by N M Thorn
“I’m not—”
“And this one...” Yaginya continued, completely ignoring her daughter, and frosty laughter escaped her lips. “Oh, this one is truly the cream of the crop. Why would you bring an Enforcer into my home in the first place? You know I can’t stand their kind.”
“He’s not my lover, Mother!” Zabava was finally able to put her words through. “He’s a good man who’s trying to do his job, even though he’s a Destiny Enforcer, and I want to help him because it’s the right thing to do! Because witches all over the human realm are being chased, captured and drained of their magical energy. Because he’s the only one who can help me stop the monster who’s doing that!”
“But did you know that he’s marked?”
“Marked? By what?” Damian and Zabava asked at the same time.
Before Damian could react, Yaginya seized the hair on the back of his head and slammed his head against the table, adding her godly power to her physical strength. Damian yelped and blacked out for just a moment. When he regained consciousness, he was lying on his stomach on top of the table, invisible ties of magical energy binding him to it. With one sharp move, Yaginya ripped his shirt, exposing his scarred back.
“That’s what I mean,” she exhaled. “He’s marked by the beast.”
Her finger moved lightly over his back, tracing the shape of his scars, and Damian jerked, struggling in the restraints of her magic to no avail.
“Let. Me. Go!” he growled.
Anger spiked through him, and the entire building shook as he no longer cared to control his power. But the ancient goddess touched the back of his head, severing his connection with his element, and weakness spread through him.
“Let him go!” Jamie yelled.
In his position, Damian couldn’t see his apprentice, but the sound of a fallen chair and his shaking voice told him how truly angry the young man was.
“What is wrong with you?” continued Jamie, his voice rising higher. “You tell us Destiny Enforcers have empty hearts? Look in a mirror, lady! What you’re doing to Damian makes me believe you have no heart at all!”
Complete silence enveloped the room. Even the birds stopped chirping in the forest. Damian glanced at Yaginya, feeling the hair rise on the back of his neck. The goddess stood rigid, her pale face contorted by unadulterated fury, her blazing eyes staring at Jamie without blinking.
“No, my lady, please,” Damian whispered, but in the surrounding silence, his soft voice sounded louder than thunder. He swallowed, realizing that he was begging and pleading, but at this moment, he didn’t care what he needed to do as long as it would help him save Jamie. “He’s a modern man—too young and inexperienced in everything to do with the World of Magic. He doesn’t even know he’s talking to a goddess of the Slavic pantheon. The only thing he knows about you is what he learned from reading Russian fairytales and watching modern TV. Please forgive him, my lady. If you feel the need to punish someone, then punish me.”
Yaginya winced as if he’d just slapped her. She looked down at Damian, anger slowly dwindling in her eyes. Then she snapped her fingers, and the restraints of her magic vanished. Unable to look into Jamie’s eyes, Damian pushed himself into a sitting position and stepped on the floor, throwing his torn shirt on the table. Without saying a word, he turned around and walked out the door.
As he moved down the steps, he heard Jamie shouting, arguing with Yaginya, but he didn’t listen and kept walking. He stopped at the edge of the clearing by the barrier and lay down on his back, folding his arms over his stomach. The elemental energy of Earth engulfed him, partially restoring his strength, and he closed his eyes. But a moment later, something cold and wet poked him in his side, and he turned his head, cracking his eyelids open. A German Shepherd puppy sat next to him, his sad, brown eyes gazing at him with affection.
“Zhulik?” he murmured, reaching for the puppy to pet his soft, thick fur. “I don’t remember summoning you.”
“It’s hard to remember something you haven’t done.” The puppy tilted his head, a doggish grin on his muzzle. “I thought you could do with something warm and fuzzy right now. To make you feel better, you know?”
“Thank you, my friend.” Damian chuckled. “But right now, I would rather have something hard and sharp, preferably with god-killing powers. Do you have anything like that in your arsenal?”
“I always knew you had a proclivity for becoming a serial killer,” murmured Zhulik, his tail working faster. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t help you, Commander. She locked me inside your tattoo.”
