My window was lit. But I had left no candles burning.
The horse came to an abrupt halt against a tree. As snow tumbled from its branches over my cloak, I jumped off, more shaken by the light in my room than the shock of cold.
“Go on,” said Hasege, dusting snow off himself. “He’s waiting for you upstairs.”
Shadows loomed across the castle halls, the corridors seeming to stretch longer than I ever remembered. I didn’t believe Hasege about Takkan, not for an instant, but somethingwasoff. My footsteps thumped against the stairs as I climbed two, three at a time. I raced to my room.
My door was ajar.
With a hand on my dagger, I barreled inside, not knowing what I was expecting to find. My room was empty. Untouched but for the candles lit on my table.
I clutched my satchel, thanking the gods I’d brought it with me.
But as I started to leave, its straw exterior began to glimmer, as if I were blinking too fast. It had to be a trick of the light. The straw was slick with melted snow, and I wiped it with my hands, sure that was the end of it.
Then the satchel in my hands vanished completely. In its place, I held a silk bag.
Zairena’s purse.
Demons of Tambu,Kiki swore.
It had been an illusion, washed away by the melted snow. Which meant that my actual satchel…the starstroke net…
I was already searching, overturning my bed and throwing my blankets on the floor. In my anguish, I didn’t hear the voices echoing down the corridor outside my chamber—not until it was too late.
“Can’t this wait until Takkan returns?” said Lady Bushian, her voice loud. “I don’t understand what could possibly be so important that you drag me away from the festival during the lantern lighting.”
“I’ve been trying to warn you, Aunt.” Hasege’s silhouette was stark against the paper walls, the dark shells of his armor pronounced in the candlelight. “But only Zairena would listen.”
Zairena entered my chambers, standing primly by the doorframe as Hasege and Lady Bushian followed.
“Are you looking for this, Lina?” she asked, holding up my satchel.
Without thinking, I lunged for my bag. A stupid move. Hasege grabbed me, shackling my wrists with his iron grip.
Zairena smiled. My desperation only emphasized her point. “Stand back,” she said, ushering Lady Bushian away from me. She raised the satchel. “This bag contains dangerous magic.”
She loosened the buckles and opened the flap. I held my breath, certain that no one would see the starstroke net glittering inside. What I didn’t expect was for the shadow of a wolf to spring out of the bag.
It loped across the walls and bared its fangs at Lady Bushian, who went so pale I thought she would faint. Hasege let go of me and brandished his sword, swinging at the wolf as it prowled toward my window. There, the creature writhed and twisted, until at last Zairena closed the satchel.
With a hiss, the wolf vanished.
My ears thundered. How…how had Zairena done that? She couldn’t possibly have—
“Magic,” Hasege seethed. “Now do you believe me, Aunt?”
Lady Bushian clutched her heart, gasping. “What…what in the great gods? How—”
“How?” Zairena folded her arms dramatically. “Lina is a priestess of demons, planted in Castle Bushian by Lord Yuji himself to do his bidding.”
She’s lying,I tried to communicate, desperately shaking my head.
But I could tell from Lady Bushian’s eyes that Zairena had won. No matter what I said, her trick with the wolf shadow had convinced them of my guilt.
“Do not fear,” said Zairena, comforting Takkan’s mother with a touch on the sleeve. “Hasege and I always sensed there was an evil force within Lina. I’ve been preparing for this very moment.”
Too late, I dove for the open door, but Hasege blocked me easily. He hooked his arm around my waist and restrained my arms, so roughly I cringed.
