Dark Goddess by Sarwat Chadda

Author:Sarwat Chadda
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Fiction - Young Adult
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Published: 2011-05-06T23:04:01+00:00

25

“FOLLOW US,” SAID PAISLEY

The man with the big beard let Dimitri get to his feet, and tucked away his knife.

The Polenitsy got into their own car, a nondescript white Volvo. Paisley motioned to them to follow as they started the engine.

“And what else have you been hiding?” snapped Ivan the moment he sat down.

“Please, Ivan, we need their help.”

Ivan crossed his arms. “Tell me. Everything.”

“I will. But let’s go.” The Polenitsy car rolled away into the light traffic.

Ivan gave a single curt nod to Dimitri, and the car started up.

“What is Fimbulwinter?” He sank his head in his hands. He looked shattered. The news of Koshchey’s betrayal threatened to overwhelm him. That, and how the Bogatyrs had become so swiftly corrupted. His father’s legacy, everything he was striving for, was in tatters.

So, as they trailed behind the Polenitsy, Billi explained. She told Ivan how they’d found Vasilisa, how they’d discovered she wasn’t just a psychically gifted child but an avatar, a being with the power to control nature. Ivan listened, not moving, his eyes barely blinking. Eventually Billi finished. They sat silently for a minute. Ivan had a lot to take in.

“You really think Vasilisa can cause such a huge cataclysm?” said Ivan.

“She felt the eruption of Vesuvius and was able to damp it down, so she’s certainly got a psychic link with volcanoes. Beyond that we don’t truly know. But we have to assume the worst case, that Vasilisa has the power to cause a super-volcanic eruption.”

“And why didn’t you tell me this?”

“Ivan, I’ve made mistakes before, trusting someone because I cared about them too much, trusting them too early.” Billi touched the scar on her neck. “I was betrayed and a lot of people died. I couldn’t make that mistake again.”

“Who was this person?”

“Michael. Your Michael.”

Ivan gasped. “So it is true. Michael was cast down.”

“Believe me, he deserved it.” Billi took his hand. “My not telling you sooner should change nothing between us. I trust you, Ivan. I need your help.”

Ivan slowly nodded. But he still pulled back his hand. “Nothing that I thought I knew aboutmy fatheror even this situation is as I imagined it. You are not the only one who needs some time to trust now, Billi.”

They drove for an hour, not speaking much, before the Volvo stopped and Paisley got out. Dimitri drew their own car up beside the Volvo. As soon as they’d stopped, Ivan got out and confronted Paisley.

“Come and see,” she said.

They’d parked beneath a massive, rumbling bridge. Cars roared overhead and graffiti covered the concrete supports. Three large semitrailers sat gathering rust, and the shell of a burned-out car lay among the weeds and piles of rubbish. A tall wire fence lined the far side, isolating this derelict area from another equally derelict zone.

“Have you ever wondered why the vampires no longer hunt in Moscow?” asked the woman.

“Koshchey has driven most of them out,” said Ivan.

“No. Koshchey made a deal with the blood-drinkers.” The woman walked up to one of the trailers.

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