Little Rats

Dry blood stained the flagstones. I sighed. Such a mess. Behind me I heard a nervous whimper. I turned to the cowering servants. They were all kneeling. None of them looked at me.

They used to love me.

Not anymore.

The Emperor—no, the former Emperor—Starr knelt on the stone, his mouth curling into a sneer as I approached. He didn’t bow his head.

‘Princess Sophie, the crown suits you.’

I met his gaze and reached for the pendant around my neck.

‘I should have put you down years ago,’ he growled.

‘Yes, you should have.’ I unsheathed my black glass dagger and pointed it at him. For a second his face changed. Could he possibly…

No, he was a monster. Monsters didn’t have feelings.

‘Is Peter dead?’

‘Yes.’ The one word reverberated around me. I should be sad. Instead I just felt cold. Peter. The laughing boy who was the only one to pay attention to the little prisoner. Starr had kept me as a sort of pet after killing my parents.

‘Why?’ His voice shook a little, then the sneer was back. ‘He loved you. My son wanted to marry you against my wishes. You could have had the imperial throne. All you had to do was wait.’

‘I never wanted your throne. I wanted mine, and you, on your knees.’ I held up the knife. The midnight black glass seemed to absorb all the light in the room. My light. Circe warned me when I bargained for the blade: it would swallow me whole, leaving only darkness behind.

‘Does it warm that sweet little heart of yours to know you’ve destroyed mine? You slaughtered my whole family.’

‘Yes, and now I’m going to kill you. But not yet.’

I paused.

I wanted to.

The blade seemed to sing for his blood. ‘Take him to the winter cell. I will decide his punishment later.’

I turned away, unsettled.

Why did it feel like he’d won?

*

The corridor was empty.

I rarely saw the servants, and when I did they scurried away. I stopped and stared up at poppa’s portrait. The artist caught him mid-laugh, looking at momma as if no one else existed. I ran my fingers over the frame. No dust.

‘Your majesty.’ The voice was very quiet. I turned sharply. Tara, my old nurse, knelt on the cold stone and reached for my hem to kiss it. There was no kneeling when my father was king. I flinched away. Her hands were twisted with arthritis.

I remembered when her fingers were beautifully straight.

‘It is good to see you,’ she whispered. I looked down at her tight grey curls.

‘I’m glad you survived.’ She kept her head bowed.

I stepped back and buried my hands in my skirts. The knife vibrated against me. It never stopped calling. ‘What—what do you want?’

‘There is someone you should meet. I— forgive me, your majesty.’ She leaned forward until her forehead was pressed against the cold floor.

‘Who?’

‘The Emperor’s youngest granddaughter. A servant tried to flee with her but the border guards caught them.’ The words were almost muffled against the stone.

‘Oh.’ A little girl survived. ‘Have—have her brought to one of the small guest rooms and ensure that there is a guard outside her door at all times. And make sure she has something to eat.’

‘Yes, your majesty. All glory to your name.’ Tara struggled to her feet. My hands jerked.

I almost reached out to help her.

I watched her stumble away backwards, her head bowed. She tripped and yelped as she caught herself against the wall. I turned away.

‘Sweet child, are you thinking about reneging on our deal?’ The soft, tender voice emanated from the knife. I unsheathed it and tilted the blade towards me. Circe, the Twilight Witch’s pale, oval face looked back at me. ‘I thought you wanted him broken.’

‘I do.’ I screwed my eyes shut.

It was almost done.

I couldn’t falter now.

‘Don’t you remember how he forced you to watch as he executed your parents, your brothers? How he laughed?’ The words were almost a caress against my skin. I shivered and opened my eyes. ‘I warned you, little one.’

‘I remember.’

*

It was my tenth birthday. I rubbed at my eyes. They took my handkerchief. Along with everything else. The cold stone bit into my knees. The Emperor ignored me. Everyone did.

I should have been brave like my parents.

I should have said no.

Instead, I disowned my family.

