The Curse of the Wolf Girl

by Martin Millar

  Afterwards, the empress was impressed, and she remarked to her minister in charge of volcanoes that the princess had looked well.

  * * *

  Princess Kabachetka, meanwhile, was racing back to the capital, heading for the cavern to meet Distikka. She hurried in, her heels clicking on the black basalt floor, to find Distikka sitting on a shelf of rock, a look of disapproval on her face.

  The princess held up her hand. “Do not start with your lectures on timekeeping. I have been pandering to the masses, as recommended by yourself. These provincial Elementals are quite dreadful. I thought their speeches would never end. How is the Fire Queen?”

  Distikka rose, which made her chain-mail clank slightly. “Malveria is beside herself with rage that you managed to secure an invitation. She can talk of nothing else and plots feverishly to secure an invitation herself. The foolish woman is now so bound up in the opera, her clothes, and her status among the aristocracy that she’s completely alienated her Council of Ministers. Some of them now wonder openly if she is fit to be Queen.”

  Princess Kabachetka glowed with pleasure at the news. “And General Agripath?”

  “The promotion to Commander has gone through.”

  “Excellent. With the council turning against her and the head of the army under your thrall—he is under your thrall, I take it?”

  “Yes.”

  The princess stared at Distikka for a few moments, wondering if the small figure had what it took to bring the head of the Hiyasta army under her thrall. She hoped so. “Then you have every chance of succeeding to the throne when we remove the queen.” Flames of happiness radiated from the princess’s eyes at the thought of Malveria being deposed.

  “Have you made any progress with a spell to attack the enchantress?” asked Distikka.

  “Very little,” admitted the princess. “Replicating a lunar eclipse is a difficult concept. I’ve asked my agents on Earth to search out a particular book, which may have some guidance on the subject.”

  “We’ll fail if you don’t manage to negate her powers,” warned Distikka.

  “I’m aware of that. And I’m also aware that while we are busy deposing Queen Malveria and destroying Thrix MacRinnalch, it will do me no good if the empress suddenly decides to die and my brother accedes to the throne.”

  “Just make sure he attends the charity event, and we can take care of him at the same time.”

  The princess frowned. “That’s not so easy. How can I persuade him to attend?”

  “Does he have a wife?”

  “He’s unmarried. He has a mistress, a quite dreadful woman who keeps forcing her way into fashionable gatherings where she doesn’t belong.”

  “You should cultivate her. If you can make her want to go to the opera, he’ll follow along.”

  The princess shuddered at the thought of cultivating her brother’s mistress but acknowledged it was a worthwhile idea.

  Distikka rose and walked to the center of the cavern. The princess stood next to her and held out her arms, placing one palm on each of Distikka’s shoulders. Flames flowed between them, pink in color, traveling from Kabachetka’s body into Distikka’s. Distikka had been finding it difficult to completely guard her aura recently, under the eyes of so many Hiyasta Elementals. Were her treachery to be glimpsed or her ancestry to be guessed at, Queen Malveria would execute her in an instant. The extra power from Princess Kabachetka was an important means of buffering the false aura she maintained at all times.

  Though the princess and Distikka were too different ever to be friends, they’d settled quite comfortably into a working partnership. Each thought, sincerely enough, that when they took power in their respective kingdoms, they could get on equitably enough with each other.

  Chapter 86

  Daniel was agog when he learned about Dominil’s rescue of Kalix. “She exploded a smoke bomb? A smoke bomb? Who has a smoke bomb?” Though Daniel had never previously displayed any liking for Dominil, news of the daring escapade seemed to completely change his opinion about her. “She’s like a werewolf secret agent! Or a ninja! Did she swarm up the wall on a rope? Did she have hidden weapons?”

  “You’re getting carried away,” said Moonglow.

  “She’s like a superhero! Do you think she has special powers?”

  “Of course she has special powers. She’s a werewolf.”

  “I mean extra over-and-above-normal werewolf powers.”

