The Anxiety of Kalix the Werewolf

by Martin Millar

  “Among other things. She never seems to approve of any girlfriend I pretend to have.”

  “It will be fine,” said Moonglow confidently.

  “I hope so. Meeting my mother on a first date is a lot to ask. Especially as you’ve come here for a different reason.”

  “What?” said Moonglow.

  “The man you were trying to meet?”

  Moonglow had been having such an enjoyable time with William that she’d forgotten she’d pretended her reason for coming to the ball was to meet someone she thought would be here.

  “Right. I don’t think he’s here yet. Probably he’ll just turn up for the ball. He’s a keen dancer.” Moonglow bit her lip and wondered why she’d said that.

  “William, there you are.” William’s mother arrived at the table having successfully maneuvered her way toward them without being observed. She was younger looking and more glamorous than Moonglow had expected. She was slender, her hair was very blonde, and she wore an elegant white evening gown and a diamond necklace.

  “Are you going to introduce me?” she asked.

  “This is Moonglow,” said William, standing up.

  “Moonglow?” said William’s mother. “Such an unusual name. William, could you please pop backstage for me? I forgot to bring my bag, you’ll find it at the table with my name on it.”

  “Uh . . . Do I . . .” William hesitated to leave Moonglow, but could find no reason not to go. “I’ll be as quick as I can,” he said.

  “No rush,” said his mother. “I always enjoy having a little chat with your girlfriends.”

  CHAPTER 89

  As Dominil had predicted, there was tight security around the ball. The hotel entrance was a narrow space, easily guarded, but the extensive gardens at the back leading down to the River Thames required more protection. The organizers had hired a large group of uniformed security guards who had already turned back several uninvited guests and kept a watchful eye on all river traffic.

  Decembrius waited till dusk, then slunk into the bushes at the edge of Victoria Embankment. He emerged as a werewolf, in the shadows of the ancient Prince Henry’s Tower. The tower was solid, black and smooth, and appeared unscalable. Decembrius studied the edifice.

  I might make it to the top, he thought. He was a skillful climber. As a werewolf he’d scaled many tall buildings. But I might not.

  He took a coin from his pocket and turned it over in his fingers. I’m sure this isn’t going to work.

  Decembrius pressed the coin to the wall and spoke the words the Enchantress had told him to say: “Minerva’s silver ladder.”

  Tiny tendrils of wispy gray smoke emerged from the coin, forming themselves into a ropelike ladder which quickly grew until it reached the top of the tower.

  How about that, thought Decembrius. Thrix’s sorcery is actually useful for something besides designing clothes.

  The strands of the ladder were thin and translucent, almost invisible in the darkness. Decembrius began to climb. The sorcerous ladder felt wispy and insecure, but he reached the top without incident.

  “Ladder disappear,” he said. The ladder vanished. Decembrius turned his attention to the gardens below. As yet there was no one there apart from the security men, most of whom were concentrating on the river. Beneath him, the inner face of the tower sloped gently to the ground. There were many ridges and ledges, making it an easy descent. He dropped into the gardens.

  “Time to prowl.”

  Decembrius disappeared into a thick clump of bushes, protected by his dark red werewolf pelt, and made his way toward a tree. With an athletic leap, he pulled himself into the lower branches, climbed higher, then settled down to watch. He looked over toward the rear of the hotel. The thought of Kalix modeling clothes made him smile. He knew she’d hate it. His smile disappeared quickly. The depression over Kalix hadn’t lifted. One reason he’d agreed to stand guard was simply the opportunity of seeing her. Decembrius wasn’t happy to acknowledge this to himself but he knew it was true.

  As if it wasn’t bad enough that I’ve been whining to everyone, including my mother, about Kalix, now I seem to have moved on to actually stalking her. It’s pathetic.

  Decembrius shook his head. He really couldn’t believe he’d talked to his mother about Kalix. He gazed at the hotel, imagining the ball.

  She’s probably in there with her boyfriend. She’ll come into the gardens, she’ll know I’m here and she’ll think I’m following her. I should have told Dominil I didn’t want to do this.

