Chapter 13

Later that day, the Others had gathered outside of the Gorsvet Headquarters for a break, getting involved with a snowball fight while they waited for a duty call. Anna was helping Semyon, Bear and Tiger Cub build a snow version of the Spasskiy Tower while Vyacheslav was on the phone to his brother and Anton was at home, probably asleep. Semyon watched as Geser walked by and hurried indoors.

"Excuse me a moment," he noted.

He left the area, jogging over to the doorway and disappearing inside the building. Anna looked confused, watching the door as it blew shut behind her lover. However, her thoughts were interrupted as Bear attempted to build a snow star for the top of the tower, but failed rather miserably.

"Semyon wont like that," Tiger Cub noted.

"Maybe he can pinch a proper star for a bit," Bear replied.

"That'll go down well, I'm sure."

"What's up with Semyon today?" asked Anna.

"How do you mean?" Tiger Cub queried.

"He seems a little confused about something."

"Maybe he's ear's giving him trouble again."

Anna glanced at her. "Sorry?"

"Has Semyon not told you about that yet?"

"Hang on, is that the landmine thing?"

"Yeah. In 1941."

"He mentioned it briefly."

"He'll probably do so again."

Something suddenly caught Bear's attention and whatever it was made him cringe and drop the messy snow star. Following his gaze, Anna saw that he'd laid eyes upon a male with long dark hair and a small beard. He was talking to some women in the Night Watch, who appeared to be hanging on to his every word.

"Bastard," Bear grumbled.

"Who is he?" Anna asked.

"Ignat, who else."

"I don't know him."

"You will," Tiger Cub noted, acidly.

"Do you not like him?" Anna asked.

"Not him, just his methods and nature," Bear replied. "He's a handsome git; thinks he can pull any woman under his spell. That's his gift, the power to seduce almost any woman. Lena came running back to me when he tried."

Bear slipped an arm about Tiger Cub's shoulders.

"He'll pick you out soon Anna," he finished.

"Does he know Semyon?" Anna asked.

"Everyone knows Semyon, Anna."

"Then he'll know I'm not available."

Bear laughed. "I'd love to see Ignat try to allure you to his side; I can see already that you find him as transparent as glass. I love to see that git fail; Semyon and I find that a matter of personal pride. I'd enjoy the moment he finds out you're attracted to Semyon, never mind physically involved with him!"

Anna blushed. "Physics involved."

Tiger Cub glanced at her. "Are you?"

She blushed again. "Yeah."

"How lovely! I didn't realise you were that close."

Bear nodded. "Then that's why Semyon ran after Geser."

"About that?" Anna asked curiously.

"I've heard about this before; Semyon will mention it, I'm sure."

Inside the warmth of the Gorsvet building, Semyon knocked of Geser's office door. He entered, shutting the door behind him and crossing the room to sit at the far end of the long table near the desk.

"What can I do for you Semyon?" asked Geser.

"I'm a little troubled," Semyon replied.

"Bickering with Anatoly again?"

"No, about this morning at the airport."

"About what Anna nearly said?"

Semyon nodded.

"I see. I imagine you want to know why and how you managed to hear what she was thinking. After all, that is Vyacheslav's speciality and not yours. You know you did that to stop her from saying those words aloud and cursing herself."

"Well, I more or less sensed them."

"How so Semyon?"

"I felt she would say something that could open a vortex, even over her or her mother and I managed to stop her. I didn't even know that Vyacheslav had told her not to already. It wasn't like the way he can actually hear people's thoughts, more of a feeling that she'd say something she shouldn't."

"I understand."

"Why did it happen?"

"How deep do your feelings for Anna go?"

Semyon felt uncomfortable. "How do you mean?"

"Your relationship; is it physical, emotional…"

He trailed off and shrugged, watching as Semyon's face turned red in embarrassment. He cleared his throat and shifted in his seat uncomfortably, not really expecting the boss to ask the question.

"All of that, sir," he said eventually.

"You love her unconditionally," Geser continued.

"Of course!"

"Love is a very powerful emotion, and as a Magician, even more so for you and you have learnt to use it as energy. If you are as close to Anna as it appears, then you have forged a powerful connection with her that cannot be broken. You have used the power and the energy of that love for Anna to awake the gift of protection I gave to you. Only her importance is more to you than the Night Watch. You will subconsciously defend her and protect her from harm without thinking about it. Like in the airport today; you were able to protect her from creating a vortex over herself that would have taken out the entire airport!"

"Will she do the same for me?"

"Only you have the gift, Semyon."

"Oh, the one you gave to me."

"Exactly. But she can convert her love into energy to do the same."

"I can feel her even now."

Geser smiled. "Go on."

