The Witch nodded slowly, then said, “Here is what I can do for you,” and she proceeded to explain.
Grandmother Winter listened carefully and nodded. “I understand. And I accept.”
“Now”—the Witch pointed Grandmother Winter’s attention to the stone table—“your grandson.” The Witch waved her hands over the table, and an image of Zachary appeared. He was sitting in a chair in the living room of his house in London, staring vacantly into space. Grandmother Winter could have burst with the need to reach out to him, to put her hands on him. “But,” the Witch continued, waving her hands over the image, “he will not be here for much longer.” The picture shifted to reveal an empty chair. “He is going here, with this family….” She waved her hands again, but Grandmother Winter did not need to look at the picture. She knew where they were sending him. It was a good choice.
“Now,” the Witch continued, “I must tell you something very important.” And she leaned in, taking off her hood.
Her face was just as you’d expect—a hag’s face, old and wrinkled and broken, the nose looking as if it had lived one too many lives—but when the Witch shifted, Grandmother Winter saw something quite else. A flash, no more, an image under the surface, of a wholly different face, with great black curls, green eyes, olive skin, and a strange, sad smile.
In shock, Grandmother Winter blurted out, “Queen Persephone!”
The Witch took a step back. She shook her head. “How…” She looked around frantically. “You must not tell. If anyone found out—”
“You have my word!”
“You must not tell!” She grabbed Grandmother Winter’s hands. “If I am to be down here, at least I can make it easier for others who must also be deprived of the Upperworld. But if the Immortals were to find out…”
Grandmother Winter said firmly, “I will not tell.”
“All right,” the Queen said. “I believe you.” She leaned back and smiled. “Now, you must understand what will happen to you. You will not be Dalitso Winter anymore. If I turn you into a sparrow, you will become a sparrow. Dalitso’s memories will become the sparrow’s memories, as a sparrow would remember. You will not have human intelligence, but”—she raised her hand—“you will have instinct.” She leaned in and added, “And in your case I believe that instinct will be remarkably strong.” She gazed into Grandmother Winter’s eyes intently. “If you make this choice, Dalitso Winter will cease to exist. Do you understand?”
“I do.”
“Very well. Have you decided what kind of animal you wish to be?”
Grandmother Winter smiled her Grandmother Winter smile and said, “I should like to be a cat.”
BESTIARY
Argus
An extremely large monster with a hundred eyes covering his body. He never closes more than half his eyes at once, making him an excellent guard—albeit kind of a creepy one.
Centaurs
Beings with the heads and torsos of men and the bodies of horses. A convivial and erudite lot. Probably best to not try to ride one, though.
Cerberus
The three-headed dog that guards the doors to Hades. Cerberus is said to have a mane made of thousands of small snakes, the paws of a lion, and the tail of a viper, but all that might have been exaggerated a wee bit for effect.
Cyclopes
Big, mean, cave-dwelling monsters with one eye and a taste for human flesh; excellent at metallurgy.
Empusa
A shape-shifting female demon with hair of flames, legs of bronze, and hooved feet; also, a vampire.
Erinyes
Three jet-black female demons with hands made of snakes, the heads of dogs, wings of bats, and really bad breath. They administer punishment in the Underworld.
Gorgons
Hideous female demons with serpents in place of hair, golden wings, stringy beards, and hands with claws. Best not to look them in the eye, unless, of course, you want to be turned into a statue.
Griffins
Beasts with the bodies of lions and the heads, legs, and butts of eagles. Not very nice.
Harpies
Massive creatures with the bodies of vultures and the faces of nasty old women. Mean and very, very stinky.
Hydra
A dragon-size serpent with nine heads. If you cut one head off, two grow back in its place. Better to just keep your distance.
Anne Ursu, The Shadow Thieves
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