Further west in London, Morag MacAllister, a fiery character at the best of times, was berating Marwanis MacRinnalch for organizing a meeting today of all days.

"What kind of werewolf makes an arrangement to meet on the night of the lunar eclipse? I'm liable to bite someone's head off."

"Not when you're in human shape, I hope," said Marwanis. "It's the only evening I could get free when the Douglas-MacPhees could meet. They're a busy little group."

"Busy stealing no doubt," said Morag. "I hate the Douglas-MacPhees."

"You won't hate them if they bring us Kalix."

"Maybe not. Is Ruraich MacAndris coming too?"

"Yes."

"I hate him as well."

Marwanis almost smiled. Baron MacAllister's sister was hardly diplomatic. But then, Marwanis didn't care that much for Red Ruraich herself. He was always insinuating that as leader of the MacAndris Clan, he should be a baron too, with a seat on the Great Council.

Night was falling as Red Ruraich arrived at the hotel. He strode in, slammed the door, and immediately changed into his werewolf shape.

"Who's idea was it to meet tonight?" he growled.

"Mine," replied Marwanis, and she changed into a werewolf. They glared at each other. Morag MacAllister, not liking being the only human in the room, changed as well. The three ill-tempered werewolves stared at each other. Even in werewolf shape, they could feel their powers draining away as the Earth's shadow came near to covering the moon. Finally Marwanis laughed, rather grimly, and changed back. "Just put up with it for a few hours. It will soon be over."

"I never get used to it," said Ruraich, harshly. "No werewolf feels right when the moon's under attack. I feel like something's gnawing my bones."

Morag and Marwanis both sat down. Ruraich was right. No werewolf felt right at the time of the eclipse, and they shivered at its onset.

Not far away, Kalix MacRinnalch was stepping off the tube. She was completely oblivious to the onrushing eclipse and had no idea it was about to happen. The waves of depression and fatigue affecting her kin failed to make an impression on her. She always felt badly anyway and didn't notice any difference.

She marched out of the station and hurried through the darkening streets. Kalix was eager to confront Morag, Marwanis, and anyone else who was there. She'd most likely be heavily outnumbered, but she didn't care. As a werewolf, Kalix feared nobody, and she planned to burst into the hotel room, take on her werewolf shape, and start demanding answers about Gawain. If no answers were forthcoming, she'd savage them all until they felt like talking.

CHAPTER 74.

The Fire Queen materialized in the enchantress's office with a flash of light that was far too bright for Thrix's liking.

"No need to stare at me in such a manner, dearest Enchantress. I am aware that it is the time of the lunar eclipse. Distikka marked it in my diary. I now carry my diary everywhere, in my splendid Abukenti bag." Malveria paused to admire her bag once more. "So I've come to bring you good cheer, while the moon hides its face, casting you into unbearable gloom. Is it unbearable?"

"It's getting there," growled Thrix.

"How fortunate I have arrived! I have come hither-is hither the correct word?"

"I expect so," grunted Thrix.

"Then I have come hither from the home of Moonglow, where I was checking on the progress of my nefarious niece. Agrivex was late arriving back in our realm, thereby exposing herself to the risk of sudden death. She lacks the power to remain on Earth for more than a few days at a time." Malveria paused, not looking too displeased at the notion of Vex meeting sudden death. "I suspected she may be hiding from me, but it turns out Agrivex is simply resting a sore foot, after a bad bouncy-castle accident."

"Pardon?"

"An accident sustained while playing on a bouncy castle, according to Daniel. Though I'm not certain what a bouncy castle is. I have several castles, but none of them are bouncy. It's hard to see the advantage of it."

Thrix explained that a bouncy castle was a sort of children's amusement, a large inflatable toy for children to play on.

"That would explain it. Unless Agrivex is using this bouncy castle story merely as a way of avoiding me?"

"Why would she be avoiding you? I thought she was doing well at college?"

Malveria nodded. "So she says. According to Agrivex, she's the best student and will pass her exams with record scores and probably cheering crowds as well. I remain suspicious, but will await events."

"Did you heal her sore foot?"

"My dearest Thrix, the Queen of the Hiyasta doesn't waste her power healing an idiot niece who has no more sense than to bounce around on children's inflatable devices. Her sore foot will heal itself, and may the pain be a salutary lesson to her." Malveria smiled. "So, Enchantress, have I rescued you from the depths of misery?"

"No. I feel nauseous."

"Oh." Malveria was disappointed. "I trust this will not interfere with the splendid new outfit you're designing for me?"

Thrix felt her forehead becoming moist as if from fever. She wanted to go home and lie on the couch, and she felt quite irritated by the Fire Queen's good humor.

"I've got some news that might make you not feel quite so cheerful," Thrix said. "About Princess Kabachetka."

Malveria stiffened at the name. "What about her?"

"She's been at Castle MacRinnalch."

Malveria's smile disappeared. "Kabachetka? What has that vile so-called princess been doing at Castle MacRinnalch? Attacking the werewolves?"

Thrix felt rather pleased to have disconcerted Malveria. That would teach her to be so cheerful during a lunar eclipse. "No. The princess brought Sarapen's body back."

"What? But how could this happen?"

Thrix had been almost as surprised as Malveria at the news. The Mistress of the Werewolves had phoned to tell her that not only had Princess Kabachetka returned Sarapen's body, but also that a private funeral had already been held. "I thought it best to get it over with quietly," her mother had said, probably implying that Thrix took so little notice of family affairs she didn't deserve to be invited anyway.

