Page 78 of Blood Mosaic

Chapter Eighteen

Oleg drew in Tatyana’s scent, alternately pleased and annoyed by it. She’d been an irritant in the back of his mind for over a month as he traveled around the world, forming agreements and soothing allies who’d heard he’d killed his child.

Reactions had been mixed.

While everyone agreed that Zara’s loss was nothing to be mourned, more than one vampire expressed concern about his actions setting a precedent in a precariously balanced world of predators. Even more were worried that Laskaris would find some way to avenge his lover, plunging the Black Sea region and its abundant resources into vampire war.

In the end, immortal politics usually came down to money.

Oleg’s brothers in Moscow were no longer speaking to him, but that was more a relief than a problem.

But through all the political wrangling, this human woman had lingered in Oleg’s thoughts, rubbing at his memories like a burr. And like a burr, the more she lingered, the further in she’d dug until he found himself rejecting his usual blood donors because their scents were… wrong. He’d taken nothing but blood-wine since she hadn’t answered his call the week before.

An unacceptable situation.

“Claiming me?” she finally whispered. “What does that mean?”

As Oleg breathed in the scent of her blood, Tatyana’s heart raced like cornered prey, provoking his instinct to hunt.

“What does it mean to claim you?” He roused his amnis and warmed his body, making his breath warm against her skin. “To drink from you, of course.”

Her body went immediately stiff. “No.”

Oleg had known it wouldn’t be an immediate yes. He was prepared for that. She was new to his world and didn’t know how the hierarchy worked. “You will think about it. The vampires in this city know you are my employee, so they will respect that, but personally you belong to no one.”

“And I’m fine with that.” Her voice was cutting. “I belong to myself.”

“That’s not how it works, little wolf. You’re a human in the vampire world. If you don’t belong to me, that means you’re fair game for their pursuits.” He pulled away, tipping her chin up until she met his eyes. “And some of them might be quite persuasive.”

Her eyes were haughty. “If I work for you, they wouldn’t dare. Aren’t you their lord?”

The corner of his mouth turned up. “I am. But in this place, I’m simply a humble immortal like everyone else.”

“I don’t believe you.”

“I don’t lie to you. You may not want to believe me, but I do not lie.” He took the opportunity of touching her chin to rub his thumb over her jaw.

Delectably soft skin.

“I don’t believe you’re humble,” Tatyana said. “Ever.”

His mouth curved into a full smile, and he felt the cold night air touch his fangs. “I do enjoy your teeth.”

“Oleg.”

“Yes, volchitsa?”

She whispered, “You’re still holding my chin.”

“And you’re not pulling away.” He moved a little closer. “Maybe youdowant me to claim you.”

Her lips were flush with blood as her heart rate picked up. “You’d feed from me in the middle of the restaurant?”

“Oh no. When I take blood from your pretty neck, I don’t want to share the experience.” He moved a little closer. “But I will put my mark on you, Tatyana Vorona. If you want it.”

He felt her hesitation in the set of her jaw.

“I don’t want anyone else?—”

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