Page 51 of My Wild Horse King

“He can track you with that,” Kristiana says. “He could be waiting downstairs for us right now.”

“I can’t decide whether her ignorance is a good thing for us or very, very bad,” Grigoriy says. “Although in this case, it’s clearly bad.”

“You might have led the wolves right to the door,” Aleksandr says.

“I told you we should’ve kicked her out the second she arrived,” Adriana says.

“I hardly think he’s going to be flying out to the United States any time soon,” Katerina finally says. “Turn on any news network. They’re reporting on his whereabouts and actions constantly. He can’t hop on the next United flight and stroll through the streets of New York City without everyone knowing about it.”

“Maybe he’ll come as a horse,” Adriana says. “He could escape customs without anyone knowing, the same way you did.”

Katerina rolls her eyes like she doesn’t know Adriana’s kidding. “He can’t shift into a horse. Everyone knows that.”

“He could just get on a private jet. He’s the leader of Russia,” Adriana says.

“Wait, come back to the horse thing,” I say. “Why can’t this guy who has fire, electric, and water powers shift when the rest of you can? And Alexei and Katerina don’t even have their powers, but they can still shift, right?”

I suddenly also find myself wondering what Katerina’s horse looks like. Is it a palomino with a long, flowing whitish mane and tail?

“We have to master our powers before we can shift into a horse form,” Alexei says softly. “Since Leonid has the capacity to master all the affinities, he won’t be able to shift until. . .”

“He’d have to take Grigoriy and Aleksandr’s powers first,” Mirdza says. “Which means that once Leonid starts shifting, we’re all doomed.”

Katerina nods.

“But how did you discover what his powers were?” I ask. “I’m still confused. Katerina said they kept it a secret.” Although, I did just tell Katerina she doesn’t have to talk. I’m probably not being very helpful, with my irritating questions.

“Before we get into any of that, hand it over.” Grigoriy prowls across the room and extends his hand toward her. “Now.”

“Hand over—oh. The phone?” Katerina blinks.

“No, your makeup bag.” Grigoriy rolls his eyes. “Yes, the phone he can use to track your location.”

It takes her a moment, but Katerina rummages around in her bag and pulls out a slim silver phone. “Here.”

After smashing it rather violently on my wooden floor, leaving several gouges that make me cringe, he fills the sink with water and drops the pieces in.

“Was that really necessary?” I sigh. “You know barely more than she does about technology, clearly.”

“Leonid already knew Gustav’s name—Daniel Belmont—and his location—New York City.” Katerina shoots me an apologetic look. “I’m sorry that he knows all that, but I swear he seemed entirely serious about not having an interest in you. . .unless you start trying to. . .”

“Use the magic I’m supposed to have, I know. Here’s what I don’t get,” I say. “Why would he care about me?” I shake my head. “I’m an adult who knew nothing about any of this, and I have no idea what you people think I can do.”

“Baba Yaga said something about plumbing.” Adriana says. “She said she had given magic to Rurik’s line, and then later, when she thought it had died out, she gave the same magic to the new ruling class, only instead of giving everything to one person, she split it up. Fire. Water. Air. Electricity. Earth.” Adriana inhales slowly. “But she didn’t explain anything other than the fact that the power comes from the same place. In order to use his power, Leonid needs permission from the new magic users, but once he has it, only he can allow them to use it. Or more importantly, he can cut them off.”

“And you think that I. . .?” I raise my eyebrows. “What? What do you think I can do about all that?”

“We think that Leonid has the original Rurikid power,” Kristiana says from her spot on the sofa. “And we think that our family was the balancer in the new round.”

“Which means?”

“We think you can do what Leonid can,” Aleksandr says. “Or at least, we hope you can.”

“And by that, you mean that you hope I can use all the powers?” I frown. “So you think I’m going to, like, what? Train my powers and then attack him head on?”

“It sounds a little silly when you put it that way,” Kristiana says, “but yes. Something like that.”

I stare at my little sister who thinks I’m the future Iron Man. “That’s never going to happen. It’s not who I am, not even deep down. I’m the guy who ran after Mom died. I’m the guy who put as much distance as I could between myself and Dad’s gambling problem. I’m not proud of it, but I’m not the guy who trains and fights the villains of the world. I’m the guy who turns and runs.”

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