The Anxiety of Kalix the Werewolf (67 page)

Werewolf brows were raised in surprise. The Fairy Queen was an important ally but she wasn't known for participating in the war with the Avenaris Guild.

“I'm not sure how much Queen Dithean knows about werewolf hunters,” said Baron MacPhee. “Could you tell us some more details?”

“Do you need every detail?” snapped Thrix. “We've found it, and now we should be planning an attack.”

Thrix's display of temper seemed unwarranted.

“It's not unreasonable to ask for more details,” said Verasa.

“We believe the headquarters is situated in Gloucester Place, north of Oxford Street,” said Dominil smoothly. “We believe that because of information we gathered at a ball where the Empress Kabachetka was present. She is, you will recall, an ally of the Guild. Thrix and I examined the scene, and entered a premise next door. We used sorcery provided by the Fairy Queen, which confirmed our suspicions. If you look at the folders in front of you, you'll see I've provided maps and pictures.”

Dominil's speech was received in silence. Several council members had already suggested privately that she be removed from the council, though no formal motion had been made.

“It's excellent work,” said Markus. “From both Dominil and Thrix. And I agree we should now be planning an attack.”

Markus drew out several sheets of paper from his folder. The rest of the council followed his example. For some minutes there was silence save for the rustling of papers as the werewolves coped with the rather difficult
task of manipulating papers with their paws.

“So this is their headquarters?” said the youthful Baron MacAllister. “It doesn't look like much.”

Dominil had copied pictures from the internet, showing the front and back of the house, along with several aerial views.

“It's a larger building than it might appear from the photos,” said Dominil. “There are four stories and it goes back a long way inside. It's also possible there are floors underground. The Guild has had many years to make alterations.”

“How are we expected to attack it?” asked Baron MacGregor.

“That's what we're here to discuss.” Thrix could feel a lack of enthusiasm in the room, and it angered her.

“We can't just send a group of werewolves openly into a London street, can we?” said the Baron.

“There are only two entrances, as far as I can tell,” said Dominil. “A front door and a back door.”

“They're bound to be well fortified and defended.” Baron MacGregor was an old campaigner, well used to fighting. “How are we to send werewolves against this place?”

“I wondered about entering through the wall,” said Dominil. “Thrix and I visited a hotel room next door. If we could penetrate the wall—”

“What, you mean blow it up?” said Baron MacGregor. Though not quite as old as Baron MacPhee, he was a very senior werewolf, and cautious in outlook. “In the middle of London? You'd have the police there in no time.”

“Even if you did get through the wall, how would you get enough werewolves into the hotel to mount an attack?” asked Kertal. Kertal, brother of the old Thane, rarely spoke at council meetings, but it was clear he shared the others' doubts.

“Is everyone trying to be as awkward as possible?” said Thrix. “The hunters murdered Minerva MacRinnalch and now we're going to get revenge.”

“I'm not sending my wolves on a foolhardy mission to get killed in London,” said Baron MacGregor.

“It is not foolhardy!” shouted Thrix.

“What's this I hear about the building being a ‘House That Can't Be Found'?” asked Baron MacPhee. “Is that true?”

“Yes,” said Dominil.

“Have any of you young werewolves ever met a stone dwarf?” asked the Baron. “No? Well, I have. I remember talking to him when I was out
hunting with the old Thane. Clever elementals, the stone dwarves. They build a house to be secure. You can guarantee that place will be almost impossible to get into. You can't get in by sorcery and if you do get in some other way, you won't be able to use sorcery inside.” The old Baron looked pointedly at Thrix.

“We've worked our way round that so far,” retorted Thrix. “We found the house.”

“And now you want to send werewolves to get gunned down by silver bullets,” said Baron MacGregor. “I don't think it's a good idea.”

From the expressions around the table, the Baron wasn't the only werewolf there who thought it might not be a good idea. Dominil realized that she and Thrix had miscalculated. They hadn't anticipated the level of opposition. They knew that Thane Markus supported the attack, and they'd assumed that his opinion would sway the council. Perhaps that wasn't the case. Dominil mentally reappraised the situation. There were twelve council members in the room. None of the three barons seemed enthusiastic. Nor did her father, Tupan. Kurian was old and conservative and usually against anything that threatened clan tradition. His son Kertal would probably support him.

So there are six werewolves here quite likely to vote against attacking the Guild
, she realized.
As for Lucia, who knows? She might be against it too if she thinks her son Decembrius will be in danger
.

“I thought this was already decided?” Decembrius sounded impatient. “Didn't you agree you were going to attack?”

“We agreed to investigate it further,” said Baron MacAllister.

“But we did agree that something needed to be done,” said Markus. The Thane looked round at every werewolf there. “The Guild has been getting stronger and more daring. Are you all forgetting that they attacked us in Edinburgh? And then came even further north to kill Minerva? Now we have the chance to strike back.”

The Thane's word carried a lot of weight but Baron MacGregor seemed determined in his opposition.

“We still haven't heard a credible plan for attacking this place. Baron MacPhee just told us how difficult it will be to get in. We're going to look foolish if we send a group of werewolves down to London and they're stuck outside in the street when the moon comes up.”

“And we'll look even worse if they finally do force their way in and get shot down by hunters who've had plenty of time to prepare,” said Baron MacPhee. “The old Thane would never have agreed to it.”

“The Old Thane isn't here,” said Markus. “I'm Thane now and I'm supporting this.” He turned toward Thrix. “Have you worked out a plan of entry?”

“Not yet,” admitted Thrix. “I plan to visit Queen Dithean tomorrow.”