“It’s okay.” Damian sat up, bending his knees, and the puppy shifted closer to his side, allowing him to pet his back gently. “Not the first time…”
“Not the first time?” Jamie’s voice sounded behind him, and Damian turned his head, watching the wizard approach him with a new shirt in his hand. Jamie lowered himself to the ground, throwing the shirt on his lap. “Put it on.”
“Thanks.” Damian took the plain black T-shirt and put it on, noticing with interest that it fitted him perfectly. “You know that Yaginya is an ancient goddess and a powerful sorceress. As much as I appreciate you standing up for me, it was reckless, my friend. She could have killed you with one touch of her pinky.”
“I knew it, and I didn’t care,” Jamie replied softly, staring down at his clenched hands. “I couldn’t just stand and watch her torture you…” His voice trailed off, and he raked his fingers through his hair, a vibe of awkwardness lingering over him. Then he peered at Damian, and a tentative look crossed his face. “Can I ask you something? Just don’t get upset.”
“By saying that you already made me upset,” murmured Damian.
“Jamie, don’t push the red button.” Zhulik snickered in his head.
“What do you wish to know, pupil of mine?” asked Damian, throwing a warning stare at the gargoyle.
“These scars—on your back and your face… why do you have them?” asked Jamie. “I’ve seen your healing power in action. You can self-heal or heal any injury with no scars left behind.”
“I don’t know.” Damian shrugged, pulling a blade of grass from under his foot. “At first I thought they didn’t disappear because I accepted the no one status and lost my healing power, but later on I realized it wasn’t the case. I have no answer to this question.”
“Yaginya said you were marked by the beast. Was she referring to the beast that injured you?”
“I don’t know.” Damian shrugged again. “To be honest, I don’t recall most of what happened that night. I was a powerless chew-toy for a giant monster, and all I remember is the anguish. Not the physical pain of the injuries, but—” He cut himself off and dropped his head, hiding his face in his hands. A moment later, he lifted his head and glanced at his friend. “I really don’t want to talk about this, Jamie.”
“I’m sorry.” Jamie glanced back at the house. “But maybe you’re here for a reason other than just finding whatever it is we’re looking for,” he said quietly. “You told me yourself—there are no coincidences in the World of Magic. Maybe it’s your chance to shed some light on your past. If Yaginya could sense”—he shifted uncomfortably—“that you’re marked by the beast, maybe she can tell you something about your scars that you don’t know?”
“Aww… The student surpasses the master…” Zhulik sniffled, wiping his eyes with his paw. “Our little boy is all grown up and ready to kill monsters.”
“Zhulik, shut up.” Damian frowned at the gargoyle, eliciting a burst of laughter out of Jamie.
“What did he say?” asked Jamie, reaching to pet the puppy.
“He said you’re right, and we should go and talk to Yaginya.” Damian got up, offering Jamie his hand, and as Jamie took it, rising, he squeezed it in a firm handshake. “Thank you. I won’t forget.”
Damian crossed the clearing and halted in front of the door, doubt tearing at his soul. Besides the fact that for some reason Yaginya hated Destiny Enforcers in general, he was positive there
was something about him personally that she disliked. He cringed, thinking how easily she could disable him, and how powerless he was against her magic.
“I’m with you, Commander,” a deep, rumbling voice sounded in Damian’s head, and he spun in place, searching for his gargoyle. A fully grown German Shepherd sat next to him, baring his large fangs. “She took both of us by surprise, but this time we’re ready.”
Giving a short nod to his gargoyle, Damian pushed the door open and walked inside. Yaginya and Zabava sat at the table, discussing something calmly. As soon as he stepped into the living area, both stopped talking and turned toward him. Seemingly, there was no more animosity between them, and that gave him hope that he could speak with Yaginya in peace.
“Aw, look what the dog dragged in,” sang Yaginya, cocking her head. “Do you seriously think that your gargoyle has what it takes to stop me if I decide to kill you, Enforcer?”
