"So, we'll spend the next week taking tests and preparing to steal Ash away. Then we'll deal with the consequences." I turned the conversation away from the more disturbing topic and back to tests.
"Yes," Doc agreed.
"So, where are we going now?"
"Natural history museum. Then we'll wander up the 16th street mall, grab some dinner, and head back to Victoria's house. Tomorrow we'll go home," Doc answered. "I have no idea what their rotating exhibits are, but it's a really good museum."
It didn't take long before Doc had parked the truck and we stared at the banner advertising the current attraction. Mongolia, past and present.
Ed laughed. "Well, this should be interesting."
"Very," Nikolai agreed.
We hurried inside, got tickets, and started working our way through exhibits. The natural history ones really caught Nikolai's attention, and we spent several hours wandering the museum before we got to the Mongolia exhibit. I thought Doc and I spent more time watching Nikolai's reactions than actually paying attention to the things around us, but his intent interest was quite entertaining. The building wasn't super crowded, though there were plenty of adults and children around, so we weren't real free to talk. Even Nikolai remembered not to be too obvious about his gaps in knowledge.
I threaded my hand into his as we went into the exhibit about his part of the world.
"It is very strange to see this in museum," he whispered as he studied some of the modern pictures of life on the Mongolian Steppes. "Would say, not much has changed."
Ed and Allan wandered ahead. We let Nikolai take his time, though he didn't let go of my hand and he stood close, occasionally pointing out a small detail to me.
He studied one picture of a Mongolian family and pointed at the woman. "She is mage. See, her sash signifies her position."
"I wonder if they are more accepting of magic users," I said quietly. The picture was dated more recently.
"Steppes are difficult land to live in. Would be silly of them to reject someone who could mean the difference between life and death." Nikolai shrugged. Nikolai was half Tatar and half Russian and had spent time both on the Steppes and in Russian cities.
We worked our way back in time, and details got more speculative, though Nikolai filled in a lot of information. Quietly. As we approached his time, details in the exhibit about magic became more prevalent. His hand clenched on mine as we read details of how the Renaissance had affected that part of the world.
He growled softly, muttering about stupid humans, though I saw him studying the descriptions intently. Maybe looking for mention of people he knew?
"Here." He pointed. "Roza Orlov. Court mage." He curled his lip.
"Orlov?" I questioned.
"Cousin."
"Ah."
Doc stood close, listening, though he watched the people around us while Nikolai read.
"Did not go well for her." He pointed at one of the documents. Not long after she had stabbed Nikolai in the back, the war with the Tatar was won and the magic purge took its toll on the Russian courts. "She did not enjoy her success for long." Nikolai laughed. "It says she gained ascension after the previous court mage mysteriously vanished. Few records of that individual remain." He snorted.
I squeezed his hand and leaned against his arm.
"We should leave," Doc said quietly.
"Why?" I turned to look at him then followed where he was looking.
"Huh, wonder what she wants?"
That got Nikolai's attention. "Adriana followed us here?" He frowned.
"Apparently," Doc replied.
"Well, is obvious she knows we're here. I would like to finish reading this. See how much they got wrong." He smirked. "I do not think we're in danger. Currently, anyway."
Nikolai turned back to the documents in front of him and I stayed twisted around, watching the other mage approach.
"Touring the city?" Adriana didn't even pretend she was there by chance.
"Neither Sofia nor Nikolai have been here before," he answered. "Why are you here?"
"How are you alive, Roy? You haven't aged a bit, either." Adriana crossed her arms, not answering his question directly, but it was clear why she had followed us.
He shrugged. "Just lucky, I guess."
Nikolai pulled me on as he finished reading. Doc and Adriana followed.
"You don't look that much older, yourself."
"Yes, but I have aged. It's been thirty years, and no one should have made it out of that alive. Your magic isn't that strong."
Nikolai muttered something I didn't catch but I glanced at him. He was studying something about the war between the Russians and the Tatar. Maybe he was looking for references to his friend Peter?
"I didn't get hit when the building came down and was able to get out before the smoke overwhelmed me. I got lucky." Doc kept his tone mild, but I could sense his annoyance through our pack bond.
"Why didn't you find me?" She actually sounded a little hurt.
It was my turn for my hand to clench. Nikolai pulled his attention away from the exhibit and turned toward Doc.
"Maybe I didn't want to answer your questions." Doc smiled slightly. "We had accomplished our goals and I moved on. I don't usually stay in one place for very long."
"Why?"
"Life of a cowboy," he drawled.
Ed and Allan wandered back over, though I saw both of them stiffen as they recognized Adriana.
Nikolai and I stepped up to either side of Doc, though our hands were still joined behind his back and we made it very clear with our body language that he was quiet spoken for.
Adriana's eyebrows rose and she glanced between me and Nikolai then back to Doc. "Seems you have settled down a little."
He shrugged. "For a while." He slid his arm around mine and Nikolai's backs.
"Something tells me my initial instincts about you were correct. You're not really a mage, are you?" She said it casually, as if it didn't matter to her, but I could sense the intensity behind her question.
"Perhaps this is not best place to be talking
