The Anxiety of Kalix the Werewolf

by Martin Millar

  Thrix changed back into human and raised her arm. Nothing happened. She frowned. “I can’t. I don’t have any power left.”

  Kalix finally got over her confusion and changed back too. “What’s happening?”

  “Thrix doesn’t have enough power left to move these bodies. Which is a problem. We can’t leave them here.”

  They could hear happy voices, not far away, debutantes laughing in the gardens. Kalix had a sudden inspiration.

  “Hide them under the bushes. I’ll get Malveria.”

  CHAPTER 104

  Kalix made her way through the gardens into the hotel. For a few moments, as she stood over the bodies, Thrix had looked completely insane. Kalix wondered if that was how she looked when her battle madness came on.

  At least I’m not the only mad one in the family any more.

  She made her way into the ballroom. By now she was sick of crowds, evening dresses and chandeliers. She hadn’t forgotten how unpleasant Decembrius had been.

  He couldn’t wait to insult me. I’m never going to speak to him again.

  Taking less care than before, Kalix plowed through the crowded dance floor. She finally arrived at the back of the ballroom where she found Dominil, Vex, Moonglow and Malveria. Kalix whispered in the Fire Queen’s ear. The Fire Queen nodded and hurried off.

  “What happened?” asked Dominil.

  “Just some fashion stuff with Thrix,” said Kalix, who didn’t want to let Moonglow know there were dead hunters in the gardens. “Are we still spying?”

  “We’re done,” Dominil told her. “But we have to find Daniel.”

  “Someone asked Dominil and Vex to be models,” said Moonglow as they worked their way through the room.

  “He asked Kalix too!” said Vex.

  Kalix felt embarrassed and didn’t respond. When Moonglow was a few paces ahead of them, Kalix caught Dominil’s arm and whispered in her ear, telling her what had happened in the gardens. Dominil nodded, and carried on. She led them out into the corridor, seeking a quiet spot.

  “So how do we find Daniel?” asked Kalix when they could hear themselves.

  “We should split up and search everywhere,” said Dominil.

  “That sounds tedious,” said Vex. “And things always go wrong when you split up. Monsters pick you off, one by one.”

  “That’s more when you’re in a lonely mansion or something like that,” said Moonglow. “I don’t think monsters will pick us off here.”

  “I still don’t like it,” said Vex. “Anyway, why not just look in Lady Gezinka’s room? They’re probably in bed together.”

  There was general surprise at the suggestion.

  “Why would they be in bed together?” asked Dominil.

  “I thought you said Gezinka was unfriendly?” said Kalix.

  “She was,” admitted Vex. “But you know, lonely middle-aged lady, handsome young guy—or Daniel in this case, but he did look better in that suit—plus champagne, glamorous ballroom and stuff. They’ve probably gone to her room.”

  Dominil was baffled. She turned to Moonglow. “Is this credible?”

  Moonglow hesitated. “I suppose it might be.”

  “We’ve already had several narrow escapes while visiting the rooms of the Hainusta elementals. I don’t want to go there again unless it’s absolutely necessary.”

  “We could just leave them to it,” said Vex. “They probably don’t want to be interrupted. Humans are funny like that.”

  “We can’t leave anyone behind,” said Dominil firmly. “I doubt that Daniel is in Lady Gezinka’s room, but I’ll check. Wait here.”

  “If you’re going to burst in on Daniel I want to come!” protested Vex.

  “Stay here.” Dominil was firm. They’d been fortunate so far and she didn’t want to risk a further confrontation with the Empress.

  “How are we going to get home without Daniel?” wondered Vex.

  “I suppose we’ll have to find a cab,” said Kalix.

  Vex screwed up her face. She’d been in London long enough to know that it could be difficult to find a taxi willing to go south of the river in the early hours of the morning.

  “We could get the night bus.”

  “I’m not getting on a bus dressed like this,” said Kalix. “It’s bad enough being half-naked in here.”

  In the early hours of the morning, the ball was still going strong, though a few people had started to leave. William appeared, escorting his mother to the front of the hotel, where a car was waiting for her.