"It's almost as if I can sense her at the very deepest part of my mind. And something is always there, keeping an eye on her and telling me what she's doing. If I concentrate, I can see her when she's not in danger. Like now; she's given up on the Spasskiy Tower with Bear and Tiger Cub and making a mini Kremlin in the snow. She's a little cold and lonely without me… I really want to go to her."

"You know how to use it Semyon."

"I've never felt that before."

"When did you start feeling it?"

"Since last night; I woke up feeling lonely because I knew Anna had moved."

"Your physical bonding woke that power up inside you."

"Are you assigning me to protect her?"

"You've already assigned yourself."

"What about Vsevolod?"

"Vyacheslav can do that."

"Can I go to Anna now?"

Geser laughed. "Of course! But bring her up here to my office. I promised that I'd show her something to help her get her things from England. And as I said before, you're welcome to stay behind this time."

"I'll be back in a minute."

"Congratulations Semyon."

He looked confused. "What for?"

"Your latest talent; it's a rare power, love."

"Maybe you should at least try and get Olga released."

"What power do I have Semyon? In the eyes of the Inquisition, Olga committed many crimes and errors of judgement. She was a powerful sorceress and often led astray by that. She has to serve her punishment."

"As you said, love is powerful."

"I need the right situation."

"Maybe it will come."

Semyon shrugged and left, Geser sighing and watching the door. Semyon was a good man and the most helpful and loyal. At times, he was also incredibly powerful. A true officer of the Light; pure in heart, mind and soul. He knew that one day, a woman would appreciate his kind and gentle nature, and it had been Officer Ivanova that predicted a lost other may come to love the one of the Light's most powerful Magicians. But even at that, Geser knew how well Semyon performed on the battlefield, almost like a different man. Yes, Semyon was very powerful, and due to his pleasant nature, greatly misunderstood. Geser sat back down at his desk and observed the ink drawings of the Virgin in the margins of his book. Thankfully, his split second thought that was the Lost Other, was wrong. Anna was not the Virgin with the Inferno hanging over her head; that was the fate of some other poor woman not yet discovered.

Later during thought, he was interrupted by the door to his office opening. He looked up and shut the book, watching as Semyon returned hand in hand with Anna. That was a sight that was now becoming common to see. The two of them sat down closest to his desk, watching as the Gorsvet boss stood up from his chair to fiddle around in a filing cabinet.

"What is it you have for me sir?" Anna asked.

"When I find it," Geser replied.

Anna glanced over to Semyon, who shrugged and continued to watch Geser curiously. Eventually, Geser took something out of the cabinet and shut the drawer, locking it again before joining his comrades at the long white table. He handed the large sheet of thick, blue paper to Anna, who took it with intrigue.

"It's a set of plans," Semyon stated.

"They were drawn up by Ivanova in a flash of inspiration," Geser replied.

"Ingenious!" Anna proclaimed. "How did she think this up?"

"Agent Ivanova had a dream of flying, but she could never afford to learn to fly a plane. She always wanted to be a pilot, but soon after, she discovered she was an Other and turned to the side of Light. She had a brilliant imagination, so she came to me with a proposition to create her van into a transforming flying machine. But we never had an engineer good enough for the job until you came."

"You think I can do this?"

"Well, why not."

"I've only just learnt how to assemble a computer!"

"And you've found out you are a top level Magician."

Anna thought about it. "I'll need a good look."

"You can do anything if you put your mind to it. We have equipment and metal."

"This might become a long term engineering project."

"Do you think you'll need extra hands?"

"Most definitely!"

"I'm sure Tiger Cub and a few others will help you."

"I'll get to work after a bit of study."

"Inform me of your progress."

"Of course."

"You could use that to fly over to England to get the rest of your things moved over here, especially your computer. Flying across Europe would be a little easier than driving across. I'm sure you'll have no trouble mastering how to fly it as well as driving it. Semyon always told me you're a natural."

"A trip to England will be brief."

"I'm sorry your mother took it so hard."

"Well, I'm moving on from there."

"Good. Just don't dwell on it too much."

"There was nothing I could have done."

"I trust Semyon is making it easy for you."

Anna glanced at Semyon and smiled. "Of course."

"As I said, it doesn't take much to charm her," Semyon added.

"You might be surprised, Semyon."

"Maybe you'd better see how well that snow Kremlin of yours if getting on," Geser suggested, though not in a tone as if he wanted to throw them out. "Before it starts getting dark and we come on duty."

"Good idea," Semyon replied.

The two of them got up and left the office, Anna shrugged her Gorsvet jacket back on; she not overly fond of central heating. When they got outside and looked at all the snow, Anna suddenly remembered how warm English winters were in comparison. Today, the temperature was supposed to have a maximum of -18°C, but at night it would be much colder. Even at night in England, temperatures were lucky to get below freezing and it was always above during the day. Anna even remembered being able to wear a T-shirt in winter back home; that certainly wouldn't be advisable here. However, her thoughts were soon interrupted by a man joining them.

