Page 53 of Crimson Oath
That was all.
Because Kato had no empire. He had no territory. He had no aegis to offer her.
Tatyana felt the hollow in her chest. Even though her teacher stood behind her, a pillar of strength, she was still alone. Utterly and completely alone. She had no people. No sire.
She had no one.
Tears threatened her eyes, but she refused to cry.
She met Arosh’s eyes. “I will be gone in one week.”
One week fit the timeline Grimace had given herfor getting a hidden computer to her. She still hadn’t heard from the Poshani, so maybe that wasn’t going to happen after all.
But one week gave her enough time to get her equipment, get her things together, and find a new place to hide. She wasn’t a newborn anymore. She could be around humans.
Her year in Arosh’s court hadn’t been wasted. She would learn how to hide.
“I will take you at your word, Tatyana Vorona.” Arosh looked at the Georgian vampires from Alina’s court. “Kato’s student is correct. If Alina has more complaints, let her take it up with the Varangian who attacked my son. As far as I am concerned, this matter is settled.”
Kato whispered, “Tatyana, return to your room now.”
She spun around and marched out of Arosh’s audience chamber, feeling every vampire eye on her as she walked.
Alone, alone, alone. She was utterly alone.
She had a mother to protect, and she was utterly alone.
She felt a shivery sensation crawling over her skin, and she had the urge to run.
Run, run, run.
I’m still going to take care of your mother. She’s in my territory.
For once, Oleg’s promise didn’t make her angry; Tatyana was relieved. She was pissing off vampires left and right, but at least Anna and the farm would be safe.
She trusted Oleg would keep his word because he was old-fashioned and, for some reason, her mother amused him.
At least there was that.
She made it back to her room without running into anyone who tried to talk with her, and nearly as soon as she locked the chamber door behind her, the phone on her desk started to buzz.
She looked at the screen, but the number wasn’t familiar. Nevertheless, she touched the green icon to answer it. “Hello?”
“Tatyana Vorona?” a strange voice said in Russian. The accent wasn’t familiar.
“Who is this?”
There was a low murmur in the background of the call.
“The Poshani approve of your caution. You have requested passage in the kamvasa.”
Tatyana’s heart leaped in her chest. Relief!
But her head was still in charge, and she no longer trusted anyone. “You have not answered my question. Who is this?”
More murmuring in the background. “You are speaking to a Hazar of the kamvasa. You are speaking to Sibella’s uncle.”
Tatyana let out a breath. “Okay.” This wasn’t a trick. “Yes, I have requested passage in the kamvasa.”
