Page 47 of Crimson Oath
He did notice the scribe carefully jotting down Lazlo’s words. Lovely. That would amuse Tatyana.
“Rudov.” Oleg’s last brother spoke. “And I am present in Odesa.”
Normally both Rudov and Ivan would have attended via screen, but Ivan had shown up unannounced for some reason, and Rudov happened to be in Odesa to confer with Juliya about the current situation with the Crimean ports.
“It’s rare for us to have so many governors in one place,” Oleg said. “Which is why I wanted to call this meeting. We need a new CFO, and I’d like it to be a human from one of your organizations.”
“An excellent idea,” Ivan said. “I have several very talented people who could step into the role. I’m not eager to part with any of them, but for my dear brother?” Ivan nodded. With consequence. “I would make the sacrifice for our clan.”
Moscow was an economic powerhouse, and Oleg had no doubt that Ivan had a half dozen superb humans who could fill the role.
Unfortunately, all of them would be loyal to Ivan. Not Oleg.
“That’s enormously generous,” Oleg said. “Tonight we’re simply offering names. And take some time to think about it.” He looked at Pavel, sensing the objection even before the fastidious vampire spoke. “Think carefully about the role and who this person will be succeeding. Elene Beridze will be impossible to replace, but we must do our best.”
“I don’t think the small commercial interests in my sector have produced any humans who could replace Elene,” Lidik said. “But I’ll think about it.”
“I have two people in mind,” Rudov said. “I imagine Juliya can guess at least one of them.”
Juliya was the governor of the region west of the Dnieper River and going southwest toward Romania, which meant her region held both Kyiv and Odesa, while Rudov governed the region south of Ivan’s and stretching to the Black Sea. The two often worked closely, particularly on shipping and logistics.
Rudov was also Juliya’s sire. While technically she was underRudov’s aegis, she had sought permission from her sire to pledge loyalty to Oleg’s authority and Rudov had granted it. The two made for a powerful and stable duo in a region where human politics could be turbulent and bloody.
“I want to hear all your ideas,” Oleg said. “I’m going to outline what I’m looking for; then you can ask any questions you may have. Think it over, then send me individual files on your two best candidates and I’ll consider them. We will meet again in a month to vote.”
He looked around the room. “I will have the final say, of course, but I do want your opinions.”
Eight voices spoke. “Yes, Knyaz.”
Eight faces. Eight nods.
Eight very strong personalities.
Oleg knew that without their cooperation, he could never govern a region as vast as the Kievan Rus. In fact, he often thought about breaking up the empire he’d taken from his sire.
Glancing at Ivan, he knew it was impossible. The idea of dividing Truvor’s empire was akin to shattering a stained-glass window.
Each part of it supported and held the next. Without the whole of it, there were countless sharp edges.
And sharp edges led to bleeding.
The Immortal Empire of the Kievan Rus was tied together by history, war, and blood.
It was Oleg’s responsibility to keep it whole.
Chapter 10
Tatyana
She was sitting at a bar in Kutaisi and the music was pounding around her. It hurt her ears, but it was the best way to mask the sounds of the video game she was playing since she couldn’t wear headphones.
—I have a plan.
The left side of her screen was exploding as her character was devoured by aliens yet again. Other players in the game were shouting insults, but Tatyana ignored them. She was focused on her conversation with Grimace.
Who was still shooting at the aliens even as they messaged each other.
—whats the plan?
