Bitches and Brawlers

by Melanie Karsak

  Bitches and Brawlers

  Steampunk Red Riding Hood, Book 4

  Melanie Karsak

  MelanieKarsak.com

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  Bitches and Brawlers

  Steampunk Red Riding Hood Series

  Clockpunk Press, 2018

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced without permission from the author. This is a work of fiction. All characters and events portrayed are fictional. Any resemblances to the living or dead are purely coincidental.

  Published by Clockpunk Press

  Editing by Becky Stephens Editing

  Proofreading by Siren Editing

  Cover art by Art by Karri

  Novel Description

  Just when things start going well for Agent Clemeny Louvel, a bitch has to make trouble.

  Since Cyril’s death, an uneasy peace has existed between Alodie and Lionheart. Her brothel closed, her rank in the werewolf pecking order obliterated, and shunned by the Templars, Alodie has been living on the fringes of the dark district. Determined to get vengeance on Lionheart and Clemeny, Alodie hatches a monstrous plan. Just in time to ruin Clemeny and Edwin’s first outing as a couple.

  Alodie will do anything to see a new alpha rise.

  Unless Clemeny can stop her first.

  Badassery and steampunk unite in New York Times bestselling author Melanie Karsak's retelling of the classic Red Riding Hood fairy tale set in gaslamp London. Bitches and Brawlers is book 4 in the Steampunk Red Riding Hood series.

  Dedication

  In loving memory of Helen Morrison

  Table of Contents

  Bitches and Brawlers

  Novel Description

  Dedication

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1: Sneaky is as Sneaky Does

  Chapter 2: Test your Might

  Chapter 3: Wherefore Art Thou, Lionheart?

  Chapter 4: A Rose is a Rose is a Rose

  Chapter 5: A Rose by Any Other Name

  Chapter 6: What Missus Coleridge Doesn’t Know

  Chapter 7: The Dark District

  Chapter 8: Alodie

  Chapter 9: The Infamous Missus Coleridge

  Chapter 10: It’s a Date

  Chapter 11: Rude Characters

  Chapter 12: Tea, Lemonade, and Petit-Fours

  Chapter 13: Mister Phillip Phillips

  Chapter 14: Ishtar Rises

  Chapter 15: What Grand-mère Knew

  Chapter 16: Rattled

  Chapter 17: Absolutely Maybe

  Chapter 18: The Prince

  Chapter 19: Get the Message?

  Chapter 20: Dirty Deeds

  Chapter 21: Reckonings

  Chapter 22: Red Roses

  Chapter 23: Horizons

  Thank You

  Keep in touch with Melanie online

  Sneak Peek: The Glass Mermaid

  Chapter 1: Sneaky is as Sneaky Does

  I rubbed my hands together and blew warm air onto my fingers. The long winter had lingered into spring. And I had spent entirely too much time on rooftops waiting for bad people to do bad things.

  “Well, one good thing about my beat, I don’t have to wait around in the cold all night long,” Agent Keung whispered.

  I smirked. “No, I suppose the opium dens are rather warm. Don’t you get a headache though?”

  Agent Keung grinned. “Only the good kind. Have you ever partaken, Agent Louvel?”

  “No. I have quite enough vices. Mine are mostly of the sugar and butter variety, though.”

  He chuckled. “I spend far more time in opium dens and brothels than I need or want.”

  “You see, the clean, crisp air will do you some good.”

  “If it’s all the same to you, I’d prefer to never work your beat ever again.”

  I chuckled. “Well, then let’s see what we can do about your missing shaman.”

  Agent Keung nodded. “All of Limehouse is in an uproar,” he said, referring to the small, east end Chinese community. While many good families lived there, the place was polluted by brothels and opium houses. Located near the river, it was a popular spot for sailors and others who had picked up the opium habit. “They believe the entire opium market will fall apart without Master Qiang controlling the spirits that watch over it.”

  I looked back at him over my shoulder. “One of my fluffy friends is interested in your shaman for a reason. Does he control spirits?”