  “So nice to meet you, Moonglow,” she said. “Remember, you must come for lunch.”

  “I’ll be back soon,” said William.

  They walked off toward the foyer.

  “You really impressed his mother,” said Kalix.

  “I know! I was such a good date!”

  The lift door opened. Dominil emerged. Moonglow noticed that even at this late hour, in her unfamiliar heels, she walked very upright. And her stomach is really flat too. I wonder if she works out.

  “Well?” said Vex.

  “You were correct. Daniel is currently in Lady Gezinka’s room. In her bed, to be precise.”

  Vex laughed. “I told you. Did you walk right in on them?”

  “I did.”

  “What happened?”

  “They weren’t pleased.”

  “What were they doing when you went in?”

  “There is no need to explain that exactly,” said Dominil. “I asked Daniel if he wanted to leave with us.” Dominil pursed her lips. “He didn’t. He made the point more strongly than was strictly necessary.”

  Vex laughed uproariously at the image of Dominil marching into Gezinka’s bedroom and asking Daniel if he wanted to leave. Even Kalix smiled. Moonglow didn’t seem to find it funny.

  “Is he safe? What if the Empress decides she’s annoyed with him?”

  “I’m also concerned about that,” said Dominil. “Nonetheless, Daniel was quite vehement that he did not wish to leave.”

  “The Empress won’t care,” said Vex. “She’s busy with Vogue journalists and some man she keeps dragging onto the dance floor.”

  “Perhaps you’re right. We have some work to do before we leave. Thrix’s clothes and materials need packing.”

  “Doesn’t she have teams of people to do that?”

  “Not tonight. We deemed it unsafe to involve anyone else.”

  Vex and Kalix groaned at the prospect of working so deep into the night, but at that moment William appeared and cheerfully offered to help.

  “Vex,” said Dominil. “Locate your aunt and find out what’s happening with Thrix.”

  “OK,” said Vex, and hurried off, pleased to have an excuse for not packing up and loading with the others.

  CHAPTER 105

  After St. Amelia’s Ball Kalix slept better than she had done for months. She woke up slowly, drifting in and out of a funny dream about the animals drawn by Manny. A blue furry elephant smiled at her and asked her if she’d like to ride on its back.

  “You should visit Vex,” said Kalix. “She likes elephants. Especially furry ones.”

  “I’m very furry,” said the blue elephant.

  Kalix felt comfortable in her bed. She was warm and cozy. The late-morning light barely penetrated the thick curtains. She remembered the ball last night, and all the adventures they’d had. Dominil said she might have gathered enough information to locate the Guild. If that was true, they could count it as a great success. Kalix was pleased to have participated. For once, she hadn’t messed everything up.

  She rolled over and bumped into someone. That was unexpected. Kalix sat up.

  “Decembrius!” she yelled. “What are you doing here?”

  There was no reply. She hit him on the shoulder. “Wake up!”

  Decembrius opened his eyes. He saw Kalix leaning over him and grinned. “Morning.”

  Kalix’s first impression on finding Decembrius lying beside her was that he must have somehow sneaked i
nto her bed. But as her mind cleared her memory returned. She covered her face with her hands and moaned. “I can’t believe we slept together!”

  Decembrius sat up, still grinning.

  “Stop smiling!” said Kalix.

  “Why? I’m feeling OK.”

  “We can’t have slept together. I have a boyfriend. How did it happen?”

  Decembrius shrugged.

  “You tricked me!” cried Kalix.

  “How did I trick you?”

  Kalix fumbled for an answer. She was so furious she felt that Decembrius must have tricked her somehow but she couldn’t see how.

  “I must have been drunk!”

  “No, you weren’t. We’d all sobered up by the time we’d got home.”

  It was true. It had taken some time to pack up Thrix’s belongings. By the time Decembrius had given Kalix and Vex a lift home, the effect of the champagne she’d consumed had worn off.

  “You took advantage when I’d been a werewolf,” said Kalix. “That makes me think funny.”

  Decembrius raised his eyebrows. “You really think that’s true?”

