Chapter 7

Anna woke up to the sound of movement some time during the night our early morning. She quickly rolled over and glanced at the digital alarm clock; the digits showed the time as being 01:29am. She heard some movement coming from Kate's bed. What a time to be up and about; she probably just needed to go to the bathroom or something. But as she settled back down to try and sleep again, the only door she heard open was the door to the corridor outside. She sat up, watching as Kate left the bedroom for the dark corridor outside.

"Kate!" she hissed.

He sister made no response. Sighing, Anna got to her feet and attempted to switch on the light; there was no power and the alarm clock was battery operated. She ferreted around inside her suitcase, picking up a large, heavy duty Duracell torch she had sent off for with tokens from the backs of battery packs. What a relief gut instinct told her to bring this; it was ultra bright with extra long battery life too. A proper search light and just the thing to find Kate with.

Switching it on, she left the room for the corridor outside; thank goodness for winter pyjamas that not only kept you warm but didn't leave you feeling under dressed outside. Anna followed Kate up the stairs, her younger sister not seeming to be bothered about the bright beam of light behind her. Where the hell was she going and how on earth could she see in the pitch black? Anna glanced nervously down the dark corridors; she hated power cuts because she hated the dark. Vsevolod had even said that would 'influence her choice' what ever that meant.

Quietly, Kate carried on up towards the eighth floor, Anna following her relentlessly. What a climb; seeing as there was a power cut, she doubted that the lift was working as she thought about it. Kate then left the stairwell and carried on off down the corridor, Anna also leaving the stairs to keep on her tail. This was quite surreal. She gripped the torch tightly against her shoulder; now she was beginning to feel rather anxious. There was something in the darkness that was unpleasant and it seemed to be luring Kate towards an open door. What would be through there?

Anna stood still and watched as Kate turned round and stood in the doorway of the room, staring straight ahead. Anna noticed that her nose was bleeding. Slowly, Kate walked into the room, but there were no further sounds as she disappeared from sight. Had she been setting herself up with some sleazy, clean shaven blonde tourist or something? But something else told her no; this was far more serious. Taking a deep breath, Anna walked towards the room, slowly entered and held up the search light to make the darkness shrink back.

"Oh my god!" Kate exclaimed.

Anna's eyes widened in shock. Kate had been grabbed from her shoulders by a familiar looking man. It was the guy with the long, greasy blonde hair and moustache that she'd seen in the restaurant on their first evening in Moscow. The same man who had talked to her this morning and that the electricians visiting the hotel seemed to be interested in.

"What is that?" Kate shouted.

"Stay calm," Anna replied.

"How can I? Something's just grabbed my arm!"

"I know, I can see him."

"Him? But there's no one here!"

Anna didn't reply to that. She looked at the man who was still holding her sister by the shoulder blades. The man glanced down at Kate briefly, smirking slightly before turning back to look at Anna. She backed off, holding the light steady as the man grinned at her, showing off his pronounced canines.

"You're after her blood, aren't you?" Anna queried.

"And you expected anything else?" the Vampire replied.

"Why can't she see you?"

"Because I am in the Gloom."

"Then why can I see you?"

"You are stuck between this world and the Gloom because of lack of experience."

"What the hell does that mean?"

"It'll take you if you don't back out."

"I really don't understand what you…"

"Time's running out."

But they were soon interrupted by the sound of more people running into the room with torches, several Russian voices shouting at once.

"This is Night Watch!" said the first.

"Semyon, get her out of the Gloom," said another.

Anna felt a cold darkness pull at her; a familiar darkness which she knew she'd seen before. From the expression on Kate's face, she could no longer see anyone around her. Suddenly, she felt a man's hands on her. She relaxed back into the warmth of whoever it was, swatting at the mosquitoes in front of her. But as the man behind her encircled her in his arms, she felt the darkness retreat.

"You're not ready for this yet," a familiar voice told her.

Anna looked back to her sister, watching as she was shoved away into the corner of the room, apparently by nothing. Now the Vampire had vanished, and the only people she could see in the room were her sister and the man behind her. A mirror on the wall soon shattered into fragments, Anna flinching at the sound.