  Agent Keung nodded. “Yes, but it’s not the spirits watching over the opium dens I’m worried about. It’s the other creatures Master Qiang controls that we must keep at bay.”

  “Lovely. Of what variety?”

  “Elementals. Harmless when controlled. Dangerous as demons when they aren’t. Not the type we want roaming about the realm.”

  “Why can’t they ever lord over something quaint? Garden gnomes would be a nice change of pace.”

  Agent Keung chuckled. “In theory. But I can’t imagine taking on a horde of possessed garden gnomes. Can you?”

  I grinned, the image of hundreds of inches-high men in red hats on the attack. “You paint quite the picture.”

  “Spirits are no fun to tangle with, but I have to say, I don’t care much for your pets, Agent Louvel. Not a very civilized bunch.”

  “They aren’t all bad,” I replied, my mind drifting to Lionheart. I was surprised when I felt my heartbeat quicken a little at the thought of his wolfy grin. “Just don’t get too cozy with them on a full moon.”

  Agent Keung chuckled lightly.

  While the Templars were civil, there had been more and more disruptions with other rogue wolves over the last few months. The Dís was right. They were testing Lionheart’s reign. Mostly it had been small fires to stamp out, but the tingling of my palms told me something big was on the horizon. Lionheart was getting tight-lipped and hard to track down. Was he avoiding me? Why would he do that? The issue vexed me to no end. I had a feeling something was happening just under my nose. The last time the werewolves started swiping other preternaturals, Agent Reid had died, and Quinn had almost been killed. Now? I just didn’t know what was going on.

  It was only when Agent Keung spotted the werewolves in Limehouse that pieces of the puzzle started to slowly fall together.

  “There,” Agent Keung whispered, jerking his chin in the direction of an auto creeping slowly down the street toward the building on the opposite block.

  We were lingering on the edge of a dark district. Whatever someone was up to, they didn’t want to be seen. Which meant we were in the right spot.

  The auto’s lights extinguished, the purr of the boiler and the soft hiss of steam the only indication that the vehicle was coming. The auto rolled to a stop outside a dilapidated building.

  Hidden in the shadows, Agent Keung and I watched. The driver, a heavily muscled brute of a werewolf, stepped out. I recognized him as one of Fenton’s old pack members. He was the third I’d seen this week of the old group. They’d started returning from Australia. Why? Surely, they knew they weren’t going to get a second chance to stay away. And why wasn’t Lionheart or the Templars doing something to stop them?

  The driver opened the door of the auto.

  A pair of long, shapely legs emerged first. Fenton’s old dog reached to help the passenger out.

  Hell’s bells. Alodie. As always, she was dressed beautifully. In a silver silk gown, her pale blond hair perfectly arranged under a black mini top hat, she scanned the street then turned and headed toward the building. I should have known. If something unsavory and sneaky was happening, naturally she would be involved.

&nb
sp; Two more female werewolves emerged from the auto. I recognized the Lolitas from the brothel, but they were sporting entirely different attire these days. Dressed in trousers, boots, and corsets, both of them were armed. They eyed the street, their eyes flashing red.

  I heard the sound of struggle as one of the Lolitas pulled a man out of the car. An older man with long white hair dressed in long robes stumbled as he stepped out, tripping over the curb. They’d put a bag over his head and bound his hands behind his back. One of the Lolita girls grabbed him roughly, tugging him to his feet.

  “That’s him,” Agent Keung whispered.

  “Why doesn’t he just roast their rotten hides?” I whispered.

  “Look at his binds.”

  I increased the magnification on my optic and scanned down to see the glint of something green around the shaman’s wrists.

  “Jade,” Agent Keung explained. “That will hold him. But your werewolves really are stupid. If he ever gets free…”

  “Would serve them right. They are stupid and predictable, for the most part. But that bitch,” I whispered, gesturing to Alodie, “is trouble.”

