AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"This is the ceremony," he said, gesturing at the partying people. "It's to celebrate Morana's time in the best way we know how."
"Well, I'd like to celebrate with another glass of wine if I could convince you to go and get me one," Zori asked, fluttering her lashes at him.
Vladik pressed a quick kiss to her lips. "I'll be right back. Don't wander too far."
"I won't. I'm going to watch the musicians," she promised.
Vladik headed off one way, and she went the other. Everyone seemed so…happy. Zori had always felt on the outside looking in, and now for the first time, she was allowed to join the party. She breathed in the smells of smoke and sugar and was so overwhelmed at being a part of something that she didn't notice the man until he was standing right in front of her. He was wearing a tattered overcoat and had a gray pallor to his cheeks. He looked unwell. He smiled at her with broken yellow teeth.
"Oh! Hello," she said, startled. There were a few men about—Zori assumed they were gargoyles preferring their human form for the night—but he didn't feel like a gargoyle. He was too small and slender.
"Zoria, I have come with a message for you," he said with a bow of his head. "Return to Maxim and no one has to die."
Zori stumbled back. "W-What did you say?"
The man's eyes went from brown to red, and a different voice came out of him. It was deep and ancient. "Zoria Nikolaeva, at last we meet."
Zori couldn't move. Fear had locked down her limbs. "Who are you?"
"You didn't think that Morana was the only god to speak with humans?"The man gave her a disbelieving look.
"C-Chernobog?" Zori whispered, her throat dry.
He bowed."I must say you are a lot prettier than her last vessel. You are positively brimming with power. I can see why Maxim was so eager to keep you locked up. It's a shame he didn't introduce us earlier. We could do great things together. Greedy little volhv."
"I don't want anything to do with you," she said. She needed to get away, but her body refused to move.
"You don't even know me, sweet swan. You think your new goddess has your best interests at heart? Morana will use you up just like she did with her last vessel. She breaks her toys like a petulant child. I'll make you a deal. You come to me willingly, and I will honor you above all others. You want revenge on Maxim? I'll give it to you. You want to rule the world? I'll make it happen. Come to me, and I will even spare this new family you're trying to build."
Zori shook her head. "Get away from me. This city is protected, and Maxim will never get in."
"I did,"Chernobog said. He lifted a brow. "You need a demonstration? I'm happy to provide one. Just remember, little swan. If I have to come in there and get you, I will slaughter everyone in my way."He shuddered, and the man's eyes went brown again. He started to chant, and Zori backed away from him, fear dumping down her spine. Midnight power rushed through her.
"Stay back!" she shouted at him. People turned to look at her like she was crazy. "Everyone, get away! Get away from him!"
The man laughed wildly, showing his fangs. Claws burst from his hands, and scarlet power shot out of him. It struck her in the chest where her pendant was, and it ricocheted off her. Morana's power filled her so quickly she gasped. Someone was calling her name, but she couldn't turn. The man was readying for another attack.
"Die,upiór,"Zori snarled in Morana's voice. She raised her hand, and magic shot out of her. It collided with the man, and he exploded in a rain of flesh and gore. The magic vanished, and Zori's knees gave out. Vladik caught her before she hit the ground, and everyone started to shout and scream as one.
26
"Zoria! What happened?" Irina and Aleksandr were suddenly by their side. Her grandmother gripped her hand.
"He was with Chernobog. They are going to attack the city if I don't go to him," Zoria said, her teeth chattering.
Aleksandr's face went cold. "Vladik? Leave Zoria with Irina. We need to mobilize, get this contained, and check the patrols. We need to find how the fuck he got into our city."
Vladik made sure Zori could stand on her own before he kissed her quickly. "Stay with Irina. Do not leave her side."
"I won't. Be careful! Morana called him anupiór," she said, gripping his arm.
"Fuck," Aleksandr muttered. "We need to go now, Vladislav."
"Be careful," Vladik whispered, letting her go and disappearing into the panicked crowd.
A group of women appeared, dressed in the priestess robes of the Mokosh temple. They circled the chunks of the dead man and made a barrier between it and the people. Those that had been hit by exploding debris were hustled behind the barrier to be checked over for injuries.
Irina squeezed Zori's hand once before climbing up onto the nearest table.