"Have you got him?" the man behind her asked.

"He'll come cleanly," replied a disembodied voice.

"What's going on?" Kate screamed.

No one was listening to her as she sat on the floor, cowering on the floor in her small, thin pyjamas. Anna then watched as the lights on the ceiling came back on and the rest of the people in the room appeared. Bear and Anton were wrestling with the Vampire, who had his own blood streaming down his face from where it had been smashed into the mirror. From behind, Vyacheslav and Tiger Cub arrived, aiming their torches at the Vampire, who raised his hands to protect his face.

"Alright!" he protested. "I surrender!"

"You're under arrest," Vyacheslav stated.

"Fucking Night Watch at it again."

"Hey, we're doing out job mate."

"And I want to do mine!"

"We're not the ones breaking the Truce."

"Who are you all?" Anna cut in.

They all turned round to regard her.

"I already know what he is," she added.

"Tell her Semyon," Vyacheslav replied.

Semyon released Anna from his embrace, keeping one arm about her shoulders for good measure as he turned her round to face him. He smiled at her, her expression becoming clearer.

"You're the electrician!" she proclaimed.

"Technically yes," he replied. "My name is Semyon; I am an officer of the Night Watch. My comrades here are Anton, Lena, Ilya and Vyacheslav. Lena and Ilya are also known as Tiger Cub and Bear respectively, but you'll find out why later."

Each of the others nodded in turn.

"You are like us too," Semyon finished.

"You're all Others," Anna replied.

Vyacheslav nodded. "We're Light Others."

"Like my father's a Dark Other."

"You did speak to him then?"

"Just today, yes."

"Are you going to arrest me or what?" the Vampire exclaimed, angrily. "Or are you just going to hang around like lemons and tell your Lost Other about all the things she's missed over in England?"

Vyacheslav sighed. "Take him away."

Bear and Anton dragged the Vampire away, Tiger Cub remaining behind to take some photographs of the crime scene before leaving. Vyacheslav fiddled around inside his jacket pocket for a pad and a pen.

"I'll fill out this for out friend," he noted.

"What about the girl?" Semyon asked.

Vyacheslav looked over to Kate, who was still cowering in the corner.

"Hmm, I deal with that first," he stated.

"What are you going to do?" Kate asked, fearfully.

"Do something to relax you."

Vyacheslav indicated for Kate to come over. She glanced swiftly at Anna, who nodded and indicated for her to go with the man. Nervously, Kate got to her feet and was lead out of the room by Vyacheslav.

"What's he really going to do?" Anna asked.

"Wipe her memory of tonight," Semyon replied, offhandedly.

"Isn't that dangerous?"

"Vyacheslav knows what he's doing."

"Is that his gift then?"

"Amongst other things; he got you into this country."

"How?"

"By putting a thought into the head of the customs officer."

"So what's your gift then?"

"Oh, I'm a good driver! I'm a tough fighter…"

He trailed off and glanced down at her.

"Often underestimated, I can protect. I am a Magician and a Seer."

"And what does that do?"

"I can have visions of the future, mostly in order to protect someone which has been your father of late and people of the Inquisition. My main expertise is magic of course, but you'll have to find out what I can do yourself."

He winked at her, playfully.

"What about the rest of your comrades?"

"Anton's a Seer, Bear and Tiger Cub are shape shifters."

"What a wonderful bunch you are."

"Indeed!"

"So what am I?"

"A lot of that depends on what you choose to be and how far your powers stretch. I gather that you are fast at learning things; hence your fluency in Russian and your ability to come out of the Gloom on instruction. As for your power, I'm not sure what you can do, but I get the feeling from you that you feed off light like us."

"Does that mean I am a Light Other?"

"If you choose to be. You could be dark."

"When do I make my choice?"

"When ever you are ready, but do not be too long over taking your time! Going for too long without instruction in your gift is not good for you; you can die. But in the end, it's your decision and yours alone."

"But what do I do?"

"You could join the Night Watch."

