Ring of Madness

by Royden Labrosse

  - You won't, Curly. Now it will automatically mean your death and your family's.

  - A bastard and a blackmailer.

  - Shut up, everyone. Or I'll get a mop now," Nadia barked. - You two, stay and don't bark. Jane, where were you?

  - On the bite. I certainly didn't believe her - who would? But it was too late to go home. She and I slept at the cottage, and at night the owner of the fangs showed up. Someone named Andre. He started threatening me and said that if we didn't meet him the next night, he would get to my family. So I couldn't take any chances.

  - So what, you found nothing better to do than go to the tiger's mouth?

  - To a vampire. Anyway, where else would I go? To the police? Uncle, help, did a vampire bite me here? I'd be sick of it if I was in an asylum, too.

  - Duchka?

  - Andre. Blonde vampire. The bastard's got a little angel next to him.

  - Oh, yeah. Sweet and sweet. I wouldn't have fucking believed it if I hadn't seen these," Nadia sighed. And immediately she nailed Mieczysław with an evil look. - Apparently, they all have blood in their hands.

  - No. It's just that I got two defective specimens at once," I sighed. - That Mecislav, that Dyushka is one field of berries and both are poisonous. That Danielle is a good one.

  - Good," Nadia's voice was clearly mistrustful. - Where did you get it? If it's true?

  - At the club. We came in, had a little scandal there, and then I managed to get away. And I took him with me. And he called out this green-eyed fangbanger. And we're trying to survive.

  - Yeah, briefly, but I don't think you're gonna tell me more. How long will you survive like this?

  - This day. No more. Then it will end one way or another.

  - With what?

  I shook my head.

  - Nadia, you better not know that. So there's gonna be some way to survive. It's true.

  - Jane, are you sure?

  - No. But I just don't have the strength to explain anything. Take my word for it, please.

  - Your grandfather doesn't know anything?

  - If my folks were here, this mess wouldn't be so bad. They wouldn't let me go to the cottage, and that's it. Katya would have gone missing, I would have chewed up my conscience for a week, calmed down - and I would never have known about the existence of these fangs.

  - Are you sorry? - Danielle gave his voice.

  I sighed. I came out of my corner, crossed the room and went to a vampire.

  - I love you. And I don't regret anything. Can people have vampire children?

  - There have been cases like this several times.

  - We'll have to try, too.

  Danielle raked me in the armful and planted me in the air.

  I shrieked and clung to his shoulders.

  - Are you crazy?! Drop it!

  - Jane, have you forgiven me for everything?

  - You lie again, I'll kick your ears. In the meantime, I will.

  - Shouldn't I be taken into account?

  Mechislav. A hedgehog came out of the fog, took a knife out of his pocket...

  - When this is over, we'll all - you, me, Danielle - sit down and decide how our relationship is going to work out. But I want to stress right away that I don't need you as a man. Not for nothing, not for a fee. And I will build my personal life with the person I love. Here you go.

  Mechislav's eyes sparkled. Judging by the strain of Daniel's arms hugging me, we should have expected a new explosion. But it was better to say everything now, not later. The longer you keep the pressure in the boiler, the stronger the explosion.

  Defused Nadia's situation.

  - Don't be so upset, she whispered in a theatrical whisper when she came to Mieczysław. - I know for sure that Jane snores at night. And her character is terrible. You should be glad that you got off so easily!

  - Am I the one who snores?! - I'm the one who cried. And I even tried to reach the nearest vase.

  Nadia immediately yurked behind her back to Mieczysław. The vampire didn't even know what to do at once and slammed his long lashes. Yeah. He's used to fighting with Duška and fighting. What do you do if two girls get into a relationship? Well, the question is...

  But the vampire did it here, too.

  - Everybody keep quiet. Danielle, sit down. Jane, you too. No one will touch your great love and finger again. Nadia, stop fooling around.

  We have been humbled. Danielle submissively sat down on the couch and pulled me to his knees. Nadia plunged into her chair. Mecislav didn't sit down, he just walked around the room.

