Moonglow nodded, and her natural good manners pushed her bad temper temporarily aside. She went off to the kitchen to put the kettle on.

"Moonglow's really mad at us," sighed Vex.

"No wonder," said her aunt. "You humiliated her in front of her mother. No one likes that. And her bank manager also. I am not sure what that entails, but I know Thrix hates it too." Malveria studied Kalix for a moment. "Your aura is unusual. But it always has been. Not quite the same as other werewolves."

Kalix didn't reply. She knew she wasn't quite the same as other werewolves.

"The eclipse spell didn't affect your power to transform. Truly, you are very resistant to sorcery. I expect you ache now, most painfully?"

Kalix nodded.

"The effects of running around fighting while all other werewolves were suffering, I imagine. Though you resisted the spell, it still had its effects on you. You will hurt for some days to come, I'm sure." The queen turned to Daniel. "The curse on yourself and Moonglow is lifted. Through Agrivex's intervention, it's now removed. So that is some good cheer for your household. Although-" She paused and gazed out the window at the terraced houses opposite. "It is one thing to pine in a romantic fashion for someone you are not allowed to have. It's quite another when there is no barrier preventing the union. The prospect of romance, once unhindered, may not be quite as pleasant as you imagined."

"Thanks for that," said Daniel, not looking as happy as might have been expected.

CHAPTER 194.

Susi Surmata's rustic little home was packed with clothes. Frocks, hats, shoes, and coats hung from the walls and over every available chair and table. The enchantress was briefly diverted from her mission. "This is a fantastic collection."

"I've been collecting since I was a child," sniffed Susi. "These days I get free samples as well."

"Of course," said Thrix. "Since you've transformed yourself into the nation's most influential fashion blogger, you must get a lot of free clothes."

Susi burst into tears again.

"I'd have thought that was a good thing." Thrix looked at Dominil. "Isn't that a good thing?"

"I believe she's still crying about being a werewolf."

"Yes, I suppose you're right. Do you think that's what made her blogs so effective? A love of clothes mixed in with angst about being a werewolf?"

"I thought I was alone...Oh, my life has been so terrible. My adopted parents kept it all secret when I grew up in Finland. I was an orphan, and they took me in when I was a baby. Since they died, I've hardly been able to stand it."

Dominil felt herself losing patience. Tears annoyed her, and she found it offensive that anyone should be so upset about being a werewolf. "The MacRinnalchs like being werewolves," she told Susi.

"Really?"

"Of course. We're very civilized."

"What do you do?"

"I kill people for money."

Susi burst into tears again.

"Dominil! Try and be tactful. It must have come as a great shock to her, learning there are other werewolves. Susi, I suggest the best thing for you is to get straight back to work. A well-written review of my latest fashion collection would probably do wonders for your self-confidence."

Susi didn't seem to hear the enchantress. "Eventually I couldn't stand it anymore. I hid my loneliness with my love of clothes-"

"I can understand that," said Thrix.

"-but all those nighttime fashion shows became too much for me. I was always frightened I was going to lose control, change into a werewolf, and eat someone."

"We don't eat people."

"Kalix might," said Thrix, darkly. "But really, Susi, there's no need to despair. There are plenty of werewolves at the castle in Scotland. Once you meet them, you'll feel better. After you've written your article, you can go straight there."

"It means so much to me to know there are other werewolves around. I thought I was a freak!" wailed Susi.

Thrix pursed her lips. "I really could do with that article being written."

"I don't want to write anymore! I want to go to Scotland and meet my fellow werewolves!"

Thrix moved a little closer to Susi. "Write the article," she said, "or you won't make it out of this room, never mind go to Scotland."

"You told me werewolves were civilized creatures," protested Susi. "Now you're threatening me!"

"We did go to all the trouble of finding you," said Dominil. "So why don't you just get it done, and then we'll send you off to Scotland."

"Is the article really that important?"

"If Eldridges doesn't buy my stock, I'm going to go out of business."

Susi dried her eyes and looked thoughtful. "I did like your clothes. I suppose I could write it. Eldridges usually does what I tell them. I don't think much of their chief buyer, really."

"She's an idiot," agreed Thrix, "but she generally follows your advice."

Dominil and Thrix retired to the kitchen to give Susi a moment to compose herself. Thrix looked with interest at the vintage clothes stacked on top of the washing machine.

"I hope she toughens up in Scotland," said Dominil. "No one likes a werewolf who sobs all the time."

CHAPTER 195.

Kalix sat with Decembrius in his car not far from her home. It was late in the night. The streets were deserted, and the nearest streetlamp wasn't working, casting Decembrius's car into a deep shadow.

"So where were we?" asked Decembrius.

"We weren't anywhere."

"I'm sure we were somewhere. That's right. We slept together, then you robbed me."

"I paid you back."

Decembrius didn't care at all that Kalix had taken his money and had been surprised when she repaid him. "It was a good night together anyway."

"If you say so," grunted Kalix.

Decembrius grinned. "I didn't think it was so bad."

"I did."

"Didn't sound like it at the time. I think you enjoyed it well enough."

Kalix made a face. Decembrius never seemed abashed in any way. His confidence was intriguing, even if she still didn't like him much.

Decembrius fiddled with the radio, trying to find music he liked.

"I'm not sleeping with you again," said Kalix.

"Okay. It wasn't that great anyway."

Kalix was offended. "What do you mean it wasn't that great?"

"Have you seen yourself recently? There's hardly enough to get hold of."

"Good. I wouldn't want you to get hold of me. You know how much I don't like your stupid red hair? It looks ridiculous."

"It looks fine. At least it sees a brush every now and then. Unlike yours."

"There's nothing wrong with my hair," said Kalix.

"Nothing that shampoo wouldn't fix."

"I hate you."

"What are you doing in my car if you hate me?"

"Hiding from Moonglow. She keeps lecturing me."

"I expect you deserve it," said Decembrius, and he laughed.

"You're stupid."

"You're stupid too."

They lapsed into silence.

"So. You want to come back to my place?"

"No," said Kalix, though she didn't get out of the car.

CHAPTER 196.

What are these unpleasant black garments?"

"Your mourning clothes, Empress Kabachetka. For the deaths of your mother and brother."

"Ah! Of course, my mourning clothes. Yes, there is certainly much mourning to be done. No one is sadder than I about their untimely deaths. One is utterly grief-stricken."

The new empress attempted to look sad while examining the clothes. Her expression swiftly changed to one of strong distaste. She was sure these garments would not be flattering. "How long is this mourning for?"

"Three months, Your Majesty."

"That seems a very long time. Life continues, you know. One must struggle on."

"Three months is traditional."

"Very well. But remind me to send to my designer for some better mourning clothes. I can't disappoint the population by starting my reign in these inferior outfits."

Empress Kabachetka was cheered by the thought of the stylish black frocks she could buy. "And a new hat, of course," she thought, "with a demi-veil. It shall be a very chic affair." After all, she reasoned, now she had control of the treasury, there was no one to stop her spending whatever she wanted. Not only that, she had full control of the Eternal Volcano, the greatest power in the land, and she was already a skillful user of sorcery. With the volcano's power at her command, an empress could do a lot. "Send for my hairstylist. We will need a lighter shade of blond to offset all this dark clothing."

CHAPTER 197.

Thanks for getting the curse lifted," said Daniel. "It was nice of you."

"Don't mention it." Vex grinned. Her foot was feeling better, and she was returning to normal. "Now you're free to scoop up Moonglow."