Dinastiya Tested // 3rd Book of the Takaryev Trilogy

Chapter 28

"And this is Leopold," Ravil explained, gesturing at the small man who was driving them back to the Kremlin. "Presidential adviser, from the Duma." 

Artem furrowed his brow and peered curiously at Leopold. "He's short," he observed. "Even shorter than you, Ravil." 

"Says the dashing young man who just so happens to be six feet tall," Leopold retorted, his pale eyes shrouded by a dancing ray of sunlight on his glasses. 

"How do your feet even reach the pedals...?" Artem asked quietly. 

Leopold seemed to ignore him. Meanwhile, Ravil had fallen into a coughing fit. 

"Probably wasn't the best idea to go crawling around like he did after the surgery on his lungs," Leopold muttered, reaching over to the console to grab a bottle of water. He handed the bottle to Ravil, who gulped down half of its contents. The coughing ceased, and he drew in a deep but cautious breath. 

"Surgery," Artem queried. 

"The bomb left him with a ton of dust in his lungs." Leopold answered. "He could barely breathe, so they had to take it out." 

Ravil took another swig of water. 

"Artem, any injuries?" Leopold queried further. 

"Just a bullet in my foot," Artem replied. 

"Which foot?" Leopold continued. 

"Left," Artem replied. 

"We'll get it taken care of," Leopold resolved. 

"Alright," Artem turned to look at Ravil. "Ti khorosho?" 

"Da," Ravil nodded, putting the cap back onto the water bottle. 

Leopold took a turn and Ravil glanced up to see the Kremlin bell towers rising on the horizon. 

"Well, Artem," Leopold said, "Welcome back to the Kremlin."