  - This is not the time for welding and stupidity. Jane, I'm sorry I lost it. Danielle, I can beat you off myself, but if it's in my power, I won't let anyone hurt you. Nadia, I'm sorry about the ugly scene. I consider this case closed. Please don't provoke me. Okay, Jane?

  - I didn't provoke you.

  - Really? And not even deep down? - But to lie about what didn't happen, the vampire wouldn't let me. - If you think about it, you'll answer. And not to me, but to yourself. Next. Nadia, we'll be here 24 hours, two at most. Then we'll leave. How - you don't need to know. You'll live longer. But if we win, I'll let Jane tell you everything. Would that be all right?

  - More than that.

  - It's a deal. One more thing. I know you're helping a friend for nothing. Think about what I could get you.

  - What?!

  Nadia took off the chair like a spring. - What do you take me for, you bastard?! I don't trade my friendship!

  - And I'm not offering to pay for your friend's help. But now you're helping me, and this has to be paid for. It's not like I'm your friend on any side. Well, think about it. You'll give me an answer in two days, too. I'm going to bed now. Danielle, I suggest you join me. The girls will gossip beautifully without us. Any other questions?

  No one else had any questions. Suddenly I understood why they respect Mieczysław. Now I was sitting in front of me, a boy who wasn't preoccupied with sex. He could have built anybody and made himself listen. And, no matter how hard it was, to subdue his feelings and emotions. So far, I've only seen anything like that at my grandfather's. I never thought I'd compare these two.

  Mecislav, meanwhile, left the room. Danielle rubbed his lips on my cheek.

  - Baby, he's right. I should get some sleep, too.

  - Good day, my love," I smiled as I returned the kiss.

  Nadia was coughing up. We were reluctant to get away from each other, and Danielle pulled his palm out from under my sweater. And when did he just do that? I think we got a little carried away.

  - What?

  - You guys, I'm gonna leave, then have sex, okay? Cause I'm kind of embarrassed.

  We were embarrassed. Then the choir almost apologized - and Danielle went - to the bedroom. And I looked at my friend.

  - So, shall we go warm up the pizza and gossip?

  Which is what we've been doing for the next four hours. We destroyed the pizza. We found a bottle of wine in the closet and sentenced her to a heart-to-heart conversation.

  - – …

  - Well, come on, girlfriend! Why are you curly all of a sudden?

  - That's what Machislav called me. And I couldn't argue then, because I was exhausted. By the way, I think he's using nicknames not to remember the name of another passion. Fish, honey, pussy...

  - And you like that?

  - I just don't have the strength to argue with him. Or there's a more important reason to argue.

  - How does Danielle feel about that?

  - I think he's jealous.

  - And why is that?

  - Got it. What can we do now if Mechislav can seduce the whole Amazon movement with one fang smile?

  - Was he just smiling at you?

  - Not only that," I sighed.

  - Well, what then?

  - It's also flirting.

  I've already managed to tell Nadia everything that's happened to me in these four days. In detail. And now my friend was comparing the facts. I wasn't interrupting her. I had e
nough to do. At least pour yourself some more wine and unlock that stupid olive jar!

  - Jane, this is all very strange.

  - Why?

  - Look. Somebody gave you away. If you weren't followed, how did both of them get your address? And then, is Danielle a man or already where?! I don't like his behavior!

  - Why?!

  - Either he doesn't love you, or he doesn't think it's necessary to be jealous of Mieczysław.

  - I don't understand anything.

  - And you try to think for a change! Mecislav offers you a bond that binds you stronger than a steel cable, right?

  - All right.

  - What about Danielle?! He's not even trying to hit the plates! After all, you could be his... how do you beat him?

  - Last name.

  - Oh! That's right! Last name! It's not like that! He tells you everything, then leaves and leaves the field of action to Mieczysław. Isn't that a little too nice?

  - It's interesting enough," I admitted. - But isn't it? The First Seal is not a vow of love and loyalty at all.

  - Who'd argue. But very close to it! You can't tear it up?!

  - You can't. Only if by the death of one of the participants. And there's no guarantee that the other one will survive it.

