Chapter 14
Over the next week, Anna had accomplished many things. That included licensing a Dark Other to open a pub underground that only opened during the night for Vampires, under the one condition that they didn't break the Truce, and also completing her Flying Van. That had been a challenge to engineer, but it eventually worked and now, at the push of a button, wings and a tail fin retracted from the sides of the vehicle and the exhaust pipes widened to make small jet turbines. Normally, it looked just like an ordinary Gorsvet van, but when it transformed for flight, Tiger Cub described its appearance as simply a van with wings stuck on it. It wasn't exactly a clean piece of engineering, but it fitted the image and Anna was proud of it. She'd only needed to make one quick trip back to England with Semyon to fetch all of her things. No painful conversation with her mother; just pack the van and fly.
That night, Anna was sat with her team at Gorsvet on a park bench; they were on patrol, waiting for a call to come through from the office about a mission. Anna was sat leaning against Semyon, fiddling with the battery casing on her search light. Anton filled the space next to them while Vyacheslav leaned against a lamp post smoking, and Tiger Cub and Bear were sprawled out with each other on the snow covered grass. It was beginning to get dull.
"Is anyone board?" asked Anton with a yawn.
"Wolf and his pack come here sometimes," Bear noted.
"What if they turn up while we're here?"
"Then we move without a fuss," Vyacheslav replied with a mouthful of smoke.
"We could fight them; it'd be more interesting," Anton suggested.
"Geser won't like that though."
"True."
"And we love to keep the boss happy," Tiger Cub added.
"We could sit in the vans," Semyon suggested.
"It might be more comfortable," Anna agreed.
"You look comfortable sitting up there," Tiger Cub observed.
"Well, Semyon's rather comfortable to lean on."
She laughed, leaned over and kissed his cheek.
"Regardless to what your seatbelt says," she added.
"Then I'll remain this way," replied Semyon, smiling.
Anna went to respond, but they soon had to cut their conversation short as Bear's phone rang. Almost in anticipation of now having a decent job to do, Bear quickly answered the mobile.
"Yeah," he said.
"Bear," it was Anatoly. "I have something."
"About bloody time; go ahead."
"We've had some more problems with Wolf again, which has not pleased Geser seeing as Anna arrested him not that long ago. He's chased a group of four school children, all of them boys, into that same abandoned car park his Vampire friend tries to feed. Geser wants you, Tiger Cub and Semyon to go in and sort the situation out."
"What about everyone else?"
"Put them on standby."
"Alright."
Bear cut the phone call, getting to his feet and brushing off the snow on his jacket and trousers. Tiger Cub glanced up at him with interest, the rest of the team all waiting to hear what their mission of the night was.
"Are we all going then?" Tiger Cub asked.
"No, just you, me and Semyon," Bear replied.
"What about us?" queried. Vyacheslav.
"You're on emergency standby for us."
"So we listen out to see if you're dying or not then."
"Something like that, yeah."
Bear offered his hand to Tiger Cub, assisting her in climbing to her feet out of the snow, she brushing the remaining flakes off. Semyon got to his feet, Anna also joining him and taking his hand before he left.
"Drive carefully," she told him.
"Do I have to remind you?" Semyon protested.
"Yeah, yeah. You've driven trucks for 70 years!"
"Exactly."
"So you're pretty talented at driving."
He winked at her. "Amongst other things."
"We'll see when we get home."
Semyon smirked and kissed her before leaving, Anna sitting back down again on the bench. Semyon, Bear and Tiger Cub went over to their usual yellow van, taking their usual seats. They belted up, Semyon grumbling during the usual struggle to get it on; it was going to plan already.
"Bloody hell," he growled.
"Anna thinks you're comfy," Bear commented.
"This damn seatbelt certainly isn't!"
"It's that same single story car park again."
"The indoor one where Wolf helps that friend of his?"
"That's the one."
"Will they ever leave it alone?"
"That's not on Wolf's plan, no."
"What's Wolf up to now?" Tiger Cub asked.
"Chasing kids there and trapping them, probably for his friend," Bear replied.
"Then let's get that bastard!"
"Step on it, Semyon."
He started up the engine and accelerated of towards the target, now beginning to feel lonely without Anna, but he shook it off. He needed to fight Dark Others tonight, and he didn't want stupid sentimental feelings going round his head in the process. It was not the best road to success. He drove quickly along the roads, following the signs and not paying much attention to the traffic he cut across; Bear and Tiger Cub were always fond of his driving skills anyway.
