Ring of Madness

by Royden Labrosse

  - You're so cute, baby!

  - Yes, I've already been told - I slammed my eyelashes and tried on a wooden spike. How would it be more comfortable to pick it up? The problem is, he's almost all gone to the shoulder of a vampire. There's two centimeters left outside, no more. If I don't hook him up the first time, it could be even worse. And then, it's in the movies, these pegs are pulled out by the thumb of your left hand. It's a little different here. The pegs are covered in blood. And slippery as hell knows what. It's not a job for my fingernails. Even if I try to pick it up with my fingernails, it won't end well. I break them down to meat, this is where it ends. I'm sorry. I bit my lips. There was only one way out.

  - If I try your blood, am I in no danger of it?

  - Nothing, curly. I swear it's safe for you in your sleep.

  - And in reality?

  - Nayavu would be the Fourth Seal.

  - You haven't given me a third yet.

  - That's right. That's why it's safe for you in your sleep.

  - Mm-hmm. Can you give me the Third Seal?

  - No. For that, I have to try your blood again, curly. And waking up, not in my sleep.

  It didn't even upset me at all.

  - Lie still, you sick man.

  I lay down on the bed. I stretched along Mieczysław's body. I wrapped my hands around his waist and tried on the wound with my lips. The blood slightly coloured my lips - and I felt a salty taste. And I couldn't hold back the smile. What should I think about hugging a man like Mecislav? At least the practical study of the Kamasutra. And what am I thinking about? Of course, not about sex. And not even a vampire. And not myself. Beavers. Poor people. You have to chew on a tree all the time. I'd have teeth like a beaver, I'd have chewed that filth in no time.

  And I teeth into the tip of the aspen peg that's left outside.

  I expected my teeth to slip, but it wasn't there! The teeth grabbed intentionally, and immediately the jaws got cramped, so that I wanted to wail in my voice. That's what I did.

  - Shit, it hurts!

  The pronunciation was something else. Try saying something when your lips are so tight, your ears are in the skull. But the vampire understood me.

  - Leave it, curly. I don't want to take any chances with you!

  If he hadn't said that! But the words are out, and stubbornness has always been our family trait! I grabbed my teeth even harder, and I pulled the damn wood on myself. And instantly I realized that it hurt me before. All right, mosquito bite! I didn't know you could feel that much pain at once. It was as if my mouth was filled with concentrated sulfuric acid, the whisky was covered with a hot steel hoop, and it began to shrink slowly. Dozens of sharp needles entered his eyes, and his nose seemed to bleed. Anyway, it felt as if I had smashed my face all the way into the tree. And it felt like it was taking over my whole body. My skin felt like it had been ripped off and the meat had been sprinkled with salt. All nerves burst into wildfire and went on strike. And it all came together in a wild symphony of pain. I'd yell, but with a corner of my brain, I still remember to hold it and drag it up. That's what I was doing. I couldn't feel my teeth anymore, though. I think I've had them taken out one at a time. Slowly and tastefully. Fireplace tongs.

  And then it was over. And I felt the smooth, cool silk of the blanket on my back.

  - Look at me, curly! Do you feel anything?!

  I barely blurred my eyes. This time they weren't poked out with red-hot needles. I was lying on the same bed. Now, however, the eroticism was a little tainted. First, the bed was ravaged with blood, and second, I was lying on my back and my leg with a peg of aspen instead of a cigar in my teeth. And I was leaning over an extremely anxious vampire.

  - Can you even hear me, Curly?!

  I spit the damn wood on the floor.

  - I hear you! You couldn't take that stuff away from me right away?!

  - Sorry, baby. But a wasp remains a wasp in my sleep. I didn't mean to take any chances.

  - Oh, I see.

  Yeah, it's hard to blame a vampire for not making up his mind. The aspen hasn't hurt me... Has it?!

  I climbed up on my elbow and ran my fingers through the golden skin. Mieczysław's chest was covered with stagnant blood flow. The wound was still open, but it was no longer bleeding. And it started to overgrow? What a regeneration rate! The lizards are dying of envy!

  - How are you feeling?

