The Anxiety of Kalix the Werewolf (80 page)

Thrix raised her glass. “
Slàinte mhath
.”

“
Slàinte mhath
,” responded each werewolf.

“I'll see you all in the Forests of the Werewolf Dead,” said Decembrius. They drained their glasses, and then left Thrix's apartment, on their way to Gloucester Place.

CHAPTER 156

Vex traveled back to her flat to tell Daniel and Moonglow the disappointing news that Malveria didn't know where Kalix had gone.

“But we're going to keep an eye on Kabachetka tonight. If I learn anything else I'll let you know.”

Vex hurried off again. She was due to meet her aunt close to the large
Eldridge clothing store on Oxford Street where Donatella Versace was presiding over Takahashi's foray into the European market. As soon as Vex arrived, the Fire Queen snapped her fingers, plucking a sheet of paper from the air. She handed it to her niece.

“I have fabricated an invitation for you. Try not to lose it during our fifty yard walk to the venue.”

“OK, Aunty.”

They emerged into Oxford Street, which was still busy with evening shoppers. Malveria stood out from the crowd, beautiful and elegant with a long gray coat draped over her new turquoise dress. Even though the outfit had been completed by Thrix's subordinates, rather than Thrix herself, the Fire Queen grudgingly admitted that she was beautifully dressed. She paused to examine herself in a shop window, admiring the way the coat hung from her shoulders, the dress showed off her figure, and both matched her very high turquoise heels to perfection. She felt an added thrill of pleasure at the way her handbag, gray with a turquoise clasp, set off her outfit perfectly.

“If Thrix is to meet bloody death tonight, we may at least remember how fabulously she dressed me.”

Agrivex was wearing her huge black glacier boots, a very short red tartan kilt and a Hello Kitty pajama top. She waved her green plastic shopping basket quite merrily as they approached the venue.

“If anyone asks, pretend you are a fashion student,” said Malveria. “They are allowed a certain eccentricity.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means they can look as atrocious as you without being expelled from polite society.”

The Fire Queen walked in with her head high, ready to meet her rivals. “Observe, Agrivex, how a Hiyasta monarch behaves in a crisis. I will not flinch. If Empress Kabachetka has already been introduced to Donatella Versace, I will face it bravely.”

She noticed that her niece was fumbling in her pockets. “Why are you hesitating, Agrivex?”

“I've lost my invitation.”

The Fire Queen sighed, and wordlessly plucked another one from the air. “Try not to embarrass me inside.”

Vex immediately stumbled over a small step and sprawled on the floor.

“Agrivex, is there any chance of us proceeding further without you losing something or tumbling to the ground?”

“I'm fine now. Is there any food here? I'm hungry.”

“There will be a buffet. Please be discreet. It's not the done thing to wallow like a pig in a trough.”

Agrivex laughed, and didn't dispute the Queen's description of her eating habits. The Fire Queen entered the store with an air of quiet grandeur, aware of the very fashionable nature of her outfit, but also on the lookout for the Empress Kabachetka.

CHAPTER 157

Vex's brief reappearance hadn't done anything to reassure Moonglow and Daniel.

“So the Fire Queen says we shouldn't get involved. That doesn't make me feel any better,” said Moonglow. “Obviously it's so dangerous that Kalix is going to be killed. We have to do something.”

“What?”

“I don't know.”

“Maybe William could help,” said Daniel, sourly.

“I can't believe you're still going on about that! Just how immature are you anyway?”

“Very immature,” said Daniel. “I'm well known for it.” Daniel was still angry over William. It was unfair that everyone had let him think that Moonglow was in a relationship with William when really she wasn't. He sat on the couch, staring at the carpet.

“And I don't like that smell of that candle,” he said, wanting something more to complain about.

“What candle?”

“Whatever scented candle you've lit. It smells funny.”

Moonglow was puzzled. “I didn't light any candle.”

“Something smells like almonds.”

Moonglow took a step back as a light began to flicker in the center of the living room. They were used to the sudden appearances of the Fire Queen and Agrivex, but this looked liked someone struggling to materialize. Daniel hurried to Moonglow's side, standing protectively beside her as the light gradually grew stronger. When it finally took form, they were surprised to see Lady Gezinka.

The Hiyasta aristocrat frowned. “I am sorry for my slow materialization. I'm not used to making this journey.” She looked at Daniel. “What do you mean ‘funny smell'? That's rather insulting.”

Daniel blushed. “I just meant it was . . . uh . . .” He looked toward Moonglow to help him out.

“It's a lovely perfume,” said Moonglow. “Like almonds. We just weren't expecting it.” She looked from Daniel to Gezinka. “Do you want me to leave you alone?”

Lady Gezinka wrinkled her nose. “Please, I have not come here in a fit of passion, unable to survive without seeing Daniel again. I have come to give you a warning about your friend whose name escapes me, but is a werewolf.”

“Kalix?”

“Yes, Kalix. Are you aware that she is involved in a dangerous mission?”

“Yes,” said Daniel.

“Are you also aware that her enemies know every detail of this mission, and are simply waiting for the werewolves to arrive so they can cut them down?”

“What?” cried Daniel.”

“Are you sure?” cried Moonglow.