"I hope we're not too late," Semyon noted.
"Then drive faster," Bear replied.
"Hey, you try in all this rubbish!"
He indicated to all the traffic around him, increasing the pressure on his food and racing through, beeping his horn to make people get out of his way. Magical intervention wasn't really appropriate here, and what would he do anyway, blast the cars out of his path? It sounded like fun, but Geser would have his head for doing that. They drove passed a nightclub, Semyon not taking a care in the world as he sprayed snow over a pair of slutty looking girls talking away in a non-Slavic language. Tiger Cub laughed at them, Semyon bowing his head in appreciation.
"They'd better we're clothes next time," she noted.
"Anna would love me for doing that!" Semyon laughed.
"She already does love you, Semyon."
"More then."
He turned several sharp corners before arriving at the single story indoor car park that had been in question so many times before. He parked the van outside and shut of the engine, the three of them climbing out and going round to the back of the truck. Semyon opened the rear doors and climbed inside, taking out two torches for Bear and Tiger Cub whilst taking a halogen light for himself. Also grabbing a torch for safe keeping, Semyon slammed the doors shut and lead the way into the car park. He warmed up the halogen light until it glowed brightly, Bear and Tiger Cub following his lead with their torches aimed.
"Patch through to the others," Tiger Cub told Bear.
He took out his phone.
"Hello Vyacheslav?" Bear asked. "Is this thing on?"
"It's working Ilya," Vyacheslav assured him. "Are you there?"
"We're looking out for the boys now."
"Anna's ready to drive us in if you need us."
"Good; just listen out for us being murdered."
Vyacheslav laughed. "We're listening for you."
Bear attached the phone around us belt and hid it underneath his jacket to keep the emergency feed a secret to their enemies. He reached forward and laid a hand on Semyon's shoulder.
"Where do we start?" he asked.
"I'm trying to find them," Semyon replied.
"Should have brought in Stingray; he's better at this than you."
"And I'm the one who taught him how to do it!"
"Should have drunk some blood to hunt the Vampire."
Semyon grimaced. "That stuff makes me sick! That's Anton's field."
"Still, it's the best way to catch Vampires."
"Yeah, but he wasn't Calling the victim, was he?"
"Hmm, good point."
"Listen!" Tiger Cub hissed.
Bear and Semyon stopped their conversation, listening carefully. Bear looking enquiringly at Tiger Cub and opened his mouth to speak, but she gave him a warning stare. Bear then closed his mouth, glancing at Semyon who shrugged. They listened again, eventually picking up some faint words.
"I'm telling you Evgeniy, they wont just send the girl and the fat guy," said one voice. "I bet they'll send the psychic with them, possibly the Seer too."
"I think they will," Wolf replied to that. "Anna arrested me once and she's the Magician's lover, so he'll go with her. Geser is eager to prove the girl's power, so he'll want to send her alone."
"You're wrong Evgeniy!"
"So who do you think Boris?"
"I told you; the two Magicians, the psychic and Anton."
"I don't think so," a third voice added, this one more intelligent than the others.
"So what are your words of wisdom Yuri?" Wolf scoffed.
"They'll send the two shape shifters and Semyon Pavlovich."
"Since when did you use the fat guy's patronymic?"
There was a pause. "Never mind."
Semyon smiled at the note of embarrassment in Yuri's voice.
"I showed him a thing or two," he whispered.
"We'll hear about it later," Tiger Cub replied.
"Why do you think that?" Wolf continued.
"To wreck your plans Evgeniy," Yuri replied.
There was a slight pause, followed by a boy's scream and a slap.
"Think about it Evgeniy," the one named Boris cut in. "Yuri's not always right; he only cares about that fat van driver anyway. He's not a psychic, he's a Sorcerer. They'll send Anna and the trucker to arrest us, the psychic to pick our brains and Anton to kick our arses. Come on Evgeniy!"
There was a sigh.
"Four of them?" Wolf queried.
"In those roles, yes!"
"A Vampire telling the future?" Yuri queried sarcastically.
"I told Alisa that Geser would send all five of his top men to arrest me at the hotel Cosmos to capture Anna," Boris protested. "And that's what happened! And I even suggested that Alisa and Piotr wouldn't rescue me, and they didn't!"
