Jim Hines - The Snow Queen's shadow

“Where are Selerin and the others?” Laurence demanded.

“They left after the execution,” said one of the Stormcrows, an older woman with a collection of silver-and-gold rings squeezed onto the fingers of her left hand. A minor enchantment decorated her fingernails, which shone and changed color like the sunrise. An intricate tattoo of interlinked symbols circled her bald pate like a crown.

Laurence’s scepter rang against the wall.

“Spiderweb,” Gerta said. “A spider’s silk is strong enough to hold a shard of glass. Even I could command spiders to weave their webs into the links of the chain.”

The older Stormcrow took the king’s arm. “Your Majesty, if there’s a chance this demon has infiltrated the palace, we must get you to safety.”

The king’s response was far too coarse and common for royalty. He kept his scepter pressed to the wall. “There are reports of a commotion at the library.”

“You underestimated her,” said Talia.

He didn’t try to deny it. “Ermillina was never formally schooled.”

“She taught herself,” corrected Gerta.

To the Stormcrows, he said, “Half of you find Queen Odelia and our children. Once they’re safe, search the palace for Selerin and the rest. We may yet have time to stop this. Summon as many guards, magical and mundane, as you need. Princess Whiteshore, you and your friends will come with me.”

Lightning struck outside as they were leaving, close enough to illuminate the staircase through the shuttered window. The thunder sounded like someone had fired a cannon inside the palace. As the sound faded, Talia heard a low humming in the distance. “Her wasps are here.”

“Fire magic works well against them,” said Gerta.

Laurence didn’t break stride. He spun his scepter, and a ball of blue fire appeared in the ring at the end. When the first wasp appeared at the base of the stairs, he jabbed his scepter, and the flame shot out like a smaller version of the dragon fire from the city walls. Both wasp and flame vanished in a hiss, and a tiny spark of glass dropped to the floor. One of the Stormcrows conjured a small ball of clay, which he used to retrieve and encase the glass.

Danielle raised her voice as another lightning bolt struck outside. “Whatever Rose Curtana used to summon the demon is here. Are you sure there’s nothing that might have been overlooked?”

“Most of her artifacts were destroyed. The rest were locked away, and have been thoroughly studied by myself and others.” Laurence grimaced. “With one significant exception, of course.”

Talia pushed open the shutters of the closest window, trying to see what was happening outside. Across an open, circular courtyard, a tower of black smoke rose from the opposite side of the palace. “How good are your Stormcrows at summoning rain?”

“Easier to steal the life of the fire itself.” Laurence gestured to one of his wizards, who stepped to the window and began working a spell.

A young boy stumbled into the hall ahead of them. He wore what appeared to be a page’s uniform, dark blue and yellow, and slightly too short for his gangly limbs. His cheek bled from a single small cut.

Talia moved to the side, one hand palming a dagger. “So much for getting the king to safety.”

“Hello, Talia.” The page smiled. “Before you act, please keep in mind that I’m merely borrowing this body. Go ahead and destroy it, if you like. I’ve found plenty more.”

The Stormcrows stepped forward to protect their king. The hair on Talia’s neck rose as they prepared their magic, but the boy didn’t seem to care.

“What do you want, Ermillina?” asked Laurence.

“To begin with, I’d like you to stop calling me that. Ermillina is the name my mother gave me. I prefer Snow.” The page strode toward them. “I trusted you. You knew what she was like, Cousin. You knew what she did to me. What she did to Roland. Yet you signed the order for my death all those years ago.”

“I protected you as much as I could,” Laurence protested. “But when you killed the queen-”

“Yes, yes.” He waved a hand, sounding bored. “So tell me, Laurence. Who will protect you now that you’ve done the same?”

Laurence frowned. “What are you talking about?”

The page sighed. “I thought about using one of your Stormcrows, but this was more poetic. I wonder what thoughts ran through your wife’s mind at the end. Did she know it was your order that put the knife to her throat, believing she was me?”

“Odelia.” Laurence paled. The scepter dropped to the floor.

The page used that moment to fling two ice wasps. One of the Stormcrows gestured, and the first wasp slammed into the wall. Talia jumped high, bringing her cape around to intercept the second. She crushed it through the cape, then ripped her zaraq whip from her belt. The thin, weighted line snapped out, catching the boy’s wrist. She tugged hard, dragging him to the floor. Before he could rise, Talia was on top of him, lashing his wrists together.

“He’s lying.” Danielle grabbed Laurence by the arm. “Queen Odelia is safe. Whoever was executed, they were escorted into the palace as a prisoner. It was someone Snow found before her wasps ever entered these walls.”

Laurence straightened and pulled away. “Of course. Forgive me.” He picked up his scepter and touched it to the wall. His visage tightened. “They still haven’t found her, or my children.”

“ They haven’t…” The boy’s laugh was so much like Snow’s own it raised bumps on Talia’s skin. “Think of your family as your guards fight their way through the palace, never knowing if the enemy they cut down is a nameless servant or your own flesh and blood.”

“Where are you, Snow?” Danielle asked.

He ignored the question. “The same holds for you, Danielle. I could be Jakob for all you know. Think well before you use that glass blade.”

“You’re not Jakob.” Talia hauled the boy upright.

“Are you willing to wager the prince’s life?” he asked.

Talia hesitated. The wolf’s senses could pierce most illusions with ease, but this was no illusion. King Laurence’s own Stormcrows hadn’t seen through Snow’s magic.

Danielle stepped closer, and her glass sword flicked out to cut the boy’s arm. “This blade would never harm my son.”

It was all the confirmation Talia needed. She tossed him to the ground at the Stormcrows’ feet. “Your Majesty, I can take us to the queen and your children, no matter where they’ve gone. But only if you promise to spare Snow’s life. She must be given to Danielle and Lorindar.”

Laurence started to shake his head.

“She’s our friend,” said Danielle. “Would you be so quick to order Odelia’s death? We’ve no time to negotiate, Laurence.”

“If there is a way to spare her life, I will.”

Talia’s teeth ground together. It was the best they were going to get. “I’ll need something of theirs. Preferably something which carries their scents.”

They had made it halfway to the library when one of Laurence’s guards arrived carrying items from the king’s wife and children: an old wig, a pair of shoes, and a frayed blanket. The Stormcrows continued to pressure Laurence to leave, but he refused to abandon his family.

Talia set each of the items on the floor and unfastened her cape. He had a point. If he fled, the possessed queen would be in an excellent position to seize power.

“You’re sure this will work?” asked Danielle.

“I should be able to track them to wherever they were taken. If the demon transformed them, the trail will lead me to the place it happens. I’ll be able to smell the magic and pick up the scent of their new forms.” She flipped the cape about and pulled it tight. “Probably.”