Martin Millar - Lonely Werewolf Girl (80 page)

The small upstairs room was now a struggling, bloody melee of
terrible werewolf violence. The defenders were outnumbered, but the
odds were not quite as hopeless as they might have been. Sarapen had
lost five werewolves to the Guild. Butix and Delix were unexpectedly in
werewolf shape. It was still twenty against nine in Sarapen's favour
but his opponents included Kalix, whose rage in combat made her almost
unstoppable, Dominil, whose will could not be broken, and Gawain, whose
fighting skills matched those of his warrior ancestors. Thrix herself,
eldest daughter of the Thane, was immensely strong and savage in combat
and even the twins were powerful as werewolves. In addition, the
defenders had Malveria. The Fire Queen would have been unrecognisable
to anyone who had only ever seen her sobbing over a pair of shoes.
Malveria's strength was equal to that of a werewolf, and she had more
experience of battle than anyone else in the room. She wielded her club
so deftly that she was able to clear a space around Agrivex, pick her
up, and throw her to temporary safety at the back of the stage.

"Stay there and - " Malveria's words were cut off as a
werewolf leapt on her back, dragging her down onto the floor.

Dominil struggled to come to grips with Sarapen, attempting to
batter her way past his bodyguards. Two of the MacRinnalchs who guarded
the fire exit had now fallen. The Enchantress tried to bolster their
forces at the back of the room but the Douglas-MacPhees pushed her
back. More of Sarapen's werewolves forced their way into the room.
Kalix slew another opponent then disappeared under two more.

The twins and the surviving MacRinnalch guards were forced
back towards the stage while Kalix, Dominil and Gawain were engaged in
the most savage fight with seven werewolves at the front of the room.
The Enchantress found herself struggling with three enemies at once and
she was dragged to the ground. She bit and clawed furiously, seeking to
rise, but Andris MacAndris fell on her and fastened his teeth to her
shoulder. The Enchantress was buried beneath her opponents and felt
their claws and teeth cutting into her hide. The breath was being
forced from her body and she couldn't even shout for help.

"Maladisia," she whispered.

Malveria was on the other side of the room, engaged with the
enemy. Though the room reverberated with the sound of battle, and the
Enchantress had spoken her secret name in a whisper, Malveria heard it.
She threw off her attacker and leapt to where Thrix lay. She swung her
club in a series of fierce arcs, beating back Andris and his two
companions, then grabbed the Enchantress and hauled her to safety. The
Enchantress sat gasping on the stage while Malveria stood in front of
her, guarding her with her club. They had a second's respite before
Dominil was picked up and tossed in their direction, landing heavily
with blood seeping from a gash in her arm.

"Retreat," said Malveria. She stepped forward, nimbly avoided
Sarapen's jaws, grabbed Kalix and Gawain and dragged them backwards
onto the stage. They crashed through the attackers who surrounded the
twins and fled across the stage into the tiny dressing room at the
back. Once inside they barricaded the door with a stack of heavy
crates. Gawain put his shoulder behind the barricade as Sarapen and his
werewolves tried to break it down, all the time howling and screaming.

"Thanks for saving me," gasped Thrix to the Fire Queen.

"I gave you my name. I'll always come to your side."

Malveria frowned.

"But I was correct. We should have fled while we had the
chance."

The werewolves tried to gather their strength. The door was
already beginning to splinter. It wouldn't keep Sarapen out for long.

223

Daniel was relieved to be outside.

"There was nothing we could do. Eh… should we try to get help?"

"What sort of help?"

"I don't know," admitted Daniel. "Maybe call the police?"

"And report some werewolves in trouble? That'll bring a swift
response. Anyway, we've got work to do."

"What work?"

"We have to find Princess Kabachetka and disrupt her sorcery."

"What?"

"We have to find the Princess. That's what Thrix whispered to
me. You don't think I'd have just left for no reason, do you?"

"We were going to get killed," said Daniel. "That's a reason.
What's this
find Princess Kabachetka and disrupt her sorcery
? I don't like the sound of it."

"Come on," said Moonglow, and dragged Daniel along.

"But I don't want to disrupt sorcery," protested Daniel. "It
sounds dangerous. And I don't know who Princess Kabachetka is."