Now I belonged to him.

Blood pooled on the floor until it touched my dress. Momma and papa were gone. I dipped my finger in it. It clung to my skin. Then I heard a sob. Robbie was dragged in. I moved to stand but the guard grabbed my shoulder, holding me in place.

‘Ah, the little princeling.’ Emperor Starr again, his voice low. That was worse. He didn’t shout or curse. He just gave orders—and they obeyed. ‘Where did you find this one?’

‘He was hiding in one of the secret tunnels, your imperial majesty.’ The guard yanked on my brother’s hair, forcing his head up.

‘My, my, you are a handsome boy.’ The emperor, still with that calm, cold voice pinched Robbie’s chin. My brother wailed in pain. ‘Tell me, young prince, what is the penalty for treason.’

‘I—’ Robbie’s eyes met mine. ‘Sophie, please help. He’s hurting me.’

The Emperor slapped him across the face. ‘Lady Sophie is now a member of the Imperial family. You will not address her without my permission. Now, are you a clever boy or only a noisy one?’

‘I hate you,’ Robbie yelled. That earned him another slap across his face.

‘You haven’t answered my question, but I can see that you are a noisy boy.’ He gestured to the guard. One of them wrapped a thick blue cloth around Robbie’s mouth and tied it behind his head. My brother was shaking now. I struggled against the cruel hand holding me down. ‘There, much better. Now, little prince, your parents have forfeited their throne by their traitorous acts. However, you are young and I am inclined to be merciful. Renounce your family and I will let you live.’

Robbie looked at him and shook his head.

‘Your imperial majesty—’ Tara. I turned and watched my nurse crawl across the flagstones. ‘The prince, he’s just a little boy. Let me talk to him.’

‘You love him,’ The Emperor said.

‘Yes, sire.’ She leaned forward until her forehead touched the ground.

‘Do you know the penalty for speaking in the court without permission, woman?’ He stroked Robbie’s hair. My brother tried to flinch away.

‘Yes, I do, sire.’ She stretched out her hands on the stone. A guard stepped forward and raised his axe.

‘Wait. She may have need of her hands.’ The Emperor strode over to her. ‘I have a need for brave and loyal servants to care for the Imperial children. Are you willing to swear loyalty to me?’

‘Yes, sire.’

‘Excellent. Still, I can’t allow this slight to go unpunished. Break her fingers.’

Two of the guard stepped forward.

They stomped on her hands.

She screamed.

I covered my ears.

I could still hear it.

‘Now, I do not need a noisy boy disrupting my palace. And little rats do tend to grow into a problem.’ The Emperor pointed at me. ‘Grab her, force her to watch. If you close your eyes, little girl, I will have them plucked out. Do you understand?’

‘Yes.’ I could barely force the word out. I lifted my chin and looked straight ahead.

The Emperor grabbed my brother’s dark curls and yanked his head back.

The knife flashed once.

Robbie jerked once.

Then he was still.

I was the last of the little rats. Something inside me went quiet and I reached for my pendant.

*

Adora was too old for dolls, but she clung to one anyway. I watched her through the spyhole. She looked like Starr. Like Peter, with pale blue eyes and blonde hair slipping loose from its braid. She rocked as she whispered to the doll.

‘Don’t be scared, Missy. Grandda will find us. He always does.’ She kissed the doll’s dirty face. ‘Momma will come in soon to tuck us into bed.’

I stepped back and slid the cover over the spyhole. My hands shook as I pulled at my dress. When I agreed to kill his family, I hadn’t thought about her.

I looked at my hands. I had held her when she was born.

I remembered the warmth. The fragile, flickering life in her.

What was I going to do with her?

*

‘Hello.’

The voice was bright, friendly.

‘My name is Peter. What’s yours?’

I ignored him and pulled the covers over my head. My body felt so heavy. I had been here for ten days. Ten days, and my family was gone. I pressed my cheek against the pillow. The blankets were snatched back and sunlight stung my eyes. I turned my head and glared at him.