  Not, Decembrius reflected, that he had much else to do. His life seemed to be empty these days. Like certain other MacRinnalchs, Decembrius wasn’t clear how to move forward. He lay on a branch, hidden in the shadows, safe from observation, and waited for something to happen. He wasn’t really expecting the werewolf hunters to turn up, but if they did he wouldn’t mind. Decembrius did not go looking for fights, but he had no hesitation in joining one if necessary.

  And after that I’d still be unhappy about Kalix, he thought, and growled softly to himself.

  CHAPTER 90

  “Wasn’t it great being models?” Vex had enjoyed the whole experience.

  Kalix shuddered. “I’m never doing it again. I need some fresh air. I’m going out to the gardens.”

  “You can’t. We have to seduce Bakmer.”

  Kalix scowled. “Stop saying ‘seduce.’ We don’t have to seduce anyone. We just have to spy.”

  “OK, we’ve got to spy on Bakmer.”

  “I’m too stressed. I need to escape for a while.”

  “I thought this mission was really important for werewolves?”

  “It is. But . . .” Kalix suddenly felt hopeless. Everything was feeling too difficult, and her anxiety was still at a high level.

  “Come on,” said Vex. “It’s not that bad.”

  The young Fire Elemental placed her hand on the back of Kalix’s neck. Kalix felt a very small amount of heat spread into her body.

  “What was that?”

  “Hiyasta healing power,” said Vex. She looked pleased with herself. “I’ve been practicing on flowers. Do you feel better?”

  “Uh . . .” Kalix had hardly felt anything, but she appreciated Vex’s effort and didn’t want to be rude. “A bit better. All right, let’s go and look at this Bakmer,” she said. “But I don’t know how we’re meant to learn anything. Everyone we’re spying on seems to know we’re spying on them.”

  “I thought that might be a problem too,” said Vex. “But every time anyone said anything Dominil just said we were to use our initiative. How’s your initiative?”

  “Useless.”

  They passed through the curtain, out into the busy room where the auction was in progress. Vex spotted Adviser Bakmer immediately. He was younger than Kalix had expected, appearing to be no more than thirty. His evening dress suited him well, but as he sat on his own, he looked ill at ease.

  “Have you met him before?” asked Kalix.

  “No. But I’ve seen him at some events. Let’s go.”

  “Wait,” Kalix said urgently. “We don’t have a plan yet!”

  “Is there any chance of us thinking of a good plan?” asked Vex.

  “No.”

  “Then let’s go.”

  “I feel conspicuous,” said Kalix. She was abruptly conscious of her clothes. Her tiny shorts left her legs bare. Her arms were uncovered too, and though she’d stopped the bleeding by putting a plaster over her latest cut, she was keenly aware that it must look conspicuous.

  “Everyone else is in ball gowns and we’re wearing shorts and tie-dyed vests.”

  “Well, that’s good,” said Vex. “We look like models. Everyone likes models.”

  “Do they?”

  “Of course, if they’re young and pretty like us.”

  Kalix suddenly felt ashamed that she was hanging back while Vex was urging them on. She should be doing her best, even if she was quite certain they wouldn’t succeed.

  “OK,” she
said. “Let’s go.”

  They hurried across the room, dodging waiters and trying not to interfere with the clothes auction. Without waiting to be invited, Vex sat down next to the adviser.

  “Hi,” she said. “You look a bit miserable. We’ve come to cheer you up.”

  “I know you. I’ve seen you before. You’re a Hiyasta.”

  “That’s right,” said Vex. “Is there anything you want to talk about?”

  “I don’t think I should be talking to you,” said Bakmer. “The Empress wouldn’t like it.”

  Vex grinned at him. “She wouldn’t mind. Just pretend we’re ambassadors at court. Ambassadors are always telling each other stuff, right?”

  Bakmer eyed Vex suspiciously. “Are you spying on me?”

  “Absolutely not. We’re not looking for any sort of information. Unless there’s something you really want to tell us.”

  Vex pressed herself close to Bakmer. Kalix cringed. The ball hadn’t even started yet and already they were the worst spies in history.

