The Curse of the Wolf Girl (21 page)

“Poor Kalix,” continued Daniel. “She gets her life in order, then Gawain goes and gets killed. No wonder she’s upset. Of course, you never know when something like that’s going to happen. What if I got killed in a road accident?”

“Then I’d miss you,” said Moonglow.

“How much?” demanded Daniel. “Really badly or just a little?”

Moonglow was spared from answering by the doorbell. Decembrius had returned, bearing a carrier bag from the small shop on the far corner.

“Their selection of meat isn’t that good,” he said.

“It doesn’t matter,” said Daniel. “She won’t eat it anyway.”

Decembrius dumped the bag on the floor then went to the couch and prodded Kalix. At first she didn’t respond, but as he prodded her again, she stirred, and her nose twitched. Abruptly she opened her eyes, and the moment she saw Decembrius standing over her, she became alert and sat up.

“What are you doing here?” she demanded.

Decembrius grinned. “I’ve come for you,” he said, and then, to the surprise of everyone, he changed into his werewolf shape and growled.

Kalix leapt to her feet and started growling back, ready to defend herself. Her tiredness and intoxication slipped away as her wolf nature took over. Decembrius snarled at her fiercely. Kalix snarled back, even more fiercely. For a period, there was snuffling and snarling in the room as the two werewolves faced each other, eyes blazing. Just as it seemed Kalix was about to attack, Decembrius withdrew. Still as a werewolf, he picked up his carrier bag, emptied the raw meat on the floor, and began to eat. Moonglow and Daniel looked on dumbfounded as Decembrius buried his snout in a great pile of supermarket cuts of chops, sausages, and burgers.

“Well, really,” said Moonglow. “Couldn’t you use the table?”

There was a sudden blur of movement as Kalix flew across the room. As she reached Decembrius, she crouched down and buried her own nose in the pile of raw meat. There was a moment of snarling as they fought over a lamb chop, then each busied themselves in eating.

“Well…” said Daniel to Moonglow. “I suppose that wasn’t a bad idea.”

“I suppose not.”

More snarling broke out as the pile of food grew smaller. Decembrius withdrew, letting Kalix finish it off. He changed back to human. Kalix remained as she was, still snuffling around on the carpet, looking for scraps.

“Can’t starve yourself when you’re a werewolf.” Decembrius looked pleased with himself. Moonglow was impressed, though Daniel still resented the way Decembrius had tricked his way into the house.

“You should go now,” said Moonglow.

“I thought I might stay a while…”

Kalix looked up from the floor. “Go away.”

Confronted by two students and a young werewolf, none of whom seemed as friendly as they ought to be, Decembrius decided against arguing. He rose quite gracefully.

“I’ll call back and see if you’re feeling better,” he said, and he nodded to them all as he left.

Queen Malveria balanced comfortably on a large mushroom and sipped from a buttercup full of whisky. Far above a bitter wind shook the treetops, but the queen was protected from the weather by the soft golden glow surrounding the woman sitting on the next mushroom. Malveria felt unusually relaxed. It was always a pleasant excursion, visiting the Fairy Queen of Colburn Woods. Since entering into a business relationship, Queen Dithean and Queen Malveria had become friends. Only recently Dithean had been Malveria’s guest at a chariot race, agreed by all to be a thrilling event.

Malveria took care to nurture her friendship. Queen Dithean Wallace Cloud-of-Heather NicRinnalch had control over a very important resource. The water that flowed through the wood was exceptionally pure. Malveria declared it the purest to be found in the known realms and used it in her potions of rejuvenation. The Fire Queen believed it did wonders for her skin. For her part, Dithean NicRinnalch was pleased with the thimblefuls of gold that were proffered in exchange for the water. It was a satisfactory arrangement all around.

Though Queen Malveria now spent most of her time flitting between her luxurious palace and the fashion showrooms of Europe, the outdoor environment was not as alien to her as might have been supposed. Malveria had spent many long years in her youth as a fugitive, hiding in the harsh wastelands of the Hiyasta nation, sleeping in caves, tramping over fields of molten lava, and living off the land. The guerrilla campaign that took her from renegade princess to absolute ruler had been long and harsh. The Fire Queen could do without luxury if she needed to. Not that the mushroom was uncomfortable, given her present small size. Queen Dithean could change the stature of visitors to her realm, and Malveria had politely agreed to be shrunk down so that they could converse more easily.

