Chapter 15

The problem started in September. The problem, more accurately named Tasha Ozera, had applied for an official Russian visa. The manor's network of spies were extensive, and any Moroi traveling in or out of the country were tracked. Inna had left the weekly report on my desk and then promptly had to order me a new one when I ripped the legs off.

"Tasha Ozera?" I asked through gritted teeth. Svetlana twisted a piece of her perfect hair around her fingertip.

"What does it matter, anyways? It's not like that bitch will find us." Svetlana leaned forward. "I've heard she's like, really messed up too. Like her face is gross or something."

I sighed, sorely tempted to smash another desk. "She is, but that's not the point. The point is that if she finds Christian, she'll take him away."

"So, kill her."

I sighed deeply. "Not yet, Masha."

Two weeks later, I broke my desk again. Inna's report this week had stated that Tasha Ozera had been busy telling Strigoi all over Moscow that she was looking for me.

"That bitch!" I yelled, kicking the splintered wood pieces of my desk.

"Didn't I tell you to kill her?" Masha's bored voice came from the couch, where she was occupied with filing her nails to a perfect point.

"Masha, is that really your solution to everything?" Svetlana was upside down on the couch, her hair swinging as she braided it neatly.

"This time she might have a point," I admitted. Masha cocked a perfectly tweezed eyebrow without looking up from her filing.

"Well, well, well. Baby's first planned assassination attempt. You're finally interesting."

"How should I do it?" I asked. A slow smile creeped across her face, and she finally looked up from her nails.

"Slowly."

I leave Christian with a kiss, several puzzles, painting supplies, and several new premium channels in English for him to enjoy while I'm away. I was relieved he accepted my story of having to run an errand for Galina without suspicion.

I stop by Svetlana's room, which is always a mess. At the sound of her name, she emerges from her walk-in closet inexplicitly wearing just a feather boa.

"Sveta, can you watch Christian for a few days?"

"Sure," she says. "Where are you going?" She sits in her vanity and starts to reorganize her lipstick collection.

"Errands with Masha." Svetlana laughs and then mimes hanging herself with the boa.

"I'm glad I'm not going then."

I sigh. "We'll be back as soon as we can. Please don't forget to feed him. Food and blood." She rolls her eyes and closes the lipstick case.

"You worry too much," she says airily. "You have my word. He'll be well-entertained with no visitors. I got it." She bounces over, kissing me on the cheek and surely leaving a giant lipstick mark. I stick my tongue out at her and leave.

"Good luck!" she calls cheerily after me. I close her door softly. We may need it.

Masha meets me by the train station with a carry-on that I'm ninety percent sure is full of weapons. She's the right companion for this job, certainly, but not a particularly talkative one. The train ride will take an entire day, which is why I have blackout curtains stowed in my backpack.

Masha watches her Russian soaps while I log onto Christian's security camera to watch him. He seems content, the light of the TV flickering against his features as he yawns. With the knowledge that he was safe and content, I settled back into my seat and let the hours pass by.