  CHAPTER 91

  William retrieved his mother’s handbag as swiftly as he could. He was quite certain that she’d sent him to fetch it merely as a way of interviewing his date in private. He was worried she might already have scared Moonglow away, but arrived back to find them talking quite happily together.

  “Here’s your bag.”

  “Thanks, William. It was so careless of me to forget it. I’ve been having an interesting chat with Moonglow. You didn’t tell me she was such a good student.”

  “Right . . . I didn’t think you’d be interested.”

  “Of course I’m interested. You never talk about your degree course.” William’s mother rose gracefully. “I’ll leave you alone. The ball will start any minute and I have to make sure the Princess is in position. William, you must invite Moonglow for lunch. I insist you bring her over to meet the family.”

  William’s mother departed. William looked at Moonglow.

  “How did you do that?”

  “What?”

  “Make her like you so quickly? She’s never insisted I invite anyone for lunch before.”

  “I talked about exams and studying,” said Moonglow. “I told her about the good marks I’d been getting.”

  William looked puzzled. “And she was impressed by that?”

  “Of course. Mothers always like anyone who’s studying hard and working for a good degree. Didn’t you know that?”

  “No.”

  “What did you think she was worried about? Family connections?”

  “Yes.”

  Moonglow put her hand over William’s. “She just wants you to end up with someone with some ambition.”

  “That might explain why she never liked any of my other dates,” said William. He was cheered by Moonglow’s success with his mother, and ordered a bottle of champagne from a waiter.

  “Are you sure I can’t buy you any clothes? The auction’s almost finished. Look, these are great shoes.”

  “They are nice,” agreed Moonglow. “But no, you can’t buy me them. Why are you suddenly looking sad? I can manage without new shoes.”

  “It’s not that,” said William. “I just realized that my mother liking you doesn’t really get me any further forward. With her not knowing I’m gay, I mean.”

  “Yes, that’s still a problem.”

  The waiter appeared with their bottle of champagne. After depositing it on the table, he leaned over to speak discreetly in Moonglow’s ear.

  “A lady with white hair asked me to give you this.”

  Moonglow accepted a folded napkin. She glanced inside. It contained an electronic room pass and a note from Dominil. “Distikka’s room—438. Search it while I keep her busy.”

  “I have to leave for a few minutes. I’ll be right back.” Moonglow left swiftly and was almost out the room before she considered what she was doing. I’m about to break into a hotel room. Is that illegal? Am I going to be arrested? Well, thought Moonglow, she had insisted on coming and joining in with the espionage mission. She wasn’t going to back out of it now. Excited and slightly fearful, Moonglow headed for the corridor, where she asked an employee for directions before taking the lift to the fourth floor.

  The Fire Queen approached Thrix at the end of the clothes auction. “Enchantress, it has gone splendidly so far, yes? I saw your clothes sell for great amounts. Once more, your designs have triumphed.” Malveria studied her features in one of the mirrors that had not yet been cleared from the backstage area. “I am looking fabulous in every way, am I not?”

  It was true. The Fire Queen was looking fabulous. Her pale blue evening gown set off her bare shoulders quite perfectly. Her long hair displayed subtle hints of a warm dark red, an effect the Fire Queen had been practicing for a long time, in which she allowed the merest hint of her internal fire to flow into her tresses.

  “One expects to turn heads, of course. But tonight I have the advantage of this supreme gown, my extra-high heels and lip coloring that cannot be faulted.”

  The Fire Queen frowned. Thrix seemed to be lacking in enthusiasm. “Despite the success of your clothes, and my fabulous appearance, you seem dissatisfied. Why is this?”

  “I’m frustrated because I’m not doing anything.”

  Thrix pointed discreetly to the far side of the room, where Dominil still sat with Distikka. “Dominil’s already matching intellects with Distikka. Daniel’s gone off looking for Lady Gezinka. Even Vex and Kalix are . . . uh . . .”

  They looked over to another table where Vex was wiping champagne off Adviser Bakmer after spilling it on his shirt, while Kalix attempted to mop the table with a napkin.

