Lost Crow Conspiracy

Viac o knihe

In May 1848 Vienna, a sense of unease envelops the narrator during a lavish ballroom dance. Amidst the swirling couples and the enchanting music of Johann Strauss, a sickness settles in her stomach, as if she is being watched by unseen eyes. The atmosphere, filled with men in dark suits and women in jewel-toned gowns, is both exhilarating and disconcerting. While the playful dynamics of predator and prey are typical at such events, something feels amiss. The narrator’s thoughts drift to the military men present, particularly the Austrians who disdain her for her past actions—releasing Hungarian rebels during a battle. The Hungarian hussars, however, greet her warmly, unaware of her deeper secret: she shattered a Binding spell that had kept magical creatures imprisoned. This revelation would surely incite their contempt. As she observes a beautiful creature serving drinks, she feels a pang of regret; she had not freed these beings to become mere ornaments for the elite. Engaged in conversation with her dance partner, she reflects on her complicated feelings about being in Vienna, longing for her home in Hungary and the company of her old friends, especially Gábor. Despite her reluctance, she is bound to navigate this new society as part of a deal made with her mother.