AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Zori.The swan knew that name. It washername. She rubbed her feathered head against the man's cheek.
"Zoria? Can you hear me, puppy?" the man said.
Vladik…a voice inside the swan replied. The swan didn't want to be human again.Need him. Need Vladik.The swan stilled. They did need him.Home. Home. Safe.
"Zoria, I need you to follow my voice. Come back to me. You can do it. I know you can," Vladik insisted.
Black mist began to pour from her once more as the woman fought the swan for domination. She flapped out of Vladik's arms and landed awkwardly on the floor.
"Careful, careful, don't hurt yourself. It's going to be okay," Vladik crooned softly, hovering over her.
"Give her space. This could get messy," a deep voice said from the other side of the room.
Zori needed Vladik. Needed her own body. Heat roared through her, and she cried out, her swan song changing to a human scream as her body shifted back. She was crouched on the floor, blood and feathers all around her. A cape of black feathers covered her shoulders. She stared up at Vladik.
"H-Help me," she begged.
"I'm here, puppy. I have you," Vladik said, picking her up off the floor.
Zori pressed her bloody face into his neck, breathing in his scent. "Home. Safe."
"Yes, puppy," he replied. "Kaspian, tell the high priestess we have her granddaughter."
"Will do. I'm making myself scarce. This is too much excitement for me," the stranger said.
Zori couldn't stop shaking, her mind fractured. "C- Cold."
"I know. It's going to be okay." Vladik carried her into a large bathroom. He tried to put her down, but her grip on him tightened.
"No, no," she sobbed.
"Okay. Just let me get your cape. Wouldn't want to get that wet when it's so pretty." Vladik held Zori with one hand and gently tugged the cape from her shoulders. He placed it on the counter, and she shivered just looking at it. Vladik carried her into a large shower and turned on the hot water.
"Here we go, beautiful. Let's get you warm," he whispered softly. He carried her under the spray and sat down on a tiled bench, Zori still in his lap. Blood and feathers poured off her and onto the gray tiles. Vladik soaped up a soft cloth and began to gently rub it over her shoulders. Zori leaned into the touch, her skin hypersensitive.
"Can you tell me what happened?" Vladik asked. Zori shook her head and then rested it against his shoulder. She was so tired.
"Home. Safe," she murmured against his neck, inhaling his warm, spicy scent.
"Yes, puppy. You're home and safe." Lips pressed to her forehead. "Sleep now. I'll look after you."
Zori curled further into him and closed her eyes.Thank you, stranger, she said to the darkness and the stars.
You're welcome, little daughter,the stars said back.
15
Vladik watched Zori sleep soundly in his bed, wrapped in blankets to keep her from shivering. It had been a long, strange night. He didn't expect her to shift or find him. Howdidshe find him in this city of thousands? He had wards on the warehouse as well. She… She was incredible. She could also barely talk when she arrived, so he was happy to let her sleep as long as she needed.
Vladik shut the door quietly behind him and went to find his phone. He couldn't avoid it forever. He found Irina's number and held the device to his ear.
"About time you called me, Vladislav," she answered coolly. "Tell me what's happening? Kaspian sent me a message saying, 'Got her' and a fucking smiley face. Why is she still there, and why did a half dead Misha drop into my living room?"
Vladik went to the kitchen and poured himself a vodka. He was going to need it. "There was a change of plans, and before you start yelling at me, it was Zoria's idea," he said firmly. He ended up telling Irina everything. He was too worried about Zori to hold anything back. "I don't know what happened to cause her to shift. All I know is she crashed right into my arms, Irina. She was glittering with magic like stardust. It was…incredible."
"What else?" Irina said.
Vladik stared at the cape that was on his kitchen table. "She's a black swan. I've never seen a black swan wife in my entire life."
