Page 61 of The Black Witch

The blonde Keltic girl who was standing with Bleddyn in the kitchen walks in.

“Shekickedme!” I exclaim to the blonde girl, pointing at Bleddyn.

“I didn’t kick her,” Bleddyn sneers. “She tripped. She’s quite clumsy.”

“I didnottrip!” I vehemently contradict. “I waskicked!”

The blonde girl shakes her head from side to side. “Isn’t that just like a Gardnerian? Blaming the help.”

“They’re all the same,” Bleddyn agrees. “Bunch of black Roaches.”

I flinch at the racial insult. It’s a horrible name that mocks the black of our sacred garb. “Get away from me!” I spit out, turning to retrieve my shoe.

I should never have turned my back on them. Another kick sends me flying back down into the muck.

“Why are you doing this?” I cry, scrambling around to face them, my heart pounding. A curious piglet comes over to snuffle at my skirts.

“Icannotbelieve she tripped again!” Bleddyn exclaims.

“She really is dreadfully clumsy,” the Kelt agrees.

“I think she needs a new labor assignment.”

“Something that doesn’t require walking.”

They both pause to chuckle at this.

I’m stunned. Why are they being so cruel? I’ve done nothing to deserve it.

“Oh, andlook, she’s soiled her pretty, pretty dress,” Bleddyn observes.

“Leave me alone!” I insist as I pull myself once more to my feet, every muscle tensed. “If you don’t get away from me, I’ll... I’ll report you both!”

“Shut up!” the Kelt girl barks as she bursts into the stall, fists clenched.

I shrink back from her.

“Now, you listen to me,Gardnerian!” she snarls at me. “Don’t think we don’t know why you’re here!”

“I’m here because I need money for University!”

A swift slap across my face sends me flying backward and into a state of shock. I’ve never been struck in my entire life.

“I told you to shut up, Roach!” she bellows.

Bleddyn stands behind her, smirking.

“How stupid do you think we are?” the blonde girl continues, her tone acid as I cradle my cheek.

“Aboutwhat?” I cry, bursting into angry tears. “I’m here so I can pay my tithe. Just like you!”

“Liar!” she snarls. “They sent you here to spy on us, didn’t they?”

Spy? What kind of strange world have I landed in?

“I don’t know what you’re talking about!” I choke out at her.

I think of the books. The maps hastily cleared away. What are they all involved in here?

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