Is this destiny?

~ Eastern Europe, the base of the Lebedev Family ~

June 5th

The day started early in the morning with helicopters arriving from the Ceresc Solutions. After unloading equipment and passengers, the helicopters went back for the second round.

Jeff and Felix arrived with kids. Stella and Edward were ecstatic. They decided to keep the kids (and nannies) in Elder Milena's villa because it will be the most peaceful out of the three villas Sarah has access to.

Nala, Haru, Ron, and Zula arrived with the first round because they are helping with coordination.

Michael and Oni confirmed that they will come last. The two of them are making sure everything runs smoothly from the side of the Ceresc Solutions.

Sarah arranged for Nala, Haru, Ron, and Zula to met with Owen, Konstantin, and Vuk in order to decide on the allocation of people between the two villas.

Sarah was happy to see that Atlas, Vega, Bella, and Luna arrived as well. She knows that they are missing their human daddy. Of course, everyone wishes for Aiden's safe return, but just like Sarah, their six fur-babies see Aiden as an irreplaceable existence, and Sarah felt that finally, she has someone with whom she can share her sorrow.

Leopards demanded head scratches and dogs whimpered and licked Sarah's hands. Usually, leopards would gather around Sarah and dogs around Aiden.

"We will get your daddy back soon…" Sarah mumbled while petting the animals.

Kitty joined in the crowd, unwilling to be passed for head scratches and Sarah remembered that Hero is missing. He is recuperating well, but he is far from being able to travel to Europe.

At nine in the morning, Sarah met with people who used to work for Elder Nikolai. Almost everyone from the previous day was present. Sarah didn't want to bother with them. She called Masika and Zack and asked them to handle these people.

"They are here to show their proof of sincerity that they will not backstab me. I leave it to you to decide if their sincerity is enough." Sarah instructed Masika and Zack. "For the ones that satisfy your criteria, assign them sleeping quarters in the back. I want them physically tested before they do anything and classify them based on their roles. When they are ready, ask Allen, Julius, Bo, Francisca, Wing, and Azra to test them. If Hong is in a good mood, he can help as well. Let's see what they are made of. There are security guards, and also keep in mind that Nikolai was handling business with other organizations so there must be someone good with data and intelligence… Let me know if anything stands out…"

By the time the second round of helicopters arrived, Vasily came to see what the commotion is about. He found Sarah in the back of the main villa which belongs to the Grand Elder (aka Sarah).

Sarah rolled her eyes, unable to accept his friendly-Uncle act. "Why are you here?"

"Grand Elder Sarah, I heard that your people are arriving, and I came to see them. We will stay in this place together, so we should know each other.", Vasily said with a smile while his eyes roamed over Ade, Hande, Tejan, Rosa, Daniel, Xiaohui, and several other kids. "I am Elder Vasily. Sarah is my boss, and I am her Uncle."

Vasily noticed Jamari and Imani who were pouring water in bowls for the animals further in the garden. "How many animals did you bring? I thought there is only one black panther."

"Three leopards and two dogs. Anything else?" Sarah responded curtly.

"Can I pet them?"

"You can try." Sarah responded without looking at him.

Sarah continued talking to the kids gathered and with the side of her eye, she paid attention to Vasily. Secretly, she hoped that one of the animals will bite him. Atlas and Vega didn't pay much attention to Vasily. They drank water and pounced up on the tree where Kitty was. They found themselves branches and relaxed while lazily looking down at humans.

Sarah was surprised that Bella and Luna allowed Vasily to pet them. Shouldn't animals recognize malicious people? But then… maybe Vasily is malicious only toward humans.

By the time Vasily ended petting the dogs, Sarah was in the living room, talking to Ron, Zula, Ade, Hande, Tejan, and Rosa. She was pointing at the map. "We got access to the information about all the bases of the Lebedev family. I need you to find the closest ones to this area. We are looking for something potentially remote and off the grid. If you are lacking any access or equipment, contact Anna or Sophia."

"Do you think that is where Aiden is?", Ade asked Sarah.

"That is where Marija met with people who were hired to kidnap me, but they caught him instead. I don't know if they are keeping him there, but they have a base nearby."

"We don't have bases in that area.", Vasily said matter-of-factly.

Sarah shot him a side-glance. "You can tell just by looking at it?"

Owen checked previously and he said that there is no information about their bases in that area. That means it's either a secretive base which is not listed in regular documentation or it really does not exist. But it's a huge area, there must be something there.

Vasily confirmed. "Before I got North America, I was in charge of that whole region."

Sarah scrutinized him. "Assuming that you are not trying to trick me... That was a long time ago. Are you sure that no new bases were created?"

"I have no reason to trick you. Why would I do that if you can check and confirm? I guarantee that you will not find our bases there… but I can tell you what you will find." Vasily said mysteriously.

Sarah was not in the mood for games. "What?"

Vasily smiled smugly, enjoying that Sarah is expecting something from him.

"That is the area of the Voronin family. That is why we don't have our bases there."

Sarah was not sure if she should believe him. She definitely does not trust him. "I know that you hate Voronins. How do I know that you are not trying to trick me and frame Voronins for this?"

Vasily shrugged. "He was not their target. They took him because he knows how to fight."

Sarah held her breath while wondering if anyone outside the Cliffside Villa heard the audio recording that Felix retrieved from Ade's Eve-lens. "How do you know that?"

"I know a lot of things. The word is that he is good enough to climb the ranks of the Voronin family."

"Aiden will not join the Voronin family or any other.", Sarah said confidently.

Vasily exhaled dramatically. "Says the girl who swore never to join the Lebedev family, yet here we are."

Sarah could not deny that Vasily is right. She claimed over and over again that she will never have anything to do with the Lebedevs, yet right now they call her 'Grand Elder Sarah'.

"What do you know?"

"I know that Voronins are hiring good fighters and that someone with bases in that area kidnapped your husband. Everything else is just guessing." Vasily admitted.

"Do they have access to the medicine called snovidenie?"

Vasily paused. "For that, you will need to look in the archives of Elder Nikolai. Sarah, I know that you are wary of me but… that is the territory of the Voronin family. Even if they are not behind kidnapping your husband, they know what groups are active in that area and which ones are capable of doing missions in the United States."

Sarah looked at Vasily with a complex expression.

She was surprised when he changed the topic...

"Some Elders are eager for a council meeting. When will you schedule one?"

"I am busy with finding who dared to attack me and where my husband is. If anyone asks, you can tell them that I am settling into my new home and that it might take a while. If they have a problem with it, I am available anytime to whoop some sense into them with my fists."

Vasily lifted his hands defensively and chuckled. "It will be as you wish, Grand Elder Sarah. Just don't forget to take care of your family."

"That is what I am doing."

"Your family is more than your husband." Vasily reminded Sarah. "As a Grand Elder, you have the whole organization resting on your shoulders. If you delay taking charge, they will see that as your weakness and they will take advantage of it."

Sarah watched Vasily walk away and she was happy that he didn't stay to wait for her answer because he would not like it, and this is not the time to get into an argument with Vasily.

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