Anna Alexander: queen of fire

Time flew quickly, days changed into days, and I literally counted them. The day of our departure approached ever more swiftly. Everyone ran around, fussing, giving orders, while some silently carried out their tasks. The timid whisper that I would accompany the Lion family with their children surprised no one. Everyone already knew of the family’s special fondness for me. Everything was going quietly and smoothly, and, as they say, calm always ends in a storm. And so it happened to us.

Before recounting the subsequent events, I would like to mention Lion’s cousin, Grigory, once more. The grandfather had changed significantly internally, becoming more rigid and rude. The nephew felt this but remained silent. Grigory also understood that he would never have allowed himself such treatment of Ivan and his family. But times change, social circles change, and during the time that the grandson and grandfather lived separately, much had changed.

– Two days ago, one of the grooms saw grandfather observing someone behind the house! – Azazel reported to the lady of the house.

The woman was shaken by these words. Knowing that the old man embodied evil, she hastily turned to Lion:

– I agree, Ivan! The wall is our only hope. We must build it as soon as possible! – Lion, without uttering a word, merely nodded slightly, retreating into the depths of his thoughts, plunging into an unfathomable abyss.

A shadow of doubt crept into his heart. He didn’t want to believe that his grandfather was capable of villainy, but the thought of the protective wall wouldn’t leave him.

The news of this decision caused widespread alarm. Orlova, filled with fear of the restless and strange old man, forbade the children from approaching the lawn.

On the long-awaited day of the start of construction, disaster struck – the porch of the house erupted in flames. At that moment, no one was nearby; everyone was busy welcoming the guests that Lion had been eagerly awaiting.

Suspicions once again fell on Grigory, whose cunning knew no bounds. And as if to confirm the worst fears, visits from his wife Linda – a woman as mysterious and deceitful – became more frequent. Her beauty was deceptive: blonde hair the color of ripe rye and black eyes like pitch, in the depths of which darkness lay hidden, could not go unnoticed.

Their thirst for revenge against their nephew was all-consuming, pushing the couple to the most desperate acts.

– Revenge turns a person into a soulless shell, obsessed with only one goal – to do evil. People like Grigory will seek revenge until their treacherous plan comes to fruition or until their malice turns against them! – the master of the house once told me.

Chapter 13.

The journey of Sania and Herman

After futile searches for Anna, when hope began to fade like the first snow, her parents, with heavy hearts, made the drastic decision to inform the “main” about her disappearance. It was not so much a desperate anxiety for their daughter, but rather the oppressive silence that hung in the air, tormenting them with the question: why is Anna silent?

“Could it be that this enchanted house, the center of mysteries, is capable of engulfing her without leaving a trace?” – Sania whispered, addressing herself in thought.

But no answer followed, only silence, echoing from the empty walls of their home, firmly binding her heart with malice. Time dragged on painfully, yet Anna’s parents did not give up. Only they knew the true reason for her disappearance and patiently waited for help from nowhere.

One spring day, presumably in early May, Herman and Sania set off to a neighboring town to escape the persistent neighbors who were following them closely. But the real reason for this trip was different – they needed to buy some time…

With particularly curious friends, Herman and Sania shared fabricated stories. Their nonchalance regarding Anna’s disappearance could not help but raise suspicions among close friends they did not trust and neighbors. They often visited them, pressed them with questions, and generously offered advice. For the parents, it was a real torture: they were not used to such attention and had no intention of putting up with this way of life.

Soon, Herman and Sania suddenly disappeared, leaving their friend Indi, a large black cat, in the care of the neighbors. The cat was no longer young, but despite his advanced age and slight lameness, he still loved to run and frolic. Apparently, at some point, while escaping from other cats, he injured his paw, and it healed improperly, so the sound of his claws tapping on the ground from his lame paw, like that of a little horse’s hoof, signaled his return home and desire to have a snack.

– What could have made them leave right now?! – asked neighbor Tamara of the other, Ida, a plump and good-natured woman in her mid-forties, with a constant smile on her face.

