Martin Millar - Lonely Werewolf Girl (84 page)

"So you have to send Dominil back to London."

"I'm afraid I don't follow you," said the Mistress of the
Werewolves.

"Dominil has a lot of influence with Kalix."

"Does she?"

"She does," said Beauty. "Kalix is always trotting around
after her. It's weird, but Kalix is weird. You wouldn't want her to
throw herself in front of a train or anything. You'd better send
Dominil back to have a word with her."

235

Daniel and Moonglow's lives were returning to normal.
Moonglow's anguish over Markus had receded a little. Daniel was no
longer seeing Alicia. Malveria was still picking up clothes from the
attic but that would be over in a day or two. They were relieved.
They'd had enough excitement. They did what they could to comfort Kalix
but the young werewolf didn't seem to want comforting, and was rarely
at home.

"She should never have fallen in love with a werewolf," said
Daniel.

"Well who else did you expect her to fall in love with?" asked
Moonglow.

They were sitting on the couch, studying together.

"You think maybe you'd be a good candidate?" suggested
Moon-glow, teasing him.

"That's not what I meant."

"Well, the way you've been getting through girls recently,
what with Alicia and Vex…"

Daniel tried not to look embarrassed.

"Neither of them were right," he said. "They weren't who I
wanted."

"They weren't?"

Daniel edged a little closer to Moonglow. Vex suddenly
appeared in the room with a crash. Her teleporting had gone slightly
wrong and she tumbled over a chair.

"Ow!" she wailed, climbing to her feet. "I bumped my elbow."

The doorbell rang.

"What did you say about our lives returning to normal?" said
Daniel, scowling, and trudged downstairs to answer it. He opened the
door and took a brisk step backwards. It was Dominil. Her eyes were as
black and penetrating as ever, her skin pale and her hair dazzling
white.

"I am looking for Kalix."

'It's like opening the door to the grim reaper,' thought
Daniel. He welcomed her in, not very graciously. He'd had the feeling
in recent days that Moonglow was warming towards him. It had been very
significant that she'd agreed to study together on the couch. Had it
not been for the unwelcome intervention of Vex and Dominil, who knew
what might have happened?

Upstairs Moonglow was rubbing Vex's elbow.

"It's really sore," said Vex, though she didn't look like she
was in much pain. "Hi Dominil! Are Yum Yum Sugary Snacks going to play
again?"

"Would you like it if they did?" asked Dominil, seriously.

"Of course! It was the best thing ever!"

Dominil nodded.

"I thought they pleased the audience. Rather more than I
expected. But I've come here about Kalix."

Moonglow told Dominil that Kalix wasn't around.

"She goes out. We don't know where."

"Is she taking care of herself?"

"Not at all."

It had been the Mistress of the Werewolves' suggestion that
Dominil visit Kalix. Dominil had surprised Verasa by accepting the
commission. In truth, the white-haired werewolf had swiftly realised
that she was bored at Castle MacRinnalch. She wasn't quite ready to
return to her private chambers and spend her days translating Latin
poetry.

"You should take her shopping," said Vex, brightly.

Dominil stared at her curiously.

"In what way would that help?"

"Everyone likes shopping."

Dominil had no inclination to bandy words with Agrivex.

"I will find Kalix and talk to her," she said, and left
without saying goodbye. Daniel shivered.

"She's more likely to push Kalix over the edge than help her."

The doorbell rang. Vex yelped.

"It's Aunt Malvie! I'm meant to be in history class!"

Vex swiftly dematerialised.

"It's your rum to answer the door," said Daniel. Moonglow
hurried downstairs. As she opened the door her eyes widened in
astonishment. Standing next to the Fire Queen was a woman who was so
beautiful, so ethereal, so lovely as to defy all description.

"May we come in?"

Moonglow nodded, too awe-struck by the woman to speak. Her
hair shimmered like underwater gold, and her eyes were so large and
blue that Moonglow felt she might be swallowed up by them.

"Allow me to introduce Dithean Wallace Cloud-of-Heather
NicRinnalch, Fairy Queen of Colburn Wood. She is my guest for Livia's
grand chariot race. I am lending her a handbag."

