Ring of Madness

by Royden Labrosse

  - No. But I can't resist either. Put the First Seal on, damn you, with your claws! But only the First Seal!

  - I'm glad you said yes, curly.

  - Remember your promise!

  The green eyes were calm and serious. Why do I feel like I made a mistake somewhere?

  - I never give up on what I said, Junior. Your power will belong to me willingly. And your body, your soul and your life, only if you want it. Whenever you want...

  The last two words he exhaled right in my ear, and they made me shiver. There were so many promises in them... Oh, he'd be in a movie. What talent is missing, said Caesar, by strangling Cleopatra.

  I snorted.

  - I'd rather put a cat in a cage with parrots!

  - You don't have to say anything, my girl.

  I didn't like the girl.

  - Don't call me that!

  - But you really are just a kid. Naive and awkward.

  Yeah, well, I haven't reached the age of seven hundred yet. And good.

  - Put your seal on it and let's get it over with! I can't think of anything anymore! Oh! By the way, how exactly is that done?! Do you need an ink-soaked cushion and a stamp?

  There were sparks of laughter in the green eyes.

  - Everybody's different, curly.

  Mecislav easily got up on his feet and pulled me out of the chair.

  - Come here, Curly. I want to feel you next to me.

  I couldn't even squeak when I was tightly pressed against his body. He was hot and hard. And my heart was pounding next to my cheek. Do vampires have a heartbeat? Sometimes, right? Mecislav raised my head by my chin.

  - Kiss me, curly.

  And I obeyed. Suddenly, even for myself. My hands slipped on his shoulders, hugging, wrapping, pulling to myself. My fingers buried themselves in thick, soft hair. I tiptoed up, and the vampire leaned towards me. The next moment, his lips slid on my temple and then on my cheek to my lips. The vampire's hands somehow ended up at my waist, closing in, drawing me even closer. His lips were soft as velvet, hard and persistent. The kisses burned me like fire. Everything was muddy in my head. Downstairs my stomach burned like fire... I trembled and probably would have fallen if Mieczyslaw hadn't pressed me against him. Our lips finally met. I instinctively pressed the vampire tighter, threw my hands around his neck, opened my lips and answered the kiss. Our tongues touched. Something was going on between us. It seemed to me that we merged into one and our bodies were not just pressed against each other, but I became a part of Mieczysław, and he became a part of me. I felt his pulse - like my heartbeat, like my heart was beating in his chest. The blood was racing through our veins. The gossip of hands, the gossip of bodies, the fate of gossip...

  I could smell a salty taste of blood on my lips, but I didn't care. I didn't care about anything. Even though we're about to get a roof over our heads. The world's gone somewhere, and it's just the two of us. And there's something between us. Mecislav finally broke away from my lips. His chin was covered in blood. My blood. His eyes turned into two green lakes. But it didn't scare me. I knew it had to be like that myself. Whatever happened between us, it had to start with blood. A vampire slipped his fingers on the buttons of my robe. The neckline opened, opening my chest, and I pulled back. The magic was dispelled. Bright green eyes looked at me, and there was a desire in them. But I didn't want it to be like that. And - with this man. Lust isn't love, like soybean isn't meat.

  - No!

  Mecislav seemed surprised.

  - Why not, Curly?

  I smelled the robe and bounced away. I wonder who I was more afraid of - him or myself?

  - You gave me a stamp?

  - Yes, and you know it very well.

  I really knew. The seal of the body helped me to feel Mieczysław as an extension of myself. And I couldn't tell which of us wanted it anymore - he or I, whose blood was raging through his veins, whose lips were covered with blood droplets...

  - Sex is not necessary.

  - No. But I'd like that. You, too. You shouldn't deny it.

  - I don't deny it.

  Waves of warmth rolled through my body, my heart pounding with tripled force, blood buzzing in my ears, and I knew that if he touched me with the tip of his finger, I would throw myself at the vampire's neck. And I would cling to the robe fabric with my hands tighter.

  - You don't have to. It won't be the same without love.

  - Do you still believe in love, Curly?

  The voice was surprised, there was distrust on his beautiful face.