Malveria sat down again and looked thoughtful. "Surprising news. Princess Kabachetka supported Sarapen against Markus. I didn't expect her to make friends with your mother. And she has returned the body? Undoubtedly there is some cunning plan here."

"I think the cunning plan might already have happened," said Thrix. "Princess Kabachetka's going to the fundraising event in Edinburgh. My mother invited her."

"What!" Malveria again leapt from her chair, this time levitating several inches and staying there. "The princess is going to the opera? But this cannot happen! I am not allowed to go! And she cares nothing for the opera!"

"She does now," said Thrix. "Mother seems to have taken quite a liking to her."

Malveria slammed her fist on the table, which split in two. Thrix, who had been half-expecting this, immediately spoke a word of sorcery, repairing the table.

"The despicable princess has planned this all along! My fashion triumphs at the opera have been widely reported. Now she will attend this event to shame me. Enchantress, you must secure me an invitation."

Thrix shook her head. "I can't. Hiyastas and MacRinnalchs are still enemies, as you well know. Please don't break my table again. If I have to use sorcery again, I think I'll be sick." Thrix glanced out of the window at the faltering moon. "And could you lower your voice, I have a terrible headache."

Ann walked into Thrix's office. She looked around questioningly. "Bad news?"

"The worst," groaned Malveria. "Defeat and disgrace at the hands of Kabachetka." She rounded on Thrix. "You must stop this immediately. Kabachetka cannot attend."

"It's nothing to do with me," protested Thrix. "Ask my mother."

"You know very well I cannot ask your mother! It seems to me, Enchantress, that you're not taking this seriously enough. Do you realize the shame and humiliation that confronts me in this matter?"

Thrix's nausea was increasing as the eclipse neared. "I can't think about your shame and humiliation at the moment, I've got other things on my mind."

The Fire Queen's eyes began to smolder. "What other things?"

"A business that's going rapidly downhill and a date with Easterly in the middle of the lunar eclipse. Which I wouldn't have if you hadn't insisted on setting me up with him. Did I ask you to set me up with anybody?"

"No, but you spent endless hours talking in an irritating tone about your poor love life."

"What irritating tone?"

"The one you use when complaining of your poor love life."

Thrix rose to her feet, too quickly, and clutched the desk for support. "Maybe you should concentrate on your own love instead of interfering with mine. I'm sick of hearing about your heir. Just have one. Or don't have one. But don't keep going on about it all the time."

Flames leapt from Malveria's fingertips, and she levitated several feet off the ground. "Now I see it all, cursed Enchantress! You have connived with your clan and Kabachetka to humiliate me! The ingratitude is startling! Felicori only sings because of me! Without me, he would have no wish to associate with you or your tawdry clan of shape-shifting bumpkins."

"No one asked you to interfere in that either!" roared Thrix, causing Ann to take several steps backwards.

"Pah! Our association is over, Enchantress. You may be certain that I will never assist you again. Furthermore, I will laugh cruelly as your business fails. My only regret is that such a pleasant man as Captain Easterly will be forced to endure your company for the evening. Good day!"

With that, the Fire Queen dematerialized so violently that the office window cracked from top to bottom.

There was a moment's silence.

"I'll call the glaziers," said Ann, practically. "Captain Easterly will be here to pick you up in about five minutes."

CHAPTER 75.

In the small flat above the vacant shop in Kennington, Moonglow was conducting an inquest into the bouncy-castle incident.

"Did someone invite you onto it?"

"No," admitted Daniel, who had a bad bruise on his forehead.

"Then what were you doing there?"

"It was Vex's fault. As soon as she saw the castle, she just rushed off to join in. I could hardly keep up."

"Why did you want to keep up?"

"To make sure everything was all right. You know, protect the children and so on."

"Hey," interrupted Vex. "You were bouncing around too."

"Only in a supervisory capacity."

"You're lucky the parents didn't call the police," said Moonglow. "I don't know what you were thinking, invading a children's party and taking over the bouncy castle."

"Do you think we could get one?" asked Vex, whose injured foot hadn't diminished her enthusiasm.

"No!" said Moonglow, sharply. "Were any children injured?"

Daniel shook his head. "The collision only involved me and Vex. Brought about by Vex's lack of bouncing skill, in my opinion."

"I was bouncing fine till you got in the way."

"Neither of you should have been there!" exclaimed Moonglow.

Daniel didn't see why Moonglow was making such a fuss about it. Having resolved to be nicer to Moonglow, it hurt to suffer such harsh criticism from her for what was, after all, only a minor incident. "It's not like people were killed or anything," he complained.

"Well, if you can't make it into college tomorrow, I'm not taking notes for you," said Moonglow.

Vex snorted. She too was finding Moonglow's unforgiving attitude difficult to understand. "Lighten up. You're starting to sound as grumpy as Aunt Malvie."

"Malveria hasn't been grumpy since she got rid of you from the palace," countered Moonglow.

Daniel laughed. It was true. The Fire Queen's moods had certainly improved recently.

"Remember when she used to arrive in floods of tears?"

"She's much happier now."

There was a dazzling flash of light in the living room as Malveria arrived, collapsing on the couch in a flood of tears.

"Maybe not all the time," said Moonglow.