Danielle easily picked me up and sat me on his knees. I sighed and put my head on his shoulder.
- Don't, Jane. I won't let anyone hurt you. Calm down, my girl. You're gonna be okay.
A warm hand lay on the back of my head. And before I knew what was happening, our lips met. I felt the pressure of sharp fangs and instinctively opened my mouth. Daniel's tongue slid in, and I answered his kiss as best I could. And, of course, it just slipped right in. There was a taste of blood on his lips, Danielle groaned tightly, and the kiss got even hotter. And I didn't even think to interrupt him. Hell, even if Danielle decided to make love right here in the car, in front of three vampires, I wouldn't tell him no. And I knew perfectly well why. When that same Mecislav looked at me, it was pure passion. Crazy, wild, almost uncontrollable - not just desire. And with Daniel, it was also tenderness and affection. The warmth of the soul. I wanted not only to fall asleep in the same bed with him, after making love, but also to wake up next to him, to look at the stars and even to serve him in bed heated blood. It was much more than a body call. Love? I didn't know. I was just afraid of that word and my feelings, too. And when Danielle finally let me go, I could barely breathe. I was dizzy, and I was bleeding from the corner of my mouth. Danielle smiled at me and licked her off my skin with a lazy tongue movement. And once again. And one more time. Until the bleeding stopped.
- I think it's too much for the car," said Boris.
- Really, guys, just wait until you get home," agreed Vadim.
Mecislav said nothing, but I was glad I couldn't see his eyes. We've come the rest of the way in a coffin silence. But I was firmly convinced that today Daniel and I would continue our... conversation. And maybe I'll fall asleep with him as a woman and in his arms.
The car stopped again in front of the Wolf Fight. And we also got out of the car. The only difference was that today Danielle brought me to the entrance himself and almost handed me over to Boris. Mechislav didn't even look at us. It's for the best, too. If I have to build something with Daniel, another vampire in this construction will be redundant. Especially one that even a Carmelite monastery would have a collective orgasm.
Grunkle came out to meet us again. This time, both him and his entourage were in all black. And they were losing again. Next to Mieczysław, who seemed to be born in a black suit, Du"ka looked like a pale mute. I sent him an air kiss. The vampire was skewed, but then he snapped at me. He's definitely up to some nasty shit!
- I am happy to welcome you to my club. Especially Jane. I'd really like to know how she was able to do... what she did yesterday.
- What's in it for me? - I've been soaking up the voice of baqi baqi.
Mechislav couldn't hold back a smile.
- You'll always find something to amuse me with, Curly.
- You're so sweet," I squeaked with the same voice. And immediately changed the tone, appealing to Andre: - Eye for an eye, you white-brown goat! If I tell you what I did, you'll let my friend to leave with me or stay - by her DOUBLE choice. Did I make myself clear?
Duke squeaked his teeth, but he swallowed the "goat". Well, I scared him yesterday. One moment without his security guard... Now he'll beware of hitting me. At least in words. But if he does, he'll kill me right away.
- Yes, it is. Well, come on, then.
Same corridor, same room, strange feeling of deja vu. Andre sat on the throne again. The swordsman looked at him mockingly, bowing his head to one shoulder to another - and I was sure that the vampire was smiling. I would smile, too. Against the background of the black hall, Duchka looked even worse. And he seemed so miserable and exhausted, as if he'd been fed one oatmeal for a year. But I wouldn't comfort him! It's more like the opposite.
- Boris, and you bet me, I whispered. - I did tell Andre that he was a jerk.
- Duty is mine," said the vampire. - You have to admit, if you're gonna give me a flick now, it's gonna have a bad effect on my image.
I reached out and kissed him on the cheek.
- You're so cute.
The vampire's eyes were really confused. Does he rarely hear that?
Although, when Mechislav is near, this sex bomb is male, you just do not notice other men. I am the exception to the rule. Although Danielle is, too.
- Jane, since when did you become so dissolute? - Duchka reminded me of himself.