  - Much better, curly. I'm still paralyzed there, but the blood has stopped flowing. And soon the wound will begin to close.

  - Around the aspen stake?!

  - Come on... I can close the main vessels so I don't lose any more blood. And everything else will heal later. And when they take that aspen thing out of me, I won't wait an hour to move and talk. I won't be paralyzed at all. - Mecislav gently took my hand and brought it to my lips, looking me right in the eyes. - Thank you, Fluffy.

  I flashed like a firecracker.

  - Come on, you're welcome!

  - I saw your face. And I could feel your pain.

  I could feel her, too. But when they started to praise me, it was much more unpleasant.

  - I did what I had to do. Shall we replace that subject?

  - As you wish, my lovely. I must say that in other circumstances I would be happy to find myself here in your company.

  I digested the phrase and waved my head.

  - What's good for a vampire is human death. Fuck you.

  Mieczysław's face immediately got sore.

  - You're forgetting, Curly, you're not exactly human anymore either.

  - I try to forget. By the way, Daniel and I are going out of town right now.

  - Don't tell me exactly where, curly! Andre won't rant to me asking about you, and I don't want you to get hurt.

  - That's right, too. And when will the Emissary of the Council arrive?

  - Tomorrow night. It's too late, Curly. By then, Andre will have made me an Inquisitorial roast. Or he'll come up with something better.

  - Inquisitorial?

  - At the stake. Or in the sun. But more like at the stake. To admire a nice picture.

  The vampire spoke as if he'd come to terms with it and even got used to it. I, on the contrary, didn't like that painting. Resolutely.

  - Is there any way to talk him out of it?

  - I don't think so, curly. I think I'm gonna lose this time. Well, someday we should start...

  I didn't really like those astonishing sentiments.

  - What's missing! - I hadn't noticed in the fuse that we were still lying on the bed almost in hug with each other. - That's when four more lives won't depend on you, including mine, then die to your health! And now please gather and save us all!

  A short laugh came out of a vampire's throat.

  - People like you, Curly, hold the globe on their shoulders.

  - Twenty-first century Atlanta?

  - Something like that. I can see you in the lion's skin very vividly...

  - No fleas, please! And preferably also in your underwear.

  We looked over and giggled in a stupid way. Like two kids peeping at their parents. But the laughter didn't last long.

  - Unfortunately, sometimes nothing can be done. I don't think Andre will listen to me. I'm already in his hands and there's no danger.

  - What about me?! Daniel and I?!

  Mecislav looked at me closely.

  - It all depends on your determination, Curly.

  - This is about my life! - It's me. - Tell me, and I'll plant a bomb under the State Duma building!

  The vampire raised his hand, stopping me.

  - What are you, girl? I don't want that kind of sacrifice. By the way, would you mind bandaging me up?

  - Ligature?

  - Yeah. In a dream, it'll be as real as if it were real.

  - Does that help you?

  - I wouldn't ask, Curly, if it wasn't necessary.

  I shaken my head.

  - Okay. But I'm a bad medic.

  - It's not that important.
r />   - What's the bandage? You didn't take care of the first aid kit!

  - But there's your dress, curly.

  I doubtedly looked at him, wondering if it was a trick to get me undressed and then waved at everything. What kind of sex is it with a hole like that in my shoulder? The wound was clogged with blood clots and kind of overgrown, but it still looked very unattractive. I didn't even want to think about what a vampire felt like with that wound.

  - Why don't you take a couple of ribbons off the rag yourself? It'll be a little hard for me.

  I suggested it for a reason. I happen to have very weak hands. I can't carry any push-ups or weight. And I don't feel very good ripping off durable silk either. My skin will hurt later.

  - If you say so, my lovely.

  - Yeah, that's what I told you. Oh, dear, dear, dear, dear, dear, dear, dear, dear, dear, dear, dear, dear... Mecislav patted his eyelashes, but I didn't understand anything. I turned around on the bed and lay down in such a way as to press the minimum amount of tissue on my body. - Tear it up, come on!

