If I get lucky, some rich sponsor will object to Kalix and make a fuss. There’s nothing like a bit of scandal for getting your clothes in magazines.
Daniel stood at the door, peering out of the dressing room into the main hall outside.
“What are you looking at?” asked Vex.
“The other male models. I’m checking how good-looking they are. There’s one over there who’s quite good-looking. I don’t like him.”
Vex squeezed herself into the doorway. “He’s not that good-looking. His nose is funny.”
“Is it? You’re right. What a weird nose. I feel better now. And look, that guy next to him is fat. I’ve got a much better body than him.”
Vex grinned. “You’ll be fine.”
Daniel stared at her. “Right about now you’d normally say something tactless and make me feel bad.”
“That’s so unfair! I’m never tactless. You look fine, Daniel; you’ll be a good model.”
The Fire Queen, resplendent in her evening dress, approached the doorway.
“What are you whispering about, dismal niece?”
“Daniel’s worried in case the other models are more handsome than him. But they’re not. Apart from the boy in the black jacket, he’s really handsome.”
Malveria peered out the door. “He is, isn’t he? Very striking. And his companion is rather good-looking too.”
“You’re right,” agreed Agrivex. “He’s really attractive. But if Daniel just stays away from them he’ll be fine.”
Vex turned to Daniel. “Try to stand next to the fat one.”
But Daniel had gone, retreating to the back of the room. He was already intimidated by the opulence of his surroundings, and had been since walking in through the entrance of the Lancaster Hotel, with its liveried doormen and rows of carefully cultivated bushes sheltering it from the main road. The room assigned to them for their preparations was more luxurious than anything Daniel had ever encountered, though it was a very minor room in the hotel. It had a gray marble floor, paintings on the walls, some highly polished furniture and elegant flower arrangements. Daniel feared that he might break something, and attempted not to look intimidated. No one else seemed to be affected. The Fire Queen was used to luxury, and Vex had been raised in a palace. As for Thrix, she’d been to this hotel in the Strand before. Dominil wasn’t used to luxurious surroundings, he supposed, though she might have frequented some wealthy establishments as a student at Oxford. But he didn’t suppose she would be intimidated by anything anyway. She was sitting quietly, reading a book. She looked up as Thrix spoke to her.
“It’s time for your makeup.”
Dominil remained silent as Thrix descended on her with her extensive array of cosmetics. Thrix seemed enlivened by the task. “I’ve been wanting to do this for a long time.”
“As have I!” cried the Fire Queen, rushing to join them. “Dominil’s lack of makeup is quite terrifying. It is high time it was rectified.”
“I’m glad you’ve decided to assist with something,” said Dominil dryly.
“Empress Kabachetka is here,” said Vex. “She just came in.”
Dominil looked up. “Please hurry, Thrix. I want to examine our enemies.”
“Plenty of time for that,” said Thrix. “We’ve got a whole fashion show and a ball to get through. Just keep still while I do your eyes.”
There was a sudden crash as a jar of flowers fell from a table onto the floor.
“I didn’t do it!” said Daniel immediately.
“Agrivex!” cried the Fire Queen. “Control yourself!”
“Sorry, Aunty.”
“You are not in my palace now, vile girl. Sit down and attempt not to break things. Really, it will be a miracle if we escape this establishment before my niece burns it to the ground.”
Far too quickly for Daniel’s liking, they were ready for the fashion show. Daniel didn’t feel ready. “I can’t do it. I feel sick. It’s this hotel, it’s too rich. Everything’s all . . .” Daniel struggled for the word.
“Opulent,” said Dominil. “It’s an interesting mix of Edwardian and art deco. But I see no reason to be intimidated.”
“Isn’t it a bit intimidating when you know you’re surrounded by people who’re all rich and you’re not?”
“Not unless you allow it to be,” said Dominil.
Daniel wasn’t reassured. “I can’t help it. I’ve got this feeling the minute I walk out there everyone will point and laugh.”
