Page 64 of Crimson Oath
“Welcome to the kamvasa, Tatyana Vorona. I am your host, Radu.”
Tatyana and Radustrolled through what could only be described as a mobile town, complete with houses in the form of caravans both modern and traditional, mobile restaurants and taverns, and every kind of shop imaginable.
There were clothing shops like Carlotta had mentioned the night before. Leatherworkers selling purses, belts, and bridles. Wagons selling instruments and musical paraphernalia, along with pharmacies, medical wagons, and even what looked like a rolling library.
“The kamvasa will move at regular intervals throughout the season,” Radu said. “Sometimes we’ll be in a place for a week,sometimes only a few nights. It will all depend on the conditions on the ground, determined by the darigan.”
“So the darigan run everything while we sleep?” Tatyana glanced at the humans passing them, noticing that none of them gave her a second look. They were clearly accustomed to vampires walking in their midst.
“Correct.” Radu continued, “For everyone’s safety, it is important that you do not attempt to ascertain your current location. This is for your protection and our own.”
“Of course.”
“And in the top drawer of the desk in your caravan, you will find a vampire-compatible tablet connected to our virtual private network.”
“So I can call my mother?”
Radu nodded. “Of course. You are not cut off from the world; you are simply protected from its dangers. You can make audio and video calls from a select number of secure messaging applications. The network cannot be traced.”
“Thank you.” It would have to suffice. Radu didn’t mention the mobile phone that Oleg had planted in her coat, so she didn’t bring it up.
“Do you have any questions about feeding?” Radu said. “Fresh blood will be delivered to your caravan every night, placed in the locked delivery box by the door, but there are human donors also available if you prefer a live donor. It is included in the cost of your stay.”
“Thank you. I’ll let you know if I need one.” She’d need at least one live donor a week in addition to her nightly donated blood, but it seemed rude to bring it up while surrounded by so many humans.
Two shrieking children ran across the grassy lane, giggling as they passed her and Radu before they disappeared into the trees.
“What a wonderful way to grow up,” Tatyana said. “So free.”
“They are out late tonight because it is a Friday and there is noschool tomorrow.” He smiled. “Otherwise, the little ones are usually in bed at this hour.”
In addition to the shops and taverns, there were mobile schools that were closed up tight, obviously intended for the many children she saw everywhere through the camp.
Tatyana smiled. “It’s nice to be around children again.”
“Our young ones are our treasures, Miss Vorona. The future of our clan.”
“Please call me Tatyana. I’m still young myself. I’ve missed being around… normal people.”
She’d grown up in a neighborhood where many generations lived together. Living in Oleg’s hotel, his compound in Sochi, and then residing in Arosh’s court meant she hadn’t lived among the friendly chaos of humanity in years.
Radu smiled. “We do extensive security checks on all of our guests, so I am sure this is an unnecessary warning, but I must tell you that any crime or offense against our human family will lead to your immediate death.”
“Right.” Tatyana nodded, trying to hide her reaction. That was… direct.
Of course, any vampire hiding from the world could be the hunter as easily as the hunted.
“No offense intended, of course.”
“None taken.” Tatyana was quick to assure him. “I understand your caution, especially with so many families around.”
“Every Poshani family wants to join the kamvasa,” he said. “It is the center of our clan life. Of course, not every family can make it every year. Work, school. The outside world often intrudes.”
“That makes sense.” It still seemed like a lot of people surrounding her, and most of them were human. Far more humans than vampires.
And all of them greeted Radu. He could easily be mistaken for being a gregarious favorite uncle save for the lethal air of power he carried.
“Do you have any questions? I should tell you, if you feel uncertain about the protection of the darigan during the day—which is unnecessary but understandable if you are new to our clan—there is a secure day chamber built into the bottom of your caravan.”