‘Go away.’

‘Why?’ He tilted his head to the side. ‘It’s a lovely day and I have a new kite. Do you want to play with me?’

‘No!’

‘But it’s really pretty, just like you. Please, I want to be your friend.’

‘I don’t want a friend.’ I grabbed at the covers but he held them in his hands and gave me another bright grin.

‘Please. Papa said it was time for me to leave the nursery but—’ His voice wobbled. ‘I don’t have anyone to play with anymore.’

‘I—’ I sat up in the bed and stared at his pale blue eyes.

‘You can hold the kite the whole time if you want.’

I didn’t want to. Kites were stupid. But it would be nice to have a friend.

‘Who are you?’ I asked.

‘Peter.’ His face scrunched up.

‘No, I mean—who’s your papa?’

‘The Emperor.’ He shook his head.

‘Oh.’ I got out of the bed and pulled at my crumpled dress. ‘Will you really let me hold the kite?’

‘I swear.’ He nodded solemnly. ‘And princes should never break their promises.’

I looked at him.

He smiled.

I forced myself to smile back.

It was time to learn to be a little rat.

*

I sent the servant away. Her terror grated on me. I sat in front of the oval mirror and unravelled the braid. Brushing my dark hair was comforting.

White fog crept across the glass. I swallowed, but held still.

‘Hello, darling. Are you enjoying your triumph?’ Circe’s plump lips twisted into a mock smile.

‘Hello, godmother.’ I pressed my hands into my lap. ‘They’re dead, just like I promised.’

The Empress.

Her five children.

Starr’s brothers and their families.

All of them.

The blade killed them. I just—what did I do? I shook my head.

‘Now, now, my love. I agreed to help you get your revenge and take your throne if you ensured the destruction of the Emperor’s bloodline. That means all of them.’

‘She’s—she’s only a child.’ My voice wobbled. So was I.

‘Little rats tend to grow up into problems. Look at you.’ She flashed her pretty white teeth. ‘Finish it, girl.’

Her face shimmered and broke apart. Then it was only my face in the glass. I looked like her. My fingers wrapped around the small square pendant. My godmother’s gift to me.

*

I curled up under the bed and pressed my hands to my mouth. I couldn’t let anyone hear me cry. The Emperor wouldn’t like it.

Nothing bad happened today.

Nothing bad had happened since I arrived at the palace.

Emperor Starr wanted us to be happy, all the time. Especially when there were visitors.

But I wasn’t.

I heard a creak and hugged my knees to my chest. Someone was here. Black shoes crossed the carpet. I held my breath. The shoes stopped and a face appeared, smiling at me. I squealed and scurried back.

‘Hello, Sophia, do you remember me?’ Her voice was very gentle. Then I remembered. Aunt Circe, my godmother. ‘Why don’t you come out from under there so we can have a proper chat?’ I shook my head.

She sighed. ‘Sweetheart, I’m here to help. You summoned me, remember?’

Did I? My fingers moved to touch the silver, square pendant around my neck.

My godmother had given it to me, promising she would watch over me.

Last night, I had been so sad. It was my twelfth birthday and a party had been arranged. I hated it and ran off as soon as I could. As I hid in the cupboard I clung to my pendant and begged for someone, anyone, to come and help me.

‘Can you take me away?’ I asked, my voice hoarse.

‘No, my love. But I can do something better. Now, out you come. I don’t have long.’

I crawled out from under the bed and stood up. She sat on the bed and patted the mattress beside her. I obeyed.

‘How is the Emperor treating you? He likes to pretend he’s kind.’ Her mouth stretched into a disturbing smile.

‘I hate him.’

‘I know you do. You are loyal to your home. What if I helped you? Helped you to make the Emperor pay for what he did?’

‘Yes. Anything.’ I bobbed my head up and down. ‘I’ll give you anything—’

‘Careful, sweet girl.’ She unsheathed a small dagger she wore at her waist. The deep black was cold but almost comforting. ‘Never promise everything before you hear the terms.’

