Page 51 of Rise of the Witch
“Anthia!” I pleaded, feeling that frightening energy start to roil beneath my skin again. “If I give you my mum’s address, can you get a message to her to take my brothers and run?”
If something happens to them, I’ll never forgive myself...
Anthia set her mouth in a grim line. “Of course, Tan. If I am personally unable to deliver the message, I will send some of our fastest swans.” She turned that piercing gaze of hers back to Nox. “You think the humans at the Facility are the ones who took Harbison?”
He nodded again, although his gaze was still locked with Vasi’s, something unspoken passing between them that made the air over his head shimmer in response, like stars in the night sky. Anthia muttered something about “too many pheromones stinking up the place,” which seemed to snap Nox out of his trance.
“Ace and I found this in the truck we ambushed,” he cleared his throat and held out what appeared to be a map, which Vasi eagerly snatched from him. “Do any of these locations mean anything to you, Anthia?”
The shifter paled as she brought a trembling finger to one of the circles on the map. “This is my clan’s current settlement, and I recognize that as Luperca’s summer residence.” Her alarmed gaze landed on Vasi, who was eyeing her with her version of concern. “I need to bring this to my father so he can share it with the other leaders at today’s meeting.”
Vasi nodded, holding up the map for Nox to take a picture as Anthia shifted, carefully folding and placing the paper in the swan’s beak before her friend hurriedly flapped away.
Suddenly realizing Ace was still wrapped around me, I roughly shrugged him off, ignoring his exasperated sigh. “What now, doll?” I asked Vasi, forcing myself to trust in Anthia’s promise to warn my family. “You’re the captain of this ship.”
She turned to me, gorgeous eyes widening in surprise. “Oh! Well…” Throwing some side-eye in Nox’s direction, she carefully replied, “I think we should see what Veles knows about the destruction of my forest. I’m not sure yet if we can trust him, but it wouldn’t hurt to have a god on our side against humans and other beings.”
Sensing that Nox was about to argue, I quickly changed the subject. “That reminds me, I know we’re not supposed to say his name, but can you please tell those of usnotraised in Russia what this deathless guy is all about? What makes him ‘deathless?’ Does it mean he can’t be killed?”
Because I need to kill Koschei for what he did to her.
Vasi sharply inhaled at the mention of her former nemesis, so Nox took over. “The reason he’s called ‘deathless’ is that his death exists...outside himself…” he faltered, probably struggling with the realization that folklore had become fact. “He hides his death inside other beings, usually nested within multiple objects, to make it harder to locate.”
Asa hummed in recognition. “Ah, so that’s why the Russian nesting dolls were inside the deceased shifters—to hold his death?”
“Maybe…” Nox grimaced before warily glancing at Vasi. “I suspect those dolls were left as calling cards to taunt our witch here.” When she turned to face him, wide-eyed, he nodded grimly. “I think he’s aware that you’re Baba Yaga. Why else would he be circling you like this through the local shifter community? Hewantsyou to know he’s found you.”
Because she was the baddest witch there was, Vasi only looked nervous for a second before crossing her arms and scowling enticingly. “Well then, why doesn’t hetryto come for me? I would gladly show him exactly who I am now!”
An unexpected smile twitched under Nox’s thick beard. “I’m not sure,Vashka,but we’ll figure it out.”
We all froze—Nox included—before I gleefully teased,“Noxy!Did you just give our sweet little witch a cutesy nickname?
“It just slipped out!” he snarled, taking an exaggerated step away from Vasi as ifthatwere going to save him. “It doesn’t fucking mean anything.”
What I wouldn’t give to have that on video!
Ace must have taken pity on Nox as he smoothly interjected, addressing Vasi directly, “There’s something else on that map you should see…” Pulling up the photo on our phone, Ace pointed to a circle out in the middle of nowhere labeled “doorway to the underworld” of all things.
“It’s the Batagaika crater,” Nox stated. “It opened up in the 1960s when extreme deforestation caused the permafrost to rapidly melt.” Finding the rest of us listening attentively, he awkwardly shrugged. “My father had some scientists come to the Facility a couple of years ago to report on how climate change may affect future expansions in Siberia, and he let me in on the meeting, for some reason. It’s apparently not the only such crater, but it’s the biggest, and the locals believe it’s a portal to the underworld.” Giving Vasi a respectful nod, he added, “I’m not thrilled about making a deal with Death, but like Tan said, it’s your call.”
Vasi stared at the enormous man in disbelief for a moment before exhaling slowly and squinting up at the noonday sun. “Well, boys,” she finally spoke, sweeping her gaze over each of us in turn. “Let’s go knock on Veles’ door.”
Chapter 42
Vasilisa
We probably should have rested before setting off for the Batagaika crater, but the men deferred to my decision to leave immediately, efficiently preparing to embark without complaint. Even Tan assisted with loading up the horses, although I could tell he was still in a lot of pain from the impressive amount of power he’d somehow wielded against our enemies.
I have to remember these men are still human.
At least, Ithinkthey are...
Not for the first time, I wished I knew more about the details of my legacy. During preparations for my initiation ritual, my mentor vaguely hinted that once I became Yaga, a call would go out for my Riders to join me to achieve full power together. But she never specified precisely how we would combine our capabilities or what “full power” even meant. I also had no idea if reaching that state would make my men immortal like me.
While my men were mostly taking this unprecedented situation in stride, I knew they needed guidance, which I frustratingly couldn’t give them. Again cursing the former Yaga, I wondered what secrets she’d taken to the Nav—and if there was still a way for me to access this knowledge despite her desire to keep it from me.
I decided to ride with Nox to soak up what little connection I could from him and to have an unobstructed view of both Tan and Asa at the same time, so I could observe how they behaved toward each other. As expected, their interaction was limited to brief, necessary conversation, and stolen glances when the other wasn’t looking.
