Page 4 of Crimson Oath (The Firebird and the Wolf #2)

She didn’t have to have sex with Arosh just because she was staying in the harem—though many of the women highly recommended it—but she was expected to put in an appearance at any of his parties with vampire guests, of which there were many.

Arosh found Tatyana amusing, and he introduced her as his “clever little stray cat.”

Which sounded more affectionate in Farsi.

Most of the first few months in the mountains, Tatyana had to remain isolated, which gave her plenty of time to put her new vampire brain to use.

She’d focused on learning Farsi first since that’s what most of the vampires around her spoke; then she’d started working on Greek, which was another widely spoken language in vampire circles.

While Tatyana had always had an easy time learning languages in school, the ability to pick them up even faster with an immortal brain was truly astonishing. She now had a thorough knowledge of Russian, Ukrainian, and English and a working knowledge of Farsi and Greek.

Georgian was still escaping her, but she knew enough to get around, and many local people spoke English or Russian, at least enough that Tatyana could get by.

Samson landed behind one of the brightly painted stone buildings that made up Arosh’s harem. The mountaintop compound was an oasis of gardens and fountains nestled in the mountains. They were surrounded by dense forests and alpine lakes, and the area was well and truly hidden from humans.

Samson set her down and lifted his hands to sign. Ambassadors from Alina’s court are visiting tonight.

Should I stay hidden? Tatyana signed.

Samson shook his head. He told me to bring you when we came back.

Samson was in Arosh’s line. Though the ancient king was a fire vampire, his blood came from the wind. Tatyana knew that if Arosh gave Samson a command, he could not ignore it.

She still tried. “They’re from Alina,” she whispered. “They could tell him I’m here.”

Samson frowned. Oleg already knows you’re here.

“Still, he doesn’t need any more information about me. He’s already talking to my mother.”

The silver-haired wind vampire cocked his head and quickly signed, Is she in danger?

It was tempting. Samson was a zealot when it came to protecting women.

If she told him Anna was in danger, he would probably fly to her family farm, pluck her screaming mother from her kitchen, and fly her back.

And then she’d have to deal with her mother’s opinion on a nightly basis.

Tatyana didn’t want to lie to her only friend. “She’s not in danger. Oleg came to check on her. He says he posted guards at the farm even. If he wanted to hurt her, he already would have. I’m fairly sure she’s safe.”

Samson pursed his lips but signed nothing. He crossed his arms over his chest.

“Go ahead and say it,” she said. “I know you want to.”

Families are complicated, he signed. But your blood is connected to his. That means something in our world .

“My sire is dead,” Tatyana said. “And I still don’t even know how I feel about it, but I know Oleg is not my family.”

Some nights Tatyana woke up weeping, clutching her chest where there was a hollow ache. She hated Zara for putting it there. Hated her and loved her; then she hated herself for helping Oleg kill her.

“The last thing I need is Oleg putting his stamp on my eternity.” She stood on her tiptoes and kissed Samson’s cheek. “You’re lovely. But whatever path I find in this world, it needs to be on my own.”

“Aha!” Arosh smiled and stood when she entered the circle where he was holding court. He spread his arms in welcome. “It’s my clever little cat! Where have you been?”

“Flying with Samson, Lord Arosh.” Spring had broken in the mountains and flowers were blooming, but the air was still cold.

“We just returned.” She pressed her hands together and gave him a nod, which was the most common greeting in the court.

“Thank you for this invitation to join you.” She turned to the guests seated immediately to Arosh’s left in the place of honor and nodded at them. “Greetings to your guests.”

The chilly air didn’t bother Tatyana once she’d learned how to control her amnis, so she was wearing a long-sleeved floral dress she’d borrowed from Cora, who was one of Arosh’s mistresses and ran the harem.

Cora had taught Tatyana most of what she knew about court protocol, and she was quick to point out that every vampire court was different.

So much fun.

Arosh stood at the head of a low table that curved like a horseshoe around the room. A fire burned in a brazier in the center of the circle, and fountains trickled in the background.

Tatyana felt the low hum of energy from her element, and that hum was the only thing that kept her amnis in check while surrounded by so many humans and strange vampires.

Piles of intricately embroidered cushions were piled behind each guest. The music was low, played by three women on stringed instruments in the corner of the garden. Other human women floated about the room, offering wine, light dishes, and goblets of blood-wine flavored with honey.

“This is the young vampire I was telling you about.” Arosh sat and pointed at Tatyana.

