Panicked voices engulfed the village as the news spread.

Hands cupped around his mouth, the pandit shouted, "Everyone, we must leave the village right away. Take the south path. Quickly, quickly!"

Villagers abandoned their homes and work and hurried to the track leading out of the village.

The pandit stared at Anju, wide-eyed. "This is your fault. You should never have come here."

Bunny read the guilt and hurt that sprang to Anju's face and put a hand on her shoulder. "It's not your fault. Don't listen to him."

From behind a nearby building, her father shouted commands to his threadbare regiment, his voice rising over the thatched roof. "Take up arms in the marketplace and form a line facing the north trail. Staggered fire, but not until I give the word."

Bunny's heart pounded, and her mind whirled. Villagers jostled her, intent on fleeing, and she staggered out of their path.

Amidst the chaos, Jim appeared at her side and caught her elbow. "Come on."

"Wait. Where's Anju?"

Her friend had vanished into the fleeing crowd.

"Bunny," he said, his tone urgent. "We have to get to safety."

He was right. At any moment, the werewolves would reach the village. And anyone still out in the open, unarmed, would become prey in a heartbeat.

Oh, dear. Anju, where are you? For heaven's sake, please find somewhere to hide.

Together she and Jim hurried around the huts to the marketplace, joining her father.

"How many?" Captain Spencer asked his soldier.

"Six werewolves, sir. They're barely two miles away and moving quickly."

Her father's forehead crinkled, and he glanced her way. "Bunny, there you are. Take the south road with the villagers and get as far away as possible. Where's Anju?"

"I don't know, Papa. She's vanished. Maybe she's hiding."

Her father raised a spyglass to his eye and peered at the north track. "I hope so. There's no time to find her. The wolves are almost here." His gaze whipped back to her and Jim. "Penderry, if you want to help, escort my daughter to the road. Here, take this."

Captain Spencer offered him a rifle which he took gratefully. With an expectant look in his eyes, Jim waited for her to follow. Reluctance filled every inch of her core.

Papa, I can't leave you again.

"Miss Spencer." Jim's tone was gentle, yet insistent.

"Be careful, Papa." She embraced her father in a tight hug before going with Jim.

They passed the handful of infantry left to defend Shamki. Eight soldiers formed a line across the centre of the village, rifles primed and trained on the north road. To her surprise, the park ranger she'd met in England appeared with an ammunition trunk.

"I recognise that gentleman," she said to Jim. "I met him in London. He's-"

"McKusky. The park ranger I sent you to in Hyde Park."

McKusky set down the box and spoke to her father. "Here's the rest of the powder and silver shot. Let's hope it weakens them quicker than standard ammunition."

Westman, one hand resting on a sword handle at his hip, joined the ranger, along with the servant with the eye-patch. The group of men spoke, but she and Jim strode out of earshot.

"This isn't right," said Bunny, following Jim past the whitewashed buildings. "I should stay. You've seen me shoot. I can be useful in this fight."

"I agree. But I respect your father. He doesn't want you getting killed, and neither do I."

From the north, a twisted chorus of howls climbed over the trees, turning Bunny's blood cold. Her father's voice boomed before the first shot rang out. The wolves had reached within a hundred yards. A steady burst of shots fired.

Jim increased his pace. "You need to hurry."

A smoky curtain of burnt gunpowder drifted between the huts, following them past the temple steps and towards the south road. On the path ahead, the escaping villagers were mere specks.

"If you run, you can catch up with them," said Jim.

Jungle foliage rustled at the side of the track, making them halt. In the next moment, a black shape burst onto the road. Alarm gripped Bunny's insides at the sight of the werewolf. The creature was larger than any she'd encountered. To her horror, the creature bolted towards them.

"Change of plan," said Jim, clutching her hand. "They've surrounded the village. Run."

With no time to blink, let alone aim a rifle, Jim doubled back, pulling her with him. Her legs pumped frantically, keeping up with his pounding steps. Jagged, snarling breaths closed in on them. She didn't dare glance over her shoulder. The tiny hairs on her nape bristled, her body horribly aware of the monster at their heels. Its hot breath touched her neck, and a scream tore from her lips.

Jim veered to the left, and the werewolf skidded in the dust, slamming into the wall of a building. They trampled over a vegetable patch and wove around the houses.

"In here." Jim pulled her inside a hut and secured the door.

"Did you see the size of it?" She panted, fear coursing through her limbs, making her knees shake.

He tried to catch his breath. "I'd say he's the leader of the pack."

"The maharaja?"

An impact shook the door, sending a crack up the wooden panel. Jim stepped back, and Bunny reversed until her shoulder brushed the sill of a window. The door quaked again.

"There's only one way out," said Jim.

He linked his fingers and offered her a foot hold. Wood panelling splintered and dust from the thatched ceiling fell around them. Without a moment to spare, Bunny stepped on his cupped hands and dived out through the window. The ground appeared, and she hit the dirt hard, jarring her elbow. Pain struck like lightning, and tears sprang to her eyes, but she stifled a cry. A second later, Jim tumbled out beside her, just as the hut door crashed inwards.

The sound of smashing pottery and wild snarls, flowed out the window. Bunny scrambled up, despite the pain in her arm, and kept pace with Jim. They ran around the curve of huts in an attempt to escape the maharaja. But the werewolf appeared behind them. Even under the cover of gun smoke, they couldn't evade him.

"Jim, it's no use," she panted.