  - That's very interesting. Then let's keep looking. Mecislav makes you his last name, and what does our Romeo do? Getting into an interesting position?! And then he turns everything around so that you're also to blame! Isn't that too interesting?

  - Nadia, where are you going with this?

  - I don't know. But I'm talking like a medic, I smell shit!

  - And what can I do?

  - It's okay. Just don't trust either one of them. That's all.

  - But I love Daniel.

  What's saddest is that it was true. I never understood at what point the grayish-eyed vampire entered my heart, but I could never get him out of there again.

  - Well, love it for yourself. In all positions. But don't trust it to the end," Nadia said, watching me pull the lid out of the olive jar. - And in general, two days - and everything will be clear. In the meantime - breathe more evenly.

  - I will. Pour some more wine for now.

  - Now. Do vampires drink?

  - Just the blood.

  - Yeah, and it's not like people here! What the hell with them! We'll think for two, in a pure woman's group!

  - Nadia, I love you!

  - I'll take you to the dump?!

  - Anywhere! You can go to the cemetery with you! You'll find fun there too!

  - Go to the cemeteries with your fang. Honey, look to your right! This is the grave of a close friend of mine who died of old age two hundred years ago. She was such a bitch! And this is the grave of my enemy, who I buried myself only seventy years ago. A good man was... delicious...

  I wanted to. Let everything burn with fire, and we always laugh.

  - Nadia, you're incorrigible!

  - But you've become like a man. Cause you're already hysterical with these fangers. You know, we finish this bottle, and I'll go get the other one. And you're gonna take a nap until I get back, okay?

  - Okay.

  A friend disappeared at the door. I walked into the living room and sat down on the couch. The vampires were peacefully sleeping in the bedroom. It's so complicated! And how I want to just climb under the blanket - and that no one disturbed, no one touched, no one... nothing... ever...

  I didn't want anything. Not to think, not to speak, not to see. Just lying on the couch and feeling warm and cozy, safe. That's what my life lost a few days ago - and I was scared to lack peace. A week ago, I was ready to swear that nothing was going on in my life and even wanted to throw a party to diversify it. Yeah, a variety of things. Under the handle of the ugly.

  Truly, be afraid of your desires, children, and be well afraid, for they will come true. And it can make you very sad. I was slow to remember the events of the last day. I mean, this night. When I thought about Danielle, my cheeks were involuntarily warm. Blood tapped into her skin. But I wasn't ashamed. It was the other way around. If Danielle wanted to, it would all go on. Until we decide to break up. Or should I say he won't leave me? Sooner or later, it will happen. Even if "late" is years. A new muse will come and Danielle will rush after another woman, forgetting about me. But as long as we're together, I will accept every minute with gratitude to fate. That's right, good gentlemen!

  О! Speaking of vampires! It's still bright out the window. How long till sunset? Five hours? Or more? I don't know.

  But vampires sleep and shouldn't even wake up from a fire. Not Danielle, not Miecislav.

  In the memory of Mieczysław, the cheeks became even hotter. It's much hotter. And so did the whole body. I involuntarily found a bite mark on my neck. Last name. First Seal. Did I actually understand what I signed up for? Unfortunately, you didn't. Did somebody ask me? No one! I just had it all laid out in shelves. It's okay. Or we could do that. And I bet you didn't tell me half of what I should have known. On the other hand, what do I actually expect from vampires? Friendship, love and honesty? Isn't it easier to wait for the second coming of Christ from the cross? Both vampires are playing with me somehow. Danielle is trying to tell me the truth. Or at least part of it. But he's been noodling me from the beginning, too. And there's nothing surprising about that. Danielle didn't know me, didn't know how I could react to this or that message - and he did everything he could to keep me from snapping and bouncing. I could have been hysterical... that's when everybody would have cried... That's why I hurt my beloved artist for all sorts of misunderstandings, but I had already forgiven him. I'm not going to tell him, but I think he knows it. And Mechislav - this one doesn't put me in a penny at all. That is, he wouldn't if I didn't have some power. Power, as vampires themselves say, highlighting the word and voice and look. They take Power so seriously as a property of the body that you start to respect yourself. Not for long. As long as you don't realize you're a kind of Energizer battery. Can I feed off of you, but consult the battery about it? Um...

