Page 29 of Crimson Oath (The Firebird and the Wolf #2)

Oleg shrugged, then questioned why he was shrugging when Tatyana could only hear his voice. “In fact, she probably deserves a raise because she’s taking on much more than she was doing when Elene was alive.”

“I’m sure she is. Also, she’s terrified of you.”

“No, that’s not possible,” Oleg said. “She’s attracted to me. I can smell it.”

Tatyana sighed. “Please don’t ever tell that poor woman you can smell that she’s attracted to you. It may surprise you, but being terrified of someone doesn’t necessarily mean you’re also not attracted to them.”

Oleg frowned. “That seems very unhealthy.”

“I was both terrified and attracted to you when I was human,” Tatyana said. “Was I unhealthy?”

“But you’re not terrified of me now,” he said. “And that is the important thing.”

Tatyana didn’t say anything.

“Volchitsa.” He softened his voice. “Tell me you do not fear me.”

“Not…”

He leaned closer to the phone, wishing he could smell her blood. The scent of her hair. Wishing he could touch the vibrant energy that ran through her veins. “I do not want you to fear me, Tatyana. Not ever.”

She let out a soft sigh. “Why was your daughter being deferential earlier?”

Fine, change the subject.

The hair on the back of his neck prickled, and there was an aching twist in his chest that he tried to ignore. “I was asking her to do something she didn’t want to do.”

“Ah.”

“She will do it.”

“I’m sure she will.”

“And not because she is terrified of me,” Oleg added. “Because she knows that what I am asking is important for our organization.”

“I’m not going to ask.”

“You should.” He propped his chin on his fist and stared at the small black rectangle where his lover was speaking.

“I don’t work for you anymore,” she said. “It’s none of my business.”

“But it could be. I would actually like to have your opinion on this, but considering I know where you’re hiding?—”

“I’m not hiding,” she said. “I’m taking a very luxurious vacation with interesting people.”

“Camping for six months is not a luxurious vacation, volchitsa. Not when you could be spending your summer on a yacht in the Mediterranean with me.”

She was silent.

“Would you like to change your plans?” He smiled. “I have a lovely, light-safe vessel docked in Portofino. Give me the word and?—”

“I love it here actually.”

He barely suppressed his sigh. He was both relieved and irritated. “Well… good. Radu isn’t a bad sort, and he will keep you safe.”

Because if he does not, I will hunt him down, pull his heart from his chest, and feed his innards to my wolfhounds while he watches.

Oleg didn’t say that aloud.

And he wouldn’t have to feed Radu to his wolfhounds. Despite his irritation with Tatyana’s second disappearance, the creeping fear he’d been enduring for over a year while she resided in the Fire King’s court had eased. Living with the Poshani was the safest she could be outside his own aegis.

“There is something very precious here.” She spoke softly. “Something… sort of wonderful.” Her voice was even more addictive when it was soft.

“What is it?”

“I don’t know yet.”

“Tatyana—”

“Have you visited the farm lately? My mother said workers came and fixed the roof of the barn. She hadn’t even told anyone it was leaking.”

“I told you I’d take care of your mother.

” He crossed his arms over his chest and leaned back, closing his eyes as he pictured Tatyana curled up somewhere.

She would have her feet up in her chair because she was small and didn’t like her legs dangling.

“I’ve been busy in the city,” he continued. “But I’ll try to visit her soon.”

“You don’t have to visit her.”

“I know you call, but she misses you. You should?—”

“Don’t ask me to come back again.” Her voice was nearly a whisper. “Please don’t, Oleg.”

He felt his fangs aching in his jaw, but he kept his eyes closed and pictured Tatyana as if she were sitting in front of him. Sitting on his lap, her head resting on his chest. He could wrap his arms around her and listen to her slow heartbeat. Her long hair might tangle in his beard.

Such an odd, domestic image. The ache was twisting in his chest again, and he curled his hand into a fist. “I want you back.”

“Please, Oleg. Don’t?—”

“I miss you.” He reached out, slammed his hand on the phone, and the plastic device sizzled and melted under his flaming hand.

Mika raised an eyebrow. “You broke another phone?”

“Yes.”

“What happened?”

“It melted.” Oleg leaned against the wall of his boyar’s office, staring at the stacks of files on Mika’s desk. “You’re busy.”

“Yes, but I can send someone to get you another Nocht-compatible device. Anton!”

“Don’t bother Anton,” Oleg muttered.

A short human popped his head into the office. “Yes, boss?”

“Oleg needs a new phone.”

To his credit, Anton didn’t ask. “Right away. Same number?”

She might want to call him again. He couldn’t call her, of course, because the number was blocked.

“Yes,” Oleg growled. “Same number.”

“Yes, sir.” Anton scurried away.

Mika crossed his arms over his chest. “You’re giving me the number this time.”

“It’s not necessary.” Oleg looked at the state of Mika’s desk. “Do you have someone who can take over your duties here in the office for a few weeks?”

“Yes.” Mika narrowed his eyes. “Why?”

“I think I may need you out of the office for some time.”

“Because you want to… go to Las Vegas for a poker tournament?”

Oleg smirked. “That does sound amusing, but no.”

Now that Oleg had decided what he was going to do, that annoying twisting sensation in his chest was no longer bothering him.

Polina would tell him the rough location for the kamvasa within days.

Once he had that, he didn’t need anyone else. He’d taken Tatyana’s blood. Her amnis would lead him to her once he got close enough.

He’d be able to find her within a few days, if not sooner.

Mika was clearly suspicious. “Perhaps you’re wanting a holiday in Italy? It’s been too long since you’ve enjoyed the boat.”

“No.”

“Business trip to Argentina?” Mika spread his hands out. “Buenos Aires is beautiful in the fall, and it’s been too long since we visited the ranch. What an excellent idea.”

Oleg smiled a little. “I had something much closer in mind.”

His boyar’s smile looked a little more like he was baring his teeth. “Then why do you need me to leave the office?”

“Because you, me, and Lazlo—and maybe Ludmila and Oksana—are going on a hunting trip.”

“What an excellent suggestion. Polina was right. Her country home is very welcoming. Please say you’re craving venison and not?—”

“We’re going to find the kamvasa ourselves.” Oleg clapped his hands together. “What fun. Once Polina gives us a region, it should only take a few days.”

Mika stood, walked to the door, and closed it carefully before he spoke again. “This is a terrible idea, and you’re going to anger Radu and the rest of the Poshani.”

“We can camp in the wilderness like old times.”

“You mean the times your druzhina was bloody, hungry, and trying to root out the last of your sire’s old allies while other vampires tried to kill us every night? Those times?” Mika curled his lip and walked back behind his desk. “This is a ridiculous idea.”

“Lazlo can dig us comfortable caves. You can make that wonderful hunter’s stew you learned from that old man in Slovenia. Ludmila will be ecstatic.”

“Because Ludmila’s ideal retreat is a cold stone cave and anything more than a plank to sleep on, she considers a frivolous luxury.” Mika leaned toward him. “Why are you doing this? And don’t say it’s because of internal Poshani politics or for the benefit of an ally.”

“What can I say?” Oleg walked over and slapped Mika on the shoulder. “I feel the need to get out of the city,” he said. “Reconnect with my element.”

“You’re a fire vampire,” Mika said. “Why don’t we fly to Hawaii and you can play in the volcanos while I enjoy some beautiful women?”

“I’m glad you’re so excited about it.” Oleg patted the back of his friend’s head. “We are getting back to our roots.”

“I hate you, and I’m giving myself a raise.”

“That’s fine.” Oleg strolled toward the door. “Summon the others. This is going to be fun.”