"That is true," added Wolf, backing up his friend.
"That's who'll they send…"
"They could be talking for a while," Bear whispered.
"Do you think it's only those three?" asked Semyon.
"Sounds like it."
"Then let's go."
"I'm going in stronger," Tiger Cub stated.
There was a brief flash of light and Tiger Cub switched from her human form into that of the tiger. It was most likely Yuri the Sorcerer would have felt that energy change, even if the others didn't. Bear smirked and scratched Tiger Cub behind the ears, she closing her eyes lazily and purring.
"Big softy," Semyon grumbled.
Tiger Cub hissed. "Watch it, fat guy."
"That's hardly fair."
"Sorry."
"Besides, I'm watching those claws Lena."
"Hmm, tempting, but then Anna's face comes into mind."
"That would be thin ice," Bear agreed.
Semyon sighed. "I miss her."
"Now who's the softy?" Tiger Cub noted, humorously.
"Alright, point taken."
The three of them moved forwards until they came to a pillar. Semyon peered around the concrete stack and saw the group of four school boys tied up against a second pillar. The other three were strangely hanging around, just waiting for the Night Watch to show up. The familiar form of Wolf with his scarred skin and prickly face, Boris the Vampire with the long greasy blond hair, and Yuri the Sorcerer looking the most impressive of the four in a long black fur coat and slicked back black hair with a thick scar across his left eye. Semyon smirked; the mark he'd left upon Yuri to make sure he never forgot losing that battle.
"Should we go into the Gloom?" Semyon asked.
"No," Bear replied. "Not to free the boys."
"Alright. Ready?"
Bear nodded, Tiger Cub flexing her claws and scratching them on the concrete floor of the car park. Weapons ready, the three of them moved out from behind the pillar. They came forwards and spread out, Bear brandishing two torches with Tiger Cub growling at his heals and Semyon armed with the halogen light.
"Night Watch!" he shouted.
Boris looked around. "Where are the others, pig?"
"No others; just us."
"Looks like you were wrong," Yuri noted.
"Either way," Wolf cut in. "They're here."
"Release the hostages you bastard!" Tiger Cub hissed.
"Not very negotiable are we?"
"Release them or I'll hurt you."
Her eyes darkened. "Badly."
"Try me, cat woman."
In a flash of dark red light, Wolf transformed from his rather weak human form into the strong, grey wolf with the bright red eyes. He glared as he growled at Tiger Cub, saliva dripping down his long fangs. The four boys watched in fearful silence, Yuri reaching into his pocket and placing his sunglasses over his eyes. Boris inched forwards, Bear flashing one of his torches at him.
"Get the hostages Semyon!" he shouted.
Wolf lunged at Semyon and cut across him, Tiger Cub streaking through the air like a bullet and knocking him back away from the Light Magician. Wolf pulled back and ran headlong into a pillar, Tiger Cub facing him with the fur along her back raised and her tail bushing. One of the young boys screamed as Boris's fangs lengthened and made a run at Semyon who held up his halogen light in defence. The Vampire grabbed hold of the glowing bar, but recoiled in pain with blistering hands. Bear then raised both torches and shined them at Boris, he shrinking back as the two crossing beams burnt a hole in his checked shirt and burnt all the skin off his chest. He backed off and tripped over, one of the closest boys screaming as he saw his burnt flesh.
"Brutal force!" Yuri accused.
"He gave me no choice," Bear growled. "You know that."
"You're violating the Truce."
"And you're not?"
"You licensed Boris to feed."
"On donor blood; he's a licensed Vampire, we haven't given him anyone yet. He's allowed to feed on the bottled blood we supply. We do not agree to him getting help from other Dark Others to round up defenceless children in the middle of the night. This situation is not legal."
"But you still…"
"Don't provoke him," Semyon warned.
"Come back again Pavlovich?" Yuri snarled.
"You and me; goes back a bit, doesn't it?"
"Get back into your van!"
"And run you over? Is that an offer?"
Snarling angrily, Yuri aimed a concussion spell at Semyon, who repelled it easily with his halogen light. It knocked out one of the ceiling lights, the small glass fragments falling to the ground.
"Now who's provoking?" Boris asked from the floor.
