Page 106 of Crimson Oath
“You’re as stealthy as a bear in rut.”
Oleg looked up. Ludmila was sitting in the low branches of a tree a few meters away and aiming a rifle at his head.
“Stop with the flattery. I’ll buy you the new rifle you want.”
“I already bought it.” She clicked the safety on her firearm and set it in the notch of the pine. “Did you kill anyone while you were courting your little bookkeeper?”
Oleg narrowed his eyes. “Did Mika tell you where I was?”
“You smell like her.” Ludmila sniffed the air. “She doesn’t wear heavy perfume, but it’s distinctive.”
“It would irritate me that you know her scent, except you’re a mated vampire.” Oleg leaned against the trunk of the tree and lookedat the faint light in the distance where the Poshani had circled their wagons. “Vano is in the camp.”
“And?”
“He threatened Tatyana. And some of the humans who have befriended her.”
“We should kill him.”
This was why Ludmila was a favorite.
“I agree, but Tatyana doesn’t think it’s wise.”
“Ugh.” Ludmila grunted. “She sounds like Mika. ‘Don’t provoke known allies, Ludmila.’” She imitated the Estonian’s accent. “‘Stop maiming our business rivals’ stupid employees.’ If I maim them, they will learn not to be so stupid. How are they supposed to learn not to be stupid if they don’t suffer physically?”
He narrowed his eyes. “You and Oksana don’t have any plans to adopt children, do you?”
Ludmila shook her head. “She knows I would be too soft with them.”
“It’s amazing how your mate’s thoughts mirror my own.” Oleg felt the butt of Ludmila’s rifle on his shoulder. He reached up and took the weapons so she could jump out of the tree.
“Vano is a weak little man who thinks he’s smarter than he actually is.” Ludmila looked into the distance at the same lights Oleg had been contemplating as she slung her rifle over her shoulder. “The Hazar nearly caught you earlier. I had to distract them. They may move the kamvasa again today.”
“They won’t. Kezia likes that little pond too much. They’ll stay there for a week at least. The theater company just premiered a new play, and the stage is complicated to set up.”
“They sacrifice security for entertainment.”
“We all do sometimes.”
“Are you talking about risking our organizational security so you can pursue the bookkeeper?”
Oleg ignored her. “Did you learn anything useful while you were spotting me?”
“There is a new guest,” she added. “René DuPont.”
“The French thief?”
“Is he French?” She narrowed her eyes. “I thought he was Belgian.”
“Does it matter?”
Ludmila shrugged. “Probably to the French and Belgians.”
“What do we know about him?”
“He moves like a cat.” Ludmila glanced at Oleg, then back at the distant lights. “He moves like a good thief. Very quiet. He spotted you earlier, but he wasn’t close enough to identify you.”
“Do you think he’s planning to rob the kamvasa?”
