Which Witch || Aleksander Morozova

𝓬𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓽𝓮𝓻 𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓻𝓽𝓮𝓮𝓷

Os Kervo

—

With the passengers on the skiff still reeling from Aleksander's manipulation of the Fold, Katerina is provided with the opportunity to carry out the next stage of her plan.

Whilst no one is looking, Aleksander bends the shadows around her in an attempt to conceal her from vision. Glancing down at herself, she doesn't notice any difference. Aleksander is still looking at her, and it's only when Alina moves closer, asking him where she had gone, that she realises he succeeded. I'm invisible. Aleksander must still be able to see her, as his eyes still find hers whilst she's cloaked in his shadows.

Giving him a small nod, she moves to the edge of the skiff. Once Zoya brings the skiff to a stop at the docks, Katerina slips away unnoticed. It's easy enough to weave her way through the crowd, though it's difficult to remember that people can't see her. There's a few instances in which someone almost barrels right into her, as people move around frantically.

She can't imagine how frightening it must have been; seeing the Fold rushing towards you, running away even though you know there would be no escaping such a monstrosity. A shiver runs down her spine as she realises that Novokribirsk is still standing because of her. If the story unfolded as it should have, this entire town would be consumed by darkness, its people torn apart by the volcra.

It doesn't take long to find General Zlatan. His brows are furrowed as he speaks with some rather unnerved looking First Army officers. From the looks of it, they seem rather reluctant to carry out whatever Zlatan wants them to do. They stay at the edge of the docks, as he straightens himself and moves along the wooden structure towards Aleksander as he steps off the skiff.

Katerina trails close behind Zlatan, unseen.

A few dignitaries that had been on the skiff breeze by the General, followed by Ivan and Fedyor, as well as some other passengers.

"General Kirigan." Zlatan calls out in greeting, to which Aleksander nods with feigned politeness.

"Zlatan."

"That was quite the entrance." His fingers are fidgeting with the grip of the sword that hangs at his side. The display of power has clearly shaken the First Army General. Then he straightens, evidently seizing some courage, and grasps at his sword. Only for Katerina to get to him first.

His sword is half unsheathed as she seizes a fistful of his hair, yanking his head back as she presses her knife into his side, right against the artery, just as Fedyor showed her. Aleksander loosens his hold on the shadows surrounding her.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk," she scolds softly. "Now, General. Don't you know traitors never live out a happy ending?"

Recognition registers on his face at her voice. He takes a shaky breath, but his voice is like venom when he speaks. "I suppose you would know. You're with them now?"

She snorts softly, then lowers her voice even further so that only Zlatan can hear her. "I'll tell you a secret," she hisses in his ear. "Since no one will ever believe you again. I was a traitor long before I travelled East. Who do you think put my poor father out of his misery?"

He gapes as he realises the meaning behind her words, then instinctively begins to struggle in her hold. She just presses the knife harder to his side and he freezes.

"I wouldn't do that If I were you. See, if I nick this artery here," she pushes the tip into his side, just enough to pierce his coat but not his skin, making him flinch. "The only ones who could un-nick it before you bleed out all over the docks are under the command of the true general."