Summoning every shred of self-control I possessed, I forced a smile and repeated exactly what Galina had commanded. The anger that had burned so fiercely inside me evaporated instantly, replaced by a cold, creeping fear that settled into every fiber of my body. I wasn't even sure I could move without betraying myself. All I could do was hope the trunk door above me opened wide enough to cast a forgiving shadow, a dim veil behind which my trembling fingers and the unshed tears might remain unseen, as if the phone clutched in my hand could somehow protect me.
"Well done," the vampire purred through the phone, her voice silky and cruel. "Now, listen quietly. Nod occasionally to make it believable. When we're finished, you'll hang up and say you need to urgently retrieve something from your father's car. He's almost here. You'll dash to the car through the forest edge and return. If you bring anyone with you, I'll rip the throat out of the first hero policeman you see—before he even squeaks. Understand?"
"Yes," I whispered, voice trembling despite my effort.
"Now hang up and go to the forest edge. You'll see a rusted trailer at the entrance. Go straight from it, deeper into the woods, until you reach a large, rotten stump. When you see it, turn right, pushing through the thick, low-hanging spruce branches. Keep going straight—soon, we'll meet. Edge—trailer—stump—right through the spruce. Got it?"
"Yes, Dad," I managed, my throat tight.
"I'm waiting. Hurry. My patience is not endless, and who knows what might happen if it runs out," she said, and her ominous chuckle cut off as she hung up.
For a long moment, I stood frozen, staring at the blank screen. My mind screamed at the absurdity, at the impossibility of it all. Why me? Why now? Kostya's apologetic face flashed in my memory—how he had rushed off, unable to drive us to school because of his duties. Everything had seemed ordinary, routine, and now fate had slammed a door I wasn't ready to face. If only I had known… If only I had clutched the doorframe and refused to let him leave.
If only. If only I had known.
Now, everything rested on me. I had to give Galina what she wanted—but what price would she demand for my father's life? My mind recoiled at the thought, and yet, somewhere deep inside, a bitter hope whispered that perhaps the price would be bearable.
I tried to steady myself, planning to slip away quietly, circling the car to vanish from sight. But as soon as I took a step, Diana's gentle voice stopped me in my tracks:
"Asya, are you okay?"
Panic clawed at me. I couldn't turn around; even the smallest expression could betray me. Time had already been lost to my hesitation. I needed to act, quickly, decisively.
"I'm fine," I said, closing the trunk door behind me. I moved in the intended direction, keeping my back turned and forcing a casual tone. "Go ahead without me—I'll catch up with my dad soon. Just need to meet him quickly."
"Wanna go with you?" Diana asked, her voice warm, and I thought I heard footsteps behind me.
Fear and fury surged together. Her concern was endangering my father even more.
"No," I snapped, louder than intended. "I need to talk to Kostya. Alone."
The world seemed to fall silent. Even the distant hum of bass from the school faded. Tatiana froze, unprepared for such sharpness from me. Everyone was used to quiet, yielding Asya—but not this.
"O-o-okay," Diana stammered, clearly startled. "Family matters."
"Exactly," I said, pivoting on my heel and almost breaking into a run toward the forest edge.
Hold on, Dad…