‘What—what do you want me to do?’

‘I want you to kill them, all of them.’

‘Even Peter?’ I whispered the words.

She didn’t hesitate. ‘He killed little Robbie in front of you.’ I jerked away. ‘He executed your entire bloodline except for you because he thought he could control you. Does he control you?’

‘No, godmother.’

‘Good girl.’ She flashed her white teeth. For a moment I thought she might bite me, eat up my fingers and toes. ‘They’re all guilty, even your precious Peter. He may be sweet now, but what happens when he grows up?’

‘Why don’t you kill them?’

‘I could, but I want the Emperor to know what it feels like to watch an insignificant little princess like you destroy his family.’ She ran the tip of the blade over my finger. A thin line of blood welled up. It didn’t hurt. She collected it in a tiny vial. ‘His blood for your blood. Then you can rule in peace. Take this knife. Hide it for now. It will help you. Whisper plans while you sleep. But do not let anyone else see it.’ She pressed the hilt into my hand. I felt it—a soft, sweet buzz against my skin. It felt right.

‘But—’ I wanted to kill the Emperor, didn’t I? ‘What—what do you want in return?’

‘Clever girl. I want you. The light in you. The light he will extinguish the second he comes to see you as a threat.’

‘Yes.’ I whispered the word. Her teeth flashed again. She leaned down and kissed me on the forehead.

‘Good girl.’

*

‘Hello, Adora.’

I stepped into the bedroom.

It was easy to smile at her.

I held out my hand.

‘Aunt Sophie.’ She scrambled off the bed and came over to me. Her fingers were warm in mine. She trusted me. ‘What’s happening? I want my parents and grandpa.’

‘I’m sorry, sweetheart.’ I looked down at our hands. ‘Terrible things have happened. I need you to be brave.’

‘I don’t—‘ Tears filled her eyes. I swallowed. ‘I’m so scared.’

‘So am I. But we can still be brave. Do you want to see your grandfather?’

‘Oh! Yes, yes please.’

I tightened my grip on her hand.

‘Come with me.’

*

‘Have you come to kill me? I do wish you would get on with it.’ The Emperor’s voice was calm. Almost polite. The metal clinked as his chains shifted.

‘No, I intend for you to live a long time.’ I turned my head. ‘It’s alright, sweetheart. Come in. Your grandfather is here.’

‘But—’ Adora stepped into the cell and looked around, frowning. ‘Grandpa, why are you here?’ She ran over and threw her arms around his waist. He sagged against her.

‘Sweetheart—you shouldn’t be here.’

‘She wanted to see you.’

‘Aunt Sophie, grandpa is hurt.’ Adora looked up at me as she clung to him.

‘He did something very bad, and now he needs to be punished.’ I forced my voice to stay calm. My hands shook as I drew the blade. The knife vibrated in my hand. Almost done.

‘Sophie, please—’ For the first time since I captured him, the smirk was gone. The colour drained from his face. ‘Kill me, torture me, I don’t care, but—please, she’s just a child.’

I lifted my chin. Just like before. ‘Little rats have a tendency to grow into big problems.’ I walked up behind the child and stroked her hair. ‘Don’t worry, sweetheart. I’ll let your grandda go as soon as he says sorry.’

Adora turned and smiled at me.

‘Thank you, Aunt Sophie.’

‘You’re welcome.’

I hesitated for a second then kissed her on the forehead.

I was quick.

Adora didn’t have time to be afraid.

I grabbed her hair from behind and slit her little throat.

She crumpled to the floor, still smiling.

I gestured to the guard standing by the door. ‘Leave the body here. And bring the Emperor his dinner. If he refuses to eat—’ I paused and smiled. ‘Force him to.’ I didn’t look at her again.

‘Why?’

I looked at him. He reached for her, but the chains held him back.

‘Blood for blood. Goodbye, Starr.’