Page 126 of Crimson Oath
“Perhaps I’ve been misinformed.”
“Maybe we should both meet with Radu and Kezia,” she blurted. “I’m sure they want to know that you have safety concerns just as I have concerns about vampires treating humans as lesser Poshani and telling them not to feed hungry children.”
Vano smiled. “You think you have something there, don’t you?”
“I think you told me to mind my own business.” Tatyana finally reached the end of the trailers and backed her way intothe meadow, keeping Vano in sight. “You should take your own advice and mind yours.”
She was going to have to tell Oleg that at least some of the Hazar had spotted him and those Hazar had reported him to Vano.
Maybe that meant that Oleg wouldn’t be able to “court” her any longer, but the last thing she needed was a bloody and fiery vampire battle on her conscience.
Vano flew toward her, and before she could blink, he was in her face. So close that Tatyana felt his breath on her cheek.
“You should be careful, Tatyana Vorona.”
She froze, and her hand curled into a fist. “So should you. You should know that I have friends, and some of them have very…” She turned and met his black gaze. “…hottempers.”
It was only her reluctance to provoke violence that had saved Vano from Oleg’s wrath before. She didn’t want to provoke a conflict, but if he continued threatening her like this, she wouldn’t have a choice.
The corner of Vano’s mouth turned up. “I see. Thank you, Miss Vorona. You’ve been very informative.”
A bell rang out in the meadow, and when she blinked, Vano disappeared.
She spottedBenjamin Vecchio as he wandered through the crowd, chatting and making conversation like he was some kind of club promoter. Everyone seemed happy to see him.
Except his mate.
The petite woman was sitting in a small group near the center of the festivities at Radu’s table with René, the French vampire, on one side and Kezia on the other.
Kezia and Vecchio’s mate were leaning together and talking inwhispers. If anything, it appeared that they were telling secrets behind the American’s back.
It wasn’t like any mating Tatyana had seen. She was accustomed to Kato and Alexander, who were practically joined at the hip. Benjamin and his mate seemed to avoid each other.
What would Oleg be like as a mate?
Tatyana banished the thought from her mind. By his own admission, Oleg’s dead mate had been a nightmare. The last thing he likely wanted to do was take on another one.
“What are we now?”
“Us. Just… us.”
And that was likely all they ever could be. Or maybe they wouldn’t even be that after she told him Vano had spotted him.
It was probably for the best.
As much as Tatyana desired Oleg, if they kept going the direction they seemed headed, he would take over her life. He was a king. Aknyaz. She didn’t hate him for it. She didn’t even resent him anymore.
But she didn’t want or need a king.
Oleg was who he was, and Tatyana had to learn how to exist in this world. She had to learn how to survive. She had to make alliances of her own.
She felt like a newborn colt, all legs and wobbly balance. She might run someday, but for the moment she was far more likely to fall down.
“This is nice.”
Tatyana looked over and saw Vecchio walking toward her. He was gesturing at the gathering around the bonfire.
“Yes. It’s quite a show for the little ones.” It appeared that every Poshani child in the camp had gathered around the campfire and was excitedly pointing at the sky.
