“You seem to be lost in thought,” a very deep voice said from behind her. Shit! She hadn’t even seen Izrayl move.
“Big thinker I am,” Katya slurred and stumbled backwards a little. He placed his large hand on the small of her back to steady her.
“Easy there, hunter,” he said and Katya heard the humour in his voice. “I never picked you for a big thinker. You’re more like me, you’re a doer.” She turned around slowly to face him. His long braid hung over his shoulder and she fought the urge to touch it.
“Won’t do you,” she blurted out. She thought that would offend him but he just laughed.
“I bet a one legged leper could do you right about now.”
“Not recommended,” Katya shook her head.
“I can’t imagine a leper would be your type anyway.”
“You wouldn’t know what my type is,” she defended as she took another drink. He fixed those golden eyes on her and her legs swayed again. He reached out and took the red mug out of her hands.
“I think you have had enough of this for one night,” he said without taking his gaze off her. “We have a big day tomorrow. You should think about going to bed.”
“I will have someone escort you to your kennel sir,” she gave him an extravagant bow.
“So, you’re a bitch even when you’re drunk,” said Izrayl bluntly.
Katya felt guilty when she saw the hurt look on his face.
“Shit, I’m sorry. I’m kind of a bitch most of the time. Don’t mean to be but I don’t play very well with others.” Katya tried to walk forward and ended up tripping right into him. He was laughing as he caught her again before she hit the grass.
“I can handle your bitchy attitude because you are kind of adorable when you’re off your face,” Izrayl said as he propped her up against him.
“You are nice when I’m drunk,” she said.
“Don’t tell anyone,” he replied. “I think you really should go to bed. I can help you…don’t give me that look; no funny stuff I swear. Believe it or not I don’t take advantage of girls when they are drunk.” Katya gave him a wonky smile before it fell from her face.
“Izrayl?”
“Yakaterina.”
“See that tree? Head for it, because I am about to throw up,” she choked. He all but carried her behind the tree. As she fell forward to vomit she felt his warm hands reach around to gently hold the hair from her face.
“This is so fucking embarrassing,” Katya groaned.
“It is amusing for me though. Now when you are being difficult I can go, ‘Hey Katya, remember the time I held your hair as you threw up?’ and then it will force you to talk to me.”
“You could just say hello,” Katya said sarcastically, before heaving once more.
“Come on,” Izrayl helped her once she had stopped. “Let’s take you home.” Katya lost her footing and stumbled. Izrayl caught her and swung her up in his arms.
“Let’s do this the easy way,” he said. “And don’t even think about fighting with me or I will dump you on the ground and leave you there.”
“Okay,” she mumbled.
“You really can’t hold your liquor, can you?”
“Depends on how much I drink,” Katya said as he eyes focussed intently on his collarbone.
“How much did you drink tonight?”
“Lots.”
“Why?”
“Who are you, my father?”
“No, thank goodness,” replied Izrayl calmly. “I’m just trying to figure you out.”
“Good luck,” Katya said harshly.
“I think I am going to need it.” He walked up the stairs of Aleksandra’s caravan.There was a small room in the back that was Katya’s. He placed her gently on the bed and walked from the room without even saying goodbye. Katya clutched her head at the thought of more complications. She opened her eyes and she saw he was holding out a cup of water.
“Oh!” she jumped. “Thank you.” He gave her the cup before folding his arms and leaning against the doorframe. Katya sipped some and placed it on the nightstand.
“Will you please stop looking at me like that?” Katya asked as she lay back on her pillows.
“Like what?” Izrayl asked innocently.
“Like you’re laughing at me,” huffed Katya. “It’s rude.”
“Only because you aren’t in on the joke.”
“Because I am the fucking joke.” She grabbed the quilt and pulled it up to her chin.
“I would give you a kiss goodnight but I am not keen on vomit breath.”
“What makes you think I want you to kiss me? I’m not that drunk,” snapped Katya. Izrayl slowly leant down to her face. He was so close she felt his breath on her lips.