  Two werewolves appeared from the basement entrance below the building. Alodie gestured to the shaman. One of the wolves grabbed Master Qiang and pulled him toward the door.

  The Lolitas scanned the street once more then turned and followed Alodie inside.

  I sighed. “Complications. Always complications.” I slipped my gun back into my holster then eyed the rooftop. I motioned to Agent Keung, and we raced to the other side of the building. We slipped down the ladder into the alley opposite the structure where Alodie and the others had gone. Staying in the shadows, we worked our way to the end of the alley.

  I pulled my silver blade and eyed the building. The driver was guarding the car, and there was another werewolf at the door. I looked back at Agent Keung. “If you want your shaman, we’re going to need to go in to get him. It’s probably going to get messy.”

  Agent Keung reached behind his back where he wore a sword. The blade seemed to sing as it came out of its scabbard, the metal glinting in the moonlight.

  “Agent Hunter told me to come prepared. The blade is forged with silver. Thought it might come in handy.”

  I grinned at the mention of Edwin’s name, my heart fluttering for just a moment.

  “Nice,” I replied. Moving quickly, we headed across the street. I motioned to Agent Keung to go for the driver while I went after the guard. Swift and silent, Keung was on top of the driver before the werewolf spotted him. A moment later, the two were fighting. Keung whacked the gun from the werewolf’s hand and roundhouse kicked the wolf who tried to lunge at him, knocking the werewolf off his feet.

  Distracted by the sound of the fight, the guard moved away from the door. Hidden near the stairs, I moved quickly to intercept him.

  Catching a glimpse of me out of the corner of his eye, the werewolf turned and faced me. I recognized him as one of the former members of Paddington Pack.

  “Little Red,” he said with a growl. At once, he began to shift form. His human features contorted, his mouth elongating, his teeth forming sharp rows in his snout-like mouth. His eyes flashed red.

  Taking aim, I lobbed my dagger at him just as he lunged.

  My dagger worked faster than his muscles. The silver blade slammed into his chest. The impact knocked him off his feet. His howl died in his throat as he dropped to the ground.

  I turned in time to watch Keung’s blade slide through the air, taking the driver’s head with it. It bounced across the street toward me.

  I knelt and studied the face. Definitely one of Fenton’s old boys. Frowning, I went and retrieved my dagger from the Paddington wolf.

  Agent Keung joined me.

  “You need to teach me some of those moves,” I told Agent Keung.

  “Come by my kwoon for some sparring. Not that you need it, Little Red.”

  I smirked at him then turned and looked at the door. All right, Alodie. What are you up to?

  Chapter 2: Test your Might

  Moving slowly, Keung and I went to the door. My pistol drawn, I opened the door. It was pitch black. Activating my night optic, the hallway before me came into focus, tinted in shades of green. I motioned to Keung, and we headed inside.

  There was the distinct scent of werewolves in the air, but more than that, it was she-wolves I smelled. That strange, musky feminine odor permeated everything. I swallowed hard, the scent gag-worthy.

  Somewhere inside, I heard a shrill voice followed by the soft sound of Master Qiang cursing the wolves in Chinese.

  I looked back at Keung. He nodded, having heard as well.

  I frowned and tried to reach out with my senses. There would be four wolves in total: two bitches, a guard, and Alodie. She might look pretty, but I had to remember that Alodie was a beta. I pulled my other pistol from my boot as we moved toward the room at the end of the hallway. The light of an oil lamp therein cast an orange glow.

  “No need to be so disagreeable, Master Qiang. All I need is a little confirmation. Once you provide that, you can take your granddaughter and go,” Alodie purred.

  I looked back at Keung who shook his head in surprise.

  We crept slowly toward the room.

  Inside, there was a tense silence.

  A moment later, I heard the distinct sound of a slap.

  A girl cried out in pain. “Grandfather,” she called in a tearful whisper.

  My teeth ground together, and it was all I could do to stop myself from barging into the room and murdering everyone. But I needed to know what was happening. What was Alodie doing?

