by Taki Drake
Zhanna knew deep in her bones and blood that the establishment of a group of Magic users that incorporated the concept of honor and adherence to a code of behavior was essential for the salvation of the souls of the Russian Witches. The realization hit her with the force of a body blow, making it impossible for her to move. Hard on that impact was a sharp flash of vision that stilled her breath, and caused her heart to stutter.
The vision was so encompassing, so real to her that she could almost reach out and touch the dream that she saw. The focus of the image was a book, set on a holder and alight with Magical illumination. Plainly marked, it was a book of guiding principles for her group. Bound in wood and precious metal, it held the structure, authority, and ethics that they so desperately needed.
Coven Codex. The code to behavior and values that would carry them forward. Allowing the Witches of Russia to build on a firm foundation, rising even higher than before. The next giant step in reclaiming the honor that they had lost.
“Zhanna? Are you okay?”
Brought back to the present by the pull of Stefan’s voice and the warm touch of his hand under her elbow, the young Witch shook herself and replied, “Yes, I am fine, Stefan. I just had a thought of what we could do in the future.”
“I think it might be better if we went to the front of the store and joined Vadim. We wouldn’t want to be late to our own party!”
“You are right, Stefan. I guess I’m just a little bit nervous.”
“That’s perfectly understandable. After all, who would’ve thought a week ago we would be here?”
As they had been talking, Zhanna’s party had moved from the meeting room, through the hallway, and out to the storefront. Vadim was waiting there for them, almost bouncing in his excitement.
“At last! We are all ready to go. My son-in-law, Mischa, will have the cars here in just a few moments.”
“That is very kind of you, Vadim. I know you wanted to put on a show, so just tell us our lines and where you want us to go please,” answered Zhanna.
Vadim grinned like a little child, reminding Zhanna of when her brother had been young. Still bouncing slightly on his feet, the old man said, “I think this is going to be a lot of fun. I will escort you out to the car and make a big thing about how much I value our relationship and that I wish you success in your endeavors. I will also say that I’m looking forward to seeing you again soon.”
“So you want us to get into the car and then take off?”
“Yes, but you need to make a point of security. Have the mercenaries inspect the car looking for danger. Someone should hand you into the vehicle like you are a princess, somebody extremely important. I want all the spies and onlookers spending time trying to figure things out. It will make them crazy trying to understand what happened.”
The young Witch lost all of her nervousness as she broke into laughter. Choking between gales of mirth, she said, “The joke will be on them because I’m not really all that important. This is a good deception, focusing their attention on a mask rather than the reality.”
In a gentle voice, the old man said, “Don’t fool yourself. You are very important, both to all these people around you and me. None of us are treating you in any way but what you deserve.”
Startled, Zhanna stared in disbelief at Vadim before swinging her gaze to look at the rest of her team. She could feel the weight of their eyes as she glanced around the room. Something shifted at the foundation of her world.
The young Witch was not used to thinking of herself as extraordinary, instead, seeing herself as the weak Magic user that lived with her widowed grandmother. Scraping by day-to-day, trying to glean lessons where she could, Zhanna had no sense of self-importance. Numbly, the young woman stared at Stefan, wondering what to say.
<< Save it for later, Zhanna. You are important, but that is something you’re going to have to accept over time. For right now, let’s get the job done and rescue these peoples’ children and mates. Keep your eye focused on the prize, girl! >>
Jumping slightly like she had been goosed, the young Witch nodded her head jerkily at Vadim and squared her shoulders. Picking her pack up, she was startled to feel it lifted out of her hands before she could set it on her back. Before she could react, Stefan reached out his hand and grabbed her shoulder.
“Think! Treating you as important is part of the play we are putting on. Therefore, you don’t carry your own bag.”
Once again, the only reply that the young Witch could make was a nod.
Chapter 16 – Stalked
It took them about ten more minutes to get everyone ready to march out the front door. Running over the seating arrangements one last time, Zhanna was amazed that they would be able to fit all six of them in one vehicle. They had decided that Mikhail would drive. One of the new mercenaries would be riding in the passenger seat beside him, and the rest of their party would be in the back.
Rather than trying to run any errands in town, they planned on driving several hours away before stopping for food and additional supplies. Vadim thought that was an excellent idea, almost too quickly for Zhanna’s comfort. Intercepting a quick glance between Vadim and his head bodyguard, the young Witch confronted the old man, asking, “What is the problem? Is there something important that you’re not telling me?”
It was the bodyguard that answered, saying reluctantly, “None of us are sure. However, the shop has been watched more closely today than ever before. The people that were following you have joined the people that were watching our shop, and we suspect that they report to the same person.”
“Who do you suspect?”
“Maxim Trobich, a crooked dealer of unusual items and one that somehow acquires items from many a bruised or damaged seller!” The amount of anger packed into the voice made it almost unrecognizable as Vadim’s. Zhanna’s shocked stare saw a man transformed into a picture of implacable fury. The old man’s emotions were replicated on the faces of his bodyguards and echoing discomfort radiated from the town mercenaries.