“No,” replied Damian calmly. “But between the three of us, we can at least slow you down.”
Yaginya chuckled and pointed at the chairs. “Sit down, both of you,” she said, gesturing at him and Jamie. “My daughter told me why you’re here, Enforcer, and as rarely as it happens, I must admit she’s right.”
“And what is she right about?” asked Damian calmly, his hand resting on Zhulik’s head.
“She’s right in saying that you do have a commendable physic,” replied Yaginya nonchalantly.
“Mother,” Zabava hissed, kicking her leg under the table. “I said no such thing!”
Damian’s jaw dropped, his eyes darting from one woman to the other. They didn’t behave like powerful old gods but like two sorority girls, gossiping about boys. Zabava had lost her cockiness and gruff superiority, and for once, she looked relaxed and happy.
“Fine, fine.” Yaginya snickered, pulling a safe distance away from her daughter. “She didn’t say that. I did. But she did tell me about your situation, and why you’re here, Enforcer, and I agreed with her. So, as much as I dislike your kind, it is my duty to help Zabava save our sister-witches.” She waved her hand at Zhulik. “You can send your pet-gargoyle home. As tempting as it sounds, I’m not going to whoop your ass. We need to have a word.”
“Not a pet.” Zhulik growled, baring his fangs.
“It’s okay, Zhulik.” Damian tapped the ink on his arm. “I believe I’m safe now. Thank you, my friend.”
With a low growl, Zhulik took a step closer to Yaginya and snapped his fangs at her for good measure. Yaginya frowned, backing away slightly. The gargoyle turned around and headed toward Damian, a giant grin playing on his muzzle. With a look of innocence and deep satisfaction, he winked and vanished, morphing soundlessly into his tattoo.
Damian pulled a chair out and sat down across from Yaginya and Zabava, motioning for Jamie to sit next to him.
“Before we get to business,” he said, folding his arms on the table, “can I ask you a question?”
“You want to know about your scars,” said Yaginya. She sighed, staring out the window at the green wall of the forest. “The beast that left these scars behind marked you for life. You two are connected for as long as the both of you are alive. Have you ever asked yourself why you have these scars? You’re a Child of Earth. You have the power to heal any injury without leaving any marks.”
“I did. Not once,” replied Damian. “You know as well as I do that scars left by magic always leave a mark. So, I assumed that was the case.”
“No.” Yaginya chuckled, shaking her head. “Even you’re not dumb enough to believe that. Haven’t you seen normal scars left by magic before? They look like thin white lines. Your back looks like something out of a modern horror movie.”
Damian dropped his head, rubbing his bracelet absentmindedly. “I made many mistakes over the course of my life,” he said without looking at her. “When I took the mantle of a Destiny Enforcer for the second time, Magnus healed me, but he told me that he wanted to leave the scars on my back and my face as a constant reminder of my mistakes and failures.”
“Oh…” Yaginya exhaled, exchanging a look with her daughter. “Are you the Shadow Enforcer to Lord Magnus?” Damian nodded, and she continued, “He must be really fond of you. The old wizard never lies, but he lied to you to protect you.”
“Protect me from what?” asked Damian.
“From…” She fell silent, a deep frown settling on her face. “It’s not my place to tell you, Damian. You have to ask him.” Damian’s jaw slacked as he realized that the goddess used his name for the first time. “If he doesn’t want you to know, I’m not going to be the one to tell you. But there is one thing I want to mention, anyway.” She leaned forward, placing her hand over his. “Even though you carry the mark of the beast, it’s the Beast Master that you need to worry about.”
She pulled away, leaning back in her chair, and folded her arms, her entire demeanor telling him that this conversation was over.
“Thank you, my lady,” he replied, inclining his head respectfully, which elicited a wild snort out of Zabava.
“Don’t believe his fake politeness, mom,” she said, shaking her head. “The man is a wild beast himself. Trust me.”
Yaginya laughed softly and got up. She approached Damian, and raked him with her gaze, appearing amused. “Taming wild beasts is what I do best, daughter,” she murmured and walked out of the room.