  That's why Mechislav doesn't recommend it. If you weren't around Daniel, it's scary to think what a hanging cranberry would grow on my ears. It doesn't blush and lie. And also... if I hadn't been with Daniel, I might have gotten carried away with that green-eyed bloodsucker. And that's when a fox would come to me as a free man. And what's the big deal with them all, bending everything around? Do they want it?

  And then there's Duchka. That's who could tell me the whole truth. Not out of friendly feelings, but to make me suffer more. It's just not going to work out. Firstly, I can't talk to him on my own terms, and secondly, if he realizes that I don't know something, he'll try to scare me or make me angry even more. He can not understand that we are a bad team, which is torn by lies and contradictions. We have to have some kind of trump card up our sleeve. Or better yet, a spare deck. Poor grandfather! Does he really think the same about all the businessmen he does business with? Everybody needs an ace up his sleeve and everybody's lying about something? It's a nightmare!

  What does Mecislav expect from me as a surname? The Powers? It's quite possible. And I would be happy to share it with her. And what else is there? And how soon will he tell me: "Jane, I must put the Second (Third, Fourth) Seal on you"? And where will that lead me? Higher Powers! How I want to know more! At least a little more! But will Danielle tell me? I don't know. But I'll ask. Danielle... Damn it! Boris! Vadim! I forgot all about them! And they're going to be very hard! What about Snegiryov?! What's going on with my vampire friends now? I can't call Duška, but I can call Snegirev! On my cell phone! Even if they track down my number, they won't track down where I'm calling from! I'm at Nadjkin's apartment, not that idiot who took the phone! Shall we try calling?! I will!

  I jumped off the couch and realized I was a little overrated. I was still dizzy, dizzy, and definitely out of shape. To hell with it, with the uniform! I can do it! Just get in the kitchen first! I need a drink. Ice water! And lots of it! Anyway, ha
lf a bottle of wine was extra.

  After the water, I feel a little better. My stomach was fine, my stomach stopped torturing me, my head was more or less developed, dropping a sleepy fool. I went to the bathroom, washed and listened to myself again. This time I was satisfied. In the next hour, I'll be able to think straight. And then I'll be able to see. Now let's try to make a call. I remembered the number of Snegirev by heart. The tube wasn't taken off immediately.

  - Hello? The house of Alexei Ivanovich Snegirev.

  I knew that voice. I think it's someone from security.

  - Hello, it's me, Jane! Leoverenskaya.

  - Honey! Where are you, baby?

  The guard's voice has changed dramatically from insecure to sweet-talking. At least make a bowl of piss and tea instead of sugar.

  - Why? Is something wrong?

  I realized with an acute animal instinct that the guard wasn't alone and that revelations would be unnecessary.

  - Oh, no. It's just that Alexei Ivanovich is worried. You went somewhere with your friends...

  - And I decided to go shopping. Do you need anything to buy? I've been looking at this shirt for myself! And the guys are consulting! Well, that's a great rag! Pink is so...

  They didn't give me a description of my dream shirt. That's right. I could spend another week talking about nothing. There was a man's voice on the phone. A stranger.

  - Leoverenskaya Julia Yevgenyevna?

  No, Sofia Rotaru, damn it!

  - You guessed it, I confessed coquettishly. And I even smiled. You shouldn't have. The next question almost threw me off the couch.

  - What do you know about vampires?

  Too bad! Just like that in the pubic?! Answer me, will you?! Well, no! It's gonna kill you!

  - And what do you know about good manners? Introduce yourselves first!

  There was a surprised silence at the other end of the wire. My skin felt the man by the phone stunned. Is that the only reason? Am I the first person to ask to introduce myself? Or was I the first to argue? Or was it just that? Come and sort it out! But at last he was born.

  - My name is Valentin Dmitrievich. Valentin Dmitrievich Kazachev.

  - It's very nice to meet you by phone, Valentin Dmitrievich Kazachev," I answered, "but your name doesn't tell me anything.