Wild Magic (14 page)

Marianna took a deep breath and tried to sound cheerful. “Well, it's been lovely meeting you, Lise,” she said, “but it's time I was moving on. I don't think we'll ever meet again so . . . good-bye! And good luck.”

“Wait!” said Lise. “You haven't told me who
you
are.”

“I'm Marianna, the shoemaker's daughter. From Leather Lane. I have a brother, Jakob.”

“Oh, yes! I know who you are! Is Jakob not with you? I saw him on the walk.”

Marianna shook her head. “He was left behind.”

“Lucky him!”

Lise started to clean her long velvety ears. “My brother was turned into a weasel. I tried to speak to him but he ran away. Just as well, really. I think weasels eat rabbits if they're hungry enough. Oh, Marianna—before you go, there's something I should show you. You might want it.”

The rabbit led Marianna to the front of the warren. Instantly there was a flurry of white tails as a dozen rabbits disappeared underground. But there was one left lying on the grass, ominously still.

“It's dead,” said Lise, “but only just. I saw it happen. It wasn't sick—it was wounded. Must have been caught in a trap or something. It managed to get back here but then it just . . . died.”

Marianna padded over to it. The rabbit was still warm. It almost looked asleep except its eyes were wide open. Marianna sniffed it and instantly the drooling began again. Her tongue appeared. She licked her lips and started to shake. She was going to eat it. Now that the rabbit was under her nose, she couldn't control the urge.

“Lise,” she said, her voice coming out strangely hoarse and tight. “Don't watch.”

“Don't worry,” said Lise with a shiver. “I have no intention of doing so.”

Lise turned away, so she saw nothing. But she heard the snarl and the snap, and smelled the blood, fresh in the air. And she suddenly felt glad that she wasn't a fox. It seemed such a savage, messy way to be.

That had been two weeks ago. Marianna had walked away from Lise determined to make a better life for herself. She would find a home and try to enjoy the world around her. She would explore her extraordinary new senses and practice using them until she was the best fox in Elvendale. In time, she might meet another fox. And it might be a he . . . and he might like her . . . and she might have a family. Cubs! How amazing that would be.

But for now, Marianna sat in the shadows, watching the rabbit warren. She was shivering a little—her fur was still damp from the swim—but it was wonderful to be free of fleas.

She tensed. The sun was dipping behind the far mountains. The rabbits would be out soon.

Aha! There was the first! A young buck, sniffing the wind. Then came another and another. But Marianna waited.
Patience!
That was something else she had learned as a fox. If she attacked too soon, the rabbits would dive for their holes and she would catch nothing. If she bided her time, one would wander in her direction.

Marianna waited. She was in no hurry. And soon enough, a doe came her way. Plump and juicy! Marianna licked her lips, prepared to spring and—

DOOMF!

A man fell to the ground right in front of her, landing with such an almighty thump he nearly knocked himself out. Marianna had only seen him at the last minute: a great black shape appearing from the other side of the warren, waving his arms like a bird scarer. He had chosen a likely rabbit, chased it, fallen over
another
rabbit—and crashed to the ground like Marianna's oak.

Marianna glared at the man, her eyes hot with anger and vulpine disgust. A human! An oafish, clumsy human! Ruining everything she had carefully planned. And he was so dirty! Why didn't he clean himself, the filthy beggar? And why didn't he get up? He was just lying there like a stinking cow pie.

As Marianna watched, the man managed to raise himself up off the ground. He pushed his hair back from his face and looked around.

Marianna's eyes nearly fell out of her head.

“Dear Lord!” she yelped. “Papa!”

CHAPTER
THIRTY-FIVE

Moller jumped at the sound of Marianna's voice and ducked, as if something might be thrown in his direction. “Who's there?”

Marianna emerged from the shadows. Immediately her father grabbed a rock and prepared to throw it at her.

“NO!” cried Marianna. “PAPA! It's me. Marianna.”

The rock fell to the ground, along with Moller's lower jaw. He stared at her wildly, not wanting to believe his eyes. But he had seen the fox's lips move. Heard the voice, familiar yet different.

“Are you sure?” he said.

Marianna let out a deep sigh. Elvendale hadn't worked any magic on her father, it seemed. He was as stupid as ever.

“Of course I'm sure,” she said. “I'm under an enchantment.”

“Who did this to you?” he said, suddenly getting angry. “Tell me.”

“Why?” said Marianna. “So you can punch him?”

Moller didn't reply, just turned away. He couldn't bear Marianna's hot gaze.

“It was the Piper,” said Marianna at last.

“Did you do something to annoy him?”

“No!” cried Marianna. She was starting to feel angry now. Why did he always assume she was to blame?

“Then why did he do it?”

“I don't know,” said Marianna. “It wasn't just me—he turned everyone into animals. He was angry and upset and didn't want us anymore. It was awful. We didn't see it coming.”

Moller shrugged. “He's an elf.”

“We didn't know that.”

“I did,” said Moller.

Marianna stared at him scornfully. “How could you know? And why didn't you say so, back in town? Why didn't you try to stop him?”

“I was . . . elsewhere at the time.”

“Oh really? I can't guess where that was.” Marianna sighed. She was growing tired of the conversation and the company. “What are you doing here?” she asked wearily. “I can't believe you came for me.”

“No, I didn't,” admitted her father. “I came for Jakob.”

“
What?
”

“He's here,” said Moller. “At least, I think he's here. Either that or he's run away from home.”

“I don't understand,” said Marianna in a fluster. “He didn't make it. I saw the door closing and he—”

“—was left behind. As usual.”

