The Clockwork Wolf by Lynn Viehl Page B

coat.”
    I went to the trunk to search his coat, and removed a small cloth sack containing the mech. “You’re brilliant, mate.”
    â€œAh, go on with you.” He looked pleased. “You should take it. That speller might come here looking for it.”
    I nodded. “What about you?”
    â€œSince the Dungeon’s been tidied up I expect I’ll betaking a startling turn for the better.” He winked at me. “Right after me evening bathe.”
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    I left Docket to enjoy his last night with the sisters and took the market square tram instead of returning to the office. Until I ferreted out who was responsible for the mech rat, the safest place for it was in my wall cache at home.
    Unlike the city trolleys, the tram was packed with females; mostly wives or daughters of merchants and workmen returning from an afternoon at market. Handbaskets filled with vegetables and fruits occupied every lap that didn’t hold a baby too young to be left at home. I found a space between an old lady snapping the ends off a pile of pole beans and a tired-looking young mother trying to rock an equally exhausted toddler to sleep.
    â€œGot kin at hospital, then?” the older lady asked me. When I nodded she gave me a pained smile. “That’s too bad. No worries, love. Sisters looked after me Rob in his last months, God rest. They’re good and gentle souls.”
    â€œSays you,” the young mother put in. “I had little Charlie here at Berties, and ghastly it was, them hushing me and saying it were natural. Natural, to feel like you’re being split in half. And what came out after!”
    I cringed a little and glanced outside. A well-known duchess was walking out of a hat shop with two of her maids carrying stacks of boxes. Her Grace held a diamond-studded leash attached to a long, large feline animech made of gold. When it lifted its head I saw the eyes, fashioned from enormous orange topazes, blink.
    A hoot from the old lady drew my attention back to my tram companions.
    â€œAt least you had nurses to look after you. I birthed all six of mine at home, with no one but me husband to help.” The old lady gave me a jaded look. “I loved him, dearly I did, but Rob were like all men in a pinch. Useless.”
    As I nodded, I silently renewed my lifelong vow never to procreate if I could help it.
    â€œHere.” The old lady wound up the simple tin animech butterfly pendant hanging from a chain round her neck and let the boy hold it and watch the blunted wings flutter. As the child’s eyes drooped closed the young mother whispered her thanks.
    The sky gradually darkened as the tram crossed the city into the poorer sections, and then came to a sudden, violent stop. Pole beans rained over my skirts, and as I reached to right the old lady’s basket I saw the driver stand up and reach for the trunch club hanging beside the door pull.
    â€œWhat is it?” Plastering her now-screaming little Charlie to her breast, the young mother tried to peer round the other passengers who were scrambling to pick up what they’d spilled. “Another carri crash?”
    A terrible howl ripped through the air, silencing everyone for three seconds. As several women erupted into shrieks, I got up and pushed my way down the aisle to the door.
    â€œAre you daft, gel?” The driver caught my arm and tried to shove me back. “There’s a mob out there—”
    I caught a glimpse of people running or cowering away as others were tossed into the air like rag dolls. Before I could make out what was tossing them thedriver and I were both thrown against his perch as something slammed into the side of the tram.
    Someone screamed, “It’s the Wolfman” as glass shattered and chaos ensued.
    I pushed myself up and saw the driver had been knocked unconscious. I turned to the passengers. “Stay in your seats and keep your