Page 48 of Call of the Ride
“While pointing your heel at the sun at its peek,”Vasi murmured, absently removing her necklace as she approached the stone. As if guided by something greater than herself, she placed the pendant in a jagged hole, gasping in wonder when it snapped into place. “This must be the heel stone! The riddle meantpeek,not peak,” she exclaimed, elaborately gesturing, so we understood the difference. The rest of us silently watched as the stone behind her glowed with the golden light of sunrise, illuminating our dark and delicious witch like an angel of death.
Goddess, she’s perfect...
“Well, shit,” Tan chuckled. “Good thing we got an early start on the orgy, ya? Or else we would’ve missed our chance.”
“I dunno,lan,”Nox rumbled. “Something tells me we arrived at exactly the time we were supposed to. I’ve been thinking about how everything happens for a reason…” he trailed off as we all gaped at him, quickly replacing his smile with a signature scowl. “What? I’m not allowed to be philosophical?”
Tan snorted. “I’m surprised you know what ‘philosophical’means,you fucking meathead. Although, I must say, it is adorable how you’ve been showing your softer side lately. It makes me all tingly, like I’m in danger of swooning or…ouch!” Nox punched Tan in the arm, effectively ending the teasing and firmly reminding us who was the grumpiest man in all the land.
Philosophical Nox is officially canceled.
“Drink the water, sweetness,” I urged, remembering how this was the moment our witch would see where Koschei’s death was buried.
We all held our breath as she drained the canteen, eagerly awaiting the vision to come. To my surprise, she simply frowned and shook her head. “I…all I saw was more forest destruction. It doesn’t make any sense…” Her shoulders slumped in defeat and my heart broke at the disappointment in our bond. Rushing to Vasi’s side, I pulled her tightly against me, attempting to send her soothing energy and encouragement. I didn’t press her to elaborate on her vision, choosing instead to trust in my witch’s intuition—and in our collective fate.
Everything will be revealed in time.
I hope.
With newly boosted power thrumming in our veins, we quickly dressed and mounted our horses before heading back to Vasi’s forest—to home. At this point, I considered her forest, and hut,mineas well, and had been aching to return in a way that I’d never felt for Savannah. My witch rode on Praline with me, so I spent the journey enjoying the feel of her curves and the scent of her sweetness, incredibly content despite the uncertainty that still lay ahead.
By mid-day, we’d arrived at the swan settlement to find not only the clan leaders and Anthia waiting for us, but Veles, Marena, and Jarilo. The gathered shifters were already eyeing the gods with wariness and awe, but when we landed, a collective gasp traveled through the crowd.
I assumed the shock was because of the magical flying horses until Marena appeared at my side. “It’s the horns, silly,” she laughed, picking up on my confusion. “Gods usually only show their horns when they’re going into battle, or when they feel the need to constantly measure their virility…” She threw a pointed look at Veles, and I suddenly realized why he’d been so incensed by our horns that day in the grove.
Oh, fuck.
“Why didn’t you tell us this before Rena,” I hissed under my breath, horrified to realize we’d essentially been walking around with our dicks in our hands. I wasn’t entirely surehowto make my horns disappear, and a quick glance at the thick pair on Tan’s head made me wonder if I even wanted them to.
The goddess shrugged, unrepentant. “Meh, I didn’t think it was the worst thing for the three of you to assert your dominance, especially if it made Vel squirm.” With a saucy wink, she roughly nudged me toward the waiting shifters.
I tensed, realizing all eyes were on me, as ifIwere expected to speak as the representative of our party. Yes, I’d taken on the responsibility during our last meeting here, but that was more because Nox was missing and Tan had little interest in public relations. I threw a discreet glance at my witch, unsure what I was supposed to do, inwardly sighing in relief when she joined me at my side.
“You are a natural leader, my Beautiful Sun,” she murmured under her breath. “So, do what you do best, knowing that we’re behind you no matter what.”
She believes in me.
I immediately felt myself stand a little taller at her words, the practiced demeanor of my early years seamlessly sliding into place as I addressed the crowd. “Thank you for meeting us here today,“ I began, genuinely grateful to see so many in attendance. “As you may have heard, we killed the man responsible for leading the atrocities at the Facility. However, there is more work to be done—more guilty parties to be held accountable, and still more shifters to free from captivity. We have a list of locations to liberate and are therefore requesting the finest warriors from each clan assist us in these efforts.”
“And what of The Devouring?” Gerard called out, and I saw raw fear in his eyes. “It still advances—even more aggressively since you left for London. At this rate, the entire forest will soon fall, leaving us with nowhere safe to live.”
Vasi stepped forward, and I was more than happy to let her handle this one. “My Riders and Iwillstop The Devouring, Gerard, you have my word.” She paused and cleared her throat, as if what she was going to say next was difficult. “I feel compelled to share that the damage was caused by the former Yaga making a deal with Koschei. She acquired a piece of his death and buried it beneath the earth, with plans to use it as collateral to rule over the forest.” An astonished murmur traveled through the crowd, but Vasi’s voice rang out again, silencing the gossip. “I know this is shocking to many, as Yagas have been entrusted with your care since time began. But I promise you, I am not like her, and I will do whatever it takes to saveourforest.”
The pride I felt at that moment was unmatched. Vasi may not have planned on becoming Baba Yaga, but it was obvious from the moment we met that the well-being of the forest and its inhabitants was important to her. True, she’d made mistakes and had her fair share of dark moments, but so had the rest of us. What mattered now was her determination to fulfill her legacy, and a quick glance over the assembled shifters showed they took Vasi at her word.
As they should.
Over the next few hours, warriors and generals were sent over to discuss strategy with my brothers and I before regrouping with their own clans. I was heartened by their overwhelming desire to help, but it was apparent that these would not be simple attacks. The liberation efforts would take time to execute, as each mission needed to be meticulously planned to ensure the safety of the imprisoned shifters. In contrast, the Facility’s headquarters in London only housed those responsible.
So there’s no reason to delay wiping it from the face of the earth.
“Veles!” I called out, and the god of the underworld approached, with Jarilo at his side. “Those homemade bombs of yours—how effective are they in blowing up buildings?”
Before he could reply, Jarilo interrupted, “You make homemade bombs, Vel? Well, that makes you about 10% cooler than I thought you were.”
Veles rolled his eyes, although I sensed he was pleased with the attention, before narrowing that fiery gaze at me. “What do you mean, how effective are they at blowing up buildings? That’s why I gave the bombs to you, remember?”
Vasi grimaced. “I may have attempted to blow up Matthew with one, but Nox stepped in and that’s when he disappeared into the darkness…”