"And the what? Hunt Vampires?"

"Catch Dark Others breaking the Truce, yes."

"What's the Truce?"

Semyon raised his hand to silence her.

"Geser will tell you that," he explained.

He caught her expression. "The Lord of Light."

"The boss of Gorsvet?"

"Exactly!"

"So what is the Vampire being arrested for?"

"Killing illegally; he's been charged with it before, but trust me, as much as you arrest them, they never learn. He targets young children mostly; a lot of them homeless. However, I think he had an extra motive trying to get your sister. I believe he wanted to try and force you to turn Dark."

"How did you know to come here?"

"Anton saw, and I drove!"

He smiled at her and lead her out of them room, keeping his arm about her shoulders. The lights in the building had now come back on, but none of the people staying here had come out to investigate all the commotion. Semyon lead Anna down the stairs towards the room on the third floor where Vyacheslav was standing outside talking to Sarah.

"Vyacheslav!" Semyon called.

"Alright," he replied, turning back to Sarah. "We need to take your older daughter with us to the station."

"Why?" Sarah asked.

"To write a statement about what happened here tonight; she and the man she's with. Your younger daughter is in no state to, and only your eldest daughter and the electrician were there to see what happened. Their evidence into this will be good enough to support a trial and imprison the man."

"Has he gone now?"

"It's all been taken care of."

"Is it safe then?"

"Of course! Good night, Mrs. Smith."

He turned away as he closed the door, taking the lead as he joined Anna and Semyon and went down to the ground floor. They left for the outside, Semyon taking off his jacket and wrapping it around Anna's shoulders. She thanked him quickly as she climbed into the yellow Gorsvet van, Vyacheslav squashing in next to her and Semyon getting in behind the steering wheel.

"You spoke to my mum in Russian," Anna told Vyacheslav.

"But I was translating telepathically," he replied.

"You're Vyacheslav then."

He nodded. "Vyacheslav Berezkev."

"Berezkev? You're Maxim's brother!"

"I've heard about you from him."

"So you knew I was coming?"

"It fitted well with Anton's visions."

"What a pity I never had them," Semyon added.

"Would you have liked to?" Vyacheslav asked, curiously.

"Oh yeah!"

He glanced down at Anna and smirked.

"You'd have filled my dreams nicely!"

He laughed and put his foot down on the accelerator, driving off away from the hotel. Vyacheslav picked up his black phone and dialled a number, holding it to his ear and waiting for the other person to pick up. Eventually, after waiting for the other person to reply, he spoke.

"Yes we're arrested him," he said.

There was a pause as the other person spoke.

"And we have Anna Vsevolovna."

Anna smiled at that; it made her sound more Russian.

"Yes, we're on our way now."

Vyacheslav put the phone down, Semyon having to make a quick turn as he nearly forgot it.

"You'll be best to use your Russian name," Vyacheslav told Anna. "It'll be less confusing for everyone because we don't do English names very well. When you go down on record, you'll be using your father's name; Anna Vsevolovna Kepalenko."

"Sounds good," she replied.

"Others are usually Russian."

"Usually?"

"Well, we have a few half Czechs, Poles and Serbs."

"You're all Slavs!"

"Of course! Even you are Slavic, if only half."

Semyon smirked. "Sounds better, doesn't it?"

Anna smiled at him. "Much better."

They soon arrived outside the Gorsvet Headquarters, Semyon parking his yellow truck outside. They wall climbed out, Bear and Anton taking the Vampire with them while Tiger Cub followed them with bags full of evidence. Semyon put an arm about Anna's shoulders as he lead her up the stairs into the Gorsvet building. They reached the top floor where the main office was and they walked in. Behind a desk, Anna saw for the first time, the Lord of Light; he was an average looking Russian with a bald head and rather on the overweight side.

"Ah Semyon!" Geser spoke from behind his desk.

"Anton's seeing to the Vampire," Semyon replied.

"I see you've brought Anna with you."

"Of course. She went after her sister while she was responding to the Vampire's call. I have every reason to believe that it was his intention to lure Anna there to make her join the Day Watch."