- Who would talk about promiscuity, but not the fang bastard who was going to rape my friend in front of me first, and then me - in front of her - Dyushka just aroused an unbearable desire to cheat. And I wasn't going to resist him.
- Come on, Jane. It was just a game. Almost like the one with traces on your lips.
On your lips? I ran my tongue through my lips. That's right. Daniel's fangs scratched my lower lip, and the cut was quite noticeable. So now what? Maybe I'm also embarrassed.
- I think I've overwhelmed you with promiscuity," I said.
There was a bewilderment on the vampire's face. Mechislav laughed.
- Yeah. That game was in the car, in front of three vampires.
- At that moment, I wouldn't be embarrassed by the cameras either," I added.
- Mecislav has always been very attractive to women, - Andre said in the tone of an expert. This time even Boris could not resist from smiling.
- Yes, but it had nothing to do with Mecislav, I snorted. - I wouldn't make out with him. You know, Barbie dolls, even if they were male, - I felt Mechislav's displeasure behind the back of my head, but I didn't care about that either, - not my type. Look, let's finish this useless bazaar. Where's my friend?
The smile on Andre's lips became even more faded.
- Quid pro quo, Jane. Quid pro-quo, Jane. First, tell me what you did.
I snorted. Well, I'm gonna break you in right now, white-headed!
- You know, there, at night, the lambs woke me up. They were puking. They were so puking!
The vampires looked like they were gonna throw up. A characteristic collective trait is the eyes that were goggled out and the jaws that fell off. I tried to suppress the smile. You should read the classics. And contemporaries, too. It's not just my teeth that sparkle!
- It's from "The Silence of the Lambs." That's where Dr. Lecter says the same thing to Clarissa Starling. Quid about quo. Well, Andre, you get your piece of meat. - Now pull yourself together. You don't have to lie, but you can't tell the whole truth. - I didn't do anything consciously. Although I can do it again now. I spent a lot of time thinking during the day, and then I came to a simple conclusion. I'm much more religious than I thought about myself. It's just that my religiosity is a very different form. I don't believe in Christ or Buddha. To me, all gods are the same. But I believe in what's good in the first place. And that I don't hurt anyone. And the victory of good over evil. - I licked my dry lips and looked around. Everyone looked at me carefully. - You see? I'm all over you. I open up, but it won't help you. Faith is just a tool, like a shovel. It was you, Andre, who made me a monster. If you hadn't started this game with my friend... I can't show you the cut on my wrist right now, but I do. This is the first time I've used pain and blood to get rid of your hypnosis. Well, then get me and curse yourself for it. Damn, that's pathos, ah! You know, like in cheap soap operas. It's pretty much like becoming this room. Where's my friend?
For a few seconds, everyone was quiet. They must have digested it. Why? I didn't say a word of lies. I didn't say anything useful, either, but they don't need it. If Duke hasn't bothered to find out what and how his girlfriends feel, it's his own fault. I won't educate him. Especially about the fact that Vlad himself opened the way for me, because he wanted to die.
Then Andre got up and clapped his hands.
- Bring Anna in.
- Anne? - I don't get it.
- Any vampire should get another name from his creator when he initiates. Then, when he has already gained his power or gone to another creator, he will change it. Or he'll keep it the same. That's his business. But it has to be like this first," Boris whispered t
o me. - We renounce both our own name and our own life. From everything that was once in it.
- Why would you do that?
- It's not us who started it, and it's not us who will end it.
- Boris, is that your real name?
- No. But I forgot the real one.
I nodded my head. The vampire politely and kindly asked me to stay away from him with five words and one look. Well, his right. I will respect that tradition. And then, if I became a vampire, wouldn't I want to forget everything that's happened to me before? To forget, not to feel pain, not to think about those who once loved me... I would not only change my name, I would repaint my hair and have plastic surgery... Once I imagine how my family would grieve - it's creepy.
And immediately I took my mind off my thoughts. Two vampires entered the Katka Hall.
