LOGINDawn had already completely taken over the Rurik mansion when Susan entered the study carrying the box. The object still bore the marks of the destruction caused by the creature’s escape — some of the runes had been broken, others were faded, and there were small cracks running along the metallic structure.Susan placed the box on the table, with Carla remaining a few steps behind. Dmitry, Alexei and Sasha stood in front of them. Alexei rested one hand on the box.“We need it to look occupied. As if the creature that was inside is still there.”Susan raised an eyebrow, her green eyes scanning the object.“Occupied? You want me to create an illusion?”“Not exactly.” Alexei explained. “We need it to have a magical signature that can be recognized superficially. Something with a bond, something that feels alive to whoever is watching.”Susan ran her fingers along the side of the object, examining the damaged runes with the concentration of someone who already understood ancient magic.“S
The Rurik mansion was silent when they returned. The vehicles crossed the gates and stopped at the side entrance, far from the eyes of anyone who did not need to know what had happened that night.The man captured at the port remained in the back seat of one of the cars, unconscious and handcuffed with silver. The other prisoner, the fanatic they had faced in the clearing, was conscious.The men pulled the fanatic out of the car, and Alexei walked past him without even looking at him.“And the other one?” One of the security guards asked, pointing at the vehicle.Alexei glanced quickly through the glass. The man was still breathing, still alive.“Leave him.” The voice came out cold, indifferent.“Sir?”“If he survives until tomorrow, fine. If he doesn’t survive, also fine.” Alexei was already walking away, and the security guard hesitated before stepping back.Sasha walked beside him, slowly removing his gloves.“You’re being particularly merciful today. I thought you were going to te
The winged creature disappeared among the trees, and none of the three needed to ask where it was going. The bond left a trail — not exactly physical, but a kind of supernatural impression that Umbra could perceive.“She’s leading us somewhere.” Sasha said, his eyes alert to the darkness.“To someone.” Alexei corrected, without slowing his pace.Dmitry looked into the darkness between the trees.“Then don’t lose her. If she’s the key to the bond, we need to know where she’s going.”They crossed the forest for several minutes. The small creature appeared only from time to time — a white glow among the branches, a small shadow against the moon, always a few meters ahead. Until it finally landed in front of a clearing.Someone was waiting.A tall man stood in the center of the grove, wearing dark clothes with his arms bare to the elbows. His skin looked normal, almost human. Almost.There were dark lines running along his arms, like veins that did not belong to a human body. The creature
The creature disappeared among the trees, and Alexei went after it. He was not simply running through the forest—he was sensing. Every shift in the air, every vibration of the branches, every displacement of that small winged presence. Umbra remained attentive inside him, a silent extension of his senses.“Right.” The voice sounded in his mind, and Alexei changed direction immediately.The creature passed between two trunks, and he almost reached it. Almost. Then an explosion of energy hit the tree beside him, and Alexei dodged, the trunk cracking behind him with a crash.He looked back—men. They were not the same ones who had transported the cargo; these were prepared to fight, and they were not ordinary humans. One of them had arms covered in black plates that seemed to grow directly from the skin, another had completely white eyes, and the third looked like a misshapen mass of muscle.Alexei frowned.“What the hell is this?”The winged creature vanished again among the trees, and A
The road had grown narrow. The vehicles slowed as the black van left the urbanized areas and advanced into an increasingly isolated region. Alexei continued following at a distance, and none of the men inside the vehicles spoke. Only the low sound of the engines filled the interior.Sasha checked the map again, his eyes scanning the coordinates.“They’re heading to an abandoned storage area. Old warehouses.”Dmitry watched the road, his expression serious.“Are you sure?”“According to the records, yes.” Sasha confirmed. “There are a few warehouses in this region that should have been deactivated years ago.”Alexei did not answer. His eyes remained fixed on the van, and there was something wrong—ever since they had left the port, Umbra had remained restless. It was not fear; it was recognition: a deep sensation that ran through Alexei’s body like a cold current.Then it happened. The bond shifted. Alexei became completely still, his breathing stopping for a second. Carla. He felt her
Night had already completely taken over the gardens of the Rurik mansion. Outside, the snow reflected the light from the posts scattered across the property, creating an almost peaceful appearance. Almost.Inside the mansion, Carla was sitting in one of the armchairs in the living room with a small bowl of snacks on the table, while Susan occupied the sofa beside her. Demyan was on the rug, still entertained with the little dragon Lyra had given him — the toy flew a few centimeters every time he squeezed its belly, releasing small golden clouds.Carla watched the little dragon cross the air once more and shook her head.“I still can’t believe she gave that to a child.”Susan picked up one of the snacks without taking her eyes off her son.“You talk as if Lyra had given him an enchanted sword.”“I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s the next gift.” Carla answered, and Susan laughed.“Probably. Knowing Lyra, something like that is coming for the next birthday.”Demyan squeezed the toy again
The sun had barely risen when Susan opened her eyes, the sheets tangled around her legs, her heart beating faster than normal.The room was still submerged in darkness, but she knew she wouldn’t be able to go back to sleep.Once again, the same dream. Dmitry. The clearing near the lake. His mouth. H
As soon as the elevator doors closed behind her, Susan let out a shaky sigh. The seconds until she reached the apartment felt eternal.When she finally entered, she locked the door with more force than she intended, dropping her bag on the narrow cabinet beside the entrance and kicking off her heel
The drive to the Rurik Motors headquarters was made in absolute silence. The city pulsed outside, indifferent to the storm swirling inside him.Dmitry kept one hand firmly on the wheel and the other supporting his chin, his eyes fixed on the road, but his mind far away. He needed to focus. He had m
Dmitry opened his eyes and knew he was no longer in the waking world.It wasn’t the first time.That luxurious hall, with its ancient architecture and silent opulence, had welcomed him before. A distorted reflection of reality, perhaps. Or an ethereal plane that only existed in the intersections be