“The pre-adoption ceremony was not as dreadful as I feared. Agrivex mumbled her way through without too much complaint.”

A badger passed by. The Fairy Queen waved, and it nodded its striped head in salute before disappearing into the undergrowth.

“But with the adoption ceremony and my Council of Ministers afterwards and then a small soiree with the Duchess Gargamond, I’ve had little time to attend to my own affairs,” continued Malveria. “And little time to put on makeup. I really despair, the way the color fades from my lips.” Malveria looked hopefully at the Fairy Queen, but she didn’t take the hint. “One longs for a lip coloring that would never fade, in any circumstances.”

Queen Dithean remained silent.

“This Fairy Queen is not about to hand over her secrets,” thought Malveria, disconsolately.

“How is Thrix?” asked Queen Dithean.

“Excellent. In general terms. Though her business is in a little trouble. And she can’t find a man. Apart from that, splendid.”

“She used to visit when she was younger,” said the Fairy Queen, “but rarely these days.”

Malveria nodded. She had the impression that Queen Dithean didn’t think the MacRinnalch werewolves paid her enough respect.

“Perhaps if the MacRinnalch women were to visit more often, they might not be so cursed in love.”

Malveria sat up, alerted by the word curse. “Curse, dearest Dithean? What is this curse?”

“Nothing really. The MacDonald elves say they once cursed the Thane’s family so that no son, daughter, or niece would ever be happy in love. But it’s an old story and probably not true. The MacDonald elves don’t have the power to make such a curse, and they’re liars anyway.”

“But what was the reason, true or not?” inquired Malveria, who loved a good gossip, particularly about cursed love lives.

“It was said that a princess of the MacDonald elves had the power to turn into a beautiful white deer. Which she often did, being keen on roaming through the glens in deer shape. Unfortunately she roamed rather too far on the night of the full moon and encountered a son and daughter of the MacRinnalch werewolves.”

“What happened?”

“The werewolves ate her.”

“Oh dear.”

“It is a sad tale.”

“One can see why the elves would be upset.”

“Indeed.” The Fairy Queen nodded. “But unlikely to be true, I’d say. I hold the MacDonald elves in low regard, and they’re full of half-truths and jumbled legends.”

Queen Malveria pondered for a while.

In the bushes, there was a rustling sound as a pine marten scurried towards its den.

“It’s true that none of them seem to have much luck in romance,” Malveria observed. “Thrix’s love life is simply a disaster. Kalix, of course, has fared no better, and as for Dominil, can one imagine her ever engaging in a satisfying love affair?”

The Fairy Queen laughed. “I know. The Thane’s family is always like this and has been for generations. Markus himself will never settle down happily. But it’s not because of a curse. It’s because the daughters and nieces in the Thane’s family are so self-centered they never think of anyone else.”

Malveria was surprised at the Fairy Queen’s unsympathetic judgment. “Surely that is a little severe?”

“I’ve known them all a very long time, Malveria. It’s a family trait. None of them will ever be happy in love, I’m certain. They’re too selfish and concerned only with their own affairs. Thrix is the worst example of all, I’m afraid.”

Queen Malveria was interested, but troubled. She didn’t like to think of her good friend Thrix never having a successful romance, and she wondered if the Fairy Queen’s judgment was sound or perhaps colored by her feeling that the MacRinnalchs had forgotten how to pay her proper respect these days.

That was strange,” said Moonglow. “Are you friends with Decembrius?”

Kalix shook her werewolf head and licked some fragments of food from her long sharp teeth. “I don’t like him. He supported Sarapen.”

“Why did he come here? Was he spying on you?”

Kalix shrugged. She was in a better mood now she’d eaten and didn’t seem to hold it against Decembrius that he’d tricked her into becoming a werewolf, which always gave her an appetite.

They were interrupted by a loud crashing from the kitchen. Fearing that they were being invaded, Daniel, Moonglow, and Kalix hurried to investigate. There they found Vex stuck in the sink.

“A few problems teleporting.” The young Fire Elemental grinned. “Haven’t quite mastered it yet.” She tumbled out of the sink and stood beaming at them. “I had to do a stupid pre-adoption ceremony. And now I’m back! We have college tomorrow. Isn’t it great?” She smiled broadly at Daniel and then at Kalix. “Having a little werewolf practice? Good idea. Ready for school tomorrow?”