The Fairy Queen smiled at Moonglow. Moonglow stammered to make
some reply, but failed.

"Don't worry," said Malveria. "The Fairy Queen always has this
effect."

They swept past Moonglow and mounted the stairs. Malveria
snapped her fingers as they ascended, illuminating the stairwell.

"You really must buy a light bulb," she said.

By the time Moonglow reached the living room Daniel was on his
feet, looking bewildered.

"And this is Daniel," Malveria was saying to her companion. "A
most charming young man, though not at this moment displaying himself
to his best advantage."

She turned to Moonglow.

"I knew you would be pleased to meet my good friend the Fairy
Queen of Colburn Wood. Normally, of course, she prefers to remain at a
somewhat smaller size, which is more convenient for most fairy
activities. But she has consented to take on her human form, that you
may see her."

Dithean Wallace Cloud-of-Heather NicRinnalch smiled at
Moonglow and Daniel. They were quite overwhelmed, but managed to smile
back. There was a muted flash and the Enchantress appeared in their
midst. She wore a very stylish red suit with matching heels and a
jaunty red hat atop her hair, which once more tumbled down in a bright
golden stream over her shoulders.

"Enchantress!" cried Malveria. "You look splendid. The
troubles of the past weeks are quite forgotten and you are again
radiant."

Thrix knew the Fairy Queen, and greeted her warmly. They were
both Malveria's guests for the chariot races, and were looking forward
to the event. Malveria suddenly glanced towards the door, then waved
her hand, bringing Vex tumbling into the room.

"Agrivex. When attempting to hide from me, does it never occur
to you to travel further than Kalix's bedroom?"

Vex's face wrinkled in pain. She held up her arm towards her
aunt, and looked hopeful.

"I bumped my elbow."

Malveria shook her head sadly.

"This, dearest Dithean, is what I have to put up with. Had the
fairies stolen my idiotic niece at birth, I would have counted it as a
great favour."

Malveria snapped her fingers, sending Vex back to her
classroom. Moonglow took advantage of the interruption to approach
Thrix.

"We're worried about Kalix," she began.

The Enchantress regarded her coldly.

"What do you expect me to do about it?"

Thrix turned her back, and linked arms with Malveria and
Dithean.

"Time for the races?"

"Indeed," replied Malveria. "They are such thrilling events.
And DeMortalis is quite trembling at the thought of meeting you again.
He is even now working on new ways to flatter you both on your beauty,
I assure you."

Malveria, the Enchantress and the Fairy Queen swept upstairs
to pick up the handbag for Dithean. Moonglow and Daniel collapsed on
the couch.

"Was that really a fairy queen? Here in our house?"

Daniel was still struggling to speak.

"I've never…" he began, but couldn't finish the sentence.

"You've never seen anyone so beautiful?" suggested Moonglow.

"Something like that," admitted Daniel.

"More beautiful than Malveria and all these fabulously
beautiful werewolves?" Moonglow sounded cross. "Now I'm feeling frumpy."

"You're not frumpy at all," protested Daniel. "Who said
anything about frumpy? I never thought any of the werewolves were that
beautiful. And they've all got really bad personalities."

"The first time you met Kalix you described her as a wild
beauty," said Moonglow, displaying a memory for detail which Daniel
thought quite unreasonable.

"I like you much better than all the werewolves or fairy
queens in the world," he blurted out suddenly, then cringed as he
realised what he'd said. He waited for Moonglow to withdraw. She
didn't. She looked him in the eyes, and edged closer.

It had been kind of the Fire Queen to bring Dithean to meet
Moonglow. Malveria knew that Moonglow would be pleased. Of course,
Malveria also knew that it was very hard, after being in the presence
of a fairy queen, not to feel a great arousal of the senses. Moonglow
moved closer to Daniel.

"Perhaps…" she began.

They were interrupted by a gentle cough from the doorway.
Malveria was standing there looking curiously satisfied. She directed
her gaze towards Moonglow. Her eyes twinkled, but not kindly.

"Take care, my dears," she said. Then she vanished.

"What was that about?" said Daniel, but by this time Moonglow
was on her feet.

"I need to study," said Moonglow. "In my room. Right away."

She too departed, leaving Daniel mystified, and not happy.

