Page 32 of Casting Butterflies

“Says the guy whose rental was a huge truck.”

“Because that was all they had left.”

“Yeah, well, if I could afford it, I’d have a fat SUV with all-wheel drive that laughs at snow. You can’t tell me you drive a tiny car in Russia.”

“I don’t,” he admitted. “The Lada is large, but that’s only because it is used to fetch supplies that cannot be created within the enclave.”

“So your people live in a commune.” I’d kind of figured that with the way he’d been talking.

“We stay apart from humans, yes, lest they notice our differences.”

“Such as the pointy ears.”

“And the fact we age at a much slower rate, and while I didn’t inherit much magic, there are others, who despite the loss of our spirit, can still do things that would have many screaming ‘Witch!’”

“I thought Russia embraced those kinds of people. Didn’t you have some Rasputin dude advising your emperor?”

“Tsar, and, no, the people did not approve. Neither did we. However, there wasn’t much we could do stop him given what he’d done.”

“I really wish you’d stop with these ominous references to the past.”

“The elders⁠—”

“Are still days away from explaining. Meanwhile, you keep dropping these tempting breadcrumbs, enough to tease and never satisfy or explain.”

“We value our privacy.”

“Can you at least explain why you chose to settle in Russia? Why not somewhere warm and tropical?”

“We are a people used to the cold.”

“I thought Infernal was hot.”

“The continent the Umbradriad inhabit is. However, we lived on a different land mass full of mountains and snow and ice.”

“Why did your people leave?”

“Volcanoes.”

“Seriously?” I exclaimed, having dumped my bag in the laughably small trunk.

“According to our histories, a seismic event made several dormant cones erupt. The magma, gases, and resulting ash rendered our land uninhabitable. Initially we tried to resettle. However, the Umbradriad didn’t want to share, and tired of constant skirmishes, we decided to relocate to a more peaceful clime.”

“And you chose Earth?” I laughed. “I’d hardly call us peaceful.”

“Your world and landmasses were large enough we managed to establish a home and by my understanding lived in harmony until the betrayal.”

“I take it you’re still hoping to catch the guy and punish him.”

“Yes, however, he’s proven elusive,” Misha stated, climbing into the toy car, making it creak and tilt ominously. Me and Cedric sitting on the opposite side did not provide much counter weight.

“This dude must be some kind of sorcerer seeing as how he can create magical monsters to do his bidding.”

Misha’s lips flattened. “As an Umbradriad, he has access to darker arts.”

“Wait, this guy who stole the spirit is a shadow elf?”

“Yes. He came to us with a pitiful tale of having accidentally wandered through a rift to Earth and begged for sanctuary. We foolishly granted it.”