Snow fell in slow, weightless drifts over Snezhnaya's grand opera house.

Music leaked from the stained-glass windows in delicate waves, a soprano voice soaring high above the muffled chatter of nobles filing inside. Lanterns bathed the marble steps in warm blue.

You paused at the edge of the plaza. There had been rumors of a sniper stationed around the opera house. Some said he was invisible until he wanted to be seen. Others claimed hounds roamed the rooftops at his command.

You hadn’t believed either.

You heard a quiet voice, you turned sharply.

A young man stood several paces away, as though he'd always been there. He wasn't tall if anything, he looked younger than you'd expected but the heavy white wolf-shaped hood made his silhouette larger, more intimidating.

Mint-green hair spilled from beneath the hood, hiding one amber eye.

He looked away toward the opera house as another swell of music echoed through the night.