Page 2 of Crimson Oath
“Dymka.” Anna’s disappointed tone made Oleg smile. “You glutton.”
“It’s chocolate smetannik,” Oleg continued. “I think it might be your favorite. And maybe Dymka’s too.” He put his hand on the gate, and this time Dymka stepped forward but didn’t growl. His eyes were fixed on the pink box.
“Stoyat!” Anna barked, and the dog started growling again.
“Anna,” Oleg warned. “We both know I could have come here with a dozen vampires if I wanted to harm you. All I want is to talk. I’m worried about her.”
“Why?”
Oleg put his hand on the latch for the gate, and Dymka started barking again. The dog’s hackles went up, but Oleg kept his eyes fixed on Anna. “Your daughter became a vampire because of me. Because my people did not protect her. She may not technically be under my aegis, but that doesn’t mean I am indifferent to her.”
Far from it, but Anna didn’t need to know that.
Tatyana Vorona haunted his thoughts. It had been over a yearsince she had fled from him, but her piercing blue eyes met Oleg every time he fell into day sleep. Her voice whispered in his mind. And her blood moved in his veins.
He couldn’t rid his thoughts of her, and the last thing he wanted was to hurt her mother.
Oleg wanted the woman back, and he was a very patient predator.
He lifted the pink pastry box again, and Dymka quieted, but he didn’t sit.
Anna sighed. “I am going to regret this.” She lowered the shotgun. “Oleg, you may come in.” She looked at the dog. “Dymka, priyatel.”
Immediately, the dog relaxed and walked to the gate with a wagging tail, sitting down as Oleg eased open the latch and swung the gate inward, keeping his eyes on the shepherd.
“He won’t bite you unless I tell him.” Anna waited for Oleg to approach the porch.
Oleg held his hand out and petted the dog’s black ears. He was a handsome animal with shoulders that reached Oleg’s waist and a head that nearly came to his chest. That said, once Anna had called Oleg a friend, he appeared completely relaxed.
“He’s well trained.”
“Did you come here to ask about my dog?” Anna leaned on the doorframe as Oleg approached the house. “Or did you come about my daughter?”
Oleg sat at the table,the smetannik cooling in the antiquated refrigerator and a homemade cake on the table. Anna boiled water for tea, and Dymka, ever watchful, sat in the doorway of the kitchen, staring longingly at his mistress.
There was a curled-up cat on the sofa, but the animal only opened one eye, blinked at him, then went back to sleep.
“When did you get the dog?” he asked. “You only arrived a few weeks ago, but he seems at home.”
“A neighbor of mine keeps sheep.” Anna glanced over her shoulder. “He’d already trained this one for the animals, but as he got bigger, he wasn’t getting along with the other dogs so much. When I told my neighbor I was looking for a farm dog, he gave me Dymka.” Anna shrugged. “He’s good company. Keeps the foxes away from the birds.”
Tatyana had once told him that her mother liked her birds more than most people, so protecting them was probably as much a priority as keeping vampires away.
“I have someone watching the farm,” Oleg said. “He shouldn’t bother you, but if there is danger, he’ll be able to deal with it.” He lifted the serving knife and cut a piece of cake for Anna and himself as she brought the teapot over to the cozy kitchen table.
She poured two cups, first for Oleg, then for herself.
“Spasibo,” he murmured.
“You’re welcome.” She pulled the teapot back. “Well, I don’t know if you’re actually welcome, but you’re welcome to tea.”
Oleg shrugged. “Fair enough.”
He’d been in the old farmhouse before, the first time when he had to explain the immortal world to Tatyana and her mother. Not much had changed, but the house was a little less worn. A little more secure. There were a few new windows, and he suspected she’d had insulation added, because the interior was warm even though the night was cold.
“She sends you money?”
“She sent me plenty.” Anna glanced at him as she sat. “I don’t need her money. The farm is good now, and I’m renting out our apartment in town.”
