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                They

made the cross country trip with speed. They chose their two legged feral forms

as being the most efficient when it came to both moving and carrying supplies.

They were traveling light, but even then, to be properly prepared, they needed

clothing and a few other accoutrements for those times when they visited a

village, town or city.                                 

                For the

most part they avoided them, but when they got to the lakes region, Edward

stopped them along the shore of the eastern most one. "I think I remember this

place."

                "Your

path took you through here all right. I lost your trail and had to pick it up

again at a nearby village."

                "Let's

stop by. I seem to have a dim memory of this place." They all got dressed,

after changing forms of course, and walked into the village. From the looks on

the faces, part of the trio was recognized. The sign of the cross was made, and

prayers and curses alike came to their ears. Edward smiled with a grim

knowledge that he had been here.

                "Where

is Czernobog?"

                A deep

voice boomed from a doorway. "I am here. Who calls?"

                He

stepped out and his eyes lit up. "My friend! And your little girl! And who is

this, your mother?"

                The

tsarina made a face.

                "No,

she is a relative on the girl's. So we did meet before! I thought we did."

                The old

man looked at his clothing. "I see you found something better than the old rags

I gave you. You didn't lose them, did you?"

                "I'm

afraid that I seem to have run right out of them. I will endeavor to replace

them when I return to the city."

                "There

is no need. I am glad you found what you were looking for. But tell me..." He

said, pulled Edward closer, "did you discover your true nature?"

                "Yes.

Shall I show you?"

                The man

looked around at the villagers. "If you truly have something to show me, bring

it inside. I will then deem it safe or not to show them all."

                Less

than two minutes later there was a cry of alarm. Thirty seconds later the man

was scrambling out of the house. Thirty more and Edward came out grinning.

                "What

do you think friend?"

                "I

think that I will never doubt my grandfather again! Are you sure that was no

trick?"

                "Do you

want me to do it again?"

                "No.

I'd rather have the possibility of it being a trick. I know what my eyes saw,

but my mind cannot grasp it."

                "I was

only keeping my promise. You did want to know."

                "Yes, I

did. I wish I hadn't said that. Ignorance it truly bliss."

                "Isn't

it though? Goodbye my friend. We are on our way back to St Petersburg. Have a

long and happy life, and thank you for your kindness. It shall be repaid!"

                They

wandered back to the path they had come in on, but changing was out of the

question. Children followed them for nearly a mile before finally leaving them

in peace. Every one of them wanted to know what Edward had showed their elder.

He just smiled and walked on, knowing full well that showing just one man was

far better than the whole village. That information might just get them killed.

                The

trip back was filled with boredom, considering all they had recently been

through. Only the old woman seemed troubled. "The closer I get to the old

Winter Palace, the more I fear for my life."

                "You

have a ring. What in the world can you fear?" asked Maggie.

                "There

are things in this world that even this ring cannot protect me from my dear."

                "And

what would that be?"

                Edward

grabbed her by the shoulder. "Leave it. She's right. There are things that the

rings cannot protect you from. You're a smart girl. Figure it out."

                It shut

her up because it occupied her mind for very long time. It had to be something

quite powerful that the rings couldn't protect against. Then she changed the

tack of her thoughts. Or maybe it had to be something insidious and

unforeseeable. But what? She finally gave up.

                "I

can't think of a thing the rings can't protect us against."

                He

stopped and put his hand on her shoulder. "The truth. Memories. Information.

Those are all things that can harm us, or help us, or hinder us in our life.  The rings have no power over that. It was not

the ring that messed with my mind, it was silver. I seem to have everything

back in my head, including a few things that I wish weren't there. But they

are. Tell me you don't wish a few of yours were gone, never to return."

                "I see

your point. I never thought of it that way before."

                "If I

told you, right now, that I hated you and couldn't stand you, would the ring

save you from that?"

                Her

heart skipped a beat. "That's not funny!"

                "No

it's not. So keep in mind what you say and what you do. If you have a thought,

tell me what it is, but don't broadcast it right now. There's an old saying

from a war long ago, loose lips sinks ships."

                When

they got to the outskirts of the city they morphed and dressed, walking the

rest of the way in as humans. Maggie was a little subdued by the unexpected

lesson and remained quiet until they got into the city. Once they reached the

outlaying neighborhoods they worked their way towards the old Winter Palace.

Maggie finally spoke up.

                "We

need to get back to the church."

                "Why?"

                "Because

I left our stuff there, including my credit card."

                "Good

enough. Let's go."

                They

had quite the walk ahead of them, but eventuality the church came into view.

Edward held back for a moment, sizing the place up. Then, with an assured step,

he led them through the front doors. Inside, it was as before. It was also deathly

quiet.  It was a church after all. Maggie

tugged on his sleeve.

                "Let's

go to our rooms and get our stuff and go."

                "I

don't think it's going to be that easy. Go, but be careful. I don't like the

feel of this place today."

