Page 169 of Blood Mosaic

Ivan.

His fucking brother was involved in this. Somehow Ivan was involved.

“Mr. Arakis, I am so sorry. I can give you keys to all their rooms so that you may examine them yourself if you would like.”

“Thank you,” Mika said. “That would be helpful.”

The bus driver was long gone. The cars the men had hired had already been returned to the rental agency, the blood cleaned off.

Oleg had lost a dozen human employees that night but no vampires. The cracks within his empire were growing, and he could not ignore them anymore.

Luana’s death had opened that crack. Zara’s defiance had widened it. It was going to take a firm hand to shore up his sprawling empire, and he wasn’t looking forward to another century of fighting.

At least he would have Tatyana to comfort him. In time, he knew she would be one of his wisest advisers. She had a keen mind and a head for business that would help his shipping company recover from Elene’s loss.

“Oleg?”

He looked up to see Mika trying to grab his attention. “Hmm?”

“I’m going to stay here with Ludmila and Dalan to go through the rooms. Do you want to go back to the house with Oksana? There’s not much else to do here.”

“Yes.” He rose. He wanted to feed on blood that wasn’t tainted by adrenaline. He wanted to prepare his daughter’s body to be buried. He wanted to hold Tatyana and feel something clean and whole. “See you at dawn.”

Oksana drove the old Land Cruiser back up the hill to the mansion, dropping Oleg at the front of the house while she returned the old truck to the garage.

He walked through the front doors and realized immediately that she was gone.

Oleg froze.

He could feel the absence of her blood in his veins, the nascent tie he’d built with her thready but aware.

He had taken her blood again that night. Their bond had formed even though it was only on his side. He could feel her distance, and if he concentrated hard enough… a hint of fear.

Had she been taken? Who would take her? Was it Ivan?

Oleg stormed down to the basement only to see Tatyana’s room empty, her backpack gone along with some of her clothing.

Her precious computer was left on the bed, but her phone was gone.

“Lazlo!” He roared his brother’s name into the air as he marched upstairs and into the forest. “Lazlo!”

His brother sauntered out from between the trees as Oleg stared at the empty dovecote.

Not doves. Pigeons.Messengerpigeons.

If he weren’t so angry, he would admire her.

“Yes, brother?” The bushy-haired barbarian looked amused, and Oleg resisted the urge to punch him.

“Where is she?”

“She took one of the trucks and left.”

“You were told?—”

“You told me to keep threatsoutof the house” —Lazlo lifted a finger— “not to keep pretty young vampires in.”

“She’s a newborn,” he hissed. “What were you thinking?”

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