  Kalix sighed. It was true that turning into a werewolf could cause some sense of arousal, but the MacRinnalchs were all so used to it, it couldn’t be blamed for flinging Kalix unwittingly into bed with Decembrius. Besides, she’d made the change back to human some time before arriving home.

  “You just felt like . . . you know,” said Decembrius, and moved a little closer.

  “Stop trying to snuggle up!” said Kalix angrily. She glared at Decembrius with loathing. “I’m sure you tricked me somehow.”

  “Do we have to go through this every time?” asked Decembrius. “Just admit you like sleeping with me.”

  “I do not! This is a disaster. I’ve got a boyfriend.”

  “You mean your—”

  “If you insult him I’ll bite you,” said Kalix angrily.

  Decembrius laughed. He used a hand to brush back his long red hair. Kalix looked at his lean muscular frame and felt even more annoyed at herself. She just didn’t understand how she’d managed to end up in bed with Decembrius, whom she was quite sure she didn’t like at all. She got out of bed quickly, intending to jump into her clothes, but was frustrated to find that the only clothes lying around were from the outfit she’d modeled last night, which she didn’t intend on wearing again. She hurried to the cupboard and dragged out a T-shirt and jeans, dressing as quickly as she could.

  “Don’t just sit there,” she said. “You have to leave.”

  “I’m in no real hurry.”

  “I don’t want anyone to know you stayed the night!”

  There was a gentle knocking at the door. “Hey, Kalix and Decembrius,” came Vex’s voice. “Moonglow wants to know if you want some tea.”

  “Ooohhh!” wailed Kalix.

  “I think maybe they’re still doing it,” yelled Vex. “I can hear moaning.”

  Kalix hung her head in misery. “This is a disaster,” she muttered.

  Decembrius swung his legs from the bed. He was still smiling good-naturedly. “It’s lucky I’m easy-going,” he said. “Otherwise I might be insulted at all this talk of disaster. Hey, we slept together. I had a good time. So did you, though you don’t want to admit it.”

  “Get your clothes on and get out!” yelled Kalix. “Right now!”

  Decembrius shrugged, pretending indifference. He’d have liked to stay but he had too much pride to beg Kalix for anything. He dressed, far too slowly for Kalix’s liking.

  “I’ll call you,” he said, putting on his smart black boots.

  “Don’t bother.”

  “Then you can call me when you change your mind again.”

  “I won’t.”

  “I’ve heard that before.”

  Decembrius put on his leather coat and walked toward the door. He paused, and turned round. “Do you ever feel bad when hunters get killed?”

  Kalix was taken aback. It was the last thing she was expecting to hear. “What do you mean?”

  “All these deaths. Does it ever make you feel bad?”

  “Of course not,” said Kalix. “Why would it? They’re the enemy.”

  “I know. But it’s still a lot of death. I’ve never seen Thrix so happy as she was last night. I don’t see there’s a lot to be happy about.”

  Decembrius’s point of view seemed so strange to Kalix that she was even moved to defend her sister. “Why shouldn’t she be happy? She killed hunters. That’s what we do. They’d kill us if they could.”

  Decembrius shrugged, and didn’t pursue it further. He left Kalix’s bedroom without another word. Kalix heard him politely refusing the offer of tea downstairs, and then the sound of the front door as he departed. She locked her own door and flung herself fully clothed on her bed, dragging the quilt over her head to hide from the world.

  “Why did I sleep with Decembrius?” she moaned. “What’s the matter with me?”

  CHAPTER 106

  In the aftermath of St. Amelia’s Ball, Empress Kabachetka was satisfied with herself, if not her staff. She had socialized with important people in the fashion industry, and been introduced to several eminent figures. She’d been on the receiving end of many compliments for her generosity in sponsoring the event, and her evening dress and shoes had gone down well, even if the editor of Vogue had not been quite as enthusiastic as she’d have liked. It was annoying that the Fire Queen had gate-crashed the event, but the Empress was satisfied that she hadn’t managed to spoil anything.

  Poor Malveria, she mused. Thinking she could upstage me. Why did she bother? It shows her desperation. I’m sure the staff from Vogue hardly noticed her. And as for Mr. Dewar, he was no more likely to fall for her than he was for the young man serving drinks at the late-night bar.