As was typical for a secretive family like mine, my parents needed just a few minutes to pack for such a long journey, one they had been preparing for since the day I disappeared. Hope for my return had not yet faded, but Herman and Sania understood that they needed to act discreetly to avoid raising suspicions and to “politely” bring me back.

Upon arriving in a city, previously known to me only through my father’s tales, my parents found shelter in a modest little house, lost at the very edge of it. The house was surrounded by dense greenery, and nearby there was a small body of water. An unassuming bench by the house and a flowerbed with a variety of blooms created a cozy atmosphere and bestowed tranquility upon its inhabitants. The house seemed to drown in the lush vegetation: majestic firs, curly birches, and fragrant linden trees concealed the poverty of their temporary abode. In the mornings, the air was filled with birdsong, and in the evenings, bats circled in the night sky, emitting piercing squeaks in search of prey.

The first thing my parents did was to summon their colleagues – accomplished sorcerers and magicians. They came in groups of four, and among them there was always a woman. Herman and Sania planned to start the search for their daughter as soon as possible – either on their own or together with loyal friends ready to help.

The beginning of the month was very interesting for the parents. German and Sania decided to start their amazing and necessary journey, which was supposed to help them get their daughter back. Gathering their courage, they went to their “main”, who had refused them this opportunity for several years.

– Maybe this time we will be lucky, because they must surely already know that Anna is missing! – Sania said anxiously.

– Perhaps, but I have a backup plan in case we get refused again! – German leaned closer, and his breath brushed against his wife’s ear as he began to whisper his secret plan to her.

Sania flinched and, staring intently at German, said:

– And if we get caught, do you understand what will happen to us then?!

– Yes, dear, I am aware of what could happen! – German replied and, spitting over his shoulder, began to prepare for the journey.

Herman always meticulously planned his actions, especially when it came to work. His fears melted away like smoke at the mere thought of traveling to the worlds he idolized, believing them to be his discovery. These were truly priceless places, a tempting morsel for both Herman and other, less noble magicians. All of his bright ideas could become a reality in the blink of an eye, provided his modest abilities, enhanced by the help of the “main one”, were successful.

In the twilight, about twenty young souls gathered, united by a trembling excitement. They were about to perform an ancient ritual, bound by a mysterious document that stated:

– Whoever opens this chest will find what is not in this life.

And each one, as if obeying the call of blood, had to inscribe these words on parchment. Scarlet ink, fragrant with intoxicating pine, flowed under the quill, giving birth to a promise. A personal seal, like a stamp of fate, was affixed as a sign of sincere intentions. Folded in four, the messages were handed over to the high priest, the keeper of the secret. And woe to the one whose sheet was blank – he was immediately declared a stranger, an outcast, forever deprived of the right to partake in the sacred.

The guilty were promptly sent to a fortress lost in the middle of the ocean, where they were subjected to intricate tortures inflicted by insects and reptiles, and the most rebellious were fed to sharks of exotic colors and monstrous sizes.

When the preparations were complete, the elders concluded the ceremony of selecting a new cohort of sorcerers who were to embark on a journey.

Though no longer young, they had only now awaited their turn.

– Oh, what a delightful anticipation it is to be close to you and to understand that we are ready! – Herman said sarcastically.

Their “main” was flattered by these words, but he could not even imagine where his trust would lead him soon.

– Don’t you understand that now or never I am entrusting you with the future?! After all, you two are the only ones from the old group who have not traveled? – asked the “main”.

Sania smiled carelessly, while Herman nodded affirmatively. It seemed, what more could two successful, adult people desire?!

– Of course, we understand everything and thank you for your respect and disposition towards us! – replied Sania, avoiding the “main"s’ gaze.

She had never looked him in the eyes! Whether from fear or excitement, but when Herman spoke, she fell silent like a shadow, and her gaze, wandering somewhere in a dusty direction, became impenetrable, like a lake covered in mist.

So, Herman and Sania, inspired by their “master magician” to explore the unknown, set off on a journey that began so unusually…

At the very edge of Elsa, where the city’s structures timidly surrendered to the encroachment of wild nature, a strange patch of land lay hidden. An ideal circle, as if drawn by the hand of an unknown being, was framed by a ring of larches and towering sequoias, whose age seemed unimaginable. The guests of this place, like shadows, froze at the threshold of the unexplored, amusing in their indecision and timid fear.

