Red Hood's Revenge

the rope, adding her strength to Talia’s. Roudette was putting up a good show. At least Talia hoped it was a show. “I’ve brought this animal a long way, and I’m eager to be rid of it. Where would the raikh be at this time of day?”
    “Her private dining room,” the man stammered, his eyes never leaving the black wolf.
    “Thank you. And the garden?”
    He gave hasty directions to both, and hurried past.
    Following his instructions, Talia led Roudette toward the spiral stairs at the end of the hallway. A marble pillar rose through the center of the steps. Dozens of candles burned in small niches in the pillar, appearing perfectly normal except for the green tint of the flames that danced with the air’s movement. As she climbed the steps, Talia could see that each candle was actually carved from white stone. More fairy magic.
    Talia hurried past the first floor, heading for the gardens. She blinked as she passed the first of many narrow windows in the outer wall. The sun outside was surprisingly bright.
    “What do you intend to do about Rajil?” Snow asked.
    “There is only one punishment for a raikh who betrays her people and her city.” It was a punishment rarely carried out. Every raikh took a vow, severing all familial ties and accepting the king or queen of Arathea as the head of his or her new family. Raikhs lived out their lives in the city, never stepping beyond its boundaries except by direct order of the king or queen. The people of the city became their children, and the raikh was expected to guard them as fiercely as any parent. But Talia had only to look at Snow’s past to remember that not all parents put their children’s welfare first. “We’ll worry about her after we find Faziya.”
    At the top of the stairs, a doorway opened onto an open walkway. They were in one of the wings of the mansion. Talia could see another staircase at the end of the walkway, leading up to the gardens atop the central part of the building. Two guards stood on the front step, just far enough back to be shaded from the sun.
    Unlike the guards outside, these wore formal armor of lacquered black breastplates. Their heads were shaved, even the eyebrows. Blue tattoos masked their eyes, giving the impression of feather masks.
    “I’ve never seen tattoos like that,” Snow whispered.
    “Rajil is a fairy worshiper,” Talia replied. “The wings are a symbol of the peri.” Yet another sign where her true loyalty lay.
    Both men watched closely as Talia pulled Roudette onto the walkway. They wore enormous scimitars at their sides, along with more practical war clubs.
    Roudette tugged at the rope.
    “Not yet.” If Roudette truly wanted to break free, Talia wasn’t strong enough to hold her. “This is a lousy place for a fight.” Talia glanced over the stone railing. The fall wouldn’t kill her, but it would certainly hurt. The grounds below were mostly empty. Most of the people should still be indoors, enjoying the cool shade and the breeze generated by the windcatcher.
    One of the guards stepped out into the sunlight. “We weren’t told of any new additions for the menagerie.”
    “The wolf is a gift from Father Uf’uyan and the fairy church,” Talia said, continuing forward. “I was instructed—”
    “I’m sorry, but nothing enters the gardens without permission from the raikh or her adviser.” He gave a slight bow, appearing genuinely apologetic. “There are too many valuable creatures, and if that wolf hasn’t been properly prepared, it could slaughter the raikh’s other pets.”
    “Slaughter?” Talia stared at Roudette. “You think so? She looks so gentle.”
    “If you’ll wait here,” he said, “I can—”
    “Go on.” Talia dropped the rope. “Show them how gentle you are.”
    Roudette was on the first guard before his sword could clear its sheath. Talia followed close behind. She hopped onto the rail, arms outstretched for balance as she ran past Roudette. Then the second guard started to draw his weapon, and Talia leaped. Her shoulder hit him in the chest, knocking them both onto the steps.
    Talia ducked a thrust of the guard’s sword, then dodged a kick. She caught his foot in her arm and lifted. He fell again, his armor hitting the steps with a loud crack. Her own sword was at the inside of his thigh before he could recover.
    “I don’t want to kill you,” Talia said. “You know how quickly you’ll bleed to death if I cut you here?”
    He set his sword on the step