The Iron Warrior

by Julie Kagawa

  She noticed us immediately but didn’t seem surprised. Instead, she continued down the steps, clutching a wooden bucket in one gnarled claw. The chickens, instead of swarming for the food, scattered before her, running to different corners of the yard. The witch dumped the bucket of scraps on the ground and turned, fixing us with beady black eyes.

  “Well?” Her voice squeaked like a rusty hinge, as she raised thin white brows at us. “Are you going to come in, boy, or are you going to stand there and gape until something flies in to roost?”

  I swallowed. “Um.” I glanced at the Thin Man. He gave his head a tiny shake, echoing my feelings. Stepping into the witch’s yard didn’t seem like the brightest of ideas right now. “Actually, we’re just looking for someone,” I said, turning back to the witch. “A Summer sidhe. We thought she might’ve come through here.”

  The witch sniffed and set the bucket atop a large wooden cask. “Is that a statement, human, or a question? Don’t waste my time with stories I care nothing about. If you want to ask me something, ask.”

  “Fine. Have you seen a Summer sidhe called Annwyl?”

  “Better.” A sly smile curled the witch’s bloodless mouth. “Yes, Ethan Chase,” she crooned, making my skin crawl. “I have indeed. But that is not the question you should have opened with. I have seen her in the Summer Court and the wyldwood, in the mortal realm and Tir Na Nog. I have seen the Summer girl many a time, in many different places, and you had best start asking smarter questions, or this is going to be entirely too easy for me.”

  I groaned, raking my hands down my face. “Kenzie,” I muttered, feeling a headache start to throb behind my eyes. “Help.”

  Kenzie stepped forward, brushing my arm as she faced the witch over the fence posts. “Will you please tell us,” she began in a quiet, firm voice, “to the best of you knowledge, where Annwyl of the Summer Court is right now?”

  “Ah,” said the witch. “A far smarter question. Your friend is much better at this than you, Ethan Chase. I do indeed know where you can find Annwyl of the Summer Court. The girl came to me not long ago, seeking answers, as most do. She seemed quite desperate, as most are, by the time they come to me. She had already been to the wyldwood and the mortal realm, and both were unable to help.”

  “Why?” Kenzie asked, then quickly added, “What was the question she needed an answer to?”

  The witch’s smile faded. “She wanted to know,” she said in a grave voice, “how to destroy the amulet she was bound to.”

  Kenzie’s eyes widened. “But that would kill her,” she exclaimed. “Without the amulet, she would Fade away to nothing. She had to have known that.”

  “She did,” the witch said calmly. “It would not deter her. She was determined to see it destroyed, and she wanted to know if I knew how.”

  “And do you?” Kenzie asked.

  The witch gave her a level stare. “I do,” she replied. “I do indeed. But you don’t need that information, do you?” She eyed me and the Thin Man. “You already know how to destroy the amulet,” she said. “That is not the reason you are here. No, you have come for her.”

  “Yes,” the Thin Man said, stepping forward. “You know the danger, old mother. You must have heard the rumors, even out here in the Deep Wyld. The First Queen has returned, and the child of prophecy leads her army of Forgotten against the courts. If she succeeds, the days of blood and darkness will swallow the Nevernever whole, and nothing will be safe. You cannot hide from her forever, even in the Deep Wyld. That girl holds the key to victory against the First Queen, even if it is the smallest chance.”

  The witch glared at him. “I am well aware of this, forgotten one,” she snapped, showing a flash of jagged yellow teeth. “Which is why the girl is not rushing off to confront the Iron Prince and doom us all. The First Queen knows about the amulet, and the Forgotten would kill the Summer girl before she could ever reach the prince. They are likely still searching for her, for all of you.” She looked down her crooked nose at us. “I knew you would come here, Ethan Chase,” she stated smugly. “If not you, then someone else. Your sister, perhaps. Or that insufferable Goodfellow. Eventually, I knew someone would arrive looking for the girl and the amulet. So, I kept her safe. Hidden.” Her lips twisted in a faint smirk. “Though she might not see it that way.”

  “Where is she?” I asked. “We know she’s here. Where are you keeping her?”

