Page 65 (1/2)

Three hulking green trolls in black capes get out of the carriage and co for a ?” she whispers as they go inside the building “What do they want?”

The ain

Vera sees it all in some kind of slow , not arguing, not even talking

HerWindows in the building above her are sla shut

“Papa!” Vera cries out

Across the street, her father looks up and sees her It is as if he alone heard her cry out

He shakes his head and holds out his hand as if to say, Stay there, and then he is shoved into the carriage and he is gone

She elbows Sasha one last tilance, she runs across the street “Mama, where have they taken him?”

Her nize her own daughter “You should be in bed, Vera ”

“The trolls Where are they taking Papa?”

When her mother doesn’t answer, she hears Sasha’s voice behind her “It’s the Black Knight, Vera They do what they want ”

“I do not understand,” Vera cries “You are a prince—”

“My faht has imprisoned erous to be a royal in the Snow Kingdom these days No one can help you,” he says “I am sorry ”

She starts to cry, and this tiht; they are tiny black stones that hurt when they form

“Veronika,” her rabs Vera’s hand and pulls her away fro her “She is fifteen years old,” Ma her close as they climb the steps to the door