“There were many wealthy students at Oxford. I didn’t find them to be rude, as a general rule.”
“Well, they probably wouldn’t be rude to you,” said Daniel. “For one thing you’re too intimidating, and for another you’re a beautiful woman. It’s different for me.”
Dominil looked at Daniel, faintly surprised. It was unusual for him to talk to her. Presumably, she now realized, because he was intimidated. She began to reply but was silenced by the arrival of Malveria.
“Did I just hear Daniel call Dominil beautiful? Why, he is a sly rogue. The first time I encountered him he quite won me over with his outrageous flattery. One would not suspect he had such a silver tongue. Daniel, I expect you to have great success with your seductions tonight. No lady can resist such lavish praise from a handsome young man.”
Daniel had flushed bright red at the start of Malveria’s speech. He was rescued from his embarrassment by Dominil.
“Is everyone ready?” she asked. “Then it’s time to go.”
CHAPTER 83
Moonglow had also suffered some qualms on arriving at the hotel. Like Daniel, she felt out of place. William had put her at ease, strolling into the foyer as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Which, Moonglow supposed, it was for him. His family was extremely wealthy, and he’d stayed at this hotel before moving to London as a student. He guided her to the room where the fashion show was being held, ordered drinks for them both and then complimented her dress again. Moonglow thought that was a good start to the evening. She asked him if his mother was there.
“She’ll be around somewhere, organizing things. She loves the ball.” William looked guilty. “My mother can be a bit more intimidating than I admitted when we made this date.”
“Don’t worry,” said Moonglow. “I’m good with mothers.”
The west reception room was very grand, with an impressive marble doorway, marble pillars and a classical frieze running around the walls. As the afternoon turned into early evening, it began to fill with guests. The reserved seats in the front row remained empty, but the tables farther back were occupied by young debutantes already dressed for their ball, and their escorts. Studying them objectively, Moonglow decided that her date was really the most attractive man on view, and told him so.
“I haven’t been feeling attractive recently,” he confessed.
“Why not?”
“I got my heart broken. Or damaged, anyway.”
William told Moonglow about a relationship he’d been in that had ended recently. “He went back to his old boyfriend. And he’d sworn he wasn’t going to do that.”
“He probably regrets it already. You can find someone better.”
William ordered them more drinks and they gossiped about recent relationships, people they knew at college and how bad their new history professor was.
“There’s the editor of Vogue,” said William, indicating a woman taking her seat right next to the catwalk. Moonglow felt a tinge of worry about her friends. She knew Daniel would find it stressful to walk out in front of an audience. So would Kalix. Moonglow hoped she wouldn’t do anything crazy. Having had recent experience of Kalix’s craziness in the warehouse, there was no telling what she might do if things became too much for her. Vex would be fine, of course. She’d come bounding down the runway with a large grin on her face, no matter what.
A few minutes later, Moonglow noticed a familiar face, also heading for the front row. Empress Kabachetka. Moonglow turned her face so as not to be seen. The
appearance of the Empress reminded Moonglow why she was here. She’d been having such a good time with William that she’d almost forgotten the mission. She was still determined not to be left out. Kalix, Daniel and Vex were all meant to be spying, and she was going to spy too.
I wonder who we’re meant to spy on? wondered Moonglow. Kabachetka, I suppose. Well, Daniel will tell me after he’s finished modeling. Unless he’s frozen with fear.
“I hope he doesn’t fall off the catwalk,” she said out loud.
“Pardon?” said William.
“Daniel. My flatmate. He’s not used to modeling.”
“But surely he wouldn’t fall off the catwalk?”
“I don’t know. He can be clumsy when he gets stressed. Vex is really clumsy as well. I can see some sort of accident happening.”
“Why is it that they’re all modeling tonight?”
Moonglow had explained that she was slightly acquainted with one of the designers in the fashion show.
“The designer wanted to use her sister as a model, and she lives with us. The others were just suitable, I suppose. It’s for charity; they didn’t want to waste money hiring professional models.”