“I am quite sure. The Empress has known of it for some time. It will be a slaughter.” Lady Gezinka paused, and looked around the small room. She raised her eyebrows. “You did tell me you lived in a rather cramped space. I did not quite appreciate what that meant.”

“We have to warn Kalix,” said Moonglow. “Where is she?”

“That I do not know. The enemies of the werewolves have their headquarters somewhere in the center of the city, but I have never been told the precise location.”

Gezinka began to flicker. Without the Empress beside her, she was finding it difficult to sustain her presence on Earth. “I must leave now.”

“Thanks for warning us,” said Daniel.

Gezinka managed to stabilize herself for a second. She studied Daniel.

“He never stops talking about you,” said Moonglow.

Lady Gezinka looked pleased. “Good,” she said. And with that, she was gone.

“It's not really true I never stop talking about her,” said Daniel.

“You talk about her enough. Anyway, it was the polite thing to say. Now she's happy. So what are we going to do about Kalix? She's not answering her phone.”

“We should try Dominil and Thrix, we've got their numbers.”

They hurried to call Dominil and Thrix but neither of them was answering their phones either. The situation seemed hopeless, and neither of them had any inspiration.

“We should drive into the center of town,” said Moonglow. “Maybe we'll spot them.”

“That's not very likely.”

“Well, who knows, it might happen. We have to do something. Maybe when we're driving we can think of something better.”

They hurried to put on their coats and shoes.

“I really must have made a big impression on Lady Gezinka,” said Daniel, as they rushed down the stairs. “She liked me enough to warn me that my friend was in danger.”

“Stop looking so pleased with yourself,” said Moonglow. “She's probably just annoyed at the Empress for some reason, and wants to pay her back.”

“No, I think it's more likely I made a big impression.”

Daniel and Moonglow got into the car, and drove off.

CHAPTER 158

Sarapen crouched in the hollow, and squinted upwards toward the summit of the Eternal Volcano. He had worked his way through the palace and its environs, keeping one step ahead of his pursuers, finally ending up in the burning lava fields that surrounded the volcano. He could go no further. Even the Empress's sorcery could not protect him from the intense heat. The palace was swarming with guards. Soldiers were flooding from the east gate, heading in his direction. It wouldn't take them long to find him.

Sarapen looked up at the volcano. The sun was going down.
When the last ray of sunlight touches the top of the volcano
. That's what the agent of the Fire Queen had said. When that happened he could use the jeweled mirror she'd given him to transport himself back home. Or rather, back to wherever Dominil happened to be. Once more, he was impressed at Dominil's resourcefulness. He'd asked her for help, and she'd provided it. He wondered how her plan of attack was progressing. He wished he
could be there to join in, even if his help was unwelcome. He was an outcast from the clan now, or would be, if he were known to be alive. He was as much an outcast as Kalix.

Sarapen looked back toward the palace. The light was dimmer now but he could see figures clambering over the rocks, swarming toward his position with weapons in their hands. He looked up at the volcano. The summit was still wreathed in sunlight. The last rays had not yet arrived.

Sarapen took the jewel in his hand, and crouched down in the hollow. He'd conceal himself till the last possible moment, but if he were discovered before he could escape, he'd make his pursuers pay dearly. He changed into his werewolf shape, and snarled savagely at the thought of battle. He would not be the first Scot to meet his end in some foreign, lonely spot and, as the greatest of the MacRinnalchs, he didn't intend to let the clan down.

“My death stand will be so bloody and glorious that word of it will one day reach Castle MacRinnalch, even if it is a dimension away.”

A dimension away, Dominil was letting herself into a hotel room in Gloucester Place. She was the first to arrive, having calmly announced herself at the foyer downstairs, and taken her room key from the clerk. Dominil closed the door then took out her phone. She called Thrix.

“Everything is fine.”

“See you soon,” said Thrix.

The Enchantress and the others had arrived together in a Transit van, hired for the evening. It was parked nearby. They had booked several more rooms under false names, and would arrive in small groups before gathering in Dominil's room, at the far end of the hotel. Thrix would work her spell, the pathway would open and they'd attack immediately.

As Dominil ended the conversation, she noticed the light flashing on her phone, indicating another missed call. She checked the number. It was Daniel. Dominil ignored it, not having time to be distracted by Kalix's friends, no matter how worried they might be about her.

Wallace MacGregor and Morag MacAllister joined Dominil almost immediately.

“I asked you to wait a few minutes,” said Dominil.

“No sense hanging around,” said Wallace, affably. The huge werewolf was in a notably good temper. He had been ever since hearing the rumor that Markus had cheated. Defeat by Markus had damaged his self-esteem.
Now he felt better and had spent the past day bragging good-naturedly about his unmatched strength.

“I'll show these MacRinnalchs what a real werewolf can do,” he'd told Morag, on the journey down, many times. Morag had laughed, at Wallace's bravado, and at the MacRinnalchs deceit. She had a very low opinion of Markus and his mother, and wasn't at all surprised to hear of their treachery.

Thrix arrived, her long, blonde hair extensions tied back in a functional ponytail. She carried a soft leather purse, old and embroidered, containing the flower that would open the “Maynista Princess Two Flower Pathway,” and let them into the Guild's headquarters.