  Moonglow smiled at Daniel’s enthusiasm. He couldn’t help being impressed at anything that smacked of superheroes and secret agents. Moonglow had been just as impressed by the rescue but found the whole incident very worrying. Kalix had apparently blundered into an extremely dangerous situation and would probably have been killed had it not been for Dominil’s timely arrival.

  “I’m looking at Dominil in a whole new light,” said Daniel. “She probably does have some hidden weapons. Maybe ninja throwing stars.” He pretended to throw a secret ninja weapon, which drew a protest from Moonglow, who told him to concentrate on the road.

  She glanced at her watch. They were driving into the center of London and wanted to make sure they didn’t arrive in the congestion-zone while it was still active. If they did, they’d have to pay the toll, which they were anxious to avoid. Daniel slowed down a little, just in case.

  They were on their way to see Yum Yum Sugary Snacks. The invitation had arrived at the last minute. Beauty had phoned to let Kalix know they were playing at a private party in a warehouse just north of Camden, near Kentish Town tube station. Daniel would rather not have driven, but they had college tomorrow, and didn’t feel like arriving home too late on a night bus. Moonglow had been dubious about going at all but was swept up in Vex’s uncontrollable enthusiasm. At Yum Yum Sugary Snacks’s first and only gig, Vex had been overwhelmed with excitement and immediately became their biggest fan.

  Others who’d been there, mainly the MacRinnalchs, remembered the night for the vicious fight that had ensued, leading to the deaths of many werewolves; Vex just remembered what a good time she’d had.

  “They’re strange creatures, these werewolves,” mused Daniel as they edged through the traffic.

  Moonglow gave him a funny look, thinking that this was stating the blindingly obvious.

  “I mean apart from being werewolves, which is strange enough in the first place, I admit. But that doesn’t seem enough for some of them. Look at Dominil. She’s the only white-haired werewolf in the clan, but she wasn’t satisfied with that. She went away to Oxford where she got a first-class degree and spent her time translating Latin poetry, and then she learned to be some computer genius, and now she’s running around London, rescuing people and exploding smoke bombs.

  “And what about Thrix?” he continued, warming to his theme. “She seems to be the only blond werewolf, and you’d think that might be enough for anyone. You know, she could go around saying ‘I’m the only blond werewolf, what do you think about that?’ But she wasn’t satisfied either. She had to go off and learn to be a sorceress as well. How difficult was that? Very difficult, I’d imagine. Must have taken years. And then she still wasn’t satisfied. She went and started her own fashion business, and now she’s got this lust-for-success thing going on. You can tell just by looking at her. She’s positively scary. Overachiever of the century, I’d say. And you know how I hate overachievers.”

  “Like me, for instance?” asked Moonglow.

  Daniel had to run a quick mental check to see if he was currently attempting to be kind and supportive to Moonglow or to be harsh and critical. He’d changed so many times over the past few weeks that he’d started to confuse himself.

  “I don’t think you’re an overachiever,” he said, deciding he was still in his supportive phase. “Just a girl who likes to do well at college. A good example to us all, really.”

  “We’re going to see Yum Yum Sugary Snacks!” screamed Vex from the back seat, a completely unnecessary comment in Daniel’s opinion, particularly as he’d
just worked himself into a good position for complimenting Moonglow.

  “I wish I could study like you,” he continued. “I’ve really started to work harder as a result of—”

  “I can’t wait to see them again!” screamed Vex. “Last time was the best thing ever!”

  Daniel abandoned his compliment and concentrated on driving.

  Kalix wasn’t with them. She’d chosen not to come. She had things to do, though she wouldn’t specify what they were.

  “Maybe she’d be better just letting it go,” said Moonglow, thinking aloud.

  “What?”

  “Kalix. Maybe she should just forget about trying to find out who killed Gawain. It will end badly.”

  “Of course it will end badly,” said Daniel, seriously, “but there’s nothing we can do about it. No human power can prevent Kalix from doing what she wants. Unless we dosed her with more laudanum, maybe.”