"Zavulon is up to something again."

"I think he made sure that he was staying there."

"You said you saw Alisa outside of the hotel."

"Watching the place like a fucking hawk."

"Do you think the Vampire was one of hers?"

"Most likely; I really hate that woman!"

Geser glanced at Anna briefly before turning back to Semyon.

"Perhaps she and Anna should meet."

"To put Anna off turning Dark you mean?"

Both of them laughed, Semyon turning to the attention of Anna's nonplussed expression. He smiled at her.

"What would you rather do?" he asked her. "Work in some dodgy nightclub or be an electrician?"

"I think you know the answer to that," Anna replied.

"Shall I get you a tool box then?"

"Semyon," Geser cut in. "She needs to hear more about the situation before she makes her choice. Although I can already guess which side she will take, seeing as you've made an attachment to her, I need to be sure I'm letting her no the story. I cannot be accused of influencing her choice."

"The story's enough to settle anyone's mind!"

"Perhaps so."

"But in the end, she's come to us Geser."

Geser sighed and glanced at Anna.

"I'd like to know anyway," she stated. "Just out of interest."

"Then take a seat," Geser replied.

Semyon pulled up a chair for her at the end of the long table, he sitting down next to her. Geser sat down at his desk and began to explain to Anna about the situation that brought about the Truce. How the forces of Light went about protecting humans from the Dark Others, who tortured mankind. Then he explained about the bloody battle on the bridge where Geser and Zavulon forged the Truce and the forces of Night Watch and Day Watch were formed. The key thing that was eventually agreed was that no Other could be forced to good or evil without choosing for themselves.

"That is why it's up to you," Geser concluded.

"So, you were there from the beginning?" Anna asked.

"Oh yes, even Semyon."

Anna glanced at him.

Semyon nodded. "I've been around for a long time, but don't let that fact bother you! I've been this young, healthy and good looking for all those millennia! I even stepped on a landmine in 1941, you know."

He observed her concerned expression.

"I'm alright though," he added.

"Of course he is!" Geser added. "I healed him."

"But what if the Dark forces are defeated?"

"The Day Watch cannot be defeated; the Truce forged between myself and Zavulon will not allow that to happen. Neither can really exist without the other, and this fight will go on for centuries to come, trust me. The Day Watch look out for Light Others breaking the Truce; it's a nasty game to play and Zavulon is dead set on winning it. Legend says that a Great Other will appear who is more powerful than any Other in existence today, and they shall break the balance. If they choose dark, then the Darkness will conquer and if they choose light, then the Light will conquer."

"Any sign of the Great Other?" Anna asked.

"No."

"We're all looking out," Semyon added.

"As are the Inquisition."

"Who are they? A third force?" Anna asked.

"They keep the Dark and Light Others from killing each other."

"It is a nasty business, then."

"So, are you ready?"

Anna sighed; this was so difficult and would possibly be the most important decision of her life. But then she found herself glancing at Semyon's pleasant face. There was a reason why she kept thinking about him, and other one for why Vsevolod suggested she should become an electrician. In her situation, there was only one choice she could make.

"Do I get one of these cool jackets too?" she asked.

Geser laughed. "Of course."

Semyon laughed and got to his feet, pulling Anna up off her seat and embracing her roughly. Laughing herself, she encircled him in her arms and relaxed against his podgy form, closing her eyes for a moment. Now this was the reason why she needed to come to Moscow; to find out where she belonged. Two things had worked themselves out today, not just the fact she'd been reunited with her real father. She had discovered why she could do strange things with her mind and she had found a man she felt she could grow feelings for. Yes, he was older than herself, but because Others did not age and die like humans, it didn't matter.

Geser took down Anna's size measurements and left the officer to get her some Gorsvet gear. She took the offer of a Gorsvet own T-shirt, a pair of trainers and Gorsvet combats too, seeing as it was most likely she'd end up going back to the hotel in her pyjamas other wise. She took of Semyon's jacket and handed it back to him, he taking it and putting it back on.

"We'll introduce you tomorrow," he told her.

