Bunny woke to the morning call of jungle fowl outside in the trees. Sunshine streamed through the window, its warmth soothing her tired bones and muscles. She found Anju asleep on a pillow in the corner, and Jim dozing with his back against the wall. His rifle lay across his lap and his head leaned to one side, almost touching his shoulder. She smiled, relieved they'd made it safely through the night.

With a stretch, she sat, still aching from the previous day's exertions. Jim looked peaceful, his mop of sun-lightened curls hanging over his forehead. When they'd first met in Hyde Park, under the moon on that dark, snowy evening, she'd thought an angel had dropped from the sky to help her. And then he'd kept turning up, always when she was in need. She felt a little bad for causing him an endless amount of trouble.

His chest rose and fell slowly while he slept. Near his feet, his satchel lay tipped on its side with a canteen of water hanging out. Bunny's throat felt as dry as the plains in summer. What would they do about breakfast? She leaned over and dragged his bag toward her, then took a long drink from the canteen. Inside the satchel, a biscuit tin caught her eye.

Thank goodness. Food supplies!

She reached into the bag and shook the tin. Its contents rattled, and the tin lid gave a small clang when she pried it off. But her smile fell when she found the box stuffed with ammunition. Her shoulders slumped, and she sighed. Now what would they eat? Maybe the villagers would be kind enough to feed them.

The ammunition shouldn't have surprised her. Her father often stored powder and shot in old tins and tea canisters to keep it dry. She was about to replace the lid when she noticed an envelope peeking through the ammo. Her name marked the paper in neatly inked letters. Why did Jim have a letter addressed to her in his possession?

Her brows drew together, and she picked up the missive. "Hello, what's this?"

She turned the envelope over and opened the seal. A sudden movement took her by surprise and she gasped. Jim landed on his knees in front of her and seized the envelope. Instinctively, her grip tightened around her letter.

"What are you doing?" she asked, breathless.

"I'm sorry, but I'm afraid I can't let you have that."

"It's addressed to me."

"Yes, I know that," he said softly. "Do you always go through other people's things?"

"Your bag was open. I thought I saw some biscuits." She held the letter tight, resisting his attempts to pry it from her hands. "For goodness sake, Jim. What's this all about?"

"Believe me, now isn't the time."

Using her strength, she leaned away, hoping to pull the letter from him by force. But she only caused him to topple forward. For an awkward moment, his weight pinned her to the cushions, her free hand pressed to his chest, and she stared wide-eyed into his handsome face. His eyelashes were long and black, at odds with the golden curls that dangled over his eyebrows, and an amused smile played on his mouth.

"Steady on, Miss Spencer, I'm a gentleman." He remained where he'd landed, and his playful smile stretched into a grin.

That single look was enough to send damselflies fluttering through her stomach, and her fingers curled, lightly gripping his shirt. Jim's amusement faded when she didn't push him away, and he sank close, his lips brushing hers with a gentle kiss. For a long moment her mind swam in delight.

Anju's shout came before the dried-grass bristles of a broom crashed over Jim's head. "Rogue!"

Still reeling from the kiss, Bunny barely noticed him snatch the envelope from her fingers. Perhaps that had been his ploy all along, to distract her with his charm. Jim tumbled to the side, retreating.

"Rascal," cried Anju, chasing him with the broom. "Scoundrel."

"My apologies," he said with a laugh.

He grabbed his bag from the floor and stumbled across the rug and towards the door. With a backward glance, he paused in the archway to snap his braces over his shoulders. Bunny watched him pocket the envelope, then he winked before disappearing out the door.

Anju expelled a cross breath. "These boys think they can get away with anything."

Bunny couldn't help the smile that blossomed on her face.

Anju propped the broom beside the window, then Jim appeared at the opening, startling her. With a yelp, she threw a hand to her heart.

"Bunny," he said. "Can you come out here please?"

"We understand your intentions," said Anju, setting her small hands on her waist.

"I assure you, I have nothing but the purest intentions," he said.

"What is it?" asked Bunny.

"Your father has arrived."

"Papa's here?" She got to her feet and hurried through the doorway.

Jim met her outside the hut. "He came with the last of the regiment. Over there."

She followed his finger and located her father amongst a group of villagers. Unexpected tears burned the rims of her eyes and her throat thickened. It was truly him.

She rushed into the crowd. "Papa!"

Her voice cut through the chatter of villagers and her father's head whipped round, searching for her.

The moment his eyes found her, he strode forward to receive her into his arms. "Bunny. Oh, thank God."

She clung to him, her cheek pressed to the rough sleeve of his uniform, inhaling his familiar scent. Gun grease, wool and coffee.

"Are you all right?" he asked. "If they hurt you in any way-"

She drew back and peered up at him. He looked older. "I'm all right, Papa."

He pulled her back into another hug, stroking her hair.

When he finally loosened his hold, she said, "I heard the camp was attacked after I left. Are you all right?"

