When Blood Runs Black

Chapter 2

Simon eventually agreed to let me meet him. I planned on driving to Kimry myself as it would help me to think things through and to have some time to myself. However, Simon refused to let me drive. He claimed that I shouldn't be driving as I was apparently still in shock and it wasn't safe for me to be alone. I didn't have the energy to argue anymore with this man and he did have a point, I guess.

I stared out the window as we drove. It had begun to snow and the temperature had dropped. To keep myself occupied I blew on the glass until a small portion had clouded over and began to draw various shapes on the window. We both were silent not knowing what sort of conversation to start. I was comfortable in the silence we had created.

It had crossed my mind to cry and to let myself grieve yet I somehow couldn't bring myself to. It just wasn't going to happen with Simon around. I supposed it would happen once I was back home and alone.

The two-hour drive seemed like it took about fifteen minutes. I suppose being stuck in one's own head makes time somehow go faster.

Once we reached Kimry I expected Simon to turn into some sort of suburb. But we didn't. We seemed to be driving straight through Kimry.

"Simon, we're nearing the edge of Kimry shouldn't you have turned off somewhere?" I asked confused.

"No. I know where I'm going. You've forgotten that I also work at the manner. My employer doesn't exactly live in Kimry. The manner is only a few kilometres outside of the city."

"Great," I said. Yet another secret no one bothered to mention.

We passed a few empty fields as we drove. They were all draped in a silk blanket of white. It must have been snowing for a while now. Winter had apparently come early for Kimry. Finally, Simon turned onto a muddy dirt road. His poor Volvo. The dirt road was long and I was getting more curious by the second.

We soon pulled up to the manner. It was large and somewhat intimidating and in the snow it seemed cold and dark. The outside reminded me of something out of 'Wuthering Heights'. Getting out of the car I pulled my handbag over my shoulder. Simon walked in front of me and began to unlock the large wooden front door. Once Simon had opened the door he stood back and motioned for me to enter.

"Ladies first," he said.

As I walked into the manner I couldn't stop my mouth from dropping open. I was in awe. Although it seemed dark and almost prison like it was beautiful. It was that gothic kind of beauty that you only found once in a while. The kind that only certain people loved.

"Excuse me," Simon said, "I need to go and find my employer. Feel free to look around."

Simon disappeared down a passageway. I began to look at some of the large paintings. Most depicted noble-looking people with frowns on their faces. Moving over to a nearby table I began inspecting a beautiful vase.

"Ty opozdal."

I jumped and immediately placed the vase back onto the table with a thud. "I'm sorry, my Russian isn't very good," I replied to the booming voice.

"You are late," it said.

I couldn't tell in the darkness where the voice was coming from. "I didn't know that there was a specific time I had to be here and besides I..."

"Yes, yes. Well at least you are here, Anna Stravinskii."

"I'd like to get this over and done with as soon as possible so can you please stop being so mysterious and come out where I can see you. I would like to meet the person my father has been working for."

A man descended the marble staircase. I could tell he was possibly in his twenties and he clearly meant business. His suit was all black and spotless.

"Vladimir Alexandrovich," he held out his hand for me to shake. His hand was ice cold.

"Follow me" without waiting for a reply he led me down a passage to a large study. "Sit down." What impeccable manners this man had. He sat down behind his desk and I sat down opposite him.

"Before we begin I want you to know that Victor was a very loyal employee of mine and he will be missed," he said.

"Thank you," I could tell he was just saying that because it was the normal thing to say in these situations. "What papers do I have to look at?"

"It's not that simple. Your father obviously left a will. He left everything to you but as he was dying he made a request. He asked me to take care of you. He wanted you to stay here at the manner under my protection."

"Excuse me?" I asked in disbelief, "Why would my father ask something like that? It makes no sense. I'm 19. I'm independent. He's been leaving me alone at home for years now"

"That was his last dying wish; that you stay here. I suppose he wanted to ensure your safety for the next few years," he answered leaning back in his chair.

"Years? How long will I have to stay here for?"

"Until I think you're ready to live on your own."

"I am ready!" I screamed getting up from my seat. His stubbornness was getting to me.

"No, you are not," he said calmly standing up to meet my gaze.

I was leaving. I stormed out of the room determined to get back to Moscow one way or another and leave all of these secrets behind. Vladimir was following me.

"Would you really deny your father of his last dying wish?"

I stopped dead in my tracks. What if this was what my father wanted? Maybe the reason I wasn't believing Vladimir was because I had always seen my father's employer as a 'bad guy'. I couldn't let him down. Not now.

I turned to face Vladimir. "One week"

"Six months," said Vladimir.

"Three weeks."

"Three months."

"One month. That is my final offer," I said crossing my arms.

Vladimir let out a frustrated sigh, "Fine."

"Okay then," we stood silently not knowing what to do next.

"Um..." I said softly breaking the silence, "Can Simon please take me back to Moscow? I need to get clothes and such."

"No, you can't." Seriously? What was his problem? "The blizzard isn't going to be letting up any time soon. My secretary will help you with anything you need." He walked back down the passage and stopped in front of the door opposite his office. He knocked on the door and without waiting for an answer entered. I followed him inside the room.

Inside sat a woman behind a desk typing something on her laptop. She glanced up not surprised by Vladimir's rude entrance. She was most probably used to it.

"Anna, this is my secretary, Katerina. Katerina this is Victor's daughter, Anna."

Katerina stood up from her desk and pulled me into a hug. "It's so great to finally meet you. Your father always spoke of you." She pulled back. "Oh I'm so sorry. It must be hard to speak of him."

"No, it's alright," I said.

"Katerina, show her to her room," Vladimir said. With that he left the room.

I looked at Katerina. She had an odd look on her face. It was both sad and caring. It made me curious. She shook the look from her face and looked back at me with a grin.

"Come with me."