"I guess it is a bit late now," Anna agreed.

"It's too late to take you back to the hotel."

"Will I have to stay here then?"

"Well, I was thinking that you are most welcome to stay over at my place tonight. You know, just for the night. I mean, I don't mind sleeping on the sofa for a change while you take the more comfy option."

"Really, if it's too much trouble I'll stay here."

"Oh no, I insist!"

She smiled at him. "In that case, I accept."

Geser returned back with a carrier bag containing the clothes he had fetched for Anna. She took them, Geser turning round and leaving her in peace to get changed. She put the carrier bag on the table and emptied out the contents; a Gorsvet jackets, black T-shirt with a Gorsvet company logo on it, khaki combat trousers and black trainers. She glanced up at Semyon, who was stood waiting for her.

"You too Semyon," she stated.

"Me too what?" he asked, confused.

"Leave the room while I get changed!"

"Oh sorry!"

He laughed and shared a smirk with her before turning around the leave the room. Ana watched him leave with a playful smile on her face, stopping him for a moment just before he opened the door.

"Semyon!" she called.

He turned back round.

"Nice arse, mate."

He blushed at that, opening the door and leaving Anna to get changed in Geser's office. Eventually, she changed into her knew clothes, stuffing her pyjamas back into the empty plastic bag. She left the office, standing next to Semyon who was standing talking with his boss.

"Very nice," Semyon observed.

"Thank you," she replied.

"But you're missing something," Geser noted.

He took a pair of dark sunglasses out of his pocket, handing them over to Anna. She took them and put them on, Semyon smiling and draping an arm about her shoulders.

"A perfect officer of the Night Watch," he proclaimed

"You'll need a partner," Geser noted.

"Hmm, like real police then12

"I think you and Semyon will make a good team. I might pair you up with Anton from time to time as well to keep him out of trouble. He's been cautioned by the Day Watch a few times has out Anton. The only one with a real clean record is Semyon, but he's been labelled down for verbal abuse occasionally."

"What a fucking stupid crime," Semyon grumbled.

"I can imagine," Anna replied, nodding her head.

"Do you have a place to stay for tonight?"

"Yeah, I'm taking her home," Semyon replied.

"Alright, but behave yourself!"

"Of course I will, you can always trust me."

They all laughed amongst themselves.

"Loyal Semyon," Geser noted, smiling.

Semyon and Anna left Geser to go back into his office, going back downstairs. They climbed into the yellow truck, Anna noticing how warm the Gorsvet jackets kept her in the cold air. Semyon drove them away from the city centre towards one of the inner city suburbs, eventually stopping outside an old concrete tower block.

"Not exactly fine," Semyon growled. "But it's home."

"Then I'm sure it will do," Anna replied.

"You might be coming here often."

"Don't push your luck, Semyon."

He laughed and winked at her, both of them getting out of the van. Semyon showed her through inside and up the stairwell to where his flat was situated on the fifth floor of the tower block. There were a couple of cracks in the walls and some of the paint was peeling off, but it was alright and definitely cosy. The one thing that did stand out was the wide screen TV in front of the sofa.

"Alright," Semyon began. "Kitchen's over there, bedroom's in there and the bathroom is there. Easy; it's all on one floor. You can sleep over in the room and I'll stay in here on this."

Anna eyed up the sofa critically.

"You wont fit on that!" she laughed.

"Oi, watch it," Semyon growled.

"I guess I shouldn't mind pinching your bed."

"I insist; it would be rude of me to offer the sofa."

"Thank you Semyon."

He shrugged. "We could always share I suppose."

"You're pushing it again."

He smirked. "Sorry."

"I'll be seeing you in the morning."

"I'd better leave a message at the hotel to let your mother know why you didn't come back. I'll have to say that you stayed overnight at the station or something. I'll have to ask them to translate."

"She would worry, I guess."

"Of course she would!"

"Good night Semyon."

She leaned over and kissed his cheek, disappearing off into the bedroom and shutting the door behind her. Semyon smirked to himself and cleared his throat, picking up the phone to call the hotel. This was a good day.