Page 128 of Crimson Oath
“I’m observant. Some of us don’t come into immortal life with riches, connections, and extraordinary power.” She watched him from the corner of her eye. “We have to watch for our opportunities.”
Radu shouted at the Hazar, “Come closer. Put out your lights.”
The Hazar started toward the ground, leaving the skies above the kamvasa unguarded.
Radu kept talking to the gathered audience, and Tatyana looked over her shoulder, expecting to see Vecchio standing behind her, but the wind vampire had disappeared.
Moments later, the sky above her exploded with the first firework.
Tatyana nearly jumped out of her skin.
Tatyana returnedto her trailer a few hours before dawn to find Oleg already working on a new puzzle. He had cleared off the table and was spreading tiny pieces across the surface.
The moment she saw him, the erratic energy skittering through her system eased, but the wariness remained. “There’s something very strange going on.”
Oleg stood without another word and turned to her. “Tell me.”
He was ready, and his fangs were already down. His body was a coiled spring, and Tatyana suddenly understood why warriors followed this man into battle.
“I am a king who is a weapon.”
She had the unnerving realization that in that moment, she could point Oleg at anyone she wanted and he would destroy them.
Vano. He’d be happy to get rid of Vano.
Vecchio.
Even Radu or Kezia.
She didn’t need that kind of power. She didn’t want it.
Tatyana could wait to tell Oleg about Vano’s threats. Because in the end, he hadn’t really made any. Not anything overt.
“It’s not like that.” She walked to him, put her hands on his shoulders, and his muscles eased. “It’s fine. I’m fine.” She stood on her tiptoes and lifted her face to his. “It’s not an immediate thing.”
When Oleg kissed her, his amnis smoothed down her neck, herback, and her shoulders, calming her without his saying a word. It was a full-body hug from his energy to hers.
Oleg cupped her cheek. “What is wrong?” He bent down and put his nose to her neck. “I smell a wind vampire. Strong.”
Oh damn. She was going to have to tell him about Vano or he was going to overreact.
But she’d also seen another wind vampire that night.
“Vecchio,” she blurted. “We were talking while I was watching for sparks from the fireworks earlier.”
“Was he bothering you?”
“Not in any dangerous way. He… asks too many questions. It’s probably nothing.”
Oleg took Tatyana’s hand and led her to the sofa. “Sit with me. I can sense the tension in the camp even though I’m hiding in this trailer,” he growled. “It’s not unexpected, particularly this close to a power transfer.”
“Transfer?” She sat next to him, but she didn’t reach for the puzzle. “So one of the terrinisgoing to give up a goblet?”
According to Rumi, when one terrin was ready to retire, that was what they did. They handed over the jewel goblet to their chosen successor, and the Poshani people either accepted that successor or voted for someone more popular. The people always had the final say.
Oleg had said nothing, and a frown dominated his features.
“Is it Radu?” Tatyana got the impression that Radu was the terrin Oleg liked the most. “Is he giving up his power?”