They were cut short as Wolf lunged at Tiger Cub, who was now no longer in the mood for avoiding brutal force against a Dark Other. She caught him during the lunge, tossing him high into the air and bringing him back down to land further away. Boris scrambled to his feet, sneaking up on Bear and grabbing one of the torches. Semyon got their first, swinging the halogen light ahead of him and slamming it into the Vampire's head. Crumpled, Boris fell to the floor in unconsciousness.
"It's a pity he's already dead," Semyon noted.
"He'll feel that in the morning," Bear added.
Yuri moved forwards and pushed Bear out of the way, knocking him flying back into the path of Wolf and Tiger Cub. He slammed into the pillar, small fragments of concrete falling off into his long, curly black hair. He reached for his phone as Tiger Cub covered him, sinking her long teeth deep into the scruff of Wolf's neck.
"Vyacheslav!" Bear exclaimed.
"What the fuck is going on?" Vyacheslav replied.
"Get down here now! Emergency!"
"Is it Yuri?"
"Semyon will have to deal with him."
"We're on our way."
Vyacheslav turned to Anna, she and Anton both belting up.
"Let's go," he ordered.
"The traffic will be bad," Anna warned.
"Then as quick as you can!"
"Yes sir."
She slammed her foot down on the accelerator, all three of them being shoved back into their seats. Although she was an exceptionally good driver, she did not have the experience that Semyon had, so not the ease of control. Both Anton and Vyacheslav noticed how less smooth she was at the wheel than her tutor.
Back at the single story car park, Yuri and Semyon came face to face, still ignoring the crumpled form of Boris on the floor.
"Semyon Pavlovich," Yuri noted. "It has been a while."
"You really were afraid of me back then," Semyon noted with a smirk.
"Not any more. Not now Zavulon took me in."
"True; I was a little off track not to notice how you fed on Darkness."
"And you, Semyon Pavlovich. Surrounded by Light."
"Do you want to be beaten again, Yuri?"
"I'm much more powerful than I was."
"Still, I'm better than you."
"Zavulon swears I'm your equal, Semyon Pavlovich. Yeah, so I may not have the same great reflexes as you or the ability to drive at over 400km/h with my eyes shut. But now this is not so easy for you."
"All this talk Yuri? Aren't we passed all this now?"
Yuri aimed another concussion spell at Semyon's head, but he ducked low and spun round. He brought the halogen light down with him, hitting Yuri across the back. The Dark Sorcerer backed off and straightened, his neck clicking back into place as he stretched.
"Great reflexes," Semyon smirked.
"Where's your Spellcasting gone Semyon?" Yuri queried.
"Dropped the Pavlovich have we? I don't need spells for you."
"The Night Watch wont let you! You can only serve others!"
"You did a bad deed capturing these kids. Now I can do good."
Yuri was fortunate he had tripped over a cracked paving stone, for at the same time, Semyon cast a mild Siberian Winter from Novosibirsk. Behind him, the concrete pillar had been frozen solid in ice, Yuri looking at it uncomfortably.
"That could have been you," Semyon replied with a shrug.
"Novosibirsk?" Yuri snarled. "Sentimental at best, Semyon."
"I take pride in capturing my home town's winter."
Yuri leapt to his feet and conjured up a steel blade from his sleeve and jabbed it into Semyon's shoulder. The Light Magician recoiled slightly, tensing his shoulder blades to stifle the pain. Semyon reached back and aimed a small impact spell at Yuri's solar plexus, forcing the Dark Sorcerer to withdraw his blade. He spun round and made a slash at his enemy's stomach, but Semyon leapt back, instead falling over Yuri's feet. As he fell, he kicked up with his legs, flipped over mid air and clubbed Yuri in the face with his halogen light. Yuri fell as Semyon landed firmly on his feet.
Elsewhere, Anna was stuck in heavy traffic, trying to work her way through. She weaved her way along the roads, beeping her horn and getting no polite responses in return. She turned a corner, Anton and Vyacheslav holding their breaths; she was impatient and desperate to get to the car park.
"Bus!" Anton shouted.
"What?" asked Anna.
"Watch out for the bus!"
"What bus?"
"That bus!" Vyacheslav cut in.
Anna had cut a red light and was almost cut off by a bus moving perpendicular to her. She turned to steering wheel rapidly, the yellow van spinning round and crashing into a shop. The truck rolled over several times before landing back on its wheels, Anna quickly composing herself and driving off again.
