The Missing Link Read Online Free PDF Page B

though I be innocent."
    "The celebration with the village boys?"
    "I'll never live that one down, I think."
    "The witchlings didn't retaliate?"
    "Still do. Not with spells or such, but with deeds. Now they totally shun Mariat.
Sometimes I hear Mariat crying, when she be thinking she be by herself. I try to help, but she still
won't trust me."
    Carole thought about all those years on the farm when she was tormented mercilessly
by Janet Murtz and her gang. She suddenly felt a lot more sympathy for Mariat.
    A low groan sounded from the cot. "Who be talking so loud? Let a body sleep in
peace."
    "That's gratitude for you." Carole eased herself to the floor. "The two of us worried sick
about you, and all you do is complain."
    "Hah, Sylphwood, ye best worry about yerself. Ye scare a vampire, looking that
way."
    "If it's a scare you want, maybe I should hand you the mirror."
    "Both of ye be quiet. I be doing serious work here." Lucreta eased the covers off and
reached around Cleopatra to remove the bandage from Mariat's abdomen. The bruising was much
smaller. "Good. Hurts ye at all in belly?"
    "No!"
    Lucreta pressed around the bruise, making Mariat wince. "Plenty tender in there yet,
witchling. Ye take it very easy fer the next number of days. No running, climbing or choring. No
broom riding, neither. "
    "What? Ye want me jest to lie here and stare at bugs crawling along the ceiling?"
    "That be a good idea. Stare at the bugs, rest and sleep."
    "I be no mewling babe!" Mariat propped herself up on her elbows. Her face blanched to
ashen gray.
    "Aiiie! Ye want to start bleeding again?" Lucreta placed one arm firmly behind Mariat's
back, the other across her chest and pushed her down. "Ye stay put."
    This time Mariat obeyed.
    Lucreta propped her head a little higher. "I swear witchling," Lucreta muttered as she
walked to the counter and began assembling the ingredients for another poultice, "ye beat all."
    Mariat glared at her back. "What be her problem?"
    "You were really bad," Carole said quietly. "Lucreta and Brunstice saved your life.
Lucreta's been up all night looking after the both of us."
    "Probably so she can gloat," Mariat said.
    "Lucreta's not your enemy, Mariat. She knows we caused the thunder, and she's not
telling. She'd be a great friend if you'd let her."
    Mariat dropped her gaze to the bed and began stroking Cleopatra's back. "I guess I know
it," she finally said. "It jest be..."
    "Just thank her. She'll understand. Besides, you two really have a lot in common."
    Mariat stuck her lower lip out, but nodded.
    "Anyway, maybe I'll clear out for a time and let the two of you talk. Lucreta might even
be willing to do something about your eyes, if you ask her nicely enough. I'd best find Philamount
and see what's up."
    Carole waited until Lucreta returned to the cot, before excusing herself. "I'll be back in a
while. See you later Lucreta, and thanks."
    "Ye take it easy too, Carole Sylphwood. Ye might not be so banged up as this sorry
looking wretch, but ye still bin dragged around some."
    "Don't worry, I won't be diving off any bridges today."

--5--
    It was a beautiful sun soaked morning, though with a bite that warned of colder days to
come. Carole had no idea where Melodious T. Philamount might be, but as the coven wasn't more
than just a cluster of buildings, she figured he wouldn't be all that difficult to find. She started up the
lane.
    Her stomach pulled a little with each step, but at least she'd been spared Mariat's more
severe injuries. Carole wondered if that had just been dumb luck? After all, she'd belly-flopped into
the stream alongside Mariat. The only real difference was her dress.
    She examined a sleeve. It looked as new as the day she'd first slipped it on. The fabric
was now a brilliant blue, with such depth to it that she appeared to be wrapped in sparkling water.
She straightened her arm and watched the sleeve ripple in the sunlight. The dress had shielded her
from the heat that time she'd vaulted over the