Page 44 of Rise of the Witch
The twining red and white tattoo on my arm pulsed, the earth outside the window vibrating in response as the hut started to slow its momentum. “Oh, Nox,” I called out, running my lengthening claws through Tan’s hair, forcibly pulling his face against me as he groaned in pleasure. “It seems we’ve reached our destination. Perhaps you should go take your python for a walk?” Ignoring his annoyed growl, I drew Asa closer to us and returned my attention to the two men I had claimed.
Playtime is long overdue.
Chapter 36
Taneer
Cockblocked by a fucking bird. Or, a bird-lady, rather. Either way, when the hut settled to the ground in our new location, the first thing we noticed out the window was a creature waiting for us with the head of a woman and the body of a sleek, blue-and-orange bird.
Nothing will surprise me at this point.
“Greetings, Yaga and Riders!” the creature trilled, the pull of her voice reminding me of the Rusalka, although I seemed less affected than before. “Veles, god of the Nav, the close-under-place, beyond the thrice-tenth kingdom, is formally requesting your presence in the underworld.”
Okay,thatI was not expecting.
Vasi stood on the grass beside me, haughtily staring down her nose at the creature as a second, slightly different bird-lady landed on the tree behind the first. Whereas the one who spoke shimmered in the waning sunlight, with flowing hair that matched the vibrant colors of her feathers, this newcomer had ebony curls and feathers so black any light hitting them was immediately obliterated.
Asa stepped closer to Vasi’s other side, and Nox had already positioned himself to the rear of the potential target, hand casually resting near his gun. The three of us would appear relaxed to an outsider, but if these bird-ladies made one move we interpreted as a threat, the feathers were literally going to fly.
Although Nox may be the only one with bullets capable of killing them…
I’d been wondering what sort of powers I was meant to develop as one of Vasi’s Riders. Ever since I’d feasted on my sweet witch in Harbison’s bathroom, I’d felt different. A constant pulse of energy now lived beneath my skin, connecting me to both her and the forest. It was stronger whenever Vasi and I touched and deliciously magnified when I was inside her, but I would have no idea how to actually harness this power and use it against an enemy.
But something tells me I should learn, stat.
“Oh, wise Gamayun,” Vasi sarcastically addressed the shimmering bird before her but ignored the hedge creeper in the tree. “What sort of divine message and prophecy have you come to impart today?”
The Gamayun cocked her head and smiled serenely, although I didn’t believe for a minute she was a benevolent being. “My sister Alkonost and I are merely here as messengers to extend Veles’ gracious invitation to you and your men.”
Vasi delivered an equally chilly smile in return, her voice pitched dangerously low as she replied, “Is this a request I can refuse?” The earth beneath our feet rumbled in response to her rising irritation, and the power radiating off her hot little body made me equal parts ready to fight or fuck.
I need to get myself under control before I unleash a nutsack tsunami in my pants.
Clearly, the birds were also picking up on Vasi’s witchy-woo as they immediately snapped to attention, zeroing in on her in a creepy, predatory manner. The Alkonost in the tree let loose a horrid screech, her head bobbing from side to side as she flexed her wings, but the Gamayun simply widened her smile until there was no longer anything pleasant about it.
“Veles knows about The Devouring, Yaga,” the Gamayun crooned, eyes glittering. “And how to stop it. Therefore, to answer your question, this invitation is not one you would be wise to refuse.”
Vasi’s warring emotions rippled through me as if they were my own; anger, annoyance, indecision, wariness. I knew she desperately wanted to stop what was happening to her beloved forest but probably didn’t trust these birds or their demon-looking handler. I opened my mouth to say something encouraging when overwhelming guilt suddenly shot through our connection. She quickly buried it, lifting her chin in defiance, her face a perfectly regal mask once again.
“Ifwe were to accept this invitation, are we to ride upon your backs?” Vasi scoffed at the Gamayun, crossing her arms and jutting out a sassy hip. “How does Veles expect us to journey to the Nav otherwise? Especially as most of us have never been...” I saw Nox glance at her in alarm, but before I could catch his eye, he’d already turned his deadly focus back to the birds.
The Alkonost finally spoke, her scratchy voice somehow clawing on the inside of my eardrums. “You will have to enter through the doorway to the underworld, silly Yaga!” she crowed, and the Gamayun joined her in wild laughter. Without elaborating, they abruptly took flight, the beating of their massive wings echoing off the surrounding forest as they quickly disappeared toward the setting sun.
Well, that was...unhelpful.
“I think I’ll go unpack while I consider Veles’ offer…” Vasi waved her hand dismissively as if mythical beings delivering godly invites were an everyday occurrence.
She turned and started heading back toward the hut when Nox’s enormous frame suddenly blocked her path. “You’re not seriously thinking about making a deal with the god of death, are you?”
Dropping her head backward with a dramatic sigh, Vasi groaned to the heavens. “He’s not the god ofdeath,you big idiot. He’s the protector of forest, farm, and fertility, and right now, I am inno mood.”
Something flashed across Nox’s face that could have been outrage but, upon closer inspection, looked suspiciously like unbridled lust. “He could be the god of fucking unicorns and rainbows and he’s still gonna ask for something in return,” he growled. “Are you reallythatfucking crazy, witch?”
Despite barely coming up to his chest, Vasi somehow leveled a glare at Nox that managed to makehimtake a step backward. “Why in the Goddess’ name doyoucare? You’re leaving us soon anyway, correct?” She stomped past him as the stable and other outbuildings started to magically appear around the clearing. “Tan, Asa, please see to the horses. Nox, I don’t care what you do, just don’t do it in my sight.”
If by “see to the horses,” you mean “fuck my boyfriend over the stall door,” Roger that!
Grinning, I approached Ace and snatched his hand, bringing it to my mouth for a quick kiss before yanking him toward the stable. He looked back over his shoulder, grimacing when he saw Nox unwisely following Vasi into the hut, hands gesticulating wildly like he was still daring to argue with her.