She returned a few minutes later, changed into a long silk dress, her hair styled into an elaborate updo on the back of her head. Halting behind Zabava, she placed her hands on her daughter’s shoulders, and a dreamy smile lit up her face.
“And now we’re going to summon the only person who can help you find what you’re looking for, Damian,” she said and closed her eyes, the magical energy around her rising to an unbelievable level.
Yaginya drew a complicated rune in midair and pressed her palm against it, infusing it with the shining blue glow of her magic.
Throwing one more glance at Zabava, she whispered, “Husband, I summon thee…”
Chapter 17
~ Cole Adams ~
The room was a tiny box with a low ceiling and dreary, gray walls. The entrance door was reinforced by so much iron and silver that even the briefest connection with it would have left any vampire scorched to the bone. A one-way mirror took the entire space next to it, reflecting the gray color of the walls. Besides that, the boxes of magic detectors and anti-magic tech were installed all around the perimeter of the space. There was no visible source of light, and the dim illumination didn’t change no matter what time of the day it was.
Ruslan lay on a narrow bed with his hands folded under his head. His long, black hair fanned around his face, accentuating his strong features, and his brown eyes stared at the ceiling without blinking.
Cole glanced down at the gray medical scrubs he was wearing and threw his hands up, frustrated. Then he dropped onto his bed, pressing the heels of his hands to his eyes. For a few long minutes, he lay without moving, a disarray of thoughts and images crowding his mind.
“Amaris blocked your blood bond with your brother,” said Ruslan without changing his position. It wasn’t a question. He just stated the fact.
“Yes,” Cole replied, his voice just a whisper.
“Don’t tell me you didn’t expect him to do that?” Ruslan sat up, lowering his bare feet on the gray concrete floor.
“Of course, I did.” Cole sat up on his bed and turned to face his maker. “As a matter of fact, I was positive he’d do that.”
“But you didn’t tell your brother, did you?”
“No.”
“Why not? I assume you trust him?”
“With my life.” Cole dropped his head into his hands.
“Then why didn’t you warn him?” Ruslan got off his bed and lowered himself next to Cole. Gently lifting his chin, he forced Cole to look at him. “Oh, son, you lied to your brother, and it’s killing you now. Why did you do it?”
“Because if I told him the truth, he
would never have left me behind,” Cole whispered, his throat clenched. “He would rather break his deal with Amaris than leave me behind without any means of communication. I knew he would pay dearly for that, so I told him what he needed to hear.”
“I don’t understand. Why couldn’t he break his deal with Amaris? He’s a free man.”
“He’s anything but free… Father, you don’t understand because you don’t know what my brother is.” Cole glanced around the room, looking for listening devices. “Just take my word for it, I did what I had to do to keep him safe.”
“Say no more.”
Cole nodded. “A lot happened since you’ve been gone,” he whispered. “Luciano is dead… I’m sorry, Father.”
Ruslan winced, a pained expression darkening his features. His shoulders dropped, and his lips pressed into a straight line, but he said nothing. Raising his finger to his lips, he glanced at the door, turning his entire body toward it. As Cole sharpened his hearing, soft steps reached his ears, and he got up, positioning himself between the entrance and his maker. A moment later, the lock clicked, and the door opened soundlessly. A guard walked into the room and halted by the door, his hand lingering over his gun at his hip.
“Cole Adams?” he said, his cold eyes halting on Cole. “Mr. Amaris summons you.”
Cole gave a barely visible nod to his maker and headed toward the exit. The guard waited until he walked out and closed the door, locking it. He gave Cole an arrogant once-over and gestured for him to follow. The guard led him all the way to the central area, but he didn’t stop there and proceeded into another hallway.
All corridors and hallways in this facility looked alike—the same gray walls and shimmering gray light. However, this one, instead of coming to a dead-end, merged into another hallway, running ninety degrees to it. The guard turned to the right and stopped in front of a tall double door. With a crooked sneer on his face, he pushed the door open and stuck his head through the doorway.