The dense forest, as if guarding its secret, was not teeming with large beasts; only the singing of birds and the rustle of leaves disturbed the silence, along with the soft steps of rabbits.

Inserting one into each corner of an imaginary square, they were to dissolve into silence, casting aside the bustle of thoughts and the storm of feelings. Then the elders among the gathered, their voices hoarse from the years lived, lifted a prayer in a forgotten, incomprehensible dialect. And if each of the four achieved that cherished tranquility when the mind becomes clear as mountain crystal, the group of four would dissolve into the air, vanishing without a trace.

To jump ahead: there was no way back for this quartet. They had to carve their own path to return. But if they stumbled, crossed an invisible line, violated unwritten rules, they would be forever imprisoned by the time to which they had been thrown. For the goal of their pilgrimage was to replenish the ranks of a community whose mission was proclaimed as the cleansing of the world from the filth of lies and evil. The chief priests, with a fanAtikal gleam in their eyes, imposed this belief on the newly minted travelers, even though deep down in the recesses of their souls, they were fully aware of its hypocritical falsehood!

In our world, woven with mysterious threads that create a tapestry of dimensions, there are many ways to step over the threshold of reality. And so, upon arrival, the parents and their friends began to prepare. The sky was impeccably clear, without a single cloud. The moon, huge and unimaginably cold, ruled above, alluring with its chilling beauty. Its silvery light seemed to hypnotize, but for Hermann and Sania, the moon remained nothing more than an unreachable dream, as only the most experienced and skilled travelers ventured into its glowing expanses.

In the labyrinth of possibilities for return, the group desperately sought a saving thread. But each attempt shattered against the wall of despair, and if they became trapped in the grip of an alien time and could not find the right way home, a grim and merciless fate awaited them. And only my parents were not burdened by the thought of returning to their native lands. Their desire to find me was so great that they were willing to sacrifice everything for this endeavor.

And then the decisive moment arrived. The four, frozen in their places, sank into the depths of their own thoughts. Adam dreamed of the long-awaited healing, Mikael – of eternal youth, while Anna’s parents could think of only one thing: to find their daughter and, if possible, return with her. It was their only desire, their cherished dream…

During the reading of the mantra, everyone present felt a slight tremor of the earth. Then it intensified. By the end of the priests’ speech, a beam suddenly appeared from the direction of the moon. It was so bright that Adam involuntarily opened his eyes, and was thrown three or four meters away from the group. The great priest, silent and unwavering, merely pointed his finger at the culprit. At that very moment, a guard, like a shadow, threw a strange necklace of wolf fangs around his neck, and in the next instant, the unfortunate man dissolved into the air, as if he had never been.

The beam was growing ever fiercer, as if striving to scorch the very fabric of reality. A split second before the light consumed them, Anna’s parents, as if in unison, shouted one word that echoed through the silence: “Tavern!”

Their voices were filled with such strength and desperation that even the prayer-hardened priest could not suppress a gasp of astonishment. In the next instant, the beam closed over the trio, and they vanished, as if into time itself.

The priest’s face froze in a grimace worthy of the brush of Boscho himself. It seemed that eternity itself was reflected in his dilated pupils. Forgetting all decorum, he rushed to his velvet pouch, where the sacred scrolls lay. He had no doubt about Mikael for even a second, but now his hands, trembling like captured butterflies, frantically unfurled two other sheets covered in writing. From his slightly opened mouth, only a muffled sound escaped:

– Brrrrr…

In an instant, it struck him: Anna’s parents had a completely different plan, bold and unthinkable, and it had worked.

“How could I have been so blind, so arrogant, not to see the deception?” – the thought pierced his mind like a shard of ice.

The rage boiling in his chest began to break free, like lava from a volcano, ready to incinerate everything in its path. The inner fire threatened to consume him entirely, burning away the remnants of self-control, and began to bubble up.