"Shit!" she cursed. "I've lost my way!"
"Then fly!" Anton shouted.
"Take off in the middle of Moscow? Are you mad?"
He winked at her. "Only a little, now fly!"
Sighing, Anna pushed the button under the dashboard, the steering wheel moving out a little way to create the steering column. Two wings spread out from the underside of the van, looking as though they'd just been cut off Concorde, painted yellow, and stuck on the truck. On top at the back, a downwards pointing tailfin came out and locked into place while the exhaust pipes widened, the small turbines inside starting up and spinning round with blue flames flying out from them.
"Does it work?" Vyacheslav asked.
"I flew to England in it," Anna reminded him.
Anna pressed down on the accelerator pedal, the van reaching incredible speed and almost blowing a man off his bicycle. She drove passed a couple of police officers sitting in cars, but she hastily made them turn and look the other way.
"Lovely," Vyacheslav commented.
As Anna reached a certain speed, she pulled the steering wheel towards her, the van taking off into the air. She banked over and swerved away to head back towards the city centre, narrowly missing crashing into a flat block. They flew over the park, an old man on a bench with a paper bag of warm chips watching them with his mouth hanging open in shock. Not knowing what to do, Anton waved back, leaning into his seat as Anna continued to look out for the car park.
"He'll have dreams tonight," Anton noted.
"Shouldn't we alter his memory?" Anna asked Vyacheslav.
"No," Vyacheslav replied, laughing. "I know the way humans think. You can imagine what'll happen; that man will go down to the police station and say to the guy on duty he saw a van flying. The next morning, he'll wake up in an asylum!"
"That's cruel Vyacheslav."
"It's true thought, isn't it?"
Anna sighed. "I guess it is."
Back at the car park, Tiger Cub and Wolf were still locked in a fight, Semyon and Yuri as well. However, both Bear and Boris were still out. Semyon had reached a stalemate with Yuri; now the Sorcerer worked for the Day Watch and in a high position, he couldn't do anything to hurt him otherwise he'd find himself in trouble with the Inquisition. All he could do was put Yuri off guard and repel his curses. However, they soon heard a noise from the distance, the fight stopping for a moment.
"I know that sound!" Tiger Cub proclaimed.
Semyon smiled. "She's coming."
The ground started to rumble a little, some small dust particles being dislodged from the ceiling. A cracked tile fell onto Wolf's head, his reaction shoving Tiger Cub against Bear, who rolled into him and changed back into human form. Snarling, Wolf made to attack them both, but a high pitched sound suddenly filled the air. Wolf shrunk back, changing into his human form.
"That's a bloody aeroplane!" he exclaimed.
"Sounds like one doesn't it?" Semyon replied.
"You know what that is, don't you?"
"Naturally."
"Then what the hell is it?"
"Backup."
Light suddenly flooded the building like a helicopter searchlight. Yuri backed off from the light, Boris coming round, but still struggling to move. Wolf tried to figure out where the sound was coming from before rushing over to help Boris. More light flooded the room and Yuri backed away from everyone else, cowering into the dark.
"Where are you going?" Wolf demanded.
Yuri waved to him before vanishing.
"You coward!" Wolf exclaimed.
"Has he gone into the Gloom?" asked Tiger Cub.
"No, he teleported himself back home," Semyon replied.
"It's no hardship for a Sorcerer," Wolf shrugged.
"He's improved since we last met."
"Take the damn kids; we're out of here!"
Before Semyon could do anything, Wolf took Boris and vanished into the Gloom. At that moment, Anna's flying van crashing in through the roof, landing with a bump in the vicinity. It came to a halt, Anna parking it close to where the boys were tied up. Anton and Vyacheslav got out to rescue to children, Anna quickly going over to Semyon and embracing him fondly.
"Are you alright?" she asked him.
"Absolutely fine," he replied.
"Oh look, you're cut."
She reached up and stroked the cut down the right hand side of his face, the skin beginning to heal as she did so; he hadn't even noticed that one. She moved back behind him and did the same to the deep gash on his shoulder, even bothering to repair his torn T-shirt and jacket. Vyacheslav led the four boys outside to modify their memories before sending them home. Anna turned back to face Semyon, taking his face in her hands and kissing him, but he pulled himself free.
"Come on," Semyon protested.
"You didn't even heal yourself!" Anna exclaimed.
"Look, I only forgot."