  - If you didn't believe in her, you wouldn't be playing on my feelings for Daniel! - I was parrying. The first few words were given to me with great difficulty, but gradually I began to recover. The vampire felt it. I realized that he couldn't win today. So he backed off. Feeling like "what's postponed isn't canceled yet." Well, let's see.

  - You're right. Will I tell Daniel to come in?

  - You don't have to. I want to be alone.

  - As my mistress commands.

  I couldn't help but smile.

  - Can I give you orders? Why not call things what they are?

  - Do you already regret what happened between us? Or what... what didn't happen?

  I put my eyes down so I wouldn't see him. Even just looking - and not touching, even a fleeting look was a temptation to me.

  - I don't know. It was too... too intimate for me.

  Mieczyslaw took two quick steps - and he was right next to me. His finger slipped on my face, washing blood. The vampire put his finger in my mouth, sucked it, and then smiled at me. And he had to see that smile. It's just an invitation to bed, in plain text.

  - It's no big deal, curly. And it doesn't hurt at all, no matter what Mommy says. But I'm gonna wait for your fear to go away.

  - We'll have to wait a long time!

  I turned around and heard the door slam.

  The key was stuck in the lock. I turned it around, collapsed on the bed, and threw myself into three streams. It broke through.

  I'm not a terminator after all. And why should I always be calm and brazen - know God alone. And that's not a fact. In fact, I can be hurt and nauseous, sad and dreary. But it's better not to show your weaknesses to those who can use them.

  I haven't cried too long. No more than 20 minutes. It's only in movies heroines can cry from morning to night. It didn't work out like that. I started to choke, my nose blushed and swollen, my eyes couldn't see anything, I had to go to the tub. The hot shower and the cold stuff helped. There was still more than an hour left until dawn when I went downstairs. Of course, the vampires were there. All four with amenities settled in the living room and sipped blood from high glasses. From somewhere, I knew it was blood. The snowbird was sitting in the corner and looked like an orphan from Kazan. Quiet water below the grass, but do not drive.

  - How are you feeling, Curly?

  Of course, Mechislav. Just how did he know I was coming? He was sitting with his back to me!

  - Did you hear me?

  - No. It's just that Danielle was looking up with such reverence...

  I laughed.

  - Awe? It's not worth it.

  - Jane, you didn't have to do this.

  Danielle was looking at me point-blank. I got embarrassed and regretted not changing my robe to jeans and sweater. On the other hand, who am I embarrassed about? All yours. Saw me wearing a swimsuit, and vampires in their lifetime probably saw women not wearing robes, but skinless at all.

  - What didn't I have to do?

  - The seal. You could've said no.

  - You could have. But if Duke wins, it'll be much more unpleasant. At least that way I'll stay human.

  Well, almost human. Or was there something they didn't tell me after all?

  I was looking right at Mieczysław. But the vampire didn't take his eyes off me.

  - I haven't lied to you about a single thing.

  - But you made one promise.

  - And I'll try to do it.

  - What promise
? - Danielle didn't get it.

  - Nothing," we responded in one voice.

  I turned to Boris.

  - And somebody bet me.

  - What were you arguing about and what?

  - About the same thing. Not everyone dares to goat in the Prince of the City's face!

  - That's right. I deserve my flicks honestly," Boris confirmed, kneeling down in front of me and smiling merrily. I never thought vampires could smile like that. Easily, without any connotations, just enjoying life. I gave him four clicks and reached out.

  - You won't risk arguing with me anymore?

  - Why is that? I'm just gonna pick an argument I won't lose.

  - Well, like what?

  - Well, I bet in two clicks that you wouldn't risk a kiss... Snowflake?

  - What's missing! - I was outraged. - Snowbird?! I'd rather kiss Duke! He's more my age.

  - I wonder how? I mean, he's seven hundred if not more years older than you.

  - Well, I've always had an interest in antiquities!

  We laughed, made fun of each other and tried not to think about anything. It turned out that Boris knows a lot of jokes, and Vadim can't keep his mouth shut. However, that was also true of me. Mechislav looked at us as if we were children and even told two historical cases from his life, and Daniel, as usual, clinging to paper and a pencil. There were only a few minutes left until dawn, when Mieczyslaw got up from his chair.

