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MISBEHAVING WITH PURPOSE

Captain Niall carried thehborhood instantly He ise enough to go nowhere near the front door but let them off at a back alley near the kitchen entrance, where oods and servants came and went

Sophronia o in the back? We will need a warning in case of unexpected visitors If anyone sees you, how about pretending you’re there to clean the chimneys?"

"At this hour?"

"Best I can think up on short notice Sidheag and I are going in the front"

"Barefaced?" Sidheag protested

"Can you think of a better plan?"

"Who do we represent?" Sidheag asked

"We’re dandy drones of a local rove va on We heard they kidnapped children, and our master does not approve It’s worth a try"

Captain Niall, still in wolf for herself quite daring at giving a teacher instructions, even if he did look a bit doglike, said, "If you could stay to assist the retreat, Captain? Or go get the authorities, if you think they would come Your decision"

The olf sat back on his haunches with an air of decisiveness He’d wait

"He can’t carry five of us," protested Sidheag "IDi understood wolf growls "Fine, he can carry five of us, but five of us would not be able to fit on top of hiure that out later We really should be getting on"

The two girls left the alley and made their way down the street to the front door of the Westminster Hive

Sophronia practiced her walk and her , who looked ht they ood effect, but otherwise they weren’t bad If only our clothes fit better

They strode up the steps and pulled the bell rope

A handsome footman opened the door "Yes?" His eyebrows raised up nearly into his hairline at the sight before him "… Sirs?"

"We have co her voice

"Indeed And who has sent you?"

Sophronia wiggled her fingers in dis their attire "Lord Akelda the dandy vampire to the name Professor Braithwope had mentioned that name in class recently What had he said? Oh yes, that Lord Akelda

"Oh, yes, he does like jokes" She twirled about slightly

The footman frowned "Are you in your cups? She won’t like that, you know It hasn’t been a successful atte "He wants to knohat’s going on"

"He always does He’s usually more subtle about it"

Sophronia only looked up at the ceiling of the hallway as if bored by the conversation

"Are you a new drone?" the footman pressed

Silence

"I suppose you had best coleproops and Lord Mersey," said Sophronia

"Sounds like him," said the footman

He took them into the front parlor "Wait here, if you please? She’s al waited The door was left slightly ajar They watched in horror as two other foot lady with thick honey-brown hair

"Pity," one was saying "She had such neat stitches"

The girl’s neck was savaged, her hair matted with blood

Sophronia put a hand to her ownfor one terrifiedfor a new queen I think she’s lost the ability"

"Wouldn’t let her hear you say that if I were you"

Sidheag grasped Sophronia supportively by the arm "Not Dimity," she whispered

"No, the dress is too soain

The hallway cleared A moment later they heard a faht away! It is, after all, my ball Thank the countess for htful lady So sorry theto hand Or should I say, to fang?" A forced giggle

Sophronia and Sidheag exchanged terrified glances "Monique!"

They turned their backs to the open parlor door

Monique, unfortunately, noticed that the va in the front parlor

"Well, good evening, gentlemen! I do hope your audience is as enjoyable as mine"