Page 4 of A Witch Out of Time
Nox shrugged and coolly replied, “I decided it would be easier to link up with other recruits rather than continue on my own. Not to mention, testing the bullets on tranquilized shifters would be easier than facing them in the wild. As for what happened with your men…” another nonchalant gesture. “One of thosemudaksaimed a gun at me, and I reacted instinctively. Kill or be killed, just like you taught me. Unfortunately, the others just got caught in the crossfire of these untrained powers of mine.”
Matthew narrowed his eyes, and I wondered how many of these interrogations Nox had survived in his lifetime. “How did you then end up at the Batagaika Crater? Why travel thousands of miles in the wrong direction instead of reporting back to me with these very fascinating developments?”
“We both know you’d want me out in the field, despite whatever hardships I was experiencing.” Nox threw a pointed look at his father, suggesting the issue went beyond the current conversation, before casually gesturing at me. “Besides, the Yaga here knew of an unusual creature at that location, and I was curious if your bullets would work on other supernaturals besides shifters. Your arrival interrupted us before I could find out, but now that we’re here, we can discuss how my new abilities can be utilized for the benefit of the Facility.”
Matthew’s probing gaze snapped back to me. “And what aboutyou,Yaga? One of your responsibilities is to protect the shifters and other creatures of the forest, correct? So, why would you agree to be involved in operations that supposedly harmed them?”
A jolt of alarm shot down the bond, making me realize Nox hadn’t expected his father to know so much about my sacred duties. It surprised me as well, as I’d gotten the impression Matthew looked down upon any humans who believed in the old legends, like those of Baba Yaga. Nox may have prepared a speech for this interrogation, but he hadnotprepared for this.
Good thing I’m skilled at outsmarting humans.
Especially men.
“True, I have been entrusted with the health and safety of shifters,” I smiled, allowing my teeth to menacingly flicker with iron. “But they’ve become a nuisance in the centuries since I’ve assumed this role. There are constant wars between the clans and petty squabbles within the same species. Rampant inbreeding has resulted in weak genetics and depleted resources, which threatens the delicate balance of the entire ecosystem. I’d rather be rid of them myself, to be honest.”
Although I could feel Nox’s eyes on me, I didn’t dare look in his direction, wanting his father to believe I was nothing more than an opportunistic witch who saw all humans as nothing more than a means to an end. Matthew silently observed me, his expression unreadable as I impassively returned his stare for what felt like an eternity.
“Oh, little spitfire!” Matthew abruptly barked out a laugh, dark eyes sparkling with delight. “I respect a woman who understands that only the strong survive, and I would beveryinterested in combining our talents to rid ourselves of a common nuisance.”
Again, his tone turned dangerous as his entire countenance changed into something brutal and monstrous. “However, you should know—any attempt to betray me or expose our operations here will end in your death and the death of your loved ones. And those deaths will not be quick or painless.”
A shiver of intuition ran down my spine, but I waved a hand, mimicking his indifference. “You and your kind can continue doingwhateveryou want. All I ask is to return to my solitary life in the forest when we’re through.” I leaned forward, placing my hands on the wooden desk and allowing my claws to scratch over the weathered surface. “Butyoushould know, an old crone like me has few loved ones, and I would be just as happy to enter the Nav as continue to exist in this world.”
Matthew smiled again, his smug satisfaction a tangible thing. “Oh, that may be so, but you’d be surprised how creative we can get, delivering pain to those who try to stand against us.” His gaze suddenly shifted to Nox again as he added, “Your friend found that out for himself or, I should say...hismotherdid.”
Chapter 4
Asa
“Remember, honey, oaks grow stronger in contrary winds.”
I sat up with a start at the sound of my mother’s voice, shocked to find myself back in my childhood bedroom in Savannah. Although I hadn’t lived here for over a decade, it looked exactly the same as the day I left. My gaze traveled to the rolltop desk in the corner, where I’d spent many hours preparing for a life beyond these stifling walls. Shelves covered the navy blue walls, containing rows of awards and medals—everything from Boy Scouts to Little League to spelling bees—a clear reminder of how my worth was measured in this family.
I ran two fingers over the quilt beneath me, marveling at how my mother’s stitches were always so evenly spaced. It was as if the attainment of perfection was ingrained in her daily existence as well. Grief welled up in my chest, but I tamped it down, determined to keep myself intact in honor of the woman who taught me to be strong.
Then, I felt her in the house.
Gasping in astonishment, I leaped to standing, feet tangling in the quilt as I stumbled toward my bedroom door. Wrenching it open, I paused in the darkened hallway, allowing my senses a moment to tune in to who was with me in the extravagant, Antebellum house. I could smell the sugary sweetness of pecan praline pie drifting up the back stairwell and hear the distant hum of a riding mower from somewhere far off on the estate. However, nothing else mattered besides the achingly familiar presence pulling me in the direction of the sweeping main stairway.
Cautiously, I descended, avoiding the steps I knew would creak and give me away. I still wasn’t entirely sure how I’d ended up back in Georgia, wearing the same torn clothing as when Koschei had taken me from the crater. However, I wasn’t going to waste a moment questioning the logic. Not if it meant seeing her face again.
As I reached the expansive foyer, my gaze caught on the heirloom table at its center. The smell of furniture polish blended with the lilies elaborately arranged in the oversized antique vase, although I saw no sign of the usual staff. The downstairs was oddly vacant, so I quickly headed for the library, feeling that tug on my heart grow stronger with every step I took.
My frantic pace skidded to a stop outside the door. My heart was thundering in my chest, my hands shaking as I attempted to steady myself. Time seemed to slow as I turned the knob, praying to a god I didn’t even believe in for this to be more than just a dream.
Please let this be real.
My breath caught as I entered the library, the comforting scent of magnolia and Pond’s Cold Cream washing over me, causing a gasp of relief to slip past my lips.
“Mama?” I choked out, not caring in the least that my voice cracked.
She was curled up on the far window seat, comfortably nestled among the pillows and throws, a Mary Oliver book held open in her familiar hands. Upon seeing me, she lowered the book and softly smiled in that way of hers that lit up the entire room. She looked just as I remembered—beautiful strawberry blond curls and eyes the same pale blue as my own, crinkling with joy in the corners.
I raced forward, desperate to see her more clearly, to memorize her face, but the library started to unnaturally stretch, creating a chasm between us that seemed endless. Still, I plowed ahead, but the closer I got, the more her features started to blur and flicker, like an old TV with a poor signal.
“Please…” I rasped, trying to get to her, to touch her soft skin and feel her fingers running through my hair. “Please, don’t leave me again.”
“Oh, Asa,” she sweetly hummed, her calm tone washing over me like honey, even as she faded from sight. “Haven’t you realized? This box of darkness that I gave you was a gift.”
