Art by  sudonym!

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"I vas almost thinking you vould need my pets to help you out of your bedroom, kitten," Koschei said, a hateful sneer on his muzzle. "But I see you have found your vay out." His eyes fell upon the egg held in Ivan's paws. "And you have brought me my egg. Good."

Koschei did not mention the phone ringing. Baba Yaga had prevented the necromancer from hearing their conversation. Ivan had hope; his plan stood a chance of succeeding.

The Once Iggy hissed at Ivan, as if sensing something. Perhaps it detected the hope Ivan carried in his heart. He refused to give it up. Around the necromancer the others shifted, as if nervous.

"My pet does not like you, kitten," Koschei said as he rubbed the side of the Once Iggy's horned head. "You gave her quite a chase, and forced me to make other servants to grant her aid. They, too, do not like you." Koschei looked directly into Ivan's eyes, and the snow leopard forced himself to not flinch from the hateful gaze. "I do not like you either."

"Vill my friend be free of you once you leave his body?" Ivan asked, covering the egg with his free paw.

Koschei frowned. He also seemed surprised. Perhaps he did not expect Ivan to be so brave. He was too used to the snow leopard who ran. The snow leopard who did not fight back. "Da. His soul still resides vithin this body. He vill awaken vith no memory of vhat happened, and I vill rid him of all memories of this night." His grin was too wide, and exposed too many teeth. Ivan did flinch this time, prompting Koschei to chuckle. "Better. You show proper respect." He held out his hand as he levitated off the floor. "Now give me my egg. I vould enjoy going home."

Ivan swallowed the lump that was forming in his throat, and took a deep breath to slow down his racing heartbeat. If it pounded against his chest any harder, it might burst out from the confines of his ribcage. "Da, but first vould you kindly send your servants away? Perhaps to the Bullseye store?"

Koschei nodded. "Of course. No need to cause you undue problems, da?" With a flick of his wrist, the Once Pug and Once Bear trundled away, outside the apartment.

"Once they are at store, you vill please release them from your control, da?"

Koschei smiled warmly, tilting his head down and spreading his hands. "But of course, kitten."

"Purity of sprit," Ivan recalled Baba Yaga's words, "is necessary to keep Koschei the Deathless under control while you possess the egg. It is also a matter of basic politeness. We of the Old Country appreciate manners."

"Spasiba, sir."

"Puzhalsta, kitten. It is no problem at all. Now if you vould please give me my egg."

Ivan took another deep breath, closing his eyes shut as he rehearsed the next request to himself.

He was so very close.

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