Martin Millar - Lonely Werewolf Girl (49 page)

"I've just learned that Sarapen has taken Dominil there."

"Learned? By sorcery?" said Verasa, disapprovingly.

"Yes, by sorcery."

"Was there no other way?"

"You do want me to find her quickly, don't you?"

Verasa was worried about her daughter.

"Please be careful. Sarapen has obviously descended into
madness."

Thrix doubted that Sarapen had lost his reason. He was just
acting like Sarapen. Violent and impetuous. No matter what the state of
Sara-pen's mind, there was good reason for Verasa to worry.

"Remember, he has the Begravar knife. It's a lethal weapon."

"We don't know for sure he took it."

Verasa was frustrated by her daughter's words.

"Talixia's death was proof enough. If Sarapen didn't wield the
knife then one of his henchmen did."

"Don't worry, Malveria's here. We've enough power to protect
ourselves."

For the first time Verasa didn't find herself disapproving of
her daughter's association with the Hiyasta Queen. Thrix asked her
mother if she had heard from Markus. Verasa told her he was resting at
a concealed location, and would remain there till she told him to
leave. Thrix wondered if this was true. She half-suspected that Markus
had lost his nerve in the face of Sarapen's fury, and fled the city.

The Mistress of the Werewolves had other news, also serious.

"The new young Baron MacAllister has been prowling around the
edges of Colburn Wood. Perhaps he's eager to show his allegiance to
Sarapen. He's there with a whole company of MacAllisters."

"Are they heading for the castle?"

"No. They're still in the wood. Don't worry, they're not a
threat. They wouldn't dare advance on the castle. Please find Dominil
as quickly as you can. Let me know if she's alive."

Verasa feared that Sarapen would kill Dominil. So did Thrix,
but Malveria was doubtful.

"I believe he has a mighty passion for her. He won't kill her.
Not on purpose. But possibly the mighty passion may spill over into
violent death. I have known it to happen."

"Was that meant to be re-assuring?" asked Thrix.

"Is it not re-assuring?" said Malveria brightly. "Perhaps it
is not. Shall we proceed? Before the violent death should occur?"

Malveria made ready to teleport them, but paused.

"Are we making progress towards a series of fabulous outfits
for the Sorceress Livia's party?"

"Kind of."

The Fire Queen looked alarmed.

"
Kind of does
not sound like good
progress."

"Malveria, you know the interruptions I've had. I'd be
designing for you now if we didn't have to look for Dominil."

Malveria sighed, then waved her hand, transporting them to the
edge of Hyde Park where Sarapen's imposing mansion was set back in its
own grounds. Thrix sniffed the air.

"No sorcerous protection. Sarapen's inside. Other werewolves
too."

"Including the white-haired one?"

"I can smell her blood."

"Then perhaps we should enter quickly?"

Malveria took them into the mansion. They materialised just
inside the front door and were immediately confronted by two members of
the MacAndris Clan. Thrix pointed a finger at them and
they were thrown violently across the hallway.

"This way," said Thrix.

They hurried down the stair that led to the basement. Thrix's
heart was beating quickly. She was surprised to find that she was
excited. Though she'd rather have avoided becoming involved in the
struggle for the Thaneship, something in her MacRinnalch blood couldn't
help responding to the adventure. Here she was, invading the domain of
Sarapen, most feared of the clan. In days gone by such an escapade
would have been suitable material for an epic song.

They found the cell, and in it Andris MacAndris, still
unconscious. There was a lot of blood on the floor.

"That's not his blood," said Thrix. "It's Dominil's."

"Has Sarapen killed her?"

"No," came a voice from behind them, "I have not."

Thrix was startled. As she whirled round to face her older
brother she felt confused and guilty, as if she was a child caught out
in some mischievous prank. She quickly buried the emotion.

"What are you doing in my house?" demanded Sarapen.

"Checking your decor. We don't like it. Where's Dominil?"

"You dare to invade my lair? With a Hiyasta? Are you seeking
death, sister?"

Malveria tapped her foot impatiently.

"Please tell us where Dominil is so we may return to designing
beautiful clothes."