“Are you planning to bid for any of the clothes?”
“I doubt I’ll be able to afford any of them,” said Moonglow.
“I’ll bid for you,” said William.
“You can’t do that!” said Moonglow, who certainly didn’t intend letting William buy her anything. Still, she appreciated the offer and, as she sat with William, she thought that she’d have enjoyed being there with him anyway, whether or not there was a mission to take part in.
CHAPTER 84
“I don’t want Markus to go and fight in London,” said the Mistress of the Werewolves. “I’ll lose all my children. I lost Sarapen last year. Kalix is doomed, some way or other.”
“Doomed? That’s a strong judgment. Do you have foreknowledge of some event?”
“No,” admitted Verasa. “But you can’t run around in the same city as the Avenaris Guild and get away with it forever. Not when you act like Kalix anyway.” She sighed. “I’ve tried to think of some way of getting her back to the castle, but it just can’t be done. The clan won’t allow it. Every day I expect to hear that she’s dead.”
The Fairy Queen stared into the pool beside her. “You haven’t mentioned your other daughter.”
“Thrix? She’s too powerful for her enemies. Though . . .” Verasa paused. “Since Minerva was killed there’s been something wrong with her. I hope she doesn’t do anything too foolish. Really, Dithean, can you help me with Markus?”
“Can’t you persuade your council to order Markus to remain at the castle?”
“The Thane always fights. Markus would be furious if anyone tried to stop him. He probably wouldn’t pay any attention anyway.” Verasa shook her head. “It’s my fault. I tried to protect him too much and now he’s trying to break away.”
A fish appeared on the surface of the pool. It gazed at the Fairy Queen. A sparrow flew from the trees to perch beside her. The Queen smiled at the fish before it retreated back into the depths. The sparrow chirped merrily.
“I’m glad your chicks are doing well,” said Dithean. “Here.” She opened her hand, and the sparrow took a dark red berry from her palm. It flew off with its food, back into the shelter of the woods.
“What would you like me to do about Markus?” asked the Fairy Queen.
“Stop him from going.”
“How?”
“When the time comes, make him ill.”
Queen Dithean gazed at her old friend, surprised by the request. “Make him ill?”
“You have the power to do that.”
“It’s not a power I use often. It’s never been the easiest of powers to control.”
“I’m sure you could do it,” insisted the Mistress of the Werewolves.
“Verasa, I don’t think it would be a good idea. Better to let matters take their course.”
“I’m not asking you to unleash the full powers of the Unseelie Court on Markus,” said Verasa, referring to those fairies who had the power to bring the worst sort of misfortune. “Just a little sickness he’ll recover from.”
The Fairy Queen frowned. She turned her head toward the edge of the clearing, and called out a sentence in a language Verasa didn’t know. A dark shadow appeared in the trees. “Come forward,” said the Fairy Queen.
A fairy appeared. She was very small, with a lot of dark hair. Her skin was deathly white, her eyes were large and black and there was more shadow around her than there should have been. She wore a short black dress, was barefooted and, rather eerily, there were bandages on her arms.
“This is Teinn,” said the Fairy Queen. “She has power over health. But she’s unpredictable. Aren’t you, Teinn?”
The fairy laughed. It was a harsh sound, and seemed to chill the glade.
“Do you really want me to set her on Markus?”
“Yes, if he wants to go and fight.”
“Once she’s sent on a task, there’s no stopping her. And there’s little controlling her either. The sickness would probably be minor, but . . .” The Fairy Queen’s voice tailed off.
“But what?”
“Misfortune may follow.”
“I’ve dealt with plenty of misfortune in my life, Dithean. As long as Markus is alive and well, I don’t mind.”
CHAPTER 85
Shortly before the fashion show was due to begin, there were chaotic scenes backstage. Instructions were given, models struggled in and out of clothes, last-minute adjustments were made and makeup was reapplied. Vex’s manic jumping and shouting no longer seemed unusual; plenty of others were doing the same.
