Page 23 of Crimson Oath (The Firebird and the Wolf #2)

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 was a 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.

“Welcome to the kamvasa, Tatyana Vorona. I am your host, Radu.”

Tatyana and Radu strolled 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 no school 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.”

“I didn’t see it.”

“That is intentional, of course.” He smiled. “But I can show you how to access it. Like your transport box, it can only be opened from the inside.”

“Is someone taking the transport box from my trailer?” She pointed over her shoulder. “It’s quite large.”

“No one will enter your trailer without your permission, not during the day or the night,” Radu said. “But simply push the bell in your kitchen area and the darigan will come to remove it. You can also call for housekeeping if you would like cleaning.”

“Thank you.”

As they walked, Tatyana saw there were vampires and humans gathered in open-air taverns and restaurants around the meadow. Soft music filtered through the air from a group of musicians playing traditional music on guitars and violins.

“Is that Poshani music?” she asked.

“It is.” Radu smiled. “Do you know anything about our history?”

“I tried to do some research online, but there’s almost nothing.”

“We prefer privacy,” Radu said. “Our culture is very ancient with roots in Asia, but we have traveled across the centuries into Eastern Europe. The father of our clan was turned into a wind vampire many centuries ago, and he put in place our current way of life.”

“Humans and vampires living together?”

“There is no immortal hierarchy here,” Radu said. “If anything, our immortal family members exist to serve our human sisters and brothers. We protect them, and they protect us.”

“But you’re one of the… rulers, correct?”

“Elected by the people,” Radu was quick to add. “I serve with two others, my brother and my sister. All decisions are for the good of the people.” He spread his arms. “And we live in peace and prosperity.”

Tatyana heard in Radu’s statements a generous spirit but also the privilege of the powerful.

She hoped the human members of the Poshani felt as important as Radu seemed to make them, but when she looked around, it seemed to her that all the people playing instruments, serving drinks, or running shops were human.

Vampires, on the other hand, were sitting and being served or speaking in hushed tones with other vampires and humans.

Interesting.

“If I wanted to learn the Poshani language,” Tatyana asked, “is there a class?”

Radu’s eyes lit up. “You honor our people with your interest.”

“I’m here for six months,” Tatyana said. “I don’t have a job. How else could I keep busy except by learning something new?” She was already eying the intricately embroidered caps and knitted shawls she saw on some of the women.

“I will think on this,” Radu said. “I might know of a tutor who could help you.”

When Tatyana was young, her grandmother had tried to teach her things like knitting and embroidery, but with schoolwork and taking care of her mother, she’d never had time. Now, with months stretching before her and no computer to distract her, perhaps it was time to learn such things.

She was away from vampire politics and intrigue. She was in a place where her every need was seen to, and she could rest. Perhaps it was time to see what kind of life she could build when she wasn’t embroiled in immortal intrigue or in fear for her life.

She was going to take Samson’s advice. She was going to rest her mind and breathe.

“Ah!” Radu saw something in the distance. “I see my sister at the tavern. Come and I will introduce you to Kezia. She has only just arrived from Bucharest.”