Page 50 of Crimson Oath
“Let’s practice a water thread first,” Kato said.
“It’s a useless party trick.” Tatyana wished they could practice manipulating water in the air or even pulling a wave, but though Kato had given her the basics of those elemental powers, he tended to focus on fine motor skills, not great shows of power.
“It’s good for control.” He snapped his fingers. “Draw a thread.”
“Fine.” She put her hands together under the water and focused her amnis as she drew one hand up, pulling the water between her fingertips and raising it until a thin, shining line of water quivered in the misty air.
“If you’re not sure about the Poshani, why don’t you stay here?” Kato watched her hold the thread of water between her palms. “Keep it stable.”
“You and I both know I need to leave, and six months of hiding gives me more time to plan.” She held the water thread steady between her hands, feeling the immaterial power of her amnis quivering like an excited puppy.
“Going from one hiding place to another is not a plan.”
“Maybe not, but right now it’s all I have unless I want to return to Oleg’s territory or live under Saba’s aegis in Alitea.”
“There’s the United States. Territories are not as old there, and I have connections I’m offering.”
“I don’t know anything about that world.” At least the Poshani existed in Eastern Europe. That felt slightly familiar.
“Your control gets better every night,” Kato murmured. “Very good. Hold it a little longer.”
She felt her mind ache from the strain of maintaining the delicate line of water between her hands. “Hiding in the kamvasa gives me six months of safety. Who knows what will happen in six months? Maybe Oleg will decide to retire and I can go back to Sevastopol. Maybe the Poshani will love me so much they decide to adopt me.”
“Oh yes. Both of those things are very likely.”
“I can hope.”
“Your control is impressive,” Kato said. “Now don’t let it break, but release it into one palm.”
Tatyana didn’t breathe as the shimmering line of water wavered and flowed, gathering like a silken thread in the center of her left palm.
She let out a breath when the small pool of water rested in her hand.
“Excellent.” Kato smiled. “Never forget, your power is absolutely average for a new vampire.”
“Please.” She poured the water out of her hand and into the warmed pool. “Stop your flattery or it will all go to my head.”
“Teaching such an average pupil is an enjoyable exercise for me.” Kato ignored her sarcasm. “Brute strength isn’t an option for you, so precision will be your best tactic. Control will be everything, and your power will grow from there.”
“I remember when I was still human.” Tatyana shook her head. “Zara seemed so powerful to me.”
“She was average,” Kato said. “Like you. But compared to humans, you are very powerful now.”
“And very vulnerable,” she added. “No light. Forced to drink a single food source or I’ll shrivel up. Forced to sleep during daylight. I only have half the time I did as a mortal.”
“True.” Kato lifted his chin. “That is the bargain of immortality and elemental power.”
“And I am forced to abide by that bargain.”
For as long as her mother was still living.
Tatyana put both her hands on the surface of the pool and felt the water swirl around her fingers, comforting her with its energy.
At least the water loved her. It filled the air around her and caressed her skin. While her amnis might feel like a barely restrained puppy at times, the element it controlled was a sinuous and delighted cat.
“It is worth it?” She looked up at Kato. “Waiting out the centuries for my power to grow before I feel safe?”
Kato smiled. “You could always find a shortcut. Mate and exchange blood with an old and powerfulvampire.”
