The Anxiety of Kalix the Werewolf

by Martin Millar

  Vex screwed up her face. “It sounds difficult. If I got a list of all the suitable dukes and earls, maybe you could help me make some plans?”

  Neither Daniel nor Moonglow really thought they were qualified for the task of helping the Queen of the Hiyasta find a partner, but they didn’t want to discourage their friend.

  “We could try,” said Daniel.

  “Excellent!” Vex’s face glowed. “This has been much better than our other house meetings. I’ll get more beer to celebrate.” Vex stood up, then paused. “You know, I’d really like a fluffy elephant.”

  “One thing at a time,” said Moonglow. “Your fluffy toy problems can wait.”

  CHAPTER 22

  As soon as Vex headed for the kitchen, Daniel and Moonglow rose from the table. Moonglow headed for her room upstairs, so Daniel went in the opposite direction, following Vex into the kitchen. The young Fire Elemental was drinking another bottle of beer and eating chocolate. Daniel and Moonglow had wondered in the past how she managed to remain as thin as a twig.

  “Remember to keep what we were saying a big secret,” said Vex. “If Aunt Malvie arrives, don’t say we were talking about her.”

  They walked back into the living room, and at that moment Queen Malveria materialized in front of the fireplace.

  “We weren’t talking about you,” said Vex.

  “I beg your pardon, niece?” said Malveria.

  “Nothing. I just said we weren’t talking about you. We never do. Do we, Daniel?”

  “Eh, no,” muttered Daniel, and looked guilty.

  “Thanks for the computer,” said Vex, to change the subject. The Fire Queen, after asking Moonglow what Vex required for college, had given Moonglow money to buy her a laptop of her own, as a birthday present. She looked around with distaste at the bottles and cans that littered the room.

  “I presume the party was a success.”

  “I got a boyfriend,” said Vex.

  “I have come to talk to Moonglow on an important matter,” said the Fire Queen, ignoring her niece.

  “I have a boyfriend!” repeated Vex.

  The Queen frowned. “Daniel. You look rather downcast. Is something the matter?”

  “Moonglow rejected him,” said Vex.

  “Ah.” The Fire Queen nodded sagely. “Crushing his spirit?”

  “Completely devastated,” said Vex. “But I’m trying not to mention it. You know, in case it upsets him. Daniel, have you noticed how I’ve hardly mentioned it?”

  Daniel nodded glumly.

  “Do not worry, Daniel,” said Malveria. “The unbearable humiliation of Moonglow’s rejection will lessen over time. Moonglow will probably never mention it to anyone, apart from a few of her intimate friends.”

  She looked encouragingly at Daniel, but by this time he’d left the room.

  “Odd,” said the Fire Queen. “Does he not wish to talk of the matter?”

  “Human boys are funny like that,” said Vex, then seized the opportunity to tell her aunt, once more, that she now had a boyfriend.

  The Fire Queen regarded her niece with some distaste. “I don’t like this overeagerness. While liaison with men is acceptable, you should not bounce around like a little girl, squealing about it. The female Hiyasta royalty are independent women.”

  The Fire Queen took a step away from the fireplace, but swayed slightly.

  Vex looked at her aunt quizzically. “Are you having problems walking in these heels?”

  “Certainly not.”

  “They’re really high, maybe you should—”

  “Enough, dismal niece. The Queen of the Hiyasta does not have problems with heels, no matter how high.” It was Malveria’s turn to change the topic. “Tell me about this boyfriend.”

  “He’s a guitarist!”

  “You amaze me,” said the Queen. “I take it all the doctors and lawyers were unavailable?”

  Vex proceeded to tell her aunt all about Pete. Malveria, despite her doubts about the affair, was interested to learn that this was the same young man with whom Dominil had once had a brief liaison. The Fire Queen was always entertained by the romantic entanglements of others, and would have enjoyed nothing better than a furiously jealous Dominil to burst into the room, accusing Vex of stealing her man.

  Though that is unlikely, from my knowledge of Dominil’s character.

  “She was horrible to Pete,” said Vex with the instant loyalty of a new girlfriend. “It’s really put me off her.”

