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DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN ANY OF THIS, EXCEPT FOR ANY CHARACTERS YOU DON'T RECOGNIZE. JK ROWLING IS QUEEN!
CHAPTER 97
Sven, Karl, Afanasi, and Audrey set out for the old Dalio home.
It was snowing heavily, and not a soul was around. Christmas was always a joyus time in the city, but now it was empty. There were no decorations, nor celebrations to be found.
When they reached the square, Afanasi went first. He looked around, making sure nothing was suspicious.
In the distance, shouts could be heard. A scream pierced the air.
Audrey's instict kicked in, she wanted to help. Karl grabbed her arm, giving her a look.
"We cannot help this time." He said quietly. "You mustn't be seen, Audrey."
Audrey sighed, realizing he was right.
"Hide!" Afanasi whispered.
Karl and Audrey jumped into the fountain nearby. It was a blessing and a curse that it had already been drained for the winter. A thick blanket of snow lay in the basin, Audrey moved her fingers and buried the two of them underneath.
We held our breath, and did not move. I had no idea what the new guard was like, but judging by what I had heard from those hiding in Afanasi's apartment, they were not stupid…
Audrey listened for passing footsteps, she heard them speak faintly.
She felt Karl's hand move through the snow to hers. She squeezed it, letting him know it was okay to come up.
They crept out of the fountain, meeting with their companions across the square. Audrey could see the familiar white and gold wall.
St. Aleksander's had been through a lot in the last six years. Audrey could see it on the stone walls that surrounded it. A lot of words, posters, and murals coated it's once white and gold walls. The biggest message was written in red paint.
Смерть половины пород
Death to half breeds.
It was a slap in the face…they wanted everyone in St. Petersburg to know that their deaths were just the beginning.
Audrey noticed that Karl was watching her. She ran her fingers over the wall…it wasn't red paint. She blinked back tears.
"There was a riot a week ago." Karl said, knowing that she was going to ask.
Audrey took a shaky breath.
"I know." He said, pulling her into a side hug. "But there are small shreds of hope in such dark times."
He took her hand and brought her around the corner to another wall.
Любовь сильнее ненависти.
Love is stronger than hatred.
Audrey gave a small smile.
"Come." He said, taking her hand. "Keep your hood up."
"Da."
We could not enter through the main gate as we always did. Instead, we snuck around the back wall. I had forgotten how high the walls were, which scared me. It was not their height, but the fact that they had been placed their to protect the palace. How could they have failed?
"Audrey, I need a boost." Sven said, giving his friend a knowing look.
She sighed, looking around to make sure no one was watching.
"One…two…"
Sven stood in a crouching position.
"Don't forget to tuck your knees…three!" She finished, lifting her hand.
A large gust carried Sven over the wall.
"D'you think he's okay?" Audrey bit her lip, she barely heard him land.
"He's been through a lot worse." Karl replied, getting ready for Audrey to send him next.
After Karl, Afanasi climbed the wall himself, mumbling something about being independent. Audrey followed shortly after.
Having to go over the wall felt criminal…it felt as though I was a disowned child trying to come home.
In six years time, the gardens had over grown. What was once a beautiful display had turned into a dead maze of branch and brush. Karl and Sven went first because they had wanted to see if anyone was hiding in the garden.
"I doubt there would be anyone other than us." Afanasi said quietly. "Your grandfather had special enchantments on the property."
"Enchantments that didn't stop Vladimir." Audrey replied quietly. "Who's to say those haven't already been broken? Wouldn't we be violating them now if they were still active?"
"You are a blood relative." Afanasi said, as if it were obvious.
"Even blood relatives can be evil, Af." Audrey said, giving him a knowing look. After all, Sirius had some pretty evil family.
"Ivan would have blocked any evil ties to this family, or killed them…" Af replied, as they crept through the dead branches.
"But Sven and Karl went over first, and nothing sounded." Audrey aruged.
Though I really needed to get into the palace, I was quite nervous about this whole thing. After all, the last time I was there was not a happy occasion…
"It appears that the enchantments have moved beyond the garden to the palace itself." Karl pointed out, his three companions looked ahead.
The door in which we were about to enter was glowing red.
"You should go first." Sven said to her, giving her a small push.
Audrey took a deep breath and reached for the door handle. The glowing stopped. Audrey exhaled.
"Shall we?" She asked, opening the door.