Kalix sagged. She transformed back from her werewolf shape to human, and her shoulders slumped. “I’m not going to school.”

“Yes, you are. We have classes. It’ll be great!”

“I’m not going,” repeated Kalix, and she left the kitchen.

Vex hurried after her. “But you have to come!”

“I don’t care.”

Vex looked around at Daniel and Moonglow, puzzled. “What’s the matter? Why won’t Kalix come to college?”

“I’m too busy hunting down Gawain’s killer!” declared Kalix, and sounded fierce.

“Oh,” said Vex, and pondered for a moment. “Wouldn’t that be easier if you knew how to read?”

“What!”

“Detectives are always reading stuff. I saw it on TV.” Vex looked worried, and she ran her fingers through her spiky bleached hair. “Aunt Malvie might stop me going if you don’t come. She doesn’t trust me.”

“Can’t you look for the killer and go to college as well?” suggested Daniel.

“Of course you can,” said Vex, enthusiastically. “Like a crime fighter. You know, college student by day, superhero by night. And werewolf by night as well.”

“I’m not going to college!” yelled Kalix, her temper flaring up. “And you can’t make me.”

“But if you don’t go to college, you won’t have any money,” protested Vex.

“What do you mean I won’t have any money?”

“Your mother won’t pay you your allowance if you don’t go. And you need money for rent. Isn’t that right?” Vex looked hopefully at Moonglow for support.

Moonglow shifted uncomfortably.

“She won’t know I’m not going,” said Kalix.

“Yes, she will!” said Vex. “Moonglow will tell her.”

“You wouldn’t tell her, would you?” Kalix asked Moonglow.

“Well…”

“Of course she would,” said Vex, sensing victory. “Moonglow has to tell your mother if you leave college; it’s part of the agreement. I heard it from Aunt Malvie.”

“What!” exploded Kalix. “Is this true?” Kalix’s only source of income was her allowance from the Mistress of the Werewolves. Life would be impossible without it. She had rent to pay and bills and, most importantly, laudanum to purchase.

Moonglow seemed close to actually wringing her hands. She looked towards Daniel for support, but Daniel was apparently preoccupied with a speck of dust on his sleeve.

“Well…eh…yes. I am supposed to tell your mother how you’re getting on. It was part of our agreement about her paying your rent.”

“I can’t believe you’ve all been making agreements behind my back! What’s the idea of speaking to my mother anyway?”

“I didn’t speak to your mother,” said Moonglow. “It was sort of negotiated through your sister.”

“Thrix! You’ve been talking about me with Thrix! How dare you!”

“Well, I’m glad that’s all sorted out!” exclaimed Vex, blithely ignoring the general antagonism all around. “And I brought you something to set you up for learning more. Look! Two more issues of your favorite comic!” Vex triumphantly produced two copies of
Curse of the Werewolf
from her Hello Kitty bag. “Now you can learn more about her werewolf adventures and practice your reading at the same time.” She grinned.

Kalix looked at her in astonishment then exploded in anger. “That’s not my favorite comic! I hate it! I’m never reading it again!”

“It’s not so hard,” protested Vex. “Look, I’ll help you with the first page. You see this picture? That’s Bella the werewolf just about to attack someone. She’s growling. See, I’ll help you spell it. G-R-O-W-L—”

Kalix clenched her fists, turned rapidly, and marched out of the room, slamming the door behind her.

“Hey, it’s really not that hard,” insisted Vex, and ran in pursuit.

Moonglow sighed. “I wish Kalix hadn’t found out I’m supposed to report to her mother. Now I feel like I’m a spy.”

“She was bound to find out eventually,” said Daniel, “but I can see why she isn’t happy.”

“I didn’t have any choice. Her mother wasn’t going to hand over money if I didn’t give some account of how Kalix was managing.”

“I expect she’ll get used to—” began Daniel, but was interrupted as Agrivex ran shrieking into the room.

“Help! Kalix is being savaged by an animal!”

“What now?” said Daniel, jumping to his feet. He ran after Vex to Kalix’s room, ready to confront whatever beast had appeared to torment them now. He burst into the room to find Kalix looking suspiciously at a small cat that was pawing at her leg. They halted, surprised.

“Is it dangerous?” said Vex.

“It’s not dangerous at all,” sighed Daniel. “It’s a cat.”