Air rushed into Bunny's face before the shock of cold water struck her. She plunged into the fast waters, submerged in quiet darkness. Rocks grazed her knees, and the current dragged her deeper downstream. When she finally struggled to the surface, she gasped for breath and wiped water from her eyes. Above the rush of the river, howls floated down from the bridge. The werewolves paced at the railing, watching them drift away.

Bunny found Jim treading water beside her, and seconds later Anju broke the surface. They gathered together and let the bubbling river pull them to safety. After a while, the current slowed.

"I think we can get out now," said Jim.

Wet and exhausted, they climbed up the bank and sat on the grass.

"We can't stop for long." Jim peeled his satchel from his back and dumped it beside him. "Is everyone all right?"

Bunny nodded. "Yes. Are you?"

He turned his rifle over, tipping water out the barrel. "I'm all right, but my gun's had it." He cast a glance at the surrounding fields and trees. "Do either of you know where we are?"

Bunny had no idea. She'd never ventured far from the cantonment.

Anju peered at the flowing waters. "I know this river. My old village must be nearby. If we keep to this side of the water, we'll eventually come to Shamki village. From there it will be easy to hire transport to the cantonment."

"That's assuming there's anyone at the cantonment," said Bunny, her thoughts turning to her father. "The last we heard, the wolf attack left barely a survivor."

Jim dragged a hand through his wet hair, pushing the locks out of his eyes. "I counted at least eight soldiers and three servants when I was there this morning. Including your father."

She shot to her feet, her heart lurching. "You've seen my father?"

"I have indeed." He smiled. "See, what did I say about intuition?"

"You were at the cantonment?"

"Yes. The camp is thin on the ground, but they've sent for reinforcements. And it's just as well since the maharaja is certain to head there now in search of Anju."

"We have to warn them."

Jim pulled off a boot and emptied out the water. "When we reach the village, we'll find someone to carry a message to the camp while you and Anju rest. I'd find a guide and go myself, but I'm reluctant to let either of you out of my sight."

"Then let's go," said Bunny. "We have no time to lose."

***

They set off downriver, following Anju through a fragrant flower meadow. Jim's wool socks squelched in his boots, but the evening sun warmed his face and forearms, drying his clothes and hair.

"How did you find us?" asked Bunny, walking a few feet in front of him.

"That's a long story. Your uncle came to my house after Singh abducted you."

"I hoped he might turn to you for help, but I never expected you to come all this way."

Her golden braid swung at her back, just below the lacings of her cropped silk blouse, and her slender fingers brushed the tops of the pink mist grass. He watched her, his throat going dry.

"I can't quite believe it myself," he murmured, then swallowed and said more loudly, "I didn't come alone. Mr Westman should be back at the cantonment by now. Do you remember him?"

"Of course," she glanced behind and smiled, dimples pitting her cheeks. "You and Mr Westman must be my guardian angels."

"Hm, I've never been called an angel before." He felt his lips stretching, amused.

It was true he'd been called many things in his lifetime. Fool, scatterbrain, reckless, dunderhead. Angel was a welcome change. He caught sight of his wild-looking shadow, topped with a mop of corkscrew curls. It had been weeks since he visited his barber. The realisation made him long for the comforts of home.

"It'll be spring back in England now," he said, catching her up in three long strides. "Daffodils and crocuses will be popping up all over the place."

She looked at him and smiled again.

"Of course, we'll miss all that," he added. "It will probably be summer by the time we get back. My favourite time of the year."

"It is?"

"Without a doubt. Everyone is cheerful in the summer. The best part must be the long days at the park. My sister usually drags my little brother and I along. We picnic under the same oak tree every time and take a rowboat out on the Serpentine to feed the swans."

"And balloon rides?"

He grinned. "You must come, Bunny. I'll be your guide around town. We'll have ices, and strawberries and cream."

Her smile faltered, and she turned her gaze ahead. A small crease formed between her eyebrows.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"You're sweet, Jim. But I don't think I'll be returning to England."

Not returning to England? Ever?

Disappointment punched him in the stomach like a blow from Gentleman Jackson. His cheeks grew heavy and his smile faded.

Bunny kept her eyes ahead. "I'm not a good fit for London."

But maybe you're a good fit for me.

"The village is up ahead," Anju called.

He concealed his unhappiness, and followed towards the dwellings beyond the tree line. At the side of a dirt track, an oil lamp illuminated a shrine. Flowers, food, and coins filled a large collection dish at the feet of a grotesque statue. A garland of orange and white marigolds adorned the grinning wolfman.

Anju joined them to stare at the altar. "It's a shrine to the wolves. The villagers here believe if they offer prayers, it will ward off evil caused by the demons. It was constructed at the maharaja's command after the attack that killed my parents. He said the offerings of riches would appease the wolves. He promised the village protection should the wolves ever return."

"These poor people deserve to know the truth," said Bunny. "The maharaja and his wicked family have got away with this for too long."

"They won't believe the truth." Anju turned away and continued along the path.

