Free The Curse of the Wolf Girl by Martin Millar

learning. It wasn’t what we were looking for, but we don’t like to pass up an opportunity.”
    Decembrius nodded his understanding. No doubt the Douglas-MacPhees could easily have gotten rid of the stolen electrical goods, or drugs, in which they normally traded, but antiquarian books were a different matter.
    “I’ll do it,” he said, partly because he needed the money, and partly because he felt like he should keep in contact with the Douglas-MacPhees in case they did manage to find Gawain, who then would lead them to Kalix.
* * *
     
    Decembrius walked home, deep in thought. Though he had no intention of helping the Douglas-MacPhees, he was already wondering how he might find Gawain. It irritated him that Gawain had access to Kalix and he didn’t. He wondered if he could discover where Gawain lived and force him to divulge information. Perhaps, if he really turned his mind to it, his old powers of seeing might reveal something about Gawain’s location.
    When he arrived home, there was a message on his answering machine from his mother Lucia, urging him to come to Scotland for the next meeting of the Great Council. Decembrius ignored it. He poured himself a small glass of the clan whisky and drank it quickly then sat down to think some more about how to find Gawain.

Chapter 16
     
    As Daniel, Moonglow, and Kalix waited for their pizzas, there was a sudden flash of light. Queen Malveria appeared, bringing with her the aroma of jasmine. It was another potentially startling event to which they’d now become accustomed. The Queen of the Hiyasta Fire Elementals had been a frequent visitor to their house a few months ago.
    “Greetings, young humans! How splendid to see you again. Excuse me for not ringing the bell, as is the polite custom, but I noticed a young man on a motorbike, with boxes, and suspected he was about to visit you with food. I did not wish to distress him by materializing suddenly. I have been interrogating Agrivex.”
    Moonglow was alarmed at the thought of an interrogation. “She really hasn’t been doing anything wrong.”
    “So she insists,” agreed the queen, “but I needed to satisfy myself as to her behavior. One does not wish to learn that she has caused any of her tutors to fling themselves out of windows in despair.”
    “She seems to get on well at college,” said Moonglow.
    The queen nodded. “So she tells me. Indeed she claims to have obtained a gold star for a poem. I understand that this is a good sign?”
    “Eh…yes,” agreed Moonglow.
    “Has she committed any outrages in your house? Destroyed items of value?”
    Daniel and Moonglow assured the queen that Vex hadn’t destroyed anything.
    “That is a surprise,” said the queen, “but perhaps the abominable niece will astonish us all and not create chaos. Very well.” She snapped her fingers, summoning Agrivex back from her dimension.
    “Agrivex. The young humans inform me that you have behaved yourself. So you may continue with your program.”
    “Fantastic!” yelled Vex. “Can I have—”
    “You cannot have new boots. It will take more than a few days of good behavior to earn such a reward.”
    Just then the doorbell rang, and Daniel went downstairs to collect their pizzas. Moonglow offered Malveria a cup of tea, which she accepted. The queen appreciated the care Moonglow took over her tea, making it in a pot, then serving it in delicate cups, with a small jar of milk and a jar of sugar on a tray.
    “How have you been?” inquired the queen. “And have you noticed my most fabulous mid-evening ensemble?”
    “It’s lovely,” said Moonglow. Despite her own preference for black clothes and dark makeup, Moonglow did appreciate the fashionable garments that Thrix created for Malveria. The queen could tell that Moonglow was sincere, and it pleased her.
    “It was something of a triumph. The dress, shoes, hat, and matching bag were noted by all to be a remarkable achievement. But this is not the whole reason for my