Red Hood's Revenge

ask, “You think Faziya was transformed?”
    “Fairy magic,” Uf’uyan said. “Performed by Rajil’s adviser.”
    “And you did nothing.” Talia was beginning to wish she had let Roudette finish off the priest.
    “I’m not permitted to interfere with Siqkhab,” Uf’uyan said. “Human law is Rajil’s domain.”
    “Talia.” Danielle’s voice was gentle, the way it always was when she was about to say something infuriating. “You have to warn Queen Lakhim.”
    “Warn her of what?” Talia demanded. “That she should stop hunting me and search for a deev?” She whirled. “If Zestan is so damned powerful, why bother with me and my curse? Why not destroy Queen Lakhim herself?”
    “The deev were strong,” Uf’uyan said. “Perhaps too strong. Like the peri, they relied on force, never mastering the intricacies of magic. A deev’s power could sink Lakhim’s palace into the earth, but such power would also reveal Zestan. Can you imagine the response should Arathea learn of her presence? It would unite all Arathea against her.”
    “Which is precisely why you should warn Queen Lakhim,” Danielle said. “She has to know the truth.”
    “Lakhim was never interested in truth.” Talia grabbed the scroll. “We’re going to the raikh’s mansion.”
    Roudette straightened, raising her hammer in both hands. “What of him?”
    Father Uf’uyan bowed. “I’ve told you all I can. My soul is ready.”
    “No,” said Danielle.
    “You can’t afford to leave me alive,” Uf’uyan said. “I understand, and you have my forgiveness.”
    “He’s right.” Talia raised her sword. “Even if I trusted him not to betray us, fairy magic could rip our secrets from his mind. The risk—”
    “So we bring him with us.” Danielle smiled as she studied the cage with Uf’uyan’s mice. “He’ll need to be smaller, of course.”
     
    Snow patted the mouse in her pouch. “Don’t worry. The spell should wear off in a day or two.” Hopefully they would be long gone from Jahrasima by then.
    She barely noticed the fairy illusions as Talia led them back through the tunnel. The church was mostly empty, save for a handful of people lost in silent prayer. The children who had carried the statues earlier were now busy sweeping the floors.
    “I hope Father Uf’uyan was able to comfort your friend,” said Yasar, eyeing Roudette. She had pulled her robe back over her cape, but she moved like a warrior, not a leper. He was already moving toward the tunnel, no doubt to find Uf’uyan and try to learn what had blocked his attempt to spy on their conversation.
    “I’m afraid she’s not one for comfort,” said Talia.
    Snow glanced at Talia, who nodded. Snow smiled and followed Yasar back through the doorway.
    She returned a short time later, a second, slightly battered mouse resting in her pouch with Uf’uyan. Snow stopped at the entrance to dip her hands in the water and wash her face. Transformation was a complex spell. Casting it twice in such short time was enough to bring her headache back in full force. She noticed the others watching her and forced a smile. “So where exactly would we find the raikh’s mansion?”
    The heat made the pain even worse as she made her way out of the temple. She pulled her hood up to block the sun. The streets were noticeably less crowded than before.
    “We’ll want to sneak in soon, if we can,” Talia said, leading them away. “Midday is the hottest part of the day. It’s a time of quiet, a time to enjoy a meal and a cool drink.”
    The most obvious sign of wealth in the northern quarter was the abundance of water. The people here used water for decoration the way others used gold. Water fell past windows in tiny falls; it misted from grand fountains of black marble; it gleamed with reflected sunlight in long pools.
    Humans and fairies alike hurried through the streets. A lamassu strode past, brown wings tucked back against her bull-shaped body. She barely seemed to notice the humans who backed aside, clearing a path for her.
    “Do you think she’ll mind if I run up and pluck a feather?” Snow asked. “I’ve never seen a lamassu in real life, and I’d—”
    “No.” Talia waited for the lamassu to pass, then pointed to a fresh pile in the street. “If you want a souvenir, you can take some of what she left behind.”
    Snow made a face. Already a human boy was rushing out with a shovel to take care of the mess.
    The raikh’s mansion sat on the end of its own