He became transparent with the realization of his own blunder. After all, nothing like this had ever happened throughout his reign! In the blink of an eye, the priest vanished, leaving behind nothing but a shimmering, pulsating bubble, like something alive and breathing. Such was the punishment for the incorrectly performed ritual: dissolution into the very fabric of existence, an eternal confinement in an ephemeral shell.

And then, after what felt like moments, my parents were racing through a tunnel, long as eternity itself. Before their eyes, boundless expanses rushed by, voices of unfamiliar people, growling, screams, moans, weeping. The endless voices did not cease for even a second. Suddenly, an incomprehensible click was heard, and they opened their eyes.

Around them was a multitude of chairs and tables. Not far away, people were sitting and chatting animatedly. Noticing the strange travelers, they began to whisper, sinisterly and insistently, like a swarm of wasps on a stuffy summer noon. The whisper grew louder until it turned into a deafening roar, making the parents involuntarily cover their ears, as if escaping from an invisible swarm.

– Why so loud?! – Sania exclaimed.

– I don’t know, but I think they’re whispering about us, what do you think? – Herman whispered in response, looking around fearfully.

The mother remained silent, sensing something ominous, like the shadow of an impending storm.

– We need to hurry, otherwise we will not avoid misfortune! Herman, I’m talking to you! – she called her husband authoritatively and, snapping her fingers as if extinguishing a spark, they both faded into the air.

It was only a few minutes before another equally strange person or something resembling him joined the strange group.

– They were here, sitting across from each other, right in this very spot! – said a tall man with a neatly trimmed beard, his voice sounded sharp and clipped.

– Yes, that’s right, it was here they were whispering… – confirmed his companion, as if putting a period to his ominous words.

– Continue the search and keep your eyes on the clock! – ordered the man in a tone that brooked no dissent.

His face was concealed by a deep hood, but even in the half-light, a menacing aura emanated from him. It was clear that he was not joking and was determined to find those who dared to breach the protocol.

Chapter 14.

The story of Jim

Meanwhile, I was completely immersed in preparations for the journey. A few days before departure, almost all household matters were completed: the suitcases were packed, the carriages were put in order, and all necessary instructions were given to the servants. All that was left for me was to light the myrrh for the journey, which was to be burned above the smoldering candle under the antique teapot. Despite having time to spare, I was irresistibly drawn to this little flame. For some reason, its flicker gave me strength and calmed my troubled soul.

Approaching the fireplace, where the wood was lazily devoured by the flames, I held the candle to the ember. And then I was struck by a strange sight: a thin wisp of smoke was curling from the candle, and as it twisted in bizarre motions, it began to outline the silhouette of a man in the air. In this ghostly figure, I horrifically recognized Grigory.

“But why him?” – flashed in my mind.

– Because Grigory is looking for you! – a sly voice echoed.

I turned sharply. There was no one in the room besides me. After all, I had entered, unlocking the door with my key. And if it were Azazel, she would hardly be hiding in the corners.

– Who is here? – I asked timidly.

– Grigory is looking for you, be careful! – the voice repeated, as if it were an echo from the beyond.

I remained silent, feeling that something was off in this situation. Either I imagined it, or it was time to stop playing with magic before it played a cruel joke on me.

– Maybe you could show yourself? I would like to thank you! – I insisted.

The torturous minutes of waiting passed, stretching endlessly. The room was filled with such a ringing silence that any sharp sound would make my heart pound wildly.

Finally, I realized that my mysterious benefactor had no intention of appearing. A plethora of thoughts swirled in my head, and I decided to leave. The door was ajar, but as soon as I reached for the handle to swing it open, it slammed shut with a loud bang right in front of my nose. I tried to open it again, but it seemed to forbid my departure, refusing to obey.

“Call for help? No way, they’ll start talking again, just when everything calmed down! Azazel will be here soon, he will save me!” – I thought, and a faint smile of hope appeared on my face.

– Where do you think you’re going? We haven’t finished our conversation yet! – suddenly a loud bass voice rang out behind me.

Slowly turning towards the voice, I saw a tall man dressed in a ridiculous robe, as if someone had thrown a sack over him. It could have been a sack, but I didn’t dare to ask. He was thin, of average height, with light brown hair and unusual eyes. His eyes were so deeply set in their sockets that they appeared to be painted. I swayed slightly, as I had never before seen such a strange face.

