Breadcrumbs - Anne Ursu [26]
A gust of wind picked up in the woods, and the snow in front of it began to stir. It was like a small tornado had settled at the tree line, and snow began to whirl around faster and faster. Jack took a step back as the spinning column got bigger, and part of him wanted to run, but it was only a small part. For he understood he was seeing magic.
And indeed he was. For the snow was not snow anymore, but a woman—tall and lithe like a sketch, in a white fur cape and a white shimmering gown that looked so thin it would melt if you touched it. Hair like spun crystal framed cream-colored skin. The woman stepped closer, revealing eyes as bright as the sun reflecting off snow. But they were cold things, and it was like looking for solace in frost.
Jack could not move as she walked toward him. It did not seem possible that she would be coming for him, but she was. Her eyes did not leave him, and in her cold gaze he found his breath again. The air welcomed him back.
“Are you real?” he asked, though it was a stupid thing to ask.
“I am,” she said, her voice twinkling and melodic.
“How do you do that?” He motioned to the snow out of which she had come.
She was in front of him now, and Jack felt his chest expand and then freeze, an inhalation with no companion.
“Doesn’t that take the fun out of it?” she said. She spoke slowly, and her voice was like a chain that pulled you gently closer. “To know how it is done?”
“No. I want to know. I want to understand things. I want to understand everything.” He sounded so desperate to his own ears.
“I see. And what will you do when you understand everything? Will you share your knowledge to better the world?” Her eyes sparkled with mischief.
Her eyes sparkled, for him. Jack felt a smile on his face. “Maybe.”
She leaned in, bringing coldness with her. “Or,” she murmured, “will you keep it all for yourself?”
“You never know,” Jack said. His heart filled. He could play this game, he understood it like he understood the numbers. Everything made sense. He was pleased with himself for keeping up with this woman made of ice.
“What if I told you that there was a place where there are extraordinary things, things with great power, things that could give you your heart’s desire, things much bigger than this small, small world?”
Jack’s heart sped up, and he knew he was not playing a game anymore. “Is there?” he demanded.
“There is. What you saw from me is only the beginning.”
“You want to take me there?”
“I do. I could tell looking at you that you are destined to do great things.”
“Really?”
“Oh, yes, my young friend. I can make you live on forever.” She motioned to the wood and he saw there a gleaming white sleigh attached to winged white horses. And he understood how small this world really was.
He took a step forward, but something stopped him, something his heart was whispering.
“Wait,” he said, looking up at the white witch. “Will I be gone for long?”
She smiled. “Oh, don’t worry,” she said. “They won’t miss you at all.”
“Okay!” He climbed into the sleigh and the woman appeared next to him. She took hold of the reins and looked down at him with a sly smile.
“Would you like some Turkish delight?” she asked.
“Huh?”
“Just a little joke,” she said. “Let’s go.”
Chapter Eight
Reasons
The next morning, Hazel’s mother bundled her off to Adelaide’s house. She spoke in bright, shiny words, as if that might distract Hazel from all thoughts of Jack.
It did not work.
Hazel kept her eyes on Jack’s house as they drove by. There was no sign of life. Maybe Jack was out already, maybe he’d gone sledding with the boys again. It was Saturday, and Saturday was a good day for sledding. At least it used to be.
On the way, her mom chattered on about Adelaide and the Briggses, as if there were nothing else Hazel could possibly think about. Apparently, when a hand came down and plucked your best friend from the chair next to you, all you had to do was wait for it to drop someone else in there, and then you could just go on. And they said Hazel was the one who thought too much about