"She's another fire elemental. I've met her," said Moonglow.

"What? When?"

"She tried to bribe me into giving away secrets about
Malveria's clothes."

Daniel came to a halt.

"What? Why didn't you tell me?"

"You were too busy with Vex and Alicia."

Daniel was still dubious.

"How are we meant to find her? She could be anywhere."

"I'd guess she's in the alley behind the venue," said Moonglow.

They crept quietly along the alleyway. Moonglow stooped to
pick up a empty bottle. They tried to move silently but the snow was
lying on the ground and crunched beneath their feet. At every step
Daniel expected a sorcerous princess to appear, and fire some dreadful
spell at them.

"Unless her werewolf bodyguards just rip us to pieces first,"
he muttered.

Moonglow stopped.

"See, this is why I'd never go out with you," she said.
"You're just so negative about everything."

"I'm not negative about everything."

"You are. Nothing ever goes right, according to you. It's just
one disaster after another."

"Well, life is hard," said Daniel. "But I don't think I'm that
negative. Just realistic."

He paused.

"You mean you'd go out with me if I was more positive?"

"I didn't say that."

"You implied it."

"I don't think I implied it at all," said Moonglow.

"You did so! You said you'd never go out with me because I was
so negative. That definitely implies you would go out with me if I was
more positive."

"We don't have time to argue about it now," said Moonglow, and
walked on. Daniel hurried to catch up. Moonglow was peering round the
corner. Half way along the alley, directly behind the venue, a woman
with blonde hair and black clothes was staring up at the wall. Moonglow
put her mouth to Daniel's ear and whispered.

"It's her. She's concentrating on her magic. Now's our chance
to rush her."

"It won't - " began Daniel, but halted as he saw Moonglow's
expression. "Well I suppose it might work."

224

"This isn't so great," said Beauty. She was sitting beside her
sister in the dressing room. Only an hour or so ago they'd been in here
doing their hair prior to walking onstage. They'd drunk beer and joked
with their musicians. Now they were bleeding from a dozen cuts apiece
and facing death at the hands of Sarapen. She looked towards Dominil.

"Next time we want a better dressing room."

"And more beer," added Delicious.

The Enchantress and Malveria sat next to each other on a crate.

"I'm sorry I got you into this," said the Enchantress. The
Fire Queen waved this away.

"I have been in need of activity. And it is a splendid fight,
yes?"

Before Thrix could reply, her phone rang. She answered it
automatically.

"Hello? No, it's not a very good time. Sorry. Bye."

"Who was that?" asked Malveria, as Sarapen's werewolves
pounded on the door.

"Donald Carver. He was wondering if I was free for dinner."

"Ah. Unfortunate timing. Perhaps there will be another
occasion?"

"I don't think he'll ask again," said Thrix.

Gawain and the MacRinnalch guard had their shoulders to the
door, trying to keep it shut, but any second now it would give way.

"Time to resume the struggle," said Dominil.

The Enchantress rose at her side.

"What's that on your leg?"

Almost concealed beneath Dominil's white fur, there was some
sort of strap.

"It holds a knife," said Dominil, but didn't elaborate.

The door burst open. Sarapen threw himself into the room.
Dominil leapt at him and they met head on, howling and biting at each
other. The remaining werewolves, some fifteen, piled into the tiny
dressing room. There was dreadful confusion in the confined space.
Kalix found herself assaulted by all three of the Douglas-MacPhees, who
still hoped to collect the bounty on her head. She raked her claws
across Rhona's face, threw Duncan off and sank her teeth into Fergus's
throat. Fergus writhed in agony but could not break free of her grip.
Duncan leapt on Kalix's from behind and bit deeply into her back but
Kalix wouldn't let go of Fergus. She sunk her teeth deeper and deeper
into his neck till his body went limp and she knew he was dead. Then
she thrust herself backwards, slamming Duncan into the wall. His grip
on her loosened and she whirled to face him, striking him again and
again till he sank towards the floor. Kalix opened her jaws and would
have killed him had not Rhona smashed a crate of bottles squarely over
her head. Kalix sagged at the knees, fighting to stay on her feet as
darkness threatened to overwhelm her.

