Page 17 of One For my Enemy

Not until recently, that is, but that is a story still to come.

What else is there to know about Marya Antonova, in the end? Only that now, she is called Baba Yaga, and of all her many trinkets, her daughter remains the greatest treasure of them all.

II. 2

(To Feign Devotion.)

Much as Lev had hoped the events of the evening would somehow become untrue, nothing had changed upon his arrival back home.Sasha Antonova,his phone still inexplicably said, and Lev waited as Roman stared down at the screen, contemplating it.

“Well, you’ll have to see her again, and soon,” Roman determined eventually, and Lev blinked. He’d been expecting something much more volatile; anger, perhaps, or at the very least, a harsh indication of displeasure. Some inescapablewhat have you done?

“What? Roma, I—”

“This,” Roman pronounced brusquely, holding up the screen, “is a highly useful blessing. A stroke of fortune.” He handed the phone back to Lev, rising swiftly to his feet. “You have to get close to her, Lev. Get as close to her as you can, in fact. Make sure she turns to you before anyone else.”

“But—”

“The Antonova daughters—allof them,” Roman reminded him emphatically, “are powerful witches who keep to themselves. An opening like this doesn’t come along often, Levka. This witch could be the key to besting Yaga, to accomplishing restitution for Dima—she could be the crack in the Antonova foundation. Think about it,” he said, resting his dark gaze on Lev. “The mother is controlling, the sisters are ruthless. She must be desperate for love, for romance—right? So, easy. Romance her.”

“Roma, I’m not a whore,” Lev growled, and Roman shrugged.

“Not yet,” he permitted, flashing Lev half a smile, “but I’m sure you could accomplish anything if you put your mind to it.”

That, Lev determined, was hugely unhelpful. “You want me touseher,” he objected. “Even if I wanted to, Roma, it would be difficult. If she’s anything like her sister Marya—no, no, forget Marya, even,” he amended frantically, waving a hand. “If she’s usually anything like what I saw for myself tonight—”

“Then she’ll probably kill you if you cross her, yes,” Roman agreed. “So let it feel real, then. As real as you can fake it. Let her think you love her,” he suggested blithely. “Let her think you adore her. Will that be difficult?”

Lev hesitated;Is she ugly,Roman had probably meant, but that was hardly the issue. Sasha Antonova was beautiful. In fact, she was more than beautiful; she was lovely and spirited and interesting and razor-sharp with cynicism, and Lev was fairly sure it would be easy to feel devotion.

Tofeigndevotion, though, was a completely separate matter.

“You’re certain this is necessary, Roma?” Lev asked his brother, grimacing.

Roman gave him an impatient glance ofyes, I told you, haven’t I made that clear?,and Lev sighed.

Could he harm Sasha? No, probably not.

But could herobher? Almost certainly, so long as the two were distinct. After all, her sister had nearly cost him his brother. It was a fair payment, Lev thought. A reparation of sorts.

“You swear,” Lev said slowly, “this is about the money and nothing else?”

“Only the money,” Roman promised. “She’ll be fine.”

Lev sighed. “Fine,” he determined unhappily. “Fine. For Dima, then, I’ll do it.”

Roman nodded. “For Dima,” he confirmed, and returned his attention to the quaking boxes in the shop’s storage room, dutifully carrying on with their father’s wishes despite the protests from the creatures inside.

II. 3

(Unacceptable Hours.)

(212) 555-3863:good morning

(212) 555-3863:I know I should wait—

(212) 555-3863:what’s the rule? 3 days?

(212) 555-3863:anyway, doesn’t matter, because I can’t

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