“Despite your prejudice against my kind I think you are curious,” he whispered. “Goodnight Yakaterina.” He disappeared out the door, leaving her staring stupidly after him.
Katya woke with her head pounding. She heard laughter filtering down from the kitchen. Very slowly she sat up and drank some water. It tasted stale and rolled around in her empty stomach. She found a packet of painkillers she had brought from the real world and took three. Aleksandra appeared through the door carrying coffee.
“Good morning little sister,” she beamed. “How do you feel?”
“Like stabbing you for being so sunshine and fucking rainbows,” groaned Katya as she took the coffee.
“Please don’t swear. It’s not my fault you drink too much. Izrayl helped me cook breakfast and everyone is waiting for you.” Hazy memories from the night before swam through Katya’s head mainly Izrayl holding back her hair as she vomited her guts out. Now, he was cooking her breakfast.
“Kill me now,” moaned Katya. She took a swig of coffee and felt it go all the way down.
“He seems very nice,” commented Aleksandra in a whisper. “He is rather quiet but very kind to offer to help me.”
“Oh how wonderful he is,” said Katya sarcastically. She slowly got to her feet as Aleksandra moved out of the room. Katya poured water from a porcelain jug into a bowl and washed her face. She risked a glance at the small cracked mirror. Her eyes were red and her hair was matted. She ran a brush through it to make an improvement. She smiled at her reflection and muttered, “Looking good.” She finally changed into a dark blue button up shirt and a pair of pants. Aleksandra had made them especially for her. Katya refused to wear a dress when she came back to live in the tribe so her sister had made for her a pair of tighter fitting, female versions of the trousers the men wore. They were dark grey with two black buttons on the front of each hip. Katya loved them and wore them at times in the real world. To her considerable amusement she had seen steam punk girls wearing something quite similar last time she was working a job in London. Finally she put some balm on her lips and checked her reflection again. She didn’t flinch this time but it wasn’t much of an improvement.
The kitchen was crowded with chairs and bodies as she squeezed her way in. She smiled grimly at Izrayl as he handed her a plate of food.
“Here we go, Katya,” Cerise offered her a chair. Katya took a seat and started slowly on trying to get food in her stomach and keep it there. Izrayl found a three legged stool and sat watching her, giving her the same infuriating grin from the night before. The thought of the almost kiss made her want to put her head in an oven. She would have considered it if the oven in the caravan had run on gas.
“We were just saying we should cross over tonight,” Cerise informed Katya.
“That sounds good. I know Vasilli has a base in Moscow. He has more than one associate there. If he needs help or advice that will be the first place he will go,” replied Katya as she drank some more strong coffee. “Russia is out. The Darkness would find us as soon as we crossed over.”
“What happens to the people who don’t know they have gifts and the Darkness get to them?” Anya asked them.
“They re-educate them,” said Katya darkly.
“I see.”
“No, you really don’t,” Aleksandra patted her shoulder, “Believe me, it’s not something you really want to know about.”
“It doesn’t matter, Illumination or Darkness, they are assholes anyway,” Katya muttered.
“Oh God let’s talk about something that isn’t so depressing,” interrupted Cerise. “We all have things we need to take care of today. I suggest we get to it.”
Chapter Seventeen- Mind Link
Anya went in search of Trajan after breakfast. He was about to walk out of the circle of caravans when she finally caught up to him.
“And where are you disappearing to?” she asked.
“I am not disappearing anywhere. Just walking,” he replied without looking at her. Anya was a little taken aback by his abruptness. They hadn’t had a chance to talk in private since the night they had arrived in the gypsy camp.
“What is the matter?” she asked, “What have I done?”
“What makes you think you have done anything?” It started to sprinkle with misty rain so Anya slowed her pace so she wouldn’t slip on the mud and crushed pine needles.
“Look if you are embarrassed about kissing me the other night, don’t be. It’s fine, I understand. Let’s be friends at least,” she called out to him. He surprised her by stopping abruptly. She almost lost her footing trying not to crash into him.
“Do you think I regret it?”