  Moonglow frowned. She was sure Kalix had been taking more laudanum recently, which was another worry. And she’d stopped eating too. Probably she was cutting herself as well, though she was careful to conceal it if she was. Moonglow’s worries about Kalix prevented her from looking forward to the gig, and she barely heard Daniel as he talked to her about something or other as they passed through the center of town.

  Chapter 87

  Mighty Queen,” began Xakthan, “there is some disquiet among your advisory council.”

  “Really Xakthan? Why is that?”

  Though he was normally quite at home in the pleasant red glow of the Fire Queen’s throne room, First Minister Xakthan seemed uncomfortable. As a loyal supporter of such a long-standing monarch, Xakthan was secure in his position. Even if he offended her, Malveria was not suddenly going to dismiss him. That didn’t mean he was secure against her wrath. The Fire Queen in a rage could be a fearsome sight. With the full power of the Great Volcano at her fingertips, she could erupt in a quite spectacular manner. Only last month, when a careless handmaiden misplaced her favorite nail polish right before a reception for the ambassador from the Air Elementals, the Fire Queen’s temper had exploded, taking much of the southern wing of the palace with it. Builders were still making repairs. “Which may be,” thought Xakthan, “part of the problem.” While the queen had flown into a terrible rage over nail polish, it was a long time since he’d seen her show any passion over the state of the nation.

  “There was some…disappointment at your failure to calculate the date for the festival, great Queen.”

  “Didn’t Distikka do it?”

  “Yes, but it is a task that traditionally belongs to the reigning monarch. The volcano is of such importance, and you are the only one of royal blood who can harness its power.”

  Malveria waved this away. “If Distikka is intelligent enough to calculate the date, let her get on with it.”

  “The council also feels they’re being shut out of your affairs. And the fighting in the western desert is not going well.”

  “It’s a trifling affair. A few rebels.”

  “Even so, it’s troubling that it’s taking so long to wipe them out. I’m not certain why Commander Agripath hasn’t acted more decisively—”

  “Is this another of your rivalries, Xakthan?”

  Her first minister protested that it wasn’t, but Malveria knew Xakthan and Agripath had never gotten along well. Quite possibly Xakthan was simply trying to discredit his rival.

  “Mighty Queen, your leadership may be questioned if—”

  “Distikka!” The Fire Queen greeted her assistant’s arrival far too warmly for Xakthan’s liking. “You have everything?”

  Distikka nodded and handed Malveria an elegantly woven bag. The contents clanked lightly as the Fire Queen took it in hand.

  “Xakthan, I must depart.”

  “But—”

  “Important matters call. Take care of affairs while I’m away.”

  And with that, Malveria was gone, snapping her fingers to send herself hurtling through the dimensions.

  She materialized outside Thrix’s apartment in Knightsbridge and knocked lightly on the door. Thrix answered right away.

  “Enchantress!” the queen greeted her friend with a kiss on both cheeks. “I bring gifts.” Malveria swept inside.

  The enchantress, used to Malveria’s volatile temper, wasn’t surprised to find that their argument was now apparently forgotten. “What gifts?”

  Malveria produced several bottles with a flourish. “Inspired by cocktail dresses you are making me. As I may have mentioned, cocktails are unknown in my world. But Distikka has secured these supplies, which she assures me are a simple introduction to something called martini.” The queen smiled broadly. “I believe you mix the contents of the bottles and…” She paused. “Enchantress, while I am not entirely clear on the cocktail instructions, I did receive the clear impression one is not supposed to swig directly from the bottle of gin.”

  “I’m under stress,” said Thrix, and she shuddered as she swallowed the spirits.

  “Problems?”

  “My bank manager wants to see me. And Abukenti are bringing out a new range of shoes.”

  The Fire Queen gasped. “Shoes from Abukenti? To match their fabulous bag? But this is wonderful!”

  “It’s not so wonderful if we can’t get them,” said Thrix. “Look at this.”

  She handed a sheet of paper to Malveria, a press release from Abukenti.

  To mark the fiftieth anniversary of the Abukenti Fashion House, Abukenti has created a new and exclusive range of shoes to match this year’s design classic, the Abukenti bag. Abukenti will make only one hundred pairs of these shoes, to be distributed to our most valued customers.