  “Well, I’m sure they’re doing their best.”

  “I also am busy,” declared the Fire Queen. “Even now I am monitoring Kabachetka, and have prevented her from likewise monitoring our progress. Our sorcery is struggling for supremacy, and I will not falter.”

  “I don’t seem to be doing anything,” said Thrix.

  “And that is just what I have come to talk to you about. Your target, the werewolf hunter Mr. Eggers, will shortly be arriving. I overheard Kabachetka mention it.”

  Thrix’s eyes flashed. “Now I’m feeling better. Mr. Eggers? He’s a senior member of the Guild.”

  “The timing is splendid. The ball is about to start. You may dance with Mr. Eggers, and learn his secrets.”

  “I was thinking more of just killing him.”

  “Dearest Thrix, you know that will not do,” said the Fire Queen sternly. “You need information from this man. And you are golden and splendid. How can he resist?”

  Thrix checked her own appearance in the mirror. “I’m not all that confident about these hair extensions.”

  The Fire Queen assured her they looked natural, and also splendid. “As they should, given the amount of sorcery we worked over them.”

  “Yes,” said Thrix. “Don’t mention that to Dominil. She’ll accuse me of being frivolous. Again.”

  They turned toward the crowd in the room, many of whom were now rising from their tables.

  “Moonglow is searching Distikka’s room,” said the Fire Queen. “Dominil sent her, which I enabled her to do by briefly distracting Distikka. The espionage is all underway, Enchantress.”

  They walked elegantly toward the marble pillars at the door.

  “Nothing will distract me from this mission,” said the Fire Queen. “The foul Empress Kabachetka will not succeed in seducing the handsome Mr. Dewar.”

  “Pardon?”

  “Mr. Dewar. Did I not mention him? He is the features editor at Vogue, and part of the Empress’s party. Kabachetka has her eye on him, but I fancy he would do better with me.”

  “I thought you were focused on our mission?”

  “My task is mainly to distract the attention of the Empress, is it not? Rescuing Mr. Dewar from her dreaded clutches will certainly divert her attention. Really, Enchantress, I can see this night being a memorable one, for many re
asons.”

  CHAPTER 92

  Daniel changed into evening dress, which he’d hired. Dominil had provided him with the money. He examined himself in the mirror, mentally checking off everything—black jacket, black trousers, black silk bow tie, black waistcoat, white dress shirt, black socks and black patent leather shoes.

  “I look strange.” He wished that Moonglow were there to encourage him, but she was busy elsewhere. Daniel felt a familiar chill at the thought of Moonglow on a date. He hoped it was going badly.

  Daniel had been given the task of approaching Lady Gezinka, Kabachetka’s secretary. He had a sense of impending doom, which had not been helped by Vex informing him that Gezinka was regarded as stern and unfriendly.

  How am I meant to seduce a stern, unfriendly Fire Elemental? Dominil has a lot more confidence in my initiative than me.

  Through the huge marble door he could see that the ballroom was filling up. All the men wore evening dress. At least he wouldn’t stand out.

  Except they’re all used to it, he thought. Probably I look like someone wearing it for the first time.

  Kalix emerged from the ballroom, head down and moving rapidly. Daniel intercepted her. “Kalix, do I look all right?”

  “Can’t stop.”

  “Have you seen this Gezinka woman?”

  “She just sat down with Vex and Bakmer. I have to go.”

  “Where?”

  “Gardens,” said Kalix. “Nervous. Feeling sick.”

  With that, Kalix departed quickly. Daniel walked past several liveried attendants as confidently as he could and entered the ballroom. He was struck by the size of the room and the magnificence of the decor. It was brighter than he’d expected, with pale blue walls and white marble columns, a light gray floor and tables round the walls with white covers and white candles in silver candelabras. Everything seemed to be gilded, from the edges of the chairs to the frieze high up on the walls, illuminated by series of golden chandeliers.

  No one was dancing yet, but there were clusters of people everywhere and it took Daniel a while to spot his target. Vex was sitting with two people who he presumed were Bakmer and Gezinka. He advanced hesitantly.