“I thought he was with me,” said Marianna. “If I'd realized, I'd—”

“It wasn't your fault,” said Moller, unexpectedly letting her off the hook. “It was the Piper. You were enchanted then as you are now.”

“But how did Jakob manage it? We came through a magic door. It was the only one.”

“No,” said Moller. “There are dozens of them. Jakob must have gotten lucky.”

Marianna wondered how her father knew about elf doors, but she didn't ask. There were more important things.

“How long has he been here?” she asked. “Have you seen any sign of him? Has anyone told you anything?”

“Since last night,” said Moller. “And no. I've spoken to no one.”

“He could be anywhere,” she said, beginning to fret. “I've got to find him. There's danger here.”

“For some,” agreed Moller darkly.

“There's a beast,” said Marianna, not hearing him. “A terrible thing.”

“You've seen it?”

“Yes,” said Marianna. “It's the Piper. I saw him change.”

Moller's eyes grew wide. “This is bad, Mari,” he said, shaking his head. “I don't understand that Piper. Elves can be spiteful creatures, I know, but to steal you all away like that . . . It was a strange business.”

“He was looking for a special child,” said Marianna. “He said someone in Hamelin had magic powers but didn't know it. That's who he wanted. He made us touch a stone to find out who it was. So we did, but nothing happened, and that's when he flew into a rage and changed us all into animals. Except Karl. He
killed
him.”

“Heaven help us,” said Moller, hauling himself to his feet. “We've got to find Jakob.” He started for the lane.

Marianna ran after him. She had heard something in her father's voice she wouldn't have believed possible: fear. Cold, urgent fear. “Why?” she asked. “What's wrong?”

“Jakob's the one he's looking for,” said Moller.

“He can't be!” said Marianna. “He has no magic powers.”

“He might,” said Moller. “It's possible.”

“How?” Marianna overtook her father and stopped him in his tracks. “Why do you say that?”

“You don't need to know.”

“I do, Papa! Tell me.”

Moller shook his head and carried on walking.

Marianna seized hold of his britches and pulled hard.

“Let go, Mari!”

She hung on harder and gave her best growl for good measure.

“Mari, let go!”

She shook her head from side to side like a dog with a rat.

“Mari!”

Moller kicked out so hard, Marianna was thrown through the air. She landed with a crunch in the lane, picked herself up, and glared at him with hateful eyes.

“I'm sorry, Mari,” said Moller. “I didn't mean to do that. Come here.”

He genuinely meant it, Marianna could tell, but she didn't go to him. What was he planning to do? Pat her like a puppy?

Moller sighed, looked for a boulder, and sat down heavily. “I'll tell you,” he said. “Though I promised your mother I wouldn't.”

Marianna went cold. What was this? A secret?

“It's possible Jakob has magic powers because of your mother,” said Moller. “She . . . she . . .”

“What?”

“She . . . wasn't like us.”

“What do you mean?” said Marianna, coming closer. “What was wrong with her?”

“Oh, there was nothing wrong,” said Moller, and he must have pictured her, because he suddenly smiled. His whole face softened. Marianna hadn't seen him like that in years.

“So—why?” asked Marianna.

“Because . . . she was an elf maiden.”

Marianna stared at her father. She couldn't believe what he had just said.

“What?”

“It's true,” said Moller. “This was her real home. Elvendale.”

Marianna shook her head. A perfect image of her mother floated before her. A beautiful heart-shaped face. Green eyes. Gorgeous long hair, red as a fleeing fox. Marianna could remember her so clearly. Her smile. Her laughter, light as summer rain. The pain in her eyes when she lay dying. Why hadn't she said anything, even then?

“You're wrong,” said Marianna. “You're lying.”

“No,” said Moller. “Why would I? And think about it, Mari. How else would I know how to get in here? Or know it's called Elvendale?”

“People talk. You could have heard something.”

“Oh, grow up, Mari! Hear the truth. Stop arguing with me, girl, for once in your life.” He rose to his feet and walked on.

Marianna sat in the lane, trying to make sense of the truth, if that was what it was. She desperately wanted proof. She tried to remember things her mother had done that seemed impossible. Magical. But she couldn't think of anything. And if she
was
an elf, why had she died so easily? So young? It was only a fever and elves lived for hundreds of years. Hadn't Mama said so?

And if her mama was an elf, didn't that make her half elf too? Just like Jakob? Did
she
have magical powers? No. She had touched the Standing Stone and nothing had happened. But then again, back in the caves with the Piper, she did seem to be the only one who felt something was wrong. She didn't seem to be under the enchantment all the time, like the others were. Perhaps that was a sign she was different? Maybe. But what about Jakob? Did he really have extraordinary powers, like the Piper said? Did he know? Had he hidden something from her?

It had grown dark. Her father was still storming down the lane; she could barely see him. Where was he going?
He has no idea
, thought Marianna bitterly.
He never will. He's useless—utterly useless at everything he
does. If Jakob needs rescuing, heaven help him if Papa's his
only hope.

Marianna glanced at the sky. The moon was rising behind the mountains, round and yellow like a cheese. Nearly full.

Nearly full.

With a jolt, she remembered the night of the Beast. She closed her eyes and saw it again. The Beast, on the mound by the Standing Stone, silhouetted against the sky, howling at the moon. The full moon. She saw its eyes and its teeth and . . . Karl.

Jakob!

Instantly she was running. Down the lane, past her father, running to find Jakob before the Beast did.

“Mari!”

How long did she have? Two days? Three at most.

“MARI! WAIT!”

She heard her father's call but she didn't stop. Saving Jakob was her job.
Hers
. She didn't need her father. Never had, never would. Let him call! Call and shout till he croaked like a frog. She didn't care. She wasn't going back.