Zhanna heard Stefan take a sharp breath of dismay. Keeping her eyes on Vadim, she remarked, “I have to say that I didn’t much care for him. He made me uncomfortable, and I was very unhappy with his influence over Stefan.”
In a low voice, Stefan murmured, “It is my fault that he ever met you. I thought that he would be helpful because I’d never had problems with him before. Now I wonder how long he had been manipulating me.”
“Anyone can be manipulated. When you find out about it, decide whether it’s okay or not. You were just doing the best you could, and sometimes the result doesn’t match the intention. No one expects you to be perfect, least of all me. After all, you know that I make mistakes and have areas of terrible ignorance. You accept my efforts to address those so why shouldn’t I accept yours. Stop beating yourself up. We have too many other things to do!”
Vadim cackled in sharp laughter, and his face settled into the lines once again that Zhanna had come to expect. The old man said, “One of the reasons that I was willing to talk to you was the priceless sendoff you gave that disgusting sack of skin. Not only did you send him away like dirt on the bottom of your shoe, but without saying a single actionable or objectionable word, you and that police detective of yours managed to let the whole town know that he’s using coercive Magic.”
Chiming in, the bodyguard added, “From what our watchers saw, he was so angry that he was smashing things when he got back to his own store. He even slammed one of his bodyguards around in his fury.”
Zhanna’s stammered disclaimer of, “He’s not my police detective!” was ignored as Stefan asked, “The two of you watch each other, but for what? A commercial advantage?”
Vadim answered with a growl, “It has gone beyond competition. He destroys people and glories in the joy of it. I’m a cranky, curmudgeon of an old man, but I love this town. We are supposed to protect the weak, not prey on them. The fact that he’s breathing the same air as I do offends me.”
; The bodyguard added, “He will be driven insane by the idea that something valuable slipped through his fingers. We expect him to attack us on our way to Moscow, and we have hidden surprises in our vehicle. You should also be careful on your journey. Our spies saw that he met with four other men of unaligned status within a few hours of talking to you. So, watch your backs.”
Stefan nodded, exchanging glances with Mikhail before saying, “That would make sense. He can either attack you and get whatever we sold you, or he can take the proceeds from us. Either way, he will feel like he has won.”
Resolutely, Zhanna said, “Then it is up to us to make sure that he continues to feel frustrated.” Her spine stiff with determination, the young Witch made a beeline for the door. Vadim moved quickly, cutting in front of her and grabbing the door to pull it open. With a theatrical movement, the old man bowed her through the exit.
Caught up in the scripted feeling of a marionette moving on a stage, Zhanna took four steps out the doorway and stopped. Her head held high in the air, she slowly swept her gaze around the street in front of the store. Part of her noted that there were more people out in the street than she had seen before. There were very few women and no children. The onlookers were primarily men, and standing in obviously staged positions. Many of them looked uneasy, lounging around and pretending to talk to each other as their eyes took in every aspect of the actions on display.
Zhanna could feel the weight of their gaze, staring at her so hard that it felt like holes were being drilled into her body. In the back of her mind, she was shy and unsure of herself. However, no one looking at her would’ve known how inexperienced and frightened the young Witch felt. In desperation, she was concealing any qualms under a persona borrowed from one of the wealthier women in the village.
In her mind she could see the woman standing there, body drawn up and looking down her nose. Adopting the same stance and head tilt, Zhanna imperiously turned to Vadim and demanded, “I thought you said the vehicle would be here! Where is it?”
The old man picked up his cue and bounced it back flawlessly to Zhanna, saying, “I am sorry, Lady Witch, it will be here shortly!” Vadim half bowed as he addressed her. His acting was so good that for an instant Zhanna was worried that she had upset him.
<< Very good, kitten. Did you see how his eyes gleamed and his mouth was quivering? He had to bow so he would not start laughing. >>
<< Oh, good! I was worried I had actually hurt his feelings. >>
<< I think we are going to have to give you lessons in being snotty and uncaring. That doesn’t seem to be something you do easily. Fortunately or not, there are many examples for you to imitate. >>
<< It’s tough to do, Dascha. The whole thing feels wrong, just wrong. >>
<< It had better continue feeling wrong. If it starts to seem right, you’re going to experience my claws in your calves! >>
Just then, a resounding rumble announced the arrival of a powerful-looking vehicle. To Zhanna, accustomed to the less expensive cars and trucks of the villagers, the machine was impressive and ominous. As it rolled smoothly to a stop directly in front of her, only the cloak of her assumed role prevented her from stepping backward.
<< Dascha, what on earth is that? >>
<< I think it’s our ride, but I’ve never seen anything like it. Let the others lead on how we should regard this. Because I am just as lost as you are. >>
The young Witch’s frozen immobility was brief and lasted long enough for Stefan to gesture her to wait. He said, “Please wait, Madame, while we check the vehicle for safety.”
Nodding her head regally, Zhanna said, “Of course, but please make it quick. I’m tired of waiting, and we have miles to go.”
Mikhail, assisted by Tolya and Kasha, proceeded to thoroughly examine the car. Stefan stood beside Zhanna, feeding her information under the guise of reporting.
