Page 52 of Cry of the Firebird

"That would be a killjoy when you're having sex," Katya quipped.

"Silly Katya go to Mir and tink she know everyting," Baba Zosia mocked, her accent becoming thick with scorn. "Leaves tribe to run with men and become a harlot."

Katya rolled her eyes at Anya. "I've no time to be a harlot. I'm too busy killing things that stupid people can't see."

"You hunt in the human world? Where? How do you get in? I thought the gates were all guarded."

"They can't stop us, little Anya. We move between Skazki and Mir as effortlessly as you do. We've roamed since time began. We are of both worlds, and both worlds recognize us as belonging to it," Katya said. "I have an apartment in Budapest, one in Moscow, and one in Paris. It depends on where the trouble is brewing and how quickly I can get there."

"All you are doing is cleaning up other people's mess. You and your friends cause more trouble than the monsters," Aleksandra huffed.

"You know other hunters in the human world?" Anya asked.

Baba Zosia's magic had knocked her down hard, and her brain still felt like it was vibrating in her skull.

"A few. We are loners by nature, but there are people I can call if I ever need backup."

"You were amazing yesterday. You're half the size of Izrayl, and you were kicking his ass."

Katya grinned. "Thanks. I could show you a trick or two."

"I could show you both a trick or two," Cerise said, strolling in. "I was wondering if you were up yet. I came to do the nurse thing and check on you. What the fuck are you doing on the floor?"

"I'm fine," Anya lied as Cerise helped her up and into a chair.

"I talked to the boys, and they said you are heading to Paris," Katya said to Cerise.

"What of it, hunter?"

"I was thinking of heading back that way myself, and from what Trajan said, you have Vasilli after you." Katya flashed a bloodthirsty grin. "Hunting the Darkness is my fave kind of sport."

"You want to come with us?" Anya asked in surprise.

"If you'll have me. Trouble is following you, and you need an extra warrior in your group. Not that Fido doesn't do an okay job." Anya smiled and wondered if Katya would ever have the guts to call Izrayl 'Fido' in front of him. One look at her sharp, scarred face, and Anya suspected she would.

"I have contacts in Europe. If Vasilli and the Darkness are starting to cause trouble, the hunters will know what activity is going on," Katya said. "Vasilli would have his allies looking everywhere for you, and he would've alerted the Darkness throughout Russia. You killed Vischto and added insult to injury by turning him down in that dream of yours."

"Because that turned out so well for me," Anya said, waving her bandaged hand at them. "He's going to know the thorns are out."

"Not necessarily. Baba Zosia said that if they remain in your blood, he may not be able to," Aleksandra replied.

"Well, that's something, at least," Anya said.

Cerise tapped her long nails on the arm of her chair. "We can deal with the Darkness and train Anya how to defend herself, but it's the magic we really need to find you a teacher for, and we don't know any shamans."

"I have some friends who might be able to help, seeing how you can't stay here with us and learn with Aleki," Katya said.

"You know gates magic?" Anya asked, turning to Aleksandra.

"Not in the way that would be useful to you. We are a world walker tribe, which means we know of many back ways that cross into the human world and other worlds. The magic to find those weak places is what I can use. But I can't open and close them on command, especially not established ones. It's more like scrying than what a real gatekeeper can do," Aleksandra explained. "Baba Zosia doesn't want you to stay with us. We won't risk our people if Vasilli comes for you."

"I understand," Anya replied with a nod. She didn't want Vasilli anywhere near innocent people, especially not because of her. She could only imagine what kind of damage the black dragon could have done to people to get at her.

Aleksandra looked at Katya thoughtfully. "What about the Twins? They might be able to show her some things. They walk the paths of the dream worlds and understand boundary magic. They could help."

"I can call them when we get to Paris. We need to teach her something easy now, though, to stop her from trailing so much magic everywhere. It's like breadcrumbs for Vasilli and any Power in the area. If I'm going with them, I don't want that kind of heat always after us. How about something easy like scrying? She's got her own runes," Katya suggested.

Aleksandra hummed. "That will be a useful skill. If you're serious about going with them, I suggest teaching her to mind-link with you too."

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