  The Fire Queen sat down at the table. “When you say ‘boyfriend,’ Agrivex, am I to assume that you actually mean one intoxicated encounter which will never be repeated?”

  Vex shook her head. “Definitely not! He’s going to call me!”

  Malveria shook her head. “I anticipate you may have a long wait. But enough of your grubby affairs. I came hear to consult Moonglow over an important matter. I take it she is hiding in her room upstairs, sensitive to encountering the wretched Daniel?”

  “Why would she be sensitive?” asked Vex.

  “Because Moonglow is a sensitive young woman. No doubt she feels some regret after trampling over Daniel’s dreams, and will attempt to stay out of sight for a while. I can empathize. As a young queen, I shattered Lord Stratov’s heart, and I avoided him for months afterward.”

  Agrivex looked interested. “Who’s Lord Stratov?”

  “Do you pay no attention to anything around you? Lord Stratov is one of our most illustrious noblemen. You met him last month at a banquet.”

  “Did I? Is he married?”

  “Married? No, his wife passed away some time ago. Why do you ask?”

  “No reason,” replied Vex. “Just wondering.”

  Malveria felt the strength returning to her ankles. She rose from the table and ascended the stairs, very slowly, leaving a thoughtful Vex behind her.

  CHAPTER 23

  Dominil hurried back down the hill toward Kalix.

  “Now we’re in for a troublesome time,” she muttered. Dominil could quite clearly foresee the consequences of Minerva’s murder. Her cousin Thrix revered her old teacher in a way she didn’t revere anyone else. Thrix was going to explode when she learned what had happened. So would the MacRinnalch Clan. That a hunter should penetrate so far into the Scottish Highlands and actually kill Minerva was extremely shocking.

  Kalix didn’t wake as Dominil picked her up and headed for the car. She knew she’d have to explain what they were doing on the mountain. That was going to be awkward. Dominil didn’t look forward to telling the Great Council of the MacRinnalchs that she’d gone there to receive treatment for her laudanum addiction. She could imagine the reaction of her father, the Mistress of the Werewolves, and the barons.

  Dominil threw Kalix into the car, no longer bothering to be gentle. She took out her phone, hesitated for only a second, then called Thrix in London.

  “Thrix? This is Dominil. I’m on the mountainside below Minerva’s retreat. Minerva is nearby. She’s been shot and killed. A silver bullet, I’m sure.”

  Thrix gasped, and then fell silent. A few seconds later, Dominil heard voices on the other end of the line as Thrix talked to her assistant Ann. Thrix came back on the line.

  “I’ll be there soon.”

  Thrix rang off. Dominil knew that the Enchantress could use her sorcery to travel through space, though she wasn’t sure how long it would take her to reach Scotland. The white-haired werewolf made another phone call, this time to the castle. The Mistress of the Werewolves was shocked at the news.

  “Minerva is dead? How could anyone kill Minerva?”

  Dominil couldn’t say. Minerva’s powers of sorcery were legendary. It seemed unlikely that anyone could simply have sneaked up on her. But they had, and she was dead.

  “Thrix is coming,” Dominil told her. “I’ll be at the castle as soon as possible.”

  The rain poured down. Dominil remained by the car. It took a half-hour or so for Thrix to arrive. She materialized with a wild expression on he
r face.

  “Where’s Minerva?”

  “Behind that tree.” Dominil pointed. Thrix ran up the hill. After a few steps she halted, kicked off her shoes, then carried on running. Dominil walked slowly up the hill after her. By the time she reached the pine tree, Thrix was on her knees beside Minerva’s body, crying. Her tears mingled with the rain as she leaned over her old teacher’s body. It seemed to Dominil that Thrix was going to examine Minerva’s wound, but instead she part collapsed, part embraced Minerva, and broke down in sobs.

  Dominil watched impassively. The rain swept down, running through her white hair onto her long leather coat. The heather was sodden under her boots. Eventually, Thrix looked up. It took her several attempts before she could speak.

  “What happened?”

  “I found her here, like this. I called you immediately. I saw no one else in the vicinity.”

  The Enchantress levered herself to her feet, slowly and awkwardly. “What were you doing here?”