"You must be our new recruit," it was Ignat. "Anna isn't it?"

"Anna Kepalenko, yes," she replied.

"Awfully cold out today, isn't it?"

"I like the cold, but I'm perfectly warm, thank you."

"Well, I'm sure…"

Semyon cleared his throat loudly.

"Ah Semyon!" Ignat greeted. "I didn't see you."

"Get lost Ignat," Semyon growled.

"I'm just being friendly."

"I know what you're up to; you're never just friendly."

Ignat smirked.

"It wont work," Semyon finished.

"I never fail," Ignat replied.

The Magician smirked. "You failed with Tiger Cub."

"Tiger Cub was an exception."

"You may find Anna is also."

Ignat turned to face Anna and smiled.

"Are you free tonight?" he asked.

"No," Anna replied, bluntly.

"Really? What plans do you have?"

"Possibly an early night unless I'm called on duty."

"You know, I could always join you for an early night."

Anna laughed. "You really are as clear as glass, just like Bear said. I can read you like an open book with large bold print with writer's comments alongside them. I'm sorry to break it to you Ignat, but it takes a special man to charm me."

"Hard to get, hmm?"

"No, just already taken."

Ignat looked taken aback, Anna failing to ignore Semyon's laughter by her side. Clearly Ignat was not used to being told a woman wasn't free. A smirk came to her face as she linked arms with Semyon and leaned against him.

"Our driver beat you to it," she stated.

"Semyon?" Ignat asked.

"None other."

"Seducing her was easy," Semyon added.

"You? How did you…?"

"A pleasant face and a kind heart," Anna replied. "A lovely, affectionate man like Semyon will easily win over the best looking man on the planet, which of course must be you, Ignat. Although I must say, Semyon as that special something that really makes you long to feel what he's made from."

Anna stroked Semyon's face, smiling at him.

"Loyal Semyon," she murmured.

"You've been busy I see," Ignat told Semyon.

"Honestly, it was no trouble," he replied.

"Enjoy yourselves then."

"We will I'm sure."

Ignat left, but turned back to look at Anna.

"How is your relationship with Semyon?" he asked.

Anna smirked. "Very romantic and physical."

She turned away, catching Bear's laughter at the shocked expression on Ignat's handsome face. Semyon, smiling to himself like a satisfied cat, sat down in the snow and leaned back into a drift, looking up at the sky and allowing the snow flakes to fall on his unshaven face.

"What a stunning victory," he sighed.

"You sure beat that handsome git to it!" Bear commented.

"Personal pride Ilya, personal pride!"

"Such a wonderful thing."

They laughed together, Tiger Cub turning to Anna.

"How did you find him?" she asked.

"I've found windows harder to see through," Anna replied.

"You and I have the greatest resistances in Gorsvet."

"I'll drink to that!"

"Met Ignat have we?" Vyacheslav asked.

"One nil to me," Semyon replied.

Semyon shifted over to allow Vyacheslav to collapse next to him in the snow drift. Yawning, Vyacheslav took a swig if mulled wine out of his stainless steel Soviet arm flask, offering some to Semyon who accepted.

"That's good stuff," he commented.

"Gives you a nice warm stomach," Vyacheslav replied.

"Where's Anton got to?"

"He's met up with his friend Kostya."

"That boy's father helps Vsevolod to cope."

"How is Vsevolod?"

"Geser's assigned you to protect him now. I've been given a new job to protect Anna. You were wondering how I knew what she thinking in the airport this morning? When she nearly cursed herself? Well, Geser gave me the gift of protection a long time ago when he thought I'd need it for something. I used the energy of my love for Anna to use it, so now she's my partner, it came to life."

"I knew that would happen!" Bear replied.

"Geser said it was a rare thing."

"It is and it's very powerful."

"You're just too nice!" Vyacheslav laughed.

Semyon shrugged. "But I do enjoy a good punch up now and then, you know. Though to be honest, I haven't really had a good fight since Yuri the Dark Sorcerer and the battle on the bridge that started off this whole thing. Trust me; I certainly gutted a fair few Dark Others back then."

"To serve the Light, where's the harm?"

"I've got a good record in the Day Watch book compared to most."

"Except bad language," Tiger Cub cut in.

"I told you, that's not a fucking crime!"

They laughed at him, Tiger Cub, Bear and Anna taking their turn in showering him with snowballs. Eventually, he got to his feet and brushed all of the snow off himself. Anna turned back to Tiger Cub, who had finished taking a swig of Vyacheslav's mulled wine.

"You're an engineer aren't you?" Anna asked.

"A bit of one," Tiger Cub replied.

"Geser said you and some others could help me with this."

Anna handed Tiger Cub the blue prints to Ivanova's flying Gorsvet van. She took one long look at it and laughed, handing Anna the plans back.

