Yaga's Blood (Root and Myth Book 1)

by Katya Kolmakov

  “Don’t sleep, Yana,” Kosh cautioned and drove out of the parking lot. “You can’t sleep yet. We need to get out of here, find a place to hide, and we need to cleanse you.”

  “Yeah, yeah...” Yana muttered back, closing her eyes.

  “Mom!” Mira tried to reach and touch her mother’s shoulder, but the damn truck was like an ocean liner.

  “I’m awake,” Yana reassured. “Koschei, I know a witch in Carman. She’ll take us in.”

  “Carman, got it.”

  Kosh nodded towards his cell on the dashboard, and Mira picked it up. While she was googling, she saw Kosh throw looks into the mirror, checking on her Mom.

  “Eyes on the road, Bone Man,” Yana grumbled. “Dying in a car crash after two vourdalaks and a Magpie would be just stupid.”

  He chuckled loudly, rolled his eyes, and threw Mira a cheeky side glance. Mira grinned and went back to the map.

  ***

  “C’mon, tell me everything. What did I miss?” Yana asked from the back seat, in a light tone. “Tell me how the Bone Man here has been mistreating you.”

  “You know me well, Krapiva,” Kosh joked back.

  Yana was now half-sitting, and she looked much better. Colour seemed to return to her cheeks. Mira gave her a short report, Kosh supplying a few explanations, and from time to time either of them would call to Yana to make sure she didn’t sleep. Kosh claimed that after her brain had been ‘scrambled’ by the Magpie, her mind was still vulnerable.

  An hour later they drove into Carman, Manitoba. Mira had never been to the town, but it was hardly difficult to navigate. It had the population of three thousand people and consisted of twenty streets or so.

  When they were close to Carman, Yana called someone on Kosh's phone. The conversation was short. Yana promised to wait for the person at their place, received instructions on where to go, and hung up.

  ***

  The house was white, one-storied, and looked as normal as they come. There was a yard, flower beds, lounge chairs on the porch, and a small vegetable garden at the back, with a few bright orange pumpkins still on the ground.

  Kosh parked at the back, and they walked into the yard behind a tall cedar hedge. He leaned Yana against the railing of the porch, like a rolled up rug. Mira stood near her, clenching Yana’s cold hand.

  “Hurry up, old man. I don’t have all day,” Yana threw after Kosh who was already marching towards the backdoor.

  Her tone was almost hysterically cheery. He grumbled something under his breath, but Mira couldn’t hear what.

  “So, I see you met Kosh,” Yana drew out. “Now you see why we don’t hang out with my old friends.”

  Mira snorted. Yana gave Mira’s hair a gentle ruffle. She was clearly conking out, upright only thanks to the railing and Mira’s support. Kosh appeared from the backdoor, with a bucket, and Mira took a step away from her mother.

  “Ah, I see, you’re familiar with the procedure.” Yana laughed, and turned to the man. “Tell me the water is warm.”

  “Suck it up, Krapiva,” Kosh grumbled, and then gave Yana a look over. “Are you going to undress, or are we ruining your clothes?”

  “Ruining the clothes,” Yana answered. “I’m too tired, can’t lift a hand. And tell me you took the knives out. I’m sufficiently perforated already.”

  “Don’t teach me how to take off the evil eye,” he muttered.

  “Don’t talk to me about taking off my clothes,” she threw back at him.

  They sounded like a bickering old married couple. Kosh put the bucket on the ground, and unlike Mira, he was generous with his splashing. Also, his hands - only the right one functional at the moment - were much larger. A handful of water flew and smashed Yana in the face. She emitted a frustrated ‘ooph.’ Mira watched the fabric of the sweater, the vest, and the jeans bubble, black lather boil on it, and disgusting stinky smoke rise from it. The enchanted water ate at the clothes, where the vourdalak’s blood had splashed onto the material. A few seconds later the smell and the hissing stopped, and Yana shook her head like a dog that just stepped out of a lake. The large drops of water flew in all directions.

  “Well, look at me. Ripped jeans, and the hip look. And they say, rock is dead.”