  - Good day, Curly. And I'm going to bed. I have to be strong tonight.

  Boris and Vadim went up next to him. Danielle stayed seated. Mechislav looked at him.

  - You're not going to sleep?

  - I'd like to talk to Capa before bed.

  - Are you sure this is for the best?

  Mechislav pressed his voice so that Snegirev wince. The subordinates were supposed to quietly lift their legs and crawl into their minks, obeying and obeying. But that didn't apply to me. There!

  - I'm sure it's for the best," I snapped.

  - As you wish, curly.

  Mecislav gave me a graceful bow and hid behind the door. Danielle got up from his chair and pulled me along.

  - Jane, we need to talk.

  - Okay, great. Is my room okay with you?

  - More than that.

  We went up the stairs in silence. In the room, Danielle locked the door, turned the key and stared at me angrily. I withstood his gaze without blinking an eye.

  - Jane, do you have any idea what you've done?!

  - I see.

  - I don't think so. If you understood, you would never agree to the terms of Mečislav. Women are toys to him. And you will be one of them.

  - I have a small advantage. I won't be a woman, I'll be a family man. And then, I don't like him enough to agree to all the other Seals.

  - He knows how to get women to do their will. You won't even notice how it happened.

  - Yes, but it's our own business. It's mine and his. Isn't it?

  Daniel looked like I kicked him.

  Like a homeless puppy.

  - Excuse me, madam. It's really none of my business. It's yours and his own business. Have a good day.

  He took the key out of his pocket and turned to the door. And I couldn't take it anymore. I threw myself at his neck.

  - Danielle, please don't go! Don't!

  He didn't turn around. Only his back was tense.

  - Danielle, you know very well that he means nothing to me! Swordsman is good, smart, charming, but it's such little things! It's just a wish! It's not love!

  Danielle laughed briefly and evilly. It was as if the glass under his foot was fragile.

  - Really - what little things! It's not love! It's true, to go out!

  - Stop it! - I snapped. - You know very well that he and I have nothing in common but desire! And that desire unites him and all the other women in the world, from ten to seventy. If it were my grandmother, it would be the same. And I had nothing with that green-eyed fangbanger but Seal! And there won't be! Sex isn't everything in my life! Hell, I don't even have anything to talk about with Mieczysław! He's like a sex machine! But it's not enough for me, it's always been enough! There must be something in the shower!

  The grey eyes were dreary and sad.

  - There's a First Seal between you two.

  - But there will be no Second! The first one was necessary to use my power! And I don't want to lose to Duška. He'll kill us and make me a vampire!

  - Does it freak you out that much?

  I closed my eyes so I couldn't see anything, and it fell out:

  - I'm terrified of eternal life... without you.

  I said it like I threw myself into ice water. Danielle gently freed himself from my hands and took my face in the palm of his hand.

  - Jane? Look at me.

  I obediently opened my eyes. Danielle looked right at me, and his eyes almost made me cry. Tenderness, warmth, love - everything was in those transparent grey eyes.

  - I love you too, Jane. Ever since I saw you in the torture chamber. You looked like an angel. At first I thought I was dead. And then you shared blood with me. And I carried you on my arms most of the night. You know, even if it was bad, it would still be one of the best memories of my life.

  - Really?

  - It's true. You've seen my drawings.

  - And she answered yes.

  - Yes - what?

  - That's it. Whatever you want. I love you, even if it's not mutual.

  Danielle leaned over, and his lips slid on my face. I opened my lips to him. My fangs scratched me, but I didn't even notice the pain. There was a taste of blood in my mouth, but who cares? Certainly not me! For me, the whole world was focused on Daniel, his eyes, his hands, his lips...

  A vampire suddenly withdrew from me.

  - I'm sorry, please. I lost my head.

  I looked at him with surprise.

  - But that's what we wanted?

  - You're tired and you don't know what you're saying.

  But I knew what I was saying. And I knew what I wanted. The hour is mine! I clung to the vampire with my whole body and held his hands around his neck. I threw my head to look him right in the eye. I wasn't afraid of hypnosis or magic. I trusted Daniel more than anyone.

  - I get it. Danielle, we have one day left. And what happens next? A minute? Forever? Will Mecislav win or lose? We can't be sure about tomorrow night. Let's take everything we can get from this day?

