The Anxiety of Kalix the Werewolf (39 page)

Moonglow winced. She hadn't meant to say that. Eleanor assured Moonglow she wasn't on a skiing trip. She was at home, and sounded friendly enough. Still fearing that it might sound insulting, Moonglow launched into her request.

“I really want to go to St. Amelia's Ball, but I don't know how to get a ticket. Can you help me?”

Eleanor laughed. “St. Amelia's Ball? Why on earth do you want to go to that?”

“I'm trying to meet this guy who's probably going to be there,” said Moonglow, who knew this was an acceptable excuse for almost anything.

“I see,” said Eleanor. “Why did you decide to ask me?”

“Uh . . .”

“Is it because you think I'm posh?”

“Definitely not,” said Moonglow.

Eleanor laughed. “I am quite posh really. I went to the ball last year. I drank too much and fell over and ruined my dress.”

“Are you going this year?”

“I'm not sure,” said Eleanor. “I do have a ticket but I haven't decided yet. I'd give it to you but it wouldn't do any good. They're all numbered and they have a lot of security. It would be a scandal if you pretended to be me and you were found out.”

“Is there anything you can do to get me in?” asked Moonglow.

“I'm not sure. I get my tickets because my brother was at Eton with one of the organizer's sons. I tell you what, Moonglow, let me think for a little while. I might be able to come up with something.”

After the phone call, Moonglow was reasonably encouraged. She started going through her list of contacts again, in case Eleanor couldn't help, but she'd hardly started when the phone rang.

“I can get you into the ball,” said Eleanor.

“That's so good of you! How?”

“You know William, in our history class? He needs a date.”

“But he's gay,” said Moonglow. “I've seen him wearing a badge.”

“Exactly. But he's only gay at college, as it were. His parents don't know. He doesn't feel like telling them yet. His mother has something to do with organizing the ball so he has to attend. Turning up with you would probably be a weight off his mind.”

“That's a great idea!” enthused Moonglow. “William's nice.”

“He is. But he's been through most of the female friends he can use as pretend dates. I just talked to him about you and he seemed keen.”

“Thank you so much, Eleanor!”

“Incidentally, did you know he's a viscount?” said Eleanor.

“What?”

“That's his title. He doesn't use it around college, but he's entitled to be called Viscount Ainsley.”

“Why?”

“Because he's the son of the Earl of Bathgate.”

Moonglow couldn't follow the logic in this, but took Eleanor's word for it.

“You never know, you might end up a duchess,” said Eleanor. She
gave Moonglow William's phone number.

As she put the phone down, Moonglow felt extremely pleased with herself.

So you're all going to be spies, are you? she thought. Well, who's the spy now? It only took me one day and I've already infiltrated the ball.

Moonglow looked at the pictures of the young women dancing. It struck her that she didn't have a suitable dress, and buying one would probably cost more than she could afford.

I'll deal with that later, she thought. First I have to make a date with a viscount. I'm still not sure what a viscount is. I'd better look it up before I call him.

CHAPTER 70

“This, valued adviser Distikka, is for you.”

The Empress Kabachetka indicated a small chest at the foot of her throne.

Distikka opened the chest. Inside were piles of gleaming coins.

“The purest gold, from my personal treasury. I wondered what to get you as a reward. Fine weapons, perhaps? But you have so many weapons already. Beautiful clothes? I knew you would not wear them. And you have shown no sign of being interested in handsome courtiers. So I decided on gold. Do you like it?”

“Yes, Empress,” said Distikka, quite sincerely. Money was not Distikka's main motivation, but she had been born poor and never been wealthy. She was pleased to be given a chest full of gold.

“Good,” said Empress Kabachetka. “Because I have never had greater pleasure than that afforded me by my picture in
Vogue
. The ladies of the court cannot stop talking about it.”

The Empress glowed with pleasure, as did her throne room. The entire city outside was lit up by the splendor of the palace illuminations, and Fire Elementals throughout the land rejoiced, knowing that the young Empress was in a good mood. Distikka's plan of sponsoring the ball had proved to be a brilliant stroke. The Empress, in the guise of a South American heiress, had been constantly in the company of the most fashionable people during her visits to London.

“I would not be at all surprised to find myself photographed in many more magazines,” said the Empress. “Each one a dagger to the heart of the aging Queen of the Hiyasta.

“There is one small wrinkle in my happiness, Distikka. I have promised to assist the Avenaris Guild in their werewolf hunting. The werewolf hunters claim some recent success, which is to be admired. But Mr. Carmichael seems to expect something more from me.” The Empress looked questioningly at Distikka. “Is there something more to come? I admit I have lost track of our plans with regard to werewolves.”

“Everything is in order, Empress. But for now, we have to await the werewolves' next move.”

“What will their next move be?”

“I'm not quite certain, Empress, but it will be one that plays into our hands.”

“Are you sure of this?”

“Quite sure.”

“Very well.” The Empress nodded. “In that case, please make an arrangement to talk to Mr. Carmichael, and assure him that everything is well. I have too much to do before the ball to be worrying myself about it.”

An attendant advanced and bowed respectfully. “Sarapen is here, great Empress, seeking an audience.”

The Empress looked pleased. “Send him in.”

The attendant withdrew.

“Sarapen has been in quite the bad mood, Distikka. I hope it has improved.”

Distikka said nothing. She had no advice to give the Empress about Sarapen, and did not understand exactly what the Empress wanted from him.

“It's a shame he cannot come to the ball,” said the Empress.

