking.’
    Archer stopped in front of the pigsty. The animals were grunting, pressing their snouts against the low wooden fence.
    ‘ She wants the blood. Said so right to me face.’ He started swinging the corpse, nodding to Rogg to do the same. ‘We’ll bleed the lad before it sets. He must be the witch-child.’
    ‘But we can’t carry it.’
    ‘Get one of those kegs.’ Archer pointed at the barn. ‘They’re small enough to strap on your back.’
    Rogg didn’t answer. He was watching an enormous boar standing with his front feet on the top rail of the sty. His mouth opened as he squealed, saliva dripping from his lower jaw in long, translucent loops.
    ‘We’ll make it look like a blood-vengeance,’ Archer went on, the body gaining momentum as he spoke.
    On the third swing, they heaved it over the top rail and into the pigsty.
    ‘We sack the place? Turn it over real good?’ Rogg asked, his eyes brightening.
    ‘And take the blood of the witch-child.’
    ‘Then we get paid?’
    ‘Yeah. Then we get paid.’
    ‘And that other one? With the strange questions?’
    ‘She wanted them all dead anyway. We’re good.’ Archer spat before heading back to the house, the pig squeals turning into chomps.
    Kalindi awoke with a start, the events of the night flooding back to her before she opened her eyes. After taking a few deep breaths, she peeked out through the entrance of her sanctuary. Shafts of early-morning light illuminated the woods, turning everything gold.
    I’m still alive…thank you!
    She crawled out through the opening and stretched, scanning the dense terrain.
    Has anyone seen Jarrod?
    Her thoughts radiated out from her mind, filling the forest with her question along with her gratitude. She got a comforting response, an energy that made her feel safe. Jarrod must be in the area. He hunted here most mornings and she planned to find him quickly, before he went looking for her at the estate. He would help her figure out what to do next, and he would probably have news and something to eat. He might even be looking for her already. She let out several long whistles like the high-pitched cry of a red-tailed kite.
    After waiting, her head tilted to the side, she went in search of a drink. The creek was nearby, down a long descent just past the boulder grove. She could glimpse the pines that surrounded the huge rocks from where she stood. They weren’t far off.
    Leaves fell from her arms and back as she bent to take off her boots and tie them together by the laces. Hoisting them over her shoulder, she squatted down and relieved herself before heading towards the rocks. She had spent her childhood exploring these woods, even though the forest was considered uncanny, taboo. Almost no-onecame here and her family had forbidden her to. She ignored their warnings. The woods called to her, always had, and today she felt especially glad she’d listened.
    She reached the boulder grove and smiled. She and Jarrod had named it years ago for no other reason than its massive rocks. They used to pretend that in ancient times giant children played games here, the monoliths mere pebbles to them. They towered over Kalindi’s head, warm to the touch. She slid her hand down the smooth stone in greeting, her eyes welling up. Pressing her lips against the surface, she whispered to the granite stone, I’m scared.
    A light breeze touched her face, cooling her cheeks and drying her tears. She walked to the centre of the grove, dropped to her knees and buried her hands in the soil.
    ‘Goddess of the woods, please help me.’
    When she rose, she felt lighter, though thirst dried her throat and her stomach growled. ‘I’m going for a drink and a wash,’ she said to the grove. ‘If you see Jarrod, please send him my way.’
    She stopped a few times to navigate the steep descent, occasionally mimicking the sound of a kite.
    No answer.
    What