236

Kalix woke from a curious dream in which the Fairy Queen of
Colburn Wood had appeared beside her in the bushes. Malveria had been
with her, and they'd looked down at her, and smiled. She woke up
feeling slightly heartened. She thought about Gawain, and Sarapen, and
all her troubles of the past weeks.

"Stupid MacRinnalchs," she muttered, and stared at her feet.

She sensed someone approaching. It was Dominil, forcing her
way into the small clearing. Kalix didn't look up.

"Is it your intention to sit here until you die?"

"Maybe."

"It's a foolish plan."

Kalix raised her head an inch or two.

"I'm fed up with you telling me what's foolish. If you don't
like it then go away."

Dominil's eyes narrowed a fraction. The she shrugged, and sat
down beside Kalix. She took a small bronze flask from the pocket of her
great black coat, unscrewed the cap, and handed it to Kalix. Kalix took
a sip.

"The Merchant is surprised we're still alive," said Dominil.
"I should kill him for helping Sarapen. But then, where would we find
laudanum?"

Dominil told Kalix that the Great Council had not pardoned
her. She was still an outlaw.

"In theory, you can still be taken back to the castle for
sentencing. In reality, it seems unlikely. The Mistress of the
Werewolves will not encourage it."

Kalix professed not to care. A bird sang, somewhere among the
cold bushes. They sat in silence for a while.

"I looked for Gawain," said Dominil, eventually. "I promised
you I'd talk to him. However, he's gone. He is no longer in his room in
Camberwell."

Kalix stared at the ground.

"I did speak to the Enchantress. She regrets what happened.
She didn't mean to become involved with him."

Kalix scowled.

"It strikes me that the MacRinnalch feud not only led to many
deaths," continued Dominil. "It also had a surprisingly bad effect on
the romantic lives of those involved. Markus lost the werewolf he
loved, and subsequently broke Moonglow's heart. I doubt he will be
happy for long with his current amour. The Enchantress entered into a
foolish relationship which did not bring her any happiness. Gawain
ended up with nothing, and has fled. Moonglow and Daniel are engaged in
some form of attraction which I don't see ending well. And Marwanis and
Princess Kabachetka are left pining for Sarapen."

Dominil paused.

"I miss him too."

Kalix looked up.

"What do you mean you miss him?"

"He was a passionate lover, when we were together."

"You tried to kill him."

"Of course. And I was pleased when you did. But I doubt I'll
meet anyone else like him."

Dominil screwed the top back on her flask.

"You should take satisfaction from your achievements, Kalix."

"What achievements?"

"You defeated Sarapen. Which means something. No matter how
much the Mistress of the Werewolves seeks to modernise the clan, the
MacRinnalchs still value prowess in battle. We can't help it."

Kalix nodded. Many things made her feel bad, but killing
Sarapen wasn't one of them.

"And you have made progress," said Dominil. "Your mental
strength is returning, even if you don't realise it. The moment I
appeared you obviously told yourself you weren't going to let me push
you around any more. Furthermore, you now have friends. Daniel and
Moonglow like you, and you like them. If you didn't like them you'd
have left by now. You are no longer quite such a lonely werewolf girl."

Kalix considered this. She supposed it might be true.

"Well so what?" she said.

"So you're stronger and you have friends. I'd say that makes
your life better."

"But Gawain…"

"There's nothing to do about that. Just bite it and swallow
it. It's not worth killing yourself over. And it's probably better if
you live."

Kalix snorted.

"Couldn't you at least pretend you'd be sad if I was dead?"

"Not without straining myself."

Kalix smiled.

"Vex also likes you," continued Dominil. "Though whether
that's a good thing, I'm not certain. She suggests I take you shopping."

"She's stupid," said Kalix.

"I won't argue with that. It's also stupid to sit in the
middle of this cold clump of bushes. Let's go to the cafe."

"Okay."

They made their way through the park. The snow had stopped but
the ground was still hard and frozen. Only a few dog walkers were
about. Their dogs shied away from Kalix and Dominil as they passed.

"How is your reading coming along?"

"A bit better," said Kalix. "Are you going to help the twins
more?"

"Probably. They want me to."