Anju went to her bed chamber's covered balcony and stared down the long expanse of grass. A light shower of raindrops splashed into an ornamental stone fountain, while a brightly coloured peacock wandered amongst the rose border, its call echoing around the walled-garden. At the far end of the lawn, the valley jungle beckoned, but escape was unlikely. A guard manned the gate, a rifle propped against his shoulder as he sheltered under a tree. He was a werewolf, like her. She could smell the musk above the rain-soaked vegetation.

Although she wasn't permitted to leave the grounds, the maharaja had allowed her to roam the palace. Without the silver collar, her heightened senses had returned. She had picked up the scent of each servant, guard and royal family member. Some of the domestic workers were human, seemingly unaware of the royal family's dark secret. But the guards, Madhur, Lala, and the maharaja's assistant, Amjad, were full-blooded werewolves. She estimated thirteen of them in total. An unlucky number to the English. If Bunny still wished to escape, the odds were not in their favour.

Her friend had been tasked with chores. At this moment, Bunny was in the servants' quarter, assisting Lala with the laundry. Anju's thoughts were interrupted when she caught the scent of sun-warmed skin, sandalwood and almonds.

"Good morning, Anju." Prince Sujit stood in the chamber arch.

When she refused to answer, he exhaled a long sigh and stepped onto the balcony.

"You have every right to hate me," he said. "I don't blame you. But please believe me when I say it's not my wish to hurt you."

"You kidnapped me and my friend." Her gaze followed the peacock amongst the roses. "You've made us prisoners."

"If I hadn't brought you here, one of my father's servants would have. Trust me, it is better this way."

"Trust you?" She offered a doubtful huff of laughter. "Why should I trust you?"

He stepped close. The sweet fragrance of incense clung to his hair.

Quietly, he said, "Let me put your mind at rest. I didn't ask for any of this. I was content to stay in England, studying. It is because of my work in London that you must trust me. I'm working on a way to free us all. I'm talking about a cure, Anju. A cure to our condition."

There was no cure to their condition, was there? Then she realised he was confiding in her.

Curious, she turned to face him. "Do your parents know?"

"Of course not."

"Then you are taking quite a risk sharing this with me. How do you know I won't tell your father?"

Deep brown eyes, framed by thick black lashes, flickered over her face. "Perhaps I'm making a foolish mistake, but I trust you. During our long journey here, I recognised the good in your heart. I wanted to tell you everything on the train, but the time wasn't right. Now I'm confident you won't betray my secret."

Her gaze dipped self-consciously. "Tell me about this cure."

"My studies in London, five years of living and breathing science, filling my brain with every aspect of biophysics until my head might burst. I've experimented upon myself with almost fatal consequences, ingesting so many trial medicines that my digestive system is in ruins, my stomach lining in shreds. But it will all be worth it. I'm close, Anju. I really think I'm close to curing this disease. The key lies in electricity."

She listened closely, appalled, "You- you've been experimenting on yourself? Sujit, what you're doing could kill you."

"That's not important. The cure is important. Not just for myself, but for everyone like us. I'm sure I can't be the only one tired of living this way?"

"But if you want to suppress the condition, you can wear silver."

"It's not enough. The amount of silver required is cumbersome, and it only prevents the wolf breaking loose. The monster is still inside, clawing to get out, confusing the mind like a fever. You saw how dangerous I can be. I want to eradicate it not suppress it." He took a calming breath.

"Then, Gupta was right about you. You are conspiring against your parents."

"Yes, but not in a way he expects." He glanced over his shoulder at the closed door, then took her wrists in his hands.

His touch made the small hairs on her arms stand on end.

"No one must find out about this," he said. "Not Gupta, not your friend, and especially not my father. He thinks my interest in science is a child's whim. That is the only reason he allowed me to study abroad. But if he ever found out the truth-"

"But what if science can't change us? What if we are something beyond science, something born out of dark magic? Something supernatural?"

"So you are superstitious? Listen, science must be the answer. I've come too far to doubt my work. And when I find the cure, my father will be the first to be treated. You can help me."

"How?"

"Cooperate. Do as my father asks and marry me. When I find a cure, we will both be free, then you can safely go or-" He hesitated for a moment, uncertainty filling his eyes. "Or stay."

