Called by the Siren

Chapter 18: Meeting with the Russians

Leonid walked to the outskirts of the Russian Gang’s encampment and was quickly stopped by two Black Bear Guards.

“Who goes there?” One of them asked in Russian. 

Leonid stepped more into the light and said “Leonid Clearwater, Captain of the Krakens”

The Black Bears gasped as they realised who it was. “Please wait here and we will inform the Tsar of your presence!” One of the Black Bears said politely as he ran off.

“Aye, you do that lad” Leonid said putting his hands in his pockets and whistling a tune. A few minutes later the Guard came back and said “Please follow me Sir”

Lenoid was taken to a large yurt that had a large table and chairs in the middle of it. There sat his cousin, his wife and Viktor all eating their supper. 

“Well, well, well! Look what the bear dragged in” Anastasia said as she sipped some red wine.

“Now cousin, is that any way to treat a family member?” Leonid said with a smile.

“He is right Anastasia!” Dimitri said getting up and walking over to him. They hugged and laughed, whilst Dimitri slapped him on the back a couple of times. Anastasia rolled her eyes at the show of manly affection. She knew Dimitri had a soft spot for Leonid as they grew up together like brothers.

“I see you have not shrunk one inch my old friend!” Dimitri said with a genuine smile.

“And you no younger!” Leonid said without missing a beat making Dimitri chuckle.

“When did we get so old? Come sit and have some wine” Dimitri said motioning to the table.“Of course you know Viktor, so there is no need to introduce you two! I still say he would make a fine husband for that Granddaughter of yours!” Dimitri said casually.

“Aye, I know and if it was my choice they would have been married by now.  But it is Bonny’s choice and I won’t force her, you know that Dimitri. The girl has been through too much as it is!  He will just  have to win her heart like you did Anastasia’s” Leonid said firmly.

“Oh please!” Anastasia said blushing making Dimitri chuckle. His wife rarely blushed and it was quite comical.

“I must admit, I was quite the romantic as a youngster. Training that Black Bear to pull a cart of flowers at the midsummer ball almost killed me!” Dimitri said reminiscing as he poured his cousin some red wine.

“I will continue to try to win her heart!” Viktor said firmly

“Well try harder, the Twins have officially started courting her!” Leonid grumped.

“Typical! How could you agree to the Siren being courted by the Princes of Mischief? Anastasia said slamming down her wine glass.

“You have met my wife, haven’t you?” Leonid  said and Dimitri nodded his head knowingly. Few women could give Anastasia a run for her money, but Rosemary Clearwater could. Having tied down his rebellious cousin, Dimitri fully understood that Leonid would not go up against her.

“I see. Well the Siren did not have to agree to this challenge! I thought we had it in the bag!” Anastasia grumped.

“I found out too late! Frank pulled a fast one and we have had words” Leonid.

Dimitri chucked and said “He is as sneaky as his old man! What will be, will be when it comes to the challenge and to Bonny’s hand. Though you know she will be more then welcome in our part of the world!” Dimitri said.

“As long as she does not betray us like a certain Granddaughter of ours!” Anastasia snapped.

“Yes I did here about that, messy business. However, things tend to work themselves out!” Leonid said gently.

“Yes, we were never going to take the child away from them, we just wanted to teach them a lesson!” Dimitri admitted.

“Thought as much! Well you certainly have got their attention!” Leonid said stroking his chin. He knew his Cousin could be hard and cruel, but when it came to family they tended to be soft as butter. Not that they would ever admit that, especially in public.

“So why are you here Leonid?” Anastasia asked curiously.

Leonid’s face suddenly turned serious, which made Dimitri and Anastasia sit up. They knew there was something seriously wrong.

“What is it Leonid?” Dimitri said

“I wanted to warn you, somebody has been kidnapping Sea Gang members. Mostly women, but a few men” Leonid said in a quite voice.

“What?” Anastasia said astonished.

“It was slow at first, the odd women would go missing and no one thought much if it. Sea Gang members are lost at sea constantly right? But a pattern has been emerging and it has become more regular” Leonid said .

“Viktor have you heard anything about this?” Dimitri asked.

“Only rumours and I know a women went missing from the Greenland Shark Gang last week” Viktor said in a worried voice.

“Do we have any idea what is happening to them?” Anastasia asked 

Leonid’s face suddenly turned dark as he said “One of the Krakens fished a body out of the water a couple of weeks back. The poor women was decomposing, but it was clear she belonged to The Black Gulls Sea Gang. It looked like she had been….well hunted” 

“Hunted?” Dimitri said shocked

“I can’t be certain as I said, but the Post Mortem report identified Dog bites and a Wounds that had been cause by a bow and arrow” Leonid said.

“Sweet Jesus” Dimitri said. The Russian Gang had hunted people in the past, but the practice died out when Anastasia’s Father died.

“Have you told Kurt?” Anastasia asked

“No” Leonid said quickly. 

“Why not?” Anastasia asked her eyes narrowing.

“Because I think it is one of his syndicate members orchestrating it. A vile man named Elgar Marsh” Leonid said in a hushed tone.

“The slave trader? It would make sense, as he does not value human life and he sees Sea Gangs as scum. Especially, as he sees you interfering with his business” Anastasia said in a matter of fact way.

“What better way to recoup any losses then to kidnap Sea Gang Women and charge people to hunt them?” Viktor said angrily.

“Which is why his  daughter’s went after the Canadian Twins, plenty of small islands and deserted areas to expand his growing business” Dimitri said and Lenoid nodded.

“But that has been stopped by Bonny now courting them” Anastasia said.

“Which means…” Dimitri said his eyes opening in shock

“Which means my Granddaughter is in their sights and Elgar Marsh insinuated as much tonight!” Lenoid growled.

“That is not going to happen! How dare they threaten our Siren?!” Viktor said suddenly bringing his fist down on the table, making everything clatter.

“No, it is not. No one threatens our family and gets away with it! Tell us what you need Brother!” Dimitri said and Lenoid smiled at the loyalty shown.

***Thank you so much for reading! Next update is on Sunday! Please feel free to comment and don’t forget to follow me! Until then keep safe!***