  The witch’s grin widened, and she gestured to the yard behind her, at the dozen or so chickens milling about the grass. For a second, I didn’t know what she meant; I didn’t see Annwyl anywhere in the yard, or among the flock. Then my stomach twisted with horror at the realization, and Kenzie gasped.

  “Yes,” the witch said in a pleased voice. “She is here. Isn’t this better, Ethan Chase? No Forgotten will come for her on my land. No traitor princes will think to look for her here. Your Summer girl is perfectly safe, hidden from the First Queen, and has everything she needs.”

  “Change her back,” I said firmly, narrowing my eyes. “Right now.”

  “Are you certain, boy?” The witch glanced at the flock, still smiling. “She is much happier like this, no burdens, no responsibilities. She doesn’t remember her past life and is perfectly content scratching about with her fellows. Are you sure you want me to restore her to how she was, knowing she will most certainly die?”

  I swallowed hard. “I’m not leaving her like that,” I growled. “We need her, and the amulet, to stop Keirran. So, please, change her back.”

  The witch chuckled. “I suppose I could do that,” she began, making me slump in relief. “Though I don’t see what I would get out of it.” She pondered a moment, then snapped her fingers. “Here is a fun game, Ethan Chase,” she cackled. “I’ll let you take the Summer girl and the amulet, free of charge, and I’ll even agree to change her back—” she gestured to the flock behind her “—if you can pick her out from the rest. Bring me the right bird, and I’ll let you all go.”

  My stomach dropped. “And if I choose wrong?”

  “Then one of your friends will become a happy member of the flock,” the witch said. “And you can try to guess again. But, be warned. I am only agreeing to let one bird go tonight. Whether it is the Summer girl or your little human friend will be up to you.” She grinned, showing a mouthful of jagged teeth. “So I would try to get it right the first time, Ethan Chase.”

  “Dammit.” I raked a hand through my hair, looking helplessly at the others. If I guessed wrong, and Kenzie paid the price... “No,” I told the witch. “I won’t do this. There must be something else you want.”

  “There is nothing else that I want,” the witch said calmly. “I have all that I need. You have trespassed onto my land, and there is a price to pay regardless of the circumstances. I’ve given you your task, and if you want the Summer girl to leave this place, you know what must happen. That is the deal, and neither you nor your clever human friend will change my mind. Take it or leave it, Ethan Chase.”

  Kenzie moved close and put a hand on my arm. “You can do this, Ethan,” she murmured, and I shook my head in protest. “You have to,” she went on. “It’s the only way to find Annwyl. We can’t turn back now.”

  “I can’t,” I said through gritted teeth. “What if I guess wrong? I’m not going to put you in danger like that. I’m sorry, but I refuse to have a chicken for a girlfriend. That’s not going to happen.”

  “Ethan.” Kenzie squeezed my wrist. “We’ve come all this way,” she whispered. “We have to get Annwyl and the amulet back to the wyldwood before the war starts. It’s the one chance we have at stopping Keirran and the Lady.” I took a breath to argue, but she overrode me. “Your family is depending on you. We have to bring him back.”

  I slumped. “Dammit, Kenzie. You had to bring up Meghan, didn’t you?” But she was right, and we both knew it. Shooting a glance at the yard, at
the dozen or so chickens I had to choose from, my insides churned. So many, and they all looked exactly the same. “Any tips for chicken wrangling in that animal trainer head of yours?” I asked desperately.

  “Not really my area of expertise,” Kenzie replied, glancing into the yard. “But...all animals respond better to patience and slow movements. Try not to chase them around. If Annwyl is in there, if there’s any part of her left at all, maybe she’ll recognize you.”

  “Boy,” the witch said, sounding impatient. “Time is wasting, and I have a kettle on the stove. If you are going to do this, get on with it.”

  I squeezed Kenzie’s hand. “All right,” I muttered. “Wish me luck.” For both our sakes. Swallowing the dryness in my throat, I opened the gate and stepped into the yard.

  Okay, this was probably the stupidest thing I’d ever agreed to do, and that included all of Keirran’s high jinks as we’d trailed him to one end of the Nevernever and back. Yeah, following Keirran had led to my death, but at least no one had ended up as a chicken.