At this Baron MacGregor actually snorted in derision, causing Thrix's eyes to flash with anger.

“So you're asking Dithean NicRinnalch for help again? Since when do the MacRinnalchs depend on the fairies to help them fight?”

“We're not asking for help fighting! We just need help to overcome the defensive power of the stone dwarves' construction.”

“I don't know how likely that is,” said the Mistress of the Werewolves. “I tend to support the idea of attacking the Guild, but I'm surprised Queen Dithean's helped you even as much as she has. She doesn't like to let her magic out of Colburn Woods. She probably won't agree to do it again.”

“I'm not convinced by any of this,” said Tupan. “Whether the Fairy Queen helps or not seems irrelevant. If we can't come up with a solid plan of our own then we shouldn't do it.”

Dominil turned to her father. It wasn't the first time they'd found themselves on opposite sides in the council chamber.

“We should not prejudge. Let Thrix approach Queen Dithean. Even if she won't help, I haven't abandoned hopes of finding a more conventional way into the headquarters.”

“Maybe if you'd just all move back to Scotland instead of living in London we wouldn't have to be thinking about this,” said Baron MacGregor.

“Don't start that again!” roared Thrix. “I'll live wherever I want.”

“Even if it means putting the whole clan in danger? No wonder we've attracted so much attention with young werewolves running wild around the city.”

“I don't think we really need to—” began the Mistress of the Werewolves, but the Baron carried on angrily.

“We all saw what Butix and Delix looked like when they visited the castle! Pink and blue hair! And there's Thrix in fashion magazines, Kalix roaming round like a maniac, and as for Dominil, could anyone be more conspicuous?”

Thrix rose to her feet and smashed her fist on the table. “Don't you criticize me! I've the same right to live my life as anyone else. If you want to spend your time stuck in your drafty old keep in the Highlands that's your affair.”

“What do you mean, ‘drafty old keep'?” cried the Baron, rising in
turn. “Better living in the ancestral home than running off to London like a badly behaved puppy!”

Being referred to as a puppy was guaranteed to antagonize any werewolf. Thrix took a step around the table. It would not have been the first time a council meeting had come to blows, but Markus prevented it by grabbing Thrix and pushing her back toward her chair.

“Stop this! The council meeting will not descend into chaos while I'm Thane.”

Markus spoke to his sister. “Thrix, I suggest you continue with your plan of consulting Queen Dithean. Secretary Rainal, please bring this meeting to an end, and announce that we will reconvene tomorrow night, to continue our discussion.”

CHAPTER 130

Kalix was frustrated that the wolf nights had arrived, confining her inside during the hours of darkness. She didn't want to stay in her room doing nothing; she knew she'd become depressed about Manny. She wished she could go running again. The young werewolf ached from her earlier exertions, but she was pleased she'd made the effort. She planned to make herself so healthy that she would crash into the Guild's headquarters like a missile.

The moon rose and Kalix changed. It felt good for a moment, but again she wondered what to do with herself, and became anxious. The door burst open. Vex and Daniel marched into the room. For some unfathomable reason, Vex was wearing a paper party hat. Daniel was carrying a bundle of discs.

“Welcome to the first wolf-night party!” announced Daniel.

“What?”

“We're here to entertain you,” said Vex. “Because we know you get stressed when you can't go out. Especially now when you've messed everything up with your boyfriend.”

“Thanks,” said Kalix. “I'm feeling better already.”

“We've got all your favorites,” said Daniel, brandishing discs.

“So you won't have to go mad and start biting people,” added Vex.

“I hardly ever bite people!” protested Kalix.

“And you don't have to hide in a warehouse and try to eat your flatmates!”

“I only did that one time,” said Kalix, and started to sulk.

Vex leaped on the bed and sat right beside Kalix. She leaned her head on her shoulder. “Mmm, furry werewolf. You're really comfy when you're a werewolf, you know that?”

“Don't use me as a pillow!”

Daniel was setting up a large screen at the foot of the bed. The cat, hearing activity and not wanting to be left out, raced into the room and jumped straight onto Kalix's lap.

“I know,” said Vex to the cat, “she's really comfy. All warm and furry.”

“OK,” said Daniel. “I've set up the screen. Let's see what we have here.” Daniel sat on the other side of Kalix, opened his laptop and showed Kalix his collection of discs. “We've got all your favorites. Like uh . . .
Tokyo Top Pop Boom Boom Girl
? How did this get here?”

“I put in a few of my favorites too,” said Vex. She dragged her bag onto her lap. “I've got some beer. I've got a cake too. And crisps. And eight raw lamb chops.”

Kalix became more enthusiastic at the sight of the lamb chops. As a werewolf, she had a powerful appetite for raw meat. On the wolf nights, all her inhibitions about eating would disappear.

“And here's your party hat,” said Vex. “Look, I made some holes for your ears.”

“Thanks. That's really considerate.”

“Here we are,” said Daniel. “The complete Runaways concert in Japan. And then another bootleg of them playing in Detroit. And then the not-so-popular last series of
Sabrina the Teenage Witch
when Sabrina goes to college.”

“I still liked it!” said Kalix, her mouth full of meat.

“And then we've got uh . . .
Shakugan no Shana
. What's this?”

“Flame-haired flaming-eyed swordswoman,” said Vex. “It's really great.”

Since being given her laptop, Vex had used it almost exclusively for watching Japanese anime online, and had become something of an authority.

Moonglow appeared in the doorway. “What's going on?”

“First wolf-night party,” explained Daniel.

“So as Kalix won't have to go out and bite people,” added Vex.