“This is an excellent vehicle for us. It will ride smoothly, and SUVs of this manufacture had been specially reinforced with protective measures. I admit I haven’t seen one that has been customized to stretch this long, but it makes it very convenient for a party of our size.”
Zhanna found herself making noncommittal noises, just like she had done when her brother used to rhapsodize about something she didn’t understand. She could tell that Stefan was enthused about the vehicle and didn’t want to ruin his enjoyment, precisely like when her brother would burble about computer equipment.
An unexpected pang of remembrance echoed with the grief that she still felt at the idea that her brother was no longer alive. For a brief moment, the sadness showed on her face, and her back started to curve around the knot of regret and pain that she felt. A mental slap from her Familiar yanked her posture back to ramrod straightness as Dascha exclaimed loudly in her Witch’s head, << Keep your mind on what’s going on, Zhanna! You can grieve later and should. Right now, you’re in a play, and you need to stay in character. >>
<< You are right, Dascha. Sorry, but the memory surprised me. >>
The Familiar’s voice was gentler now, soothing and comforting rather than abrasive. << I know. Even years later, I still miss those that I have lost. Don’t forget them, but don’t confuse the here and now with remembered pain. >>
<< I won’t, I promise. >>
<< Absolutely have to work on your situational awareness! Every time you see a vision or get a distracted memory, you forget where you are. That can get you killed! >>
The brief conversation between Witch and her Familiar had kept Zhanna busy while the transfer of the vehicle to the mercenaries was completed. Mikhail was grinning, holding the keys. Stefan was supervising the storing of their gear in the car, while Tolya and Kasha took up obvious positions of protection. Their weapons were not drawn, although their posture and visible alertness announced that they would be difficult to surprise.
Dov waited quietly on the other side of Zhanna from Stefan. He was not going on the mission with them but was ensuring that the group departed without problems. In the earlier planning sessions, Dov, Mikhail, and Stefan had worked out a series of contingency plans which the commander would institute as soon as Zhanna and her party left town.
Their ally would coordinate any additional efforts that were necessary while the main party was mounting the rescue mission. The three strategic commanders had set up a schedule of checkpoint times, in case the difficulties were more significant than anticipated. Dov had promised to come loaded for war if necessary, saying, “You have just paid us enough money to run the full unit for over a year. We owe you, and I’m looking forward to a long association. So don’t get yourselves killed.”
All those arrangements had been made, and the departure was now at hand. Zhanna felt like a tightly wound spring ready to bounce or break any second. Practicing slow, even breaths, the young Witch looked around the street in front of Vadim’s shop.
She was amazed by the number of people that were watching their team get loaded into the vehicle. Many of the people were noticeable in their scrutiny, going as far as smiling or nodding to her as her eyes swept the area.
The young Witch made a point of smiling and nodding in return. There was not a point in getting snotty with people that were trying to be friendly and open. It was only the others that were causing her concern.
A jolt of adrenaline shocked her system as she made brief eye contact with Maxim, the unpleasant merchant from earlier that day. She had surprised him, capturing a look of fury and greed on his face. It was apparent when he realized that she had seen him. A mask settled over his face, and all emotion was removed. Like water through sand, his control smoothed all expression out.
Acting like she was of no importance, the big man turned to speak to his companions. There were four of them, clearly mercenaries but not dressed in uniform. Noting their features so that she would remember if she saw any of them again, Zhanna could feel the prickling signs of danger in the goosebumps that were raised on her skin and the tension that welled up from her core and ener
gized her muscles.
<< I see them, Zhanna. Look at them through my eyes for a moment. You might be able to tell more than I can. >>
<< Can we do that? I know that older and more experienced pairs can, but I didn’t think we could. >>
Without waiting for an answer, Zhanna concentrated on the Familiar bond and found that there was an overlay covering her eyes. Instead of the bright colors and nuances that she was used to seeing, colors were more muted, and details were sharper. She noticed motion and activity more clearly, but the experience of seeing through her Familiar’s eyes was subtly disorienting.
The young Witch struggled with control for a moment until she found a balance point. The low-level nausea that she been feeling dissipated, reminding Zhanna of how she felt after drinking mint tea on an upset stomach. Then she saw exactly what Dascha had been talking about. For a moment she just stared, mentally grappling with what the situation was telling her. Then shock hit, sending rockets of revulsion and fear throughout her whole body.
Chapter 17 – Threads that Bind
Threads. Oily looking, purple and gray strands.
Zhanna almost couldn’t keep control of her reflexes. Overwhelming disgust filled her stomach and threatened to erupt from her throat. These tendrils were the same bizarrely-animated filaments she had seen in the café when Maxim had been manipulating Stefan. The root-like finger that had come off the concealed Mage and slid toward her then had made her skin cringe and fluffed Dascha’s fur out.
In the café, there had only been a few, pulsating and twining around. Glowing with the transfer of energy, the threads that were attached to Stefan had appeared to be both pulling him around and sucking his energy out. The thought of that theft, a parasitic draining of essence happening to anyone or anything revolted Zhanna at a primal layer. Her urge to flee was beating on her, like a terrified animal, desperate to escape and be safe. Clamping down on that instinct, she forced herself to observe and analyze, driving her mind past the fear, in the face of danger.