  The flock eyed my approach from different corners of the yard, beady eyes glassy and blank as they milled around with nervous clucks. None of them looked like they recognized me.

  I took a few steps toward them. They skittered away. I took another few, to the same result—fearful squawking as they ran behind logs and bales of straw. They wouldn’t let me near them.

  We were so screwed.

  Behind me, the witch let out a cackle. “Having trouble, boy?” she called, and I resisted the urge to flip her off. “Try cornering them between the haystacks and the water barrel. I’m usually able to trap a couple of them there.”

  “Right,” I muttered, and took a step toward the water barrel, where a trio of hens huddled. They tensed, ready to run, and I stopped.

  Wait a second. This is exactly what she wants me to do—chase them around like an idiot until they’re scared and exhausted and too terrified to come near me. What had Kenzie told me a few minutes ago? Animals respond better to patience and slow movements. I couldn’t stomp after chickens like a giant, hoping to gain their trust. Even if Annwyl’s scrambled chicken brain sort of recognized me, chasing them around would just freak her out.

  I stared at the three birds in the corner. Two of them tensed, ready to run, but one hen peeked out at me with wary eyes, as if it was unsure whether to flee or not. If I made any motion toward her at all, she would.

  Okay, then. Annwyl, wherever you are, I hope there’s enough of you still in there to remember me.

  Very slowly, I sat down, crossing my legs in the damp, cold grass. The chickens watched from the edges of the yard, a few curious, but most of them still wary. I shot a quick glance at the spot the one hen had been, but she was no longer there.

  God, I hope this works, I thought, and closed my eyes.

  For a few minutes, I remained absolutely motionless, counting my breaths, listening to the shuffle of chicken feet and the warbled clucks around me. I heard Razor buzz something to Kenzie, who shushed him immediately. Thankfully, the witch didn’t move, either. It would’ve sucked a lot if she did something to freak the chickens out, though now that I thought about it, there was nothing in the agreement that said she couldn’t interfere. I was relieved that she was letting me do this in peace, but I could still feel her gaze burning the back of my neck.

  Hope she doesn’t turn Kenzie into a chicken for the hell of it, I thought, just as there was a tap on my shoe.

  Cautiously, I opened my eyes. A small red hen stood at the toe of my boot, cocking its head at me. I couldn’t tell if it was the same chicken from before or not, but it was the only one that had ventured close. For a second, I stared at it as my heart started to pound. What if this wasn’t the right bird? What if I guessed wrong?

  Come on, Ethan. You’re going to have to choose sometime.

  The hen blinked, peering up at my face, as I gave it a hopeful smile.

  “Hey, Annwyl,” I whispered.

  The second the words left my mouth, the chicken started to glow. It grew brighter and brighter, its features melting into the light, until I had to look away. When the glow faded and I was able to turn back, there was no longer a chicken standing there.

  Instead, a slight, beautiful fey girl sat next to me in the grass, looking bewildered. Wavy chestnut hair tumbled down her back and shoulders. Her ears were long and pointed, and her huge green eyes stared at me in a daze.

  “Ethan...Chase?” Annwyl whispered, as the breath left my lungs in a rush and I nearly collapsed in relief. “Why are you here? I thought...I heard you had died.”

  I managed a tiny smirk. “Yeah, well, rumors of my death were highly exaggerated.”

  She looked confused, but suddenly her hand went to her neck. “The amulet,” she gasped. “It’s gone!” I started to answer, but her eyes shifted, anger crossing her normally passive face. “Where is it?” she demanded. “Ethan Chase, what have you done?”

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  ANNWYL’S QUEST

  Aw, crap. Now what?

  Annwyl leaped to her feet, looking frantic, and I scrambled upright, as well. “Where is the amulet?” she demanded again, staring at me. “Is it destroyed? Is it lost? Where is it, Ethan Chase?”

  “Easy.” I held up my hands, taking a step back. Annwyl’s eyes glowed a scary green, and the grass around her feet started to writhe and coil. Chickens scattered to all corners of the yard, squawking in terror, as the previously docile Summer fey snapped and pulsed with the energy of a storm.