Sarapen looked beyond them to where Andris lay unconscious on
the cell floor. He scowled.

"Did you do that?"

Thrix shook her head.

"No. Isn't he one of your victims, brother?"

"He is not. Though he may soon be."

"Dominil has escaped, hasn't she?" asked Thrix, who could
sense that Sarapen was himself confused by events. Sarapen did not
deign to reply. Instead he roared, and charged towards them. Malveria
waved her hand and both she and Thrix dematerialised, appearing seconds
later in Thrix's offices in Soho.

"I did not see any profit in fighting him," she said to Thrix.
"Unless you wished to fight him? I could take us back?"

The Enchantress shook her head. "No. Dominil wasn't there. She
escaped, apparently. From the smell of blood in the basement I'd say
she was in bad shape."

Malveria nodded. "He has attacked her. Most probably he made a
statement of passion and she rejected him. Passion and violence will
often be found together."

"It's probably as well I'm not dating anyone right now," said
Thrix.

133

Kalix was feeling disturbed. She was very bad at interpreting
other people's emotions and the slightest criticism could wound her
deeply. The few sharp words spoken to her by Daniel had convinced her
that Daniel hated her. Probably he had only valued her as an oddity.
Now that Daniel had a new freakish companion - the young elemental Vex
- he didn't need a werewolf around any more.

She picked up her bag and her journal from the empty house in
Kennington and left, intending never to return. Winter was setting in,
the night was damp and Kalix shivered. She felt like changing into her
werewolf shape, partly to warm her and partly so she could disassociate
herself from all humans. She looked for a park where she could
transform without being observed.

She walked a long way north, sometimes passing small groups of
people waiting for night buses. Once or twice cars drew up beside her,
mini cabs, the drivers said, looking for fares. Kalix scowled at them
and sent them away without speaking. She made an interesting figure,
striding quickly and silently along, her long coat hanging from her
thin frame, her extraordinarily long hair wet with the rain, a few
strands falling over her sunglasses. Her large nose ring reflected
light from the street lamps. Outside the Houses of Parliament policemen
watched her pass, imagining her to be a student returning from a
late-night club. Or maybe a young prostitute, looking for drug money,
desperate as the night became older and customers fewer.

She carried on north, scenting an expanse of open land in
front of her. Hyde Park, where there were trees, long stretches of
grass and dark clumps of bushes. Kalix knew that Sarapen had a house
nearby but she was feeling reckless. She vaulted the perimeter fence
and took on her werewolf shape. A welcome strength flowed through her
veins, energy from the moon that warmed and comforted her. Feeling
herself free from all human interference, she even considered howling,
something she very rarely did. Suddenly she halted, her nose twitching.
She could smell blood. Dominil's blood. Curious, she snuffled around
for a second or two, picking up the direction of the scent, then set
off. She didn't have far to go. Dominil was slumped under a tree only
fifty yards or so inside the park. As Kalix drew near Dominil pulled
herself along a few inches more.

"Dominil," said Kalix.

Dominil looked up.

"Kalix?" she whispered. There was blood coming out of her nose
and blood all over her white fur. She dragged one leg behind her as if
it was broken.

"What happened?"

"Sarapen," muttered Dominil. "Have to get out of here."

Dominil clearly was not going to make it out of the park.
Kalix sniffed the air. There were other werewolves about. Upwind of
them, fortunately, which meant that they might not yet have caught
Dominil's scent. Soon they would. Kalix didn't know what to do. At
first it didn't register with her that she should do anything. Not till
Dominil muttered
help me
did it strike Kalix that
perhaps she should.

Unfortunately Kalix still didn't know what to do. If Sarapen
had arrived that moment, Kalix would have stood up to him without a
second thought. But faced with the injured Dominil, far from home, she
felt bewildered. It was baffling to have responsibility for another
creature and Kalix felt some anxiety creeping up on her. Should she
pull Dominil out of the park? Was that a good idea? Dominil had so many
wounds Kalix wasn't sure. Suddenly Dominil half rose and clutched at
Kalix's leg.

