Chapter 1 - Wolves in the City

Virginia smiled at her children gawking out the taxi window into the rainy New York morning. Silvio (who everyone called Wolfie) was nine and very knowledgeable about the big city. He could point out the subway, McDonald's, and other points of interest. He was tall, dark-haired, and already driving the little girls crazy. His navy-blue suit set off his sparkling blue eyes which danced with humor and mischief.

Victoria was four years old. She had her mother's creamy complexion and her father's green eyes. Her features were small and perfect. As they drove she twisted a strand of blue and white ribbon her mother had braided into her long curly hair. The hair was a mystery. It was so light blonde it seemed white. It was a real attention-getter, and all agreed she would be a real beauty when she grew up. If she grew up. Young Lady Victoria Wolf was considered small for her age at two years. She had not grown since then.

All the potions, doctors, and wise-folk of the Kingdoms had not helped. Wolf and Virginia had thought long and hard before taking her to a New York doctor. There was a great risk of discovery of their wolfie heritage. Virginia felt she had to take the chance; she owed her daughter that much at least. Virginia gave her children one last look-over in the waiting room. Their little tails were tucked securely away, their clothes were neat. She was very nervous. Dr. Shepherd was considered a leading expert in growth disorders. Last week she and the children had all given blood and he had given Victoria a quick exam -fully clothed per Virginia's insistence-she had told him it was part of their religion.

Now she tried to remember what tests he was running. She had been so excited about a new growth hormone he had mentioned, she hadn't paid attention. She entered the inner office, ready to bolt if things got sticky. As they stepped into the exam room she could feel the glue under her feet.

"Uh Mrs. Wolf," the doctor started, frowning at the word 'Wolf.'

"You can call me Virginia," she murmured while gathering Victoria onto her lap and wrapping her free arm around Wolfie's shoulder.

"Well, your test results came back and frankly, they are bizarre. All your genetic tests were fine, but the children... I have never seen anything like it. Neither have five of my colleagues with whom I consulted. Your children carry genes only found in a species of animals. They carry the same genetic codes as wolves. There are some human genes also, of course, but this situation is impossible according to our scientific knowledge to date. Humans can not carry the genes of other species. I would be most interested in your husband as well. Where is he? Why hasn't he been in for his blood tests?

"Uh... there must be some mistake, maybe the lab? Why don't you run the tests again?" Virginia said.

"We have run them three times; there is no error Mrs.'Wolf.' Would you care to explain what the hell is going on here?" the doctor sneered.

Virginia dug deep into herself; her worst fears were being realized. She knew when she was beaten and now was the time to disappear. She drew up her most forceful Virginia-hero-of-the-Nine-Kingdoms voice and stated, "I brought my daughter to you for help. She has not grown in two years. If you can not help her I shall find a doctor who can."

"Madam," Dr. Shepherd snarled, "I can not explain how your daughter can exist, much less diagnose what is wrong with her - She is not human."

Wolfie had had enough. He did not like this man's tone with his mother - no siree. He hadn't liked that needle last time either. Now he could smell fear coming from his sister mixed with the fear and disgust of the doctor. This man deserved a biting. His eyes flashed yellow and his hair bristled. The little girl growled beside him, sensing a fight about to happen. As she leapt to the floor, her little blonde tail came loose and began wagging fiercely, the little ribbons flapping back and forth.

"MY GOD!! She has a TAIL!!" the frazzled physician screeched. By the time he had gathered his wits the little group was long gone. The doctor ran to the street but the mass of humanity on Fifth Avenue swallowed them whole.

Upon returing through the mirror, Virginia turned to the secret latch and turned it off with a decided click. She felt like crying. Now things would be even worse. Not only was there no help for Victoria, but they had been identified as part-wolves. It would not be safe for her children in the Tenth Kingdom for a very long time.

Lady Wolf lay on her massive bed and sobbed. Felice, her maid, had brought tea and sat on the bed beside her, rubbing her back. "There, there, ma'am it can't be all that bad. Your daughter is lovely and fair and so bright. Even if she is tiny she'll make out all right. Have some tea, ya'll feel better."

Virginia turned her swollen face to the woman and sobbed "What if she never grows? What kind of life would she really have? She's too tiny to play with other children-they could hurt her so easily. What if she has some illness that hasn't shown all its symptoms yet? Oh God! What can I do?"

Victoria stood outside her mother's door and heard every word. She ran back to her nursery and caught her reflection in the mirror.

"You're too small! You are not good! You made your mummy cry. I HATE YOU!!" she shouted at the mirror, then collapsed on the bed in heaving sobs. A low, melodic woman's voice wafted across the room.

"I think you are the fairest of them all Victoria. Come talk with me and we'll play some games."

Victoria turned to see where the voice was coming from. She checked her shelves, her closet, even her toybox. Then she realized the voice was coming from the mirror.