“Not a scenario I want to visit, thanks,” I said, admiring the Arctic wasteland forming around us. “She’s doing this from inside the building?”
“Yes,” Monty answered. “It seems her ability has targeted the moisture in the air. We need to get to her. If she’s shifting, this will get worse before it gets better.”
“Worse, really? I think we’ve skated past worse long ago. See what I did there?”
“Ice metaphors—droll,” Monty said, exiting the Dark Goat and forming a flame orb. “Your wit never ceases to disappoint.”
“Thank you—I think?”
“This has escalated considerably,” Monty said, looking around. “How are you with extreme cold?”
“How extreme?”
“Think Arctic in the winter.”
“I don’t make a habit of visiting the Arctic, winter or otherwise, and I left my parka in the icicle we call our home. I’m going to go with: I freeze my ass off in extreme cold?”
Monty nodded. “I assumed your curse would offer some measure of protection,” he said, gesturing. Small orbs of flame floated in my direction, enveloping me in a cocoon of warmth. “That should keep you homeostatic.”
“Homo what?”
“Homeo—never mind. It will keep you warm and comfortable.”
“Why would you assume my curse would keep me warm? It deals with damage, not temperature.”
“What do you think happens to unprotected skin in sub-zero temperatures?”
“Oh,” I said with the dawning realization of imminent death. “Hell.”
“Not unless it’s frozen over. Let’s go.”
I stepped out of the Dark Goat and peered down the street. The lower floors of The Moscow, including the lobby, were encased in thick, softly glowing blue ice. The sidewalk and street surrounding the entrance had been converted into one large sheet of that same ice.
“How did she—?”
“We have a more immediate concern,” Monty said, pulling on a sleeve. I could sense him gathering energy as we walked down the street. “Make sure your creature remains calm.”
“Why would he need to remain calm?” I asked, then saw who was standing in front of the building. “Oh.”
“Yes,” Monty answered. “Let’s not escalate this situation.”
Standing in front of the building with arms crossed, glaring at us as we approached, was a very displeased Olga.
<Do not attack the ice lady in front of the building.>
<She smells like the cold girl.>
<She’s very angry right now with Monty.>
<Why? Is she hungry?>
<She feels we have something to do with the ice.>
<It’s the cold girl, not the angry man.>
<I know, but he’s responsible for her using her ability properly.>
<She’s the cold girl.>
<Yes, she’s an ice mage.>
<The building is cold now. She is using her ability properly.>
I couldn’t disagree with the logic.
<She’s not supposed to make the building cold. That’s why the ice lady is upset. She doesn’t want her building covered in ice.>
<Maybe you should take her to the place. Meat will make her happy.>
<I don’t think it’s that easy. Just stay close, boy. This can go sideways, fast.>
<Why would we go sideways? I can’t walk sideways.>
<Make sure you don’t attack, unless I say so.>
<Do you want me to attack sideways?>
<No attacking in any direction unless I tell you to.>
<You sound hungry. Maybe you should eat some meat?>
I shook my head with a sigh and focused on Monty, ignoring my single-minded hellhound.
“So, we’re trying diplomacy again?” I asked.
“Olga is formidable. I’d rather not have to face her in battle. Tact and diplomacy are always our first options.”
“If that fails?” I asked. “Not that it will, I’m just thinking about all the other times we tried to be diplomatic. Our success rate sucks.”
“Let me do the talking. It may be safer if you and your creature stay back a safe distance.”
“Safe distance? Like Queens?”
“This is why you should stay back. She doesn’t seem to be in the mood for your acerbic wit.”
“Her loss,” I said, letting Monty continue ahead, but keeping somewhat close. “This isn’t your fault, by the way. How could you have known Cece was a super ice mage?”
“She’s my apprentice,” Monty said under his breath. “Everything she does is my responsibility.”
“Can you take Olga?” I asked, making sure my mala bracelet and Grim Whisper were accessible. “Is she that much of a threat?”
“Let’s not find out.”
“She’s that strong?”
“Stronger.”
THREE
“Do you see building?” Olga asked, glaring ice daggers at Monty and waving an arm in the direction of The Moscow. “Ice everywhere. I said no damage to building. This. Is. Big. Damage.”
I felt that was something of an obvious statement, but kept my opinion to myself. I noticed Andrei, our doorman, and the valet who used to park our cars, were nowhere to be seen. I hoped they weren’t trapped in the ice.
“Are you certain this was caused by Cecelia?” Monty asked. “This level of power is quite extraordinary for a child.”
“She is only ice mage inside building. Now building and street full of ice. This”—Olga pointed at The Moscow—“is your student. You fix, now.”
Olga stepped back from the entrance, giving Monty access. I stepped close to him, allowing Olga some space in case she felt the need to unleash some icicles of death at us. She gave me the same glacial look of potential pain she’d shared with Monty.
“She is not a happy camper,” I said under my breath, glancing her way. “I’ve never seen her this pissed.”
“Judging from the extent of the encasing,” Monty said, narrowing his eyes and examining the ice, “I can only assume the garage is completely filled with ice. It appears to have traveled downward before ascending.”
“Can you undo this?” I asked Monty when we had stepped away from Olga. “She’s an ice dignitary, so why can’t she remove the ice?”
Monty stepped up to the ice encasing the building. The soft blue glow pulsed with energy.
“This isn’t normal ice,” he said, placing a hand on its surface. “It’s imbued with substantial energy.”
“Really, what gave it away? The fact that it’s surrounding our building, or that it’s glowing?”
“Actually, it’s the energy signature,” Monty answered. “I