  Underneath the writing, there was a picture of a pair of shoes, silver high heels, very delicately crafted, a perfect match for the handbag.

  Malveria reeled in shock as she read the press release, stunned by both the beauty of the shoes and the possibility that she might not get a pair. “Only one hundred pairs? But this is monstrous!” She turned the paper over as if seeking further enlightenment on the subject, but there was no more. She used the paper to fan herself briefly then sat down, feeling faint. “Are we among their most valued customers?” she asked, hopefully.

  “I doubt it,” replied Thrix with a pained expression. “Not that the shoes will go to valued customers anyway. Abukenti have had such a runaway success with the bag that they’re using this shoe thing as a way of grabbing more publicity. They’ll hand them out to movie stars, supermodels, and the editors of fashion magazines.”

  “But I must have the shoes,” said Malveria.

  “Me too,” said Thrix, “but we’re not going to get them.”

  The Fire Queen was distraught. “How could we possibly turn up for the Vogue fashion awards and not be wearing these shoes? We will be disgraced. Banished to the far corner for people with inferior shoes. Models will point at us and laugh.”

  Thrix and the Fire Queen looked at each other in despair, contemplating the awfulness of this prospect.

  “I feel faint, Enchantress. Pass me the gin.” Malveria drank, winced at the taste, then drank again. “We must think of a plan to obtain the shoes.”

  Thrix sat on the couch beside her. “We don’t have much time. They didn’t even send this press release to me. I’m not important enough, apparently. I only got it because Easterly sent me a copy. The shoes will probably be on their way to their intended recipients in a few days.”

  Malveria placed the bottle on the floor. Some color had returned to her cheeks, and there was a determined glint in her eye.

  “Then we must cope with the crisis. I waded through a river of blood to kill the Three-Headed Dragon of Despair. I won’t give up these shoes without a fight.”

  “We’ll be facing stiff competition. I’m sure we’re not the only women wondering how to get their hands on a pair.”

  Malveria nodded, looking quite fierce. “Indeed. Already in New York, Moscow, and Milan, our rivals wi
ll be plotting and scheming. We must use all our resources. Surely with the cunning of our sorcery, we can obtain the shoes?”

  “It hasn’t brought us any closer to Susi Surmata, has it?” said Thrix, reflecting on another of her current failures. “I still can’t get in touch with her.”

  “No matter, Enchantress. We must continue with that campaign while opening a new front. These people will not defeat us.”

  Thrix was bolstered by the Fire Queen’s spirited optimism. “We need more information. Where the shoes are, and who’s getting them. When we know that, we’ll know what to do. We might be able to bribe someone. Or failing that, steal a pair.”

  “I will suspend all government business while we manage the crisis. We must have these shoes, and quickly.” Malveria shuddered. “I have this continual nightmare that that Princess Kabachetka may appear on Vogue’s Fashionable Party People page before me. The injustice of it chills me to the bone. Enchantress, please stop hogging the gin. I am in need of some strengthening.”

  Chapter 88

  The days preceding the twins’ warehouse gig had been full of difficulties. Beauty and Delicious were keen to play but loath to rehearse. Dominil wouldn’t hear of them appearing on stage without preparing properly, no matter how small the gig. It led to arguments. Dominil got her way at the cost of bad feelings. Once again she found herself dragging the sisters from their beds and constantly phoning the other members of the band to make sure they arrived at rehearsals on time.

  As the gig approached, the twins’ excitement grew, culminating, as Dominil accurately foresaw, in huge episodes of anxiety. It was something of a paradox that, while the twins were keen to succeed with their band, they were also scared of going on stage. Dominil was good at bullying them into rehearsing more but not so good at reassuring them about their anxieties. The twins’ standard response to their stage fright was to drink more, and as they drunk rather a lot in the first place, it wasn’t long before neither of them were capable of picking up a guitar or singing or even standing upright. Dominil sighed with frustration, picked them off of the floor, dragged them home to sleep, then dragged them out the next day to rehearse again.