Finally, he held out his hand to me, though he kept his fearful gaze locked on Doc.
I glanced at the vampire as well. Doc frowned and fluidly rose from the chair. He usually managed to keep his movements more on the human side, though he moved with a fighter's grace all the time. Right now, he wasn't trying to blend in.
Nikolai paled and babbled something that definitely sounded like a version of vampire.
Doc put his hands on my shoulders, claiming me. Nikolai nodded somewhat frantically before holding his hand out to me again.
"I don't think he's going to hurt me," I said.
"I'm not getting that impression, either," Doc replied. He kissed my cheek and then stepped back.
Heart beating a little faster, I closed the distance between myself and Nikolai. I put my hand into his. Though his fingers were long and elegant, his palms had rough callouses, and his gentle grip did nothing to disguise the strength in his hands.
He climbed out of the bed, letting the blanket the guys had covered him with fall away, and stood in front of me. His pants looked to be of some sort of fine linen, and they hugged his hips. Nikolai's muscles were a little more defined than Doc, but not nearly as muscular as the wolves. I met his dark brown eyes and noticed a shine of the same rich blue as his magic.
Nikolai glanced at Doc, clenched his jaw as if frustrated, and said something that sounded like he was trying to reassure both of us. Then he cupped my cheeks with his hands and blue motes of magic filled the air around us.
My magic responded on its own, or Nikolai was doing something to call it up as well, until we stood in a small light show of our own making.
"Sofia?" Doc murmured softly.
"It's okay," I answered.
The magic tingled through us, pulling at me. I let it tug me along, pull me into Nikolai's gaze, until he blinked and let go of my face.
I took a step back and raised my eyebrows as I looked around. We stood in an ornate room I had never seen before. The floor looked to be white marble. The pillars, probably also marble. Gold gilt covered the walls, and lamps in sconces lit the space. For all of the ornateness of the building, there weren't any pictures on the walls, and that surprised me.
"Where are we?"
"I have that very same question."
I jumped, not expecting to understand Nikolai.
"Your vampire, he will not attack me for this?"
I brought my attention fully back to Nikolai. He was fully dressed in the same clothing we had found him in. "How did you know?"
"He is not the first vampire I have met, and I could taste blood in my mouth when I woke. I assume the two of you healed me?" He winced, probably with the memory of being stabbed in the back.
"Yes, we did. And no, as long as he doesn't think you're hurting me, he won't."
He sighed in relief. "They can be very territorial. And to answer your question, we are still standing in that very strange room I woke in, but I've brought our consciousnesses to a place where we can converse. It is a thing mages do. You are not familiar?"
I shook my head. I didn't want to admit I knew next to nothing about magic, but I was probably going to have to tell him.
"I would echo your question. Where have I woken?"
"Colorado."
He frowned. "I'm not familiar with this place."
"It's in America."
Nikolai still obviously had no idea what I was talking about.
"Um, where are you from?"
"Most recently, Moscow. I'm the high mage of Prince Ivan Vasilyevich. Well, he is the regent for Vasily, but he will soon be fully in charge."
I stared at him.
"You know these names?" He sounded hopeful.
"Well, I mean, I know Moscow."
"Perhaps I should ask what year it is," he inquired hesitantly.
I told him.
He paled.
"Nikolai?"
"Tell me, does Russia still stand?"
I raised my eyebrows, but I nodded.
"And the Mongols?"
"There is a Mongolia, but if you're talking like, Genghis Khan type Mongols, not really." I knew very little about that region, but Nikolai's shoulders eased, and he took a breath.
"So, what time are you from then?"
"Fourteen fifty-five."
"Oh."
"It appears I was trapped for a very long time." He sighed. "Damn Roza, anyway."
"What happened?"
"I believe I will be answering this question many times in the near future. Perhaps it would save a bit of time if I answered you and, did you say his name was Doc? At the same time."
"Yeah. Well, it's Roy Cassidy, but Doc's his nickname."
"Curious. Well, I do not believe I can bring you here every time I need to have a conversation with someone so that you can translate for me, as much as I am enjoying having you in my space." He winked at me. "Would you be willing to give me your language. I will trade, of course."
"Give it to you?"
"I can take the knowledge of your language and transfer it to myself. It is common knowledge in my day, but perhaps it has been lost to time? It's not a perfect solution, still takes time to fully adapt to the new language."
I shrugged. "I still retain my knowledge, right?"
"Of course. And I will trade you. I know several languages. What would you find most useful? I speak Russian of course. The Mongolian tongue. Many regional dialects that will probably be less useful to you. I do not know enough Chinese for it to be a fair trade. Perhaps Russian?"
"I, uh, sure. Though I'm willing to bet the language has shifted quite a bit since you learned it."
"Perhaps, but you will always be able to understand me."
That idea pleased him, so I shrugged. "Sure, why not."
He tilted his head as if trying to understand my phrasing. "Thank you. I'll bring us back so you can explain to your friend. I don't want him to worry."
"Sure."
He stepped back over to me
