Hati imitates her, making her eyes go wide and shaking her head, then she bursts out laughing. She’s got a loud laugh. The wolves join in too, barking excitedly, and Rose shrinks even farther back.

“Rose!” I shout. “Listen to me. I think I know how to get rid of her.” Hati spins around. “Show her you’re not scared. Say something . . . anything! Tell her what you think about her tassels!”

Hati crosses the room and stuffs a filthy scarf in my mouth. I can’t talk. I can’t even close my mouth and swallow. Satisfied, Hati goes back to Rose. “What do you think of my tassels, Rose?”

“Nothing,” says Rose.

“Tell me.”

“I said they were . . . stupid.”

“You’re stupid,” says Hati, poking her in the forehead. “Now join the rest of my pack.”

I try to speak, but I can’t. Rose walks toward the door.

“Stop!” shouts Hati. Rose stops. Hati clicks her fingers at her wolves. “Mouse, Worm, Weed, get out.” The three wolves slink out of the room, snapping at Rose’s hands and ankles as they go past. “Now it’s your turn, Fish.” Hati pushes Rose forward. “How do you like your new name?”

I bang my feet up and down on the floor and try to scream, but Rose walks out of the door without looking back.

Hati picks up Win’s telescope and trains it on the distant mountains. “Guess who I can see?” she says. “I’ll give you a clue. He’s made of straw, he’s got wings, and he’s carrying a great big box.” She grins. “I’d love to stick around and watch, but it’s time for me to take your runt of a sister far, far away from here.” And with that she snaps the telescope shut, tosses it on the bed, and clomps out of the room, her stupid tassels swinging.

Chapter 45

I try to push the gag out of my mouth and I pull at the ropes. Behind me, Win does the same. While I struggle, I stare out of the window. Even without the telescope I can see Crowky and his scarecrows. They’re at the foot of the mountain and they form a dark shape that’s heading our way.

I feel sick. Cold. But it’s not because of Crowky or the Box, or even the snow that’s blowing across my face. It’s because of what Hati said. She called Rose Fish. I’ve heard one other person call Rose Fish and that’s Harriet Scott back in Home. Could it be a coincidence? After all, Hati gives her wolves names that are meant to make them feel small . . .

No. A horrible feeling inside tells me it’s more than that.