Total pages in book: 158
Estimated words: 145341 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 727(@200wpm)___ 581(@250wpm)___ 484(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 145341 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 727(@200wpm)___ 581(@250wpm)___ 484(@300wpm)
Vasilisa took the tray and moved smoothly through the crowd, mostly because the men and women parted for her the moment she got close to them. She had known Sorina as long as she could remember, and she’d always looked the same. Tall, gorgeous, impossible to tell her age with her very thick ice-blond hair and generous mouth that always seemed ready to smile. Sorina stood up and took the tray immediately.
“There you are. I thought I might have to come looking for you. You get lost looking at stars, Vasi.”
Sorina’s voice lifted Vasilisa up, making her feel lighter. She instantly wished she’d asked her to come visit earlier. Some of the dread that was overshadowing her mind dissipated just listening to the musical quality of her voice, allowing Vasilisa to think more clearly.
“What is it, Vasi?” Sorina asked. “I can feel your concern.”
Vasilisa shook her head. “I want you to reach out and see if you can find something on your own without me saying anything. I don’t want to color whatever you might get.” She poured the tea into the small glasses, added milk and set the glasses in the gold filigree containers.
“I have already been uneasy, and just coming here tonight has confirmed that something is wrong.” Sorina studied her face with her dark, knowing eyes. The combination of blond hair and dark eyes was striking.
“Odessa told me that there are strangers at the inn. Four men came looking for Dimitri.” Vasilisa couldn’t keep the worry from her voice.
Sorina smiled. “There is never a need to worry about Dimitri, Vasi. On his own, he could take on any enemy or number of enemies. He is back to full strength after the treachery he faced. He has his wife, who is a force on her own. With them right now are Razvan and Ivory. They are training young Skyler and Dimitri to hunt vampires with wolves. Ivory and Razvan are legendary, known in our world as two of the most famous vampire hunters alive.”
Vasilisa couldn’t help the little spurt of excitement when she heard the names. “I certainly know those names. They’re here? Close by?”
Sorina took a sip of her tea. “They could be anywhere. The point is, Dimitri is safe. He is surrounded by an enormous pack of wolves who accept him as one of their own. He has Ivory and Razvan with him, and his wife, Skyler. I think he is safe from any intruders who might wish him harm.”
The relief Vasilisa felt was tremendous. There were so many other things she had to worry about. She didn’t want to think she might have to rush out and check up on Dimitri’s well-being. She would look for him eventually, but she was going to put him on the back burner until she discovered everything else that was going on—and she feared it was quite a bit.
“And the government men were asking about my brothers. Specifically Andros. All three of my brothers served their time in the military, and there are records. They are known to the government. They served with honor. It scares me that these men are here asking questions. Especially now.”
“Why especially now, Vasi?” Sorina asked.
“Did you feel the tear in the earth? The tremor? There was a large seismic event a few days ago. It woke me up, nearly threw me right out of bed. The moment I went outside, I felt the tear. I heard wails of the dead. There is a vent open somewhere, and I have to find it, Sorina. I have to find a way to close it.”
“You aren’t telling me everything. I hear something in your voice. A reluctance to speak of it aloud.”
Vasilisa sighed. She fiddled with the gold filigree on the small glass holder. “There is a prophecy in my family, handed down from mother to daughter, a very sacred one we never share with any other. Not a male sibling. Not our father. No one else.” She looked up at Sorina. “My mother told me that a man would come to claim me, that he was my true mate. If he doesn’t appear to claim me within a certain time period, and I’ll know when, then I must marry a good man and pass the soul I guard to my daughter.”
Sorina continued to look at her for a time in silence. She didn’t object or say Vasilisa was crazy; she simply asked her a straight question. “Are you guarding a man’s soul?”
“Yes. I feel him sometimes. He’s close now. Very close. When I walked into the inn, I knew he was extremely near and that he’d been here.”
Sorina let out her breath and reached across the table to touch Vasilisa’s hand briefly. “You must be frightened.”
“Very. Why aren’t you telling me I’m insane?”
“Because I hold the other half of a man’s soul as well,” Sorina explained very calmly. “It’s the way of my people. I know it isn’t the way of yours. You know I’m Carpathian, and if your people knew who and what I am, they wouldn’t accept me here. They’re very superstitious. Still, I’ve been coming here for a very long time, and we’ve been friends since you were a young child. I grew up with you. I’m not quite certain how you happen to carry a soul as well, but if you were told by your mother that you do, know it is very real, Vasilisa.”