“She is brilliant with numbers and computers.” He lifted a finger.

“It is sensible to turn the young in this age, my friends. They have an understanding of this new science that threatens us. It is wise to understand your enemy if you want to defeat him.”

The visiting male and female vampire next to Arosh turned cool brown eyes toward Tatyana, looking her up and down as if she were an interesting bug.

“This is Oleg’s bookkeeper?” the man asked. “The one his daughter turned?”

The one who killed her own sire?

Tatyana heard the unspoken question, but she didn’t react to it. Vampires were worse than old women when it came to gossip, and she’d learned that lying and exaggeration were expected.

“Her story is her own.” Arosh waved a careless hand. “But she would be an asset to any organization. I am sure of it.”

Wait, what was this? Was Arosh trying to get rid of her? Was this some kind of matchmaking situation? A job interview or something?

This was… not good.

Tatyana desperately wanted to leave the scrutiny of the court vampires, but Arosh had not dismissed her, so she stood there, free for all to examine with their cold, analytical stares.

Some were dressed in traditional local clothing, others were shrouded from head to toe. One man she didn’t recognize appeared to be wearing military fatigues.

Arosh told Tatyana none of their names. She was being introduced to them, not the other way round. The invited guests murmured among themselves, but until Arosh excused her, Tatyana had to stay put.

She glanced at the Fire King and saw that he noticed exactly how uncomfortable she was at being put on display.

And yet he did not dismiss her.

Was it a test of patience? A trial of some kind?

She had been given sanctuary over a year ago, but now it appeared that Arosh wanted to pawn her off on someone else.

He’s waiting for you to come out of your cave, but others are waiting too.

Was Oleg not bluffing?

Did Arosh know something she didn’t?

Tatyana was on the edge of erupting in anger when Kato entered the garden with his young paramour Alexander on his arm.

“Brother?” Kato glanced at Tatyana, then turned back to Arosh. “Was my student waiting for me?” His kind blue eyes turned to Tatyana. “You are so understanding, my dear.”

Alexander quickly added, “I’m so sorry we kept you waiting for us.”

The tall human was nearly the same stature as Kato, but while the ancient water vampire was broadly built and as muscular as the statues of Greek gods he’d inspired, the human on his arm was a slim man with full lips set in a suntanned face and a long fall of wavy blond hair that went past his shoulders.

They made a stunning pair.

Kato crossed to Tatyana, leaving Alexander on the edge of the circle. He put his arm around Tatyana, and the tension drained from her shoulders.

She always felt safe with Kato .

The two vampires sitting on Arosh’s left immediately rose and bowed their heads low.

“Great father,” one said, “you honor us with your presence.”

“Your Excellence,” the woman said, her eyes fixed on the floor, “we are unworthy of your welcome.”

So these two were water vampires. It made sense if they came from Alina’s court, as she was also a water vampire. Their blood could probably be traced back to the ancient king with his arm around her.

Water vampires tended to be the most politically minded of the four elements, but maybe there was something wrong with Tatyana because she hadn’t had any urge to politick or scheme since she’d been turned.

She was as introverted as ever and only wanted to be left alone to figure out her new eternity in peace.

“Arosh, why do you insist on flashing our brightest jewels when we have only just acquired them?” Kato kissed the top of Tatyana’s head. “I have been training Tatyana myself,” he said to the emissaries from Alina’s court. “Her amnis delights me.”

And just like that, the cold appraisal of the vampires around her turned to studied disinterest. If the ancient king of the Mediterranean had staked some kind of claim over the young one, she was not up for grabs.

The corner of Arosh’s mouth turned up, and he and Kato exchanged a look that spoke volumes. Unfortunately, whatever language they were speaking wasn’t for Tatyana to understand.

“Come,” Kato said. “If my brother has finished introducing you, Alexander and I were hoping you could join us.” Kato turned to Arosh. “Brother?”

“You may take her.” Arosh waved a hand. “Tatyana, you are dismissed.”

She pressed her hands together and bowed slightly. “Thank you, Lord Arosh.” She glanced around the table. “A pleasant evening to all of you. ”

As soon as she reached the edge of the room, Alexander grabbed her hand and tugged her into the shadows. “What kind of trouble are you causing now?” He squeezed her hand. “You do keep things exciting around here.”

“Come.” Kato’s voice was barely over a murmur. “Let’s find a quiet corner so we can talk. There are ears everywhere at Arosh’s parties.”