  “Annwyl, calm down,” I said, raising my voice to be heard over the chickens and the hissing of plants. What the hell was happening? I’d never seen Annwyl like this. “I don’t have it, okay? We thought it was with you.”

  “It is not.” Annwyl did not look like she would calm down anytime soon. “But I did have it. It was in my possession when I came here.” She glared around the yard, her gaze lingering on the house, before turning on me again. “Where is it?” she almost whispered. “I need to find it now!”

  “Enough!” The witch swept up, scowling, and Annwyl turned a furious gaze on her. But Kenzie and the Thin Man hurried across the yard toward us, and at the sight of the tall Forgotten, the Summer faery shrank back, more frightened of him than the old woman beside me.

  “The Thin Man!” she seethed, and thorny vines erupted from the ground, coiling back like snakes. “Get back! I will not go with you! I must find the amulet and Keirran.”

  “Annwyl, stop,” Kenzie implored, holding out a hand. “It’s all right, he’s with us now—”

  “Why are you here?” Annwyl interrupted, ignoring Kenzie as she glared at the Thin Man. The tall Forgotten started to answer, but the Summer faery overrode him. “I know you’ve come for me,” she said. “I cannot go to your Forgotten town. I must get to Keirran before it’s too late, and you will not stop me!”

  “I have no intention of taking you anywhere, my dear!” the Thin Man shot back. “If you would only listen to your friends, you would realize that. Calm down before you hurt someone.”

  “Annwyl!” I shouted, grabbing her arm. “He’s telling the truth. We came here to get you and the amulet. Take it easy.”

  She did not take it easy but turned on me again, eyes flashing. “Where is the amulet, mortal?” she demanded, sounding more like Titania than the Annwyl I had known. “Tell me now!”

  “I said enough!” The witch waved her hand, and the vines and roots snaking around the Summer faery froze, then slithered back underground. Annwyl blinked, startled, as the wind died down, the grass stopped roiling, and the land returned to normal once more. Only the chickens fluttering about the yard still squawked and gibbered at the top of their lungs.

  “Stop this foolishness,” the witch continued, glaring at the faery. “This is not helping anything. You are so blinded by your feeling
s for the Iron Prince, you cannot see what is at stake. Look at what you are doing to your friends who have traveled so far to find you.”

  Annwyl went pale, and the scary light faded from her eyes. “Ethan,” she whispered, glancing at me. “Kenzie.” She shook her head, like she was just now recognizing us. “I’m sorry. Forgive me. I guess...I panicked.”

  “Yes,” the witch agreed before we could say anything. “You did. And this is precisely why I changed you, girl. So ready to rush off to your destruction, to throw your life away. Even if you managed to reach the Iron Prince through the army of Forgotten, do you really think he would hear you now?”

  I jerked in surprise, but Annwyl turned calmly, facing the witch down. “He would,” she said. “I told you before. He would listen to me. I would have made him see.”

  “No. You would have died. And the prince would have lost his soul forever.” The witch narrowed her beady eyes at the Summer fey. “You could not have done this alone, but you would not listen to those older and wiser than yourself. So, I made the decision to keep you and that cursed bit of magic safe, for your own good, until someone appeared who could help.”

  “What?” Kenzie turned from me to stare at the witch, frowning. “If that was the case, then why make us go through all this crap? Why not just turn Annwyl back and be done with it?”

  Her thin mouth twitched. “Because I have a reputation to uphold, my dear. And if the boy could not figure it out, I did not have any hope that he could reach the Iron Prince. Besides, it was amusing. Living out here with almost no visitors, I take my entertainment when I can.”

  She cackled, then reached into her shawl and drew forth a familiar copper disk on a leather cord. My skin crawled at the sight of it, and the Thin Man recoiled as the witch held it up. The amulet, the thing that had trapped Keirran’s soul, dangled from the cord, twirling in the breeze.

  “I believe this is what you are looking for.”

  For a moment, Annwyl looked like she might lunge forward and snatch the amulet from the witch’s crooked fingers. But she took a deep, calming breath, and when she spoke again, her words were steady.