  She frowned. Mr. Dewar hadn’t actually fallen for either of them. He’d seemed more keen on the young man serving drinks.

  But that is beside the point. At least Malveria did not get her claws into him. It was all a waste of time on her part. And as for her dreadful werewolf friends, what did they hope to achieve?

  The Empress had not enjoyed having Kalix MacRinnalch turn up at her ball, particularly as she was modeling Thrix’s clothes.

  I should have killed her on the spot. But that may have caused trouble. Fashion journalists are very sensitive about death at their events.

  The Empress’s thoughts turned to her servants. Their behavior had been far from glorious. Adviser Bakmer was quickly summoned and lectured at length.

  “To be publicly kissing a young Hiyasta woman? What were you thinking?”

  Bakmer struggled for an explanation. “The wine . . . it was strange and fizzy . . . I wasn’t used to it.”

  “If you were not used to champagne you should have taken care not to indulge so freely. I am shocked, Bakmer, shocked. You have provided me with much good advice relating to frocks, and some helpful hints on handbags, but this has cast a deep shadow over your reputation. You are henceforth demoted.”

  “Demoted?”

  “Report to the kitchens to begin your new career.”

  Young Adviser Bakmer left the throne room in a daze, hardly able to contemplate the depth of the disaster that had overwhelmed him. Distikka saw him leave, and entered without being summoned.

  “What are you doing here?” demanded the Empress. “I asked for Lady Gezinka.”

  “I told her to wait,” said Distikka. “I have important news.”

  The Empress sniffed. “I see you have wasted no time in donning that aged chain-mail shirt. What was wrong with your dress?”

  “I disliked it,” said Distikka. “Now about my news—”

  “I cannot quite make up my mind about Lady Gezinka’s dalliance in her hotel room last night,” said the Empress. “On the one hand, I am shocked. Gezinka was there to assist me. She was not meant to retire early with an unknown young man for a night of pleasure. So one is annoyed at her for abandoning her duties. However . . .” The Empres
s laughed lightly. “On the other hand, she is no longer in her youth. And as I have rarely observed Lady Gezinka to so much as smile, perhaps she deserves some enjoyment from life. I confess, Distikka, the thought of my staid and reserved diary keeper suddenly flinging off her garments in the company of a young stranger does amuse me. Is this not amusing?”

  Distikka looked blank.

  “Remind me to hire some advisers with a modicum of humor,” said the Empress. “What was it you wished to see me about?”

  “The werewolves. It’s time for the next part of my plan.”

  “I have never understood any part of your plans, Distikka. But tell me the next part anyway.”

  “We have to let the Avenaris Guild know that the werewolves have learned the location of their headquarters and will soon attack.”

  “But how can we tell the Guild this?” asked the Empress. “How do we know the werewolves have learned their address?”

  “That’s why they came to the ball,” said Distikka.

  The Empress leaned forward in her throne. “I do not follow you, Distikka. How do you know that’s why they came?”

  “Why else would they?”

  “To annoy me?”

  “No. To learn about the Guild.”

  “Even if that is true, I don’t see how they could have learned anything. We are always most careful never to give away the address. Did someone inform them?”

  “No, Empress. No one informed them.”

  “Then how do they know?”

  “I don’t know, exactly,” admitted Distikka. “But I’m sure they do. I talked to Dominil. She’s a very intelligent werewolf. I don’t know what she did, but I’m confident that if she came to St. Amelia’s Ball to learn the location of the Avenaris Guild, then she will have succeeded somehow.”

  The Empress frowned, strongly enough for a ripple of heat to emanate through the throne room. “You seem to place a lot of confidence in this werewolf’s intelligence.”

  “I do.”

  “I do not like the idea of being spied on. And you say they were successful? Distikka, this sounds bad.”

  “It isn’t bad, Empress.”

  “Distikka, you are making me frown, and I deplore this, as it is harmful for the skin. If we wanted the werewolves to discover the hunters’ address, why did we not simply give it to them?”