– Who are you and what are you doing in my room?! – I asked, trying to hide my fear.

– I am Smoky! I came to help and protect you from the fearsome grandfather Grigory. I am here to… – he began, but hesitated.

– Stop! – I abruptly interrupted him.

At my tone, he recoiled, although he did not seem shy. He opened his mouth in surprise and blinked rapidly.

– How dare you enter my room and say you came to protect me from an old man? Perhaps someone sent you to protect me, or the opposite?! – I asked in one breath.

The Smoke fell silent. By his gaze, it was clear that he was strictly forbidden to speak about it.

“But what are such secrets for?!” – I thought, trying to understand his motives.

– I would like to tell everything in order! – suddenly answered the Smoke, breaking the silence.

– Is he so dangerous that I’ll need your help?! – I repeated.

– Here, take this, drink some water. It will help you gain a clear mind! – suggested the Smoke.

Thirst tormented me, and not paying attention to taking the glass from someone else’s hands, I drank the water down to the bottom, as if the water hadn’t touched my lips for several days.

– How so? – I said, and an echo rolled through the house.

– Soon you will start to stutter, then you’ll feel sleepy, and when you wake up, this room will be empty. You will simply vanish! – he declared confidently, looking me in the eyes.

At that moment, there was movement at the door. I hoped that the one entering would save me from the Smoke, as I did not know who he really was.

A second later, Azazel walked into the room. Surprised by the strange noises, she looked at me questioningly.

Then she cast a wicked glance at Smoke, as if they were old enemies, and spat through her teeth:

– Get away! – after which she sharply turned to me.

A chill pierced me from her words, as if I had fallen into icy water.

– Did you take anything from him?! – Azazel asked in a pleading tone.

– Yes, a glass of water! – I repeated several times, and a dull echo spread through the house again.

She quickly covered my mouth with her palm. My body was covered in sweat, I was drowsy, and then the terrible hiccup began.

“What was that?” – flashed through my mind.

– You’d better keep your mouth shut! – Azazel said and rushed out the door.

At that very moment, everything froze, as if a fierce frost had bound all living things. It is impossible to imagine the emotions of the people living under the same roof as me. Everyone was so frightened that they could not return to their duties for a long time. Lion and Anastasia immediately understood the reason for what was happening. They guessed that I was the cause of it all.

After leaving the office where Lion usually worked, he hurried to us. One of the maidens greeted him as if she had been waiting at the door, knowing he would come. And he came. With his usual calmness, he opened the door and walked in, running his fingers through his hair.

In the room, Jim, Azazel, and I awaited him. The Smoke was no longer there. He surveyed the room and eagerly inhaled the scent of sulfur still palpable in the air.

– A familiar aroma, the Smoke was clearly here recently, – he said with a barely noticeable smile.

They were whispering to each other, not taking their eyes off me. I felt uneasy under such intense scrutiny.

– Please try not to worry, you will soon return to your “normal” state to be ready for departure! – Jim began soothingly.

An old man with gray hair, a long beard, small eyes, and a wide mouth. He resembled a warrior who had gone through countless battles. His face was marked with scars, and in his sad eyes, there was so much warmth that it was impossible to refuse his help. That is why Lion the elder brought him from the depths of India, from the bustling market where slaves were traded. His gift had repeatedly saved the lives of the entire Lion family.

Jim was of mixed race. His father, Soleiman, came from a noble Arab lineage. A wealthy merchant from the East, who brought silks and Persian carpets to Europe and America, he wallowed in gold, like all who had tasted the luxury of life. Jim’s mother was a simple maid, one of those whom Soleiman’s sister treated like possessions. Monica, a girl from an Iranian family where her father was an ordinary commoner and her mother the heiress of great wealth, was the eldest among four sisters and as many brothers. The whole family knew that the father worked tirelessly, returning home in sweat and blood. He often lined up the children and took turns asking them about their accomplishments for the day. His cruelty knew no bounds, whether it was with sons or daughters.