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.
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 her 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,