"Draw it into the gun fire."

The marketplace came into sight, filled with shadowy figures in the curdling mist. Orange flashes lit the fog, joined by the clap of gunfire and canine yelps. Bunny dropped to the ground behind an ammunition trunk, Jim following. The maharaja's muscled bulk tore past a cart of dried chillies, overturning the vehicle.

A harsh voice bellowed from the monster's throat. "Where is Anju? I know you're hiding her here."

He lunged at the defence line. Startled soldiers dived out of the way, breaking formation, but one poor soul wasn't fast enough. A scream rose out of the smoke, followed by the tear of fabric and flesh.

Bunny smothered a scream.

"Keep low," said Jim, resting the gun barrel on the trunk. He took aim at the maharaja.

Heeding his advice, she took cover and shielded her ears. The sound of the explosion vibrated through her body. When she sat up, she found Jim reloading.

"Did you hit him?"

He searched inside the ammunition trunk. "Yes, but it's going to take more than one shot to take him down."

Out of the mayhem, her father shouted orders. His voice brought Bunny a wave of relief.

He's still alive, thank goodness.

The regiment regrouped in a new position. But Bunny's respite was short-lived. The break in their defences had allowed the werewolves to close in.

***

Anju pressed her back to the temple pillar, hidden from sight. On the surrounding walls, stone carvings of Gods and Goddesses watched over her, but she didn't feel safe. And she didn't feel forgiven, no matter how desperately she begged for atonement. The pandit was right. She had brought carnage to the village, not just once, but twice.

She peered around the column with a clear view of the temple entrance. The doors stood wide, overlooking the smoke-shrouded village at the foot of the slope. Gunshots continued to echo outside, and smoke drifted high up the steps, curling across the temple floor. She stood barefoot in a shallow cloud, willing away the tears that burned her eyes. How many more innocent people would die?

The sound of clicking claws and heavy breathing sent fresh alarm skittering through her veins. A shadowy wolfman appeared in the smoke, creeping up the steps. Anju ducked back behind the pillar and closed her eyes. She hoped the thick smell of gunpowder mingling with the temple incense would mask her scent. Footfalls padded slowly over the threshold and stopped inside the doorway.

An eerie silence followed for what seemed like an eternity. There was no movement, no sound. At length, Anju realised the werewolf had turned back, and she was alone. She released a pent up breath, and peered around the pillar, coming nose to nose with Prince Sujit. A scream escaped her throat.

No longer in wolf form, he wore loose white churidars tied at the hips with a sash. His bare chest rose and fell hard. Instinctively, she backed away, but he moved forward, closing the distance and matching her step for step.

"Anju. I've been looking for you." His gaze darted to the temple doors. "Quickly, come with me before the others realise you're here."

Her brow furrowed, and she continued to draw away from him. "What? Do you expect me to believe you're here to help me?"

"I am here to help you."

"I know about Delhi, how you tortured Bunny's friends for information. You're just like your father."

Something changed in his eyes. A flash of turmoil. "Let me explain, please. Gupta was there, I couldn't let him suspect-"

"You tortured them!"

"I'm Sorry! Please understand, Anju, I had to protect myself and my family. Why do you think they came to Delhi? They had a British soldier with them. They would have arrested me, or shot me. Please, Anju. I'm trying to help you."

She stared at his outstretched hand, at the small slashes of dried blood across his palm. "You're lying."

His steady gaze remained on her, and his naked feet followed her steps. "I'm not lying. I intended to help you escape after I find a cure. I meant that. Now, quickly, come with me."

She swallowed, her throat suddenly dry. "Even if you speak the truth, I don't want your help."

"Anju, please."

He reached for her arm and she darted aside. "Leave me alone. Just go away."

With an impatient growl, he grabbed her wrist.

She sucked in a breath and served a sharp slap to his cheek. "I'm tired of people telling me my destiny. I choose where I go in life, nobody else."

He barely had time to blink before supernatural strength flooded her muscles. Golden light edged her vision, and she slammed her hands against his chest, propelling him backward. A pillar broke his fall, and he crashed to the floor. Without a backward glance, she fled. Her feet pattered on the stone steps, anklets jingling, her pulse thudding in her ears. When she neared the bottom of the slope, another werewolf darted out of the smoke, cutting off her escape.

At the sight of the stooped creature, she stumbled to a halt, slipping and falling on the rough stone. The werewolf inched closer, its slick, black fur flowing. A wet tongue lolled over its thick, sharp teeth. Anju recoiled against the step with a cry.

"Lala!" Sujit sprinted down the steps, coming between Anju and the servant.

Lala tilted his head, panting.

Sujit's gaze dropped to the hessian sack in his hand. "Well done, you have the collar. Here, give it to me."

He held out his hand, waiting.

Disappointment filled Anju's heart. "I knew I couldn't trust you."

Lala passed the sack to his master.

"You know the plan. Go and wait by the river," said Sujit.

The biddable servant obeyed and bounded away into the trees. Overhead, a grey cloud billowed, stealing away the sun. A humid breeze ruffled Sujit's hair, and he held out a hand to her.

"Aren't you going to put the collar on me?" she asked, barely suppressing a snarl.

"You still don't believe me?" He dropped his hand to his side. "This collar isn't intended for you. I had hoped to overthrow my father quietly with science, but things have changed. My family and the British are killing each other. There is only one way to end this." His gaze turned to the smoky dwellings, and the conflict waging within the village. "I must face my father, right now."