The girlfriend looked just awful. She was as pale as death, her lips were unnaturally scarlet, and her black velvet dress made her look like some kind of a languid ghost. Rarely unaesthetic. Blond hair was falling on her shoulders in waves. Her blue eyes were shining, and when she smiled at Dushka, snow-white fangs appeared from under her lips.
- Katya! - I, not remembering myself, rushed to a friend. I had to touch her, hug her, ask her how she was here... Maybe it's not too late?! I was intercepted by Mieczysław and pulled my hand so hard that I fell on his chest. Try to resist the heels yourself! I tried to get away from the vampire and accidentally stuck my palm in his chest. Just where the shirt was cut out and the naked golden skin opened. It was like a current was running through my palm. The electricity rushed all over my body, making me shiver with desire. Suddenly I wanted to cling to Mieczysław, rub my whole body against him, and then... Jane! No!
I had a hard time pulling away and looking at the vampire with evil.
- Don't you ever do that again, damn it!
- You don't have to be so careless, curly. Can't you see that? Your friend is already a vampire! There's a good chance she'll rip your throat out instead of talking to you. And then I'll have to initiate you. You wanna be a vampire yourself, curly?
- WHAT?! You can't even think about it! - I woke up. But I didn't try to get near Katya anymore. Duška was looking at us with interest.
- Does she really not know what to expect from recently initiated vampires?
He must have asked Mieczysław, but I answered him. Anyway, I was angry so much that I couldn't go any further. And what could be better than poisoning the enemy's head?
- Why would I know anything about your tricks?! I came here to kill, not talk!
- One does not interfere with the other. Will you talk to your friend... curly?
- Don't call me that, you unhorned asshole," I felt instantly.
Duke gave me a fang smile.
- Jane, when you become my vampire, I will give you the name Isabella.
- It's not bad to dream. For that matter, as soon as I wake up your vampire, I'm gonna get down your throat.
- Nahalka, - stretched out Mechislav. - You're just a little nachalka, curly. But I like it.
- And it shouldn't even concern you. It's got to be Daniel who likes it! - I snapped at him. And I seriously thought about it. Why do they tolerate my outright rudeness? What, there's a dragon dying in the woods? That's how they've long been extinct. And all that's happened is a long time ago. And why then? Even if this worthy pair of Sword-Sprinces wants to use me somehow, it's still easier to put me in my place at once. But they don't do that. Why the hell not?! We have to talk to Daniel! Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa!
My thoughts were interrupted by Andre.
- Will you talk to Anna, curly?
I ignored the "curl" on his part and nodded. I shook off Mieczysław's hand and took a small step forward.
- Katya! Katrine, how are you feeling?
Blue eyes turned on me - and Katya smiled. Fangs became even more visible.
- Ah, Leoverenskaya! Are you here after all?
- Yes, I'm here. You... Katya, did you become a vampire?
- My name is Anna.
- It doesn't matter! You've become a vampire?
And why was I clinging to that question so much? The horse is clearly a vampire now. But I had to talk to her. I needed to know. Katya's evil has fallen in my direction.
- Yeah, I became a vampire. And I'm very happy about it. You have no idea what a pleasure it is to drink hot, fresh blood. When you bite a vein around your neck...
Katya said something else, but I didn't hear her. And I didn't try to listen. That voice was a stranger to me. Alien, cold, mocking and stupid. It wasn't Katya. She was never so... bitchy. Even if she became a vampire, she couldn't change that much. In two days, she couldn't. She could break down, she could be hysterical, she could faint... a lot, but she couldn't keep that icy bitch indifference. The wrong person, the wrong character. It's more to me. I'd definitely be such a bitch if I didn't show anyone my pain and point. And Katya is an actress. She played and will play. But why isn't that happening now?
And something soft pushed into my brain. I took a closer look at my friend. Not the usual way. Differently. It was like everything was floating for a moment. I saw something strange. There was a thin red line shining around Kati. As if someone had circled her contours in the air. And tied her contour with a strong thread to Duška. The same lines were shining around all the vampires. Some were thicker, some were thinner, but they were... And the brightest, almost cloud-- Duke's. But not pure red. Not the banner at the demonstration, but rather the blood on the pavement. There was a shade of dirt in his red color. And Mechislav? He was standing behind my back - and I turned around to look. My eyes blinked - and the image immediately fell off. It's a shame. Come on, I'll be there in time. I turned to Duška.