“Why can't he go?”

“Sarapen is under the impression he can't return to Earth without dying, Distikka. One can hardly take him dancing in London in the circumstances.”

“Perhaps you should just let him go,” said Distikka.

The Empress laughed. “You are amusing on occasions. Where would an Empress be if she simply dismissed a lover who has not yet fallen in love with her?”

A lot better off, probably, thought Distikka.

“No, I would not be a lot better off,” said the Empress, reading her adviser's thoughts. “I would have failed. The Empress of the Hainusta does not fail in matters of love or clothes.”

“You can't make someone love you.”

“Yes, you can.” The Empress was emphatic. “And I will.”

Distikka left the throne room, carrying her chest of gold. She nodded to Sarapen as she passed him in the doorway and thought that he was never going to fall in love with the Empress, no matter how much she wished it. She returned to her private chambers and made a determined effort to improve her powers of concealing her aura. It annoyed Distikka that the Empress could so easily read hers.

The Empress is a great fool, thought Distikka. But I mustn't let anyone know I think that. Adviser Bakmer would like nothing better than to see me executed, and I'm not going give him the opportunity.

CHAPTER 71

Kalix lay on her bed, examining her self-improvement list. She had some doubts about the tick she'd put beside be less violent. Initially she'd been pleased that she hadn't killed any of the gang she fought with beside the river.

But I did beat them up quite badly
, she reflected, remembering the sound of breaking bones. It was still quite violent by other people's standards. But I wouldn't have had to be violent at all if they hadn't attacked me.

Kalix couldn't make up her mind if the encounter qualified as being less violent or not, and felt frustrated at the difficulty.

Stop taking laudanum was still definitely marked as a failure. And get on better with people was hovering in the balance after her experiences in Thrix's office. It had been a very uncomfortable day. Dominil was as unfriendly as ever. Thrix was annoyed at being forced to work with Kalix. Even Vex's normally unquenchable good humor had been dented by Malveria's continuing displeasure with her niece. The enthusiastic trio of prospective models who'd left the flat earlier in the day had arrived home feeling tired and stressed. Kalix had fled to her room, leaving Daniel and Vex to complain to each other and Moonglow in the living room.

Kalix looked at her list.
Eat better
. “I don't even want to do that. Why did I put it on the list?”

Improve reading and writing and maths
. Maybe she could do something about that. Kalix opened her new laptop and hunted for the lessons she was meant to complete before returning to college. She'd been avoiding them, feeling unable to work when distracted by anxiety.

I can do these, she told herself. They're not that difficult.

Downstairs, Vex's complaints were in full flow. “That was awful.”

“It wasn't as much fun as I thought it was going to be,” agreed Daniel.

Moonglow was surprised that they'd arrived home in such poor tempers, and wondered what had happened to spoil their day.

“Aunt Malvie was cranky because she's a horrible person and hates me for no reason. Dominil was unfriendly. Thrix was angry because she hates Kalix. Kalix was rude to everyone. Daniel feels bad because the office was full of glamorous people and now he feels shabby,” explained Vex.

“That would just about cover it,” said Daniel. His fragile confidence had wilted under the glamour of Thrix's co-workers.

“I should never have agreed to do it,” he told Moonglow. “I'll look ridiculous modeling clothes.”

Vex sat on the floor with her back resting on the couch, and picked up the remote control to flick through their cable channels.

“Aunt Malvie can't wait to send me to Old Krabby,” she said. The Fire Queen's continuing disapproval had finally convinced Vex of the seriousness of the situation. “She's so mean. Only a really mean person would send their niece to Old Krabby. Everyone says he's terrible. I'll be lucky to survive.” Vex sighed heavily. “I should run away.”

“You are absolutely, definitely not going to run away,” said Moonglow. “We have enough trouble with Kalix.”

“If I try modeling I'll trip and fall and everyone will laugh,” said Daniel. “I can feel it coming.”

Moonglow poured tea for everyone. “Well, I have some good news.” She paused for effect. “I'm going to the ball.”

“What? How?” asked Daniel.

“A rich young man is taking me. So I can help with the spying. Isn't it great?”

Daniel didn't look like someone who'd just received great news. “What rich young man? How did this happen?”

“I just asked around. I'm going with William.”

“Who's William?” demanded Daniel

“He's in my history class, and tutorial. He's rich and well connected.”

“This has all happened very quickly,” said Daniel. “I leave the house for five minutes and now you've got a date for the ball? I thought it was hard to get into.”

“Not when you're as rich as William, apparently,” said Moonglow. “He's a viscount.”

“What?”

“That's his title: Viscount Ainsley.”

“Why?” asked Daniel.

“He's the son of a duke.”

Daniel put down his mug of tea quite forcefully. “I don't like the sound of this. Should you be swanning off to a ball with a viscount you hardly know?”

“I knew him fairly well at college,” said Moonglow. She might have mentioned to Daniel that William was gay, but chose not to. She was still annoyed that he'd arranged to go to St. Amelia's Ball without her. “I need to start looking at some dresses. You're all getting free clothes for the ball, but I'll have to buy something.”

Moonglow left the room.

“That was quick work,” said Vex. “Got a date for the ball just like that. You have to admire her.”

“I don't think you have to admire her!” said Daniel. “The whole thing sounds very suspicious to me! Who is this Viscount William? Why's he suddenly taking Moonglow to the ball? Why doesn't he have a girlfriend already if he's so rich and good-looking?”