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sloshed through water up to our
ankles. Miles tried to take another step back and couldn’t move.
Something had locked around our ankles like steel manacles. It was
cold to the touch but also burning.
    “Wolf, I am the scourge of the river. The
damnation of the deep that is the vodyanoy of the
Tannersville Cranberry Bog.” The creature laughed, a wet coughing
sound, then stroked his beard. “I did have business to settle with
the zmee , but I can see there is even more interesting prey
to be had with the female alone.”
    “ Zmee ? What the fuck is he talking
about, Nat?” Angry heat radiated off Alex’s back.
    I cringed and then revealed my bargain with
the zmee . At my side, Miles grunted in pain. The burning
sensation at our ankles increased.
    Alex said, “Damn it, Natalya. Why didn’t you
call me before you got into this mess?”
    Shame heated my face. I wanted to speak, but
what could I say?
    “The zmee is a conniving thief who’ll
do anything foolish for his precious codes—including desecrating my
waters. He owes me for his treachery, and I’ll ensure he doesn’t
get what he desires. You’ll bring me the dragon’s camera
with the pictures.”
    The vodyanoy put me in a poor
position. Now I had to not only get the pictures, but I also had to
betray the dragon as well. But then again, hadn’t he treated me
treacherously? Should I sink as low as him to get what I wanted?
“And if I fail to do what you want?”
    “Normally, I prefer to keep to myself. If
anyone is curious enough to enter my domain and violate my land, I
pull them into my waters to die.” A smile slowly stretched across
his face, revealing small white teeth. “But I could always use a
pretty pet. You’d fit that role nicely.”
    Heading out into the forest was stressful
enough. I’d pop my top if I was forced to live in a bog with a
sinister water spirit.
    Alex advanced on the vodyanoy , but
stopped at my sharp command. “Don’t!”
    “You’re not touching her. Period,” my brother
barked.
    The vodyanoy ’s body twitched like a
snake ready to strike. “I want a deal. Your word, in blood.”
    “Unacceptable!” Alex roared. I grabbed his
arm to hold him back. If he managed to attack this monster, there
would be nothing I could do to help him.
    Behind us, Miles’ fought to free himself. His
painful growls made it hard to think. I tried to move my legs, but
I couldn’t budge. No place to go. Even if I did want to fight my
foe, I couldn’t. If I turned the vodyanoy down, it would
kill us. A win-win for the water spirit since the dragon would
never get its pictures.
    The vodyanoy stared me down. “You’ve
never met anything like me before. Are you sure you want to see
what I really can do?”
    Without further thought, I bit into my hand
and presented the blooded palm. With a flick of my fingers, the
blood spilled on the water around us—thereby sealing my fate. My
hand hurt, but at least Miles and my brother would be okay.
    The vodyanoy wasn’t done yet. “Since
you’ve agreed to our deal, I’m willing to share some information
with you. For your…pain.”
    I waved my hand as if to say, “No
need.” I was afraid to know what he’d offer me at this
point.
    “Trouble is coming to where you live. From
the east. I’ve heard whispers from the fairy folk in New York. They
said there are wolves making plans to head west. Their scouts will
be looking for someone who fits your description.” His smile was
sinister. “Naturally, they’ve made me curious. Why would they want
someone like you?”
    The creature’s words were so vague, so I
brushed them aside. So many people fit my appearance: brunette,
medium build, in a skirt. Most of the gals here in Jersey looked
like me. Add in a crazy hair style with plenty of firm-hold spray.
Then take away a few inches on my skirt. Yep, Jersey girls were a
dime a dozen.
    I had bigger concerns than some obtuse
threat, though. Like the deal I’d just sealed in blood.
    * * *
    As we drove