Malveria rumbled through the broken door back onto the stage,
pursued by a werewolf. She turned swiftly and clubbed him with such
force that he fell to the ground. Malveria raised her weapon again but
was distracted as she placed her foot on something soft, which yelled.
She looked down.

"Agrivex? What are you doing?"

"Hiding under the drum kit."

"Is that the best place you could find?"

Agrivex's answer was lost as two more werewolves emerged to
attack Malveria. She swung her mace mightily, fending them off, but
took a raking blow to the chest in the process, which brought blood
pouring down the front of her formal coat.

"Argh!" screamed Malveria. "You have destroyed my new coat!"

She swung her weapon, brutally clubbing one of her foes, and
set about the second werewolf.

Dominil was grappling with Sarapen. It cost her, as he
pummelled her with his superior strength, but she put an arm round his
neck, fixed her teeth to his shoulder, and hung on. She reached down to
the sheathe at her leg, drawing out the Begravar knife. Sarapen struck
her in the face. Dominil spat out blood, and smiled. She held up the
knife and spoke the phrase to bring it to life. Seeing the knife,
Sarapen took a step backwards. Dominil leapt at him again, and plunged
it towards his chest. She didn't quite make it. Sarapen had his guard
up, and took the stroke on his arm, but as Dominil sprang away, she was
satisfied. She had felt the knife sinking into the flesh and the evil
potency of the blade should do the rest. Any deep cut was fatal.

Dominil paused to look at Sarapen. She wanted to see him fall.
Sarapen raised his arm, and glanced at the cut. He sneered.

"Not good enough, Dominil," he said, and lashed out with a
blow which sent Dominil flying backwards into the Enchantress. This
time Dominil struggled to rise. The Enchantress saw the blade in her
hand, and recognised it as the Begravar knife.

"No use," she gasped. "No sorcery can work here."

Dominil cursed. Kabachetka's spell had taken away the knife's
power. She wearily raised her guard as Sarapen approached. Suddenly the
body of a werewolf flew between them. One of Sarapen's followers, dead.
A roar, loud even in the room that reverberated with werewolf screams,
pierced the air. It was Kalix. She had destroyed another opponent and
now hurdled over the body to come to grips with Sarapen. The fury of
her assault tumbled him over and they rolled around on the floor,
biting and clawing at each other. Kalix's battle-madness was driving
her past all barriers of pain or exhaustion. She'd couldn't feel her
own injuries. Against any werewolf but Sarapen she'd have been
unstoppable. Sarapen, however, was eldest son of the Thane, a werewolf
of vast power with enough strength to hold off even Kalix's madness. He
tried to use his weight to drag Kalix down him and their jaws met in a
dreadful, tearing embrace.

Andris, noticing that Sarapen was locked in combat, ran over
and began to strike at Kalix's back. Beside them, Decembrius was
struggling with the last of the MacRinnalch guards. The guard had
fought valiantly but had suffered many wounds. Decembrius took hold of
the guard and prepared to dispatch him. Then Decembrius noticed Kalix's
plight, trapped between Sarapen and Andris. Without much thinking what
he was doing, Decembrius flung his opponent backwards so he crashed
into Andris. Andris fell into Kalix and Sarapen, and as they struggled
to their feet they were both swept up in the melee.

Dominil, leaning against the wall for support, found herself
confronted by the huge Andris. Sensing her weakness he hurled himself
at her. Dominil straightened up rapidly and deflected his assault,
sending him crashing into the wall. He whirled to face her and as he
did so, Dominil struck him a blow with her claw so fierce it tore
through his collarbone and ruptured his neck. He fell down dead in
front of her. Dominil bared her teeth, and staggered back into the fray.

225

Daniel gazed at the unconscious figure of Princess Kabachetka.

"I can't believe you did that."

Moonglow had a broken bottle in her hand.

"I had to. She was going to get everyone killed."

They could still hear sounds of fighting coming from above
them.

"Do you think her magic has stopped now?"

"Who knows? We should get out of here in before she wakes up,"
said Daniel.

Moonglow hesitated.

"Maybe we should do something else."

"Like what?"

"I don't know… look for magic stuff, and destroy it."