Page 102 of Crimson Oath
Vano hadn’t known she’d heard that exchange, but she’d just told him.
Stupid, Tanya. So stupid.
“Your friends must have told you about our discussion the other night.”
There was no way she could refute that without admitting that she’d been eavesdropping. “I believe they will be sharing that conversation with Radu and Kezia. It is not something we need to discuss.”
“Exactly.” Vano’s fangs fell behind his lips, but he allowed the edge of one to peek out at her.
A warning. Subtle but aggressive.
“Poshani business is for Poshani,” Vano said. “You would do well to enjoy our hospitality, Miss Vorona. And do not forget that you are a guest in this place.”
“I will never forget the hospitality of the Poshani,” Tatyana said. “You can be assured of that.”
Without another word, she stood and walked away. She wasn’t retreating, but her hands had a slight tremor and her amnis wasroused by his threat. If she stayed sitting next to Vano any longer, she was going to rip his head off. Or at least try.
Not exactly the proper etiquette for a theater performance.
She nodded at a Hazar guard as she passed him on the edge of the crowd.
The vampire cocked his head with a slight frown. “Is everything all right, surati?”
No, your terrin just threatened me and told me to keep my mouth shut about it.
She was angry and afraid. The bastard thought he could threaten her? He thought he could threaten Rumi and Katrina?
He could.
Vano was a terrin of the Poshani people, the power behind the kamvasa.
Tatyana tried to even her expression and stop her hands from trembling. “The lights were bothering my eyes a little bit.” She touched her temple. “I’ll catch the second performance tomorrow and remember to bring glasses.”
“Of course, Miss Vorona.” He bowed and watched her walk back to her caravan. “Enjoy your solitude and rest your eyes.”
“Thank you.”
She sensed him as soon as she got close. Tatyana walked up the steps and punched in her combination with the dangling stylus before she pulled the door open and walked into her trailer.
Her hands were still shaking, and her amnis was running high.
Oleg was lounging on the sofa in front of the small table, freshly showered and wearing a navy-blue shirt open at the collar. “The play sounded delightful. Pushkin, yes?” He looked up from the book he was reading. “Why did you leave?”
She stood, staring at him as the sense of rightness swept over her.
There you are. You arrogant, infuriating, know-it-all vampire.
There you are.
Dammit.
“Tatyana?” Oleg frowned and rose to his feet. “What happened?” He lifted his nose and sniffed the air before he growled and bared his teeth. “Who frightened you?”
Chapter 25
Oleg
His fangs were down, but Tatyana walked to him, stood on her tiptoes, and brushed a kiss over his jaw.