By the time they entered the village, the sun had dropped low behind the thatched roofs, ushering in the purple evening skies. Jim shifted the strap of his satchel on his shoulder and stood beside Bunny in a quiet marketplace. Homes surrounded the neat village square; white huts decorated with pastel coloured patterns. Beyond the furthest buildings, stone steps climbed a steep slope into the trees, leading to a hilltop temple lit by burning torches.

A group of villagers emerged from a doorway to talk to Anju. She bent and touched the feet of an elder. One middle-aged woman gestured at Anju's torn bridal clothes and lifted a hand to her mouth. After a brief conversation with the group, Anju came back over to them.

"I told them I ran away from a forced marriage," she said. "But I didn't tell them anything about the palace. I asked them to send word to Captain Spencer that we're here, and that trouble may be headed his way. The village pandit has gone to find someone to carry our message to the cantonment."

Bunny closed her eyes, letting out a breath of relief.

"They have offered us a place to stay tonight," added Anju. "But if we stay, we must give pooja at the temple. The pandit says they cannot afford to bring any bad fortune on the village. Here comes his sister."

An old woman, wrapped in a plain sari and headscarf, carried a flickering oil lamp and motioned for them to follow. She led them inside a modest mud hut. The lodgings were bare, save for a woven rug and cushions on the floor. A broom stood propped in the corner beside a row of clay pots. The woman set the lamp on the floor and uttered a few words in her native tongue before leaving.

"She said we can sleep here tonight," Bunny told Jim. She collapsed onto a pile of straw-stuffed cushions. "Lord, I'm exhausted."

Jim set down his bag and sat on the floor while Anju peered out the window at the darkening sky.

"I should go to the temple," she said.

"Not alone. Can't it wait until morning?" asked Jim.

Bunny sat up straight. "Earlier at the palace, what happened, Anju? Why in the world did you try to protect Prince Sujit?"

Anju sat and turned her gaze to the stitched seam of a pillow. "He isn't to blame for all this, Bunny. His father has forced his will upon us both. Sujit is innocent."

Jim highly doubted that. "Prince Charming threatened to kill me in Delhi this morning. He's not what I'd call a saint."

Anju's eyebrows slanted, her shock and disappointment clear.

"What happened?" asked Bunny.

"Your father sent Sergeant Dobbins, Westman and I to Delhi to apprehend the prince. We spotted Gupta at the bazaar, but he bolted. He gave the locals quite a fright when he turned into a werewolf in front of everyone. We chased him to the college and walked into a trap. Singh had us tied up in a classroom and rigged to some sort of electrical device."

Bunny frowned. "Electricity? That new technology, rather like harnessing lightning?"

"Yes. Except, like anything wild and powerful, a harness is no guarantee you can control it. The prince exposed Westman and I to bursts of electric current. He wanted to know how much the regiment knew about his family secret, and what they planned to do about it."

Anju hung her head and buried her hands in her hair. "How could he do this? I had begun to trust him. He told me he was looking for a cure to our condition. He said he'd help us escape."

"Don't believe a word that leaves his mouth," said Jim. "Did he look like he was helping you escape earlier? He tried to stop you. I wager he'd say anything for his own gain. He's a bad egg, Anju."

She turned to stare out the window, hiding behind her crumpled scarf.

Bunny sighed. "How did you escape?"

A smiled unfurled on Jim's lips. "Pikoo."

She blinked. "Pikoo?"

"That's right. Listen, Gupta is in custody now, and Sergeant Dobbins went for reinforcements. Things are looking up."

She tried to smile back. "I hope so. And I hope our message reaches my father before the maharaja does."

"All will be well," said Jim, settling back.

Bunny lay her head on a cushion and closed her eyes. Tired and dishevelled in the lamp light, she looked more charming than ever in Jim's mind.

"Bunny," he murmured. "Remember Horse and cart?"

Her eyes fluttered open, and she smiled wryly. "Oh, Lord. Don't mention that abominable man."

He chuckled and leaned back, staring at the thatched ceiling. "I confess, I'd never seen a girl swing an eel with such precision."

"The man is a bully. How did he put it?" She deepened her tone, mimicking Carte. "A respectable lady doesn't harass a man or keep a bloodthirsty mongoose as a pet."

Jim grinned. "A shining impersonation of our entitled upper classes."

"London is no place for a jungle girl."

"On the contrary, London needs more spirited young ladies." His gaze settled on her, meeting her drowsy eyes.

"Etiquette lessons," she mumbled. "Fancy gowns and perfect hair. I'd have to transform myself."

"Why? I like you the way you are."

She smiled and held his gaze, then her eyes drifted shut. The temple and prayers forgotten, both girls fell asleep.

Jim sat sentry with a soggy rifle that no longer worked, watching the framed patch of jungle outside the window. His gaze wandered back to Bunny. He'd travelled thousands of miles, ridden through heat and dust, faced the wrath of a werewolf clan, and against all odds, he'd found her. He wanted to relax, but would all be well? In truth, he couldn't be certain. They weren't entirely safe anywhere.

Darkness covered the village, and the hypnotic chiming of crickets and the soft chapping of geckos lulled him. He lowered his guard and dozed, only half aware of the nocturnal sounds, and the twisted laughter from hyenas out in trees.