Ties Between Time and Space

✦12✦

Chapter Twelve
Protecting Queen Victoria

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Emma watched as the wolf emerged from around the corner, trying to fit under the archway before a spray of bullets hit it. It stumbled back at the force and quickly ran to shelter itself away from harm. A few seconds later the gunfire died down and the air went deathly quiet. Nothing but shell casings littered the floor as the Steward took a step forward.

"There's no way that thing's dead," Emma whispered to the Doctor. "I was watching it. The bullets didn't do any damage."

"Alright, you men, we should retreat upstairs," the Doctor told them.

The Steward looked back at him. "I will not retreat," he refused. "The battle's done. There's no creature on God's Earth that could survive such an assault."

"I wouldn't be so sure about that," Emma muttered.

The Steward walked away, ready to go and look for what he thought would be the wolf's dead body. The Doctor stepped forward and snapped. "I'm telling you, come upstairs!"

"And I'm telling you, sir, that I will sleep well tonight with that thing's hide upon my wall!" the Steward challenged. He turned the corner and smirked to himself when he saw nothing but an empty, dark hallway. He took a step back to them, gloating. "It must have crawled away to die."

Emma pulled on the Doctor's coat out of reflex when the Steward got hoisted toward the ceiling. Claws sinking into his sides and large paws bringing the man's body to the wolf's mouth. The gasps and shouts of the men did nothing to cover up the sounds of flesh being ripped apart.

"There's nothing we can do!" the Doctor shouted and immediately turned around to grab Emma and run.

All of the men ran off in opposite directions as accidental gunshots went off due to their shaking hands. Emma faltered in her running as she glanced behind her and noticed how the wolf seemed to be looking for something, someone. It wasn't just eating and killing for fun like a normal werewolf would.

No, this wolf had a purpose.

"Em, come on!" the Doctor exclaimed, taking her hand in his and dragging her with him.

"Your Majesty? Your Majesty!" Sir Robert called out.

They all came to a skidding stop just before the foot of the second-floor stairs. The Doctor let Emma's hand go to sonic the living room door closed as Queen Victoria hurriedly descended the staircase.

"Sir Robert, what's happening? I heard such terrible noises."

"Your Majesty, we've got to get out of here," Sir Robert told her. "But what of Father Angelo? Is he still here?"

"Captain Reynolds disposed of him," Victoria breathed out.

Emma watched as the Doctor rushed around the house looking for any and every available exit. There wasn't any and he had to stop back at Emma's side, her hand quickly rebalancing him.

"The front door's no good, it's been boarded shut." The Doctor looked at Victoria and gestured to the drawing room, "Pardon me, your Majesty. You'll have to leg it out of a window."

Victoria nodded, a prim and proper attitude radiating off of her as she did as she was told and followed after the Doctor. Emma guided and slightly pushed Sir Robert into the room in a hurry in case the wolf found them first.

"Excuse my manners, Ma'am," Sir Robert apologized, stepping in front of the Queen. "But I shall go first, the better to assist your Majesty's egress."

"A noble sentiment, my Sir Walter Raleigh," Victoria agreed.