Page 24 of Crimson Oath
“You’re asking me?” Oleg snapped his fingersand brought a flame to his hand, lighting Alina’s fragrant cigarette before she sat back in her seat.
“I was disappointed to hear about Zara,” she said. “So much potential.”
Oleg put on a brave face and slid a crystal ashtray closer to Alina. “We haven’t spoken since it happened. Thank you.”
“I know how dear she was to you and Luana.”
“Luana doted on her.”To an extremely unhealthy degree.
“It was a regrettable situation, but with her smuggling activities…” Alina gestured with her cigarette. “Sometimes our children walk paths that lead them to destruction.”
“Indeed.” The perfect segue. “I’m fortunate to have Polina and Juliya so close.”
Alina smiled. “I believe you are what humans refer to as a ‘girl dad.’”
“Ha!” Oleg smiled in genuine amusement. “Technically Juliya is my brother’s daughter, but I cannot disagree. My sons often accuse me of favoring my daughters, but that’s probably because none of them are running a territory for me right now.”
“Is that going to change?” Alina’s eyes narrowed. “I wondered why you wanted to speak directly. Has Zara’s death shifted things?”
“Lazlo was already ruling the territory I’d initially had Zara overseeing, so there have been no changes. And none on the horizon that I anticipate.”
“Lazlo and I are friendly. Well” —Alina blew out a delicate stream of smoke— “as much as Lazlo is friends with anyone. I’m happy to continue working with him.”
Oleg’s empire was roughly divided into eight territories overseen by a combination of his children and his brothers. Some of them were crowded and dense, like the territories around Kyiv and Moscow. Others were wild and barren, barely territories at all, like the massive Siberian plateau ruled by a quiet and deadly boyar named Lidik.
“Stability is a virtue in our world,” Alina said. “I am glad to hearthat no changes are imminent. I wish the humans were as virtuous as the vampires these days.”
“Ah, but they have short, fiery lives, do they not? They must make their mark in eighty years, not eight hundred.”
“You speak truth.”
“Speaking of humans,” Oleg said. “I am curious how Zara’s newly turned daughter is faring in Arosh’s court. Have you heard anything of her?”
Alina tipped her ash into the crystal tray. “Arosh’s court is not my own. When the Fire King reemerged, he made it very clear that I would respect his territorial integrity or be erased from history.”
Oleg was sure the invasion still stung, so he was quick to add his own concessions to Arosh. “Yes, I had to be somewhat flexible with my territories east of the Volga.” He shrugged. “But there was little economic interest there, so not a great loss.”
“The same for me in the mountains. A fair exchange for a friendly alliance with such a powerful and ancient immortal. Arosh’s court is secretive, but we are on good terms.”
“Are you saying you know nothing of Zara’s daughter?”
“I’m saying I do not interfere with those who remain in Arosh’s territory.”
Oleg smiled. “Am I to understand the Fire King has not allowed the woman to leave his compound in over a year?”
“She’s not a woman—she’s a vampire now.” Alina lifted an eyebrow. “And I never said that.”
Oleg was quite thankful Tatyana was both female and vampire. “So shehasbeen in your territory?”
Alina’s lips curved in a smile. “What do you want, Oleg?”
“Tatyana Vorona and I parted on complicated terms, considering what happened with her sire.”
“Yes.” Alina narrowed her eyes. “There are many rumors about how and when she was turned.”
“What do vampires love more than gossip?” Oleg spread his hands. “I only want what is best for the woman. I consider her…”Mine. “…part of my extended clan, and she was good friends with Elene.”
“Speaking of terrible losses.” Alina shook her head in genuine regret. “I am sorry, Oleg. A drowning? Such a tragedy.”