  Yana looked down at herself and shook her head. Kosh threw the bucket aside, and stepped to her. He stretched his hand to her, as if to help to peel herself off the railing, but when she shifted closer, he suddenly pulled her in, wrapping around her.

  She made a surprised noise, and he started moving away, but Yana’s arm went around his middle and she pulled him in again. It was strange to see her in a man’s arms, especially considering that the man could turn into a giant bird-like creature made of darkness and a glowing skull, and had been systematically fighting monsters for Mira the last couple days.

  “Goodness, you’re huge,” Yana mumbled with an awkward chuckle, and rubbed his back up and down with her narrow hand. “I forgot what you’re like...”

  Kosh whispered something in Russian into the top of her head, and she splayed her hand on his shoulder blades.

  “That still won’t get you out of a major whooping, old man,” Yana joked in a shaking voice. “You brought my kid into a fight.”

  “I couldn’t let them… have you,” Kosh grumbled, tightening his grasp on Yana. “And I knew she’d hold her own.”

  “Like hell you did.”

  They stood for a few seconds, and then Yana muttered, “I think you might have to help me to walk. I’m only standing because you’re squishing me.”

  Kosh shifted and pressed her into his side with his healthy arm. Water was still dripping off her ruined vest and boots.

  They walked into the house, and Mira followed.

  ***

  The inside reminded Mira of the house of that chiropractor her Mom had gone to a couple times last year. And then Mira thought that maybe that New Age lady they’d visited then wasn’t a chiropractor at all.

  There were candles, and dried flowers and herbs everywhere, and the house smelled of incense. Crystals and salt lamps littered every surface. Mira wasn’t into the whole modern wicca thing, but it was her friend, Alycia's hobby, so Mira had to go to those kind of stores sometimes. So, she recognized the Tibetan prayer flags and the chubby figurines of the Goddess.

  Every muscle hurt, and her boots weighed a ton. Kosh helped Yana to sit on the couch and went to the kitchen to check if there was food.

  “Mira, get his bag. We need to add protection,” Yana mumbled, rubbing her eyes.

  In the kitchen Kosh was rummaging through cabinets. He turned and bent down, letting Mira drag his messenger bag off him. His left arm was still hanging like a rope.

  “What are we going to do with— that?” Mira pointed at it, and he smirked.

  “Let’s hope the witch has a tub,” he answered, and Mira gave him a confused look. “Didn’t you find it out during your googling?” he asked. “Anyroad, go, give the bag to your Mom.”

  When Mira returned to the room, Yana tried to get up. She now looked very sleepy, and Mira told her to stay put, promising to do everything herself. It was amazing how unphased she felt while scattering wood chips on the threshold and window sills. She had to rummage through Kosh’s pouches and add some new ingredients as per Yana’s instructions.

  When she finally walked back into the living room, Yana was fast asleep on the couch.

  Moving to the kitchen she saw thatKosh was making scrambled eggs. Mira froze in the doors of the kitchen and let herself soak in the image of a giant guy, covered in black slime, blood, and dirt, stirring food in a pan with a bamboo flipper.

  There was a plate with toast and a cup of coffee on the table, and Mira sat in front of them.

  “Have you washed your hands?” he asked without turning, and Mira snorted and sank her teeth into the toast.

  He threw her a look over his shoulder, and she saw the funny hiked up eyebrow.

  “You need to cleanse yourself too. Say the same words wh
ile washing your hands. Helps a lot.”

  Mira theatrically dropped the toast onto the plate and went to the sink.

  Kosh carefully plated the eggs and downed the coffee from the second mug, while Mira took her seat at the table again.

  “I’m going to check if I can take a bath,” he muttered.

  Mira was inhaling her eggs and gave him a dismissive wave of her fork.

  He threw her an amused look and stomped out of the kitchen. Mira could see him peek in the living room on the way to the bathroom. He lingered, his eyes on the couch, and then left.

  Mira finished her food and coffee, and joined her Mom on the couch. Yana was curled into a small ball, and Mira tucked herself near her, pulling a quilt over them both.

  ***

  “Yana… Yana, wake up.”

  Mira opened her eyes, and saw Kosh bent in front of the couch. He was gently tapping Yana’s shoulder.

  “What?” Yana stirred. “How long did I sleep?”