Dominil cast an unsympathetic eye over the scene. “This all seems very disorganized. Is it normal?”
“Very normal,” said Thrix. “This isn’t too bad. Things can really get out of hand at a big event.”
“It’s inefficient. Why doesn’t everyone simply get ready on time, without making a fuss?”
“It never seems to work out that way.”
The Fire Queen, who for some time had been deep in conversation with a young man modeling evening wear, hurried up to them. “Did you notice how attractive that young man is? What’s wrong with Dominil’s dress? I must say, for one so young, he has a splendid physique.”
“Dominil’s dress?” snapped Thrix. “There’s nothing wrong with it.”
“I assure you there is. Look at the hem.”
Thrix looked down. “Dominil! What did you do to the hem?”
“I didn’t do anything.”
“It’s coming down. Did you tread on it?”
“Certainly not,” said Dominil. “The workmanship must have been defective.”
“You’re due on in a few minutes. Sit down while I fix it.”
Vex bounced up toward them. “Whoa! Problems with Dominil’s dress? Why didn’t you get ready early like me? Why are you staring at me like that?”
Daniel and Kalix did their best to ignore the uproar around them. Both were so tense they couldn’t cope with anything else. Daniel wondered how he’d ever thought he could model clothes in front of an audience.
“I know I’m going to fall off the runway. If I even make it that far. I had a dream once where my trousers fell down in public. What if it was an omen?”
Kalix was wrapped up in her own anxiety but did manage to emerge long enough to tell Daniel that she was sure his trousers wouldn’t fall down. She even managed a smile. “I’d probably be less anxious if it did happen. At least it would be funny.”
“Not for me,” wailed Daniel. He prodded his midriff. “Do I look flabby? Why didn’t you encourage me to exercise more?”
Kalix rubbed her arm. She had several fresh scars that were itchy. So far, the laudanum she’d taken, and her determination not to fail in their mission, was keeping her anxiety at bay, but only just. If she could just make it down the catwalk and back, she could leave and
get away from the crowd. When the show was over, Kalix and the others were meant to mingle with the audience, but Kalix was planning on escaping, at least for a while. There were gardens between the hotel and the river, and she hoped she might find a quiet spot where she could transform, to renew her strength. She was concentrating on controlling her anxiety when Daniel suddenly asked her if she ever had the urge to become a werewolf in public.
“What do you mean?”
“You know, sometimes people get urges to do stupid things. Like shouting ‘fire’ in a crowded room. I wondered if you ever got an urge to just let go in public, and turn into a werewolf.”
Kalix was immediately alarmed. “I didn’t up till now! Not before you suggested it anyway. Why did you say that?”
“I didn’t mean anything . . .” said Daniel.
“Now I’m going to turn into a werewolf in public!”
“No, really you won’t.”
“I can feel it happening!” cried Kalix. “Why did you have to go and say that?”
“I’m sorry,” said Daniel. “I was just making conversation.”
Kalix started to look desperate. “What if I do? What if I’m in front of the audience and I get this mad urge to become a werewolf?” She moaned. “I can feel it coming on. I won’t be able to stop myself. Why did you have to go and suggest it?” Kalix felt the first tinges of perspiration on her palms and forehead. She rubbed her arm vigorously. “I can’t do this, I have to go home.” She looked around desperately, wondering which direction was best to flee, but she was too late.
Thrix appeared in front of her. “You’re on,” said Thrix.
“I can’t do it!” cried Kalix.
“Why not?”
“I’m going to change into a werewolf!”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Why would you do that?”
“It’s Daniel’s fault! Don’t send me out!” cried Kalix.
“Get out there and model these clothes!” said Thrix, and pushed Kalix through the curtain.
Kalix emerged into the spotlight, still cursing Daniel for his foolish chatter. If he hadn’t suggested she might get the urge to transform it would never have occurred to her. Now she couldn’t think of anything else.