Dimitri Tirunul was a prime example of how mistrustful the locals were. Dimitri had been coming there for years. He’d helped them countless times, but he was still regarded as an outsider, and he wasn’t trusted in the least. He had a residence there. Vasilisa had met him often in the forest. He had skills that rivaled her brothers’, and that was saying something, because few could match her brothers’ skills. Of course she knew Dimitri was married.
“That’s the surprising news? That Dimitri has a young wife?”
“No.” Odessa laughed merrily as she added to the tray. “We had strangers come to the inn. That’s the surprise. Four men. They looked very dangerous.” She lowered her voice, although the room was packed and the strangers were either out of the inn or upstairs. The noise level was loud. “They came asking for Dimitri.”
A chill went down Vasilisa’s spine. Dimitri may not have been born in their village, but as far as she was concerned, he was one of them. He protected the wolves, the same as they did. “What did you tell them?”
“I certainly didn’t know where Dimitri would be. He goes wherever he wants.” Odessa gestured toward the forest. “It’s a big place out there, and he runs with the wolves. Let them try to find him.”
Vasilisa tried not to openly wince. Even that last little bit mighthave been too much to say. She had to warn Dimitri. Often Dimitri and Skyler would stay out in the woods for weeks on end, and no one would see him or his new wife.
There had been a terrible incident that had nearly taken Dimitri’s life. Rumors swirled about it, and she knew the truth was far worse than the locals even realized. He had been a very handsome man. He had scars now, although they were faded to thin white lines dissecting his face, neck, arms and hands. She hadn’t asked him about the scars or rumors. She hadn’t wanted to bring up anything unpleasant, but her family had been briefed on the entire disturbing and horrifying event. It had made all of their people look bad.
Dimitri had always stayed away from others, but since that incident, even after marrying, he avoided everyone even more. She couldn’t blame him. She was well aware that the two people he had saved from certain death had betrayed him and then had him tortured and hung up in front of others to die a slow, painful death. Young Skyler had saved his life.
Vasilisa didn’t understand people. Maybe she never would. She didn’t think she wanted to go out into the busy world where so many of the younger crowd wanted to go. She wouldn’t fit in. Even at twenty-eight she retained the old-fashioned values and ethics her mother had instilled in her.
“I think I’m a dinosaur, Odessa. I don’t fit in anywhere.”
“You fit in just fine right here, Vasilisa,” Odessa assured her. She leaned over the counter, looked both ways again and nearly whispered, “There’s more. I was hoping you would come in. It made me happy that your friend was here to see you. You always seem to show up when we need you the most.”
Vasilisa frowned. She could tell that Odessa wasn’t being dramatic. She was concerned. “What is it?”
“Government men. They’re pretending not to be, but they are. I can smell them a mile away. I’ve seen too many of their kind. They’re here to cause trouble for us.”
Vasilisa’s stomach instantly knotted. That was the worst possible news. The one thing the villagers tried to do was stay under the radar. Most of the time, the government ignored their existence. They were up too high in the wilderness. They lived off land no one else really wanted. They kept to themselves and didn’t cause trouble.
“Did they ask for Dimitri, too?” She hoped not, but it wouldn’t surprise her. Dimitri was a man who went his own way. He had to work with the government to get permits for the protection of his wolves and the lands he wanted to safeguard.
“No, but they were asking about your brothers, Andros in particular.”
Vasilisa’s breath caught in her throat. “Thank you, Odessa.” She didn’t have to ask if Odessa or Kendal had spoken to the government agents about her brothers. They never would, nor would any of the villagers. No one would ever betray the monarchy.
Odessa pulled back a little and put a smile on her face. “There now, I don’t want to ruin your time with your friend. She doesn’t come to see you often. She’s waiting in her usual spot in the corner. You know how difficult it is to see her when she doesn’t want to be seen. Have a lovely time with her, Vasilisa.”
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 themilitary, 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.”