a creature with a vicious maw filled with razor-sharp teeth that seemed to be ready to break out and devour the visitors. A gigantic dog wearing a leather collar with glittering studs all of a sudden sat up on its hind legs. Looking into Marina’s eyes, the dog asked her:
«Is that enough? Are you convinced now?»
It was Marina’s turn now to sit down in shock. Grisha took her hand and patted it. She murmured:
«I think I’ve had too much to drink. A talking dog, just imagine that.» Her eyes closed, her body sank limply into the soft embrace of the pillows.
«What vigor!» Boris whispered admiringly. «Three people could not make her sleep! Unbelievable!»
«As a matter of fact, I had a hand in this, too,» the priestess declared.
«What a mess!» Grisha was as nonplussed as his friends were.
«Things will look better in the morning. It’s time to go to bed. Let me show you to your rooms.» Kid was trying to make everybody understand that the party was over.
Marina heard nothing. She was sound asleep.
***
Marina was dreaming. First, the talking dog offered her a cocktail, and then it pushed her off the pier into the sea. Marina turned in a mermaid and swam down into the depths. There, in front of her the spindle-shaped shell appeared, giving off an iridescent glow.
«Hello, Marina! I am the Spindle of Fate.» A sense of serenity enveloped her and she began to listen intently. «The Supreme Being created me to guide the lives of all people. When he left me, he lost control over me. And those in Hell made good use of the opportunity. They limited my influence on people, allegedly in order to ensure their free will. The angels want to give control over people back to God. I believe that everything should be left as it is now. I have decided to go over to mortals. Kid didn’t lie: you were prophesied to become the second after the Creator. However, this will happen only if you agree to accept me. I have chosen you on purpose. There is the ideal balance of forces in you.»
«Why? Tell me, I don’t understand,» Marina wanted to find out more.
««A long time ago, an electrician, a total stranger, was passing by the ward in the maternity hospital where your mother was waiting to give birth to you. Stopping next to your father, the electrician told him:
«Your daughter will hold the fate of the whole world in her hands. She will become the second after God. People’s lives will depend on her.»
«The prophecy,» Marina mused, as if she had witnessed the scene as a bystander and not as a participant.
«Yes. Your father was scared. He knew that your mother was a Light sorceress. He decided to save you from Fate. He forbade your mother to see you. He told you that she died giving birth, but she is alive. Your father unknowingly made the prophecy real. If you became a sorceress I would not have come to you.»
«Wait, I don’t understand. Are you a male or female?»
«I am not an object; I am Power. Power cannot have gender. You may call me as you wish. With my aid you will be able to understand people, know everything about the past, foresee the future a bit, and change the present. You have already become susceptible to magic. You have felt the heart of this house, you have witnessed the battle of illusions between your companions, you have learned to understand the languages of others. However, beware, try not to meddle with people’s fates too often. It is very difficult for a human. As time passes it will become easier, and then you will occupy your position.»
«How shall I call you?»
«Vas!»
«Vas… If I call for you, will you come?»
«I am always with you. You don’t have to call for me. I am part of you. For now, go. Wake up!»
***
«Good morning. It’s time to get up!»
«May I linger for a bit longer?» Boris was murmuring when suddenly his sleepiness vanished, as if by magic. He propped himself up on one elbow and angrily asked Grisha: «How did you get in here?»
«I came through the wall,» the young man answered nonchalantly continuing his attentive examination of the dragon tattooed on Boris’ right shoulder.
«Don’t you dare try to sic him on me,» Grisha said pointing at the dragon with his finger, «or I’ll torch him. By the way, you haven’t ever thought of turning your face to the Light, have you?»
Zimin wasn’t taken aback by this abrupt change of topic. He whined:
«I’m not even fully awake yet. I am not ready for edifying talks!»
«You must always be ready for edifying talks since life could end suddenly and unexpectedly.»
«What the hell are you doing here anyway?» Zimin gave him a sullen look.
«Do you know where Marina is?» Grisha asked vacantly.
«In her room. No, wait. She is out of town. She, she is not in this dimension. My pendant… I can’t feel it,» he sounded worried.
«So, the chica is not that simple. Beware of Greeks bearing gifts,» Grisha grinned.
«You hypocrite. The little ring has its own secret as well. Wait. Marina is here, let’s go.» Borya leapt off the bed, clapped his hands and was suddenly dressed in the same clothes as yesterday, though instead of a neck chain, he now wore a bracelet. He headed resolutely for the door pushing Grisha aside.
«I have made a decision to go to Damramir,» Marina informed the young men authoritatively.
«Good for you. I will help you pack and get the portal ready.» Kid was acting like a first class butler, receiving the information phlegmatically.
«Marina, tell me,» the angel hesitated, «where have you been?»
«What a strange question, Grisha!» Marina frowned and then smiled. «I was asleep.»
«Yes, girls do sleep sometimes,» Zimin said slowly; the sarcasm was clearly evident in his words. «I would have had enough sleep too had it not been for someone who shall remain nameless.»
«I was sleeping,» Marina went on failing to notice the demon’s remark, «and dreamt that I could help Praya.»
«That’s wonderful but I doubt that she is anxious to get your help,» the little vampire said. He was about to leave but turned around at the door. «Last night she tried to go back to her world through the portal. I didn’t let her go and persuaded her to sleep on it. She must really be afraid of something since she, as exhausted as she was, was determined to make a leap through the portal.»
«Yes, I am frightened,» Praya said appearing in the doorway. «I am afraid of these thousands of cold eyes looking at me from all directions of your strange world. The hungry eyes of Chaos.»
«You are probably,