“It’s obvious you do which is why you are doing your best to get rid of me.” Anya pulled her heavy fur lined hood down over her head so her hair didn’t become even wetter.
“I am not trying to get rid of you,” he said firmly. “I am just going to look for any signs of Vasilli. I am worried we have lingered here too long. You should go back to the protection of the camp. I am sure Baba Zosia and Aleksandra will be looking for you.” He hesitated a moment before he pulled the sides of her hood down lower. “And get out of this rain. Getting a fever is the last thing you need.” He rested his palm lightly on her damp cheek for a moment before heading off once more. She didn’t want to call out to him again and irritate him so she walked through the mud back to camp.
“Is everything well Anya?” Yvan asked as his eyes flickered to Trajan’s retreating back.
“He’s just going to check for Vasilli,” she said trying to sound more cheerful than what she felt. Yvan didn’t look convinced.
“Aleksandra wanted to know if you could find Katya. We leave tonight and they wanted to teach you to link minds with her,” he said.
“Another night time run through the forest,” Anya laughed. “Aren’t we lucky?”
Anya found Katya in the forest just out of sight of the camp. Katya didn’t seem to be worried by the steady rain. Her clothes were soaked and stuck to her skin but her sword training didn’t slow. Anya sat down on a damp rock to watch her go through each move. The look on her face was blank but her eyes were filled with fury as she battled her invisible foe.
“How are you Katya?” Anya asked, “You look a little upset.”
“I’m just peachy keen,” Katya said in a mocking American accent. She lowered her sword. “I’m sorry, I have a terrible hangover.”
“I heard that Izrayl came to your rescue last night,” Anya commented. Katya sheathed her sword and sat down on a fallen log.
“I haven’t felt this bad in years,” Katya winced. “Izrayl held back my hair as I spewed everywhere. Oh yes, I was in fine form last night.”
“You have nothing to be embarrassed about. I have been in a worse state than that everyday for the last six months, the last few weeks excluded thanks to Yvan. I doubt Izrayl would have been worried by it either. The man walks around naked after every wolf change. He doesn’t know the meaning of being embarrassed. Besides you have to admit it was nice of him.”
“He hasn’t been rude about it this morning which is a surprise,” Katya admitted, “Sorry; did you need me for something?”
“Baba Zosia and your sister sent me to look for you. They want to see if I can talk to you in my head.”
“Great. No offence but I am not really keen on the idea of you being in my head.”
“Trust me when I say my mind isn’t a place for you or anyone else,” Anya said. “Unless it is a grave emergency I will stay out of your head if you stay out of mine.”
“That sounds fair. I think I may learn to like you Anyanka,” Katya said with a crooked and cheeky smile.
“Don’t be surprised if you don’t,” Anya said as she got up and brushed the wet leaves off her trousers, “We had better get back. Baba Zosia doesn’t strike me as a patient person.”
“You need to relax, Anya,” Aleksandra said calmly, “Everything is fine.”
“I am relaxed,” Anya insisted. Sitting in Baba Zosia’s kitchen with her eyes closed with Aleksandra, Baba Zosia as well as Katya, Anya could hear each person breathing and the rain hammering on the wooden sides of the caravan. To her right the pot-bellied stove ticked and popped from the fire inside of it. She could smell dust, incense, Aleksandra’s perfume, and the coffee dregs in the cup in front of her.
Anya opened her right eye and saw Katya sitting opposite to her, her eyes were shut but she was still smiling cheekily. Anya stifled a giggle. Baba Zosia hissed at her and Anya quickly regained her composure.
“Calm yourself Anya,” said Aleksandra, “Calm your thoughts. Think of a memory that’s extremely vivid and focus on it. Block everything else out around you. Find that quiet space in your mind.” Anya took a deep steadying breath and tried to find a memory. The firebird rising from her chimney and across the blue black sky filled her mind. She focussed on the way the flames on its body lit the darkness with an inferno of light, the white stars blinking behind it. She remembered how the night smelt; the scent of pine, the muskiness of the animals coming from the barn, wood smoke from the house and the smell of the firebird itself. It reminded her of ozone, the way a thunder storm smelt, hot and charged, crackling with energy.