  - Jane... It was a vampire, but I didn't give him time to talk.

  - Please! Even if Duška wins and I can't die, I don't want to get him... like this! I don't want him to be the first person I'll remember! I want it to be you!

  - You can ask somebody else. You'll get that favor.

  The voice was cold and hard. The heat flew away somewhere, and I felt uncomfortable. It was kind of embarrassing. Daniel's intonations went through my skin like sandpaper. I loosened my hands and pushed the vampire away.

  - Well! All right! This is the second time I'm not going to offer myself! I'll ask Snegirev!

  - Jane!

  - What - Jane?! Get out! I know I'm stupid myself! - I blew myself up, losing control. - Who would have told me before not to love a vampire! Oh...

  I realized I'd said something and put my hand in my mouth. But it was too late. Danielle stepped up to me.

  - Jane, do you love me?

  I shone my eyes at him. It was too late to justify myself. There's no point in lying. It won't work anyway.

  - I love you.

  Grey eyes were glowing.

  - I love you, too. I love you so much. And I want to love you. Here and now. Will you let me?

  I smiled at him.

  - Of course.

  And she started unbuttoning her robe. The last button slipped out of the loop, the purple cloth swung open, and I was left standing almost naked. I never put any underwear under my bathrobe.

  Danielle stepped up to me. Closer. Closer still. His hands lay on my shoulders, confidently dropping his robe to the
floor.

  - Don't be afraid. I won't hurt you in any way.

  - I know," I whispered. And the first one reached out with her lips.

  The kiss lasted and lasted. Danielle picked me up, took me to the bed and lay down next to me. The fabric of his shirt scratched my skin, and I reached for the buttons.

  - Take it off!

  Danielle had a quiet laugh. My hands slid under his shirt and the laughter broke. I swung my fingers across his wide chest, covered with light, fluffy hairs, and began caressing his nipples.

  - Jane," he whispered quietly.

  The shirt flew to the side, and Danielle pressed his whole body against me. The hairs on his chest tickled me, and my whole body tightened like a tight spring. I moaned and wrapped my hands around his neck. I wanted him to kiss me again. And then... And then... My whole body burned, my breasts swollen and hardened, and at the bottom of my stomach like a tight hoop, filling me with excitement. My fangs slid down my neck, and Danielle raised his head.

  - Jane, I want to be in you and drink your blood. Will you let me?

  I nodded quietly. I wanted to say something, but Danielle leaned towards me, his lips sliding along his neck, down to his chest, and I took a breath.

  - Danielle...

  The name came out of me with a moan. The passion was fogging my head. His hands and lips wandered through my body, caressing, stroking, studying me, and I responded to every touch. I never thought it would be so! I drew him to me, wanting him to come into me, but Danielle pulled away each time and continued his sweet torture. His lips slid on my stomach, slowly, taunting me, lower and lower, then he spread my legs and began to caress my tongue and lips. I screamed and bent out. My eyes closed on their own. I was falling somewhere, flying among the stars in total blackness - and it was delightful. A slight pain pierced my whole body - and immediately I disappeared. I tried to open my eyes. Danielle was inside me. His lips were sliding around my neck, so I could feel the fangs. I grabbed his back with my fingernails.

  - Danielle...

  His eyes have become completely different. A solid silver cloud and a dark red light burning instead of the pupil. His lips stretched out, exposing his fangs. His face became completely inhuman, but I was not afraid of anything. I was in love. He's my vampire and he'll never hurt me. My fangs slammed into my neck, and at the same time Danielle began to move within me. His power flowed into my skin, enveloping me, blinding me, burning me and bewitching me. It wasn't just sex. We blended together in soul and mind. I wrapped my arms and legs around the vampire and drew him even closer to me, wanting us to stay that way forever. We were one body, one soul... His power flowed through me, and I answered as I could. My power broke out to respond with passion to passion. I heard my groaning like through a stone wall. Everything was sinking in a blinding delight, blurring, I was gone... It was just us. He and I were two. The orgasm hit me suddenly, and I screamed. For a moment, I saw Daniel's face with his eyes closed and his lips stained with blood. Then it was gone.