  “We had arranged to meet Minerva. I regret to say we arrived late.”

  Thrix stared at Dominil, and then past her, down the hill to the car, and Kalix. “Why were you meeting Minerva?”

  “For treatment for laudanum addiction. For both of us.”

  Thrix’s tears were drying. The expression on her face changed from agitation to bewilderment. “Laudanum addiction? You?”

  “Yes.”

  It took Thrix a few seconds to digest the news. “So Minerva was waiting here on her own? Why were you late?”

  Dominil hesitated to answer. At that moment the front door of Dominil’s car opened and Kalix spilled out. She sank to her knees and was sick on the grass.

  “Is that why?” demanded Thrix, gesturing toward Kalix. Dominil didn’t answer. Suddenly, Thrix rushed past her and ran toward the car. Dominil pursued her, but by the time Dominil caught up Thrix had grabbed Kalix and dragged her to her feet.

  “You got Minerva killed!” screamed Thrix.

  Kalix was still drowsy. Her eyes were unfocused and she didn’t reply. Thrix drew back her right hand and dealt Kalix a brutal slap in the face. The young werewolf slammed into the side of the car then slumped once more to the ground where she lay in the wet heather.

  Before Dominil could say anything, Thrix had run off again, back up the mountain toward Minerva. She picked Minerva up and struggled for a few moments to carry her up the hill. Then she put Minerva down, and shouted some words that were incomprehensible to the watching Dominil. To Dominil’s great surprise, Thrix transformed into her golden werewolf shape, though it was daytime. Thrix, now stronger, picked up Minerva with ease and marched away up the hill.

  Dominil watched her go. She hadn’t known that Thrix’s sorcery allowed her to make the change in daylight.

  Kalix still lay on the ground, wet and dirty. An ugly bruise was forming on her cheek where Thrix had slapped her. Dominil shook her head, helped Kalix back into the car, then drove toward the main road.

  CHAPTER 24

  Distikka met Mr. Carmichael by arrangement at the Courtauld Gallery in the Strand in London. They had decided that it was best for her not to visit the Guild’s headquarters again, lest she give some clue as to their whereabouts. Distikka wore a large brown coat, covering her chain mail. It made her small figure look bulky.

  “Minerva is dead,” said Mr. Carmichael.

  “I know. I watched her die.”

  “You are quite certain she was a werewolf sorcerer?” said Mr. Carmichael. “We had no records of her.”

  “She was too cunning for you to have any records, but, believe me, Minerva was an important werewolf.”

  “I hope so,” said Mr. Carmichael. “Otherwise we’ve just assassinated a harmless old woman on a mountain.”

  The Hainusta Elementals had many powerful spells for spying. These were difficult to use on Earth, but the Empress, with her newly increased strength, had managed to spy on Minerva. Not directly on her retreat, but the area around it. Following her directions, the Guild had secreted a sniper in the valley.

  “It was a good shot,” said Distikka.

  Mr. Carmichael nodded. “It’s not so easy, using a silver bullet in a sniper’s rifle, but we have some excellent new hunters these days. I’m expecting great things from them.”

  Distikka found herself wondering if killing werewolves counted as great things, but didn’t mention it. They paused beside a sculpture of a dancer by Degas.

  “Minerva’s death will infuriate the MacRinnalchs,” said Distikka. “I’m confident they’ll do something rash, thereby exposing themselves to further action.”

  Distikka examined the sculpture, one of a number of pieces by Degas in the gallery. “I like this,” she said.

  Mr. Carmichael didn’t care for it, but he had never had much interest in sculpture.

  “So what next?” asked the chairman.

  “The Empress and I will attempt to locate more targets. London is full of werewolves.”

  “What about Kalix?”

  “Kalix is very well hidden,” said Distikka. “She carries a pendant of Tamol, given to her by Queen Malveria. It makes her impossible to locate by any known means. But other werewolves may lead us to her.”

  Mr. Carmichael nodded. He was quite determined that the Guild would kill Kalix.

  “And the other one you mentioned . . . what was her name again?”

