Eternal War Rising to the South: The Beynok Vampire Series by Erika Bradshaw Page B

like Sorin? I was sure. Would I befriend them? I hoped not. Would my morals and values change as my surroundings became more dynamic? I would like to think not. Would I lose the Beynok ways to fit in with the outside world? No. I needed to go home to my family. I needed to face Vladimir. I needed to face the many choices I could feel coming rather than trying to escape them. I had a feeling they were coming no matter where I ran. I needed my family.
    I had enjoyed myself so much during my run the day before that I ran again, but in the direction of my family, instead of away from them. Vladimir, Sorin, Ambrose, Misha’s team, and the werewolves were all I could think about as I ran. Leaving had been selfish. My family needed me, and I needed them. I decided to forget all about my taboo night with the vampire and never speak of it to anyone.
    The two guards from Russia should be arriving today, and I really didn’t want to make a bad impression on them for Vladimir’s sake. If my disappearance got back to Russia, it would not make Vladimir look good. I realized it was Sunday and that I had almost lost track of what day it was. It felt that I had been gone much longer than a day. I had learned so much, yet I was more confused than ever. I desperately tried to block everything out and enjoy the rest of my run back home. I knew I was going to be in trouble for leaving, so I needed to enjoy this time while I could.
    When the sun was high above my head, I knew I was just about home. I came to a slow walk when I reached the edge of the tree line that led out toward the back of the house. If I closed my eyes and listened, I could make out the sounds of the ocean, but there was no time for enjoyment. In a few minutes, I would be face-to-face with my family and with Vladimir.
    I walked up the back porch stairs and hesitated for a second before I pushed the sliding glass door open. What was I going to say? I should have thought about that before now. When I walked in, I only saw Yuri sitting on the couch. He didn’t have to turn for me to know it was him. His wavy, short, chocolate hair and his favorite flannel gave him away. Nothing was on downstairs, not one light or even the TV. He stood up and looked at me with surprise written all over his face.
    “Are you okay? We’ve been worried. I’ve been waiting for you to return.” He started to sniff the air as he walked in my direction. “I smell the same strange scent on you that was in the field the night we fought the werewolves.” He hesitated, “I can’t figure out what it is. Why is it on you, Anya?” Yuri stood in front of me and lifted my arm to his nose. He is in his third rise to the east, so by now he had mastered his gift of smell and there was no reason to argue.
    What was I going to tell him? I was with a vampire last night? Of course not, no one could know that. I would have to deny it if he accused me. But why didn’t he know already? He knew what vampires smelled like. He should have known without asking. He should have known in the field the night we fought the werewolves. I played it cool, just to see how far I could play this one out.
    “Yuri, I’m fine. I just needed to get out of the house yesterday. I’m sorry if I upset everyone. I didn’t mean to.” I wanted him to know how important he is to me, “It was selfish of me to leave as I did. I guess I was a little overwhelmed with everything. You know you’re my closest friend, and if I needed to talk to someone, it would be you. Please don’t worry about me.”
    “Anya, you almost look like you’ve been fighting. Have you? And what in the hell is that smell on you? I can’t place it. What is it?”
    What could I say? Yuri and I had always had a close friendship. He’d know if I lied. I had to get away from him. “Yuri, I can’t tell you exactly what the smell is. I slept in the woods last night. Please drop it and don’t worry about me. Will you do me this favor?”
    Yuri didn’t have time