  Mecislav grabbed hold of a thin cloth. It seemed to me that he only pulled a little, but the dress parted with a slight crackle, opening my legs slightly above my knees.

  - You have lovely legs, curly.

  - And you have a lovely hole in your shoulder, I don't owe you one. - It's just charming!

  - Why do you always have to throw me down from heaven to earth!

  - On the contrary, I need you not to go to heaven or hell.

  - Vampires were cursed from the beginning - green eyes were calm and cold. - I don't know if there's hell, but if there is, that's where I go.

  - And me, too? That's disappointing. Well, to hell with it. Not to philosophy!

  Mechislav pulled the light fabric again. But now he torn the dress not along the body, but across. In his hand he left a rather long and wide black stripe.

  - We need another one," I decided.

  - As you command, Curly.

  I think I was amusing the vampire. Well, let it be. It's better to laugh than to cry. Two stripes made me feel better. And the stupid rag wasn't messing with my legs anymore. It was right down to my knees now. I tried to put a cloth on a vampire's shoulder for a while.

  - Maybe you should sit down.

  - Whatever's more comfortable for you, sweetie.

  Mecislav obediently sat on the bed. With one graceful quick movement. I tried to bandage his wound. Yes, I'm not a nurse. And it's the vampire's fault. He didn't seem to move, but he managed to turn around so my fingers would slide on his skin. And my thoughts were confused by the treatment on completely different topics. His skin was so soft and smooth to the touch that I wanted to touch him again and again. I was biting my lips to concentrate and I was sure the vampire knew all about it. But someday it would end. I pulled up the last knot with a little regret and tried to pull away.

  - Seems good.

  Warm, strong hands wrapped around my shoulders, keeping me from moving.

  - Curly...

  For some reason, I lost my voice. I could only look Mieczysław directly into the eyes - and sink into their bottomless greenery.

  - Maybe I'll never see you again...

  The voice enveloped me, mesmerized me, slid silk on my skin.

  - Admit it, Curly, you want it too. You want me as much as I want you.

  I was shaking. From fear? Or something else. But I was still strong enough for one short word:

  - No!

  The vampire's face was right there.

  - One kiss, curly. Just one kiss...

  My lips slid on my face, on my cheek, to my lips - and I lost my will. This time the kiss was gentle, the touch of his lips like rose petals... I moaned silently and wrapped my hands around his neck. I buried my fingers in the thick black silk of my hair. It was even softer than it seemed. Soft as a baby's. Why didn't I do it before? When we were together - not in a dream? What were you afraid of? The kiss was getting more and more passionate. We merged into one, not in body but in soul. I looked into the wide open green eyes. In their depths, a bright scarlet fire was burning. And I was drowning in them, losing myself. Now I would agree to anything. But at the same time, something happened. Something opened up during our kiss, like a bud opening. The power broke out in us with a bright flame. It spilled over our skin, flowing out of our lips, the places where our bodies touched, burning like burnt. Mieczysław slightly detached himself from me.

  - Curly?

  I found some strength to roll back to the other side of the bed.

  - You tried to seduce me again!

  - Two more minutes ago, Curly, you were really okay with it.

  - Now I've come to my senses! And I won't have sex with you in my sleep! I won't!

  There was irritation in the green eyes.

  - You're very stubborn, curly. You're too stubborn!

  - I am as stubborn as you are! How do you feel?!

  - Much better. What about you?

  I listened to myself. The slight stunnedness that appeared after the extraction of the aspen stake has gone somewhere. I was as fresh as May morning.

  - Okay, great. Compared to what it was, there's nowhere better!

  - And it's just a kiss, curly. And what would we achieve if you agreed to make love to me?

  - Nothing! - I cut it off. - Either figure out how we can save your hide, or there'll be nothing and no one to achieve it with!

  Mechislav shook his head.

  - There's not much you can do, Curly. But try if it'll make you feel better. Tell me, you have Andre's phone, don't you?

  - Yeah. It's in my cell phone memory.

  - Well, call him. Absolutely!

  - What am I gonna tell him besides my personal opinion? He knows he's a dick!

