Page 8 of A Witch Out of Time
“Firstly, you need to do something about the whole vibedown here. It’salmostsexy but then takes a wrong turn towards creepy-as-fuck instead, which is bad. But not to be confused with creepy-as-fucksexbecausethatis excellent.”
What in the thrice-tenth kingdom is he blathering about?
Breathing evenly so as not to lose my temper—again—I returned my attention to the large sphere of lapis lazuli I’d been gazing into before this jackal started yipping. Intently focusing on the veins of gold woven throughout the varying shades of blue, I called upon the wisdom of the universe to help me locate my prey.
Where are you, you troublesome witch?
“I dunno, Veles, I might have to agree with the mortal. Itispretty creepy around here.”
Groaning skyward—and throwing a few extra curses Perun’s way while I was at it—I turned to face the woman who thought it fit to join this inane, previously one-sided conversation.
“Rena,” I steepled my fingers and glared at the redheaded goddess casually leaning against the arched doorway. “Please. Don’t encourage it.”
She sauntered over to me and ran her fingers across the sphere, most likely because she knew I didn’t like her touching my things. “I’m just saying, you’ve been removed from humans for far too long, Vel. The Nav is supposed to be paradise, but untouched forest, unending fields of fertile soil, and healthy cattle are no longer what most humans care about.”
“This isparadise?”the human—Tandor or Tanner or something—snorted incredulously. “Where the hell are all the tits and arses? The willing virgins? Aren't virgins supposed to be served on a silver platter with afternoon tea when you die?”
I am going to smite someone if this continues.
Marena smiled broadly in the human’s direction. “Oh, I could easily track down whatever you desire, Tan. Do you have a preference, or are you one of those enlightened humans who’s realized love is love?”
Expecting more nonsense, I was surprised when he simply cleared his throat and mumbled, “My dick’s privately owned at the moment, but thank you for the offer.”
Suddenly realizing I should mine this “Tan” for information on the Yaga and her remaining Riders, I flashed him a disarmingly pleasant smile, with just enough fang to remind him who he was dealing with.
“Ah, yes,” I crooned, moving closer. “I remember howprotectiveyou became over the pretty one...and I don’t mean the witch.” He stiffened, gaze lifting to snag on my impressive horns, although I was annoyed to find he looked more alert than fearful. “Do you know where I might find that delicious specimen so I can add him to my collection?”
I heard Marena sigh in annoyance behind me. Tan narrowed his eyes at my insinuation, curtly replying, “I would assume he’s wherever Vasi is, sincethat’swhere hewantsto be...”
Oh, I do not have time for this human foolishness.
“Is that what you think?” Marena tsked as she approached him, rudely elbowing me out of the way so she could invade his personal space. “That Vasilisa’s Riders can only loveherand no one else? That your feelings for Vasi could threaten the depths of your emotions for Asa or your brotherhood with Nox? My dear, the fate of you four is intrinsically intertwined. And this was all written on your foreheads long before any of you were born.”
Tan simply gaped at her, like the simpleminded mortal he was, so I threw up my hands in exasperation and returned to my scrying. Ignoring the two idiots in the room, I called up the connection I’d made with the other Rider, Asa, when I drew his blood at the crater. Much to my frustration, I still could not locate him; he’d somehow vanished without a trace. Likewise, Vasi and Nox remained beyond my reach. They weren’t as untraceable, butsomethingwas blocking my powers, something... manmade.
This situation had turned into a royal mess, despite my best efforts. I’d been nothing but reasonable at the crater, yet this witch had reacted poorly—causing events to come to a head by resisting my gracious hospitality.
Yes, perhaps I could have refrained from threatening her men or taken Tan’s life in less of a brutal fashion, but I’d been rightfully displeased. If Vasi had simply accepted my invitation to join me in the Nav, along with her Riders, plans could already be underway. Instead, I was wasting my time staring into a crystal ball like a mangy gypsy while babysitting a human who definitely employed his cock more than his brain.
Too bad I didn’t snag the pretty one instead...
“A penny for your thoughts?” Marena suddenly appeared at my elbow, the sly grin on her face suggesting she already knew what I was thinking about. Glancing around, I saw the human was nowhere to be found, and she answered my unspoken question with a shrug. “I think I may have scared him away. But, don’t fret; I’ll send someone after him.”
Not caring in the least if he disappeared forever, I fixed the goddess with a sour look. “Well, if you used your powers for something more useful than spying on the minds of men, we wouldn’t be needing a random witch and her playthings to get us out of this predicament.”
Marena’s face fell, expression shattering into despair, almost causing me to regret my harsh words.
Almost.
“I miss her too, Vel,” she choked out, her green eyes filling with tears. “But perhaps Vasi has the power to help us find her? I just...I can’t understand why I’m unable to locate my mother on my own?”
The raw emotion in Marena’s voice caused my heart to constrict, reminding me it still existed despite having been ripped from my chest the day she’d disappeared from the Nav. Angrily dismissing the memory, I turned back to the sphere and forced myself to focus on the last known location of Nox and our supposed savior witch. Just like last time, all I could see was a familiar, gray building in the middle of an endless forest, its very existence making my blood boil.
How has a mere human learned to thwart the sight of a god?!
Marena loudly sniffled beside me, snapping me out of my indignation. “Can you see anything I may have missed, Rena?” I sighed, begrudgingly deciding to make peace for now.
She blinked rapidly before resolutely pursing her lips and gazing into the lapis once again. “Yes…” she finally murmured after a few minutes of concentration. “There’s a faintglow—a hint of elemental power—coming from within the Facility. Vasi and Nox must have fused a bit more with each other, but it’s still not enough to get a read on them.”
