Still crouched behind the ammo trunk, Jim aimed his rifle and fired into the smoke, hitting a spectral shape. A werewolf yelped and spun off balance before hitting the ground.

From out of the fog, a warning shout sounded.

"Ammunition is low. Make every shot count!"

But it wasn't long before each packet of silver shot, and every grain of powder, was spent. Gunfire ceased completely, and a dense silence settled over the village. Amidst the smoke and carnage, a lone werewolf - the maharaja - paced the marketplace. Nobody dared to move.

Beside Jim, Bunny drew an unsteady breath. "What do we do now?"

Jim shook his head. "There's only a handful of us. If anyone tries to get close, they'll be torn to shreds."

The maharaja's guttural howl filled the air. "Give me Anju!"

The smoke cleared and Bunny saw the werewolf's injuries. Bullet wounds marred his body, and blood matted his thick mane. He limped, yet he appeared far from finished. His powerful muscles clenched and rippled as he continued to prowl in a wide circle.

Two figures rushed into the marketplace - Anju and a young Indian man. They staggered to a halt, yards from the maharaja. Clad only in loose churidars, the prince was barely recognisable, until he shouted in anger.

"Papaji!"

His father swung his attention to Sujit, their gazes locking. The prince's echo faded, and shallow panting filled the quiet. Eyes bright with caution, he approached his father, one slow step at a time. He wove around the bodies of his fallen pack while Anju watched, clutching a sack to her chest.

"It's over, Papa," he said. "Everyone knows the truth. The British, the people of Shamki and Delhi. They know everything. Please stop all this and surrender. I won't let you hurt anyone else, not anymore."

The maharaja's eyes ignited. "Are you challenging me?"

"I don't want to fight you."

"Then how will you make me surrender?" He gave a harsh laugh, his bulk expanding and contracting with each laboured breath. "Gupta was right about you. He said you'd conspire against me eventually, but I didn't think you'd have the nerve." He pointed a curved claw at his son. "I'll have your head for this. I'll stuff you myself and put you on display!"

"Things don't have to be like this. Why can't you see? We don't have to be monsters. Anju showed me that."

"You're wrong, child." The maharaja skulked towards him. His eyes burned red, and he bared his sharp teeth in an ugly smile. "That's exactly what we are. It's what we've always been. Now, tell me, will you surrender to these people and let them take you prisoner, to torture you, probably kill you? Or will you stand by my side and fight for your survival, for your family's honour?"

Sujit peered wide-eyed at his father's towering figure and retreated a step. With a backward glance at Anju, he met her desperate gaze and swallowed.

"Time to decide which side you're on, son," said the maharaja.

Clouds amassed above, darkening the sky, and Sujit surveyed the shadowy bodies littering the village.

He looked at his father. "Where is the honour in this?"

With a rupture of stretching bones and an anguished cry, the prince shifted form. He met his father's lunge mid-air, colliding in a tangle of teeth and claws before they hit the ground. Plumes of dust billowed around them, and wisps of fur drifted into the air. Beneath their tumbling bodies, dark streaks smeared the ground.

Bunny stared, her heart hammering. She'd never trusted Prince Sujit, but he appeared to be trying to help them. Perhaps he was their best chance of stopping the maharaja - their only chance. But despite his efforts, he was no match for his father's size and strength. Sujit's lean, sleek-furred body went crashing into the path of the soldiers, and the men scattered for safety. He recovered and sprang back into the fray. At a safe distance from the ruckus, Anju watched the fight.

Bunny shook Jim's arm. "There's Anju. We must go to her."

Jim followed her gaze. "All right. Stay close."

Keeping low, they dashed around the edge of the marketplace until they reached Anju. Bunny caught her friend by the arm and drew her behind an overturned cart.

"Anju, are you all right?"

The other girl nodded, still holding the sack to her body. "Yes, I'm all right, but Sujit needs this. It's the only way to subdue the maharaja." She opened the sack and withdrew a familiar silver collar.

Bunny stared at the solid-silver band in her hands. It was a good plan, but from what she could see, Sujit was in no position to use the collar on his father. They watched the battle unfold. Thick-muscled forearms slammed Sujit to the ground, knocking the breath from his body.