"Where did Wolf and Boris go?" asked Bear.
"Boris?" Anton and Anna queried.
"The Vampire that tried to bite Anna's sister at the Cosmos."
"Wolf took him into the Gloom," Semyon explained. "I bet they'll be long gone by now. They weren't too impressed that Yuri teleported himself out and left them behind; Wolf called him a coward! I bet Yuri will now go crying to Zavulon about this; first Bear attacking Boris and then me fighting him."
"What did you do?" Anna asked, smiling.
"I'll tell you in the evening."
"Hmm, I'd love to see you in action."
"Some day you will, I think."
Anna smiled and kissed him again.
"We'll fight side by side," she told him.
"Hmm, and win too I think!"
Anton and Bear glanced at each other and rolled their eyes skyward, Vyacheslav returning from the outside and helping Bear and Tiger Cub to their feet. Both of them were feeling a little dazed.
"Let's get back to headquarters," he noted.
"What is it?" Semyon asked.
"I need to let Geser know something."
Vyacheslav climbed back inside Anna's yellow van, Anton getting in alongside him. Bear and Tiger Cub left for the outside, Anna briefly stopping Semyon and checking his eyes over.
"Not feeling dazed?" she asked.
"I'm fine to drive yes," Semyon sighed.
"I hope so Semyon."
"Look, I've been driving trucks pretty much since they were first invented and I know how to drive them enough. And besides, as I've told you before, a Magician at my level can drive with their eyes closed!"
Anna still looked concerned.
"Trust me," Semyon finished, winking at her.
"Such a trust worthy face," Anna replied.
She kissed him, leaving him to go out to his truck while she climbed into the driving seat of her own. She started up the engines and turned to drive out, beeping her horn at Semyon who was still jogging out of the car park. She caught up with him quickly, winding her window down as she pulled in and trundled alongside him.
"Almost there," she told him.
"You like me this way," Semyon reminded her.
She leaned out and smacked his arse.
"Shall I lead the way back to Gorsvet?" she asked.
"If you like," he replied.
Smirking, Anna wound down her window again, driving off and stopping ahead of the second yellow van. Semyon eventually reached it, opening the door and climbing in behind the wheel. Bear and Tiger Cub watched him as he fastened his seatbelt.
"You took your time," Bear noted.
"Leave it Ilya," Semyon replied.
Bear went to comment again, but Tiger Cub glanced at him pointedly, gently resting a hand on his arm and smirking. Semyon shook his head, started the engine and drove off after Anna's van. He felt uncomfortable, looking up into the sky as it was beginning to cloud over. There was something wrong with the way Wolf had taken the young boys; he let them go too quickly if he was trying to feed Boris. And what did Yuri want with a sleazy Vampire and a maniac Dark Shape Shifter? Semyon knew Yuri very well once, until he turned to the Dark.
"What's wrong Semyon?" Tiger Cub asked.
He sighed. "I don't know."
"You're feeling something again."
"Yeah," Bear agreed. "Your stomach!"
Semyon laughed. "Maybe Ilya, but no. There's something going on and it's going to build up soon. Vyacheslav's noticed it and he's much more attuned to people's minds in the field than me. Perhaps we should get Anton to work on a few energies, maybe even Stingray if he's available. I want to keep an eye on Anna and Yuri for now."
"Why Yuri?" questioned Tiger Cub.
"He's been acting suspiciously."
"Doesn't he always?"
"No, I mean hanging around with Wolf and Boris."
"You know Yuri better than any of us," Bear replied.
"That's why I'm suspicious of him."
Semyon parked in behind Anna's van, putting on the handbrake and getting out into the snow. Anna instantly came over to him, putting an arm about his waste and slipping her fingers into his back trouser pocket. The six officers went into the analytical department, reaching the cool air conditioning of the computer room. Anna never went into this section first; the boss had immediately put her into the field with Semyon as her instructor.
"Hi Anatoly," Anton noted.
He slapped the young man with the round glasses on the shoulder.
"The boss needs all of you," Anatoly noted.
"Where is he?" asked Vyacheslav.
"He'll be here in a moment."
"I need to tell him about Yuri," Semyon added.
"You know a lot about Yuri," Anna replied. "Another story Semyon?"
At that moment, Ignat came in, his eyes falling on Anna who was standing with her arms about Semyon. Tiger Cub glanced at him and smirked, turning to back to watch as Semyon brought up a wheelie chair and sat on it, Anna sitting on his knee with her arms about his neck.