Across the table Katya gasped so loudly that Anya jumped, snapping her out of the moment.
“I’m sorry,” Katya apologised hastily, “I didn’t expect to see the firebird like that.”
“Neither did I,” Anya said, “You should have been there.”
“This is good, it means Anya can find the focus she needs,” interrupted Aleksandra, “Try it again.” So they tried, and they tried and they tried. Anya was ready to give up completely when she felt her magic rise up through her and reach out of her body.
I don’t know why they are pushing her so hard. Poor thing has had a lifetime of surprises in the last few weeks, Katya’s voice rolled through her mind.
I am sure I will live to see more surprises, Anya thought. Katya started to laugh out loud.
“She did it.”
“Too much magic,” Baba Zosia scolded. “Small, small.” Her power purred softly through her and this time it only lightly brushed Katya’s mind. She was thinking of Izrayl getting her some water while she was sick and felt a fresh wave of embarrassment.
Don’t feel that way, Anya said, Izrayl was trying to do a good thing.
I shouldn’t have been drinking at all. I am meant to be protecting the tribe.
“Good! Good!” Baba Zosia clapped her hands loudly as Anya opened her eyes, “Now again!”
For Anya the day was spent inside with the three women but outside was a flurry of activity. The tribe would move on that night leaving little trace that they were ever there. Baba Zosia had decided it was time for them to move to the winter grounds. No word was mentioned of Vasilli.
By nightfall everyone from the youngest infant to the oldest grandfather was ready to leave. Anya dressed warmly and shouldered her bag before stepping out into what remained of the camp. Horses were being hitched to caravans; the small bells sewn onto their harnesses rang nervously as they fussed. Yvan stood to one side of all the commotion and Anya hurried to join him.
“Be careful you don’t get trodden on in the madness,” Yvan said as he moved
her out of the way of a man carrying a large roll of carpet.
“Madness is the name for it,” Anya replied.
“How did your lessons go today?”
“Better than I expected. I can talk to Katya in her mind.”
“That sounds complicated.”
“It is. Apparently I have problems with focusing and finding that inner peace.”
“How did you manage it then?”
“I focussed on a memory that makes me happy,” she smiled at him and he looked confused. “I used the night when you hatched and the firebird was flying for the first time.”
“And this is a memory that helps you find inner peace?” he asked, a faint pink tinge rising up his neck. “I thought it would have been perceived more as the end of peace.”
“If not for you I probably would have been dead by now. If not from Vasilli and his ilk it would have been alcohol poisoning or a drunken farming accident. You hatching in my house was a good thing.” Yvan opened his mouth to reply when Trajan, Cerise and Izrayl appeared. He held off his reply and Anya made a mental note to ask him about it later.
The caravans started to move off one at a time and within thirty minutes they had all disappeared with the exception of Baba Zosia’s. It stopped just on the outskirts and after checking no one was left behind or within the area still she moved to a nearby tree.
“Watch this, Anya,” said Katya as Baba Zosia pulled a small knife from her belt. Squinting in the darkness Anya could just make out a strange curving symbol scratched into the bark. Baba Zosia scored a line through it, disfiguring the symbol. Anya felt something in the air change and give, like the forest had let out a breath it had been holding around them. Something like static pricked the back of her neck as Baba Zosia cut her finger and smeared blood on the tree. The strange symbol melted into the bark, healing the tree to appear like nothing had been carved on it to begin with. Lifting her hands towards the campsite Baba Zosia started to chant softly in the complicated language of the tribe. Magic thrummed through the air, making Anya’s own flare and itch under her skin. She rubbed her arms to stop it. Around her a breeze picked up and the campground, with its tracks in the mud and stains from the fires all melted away until there was nothing but autumn leaf litter and debris in its place. It looked like it hadn’t been disturbed for years.
Cry of the Firebird (The Firebird Fairytales Book 1) Page 17
