And I was the first human they’d seen in centuries.
The red thread tied to my wrist yanked me away from the pond, a sharp reminder to return to my senses. I leapt, gathering my magic to defend myself. The fabric of my sleeves flared like wings, lifting me high above the demons, and I sailed over the grass until I landed by the gate. It was open, and I made as if to run through.
But it was no gate. I slammed into a wall of rock.
The illusion holding together Raikama’s garden stuttered, revealing granite walls and an empty cavern.
There was no way out.
Fear gripped me as demons snapped at my ankles, hissing and baring their fangs.
“You won’t find an escape,” they growled as the illusion of Raikama’s garden flickered back into focus.
For an instant, I caught a glimpse of their true forms. Skin as red as cinnabar or as gray as death. I saw the extra eyes and heads, the horns and tails and jagged sets of claws. They were nightmares come alive, enough to make gooseflesh rise on my skin.
Except for the chains.
I hadn’t understood why the demons came to me in disguise—pretending to be my stepmother’s snakes or even imperial guards by the gate. Not until I saw that they were trapped in place. Bound to the walls of the mountains, chained by decree of the gods.
That’s why the demons are luring you to them. They can’t come to you!Kiki realized at the same time.
That wastheirproblem, I thought. Mine was that I had no way out.
In this scenario, the demons would win. Easily.
I pounded my fists against the wall. “Stepmother!” I shouted. “Help me. Please.”
Follow the thread, Shiori. It’ll take you down to the base of the mountain.Above, the seven paper birds Raikama had sent fluttered. In their beaks was a long red thread, the same as the one they’d knotted to my wrist.
Hurry,said the voice.The demons will try to trap you in your memories, but you must not get lost. Follow the thread. I’m waiting for you at the end.
I touched the red knot on my wrist, drawing strength from Raikama’s words. The thread was leading me to the pond, where demon-eyed carp leered greedily.
“Here we go, Kiki.”
I jumped.
Instead of landing with a splash, I fell through a ceiling and landed hard on a wooden floor. The planks were cold as ice, another illusion.
I was inside the palace, but not the palace I grew up in. Rooms appeared where they shouldn’t have, and I wandered through a labyrinth of halls with endless turns and twists. If not for my thread, I would have been lost forever.
Demons lurked, haunting me with old memories. Smells of my mother’s fish soup, or my favorite dishes from the kitchen, forgotten years ago. Careless plucks of zither songs I’d once been forced to learn, tutors and maids who had long since come and gone.
Some took on the shape of guards, ministers, even my brothers. “Princess!” they cried. “It’s time for lunch. Won’t you come!”
“Shiori, join us for a game of chess. Won’t you, Sister?”
They must think you’re an idiot to fall for those tricks,Kiki mumbled as I ran on. I agreed and ignored them all, focusing only on the red thread. I followed it, fleeing out of windows, jumping into mirrors, even bursting through wooden folding screens. Every room felt like a new level in an endless tower, and I had to reach the one at the very bottom.
Finally I was at the base of the mountain. I could tell because the string grew suddenly taut.
“Stop yawning!”
I whirled at the sound of Hasho’s voice.
My youngest brother was dressed in his ceremonial robes. His hat was too big for him, presumably to hide his demon eyes. “You’re late, Shiori,” he chided. “What’s that you have in your sleeve?”
I touched my sleeve. I was wearing my ceremonial robes as well, the same thick jacket I’d worn for my betrothal ceremony. Pink satin slippers and heavy silk robes embroidered with cranes and shimmering chrysanthemums. A gold sash was tied around my waist.
