Page 174 of Blood Mosaic

“I don’t…” Tatyana’s face was pale in the moonlight as she looked at Oleg, then back to Arosh’s guard. “I just want a safe haven. Just for a little while, until I can find my place.”

Your place is with me!Oleg paced, his fire growing hotter and higher. Mika was shouting at him, but he could hear nothing, see nothing, nothing but Tatyana slipping from his grasp.

“Young one,” the dark-haired woman asked, “who killed your sire? Was it the fire vampire who chases you?”

Oleg bared his fangs and froze, glaring at Tatyana.

“I did it,” she whispered. “I killed my sire.”

The dark-haired vampire took a step back, and Oleg could see the stiff set of her shoulders. “Youdid?”

Oleg’s fire died, but his rage still burned, shot through with fear for Tatyana’s safety. Tatyana had no idea what she had justadmitted to, and she had only her youth and obvious distress as a defense.

Mika grabbed water from the river and sent a calming mist over Oleg, enough that he could think clearly.

The two wind vampires were signing to each other in a language that Oleg didn’t speak.

The dark-haired woman let out an audible sigh. “Young one, Samson, son of Arosh the Fire King, has offered you sanctuary in the Fire King’s court under his personal protection.” She was looking between Oleg and Tatyana as if she knew there was more to the story. “As long as you harm no one, you may claim shelter.”

Tatyana’s eyes turned to the silver-haired vampire. “Your name is Samson?”

The silent vampire nodded.

“And you’re offering me a safe haven?” Tatyana looked back to Oleg. “What is the price?” She clutched her duffel bag to her chest.

“There is no cost,” the woman said. “What you have heard is correct. The Fire King’s court has long been a place of sanctuary for women in need.”

Women in need. Oleg scoffed. As if he would ever hurt Tatyana.

Tatyana looked over her shoulder, then took a step toward Samson. “Really?”

“I am Daria, and I can guarantee that my brother Samson has no ulterior motive.” She held out her hand. “Come. Leave this vehicle, and we will fly you to our father. Dawn is coming. We don’t have much time.”

“Okay.” Tatyana’s eyes were locked on Oleg’s. “I will go with you.”

“No!” Oleg shouted. “Tatyana, come back.”

Tatyana walked to the edge of the water and stared at him. “I can’t.”

You can.

She was a mystery, and she always had been. Every time Oleg thought he understood her, she turned and slipped away from him like water running through his fingers.

Oleg took another step into the river. “You won’t hide in Arosh’s harem forever.” The cold water cooled his rage as he kept his eyes locked on Tatyana’s. “And don’t forget: I am a very patient man.”

Tatyana’s gaze never left his, not even as the silent wind vampire wrapped his arms around her body and lifted both of them into the air. She and Oleg stared at each other until Tatyana disappeared into the darkness.

And then she was gone.

Mika tugged his arm. “Come, Knyaz. Both of us know this isn’t over.”

She left.

She left him.

Oleg’s fangs pierced his lip, and he felt her flying away, the thread of their bond stretching into the sky and deep into the mountains.

Stretched but not broken.

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