  “Couple hours. You need a shower, Yana.”

  “Not all of us regenerate like the Doctor after a simple bath,” Yana grumbled, and started sliding off the couch.

  She turned and tenderly rubbed Mira’s back.

  “You should sleep some more.”

  “I’m good.” Mira smiled at her. “I want a shower too. So, you go. And don’t use up all the water like always.”

  Yana shook her head, ruffled Mira’s hair, and left, picking up the towel out of Kosh’s hands.

  He was dressed in clean clothes, with that same dark monochrome look of his. His hair was wet, and he looked completely healed. He sat in the armchair, and stared into his phone, his fingers tapping the screen like crazy. Both hands and arms moved completely fine.

  “Is there some special magical shower gel for this?” Mira asked, and he looked up from the cell.

  “I replenish my powers in water. There have to be special salts and volcanic ashes in it. I had some, but a few ingredients were missing. Thankfully, the witch had them.”

  “Right. Because you have a castle near a molten river on the border of the Underworld,” Mira drew out, and he gave her another of his exasperated stares. “So, bath salts, heh?” she asked innocently.

  “If you ask about bubbles as well—” he trailed away, clearly not knowing how to finish his empty threat.

  Mira grinned at him, and he chuckled.

  “So, now what?” Mira asked, and he put the phone aside.

  “I don’t know. We should be safe for now. The woman who lives here is a very strong witch. Hereditary magic, from a Ukrainian grandmother.”

  He pointed at the wall where a typical Ukrainian towel thing hung. Mira had seen plenty of these in the houses of Ukrainian Manitobans, but never paid much attention to them. Some Minecraft looking animals were embroidered in red thread on the white fabric.

  “It’s a rushnik, with a clan crest. There are five animal spirits weaved in this one. It’s stronger than most I’ve seen in Canada. And the witch probably just thinks it’s pretty.” Kosh scoffed. “While all this rubbish around us is nothing but trinkets.”

  “But Yadviga will find us sooner or later, right?” Mira asked in a quiet voice, and he nodded.

  “Let’s wait for your Mom to come back, and we’ll talk,” he offered, and Mira sighed and went to the kitchen to make more coffee.

  Chapter 7. Ruffle Some Feathers

  Mira wanted to spend more time in the hot shower, of course. It always helped her to relax, plus washing off the past three days would be great. On the other hand, she didn’t want to miss any discussion her Mom and Kosh were no doubt having there. Was that how it felt when normal parents were making a decision about their kid’s future - what school to go to, or something?

  She quickly changed into clean underwear and a t-shirt from her backpack, pulled on the same dirty sweatpants, and walked back to the living room.

  Kosh was sitting on the couch, his elbows on his wide open knees, hands hanging between them. He was staring at the floor, Yana was pacing in front of him, speaking loudly and quickly in Russian. Mom tended to run around and flail her arms when agitated. She stopped and looked at Mira.

  “So, what’s our plan?” Mira asked in a fake cheery tone.

  “Mira, we think you need to know your options,” Kosh started, but Yana interrupted him.

  “No, Kosh, no! You think she needs to know her options. I said, she was fourteen and couldn’t decide anything,” Yana scoffed at him, and he gave her a soft look.

  “Yarina—”

  “Don’t ‘Yarina’ me! She’s my child! She’s underage, and she knows nothing of that world!” Yana raised her voice and pointed at Mira.

  “She doesn’t know anything because you didn’t tell her anything,” Kosh grumbled.

  Mira shifted her weight from one foot to another. Kosh gave her a melancholic smile and patted the couch near him. Mira tucked herself on it and looked at her Mom.

  Yana walked to the window and turned her back to the room.

  “I was certain you’d have no magic. I was - I still am - empty. The Bone Man here emptied me dry,” she jeered, and Mira cut her eyes at Kosh.

  He pressed his lips tighter and lowered his head.

  “Your Dad was mortal. You showed no signs, all through your life. I kept a good eye on you,” Yana added.

  “Then why do I have it now?”

  “It doesn’t matter,” Yana answered stubbornly, and Mira saw Kosh lift his head.

  “She has the right to know, Yarina,” he said quietly, and Yana shortly turned on her heels.