  “Thrix,” said Distikka. It was frustrating that Thrix’s sorcery was so effective in blocking all knowledge of her. Mr. Carmichael could never remember anything about her, no matter how often Distikka explained who she was. “She’s the most powerful werewolf in London. I hope Minerva’s death will madden her and bring her into the open.”

  Mr. Carmichael looked at his watch. “I’m due back at the Red House.”

  “The Red House?”

  “It’s our code name for the Guild’s headquarters. No one could ever find it anyway, but you can’t be too careful.”

  Mr. Carmichael left, with an arrangement to meet Distikka again in a week’s time. Distikka was not sorry to see him go. She was enjoying the gallery and he had been a poor companion.

  “How is the head of the Guild?” asked Empress Kabachetka, stepping out unexpectedly from behind a display cabinet.

  “Empress? I didn’t expect to see you here.”

  “I have business in London. My dress is not yet perfect.”

  For the past week the Empress had been obsessed by the dress she was wearing to the fashion designers’ reception.

  “It is of the utmost importance,” said Kabachetka, not for the first time. “Malveria will be in attendance, and if she eclipses me again I may declare war. Or have harsh words, at the very least.” The Empress found herself staring at the back of Distikka’s head. “Distikka, are you ignoring me?”

  “I was looking at this sculpture.”

  The Empress frowned. “How did it go with Mr. Carmichael?”

  “Quite well,” replied Distikka. “He’s pleased to have killed an important werewolf.”

  “I’m glad Minerva is dead,” said the Empress. “She was a nuisance, like all these MacRinnalchs. But she wasn’t that important. You told me she’d retired from clan affairs.”

  Distikka nodded. “True. She had retired. But she was very important to Thrix. It’s the perfect start to my plan.”

  They walked on. Distikka studied the sculptures while Empress Kabachetka looked at her own reflection in the glass cases. She too was finding her new extra-high heels a challenge, and was obliged to walk slowly. She frowned as they reached the end of the room and she saw that the next room also contained sculptures.

  “Are these horrid statues everywhere?”

  “There are paintings upstairs.”

  “I have no wish to see paintings,” said Kabachetka. “I don’t like this gallery. One can tell that the people who visit do not care for clothes. You should not spend too long here, Distikka. You don’t have the sorcery to survive for long in this dimension.”
>
  The Empress left, eager to see her London fashion adviser. Distikka remained behind, calculating that she had enough time left to see some of the works by Matisse and Henry Moore before she had to leave. Distikka liked the gallery. Before departing she picked up a leaflet giving details of their future exhibitions. She was disappointed to find that the leaflet didn’t survive the journey back to her own dimension. It took a lot of sorcery to carry any item undamaged from one dimension to another. However, she’d already memorized most of it, and resolved to visit more exhibitions in the coming weeks.

  CHAPTER 25

  The Fire Queen knocked politely on Moonglow’s bedroom door. Moonglow answered it hesitantly and looked relieved to find Malveria there. The Queen slipped inside.

  “I take it you are hiding from Daniel?”

  “Sort of,” admitted Moonglow. “Everything has become very difficult.”

  The Fire Queen nodded. “Vex informed me that you had crushed his aspirations, dealing him a savage blow.”

  “I’m hoping it’s not that bad.”

  The Fire Queen waved her arm dismissively. “It cannot be helped. If he is damaged by his passion, so be it. My realm is full of elementals whose hearts have been sundered by their hopeless passion for me. One does not like to brag, of course.” The Fire Queen smiled, but it quickly faded. “These days I seem to have little time for breaking hearts. I’m busy with government all the time, with hardly a moment to attend to my wardrobe. I wouldn’t be here had I not sneaked away from my advisory council.”

  “But you’re the Queen. Doesn’t everyone have to obey you?”

  “One would think so.” The Queen lowered her voice. “But I do not mind telling you, Moonglow, that the recent ructions in my country, involving an attempted coup by the dreadful Distikka, were, in a very small measure, encouraged by some distractions I may have suffered.”

  “Like your shoes and dresses?”

  “Exactly. And while I am ruler, it does make life tedious if my government is always angry at me. I have assured them that I will spend less time on fashion and more on government, at least till things settle down.”