The vampire lord of the Kievan Rus had spent the past five years living rather quietly. His reputation for brutality and womanizing had taken a hit after his secret marriage, and the immortal world had no idea why he’d cut back on his romantic or territorial conquests.
There were rumors that he was mourning his daughter’s death because of Zara’s connection to his dead mate, Luana. Which was entirely false.
There were rumors that he was secretly planning a conquest in North America, which was…notentirely false.
There were rumors that he was involved in a torrid affair with Alina Machabeli, the vampire ruler of Georgia, and he’d done nothing to quell those rumors to anyone but his wife. He was fairly certain that Alina had started them, and Oleg was curious about her intentions.
Showing up at a grand event like the Báthory Summit was an opportunity for vampire theater, immortal drama, and general mess. And since all this played into Oleg’s plan to bury Ivan, he was more than happy to attend.
So while he didn’t particularly look forward to the long speeches and the business meetings, he was looking forward to—as the humans would say—making Ivan his bitch in public.
Mika stood in the foyer of the house they had rented for the occasion. “It’s good.”
“Good?” He scanned the grand villa they had rented in the Buda Hills. “This mansion is an excellent example of neoclassical architecture with art nouveau murals inside.” Oleg was in a grand mood. “It’s delightful. Petr!” He held out his hand and snapped.
“Yes, my lord.” A young man scurried to his side.
“Find a digital camera and take pictures of the murals in the house.”
“All of them?”
“Yes, all.” He was contemplating a mosaic in the art nouveau style, and these murals could be good reference photographs.
“Of course.” Petr ran off when a car honked outside.
His new secretary was a city boy from Kyiv who had been raised by experienced day people and then quickly found favor with Oleg in the past three years. It would be the first time the young man was attending a vampire event of this scale, which meant he was very eager.
Which was good. Oleg hated carrying things.
“The perimeter is too dense,” Mika grumbled. “Too many trees and bushes. Do you think they would let us cut down some of those cypress trees?”
“No. You worry too much.” Oleg slapped Mika on the shoulder. “Besides, it has already been adjusted for vampire use by Wallace, so you know the security will be top-notch.”
“Yes, and they’re probably spying on us.”
“Probably.” Oleg looked at a random corner. “If you are, Gavin, hello and please give my regards to your lovely wife.” He bowed slightly, then started walking up the stairs. “Do an electronics sweep while Petr gets me ready for the reception at Báthory House.”
Mika muttered, “Why are you in such a good mood?”
Oleg smiled, turned on the first landing, and snapped his fingers, bringing a bright red flame to his palm. “What do I have to complain about, old friend? I am rich. I am powerful. And I fed well at sunset.”
“So all I need to do to turn you into a more pleasant asshole is feed you?” Mika nodded. “Good to know.”
Oleg closed his fingers around the flame to extinguish it. “You need to get laid, Mika. Isn’t that always your advice to me?”
Mika turned and flipped Oleg off before he motioned for one of his own minions to approach.
Oleg left them to their own devices as he pulled out the phone that only his wife had the number to.
Arrived in Budapest. This house is beautiful. Wonderful murals.
Her reply came only moments later.
I’m glad. Send pictures of the murals.
Petr is taking some right now.
Oleg had to confess that while he did not enjoy most technology, he did enjoy having direct access to his wife in his pocket at all times.