  “No, no, she does not!” Yana’s hands flew in the air again. Mira noticed broken nails, with blood under them. “She doesn’t need this burden,” Yana continued. “This darkness… I’ve carried the guilt and the shame with me all my life. For how I was brought up, for what they’d made me do, with what I thought was OK to do because I was told so growing up! She doesn’t need it!”

  “It’s her life, Yarina!”

  Kosh’s patience was finally cracking, and his voice dropped into a growl. Mira was surprised he’d lasted that long.

  “She’s already been dragged into this,” the man said. “You can’t pretend nothing’s happening. She’s not a baby, she can make decisions of her own. She’s smart and quick. I saw her fight—”

  “She wasn’t supposed to fight!” Yana cut in, her voice shrieky. “She was supposed to read books, play sports with her friends, and then go to Carlton!”

  She stepped to Kosh, her eyes burning. That was the level of Yana’s anger that always made Mira back off and start apologizing. Kosh just watched Yana with narrowed eyes.

  “You don’t get to judge what she’s like, and what she can or can’t handle! You weren’t here when she was growing up! When she broke her leg at five! When she won a spelling bee in the second grade! When she got lost in a mall at eight! I was here! Me! I brought her up! I’m her mother. You’ve known her for three days and... You. Don’t. Get. A say.”

  Yana stood in front of him, breathing heavily, visibly shaking. And then her face scrunched, and she exhaled through rounded lips, fighting back tears.

  “I took her away from there, because I tried to protect her from the magic, “ she whispered. “From that world. Because magic corrupts, just like any power… And it turns us into monsters.”

  “It’s too late now, Yana.”

  Kosh’s voice was soft again. Yana puffed air out again.

  “She does if we find a way to strip her of her powers. It’s not like Yadviga would still want to hang out with her if Mira were mortal,” Yana said sarcastically.

  “Can you do it? Strip me of powers?” Mira asked in a hopeful tone.

  “No, we can’t,” Kosh answered quickly, before Yana could. He then turned to a very angry looking Yana. “C’mon, you know they will only turn it back.”

  “Maybe, we are wrong, maybe… there’s another reason.”

  Kosh whipped his head to Mira and gave her a direct lo
ok in the eyes.

  “Mira, the most probable explanation for you having your powers is if your Grandmother found your father, and is using him to pump power into you. Which means he is—”

  “Kosh!” Yana tried to interfere.

  “Dead. He’s dead.” Kosh’s tone was firm. “They turned him into an upyr, a walking corpse, and they are channeling the old Yaga’s magic into you.”

  “God, what is wrong with you?!” Yana cried out, and turned to Mira. “Honey, it’s not your fault. Even if it’s true, it’s not your fault. And you have to believe me, it’s—”

  “Who was he? Who was my father?” Mira asked.

  She expected to feel more freaked out, but everything had been so surreal for the last three days. All she felt now was numb.

  “He was just a guy, hon.” Yana closed her eyes for a second, and her lips twisted in a sad grimace. “I was sixteen, he was a couple years older. It just happened. He started talking to me on the subway, I— We only dated for a couple months. I didn’t even want to tell him I was pregnant. When I told him, and promised to take care of it, he didn’t ask any questions. I never called him again, he didn’t either.” Yana sighed. “I was sixteen, and...” Yana shrugged.

  “So, you think, they— they have him now, and are using him to give me these powers?”

  “You’re supposed to have them,” Kosh answered quietly. “You’re genetically predisposed to be the next Baba Yaga. Basically, he’d be acting like a battery. Old Yaga died, and they managed to lock her magic in him. There was only a wee chance it’d work, but it did. And we can’t strip you of the magic as long as he’s functioning.”

  The verb was nauseating. ‘Functioning.’ Like an AAA battery. Mira swallowed the bitter spit in her mouth.

  “But we can make you stronger, and then Yadviga won’t have any control over you,” Kosh said.

  Yana made that very Russian ‘pfft’ noise. All Russian and Ukrainian moms in Mira’s school would make it when their patience ran thin. Mira wanted to ask how they would do it, but she suspected her Mom was feeling close to choking Kosh as it was.

  “Do we have any other options?” she asked, looking between the two of them.