A rough sound scraped up the maharaja's throat. "You insolent little traitor." He bared the fangs in his wrinkled muzzle. Then he lunged, sinking his teeth into his son's shoulder.

The prince howled, a pained sound that seemed to coil itself around Anju. Bunny saw dread fill her face.

"There must be something we can do," she said to Jim.

Thunder rumbled overhead, and he looked up at the burgeoning clouds for a long moment. A drop of rain struck his cheek, then his eyebrows crept upward in wonder. Bunny followed his gaze skyward, and a raindrop splashed her hand.

"You haven't seen rain until you've seen Indian rain," he said.

Bunny squinted at him. "What?"

"It's something your father said."

At that moment, the clouds broke, releasing a torrent of heavy rainfall. Cooling water pelted Bunny's skin and soaked her clothing. All around, rain drummed on thatched roofs, and pummelled the sunbaked earth, turning the dust to sludge.

Without warning, a half-transformed werewolf sprang up in front of the overturned cart. Diamonds flashed in Amjad's shaggy ears, and he raised a knife. Bunny sucked in a startled breath and fell backward, dragging Anju with her. The slash of the blade missed them by a hairsbreadth.

Teeth bared, Amjad climbed over the cart and landed barefoot in a puddle, muck splattering his ragged clothing. From his free hand, two bloody finger stumps protruded - a reminder of Jim's bullseye back at the palace. And from the fury in his stare, it was clear he sought recompense.

Jim rose with caution. "Ladies, find safety."

Amjad's gaze flicked to Anju and narrowed when he noticed the collar. He lunged for her. With a gasp, Anju dived out of his reach, the silver manacle slipping from her grasp. The metal band struck the ground with a clang and rolled under the cart.

Before Amjad could make another move, Bunny unleashed a well-aimed kick. Her foot connected with his stomach, and air burst from his lips. But her victory was short lived. Amjad recovered and growled, meeting her eyes.

Jim launched himself in front of her.

"You," snarled Amjad.

From the corner of her eye, Bunny saw Anju retrieve the collar from beneath the cart. Her friend seized the band and scrambled away. Bunny's heart clenched, and she chased her friend through the puddles.

Catching up, she tugged her behind the low wall of a stone well. "Anju, wait."

Desperation tugged Anju's eyebrows. "Don't try to stop me, Bunny."

From their position, they could see the prince grappling with his father. A pair of soldiers rushed towards the maharaja, swords drawn. But he sensed their attack and swung a bulging arm, striking them into the wall of a hut.

"I know it's dangerous," Anju continued, her tone softening. "But I can do this. Truly, I can. My best friend defeated a hyena once. I learned from the best."

Despite the direness of their predicament, Bunny offered a small smile. "I know you can do this, Anju. I never doubted you. I was going to say you don't have to do this alone. We'll stop him together."

Anju searched her eyes and smiled. "Do you have a plan?"

Bunny glanced around the well, then picked up the only makeshift weapon to hand. A wooden bucket. Her smile stretched. "When you get close enough, I'll distract him."

***

Jim took up a defensive stance, holding his empty rifle like a cricket bat.

"The odds aren't very fair," he said, poised to deflect Amjad's next attack. "I'm out of ammunition. What do you say we settle this like gentlemen? A bare knuckle fight?"

"Then you would have the advantage. Unless you'll give me two of your fingers?"

Amjad's knife sliced a silver trail through the rain, and Jim leaned back in surprise. The blade grazed the front of his shirt, brushing his skin.

Hang gentlemanly conduct.

With a jab of his rifle, he struck Amjad in the gut, winding him. Another swing knocked the dagger from his grip. Amjad straightened, furious, and snatched the barrel of the rifle. But Jim wouldn't let go without a fight. They grappled over the weapon, teeth gritted. The rising rainwater had reduced the werewolf's power, but Amjad still surpassed him when it came to strength.

And he was worried about me having an advantage!

Jaw clenched, Jim swiftly released one hand from the rifle and threw a punch. Nose cartilage crunched beneath his fist, and Amjad reeled backward in shock. He toppled into the water.

Sloshing footfalls sounded from behind, and Jim glanced to find Westman, Blinks and McKusky rushing to his side.

Weaponless and unable to shapeshift, Amjad lifted his hands in surrender. "Please, have mercy."