  “Stop,” Master Qiang shouted.

  “The map, Master Qiang,” Alodie said.

  “Unbind me,” the old man said.

  “No, Alodie. He’ll turn on us,” one of the Lolitas said.

  “You stupid wolf, I can’t do what you’re asking with my hands bound. Unbind me.”

  “Very well,” Alodie said. “No tricks, or we’ll eat her for supper. Understood?”

  “I hear you.”

  There was some movement in the room. I heard the rattle of paper and the sound of a chair scraping on the floor.

  “Where was his last known location?” the shaman asked.

  “We sent someone to the American southwest to retrieve him. I need to know where they are now,” Alodie said.

  “Give me the bone,” Master Qiang said.

  I heard the sound of a box opening. A moment later, Master Qiang began chanting. The light from the lamp within flickered then went out. All at once, it grew terribly cold. Goosebumps rose on my skin, my breath slipping out in dense clouds of fog.

  “What’s happening?” one of the Lolita girls asked.

  A bright blue light began to emanate from the room. Along with it, a strange wind began to blow.

  Master Qiang chanted louder.

  “Jesus, what in the hell is that?” one of the werewolves asked.

  The air grew even colder, and ice began to form on the pipes overhead. I looked back at Agent Keung.

  “Elemental,” he mouthed.

  The light grew brighter. Master Qiang spoke loudly, his voice firm and demanding. Light flashed, and for a brief moment, the debris on the ground lifted a few feet in the air then slowly settled back down.

  Then, I heard a soft, hissing voice.

  “Alodie,” one of the Lolitas whispered, fear in her voice.

  Master Qiang spoke in Chinese once more, his tone loud and commanding.

  The strange voice hissed in reply. Then there was a whooshing sound and a blast of white light. Everything grew dark.

  “Alodie, what’s happening?” one of the werewolves whispered.

  The little girl cried softly.

  “Master Qiang?” Alodie demanded.

  “He is looking. Be silent.”

  The werewolves stilled. There was no sound save the soft sobs of Master Qiang’s granddaughter.

  A moment later, the bl
ue light returned, bringing the cold and wind along with it.

  The voice spoke in a hiss once more.

  “Well, did it find him? What is he saying?” Alodie asked.

  Master Qiang did not answer.

  “Master Qiang,” Alodie demanded.

  “Look,” Master Qiang retorted sharply.

  “Alodie, the map,” one of the Lolitas said.

  Alodie gasped excitedly. “There. There you are. Well done, Master Qiang. We got what we wanted. Dismiss your monster.”

  “And if I do not?”

  There was a soft cry from the unseen child. “Then I guess we’ll see which of us is faster.”

  I looked at Keung. “Now or never,” I said in a whisper.

  He nodded.

  I pulled the hammers back on my pistols.

  “What was that?” one of the Lolitas asked.

  Agent Keung and I stepped into the room.

  “Agent Louv—” the Lolita began, but her voice died in her throat as I shot.

  I turned my guns on the guard who was shifting form. The other Lolita moved to intercept Keung who readied his blade.

  “No. Keung, stop,” Master Qiang called.

  I looked from the shaman to the torrent of blue light. Inside was a monster. A creature with long, flowing hair, horns, and silver eyes glared out. Blue, white, and silver light twisted around the creature.

  “Kill the wolves,” Master Qiang commanded the creature.

  Alodie, her eyes glimmering red, glanced around the room. Her eyes stopped on a map resting on a dilapidated table at the center of the room. I followed her gaze. The map showed a line that began in the American southwest and snaked across the country, the ocean, toward Europe. There was a strange symbol thereon. In the vast wasteland of the American west, lit by the same unholy bluish light that surrounded Master Qiang’s spirit creature, was a wolf head wearing a crown.

  “Louvel, you menace,” Alodie said with a sneer. She’d been holding the shaman’s granddaughter in front of her. When the monster turned toward her, she shoved the girl to the floor.