Jim Hines - The Snow Queen's shadow

“-but we live in a world where fear and greed overrule justice. A world where a mother tries to murder her own daughter out of jealousy. I received the birds with their warning, thank you. We’ve taken precautions, but… that mirror never should have left Allesandria. If it had been destroyed-”

“Then the demon would have escaped even sooner,” said Gerta.

“This is where Rose Curtana captured it.” Danielle gestured at the walls. “Did she have a study or a laboratory, a place she might have used for such summonings?”

“My people searched every room when I took power. Four were killed by traps my aunt had left behind. Seven others were injured or driven mad. Believe me, we’ve examined this palace quite thoroughly. There is no such summoning chamber.”

“There has to be,” said Talia.

Laurence rubbed his eyes, and for a moment, the royal mask fell away to reveal worry and fatigue. “Who told you of this chamber?”

“Her name is Noita.” Gerta raised her chin. “She’s the one who helped my mother prepare it.”

“The flower witch?” Laurence gave a bitter laugh. “We hunted down most of Rose Curtana’s companions. Noita appeared harmless.”

“She’s not. I was there.” Gerta hesitated. “Snow was, I mean. We saw-She saw Noita helping our mother.”

“I will have the Stormcrows search again,” said Laurence. “But there is another possibility we must pursue. Your connection to Ermillina could give us the means to act against her.”

“We’ve tried to find Snow through Gerta,” said Danielle. “Our people-”

“Are not Allesandrian.” Laurence twisted his scepter in his hands. “When it comes to magic, Allesandria is second to none. If Gerta is who and what she appears to be, we can use her against my cousin.”

“Without harming her?” Danielle demanded.

Laurence hesitated ever so slightly. “We will do everything in our power to preserve her.”

Talia stepped between Gerta and the king.

“That’s why you allowed me to enter,” Gerta said.

“The Stormcrows advised against it,” Laurence admitted. “They feared you could be a trap. But Ermillina has avoided capture for too long. If we can strike at her through you, then I felt it worth the risk.”

“She’s a person,” said Talia, struggling to keep the wolf under control. “Not a weapon.”

Laurence started to answer, then stiffened. “Forgive me,” he said, stepping toward the wall. He pressed his fingertips to the wood trim circling the room. He rapped the end of his scepter against the wood, and a low hum filled the room. “In Allesandria, the distinction is often slim. As it turns out, the argument may be moot.”

“What do you mean?” asked Talia.

Footsteps pounded down the hallway. The door opened inward to reveal a woman in the silver mail of a Stormcrow. She bowed, speaking too softly for even Talia to overhear. Laurence clasped her arm and said, “Double the guards, and order the halls cleared.”

“What is it?” Danielle asked.

“My Stormcrows have captured Snow White. They’re bringing her to the palace now.”

Captured, not killed. Relief flowed through Danielle, but confusion was quick to follow. What of Noita’s visions, and her own? Allesandrian magic might be powerful, but could it really be so simple to change the future? “Was Jakob with her?”

Laurence shook his head. “They took Ermillina, but there was no sign of the prince.”

“Let me speak with her,” said Danielle. “We can-”

“Whatever creature has taken her, it may try to escape to another host,” said Laurence. “The Stormcrows have done what they can to secure her, but you are defenseless as a babe, magically speaking. I cannot risk you being taken.”

“So let me go.” Talia bared her teeth. “Or do you think me defenseless as well?”

“I understand she was your… friend… and I appreciate your willingness to help.” The king took a step backward. His scepter rang once more against the wall, the sound stretching out an unnaturally long time. “Ermillina Curtana is a daughter of Allesandria. She attacked my nation, and was captured by my Stormcrows. You are welcome here, but if you accept my hospitality, it will be as guests only.”

“Can you free Snow from this demon?” Danielle asked.

“They’re not going to try.” Talia was like a statue, arms hidden beneath her cape. The Stormcrow stepped into the room, taking a protective position to Laurence’s left. “Are you?”

Laurence said nothing.

“What of my son?” demanded Danielle. “Snow is the only one who knows where he is. Kill her, and we might never find him. Would you sentence the Prince of Lorindar to death as well?”

“I’m sorry. You should prepare yourself for the worst. Ermillina was alone when she was taken, which means your son may already be-”

“Jakob. Is. Alive.” Danielle advanced upon the king, catching herself only when the Stormcrow moved to intercept her. “I saw him. Snow and Jakob both, in a palace of ice. He was cold and afraid and lost, but he was alive!”

“Magical visions from an old witch, one known to have been a friend to Rose Curtana.” Laurence put a hand on the Stormcrow’s shoulder, gently moving her aside. “One possible future, glimpsed by an untrained mind. My seers have looked to see what will happen if Ermillina Curtana is allowed to live. Each time, they foretell the destruction of the palace. Fire and chaos spreading through the city and beyond. I cannot risk-”

“If you do this,” Danielle said, nails digging into sweat-slick palms, “you make an enemy of Lorindar.”

“What would you do?” Laurence lowered his scepter. “Would you sacrifice Lorindar for the sake of a single child, for the possibility that he might yet live?”

“You sacrifice nothing by letting us speak to her.”

“Rose Curtana could kill with a single word. I am sorry, Danielle. I would save her if I could. I knew Ermillina as a child. I tried to protect her after the death of her mother. Perhaps I should have done more, but I can’t protect her anymore. Once she is dealt with, we will do everything in our power to find your son. But ultimately it is Ermillina and the demon who are responsible for her fate.

Talia spat on the floor, close to the king’s polished boots. “The magic of Allesandria is known throughout the world. Surely your mighty Stormcrows can handle a single demon.

Another Stormcrow entered, taking a position to the right of the king and whispering something too low to hear. Gerta swallowed and moved closer to Danielle.

“Give us time,” Danielle pressed. “The key to binding this demon is somewhere in the palace. Give us a week to search. A day, even, to-”

Laurence clutched the scepter in both hands. “The order has already been given. Your friend is dead.”

Danielle stared, not comprehending. Snow couldn’t be dead. The king’s words echoed in her mind.

“The scepter,” whispered Gerta. “When you struck the wall that last time. That’s when you gave the order.”

Talia lunged at the king. The closer Stormcrow raised her hands, but Talia was faster. Her fist twisted into the Stormcrow’s mail, and she tossed the other woman as though she were a toy. Gerta jumped back as the Stormcrow crashed through the table. The second Stormcrow waved his hands, and the chairs shot at Talia, shattering against her back. It stunned her for a moment, but she shook off the debris and leaped.

“Talia, stop!” Danielle rushed toward her, knowing she wasn’t fast enough. Talia was impossibly swift even without the red cape. With the cape’s magic, she could kill the king before anyone else had time to draw weapons.