“Here, Miss Imogen. This is a prime spot. Near the cakes.”
Imogen hesitated and Kate was afraid she’d flee upstairs. But the young woman came forward with a slow deliberateness, as if uncertain how to even walk properly. There was only a slight bobble near the table, and she slumped into the seat as if weary with relief. Simon was quick to slide her forward while Kate poured tea and placed sandwiches on her plate.
Imogen didn’t move. Her dark veil swayed up and back ever so slightly with her breathing. Then Charlotte stuck her face in front of her, and Imogen jumped.
“Hello. My name is Charlotte.” Imogen sat mute, so the young girl continued. “This party is for me. I’m supposed to take some medicine. But then maybe you will play with me later? I think I’m wearing your dress!” Charlotte seemed pleased when Imogen turned to regard her.
Kate’s first instinct was to say no, but she was so pleased to see Imogen react, any attempt at normalcy would be a step in the right direction. She smiled with encouragement.
Suddenly, Charlotte shouted loudly which made everyone jump. From out of the folds of Imogen’s dark veil poked a very wiggly nose.
“Oh, a hedgehog!” Charlotte cried. “I love them. I just love them! May I pet it?” Her index finger reached out toward the small bristly creature perched on Imogen’s shoulder. Imogen didn’t reply, of course, so Charlotte merely took it as a sign of acceptance and brushed her finger over the tiny animal.
Imogen froze, and because of the mourning clothes, Kate couldn’t tell if she was frightened or curious.
Charlotte giggled. “I never had a pet. What does it eat? May I hold it?”
“Charlotte.” Kate attempted to distract the child from her endless questions and held up the glass tube. “This is wulfsyl. I can’t be sure it’s correct.”
The girl looked at Kate with excitement, then asked hopefully, “Will it stop me from eating someone?”
Kate looked uncomfortable. “We believe that if you take it now, you will never have to eat someone.”
“But what if I do?”
“Eat Malcolm,” Simon suggested.
Malcolm sat with a sour scowl on his face.
Charlotte pushed a sandwich in her mouth as she stared at the concoction. Then she attacked another sandwich, and mumbled, “What does it taste like?”
“Probably a bit strong. You should put it in your tea.” Kate handed the glass tube to the girl.
She pulled the cork and sniffed. She threw her head back with a grimace. “That’s horrible! It smells like dead people.”
Simon could smell it too, and it did stink of death. Far worse than the rank earthiness of the mushrooms themselves. He snatched the sugar bowl and began to drop spoonfuls into Charlotte’s tea. “Here. This should help.”
“More,” the girl instructed, and Simon tossed in two more spoons. “More.”
“Try it first,” he said. “Even I could eat a dead person if he had that much sugar poured on him.”
Charlotte dribbled a few drops into the milky tea. “How much should I use?”
“Half the tube should do,” Kate answered.
The girl poured with great deliberation. Then she stoppered the tube and gave it back to Kate. She took a spoon, turning it around in her hand to see her reflection. She realized it was plain dull pewter. “Miss Kate, are you not using silverware because I’m a werewolf?”
“No, dear.” Kate selected a sandwich. “We’re not using the silverware because we melted it all for weapons when Gretta attacked us. Drink.”
Charlotte stirred her tea for a long time. “This won’t make me change, will it?”
The rest of the company stiffened and exchanged worried glances.
“No,” Kate said with some false authority. “No.”
Charlotte lifted the cup to her lips, where she paused. All eyes were on her. She let the liquid dab her upper lip and pulled the cup away. “Is that enough?”
Kate scolded, “Charlotte, drink it, please.”
The girl sighed, brought the cup up in a quivering hand, and took a sip. She held it in her mouth, and then swallowed with much effort. Her eyes tightened. She let out a wet gasp and set down the cup with a loud clatter. Charlotte grasped her throat with palsied hands. She swayed in her seat and growled.
Chairs scraped back and clattered to the floor. Kate reached desperately for Imogen, who sat utterly still. The runic tattoos on Simon flared while Malcolm drew his pistols and brought them to bear on the flailing girl. Frightened shouts were cut by childish laughter.
Charlotte fell back in her chair and giggled uncontrollably. The adults stared in disbelief at the girl, who kicked her feet with delight.
“Did I scare you?” Charlotte laughed, looking at the stricken faces around her.
Malcolm angrily jammed his pistols back into the holsters with a look of incredulity.
Simon shook his head and joined in the girl’s laughter. He righted his chair, finishing his sandwich between chuckles.