"You have laudanum," she said, taking Kalix by surprise.

"So?" said Kalix, defensively, thinking that Dominil was about
to lecture her.

"I need it," said Dominil.

Kalix was startled.

"You take laudanum?"

Dominil nodded, then sagged back to the ground. Kalix rebelled
against handing her precious laudanum over to anyone. But it was
something helpful to do, and Kalix was by this time feeling very
anx-ious about not knowing what to do. So she took out her bottle and
gave it to Dominil. Dominil drank from the bottle. She shuddered, then
sipped a little more. She muttered a
thank you
and handed the bottle back. There was a moment's silence.

"What should I do?" asked Kalix.

"Get me away from Sarapen," replied Dominil. She sagged again.
The laudanum was taking away the pain of her wounds but in her weakened
state it quickly made her drowsy. Kalix looked up sharply. The scent of
werewolves was coming closer. Kalix picked up Dominil and made towards
the fence. In her werewolf form, Dominil was a burden, too heavy for
her to make fast progress. Now Kalix could hear sounds of pursuit. By
the time they reached the fence she knew they weren't going to make it
over, not without a fight. She laid Dominil on the grass and spun
round. Three werewolves were running towards her. They halted just
yards away.

"Step away from Dominil," said the largest of the werewolves,
who was large indeed, towering over Kalix. His coat was dark and shaggy
and his teeth were very long and sharp.

"No," said Kalix.

"We work for Sarapen MacRinnalch," growled the werewolf, in a
manner which suggested that this should end all argument.

"So what?" said Kalix. "Sarapen's a dog."

The werewolves looked as surprised and offended as it was
possible to look in werewolf shape.

"You dare call Sarapen MacRinnalch a dog? Who are you?"

"I am Kalix MacRinnalch," declared Kalix, imperiously.

The large werewolf grinned.

"Kalix? Sarapen will be grateful when we drag you in front of
him."

The three werewolves fanned out and advanced. Each of them was
larger than Kalix, trusted guards from Sarapen's household. Any one of
them on his own would have felt no qualms about attacking the rather
small werewolf who now confronted them.

"I'll kill you all," said Kalix, not raising her voice. The
werewolves laughed. It was the last thing the attacker on the right
ever did because as he leapt for Kalix she put her taloned claw to his
neck and tore his throat open. The other two werewolves pounced on her
and then learned, too late, that Kalix's battle-madness was not just
the stuff of idle tales. Kalix, born as a werewolf on the night of the
full moon, simply tore them apart, moving so quickly and with such
strength that the fight lasted only seconds.

When it was over Kalix stared at the three bodies in front of
her. She watched as their dead werewolf forms reverted to human. She
bent down towards Dominil.

"I'll take you away," said Kalix, now thinking more clearly.
"Change into human."

Dominil did so. Kalix picked her up and hauled her over the
fence, dropping heavily to the pavement outside. She still wasn't sure
what to do for the best. The only person Kalix could think of that
might help was the Fire Queen. Or maybe Thrix. But they were out
hunting for Dominil. Could Moonglow help? Kalix again felt confused.
She had to do something. Soon more werewolves would come. Kalix decided
to take Dominil to Daniel's house. Surely there would be someone there
to help.

"I need money for a taxi," she muttered.

Dominil was by now almost unconscious. Kalix felt in the
pockets of her coat and found a wallet, then set about the difficult
business of looking for a cab to take them to South London in the early
hours of the morning.

134

Daniel was extremely agitated when he arrived home. Vex was
still accompanying him. She had been no help at all and Daniel was now
aggravated by her presence. The young elemental started rummaging
through Daniel's music collection while he made phone call after phone
call, still trying to find Moonglow. Finally he decided to call the
police.

At that moment Moonglow walked into the room. She'd opened the
front door very quietly and crept up the stairs, as if coming home
without disturbing anyone might remove the necessity of explaining
where she'd been. Daniel bounded across the room and hugged her.

"I was so worried! Where have you been?"

Moonglow had had almost two days to think of an explanation
but she hadn't come up with anything very convincing.

"I had some things to do."