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She could hear Vladik's cries of fear and alarm, but she couldn't acknowledge them. Her rage was absolute. Magic tore through her and black and gold wings exploded from her back. Feathers pushed out from her face and arms until she was half bird, half woman.
She was fury incarnate as she rose in the air, spread her wings wide, and screeched out all the pain and heartache inside of her. Golden power blasted out of her in zigzagging bolts of lightning. Mercenaries and thevolhvtried to flee as it began to strike at them. With every hit, her targets burst into charred gore.
Chernobog stumbled backward as she began to close in on him.
"This isn't over, Morana! I will raise an army and wipe your minions from this earth,"he shouted before a portal opened, and he flew backward into it. Zori's bolt of lightning hit the portal, collapsing it on itself. Silence fell around her, and she whirled to face her people. They were staring with wide eyes; some had lowered themselves to their knees.
Vladik came forward and stared at the creature she had become. There was no fear in his eyes. Only love. "It's over, puppy. Let the magic go. You saved me. You saved all of us."
Zori struggled against the words and finding her way back to him. The magic felt so good. After a lifetime of being suppressed, it was free for the first time, and it didn't want to be caged again.
"Come to me, puppy. Let me take you home," Vladik said and held a hand out to her. Zori's fingers touched his, and she floated back down to him. The magic receded, the wings and feathers and rage ebbing away. She dropped into his arms, a human girl once more.
Vladik pulled her tight to him, and she buried her face into his neck, breathing in his scent and letting it ground her. She was so tired.
"Vladik," she whimpered before the darkness claimed her.
32
Zori woke slowly to a cool cloth being placed on her forehead and Irina's low whispers. She cracked open an eye and found herself bundled up in Vladik's bed. Her grandmother was murmuring softly, and light was pouring from her hands as she moved them an inch above Zori's body.
"What happened?" Zori asked, her voice cracking.
Irina started in surprise and then threw her arms around Zori. "Oh, my baby. You are okay. You are okay."
"I feel fine," Zori replied and patted Irina's back. She didn't feel hurt or tired, merely drowsy.
Irina leaned back, quickly swiping the tears off her cheeks. "You've been asleep for over twenty-four hours. I was so worried Chernobog's spell had gotten you. Or that Morana's magic that morphed you into that thing…"
"It wasn't Morana's magic," Zori said and slowly sat up. She was in one of Vladik's T-shirts, and her hair had been unbound from its braids.
Irina offered her a cup of water. "What do you mean?"
Zori sipped the water slowly and tried to sort through her memories and feelings of the attack. "I saw Chernobog and Maxim go for Vladik. Morana was possessing me and wasn't moving to save him. I…shoved her out."
"You are saying that creature you turned into…was you?" Irina sat down, the air whooshing out of her. "How can that be?"
"Protective mate crazy mode? How am I meant to know? I don't know much about my magic. Most of the time I am running off instincts." Zori looked about the room. "Where is Vladik?"
"I'm relieving him. He hasn't left your side, and Aleksandr had to come and drag him away to discuss what they are going to do with Maxim's tower."
Zori's brows rose. "They got it?"
"They did. The mages have changed the wards too, so Maxim and hisvolhvcan't get back into it. It's a lot to sort out. Maxim never returned there, and we have no way to track the portal that was created by Chernobog," Irina explained. She took Zori's hand. "You were very brave to face him that way. I'm sorry for any grief you might be feeling over him."
A lump rose in Zori's throat. "It might take me some time. I don't… I don't know what to do now."
"I might have an idea about that," Irina said, toying with one of her earrings thoughtfully. "There is a witch I used to know that had a daughter. They were blessed as vessels for the goddess Louhi and could also change forms into swans. You could say they are cousins to the swan wives. She might be able to help train you in your abilities because there is no one in the city that is a vessel. There certainly isn't anyone that has a third form like you showed. If you wish, I'll send someone to fetch her."
Zori pushed her hands through her hair. "Do what you think is going to be best. As for me, I'm to have a shower and find my mate."
"I believe he will find you first," Irina said, rising to her feet. She kissed Zori on the forehead. "Love him with all your heart, Zori. Cherish him. The connection you have is rare. Come by in the next few days." She laughed softly and shot Zori a wink. "If he lets you."
* * *
Zori hada shower and was hunting food in Vladik's fridge when the back door banged open, and he charged in.
"What are you doing out of bed?" he demanded.
