Page 63 of Crimson Oath
The air smelled of moss and pine, but she saw nothing. She reached out and patted the side of her transport box, eventually finding the small keypad that was embedded in the side.
She quickly punched in the code she’d entered the night before, sighing with relief when the lock beeped and the lid of the box popped up and slid to the side.
Tatyana sat up and saw a faint light glowing somewhere likedawn peeking through curtains. The soft yellow light grew in strength, and within a minute, her surroundings became visible.
There were no windows, only a small, glowing lamp that simulated the dawn.
The transport box had been placed on a bed in a luxurious travel trailer that was bigger than her first student apartment in Kyiv.
The wide bed was on an elevated platform, and two sliding doors had been opened while she slept.
Down a short set of stairs there was a sitting area with a table, a leather couch, and a wall of books that was secured behind clear cabinets.
There was a chess set positioned on a built-in desk, and a silver carafe sat on the table with a crystal goblet next to it. There was also a beautiful arrangement of fresh wildflowers spilling over a ceramic bowl.
Past the small library, there was a large rack along one wall, filled with what Tatyana was guessing were bottles of blood-wine.
Beyond the living area, there was a small kitchenette, but it took up hardly any space in the trailer. Past that, another set of French doors that had been cracked open. She could see a tub and shower beyond.
There were no windows and only one door, though she could see a skylight over the kitchen with a sliding cover that could probably be used by wind vampires.
The floor was wooden, adorned with thick Persian rugs, and the caravan smelled like leather, wood oil, and lemon.
The scent reminded her of home.
Tatyana let out a small burst of laughter. If the Poshani had been trying to make her feel at home, there was nothing like that combination of scents, which reminded her of her grandparents’ farmhouse in Crimea.
She climbed out of the fiberglass box, which took up a good portion of the bed. “Where am I supposed to put it?” she muttered.
Perhaps her hosts would come and take the transport box awaynow that she was… wherever she was.
It was an odd sensation, not having any idea at all where she was in the world. Had she traveled out of Russia? Was she in Romania? Poland? Austria? Tatyana could be traveling in a place she’d never been before, and she would have no idea at all.
She was wearing the same clothes she’d been in the night before, which was reassuring. There were no unfamiliar scents on her skin. She walked down the stairs and toward the table with the carafe. She suspected there was fresh blood inside, and when she cracked the lid, she smelled it.
Her fangs grew long in her mouth, and she quickly poured the blood into the goblet, drinking it down to quench the burning sensation at the back of her throat.
Once her hunger was sated, she noticed an envelope tucked under the bowl of wildflowers.
She opened the envelope and slid out the letter inside.
Dear Miss Vorona,
Welcome to the kamvasa and the hospitality of the Poshani people. The darigan are our human staff who guard and take care of your caravan during daylight hours. The Hazar guards will protect the caravan during the night.
Your guards will protect both you and your home with their own lives, so be assured that you are entirely safe during your respite here.
Welcome to your home for the next six months. Your privacy and comfort are our top priorities. When you are ready for more introductions, simply step out of your door.
May the blessings of the Kali be on you,
Clan Poshani
It wasa lot to take in, but Tatyana was in no mood to throttle her curiosity. She was dying to go outside. She walked to the door and turned the key.
The door swung open, and Tatyana saw two steps leading down to an open meadow where long grass waved in the distance. Rolling hills covered by dense pine forests surrounded the meadow, and bright yellow flower heads nodded in the soft breeze.
At the sound of the opening door, a dark figure turned from looking over the meadow. The man wore a dark ruby jacket that tied at the waist and a pair of loose trousers. He smiled and spread his arms when he saw her.