"Broke a rib, that's all. I'm on the mend, don't worry. Where's Anju?"

Anju approached with Jim.

Her father gave Jim's hand a firm shake. "I received the message. I must admit it was a surprise. When your friends returned yesterday, they told me you'd run off to Purabad like a madman. To be honest, I thought you were as good as dead."

"Well, it's all part of the service."

"I can't thank you enough for what you've done."

"No thanks necessary." Jim reclaimed his hand and glanced at Bunny.

Their eyes met, and then the most peculiar thing happened. Jim's cheeks flushed deep pink.

"Well," he said, smiling and taking a backward step. "I should go and see Westman."

Her father's gaze followed Jim across the village square, narrowing with a hint of suspicion. "Young Mr Penderry should stay out of the sun. His face is redder than a lobster." He turned to Anju, his expression softening. "My dear, tell me you got away in time?"

"Yes. We escaped before the wedding could proceed."

"I'm glad. But unfortunately this mess is far from over."

"Spencer-sahib," said Anju. "I've caused you, your family, and your friends a lot of trouble. Please forgive me, I-"

"Balderdash. You're not to blame for any of this."

"Even so, I've decided to leave."

Bunny blinked. "What?"

"You've all helped me so much, and I am truly grateful, but the maharaja will keep looking for me. It's for the best if I move on. I'll keep moving around if I must. I cannot trouble you any further."

"We'll discuss this later," he said.

She pressed her palms together and turned away, but Bunny caught her arm.

"You can't leave us. You have nowhere to go."

"I'm a danger to you all."

"No, you're my friend. We've been through so much, Anju. I won't abandon you now."

Anju's face creased with sadness. "That means a lot to me, Bunny. But if you are truly my friend, you'll respect my choice and let me go."

Bunny didn't know what to say. What Anju asked of her was unfair. She couldn't let her leave.

"I'm going to the temple," said Anju. "I'll ask for blessings before my journey."

"I'll come with you."

With a heavy heart, Bunny accompanied her towards the steps and peered up the steep incline. She paused when she heard a group of villagers approaching from behind. Led by the pandit, the locals gathered around them, preventing Anju from going up the steps. Sombre faces, some with an air of hostility, surrounded them.

"I didn't recognise you at first," the holy man said to Anju. "But I do now. You are the girl who brought the anger of the demons upon us ten years ago. They tore our village apart, demanding that your parents hand you over. You must go before you bring misfortune to the whole village."

Anju turned her eyes to the ground. "Yes, I'm that girl. But don't worry, I'm leaving. First I must pray, and eat, and buy supplies for my journey."

"No. We can't feed you, or trade with you. If we give you anything we will anger the demons. You must leave right now."

Through the hostility, Bunny detected fear inside the men. The bad fortune they believed surrounded Anju terrified them.

The pandit pointed a finger at Bunny. "You brought her here. You and the Englishmen will leave with her."

Her jaw clenched. "What? We can't leave yet. My father-"

Two villagers seized her and Anju by the arms, hauling them toward the marketplace.

Anju struggled and shouted, "The demons are not what you think they are. Please, listen."

The pandit raised a hand, bidding the mob to settle down. He seemed willing to hear what she had to say, but impatience and unease filled his face.

"For years you've lived in fear," Anju began, "making offerings at the shrine, giving away your hard-earned wealth. The threat is real, yes. Supernatural, yes. But the creatures that attacked the village are also flesh and blood. They are not invincible. They are human men and women, born with the ability to turn into wolf-like creatures. The English call them werewolves, and these soldiers are here to help you. They know how to stop them."

"Stop them?" answered the pandit. "What are you saying, girl? Don't you remember these demons? They're as big as buffalo, with fangs and claws that slice through bone with ease. They can't be stopped, and only a fool would try to challenge one. The only way to keep our village safe is to make offerings."

"Where do the offerings go?" asked Anju.

"The demons take them, of course."

"Do you want to know their identities?" she cried. "Because I know who they are, and how they control you all through fear, stealing your wealth and keeping you poor and afraid."

Nervous glances passed around the crowd. More villagers flocked around them at the sound of the commotion.

Anju's hands and voice trembled. "Your demon is the maharaja of Chandni Mahal!"

Surprised looks and whispers floated between the villagers. Then the pandit let out a hoot of laughter. Bunny's heart sank. He didn't believe Anju. In fact, he probably thought she was a lunatic.

"Be quiet," said Bunny, raising her voice. "She's telling the truth. If you don't believe us, ask the British soldiers. Ask them why they have the maharaja's servant in custody. Ask the witnesses in Delhi about the man from the palace who changed into a monster and rampaged through the bazaar."

The laughter died down, reduced to hushed conversation.

Just when a bud of hope grew in her chest, a British soldier on a horse charged into the village. Hooves sent up clouds of dust as he passed, heading for the far side of the village where Bunny had left her father. The soldier's shout echoed around the huts.

"The enemy is coming!"