Jim massaged his sore knuckles and peered down at him. "Do you still want my two fingers?"

Blinks squinted through the rain. "I can show him two fingers, sir."

"That won't be necessary, Blinks," said Jim.

McKusky kneeled beside Amjad and clamped a set of silver manacles around his wrists.

Jim peered around, his brows knitting. "Where is Miss Spencer?"

***

From her hiding place, Bunny watched Anju creep forward with the stealth of a wolf hunting its prey. The murky water reached beyond her anklets, smothering the tinkle of bells. Rain caught in her eyelashes and she blinked the droplets away. Pinned to the ground that lay ahead, Sujit struggled, using every ounce of strength to push his father back. Puddles swirled, rising around his shoulders and washing away the werewolves' thick coats in tufts, forcing them back into human form.

The maharaja's voice rose out of the downpour, cracking with emotion. "Do you understand what you've done? Everything our ancestors strove to achieve. Our lineage, our kingdom. You've destroyed it all."

Sujit grimaced and fought against his father's grip.

The maharaja shook him by the shoulders. "Even if we make it out of this village alive, we have nowhere to go. Do you think they'll spare you? We'll all be hunted down and finished."

"Papa, stop, please."

"Why should I forgive you for your betrayal?"

Anju neared the maharaja from behind, edging closer to the struggles.

Bunny held her breath.

Just a little closer, Anju.

The metal handle of the bucket dug into Bunny's palm, and she steeled herself. When Anju reached striking distance, Bunny sprang out from behind the stone wall and raced towards the fight. Water frothed and splashed in her wake. She staggered to a halt in front of the maharaja, knuckles white and chest heaving.

"Your highness!"

The maharaja looked at her.

Now, Anju. Now!

Anju lifted her foot to close the final distance, and the jingle of her anklet bells echoed through the rain. The maharaja's gaze whipped round to discover her, and Bunny's heart plummeted to her stomach. Anju's eyes widened.

Without a second thought, Bunny swung the bucket with all her might, striking the maharaja off balance. The impact was enough to break the pail from its handle and send the maharaja flailing into the water with a splash. Anju dived forward and thrust the manacle around her enemy's neck, shackling the monster who'd once taken everything from her.

The collar locked shut with a snap, and the maharaja's cry eclipsed the drone of the rain - a cry that dissolved from something animal and fierce into the powerless wail of a defeated man. Anju stumbled away from the fight and found Bunny's outstretched hand.

Eventually, the maharaja stilled, rain pelting his battered form. He panted, a red slash glistening across his cheek. Above him, the prince held him down with an arm across his manacled throat.

"Enough," rasped the maharaja, closing his eyes. "Enough. You win."

Wounded and drained of his strength, the king of werewolves lay exhausted. Two soldiers rushed in and sat him upright, binding him in silver chains. Corporal Wilson hauled Sujit to his feet before clamping silver shackles around his wrists and ankles.

"Bunny!"

She turned and found Jim running through the water. His arms came around her and she expelled a pent up breath.

"Is it over?" she murmured against his wet shirtsleeve.

"It certainly looks that way."

At the sound of her father calling out orders to his men, Jim released her.

Captain Spencer approached them, relief in his face. "You're still here?"

"We were cut off at the south road," Jim explained.

He nodded in understanding. "Well, thank heavens you're all unharmed."

Corporal Wilson kept the tip of his infantry sword trained on the prisoners.

"What will become of the prince and his father?" asked Jim.

"We're placing them under arrest," her father answered.

Anju peered up at him, troubled. "Even the prince? He helped us."

"The prince is as dangerous as his father. Without a doubt, the state of Purabad will be a safer place with them both in custody. Excuse me, I have to speak with Mr McKusky."

Her father left to attend to the transport of the prisoners.

Wrists shackled in front of him, the prince turned his gaze toward them. Rain glistened on his scratched skin, mingling with the bite wound on his shoulder. He stared at Anju, a forlorn expression tugging his eyebrows. Bunny couldn't help but wonder about her friend and Prince Sujit. What had transpired between them?

Her thoughts broke when Jim gently nudged her shoulder with his.

His lips quirked into a smile. "Well, Miss Spencer, this has been quite an experience. Fancy a cup of tea?"