"Are you a good engineering then?" Tiger Cub asked.

"As a Magician, Geser seems to think so," Anna replied.

"When are you going to get started?"

"As soon as I know where to begin."

"Well, keep me posted and I'll grab some engineers."

"Could you fly it?" Semyon asked.

"I imagine so," Anna replied. "If I can drive a van without looking at the road, then I should be able to fly one."

"You could teach me how to!"

"I'd love to Semyon."

He grinned. "Fancy something to eat before dark?"

"You're on."

They waved to their comrades before leaving the grounds of the Gorsvet Headquarters, climbing over the fence to take a quicker route into the centre of Moscow. Semyon took Anna's hand, she smiling and leaning against him as they walked through the snowy streets of the Russian capital.

"We'll get a takeaway," he noted.

"Where shall we sit then?" Anna asked.

"Hmm, I know a place you'd like. Not secret though."

He winked at her playfully, leading her down to the fish and ship shop. They bought some takeaway chips, Semyon leading Anna through the centre of town. They crossed Red Square, Anna turning the regard the magnificent Kremlin as they walked passed it. They walked passed Lenin's Mausoleum, Semyon glaring at the tourists who went in.

"They should bury the poor chap," he noted.

"Were you around during the revolution?" Anna asked.

"Of course! I had to test Lenin to see if he was an Other."

Anna glanced at her partner, curiously. "Was he?"

"Unfortunately no, and nor were any of the other Soviet leaders."

They walked down alongside the Kremlin and the Moscow River, which was presently frozen over. The crossed the road and walked onto a bridge, stopping half way along to regard the massive red fortress. Semyon leaned back against the railings, Anna joining him.

"You get a great view of the Kremlin here," observed Semyon.

"It's a wonderful building," Anna complimented it.

"I used to like Soviet Russia, you know. My flat block has fallen into disrepair ever since the collapse of Communism. I was always proud to fly the Hammer and Sickle, but you get used to the knew flag really. The new one makes us more part of my new favourite union, the European one. I like Europe, too. You know, I used to work in the Kremlin under Andropov."

"KGB agent?"

"No!" he laughed. "One of the many electricians, not just fixing the lights but keeping Vampires away from our leaders; you've know idea how many of them would have loved to initiate a Soviet dictator to the Dark side. Many Light Others worked for the KGB, Dark Others too. I was always a Gorsvet worker though. So where Bear and Tiger Cub, only they never worked in the Kremlin. I even remember under the rule of Tsar Nicholas, we always used to compare Ignat to Rasputin!"

"Ignat's that old too?"

"Unfortunately yes."

"Was Rasputin an Other?"

"Not a great one, but yes. He was a Dark Other. So all of those stories about him having strange powers to do with the church and everything; don't believe them because they're total bollocks. Rasputin was just a Dark Sorcerer, and a bloody crap one at that."

"You were a Soviet then."

"Oh yes!"

"Did you hate any of the leaders?"

"I hated Stalin because he made it very difficult for the others to keep and eye on each other. We thought he worked for Zavulon at first until we realised he was just a bit of a psycho and had a natural feeling of dislike towards Others. He could sense something different about us. All Others, Light and Dark, were sent to the Gulag for all sorts of weird and wonderful things. We all breathed a huge sigh of relief when Khrushchev came to power."

"Did you like working in the Kremlin?"

"Oh yes! Because the Kremlin needs constant work to keep it in good trim, Andropov was asking people to work on it. I, a simple electrician, volunteered to clean the stars; he laughed at me of course, but accepted my offer. He never laughed at me again after that. They never knew how I did it, but all they knew was that in the morning, they'd be nice and shiny with that ambient red glow."

"Ah, so you make them glow like that!"

"The happier I was when I cleaned them, the more they glow."

"Do you still do it now?"

"Of course, I still take care of them."

Semyon glanced up at the star on top of the Spasskiy Tower, looking over to Anna briefly. He reached up and, amazingly, took the star off the top of the tower from the air and left it in the palm of his hand. He showed it to Anna, who picked it up and gazed at it in amazement.

"How do you do it?" she asked.

"It took practice of course," Semyon replied with a smile.

"I'd love to learn how to do that!"

"Sorry, it's a thing I take personal satisfaction in doing."

She smirked at him. "That special then?"

"Indeed."

Semyon took that star out of Anna's hand and blew off some of the snow flakes before placing it back on top of the Tower. He must have used the Gloom to do it. He sighed and finished off the chips still left in the paper bag.

"My work's not really appreciated any more," he said sadly.

"You must have liked the Soviet Union," Anna noted.

"I did. Gorsvet looked better back in those days as well. As you can see, we still use vans we had during the Soviet era, but no one wants to change them because we've all grown fond of them. Today's government leaves us to get on with things, but we like our image now."

"Then no one should try to change it."