"I'll love to hear it," Anna noted, fondly.
"Well then," Semyon began. "I first knew Yuri when he was only 48; pretty old for an uninitiated Other, but he has a human appearance of a 28 year old. He kept it well hidden whether he was Light or Dark; he knew he was an Other. He asked me about the things I did for Gorsvet; you see then, he was unaware that was the Night Watch during the day. I was unsure which side he was on. Yuri kept insisting that it was for educational purposes, but I was still uncertain. Then one day I found out he was Dark and that he'd started working for the Day Watch; that was the same day he asked my name. The instant I introduced myself as Semyon Pavlovich, he knew that Gorsvet was the Night Watch and that I was one of Geser's best Magicians.
"I duelled with Yuri and won of course; I gave him that scar to remind him. His experience then was little to none, so I could easily anticipate his moves. The little bastard provoked me into using my coldest weather attack; he sprouted knives from his fingertips, his favourite little trick and I was forced to throw a Deep Siberian winter of Pevek at him. Then Zavulon himself turned up and gave me my only level 1 offence after thawing him out. Yuri was made to learn everything possible and became one of Zavulon's best Dark Sorcerers intent on spying on me. He's a good Spellcaster now and he's capable of killing."
He glanced at Anna's concerned expression.
"Not me though," he assured her. "Not because I'm twice as powerful as Yuri, but because Geser gave me the gift of protection due to a vision he'd had that I'd need to protect someone important. That is why a Dark Sorcerer is not allowed to kill me. As for the gift of protection, I needed to have that for you, Anna. The important bit was very vague at the time, but of course not I found out that it's not just importance to the Night Watch but to me."
"What a lovely story Semyon," Ignat cut in.
Semyon and Anna turned to stare at him, Semyon immediately tightening his grip around his lover's waste. Bear also noticed that, slipping an arm about Tiger Cub and pulling her to his side, she getting caught by surprise and having to put an arm across his chest to stop herself from falling over.
"It's one of my best," Semyon replied.
"You tell far too many," Ignat noted.
He turned to Anna.
"I trust he's boring you," he queried.
"I love Semyon's stories," Anna replied.
"No one listens to them any more."
"I do; It's rude to ignore him."
"I can think of better things to do. I have a place I love to go to in the Crimea; we could all go down and have a good party. We can all get a little drunk, not just Anton, and have a great time. We could especially Anna; you, me and Tiger Cub."
"Get stuffed," Tiger Cub growled.
"I hate the Crimea," Semyon grumbled.
"I can't handle hot climates," Anna added.
"Discussing a party already?" asked Geser.
Jumping a little at the surprised interruption by the Gorsvet boss, they all turned to look at him. Ignat's perfect features blushing and Semyon's expression rather pleased at the cut off of that conversation.
"Yes sir," Ignat replied.
"He's trying to steel my lover again," Semyon told the boss.
"I'm not buying it," Anna added reassuringly.
Ignat blushed.
"Quite right," Tiger Cub grumbled.
"I see," Geser noted. "Well then Ignat, our friends here are not keen on your methods and they've succeeded in finding a permanent companion. Please just leave Anna and Semyon alone, the same goes for Tiger Cub and Bear."
"Sorry," Ignat mumbled.
"I should think so," Semyon replied.
Ignat then left before willingly admitting defeat.
"Right then, down to business," Geser began.
"Sir, Semyon and I need to see you," Vyacheslav explained. "It's about Yuri and what happened at the car park. It's also about who I've been assigned to watch; Vsevolod Petrovich Kepalenko."
"My father?" Anna queried.
Geser paused, thinking about it.
"Semyon and Vyacheslav stay behind," he stated. "Everyone else, well done."
First to leave were Bear and Tiger Cub, both of them returning home; they lived in separate flats, but both tended to share a lot. Anton then left with Anatoly, planning to check up on the computers with his friend before going home for the night. Anna remained behind for a moment to talk to Semyon, Geser not hurrying them up.
"Shall I wait in the truck?" she asked.
"Go home," he replied.
"I'll wait up for you."
"Go to bed if you want."
"Not without you."
"Hmm, I guess I wont sway you."
She smiled and shook her head. "Not a chance."
"Then I'll see you in a moment."