For a long moment, she peered into his face, regret growing in her chest. "You must do what you feel is right, and so must I. I can't wait for you to discover a cure which may or may not exist. I must escape. I'm afraid of what will become of my friend if we remain here."

He sighed. "Don't do this, Anju. My father is determined to secure a strong heir to his kingdom, and if you jeapordise that in any way, he will not spare you. Do you understand that? As far as he is concerned, if you are not our ally, you are our enemy."

"He can't kill me if he can't find me."

"You've already tried hiding. He'll always find you."

"And if I stay, what will become of Bunny?"

He lowered his eyes. "I don't know. But if I speak to my father, perhaps I can convince him to release her."

Her hopes rose. "Do you think he will agree?"

"I cannot promise. He is a hard man, and brutal when he turns. He ordered the slaughter of your village, did he not? He beats Lala for trivial mistakes and doesn't tolerate excuses. Even I am personally acquainted with his exacting nature." He moved to the balcony wall beside her, watching steam rise across the valley canopies. His jaw tensed and his strong hands gripped the ledge.

"He has hurt you too?" she asked softly. "What did he do?"

He stared into the distance. "Something terrible."

Maybe the prince wasn't to blame. Perhaps his actions were led by the desperate quest to find a cure, or fear of his father. Unhappiness could twist a person, causing them to make wrong choices and hurt people. She knew one thing for certain. His inner war with his wolf would only lead to disaster.

He stared at the rain falling across the kingdom and a rush of pity flooded her heart. She reached out, brushing his knuckles. He stared at her hand on his, and for a moment surprise and confusion crossed his face.

"I don't deserve your compassion, Anju."

Despite his own words, his frown lines softened, and he curled his fingers around hers. She watched him raise her hand and sucked in a sharp breath when he pressed a kiss to her palm. Just as suddenly, he released her and strode out of the chamber.

He passed Bunny as she entered the room with a pile of fresh sarees.

She looked at Anju and came to her side. "Are you all right?"

Her brow creased. "I don't know, Bunny. I don't know if we'll be able to escape. You must promise, if you have the chance to leave, you must take it. Don't waste an opportunity."

Bunny sighed. "I'm not leaving without you."

Anju gripped her arms and stared into her eyes. "Promise me."

***

Sujit's father frowned. "Delhi? What reason do you have to go to Delhi?"

"I left all my science apparatus behind in London. One of the servants tells me the new college in Delhi has two science laboratories. Since I'm to stay in India now, I thought I should arrange to use their facilities."

Beneath the gilded ceiling of the audience room, his parents sat in matching thrones. The armrests were cast in the shape of regal wolves, their golden heads thrown up to the sky. Along the edge of the room, three taxidermy big cats posed; a huge tiger and a pair of mountain lions. Rainy daylight reached through the fretted window shutters, casting distorted animal shadows across the floor.

The maharaja made a sound of contempt. "You and your science. Have you not indulged in that waste of time for long enough?"

Of course his father would condemn his scholarly pursuits. Everything was a waste of time to the man unless it involved hunting with bare hands, or robbing his gullible subjects of their wealth.

"I left an important project incomplete. Delhi is only seventy miles. If I take the best horse, I can be back by tomorrow."

His father's gaze hardened. "Out of the question. Your wedding is tomorrow afternoon."

"I will return in time."

"Forget it! There will be plenty of time after the wedding. You need to adjust your priorities and remember what is truly important. Your future kingdom. So forget these puerile ideas of science and focus on your bride."

Anger simmered beneath Sujit's surface. "Yes, Papaji."

His mother's face creased with sympathy, but she remained quiet.

"There is another matter I wish to discuss," said Sujit.

"What is it?"

"Anju's friend."

"Is she causing problems?"

"No. But on reflection, it was rash of me to bring her here. She's of no real use to us."

His father listened, nodding. "I agree. But don't concern yourself about the girl. I have matters in hand."

Apprehension crawled through Sujit's insides. "What do you mean?"

Distant thunder rumbled, and rain continued to tap against the shutters.

His father gave a dismissive flick of his hand. "When the wedding is over, we'll get rid of her. Gupta has instructions to do it quickly and quietly."

