Page 45 of A Witch Out of Time
I’ll allow it, my Beautiful Sun.
“There are rules of engagement for gods and other powerful supernatural beings, like Koschei. Some would say that classification includes certain Yagas as well.” Rena slyly looked at me. “Although you were made, Vasi, not born, which is unusual. Frankly, we’re still not entirely sure how a human became Yaga. Or ended up as the keeper of the legendary Riders. But first things first, we need to broker a deal.”
Ever the peacemaker, Tan piped in, “While it pains me to consider that monster’s point of view, I assume it would be in Koschei’s best interest to stop The Devouring,no? Then he wouldn’t have to keep moving his creepy death nuggets from body to body as often.”
Rena smiled over her shoulder at him. “That’s an astute observation, Tan, although attempting to guess Koschei’s motivations would be a foolish endeavor. He is an ambiguous creature—like the Yaga—neither good nor evil...”
“Are you fucking joking?” Nox barked so loudly he startled the massive warhorse beneath him. “After what he did to Vasi, he’ll be lucky if I don’t murder him on the spot.”
All this talk of bloodshed is not calming me down.
“The concepts of ‘good’ and ‘evil’ are subjective and purely manmade,” the goddess patiently explained. “Take Perun and Veles, for example. Certain versions of their tale say VeleskidnappedMokosh and stole her from Perun. They paint the god of thunder as pure and just and heavenly, while the god of the underworld is a horned, evil demon. Sounds familiar, right? But there are many sides to every story and this idea that one’s motives must be cut and dry risks losing the bigger picture. Most of us have existed for so long, we can’t even remember how our grievances began.” She leveled my Darkest Midnight with a heavy stare. “Youwillhave another chance to meet Koschei on the battlefield, Nox, but it won’t be today. Your witch here understands what it means to be immortal. Someday the three of you will as well.”
Nox scoffed. “And what thefuckdoes it mean?”
Rena laughed, back to her good humor. “That you don’t take life sofuckingseriously!”
My eyes were starting to close when Asa suddenly swore under his breath, drawing my attention back to the Nav’s endless plains. Straight ahead, I saw two familiar figures blocking our path.
“Greetings, Marena, Yaga, and Riders!” the Gamayun called out while her plumage rustled in the eerie wind alongside the motionless Alkonost. “Veles, god of the Nav, has placed us in your service.”
Chapter 37
Taneer
Rena stared at the oversized chickens for a long time after the shrill proclamation, deep in thought. I assumed she was debating the best way to tell them to piss off, so I sat back to watch the show.
Much to my disappointment, the goddess simply nodded and blew out a shaky breath. It was then I realized the bird-ladies were a peace offering of sorts from Veles—probably for how sour he’d left things. I didn’t have the entire story, but it was obvious the relationship between the two gods was complicated. Rena freezing like a deer in the headlights when Vasi asked if Veles was her father clarifiedthatwas the root of their issues. But then again, who would want to be related to that crab cake?
Not me, that’s for damn sure.
“We will broker a meeting for you with the Deathless One, yesss?” The Alkonost croaked, her black tongue flicking over the points of her jagged teeth.
Without waiting for an answer, the feathered lurkers took to the sky, flying in the direction of an ominous, craggy mountain looming in the distance. As if on creepy cue, the sun abruptly set, to be replaced by a trio of reddish moons that rippled as if we were viewing them underwater.
Marena pointed to a grassy, tree-lined spot on the banks of the river up ahead. Just like when we were searching for Vasi’s blessing, we magically had everything we needed to make camp. It wasn’t long before we were all sitting around a fire, pleasantly fed, and discussing our next steps.
“An official message from Veles will ensure our safety tonight,” Rena murmured, eyeing Nox warily, and rightfully so. The big guy looked like he was one temper tantrum away from an aneurysm. His teeth were gritted, fists clenched, and veins bulging as he glared at Koschei’s mountain lair.
Vasi sighed and left her solo perch to sit next to Nox. He immediately went from level eleven to chill, adorably gripping her little hand in his enormous one and I almost squeed like a teenager at the sight.
Noxy’s in love!
Overcome with big feelings, I turned to entice Ace to join me in some public displays of affection. Unfortunately, he was seated on the ground, leaning back against a log and staring intently into the fire with an expression that told me he was miles away.
“Why does the Water of Life lead to Koschei?” Vasi asked Marena, bringing me back to the conversation. “It seems odd, considering he’s more associated with death.”
Rena smiled warmly, and not for the first time, I wondered what it was about her that felt so homey and familiar. “Koschei exists between the realms,” she explained. “Between life and death, which are closely related, of course. I’ve been told there’s a cavern, deep in his lair, where all life begins and ends. Where solemn vows and regretful confessions are sent into the ether, in hopes that judgment will be kind when it becomes one’s time to enter the Nav.”
“A cavern where all life emerges and all life returns?” Asa murmured, his piercing, blue-eyed gaze now fixed on Rena.
She tilted her head to observe him, and I wondered if she was trying to read his thoughts. I didn’t know why the three of us could block her psychic abilities, but at this point, I felt we should trust her.
We need all the intel we can get right now.
“Let her in, Ace,” I whispered encouragingly. “No more secrets between us,Gueneshem.”
He winced, but nodded, and he and Rena stared at each other in silence for a few moments before she gasped. “You’ve seen the Great Womb! The vows made and sins confessed...and you’ve met…” Her secretive smile suddenly turned to a frown. “Why would you feel guilty about her, Asa?”
