When I hesitated, Montoni glared at me. “Don’t make me come after you again. Next time, I won’t be so merciful.”
I nodded numbly, finding myself unable to speak in his presence. I quaked with fear as he walked casually along the wall of the castle, likely to enter from a more discreet entrance, some hidden passageway undetected by Henri or myself.
Gathering my resolve, I approached the gate and hailed a man on the ramparts, who signaled that the gate should be opened.
Immediately inside, I was met by Bertolino, who scowled at me. “You have caused quite a commotion,” he scolded. He gestured to the men around him. “And the rest of them, all useless, falling asleep when they’re meant to be vigilant. I don’t know what has come over this place of late.”
I didn’t reply, but I allowed him to escort me within, where I perched on a sofa in the sitting room as the fire warmed my cold and weary bones. But it did little to thaw my fear.
Werewolves.The family are werewolves. Henri is a werewolf.
I hardly knew what to think. Werewolves were creatures of legend. They were not real. But, unless my senses deceived me, I had been in the wrong. The creatures existed. It made me wonder what other horrid things spun as fairytales were also true.
I cradled my head in my hands, unable to rid myself of the sight of Montoni’s horrible muzzle full of flashing teeth, and those wicked claws. How could I sleep knowing that those monsters resided under the same roof as myself? And to think that my aunt shared his bed. The idea that such a dangerous man lay beside her as she dreamed made me shudder.
“Hello, Emile.”
I glanced up and flinched at the sight of Blanche in the doorway. She noted my reaction and looked away.
“I suppose you’re one of them too?” I asked.
Blanche sighed and sauntered into the room, taking a seat in the chair across from me. She watched me for a moment before drawing a deep breath. “Emile, you understand that we couldn’t tell you. No matter how much we wanted to, Henri most of all.”
I returned her gaze unflinchingly as I absorbed her human appearance. She looked like a human girl, beautiful, harmless. But beneath that flawless skin, a monster lay in wait. A monster capable of ripping a man to shreds.
When I didn’t respond, Blanche leaned back in her chair. “It was years ago, centuries, when our ancestor came upon a young woman alone in the forest, strolling beneath the light of the full moon. Her skin glowed like that heavenly body, and she was perhaps the most beautiful woman he had ever laid eyes on. As no one else was around, he thought he could take advantage of their isolation, and forced himself upon the woman, not knowing who she was, nor caring.”
“What does this have to do with anything?” I asked, frowning.
Blanche smiled wistfully and continued. “The woman was Selene, goddess of the moon, come to walk among humans for the night. When she was attacked by my ancestor, her sister goddess, Artemis, went for help, and found it in Hecate. Returning to their sister, Artemis shot an arrow through the man’s arm, charmed with a poison, while Hecate conjured a terrible magic to curse the fool for daring to attack their sister. And so, the man was cursed, as were all his descendants. They would know fear and tremendous pain when the moon burned full in the sky. Their bodies would contort and reshape themselves into the forms of wolves, and they would destroy the human world around them in a haze of anger and unabated hunger.”
I sat forward. “Are you telling me that the lunar goddesses actually cursed your ancestor? To turn into a werewolf on the night of the full moon?”
“Yes. Near this very castle.”
I met Blanche’s passive gaze with horror, but also with unchecked curiosity. Her story was farfetched, but I’d also seen the result of the alleged curse with my own eyes. “There is no full moon tonight,” I pointed out. “Yet Montoni became a …” I let my voice trail off.
Blanche nodded. “Yes. During the full moon, the change is forced upon us. Otherwise, we are able to change at will while keeping our wits about us. We can move between man and wolf, and in between. But during the full moon, we are little more than animals. We have no recollection of the havoc and mayhem we cause.”
“Yet you haven’t … wait. The medicine. It stops the transformation.”
“Yes. It’s very painful, but it keeps us from being forced to change into mindless beasts.”
I ran a hand back through my hair. It was strange to talk about such fanciful things as if they were real. Because theywerereal. “What is the medicine?”
Blanche shrugged. “Father Schedoni secures it for us. I have no clue what it is, but it burns like silver under my skin. My whole body feels as if it’s melting with it.”
“The silverware!” I sat up, recalling the myths I’d heard of werewolves and their aversion to the metal “That’s why it’s gold at the château and here. Not to show off, but to allow you to eat unimpeded.”
“Yes. And it’s why we must wear gloves when we eat out. It’s really the only time it comes up.”
I frowned. “But why silver?”
Blanche waved a hand dismissively. “Who knows? Some have speculated that it’s because it can reflect the full force of the moon. Perhaps there’s some other connection we’re unaware of. All I know is that I can’t stand it.” She paused. “And it can kill us.”
I swallowed. “Can it?”
“Yes. Through the heart, through the head. I’ve seen the result myself.”