Sujit glanced at Gupta who skulked beside the stuffed tiger. The news of his plan for Miss Spencer was hardly a surprise. He'd suspected his father would take this route.

"Is killing her necessary?"

His father narrowed his eyes. "Why? What would you have me do with her?"

He drew a discreet breath, galvanising himself. "You could let her go."

"Let her go?"

"Yes."

His father rose and took a few slow steps around the room. Then he laughed and looked across at his son, grinning. "Let her go?"

The maharaja was rarely amused, and to Sujit's mind this wasn't a good sign.

Before he could answer, his father was upon him, snarling. Thick fingers, covered in rings, gripped his embroidered coat, and enraged eyes bore into his. The seam of his sleeve tore at the shoulder and he sucked air through his teeth. For a few dizzying seconds, he was certain his father would plunge his canines into his neck and rip open his jugular.

"Let her go?" he roared. "Do you realise what would happen if that girl walks out of here alive? She will reveal our secret. Our way of life will be over. Only a fool would suggest something so utterly stupid!"

Spittle flew into Sujit's face, and he squeezed his eyelids shut. Nothing had changed since his time away. Challenging his father only brought pain. Adrenalin filled his stomach, making him queasy.

"But I should have expected this from you," said his father, unrelenting. "Once again the hunter lies down with the prey. Did my lesson all those years ago teach you nothing?"

Sujit's breaths came fast, and he tried to block out the old memory. But it was no use. His father's words sliced him, and tears pricked his eyeballs.

"Look at me!" Hot breath blasted his cheek.

Sujit opened his eyes and returned the glare, but burning tears blurred his vision. Instantly, he hated himself for showing weakness. For a long moment, his father stared at him without a word. Then the hands clutching his coat released him.

"What is wrong with you?" The disgust in his father's voice was unmistakable. "Where is the wolf in your blood? Where is my son?"

His mother began to stand. "Papaji, must you-"

"Be quiet!" He pointed a finger at her and she froze. "Don't tell me I'm too hard on him. How else will he learn to be a leader?"

From his spot by the taxidermy display, Gupta smirked.

Chest heaving, Sujit clenched his fists and growled at the servant.

His father's gaze snapped back to him. "Did you growl at me?"

Sujit shot him a look of venom before spinning on his heel and marching to the door.

"Come back here," he yelled. "Where do you think you're going?"

"Delhi!" He slammed the door on his way out and strode down the corridor.

Confliction pulled his conscience from left to right, his mind torn between anger and restraint. What was he supposed to do? He didn't want to be a monster, but he couldn't be a real man either. Hadn't he chased Anju on the steamship with one clear intent? And worst of all, he'd enjoyed the hunt. He was just a wretched beast like his father. If Anju hadn't led him into the water that night-

No, he didn't dare imagine what he might have done.

Today, he had tried to do the right thing and help free her friend. But one noble gesture wouldn't change what he'd always been – an animal. Why had he been born with this diseased blood? This cursed life?

The hallway spilled him into the foyer and he let the raging wolf take control. A bowl of flowers went hurtling into the wall, the pottery smashing into fragments. Then a mahogany table followed with a crash. His muscles burned, and he felt his bones stretching and his tail emerging. He reached for a gilt frame on the wall, but froze when he saw his reflection in the mirror.

Panting, he stared at the wild, yellow-eyed creature. Beneath protruding wolf ears, a tangle of sweaty hair hung around its face, and sharp fangs glistened. It wore a torn sherwani, and silvery trails dripped down its cheeks. He barely recognised himself.

"Sujit?" said Anju.

Startled, he noticed her reflection, and spun to find her on the staircase. She clutched one end of her scarf, her beautiful brown eyes large and bright like rupee coins. The sight of her pulled him back from the edge. He swiped his cheeks dry and looked away.

"Forgive me, Anju," he said, his voice gravelly. "I tried."

She opened her mouth to speak, but he was in no condition to converse. Before she could respond, he marched to the entrance and threw the doors wide. Rain and thunder eclipsed the groaning hinges, and he fled outside towards the stables, howling into the wet sky.

Only science could bring down his father. And now he would do whatever was necessary. Nothing and nobody would stand in his way.