  - He won't be interested, Curly. And I can't guess exactly how your conversation is gonna work out. You've got two trumps on your hands. First, my murder is against the rules of the fight. I honestly won two fights. Now we have to meet face to face. Otherwise, the Council will just finish him off. If it finds out about such a blatant violation of the rules. But that's how he'll find out?

  - Oh, I see. There will be no case for information. What's the second thing?

  - And secondly, you're my last name. But Andre can't know about this.

  - Oh, I see. Trouble-a-ah.

  Actually, I didn't understand anything yet. I had to think about it, and seriously. And it's better to do it somewhere where... where it's not so distracting.

  - Can you let me go back in?

  - Are you so anxious to leave me, curly?

  Maybe it seemed to me, but in the words of a vampire, she slipped a long trail of... sadness? But I couldn't make it out. And once upon a time, and, well, reluctant.

  - Foolishness! You don't have to do anything, and I'm saving my own skin! And soon I'll try to save yours! And I can't do that in my dreams! There!

  Mecislav fell apart on his bed like a huge golden cat. The blood on his chest froze, and I wanted to erase those untidy leaks. A thin strip of dark hair ran down my stomach, going into my pants, and I was still pulling my fingers along it. No, it's time to get out of here!

  - Let go of me!

  - You're free to go, Curly. At any moment.

  - And how am I free to do that?

  I got out of bed, feeling all my muscles moving with a wild squeak. They had a different opinion of what was going on. I was stubbornly climbing into reality, and my body also didn't want to get away from that vampire swear. But in the end, who controls who?! I am the mistress of my body! That's it!

  - So how can I leave?

  The green eyes were looking at me - and I couldn't read their expression. There was a light smile on the beautifully outlined lips.

  - Promise me you'll come as soon as I call, curly.

  I thought we had a thin but damn strong invisible rope between us. And I fought back as hard as I could.

  - If it's necessary.

  - I'll call you, and you'll come,
Sugar?

  The question required an answer. And I stomped my foot on the carpet in irritation.

  - All right! I'll be there! Well?!

  The vampire sighed and rolled on his stomach without taking his eyes off my face.

  - You're free, curly. Go on!

  The world around me was wrapped up in tiny black sparks. I opened my eyes. We were sitting in the car. We weren't going anywhere anymore. "Was the Gigulienco standing in the middle of the road - or wasn't it? I couldn't see well in the dark. And the headlights emphasized the darkness rather than dispersing it. Danielle was sitting next to me, but he didn't touch me. Scared to wake you? The driver was lying still in the front seat.

  - Where are we?

  - Jane, have you come to your senses?!

  - It's quite possible. So where are we?

  - Next to his summer house. That's one name, though. It's a summer cottage.

  - But will it be possible to spend the night there?

  - And even spend a day.

  I felt a vampire tense as a string, but I couldn't figure out what was wrong. And I kept figuring out the situation. Let it go off on its own.

  - Yeah, it's important to you. Didn't anyone see us?

  - No one.

  - Even better. What about the driver?

  That's where Danielle broke through.

  - What about the driver?! What about you, you don't want to answer me?! You go into a trance for two hours, moaning, dreaming, screaming in pain, and then you come out into reality - and you ask me what's wrong with the driver?! What's wrong with you?! Can you answer me?!

  I was shaking my head.

  - Did a tsetse fly bite you?! It's kind of off season for them!

  - You gotta be kidding me again!

  - And just kidding, I snapped at you. - You couldn't have guessed?! I really went into a trance! And I talked to Mieczysław! Fortunately, he is alive! Now back off! I have to talk to Andre!

  - Jane!

  I looked at a vampire for evil. Actually, I liked his softness and serenity, but now... Now I was ready to rip his head off for it! Supreme Powers! I am a woman after all! In fact, I'm supposed to be soft and kind! And then I'm supposed to be a ram!

  - Yes! I'm Jane! And I'm also the family man! And I don't want to throw my hooves away, soothing you and your ego! The sword will be delivered to Duška any minute! And I don't even want to think what they can do to him! You can stay in the car or back off - I don't care! But don't bother me! For the love of a vampire, stay out of my way!