                She

started to walk towards the corridor but he stopped her. "Wait."

                "What?

Make up your mind."

                "I

think I'll do it. You two go over there and wait."

                She

started to argue and then stopped. "If you say so."

                He

waited until they were off to the side before walking back to the hallway. A

few seconds later there was an explosion. Maggie shrieked but her great aunt

held her back. "He knew there was a trap."

                As the

dust rolled out, a lone figure came stepping out a moment later. He was holding

their bags. Maggie ran to him. "You asshole! Why did you do that?"

                "I had

a feeling that we would be expected at some point or another. It was a simple

device filled with silver, so they knew what they would be expecting."

                "But

who...oh, the mystery youth."

                "One

could assume. Here," he handed over the bags, "I assume they've been rifled

through but everything should be intact. The blast was directed outwards."

                She

went through, bringing up her wallet. The card was still inside. "Got it. Now

let's get the hell out of here!"

                "I

agree. Out the back. Someone will know that the bomb was tripped and they'll be

looking for us on the street. Let's make sure they're looking on the wrong

street."

                They

slipped out and ran three streets over before heading deeper into the downtown

area. Edward directed them to a small café where they sat down for a meal. "I'm

hungry and no one will look for us here."

                "How

can you be so sure?"

                "Call

it a hunch. They'll be looking for signs of us in ashes at the church, and in

injuries and dripping blood. We have left no trail. I think we'll have time for

some food. If you're not hungry, then by all means leave. But I want some real food

in my stomach."

                Maggie

had to wonder about his change in attitude. She was going to say something but

again held her tongue. She was suddenly aware that the things she said could

hold grave importance. "I'm hungry too. If you think it's fine that I'll go

with it."

                "Good.

Now let's order and eat."

                They ordered

and sat quietly eating. It was simpler fare than they had at Da Vinci, but it

was authentic Russian cuisine.  The

tsarina smiled as the memories flooded back. "This is not like our chefs

prepared, but it is so much better than eating raw meat all the time,

regardless of its source."

                "I

heartily agree," he said. "Now why don't we just relax and see what fate brings

our way, shall we?"

                Maggie's

suspicions grew. "Will we have time to enjoy our meal before the fates start

their little show?"

                "Why of

course they will Mags. We have plenty of time. Priyatnogo appetita! "

                She

remained cautious during the whole meal, noting that ironically, he wasn't.  He was acting too sure of himself. That was

her department, and right now, she couldn't sense a thing. She probably would

have missed the bomb too, walking into a trap like a novice. He might deny

having mental powers, but they seemed to be manifesting regardless of his

claims.

                The

meal was finished and the table cleared, except for a bottle of vodka and three

glasses. Edward leaned back and put his feet up on an unoccupied chair. "So

ladies. What should we do next?"

                The

tsarina frowned, thinking him full of bluster and frivolity. "We must seek out

this boy. Seek him out and destroy him. Only then can I be safe."

                Edward

chuckled. "You safe? Is that all you're concerned about? After all these years,

have you maybe been going about this all wrong?"

                "Young

man, I'd like you to be a little more serious about this matter. You don't know

what it's like to be hunted."

                "Oh, you're

so wrong. Have you ever been dead? No? Then this discussion is done. Just

because you've been skulking about for decades out in the wild doesn't make your

actions correct."

                "Now

see here! I'll not be lectured by someone who hasn't been a werewolf for more merely

the matter of a few months!"

                "Keep

your voice down madam. Not everyone needs to hear you."

                She went

to protest some more, but he drew his finger across his throat. "Enough. Keep

whatever thoughts you have to yourself."

                Just

then another party came into the place. The proprietor went into a tizzy of

fawning activity, pulling out the chairs and preparing a large table. One of

them men pointed to the table of three and whispered some words with the owner.

He came bustling over. "I'm so sorry, but the restaurant has just been booked for

a private party. I hate to rush you out, but since you have eaten perhaps you

can go now? "

                "Gladly,

but we haven't paid our bill yet. Bring us the bill and we'll be on our way."

                "No,

no. You go. Food is on the house. Uhhh," he looked over at the newcomers. "They

pay your bill. Complimentary!"

                Edward

stood, directing the others to follow suit. "That is very large of them. We

will leave and allow them to have their party."

                Instead

of walking towards the door, he moved around the tables until he was behind one

of the men. He was a big brute; bald and dressed in a somber black suit. "Excuse

me, but I'd like to thank you for paying for our meal. It was unexpected and

very much a pleasant surprise."

                The man

turned and grabbed him by the shirt. "Go away. I know nothing of your meal."

                Edward

nodded his head in a pseudo-apology. "Oh. Sorry. Well, tell Alexei that the

thought was appreciated, even if the little squirt didn't actually pay for it."

                The man

raised a ham-hand to strike him. As the fist came down, Edward put out his own

and stopped it.  "That's not very nice. I

was simply trying to thank the young man for paying for my dinner. And now

look. You've made me angry!"