- You don't play fair, Andre. Let go of her consciousness.
Everyone looked at me like a rabbit with two heads. Is that a tradition they have? Or are they not used to people telling them the truth? How long will they stare at me like that?
- Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh! Any contact? - I was yelling at my throat.
The contact was. The vampires flipped in different directions. The ones that belonged to Dushka. They were already used to my antics and were not afraid that I would start biting or throwing. Dyushka pulled away from my scream and stared at me with a strange expression on his face.
- How did you know that?
- I looked," I confessed almost honestly. - Andrei, your presence is not good for me. I'll bite a vampire, or I'll learn to see an aura... To squeeze you, before I do anything else?
Mecislav rolled with laughter.
- You're a fast learner and a progresser, Curly. Tell Andre thank you for unlocking your abilities.
- But I still remain a monkey with a grenade?
- It's about that.
That's when I realized why they put up with me. Danielle's just being nice to me. Mecislav sees some kind of potential weapon. Some kind of monkey with a grenade that can be launched into the camp for the enemy. Or you can use it like today. And the fact that it will blow itself up on a grenade is nothing! There's plenty of other monkeys. And the grenades aren't a deficit. And that's how Duška sees me. Like that monkey. And since he's got me so far and deep, he's just afraid to be with that grenade in his pants. He knows he's got a good chance of getting to that point, and he's afraid. Or he's afraid. That's why he turned Katya into a vampire, so I wouldn't kill him. That's why he tolerates my pranks, only to keep himself from falling below the skirting board.
I looked at Mieczysław outrageously, but I did not develop my thoughts. I'll talk to you after the ball.
- Andre, let her go!
The vampire made a sign to his assistants.
- Hold her tight so she doesn't do anything to herself.
And he snapped his fingers in the air.
I looked Katya in the eye. They became bright, alive, meaningful again. Not stupid plastic buttons, like a few minutes ago. The girlfriend slowly circled the whole hall, then stopped at
Andre - and the next moment she fell to her knees and screamed. So screaming in unbearable pain. Without words, turning to the Creator. Or to God. The scream reflected from the hall walls and hit me in the ears. I twitched forward again - and Mechislav again intercepted my hand with an iron grip.
- No, curly! You're not going near her!
I wriggled and turned out of his clinging fingers.
- But she doesn't feel well! Let me go! Let go of me!
The grip on my arm didn't shake. On the contrary, the vampire drew me firmly to himself and hugged me with his second hand at the waist to be faithful.
- It'll pass now. Call her if you want, but don't go near or touch her. She was your friend in life, but now she's just a new convert. She's a danger to everyone alive.
- You'll give me a lecture later, okay?
- I'd be happy to give you a million lectures, Curly. But now you have to listen to me. At least as the oldest.
- My ears will fall off sooner," I turned to him. But there was no roof. Danielle went around and stood just ahead of us and on the side. Neutral, but I understood - even if I broke away from Mieczysław, he would intercept me instantly. All I had to do was call. - KATYA! Katja! Katya!
Katya raised her head and looked at me. The expression in her eyes was quite human.
- Jane? Are you there? But how did you... what did you... what happened?
She was so similar to the old Katya, that I had tears in my eyes.
- Katya, do you remember anything? Me? The dacha?
- Yes. I remember when you tied me up at the cottage... - Katya spoke slowly and measuredly. As if the memories were coming up before her. - And I remember when we came to "The Wolf Fight" tonight. I remember it well. And then there was the fog. Failure in memory. Only nightmares. Can you imagine, I dreamt I was made a vampire! Funny, isn't it?
I wanted to cry, but I couldn't afford it. At home I'll lock myself in the bathroom and cry for a week, but here? In front of the enemy? Never! It was like a lump stuck in my throat, but I did squeeze out six short words.
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