Free Legacy in Blood (Book 1 of The Begotten of Old Series) by Masha Dark

shrieks of the humans quite well. It seemed that the reception the Master was giving them was not to their taste. Well, they should stay where they belong.
    “Don’t lag behind,” she ordered Vasilisa.
    They were walking very quickly, almost running. The girl had managed to call home and tell them that they had gotten into trouble. Filip was supposed to meet them in a designated place.
    “What was that?” asked Vasilisa.
    “A hurricane,” replied Dalana.
    “I meant who were those creatures,” explained the girl, licking her parched lips.
    The road appeared in front of them.
    Forest inhabitants.
    “But why did they help us?”
    Would you have preferred they didn’t?
    That’s not what I meant. They were creatures like you, weren’t they? Also Begotten of Old?
    “It’s okay, you don’t have to answer, I get it,” Vasilisa added aloud.
    They got to the highway just as a foreign-made car was driving by. And before Dalana had time to react, Vasilisa jumped towards the glowing headlights. The breaks screamed shrilly.
    “Are you crazy?” cried out a middle-aged bald man, lowering the window of the front door. He was alone in the car.
    “Stupid junkie!”
    He opened the door, clearly intending to get out and teach Vasilisa some sense. She was expecting this.
    With a snarl Vasilisa lunged at the man and pulled him out of the car. Her fangs entered the man’s neck. Fortunately, he had already lost consciousness and thus did not see Dalana seize the girl by her hair and hurl her away. Vasilisa’s head smacked loudly against the asphalt.
    “What are you doing? That hurt!” The transmog malevolently snapped her bloodstained fangs.
    Are you hungry? Dalana asked idly.
    “No,” yelled Vasilisa. “What does hunger have to do with it?”
    Then why do you wish to take his life?
    “His life?” The girl was shocked. “Those like him killed my friends today. What, have you forgotten?”
    “Your friends,” Dalana snapped harshly, “paid for their carelessness and excessive confidence. You must always remember that the victim can become the hunter at any moment. Life is inconstant and volatile.”
    “Screw you and your philosophizing!”
    And Vasilisa sprang to her feet with the intent of finishing what she had started. Halfway to the car, Dalana caught her and grabbed her by the throat.
    Philosophy is entirely unnecessary , Dalana informed her. I think I’ll just squeeze a bit harder – that should crush your neck quite neatly. Though I’ll be annoyed that I had to save your worthless little life just a few minutes ago.
    Vasilisa began to wheeze. Dalana waited a bit longer then relaxed her grip.
    Sorry… Vasilisa gasped mentally. Forgive me, please. I am an idiot. I did not mean to offend you at all…my friends…I’m simply very upset! I mean, they died! And I wanted to avenge my pain on one of these little humans.
    Dalana released the girl’s neck, noticing as she did so the seductive velvetiness of her skin.
    “Anyway, I didn’t have time to bite him properly,” said Vasilisa.
    At that moment the man groaned. And after yet another moment Vasilisa’s cell phone rang.
    “It’s Filip,” she told Dalana even though that was obvious. “He’s already there. Let’s go, it’s not that far.”
    “First put him back in his car.” Dalana pointed to the unfortunate man who was already beginning to regain consciousness.
    “Well alright, but there is no way I’m taking him to a hospital,” grumbled Vasilisa.
    While she loaded her frustrated dinner into car, Dalana once again thanked the Grey Raven for his help. He did not answer, but Dalana knew quite well that he was listening to her. And that was the important thing.
    3.
     
    Life is like a box of matches. Treated seriously it is amusing. Treated frivolously it is dangerous.
    Ryunosuke Akutagawa
     
    The passport in the name of Diana Pechorina, twenty-five years old, lay on the bedside table. Dalana had already studied the document and in general she