- If Elizabeth pardons him, will you have nothing against it?
- Why should I mind, Curly? I'm not bloodthirsty at all.
- Oh, really? I did. - And eat like male mosquitoes, only nectar?
An evil spark shone in Ramirez's eyes.
- Get him!
Two vampires have captured Daniel. He didn't fight back. He put his eyes down, then he lifted them up and looked at me. Silver eyes reflected sadness and tenderness.
And hopelessness. Has he given up already?! But I haven't!!!
- I don't think I'll be able to paint your portrait.
- Don't you dare die! I'll kill you! - I exploded. - How can I contact Elizabeth?! Does she have a phone?! Anything at all?! Ramirez, let me talk to her and I'll get the sentence overturned!
The vampire looked at me with obvious distrust.
- Try it, Curly.
- And I won't try! I'm gonna do it! - I called it in. - And if it's in your power to pardon Daniel, I suggest you do it. Or help me get the execution overturned! Everyone who knows me in this room can confirm! I don't throw words in the wind! If anything happens to Daniel, I've seen your advice in the coffin and in white slippers! Or do you think I will kiss your feet for killing my beloved?!
- Not murder, but execution, curly. Does your master know how you feel about this vampire?
- She knows! - I gave a gloating answer. - Moreover, I agreed to the Seal just to save the lives of the two of us, Daniel and me. And I said it right to his face. Danielle, how can I call this bitch so that she's not empty, brackish and from tonight on?!
Danielle obediently named seven numbers and the city code. I looked around.
- There's a radio phone in this shithole?! Or a cell phone?! I remembered my cell phone and I wanted to go back to the car for my bag, but Valentine gave me the phone.
- Call on mine.
I gave him a grateful look.
- I already owe you one. I'll pay for the expenses.
- We'll talk later," said the werewolf. - Help your friend.
I nodded and dialed. It seemed to be hours before a man's voice returned at the other end of the wire.
- Yes?
- I want to talk to Elizabeth.
- Who's asking her?
Well, at least they didn't ask who Elizabeth was.
- We don't know each other, and my name won't tell her anything. But we do have a common theme for conversation. Tell her I want to talk about Danielle.
- As you command. Please wait a few minutes.
I waited obediently. Minutes seemed to me day and night, and I kept throwing anxious looks at Ramirez. But the vampire stood perfectly still. And Danielle was there for me. No one was gonna grab him and drag him on the scaffold. It was a little comforting. Finally, a woman's voice was heard in the tube.
Heavy, low, a little hoarse. These voices are just phone sex practice. Bitch!
- Am I listening?
I'm packed with thoughts and remnants of peace.
- Are you Elizabeth? Princess Elizabeth?
- Yes. And who are you?
It sounded so contemptuous. Who are you that dared to call me?! But for a friend, I'd call Hitler too, not some vampire.
- My name is Julia. I'm the family name.
- Oh, yeah? And whose name are you, Julia?
- Mecislava. Is that name familiar to you?
I decided to be polite for now. I promised my mother I wouldn't mother any older people! Especially older vampires. I'm sure this Elizabeth could get an old-age pension. And a few more - for participation in the Ice Battle, as a witness to the baptism of Russia, as the mistress of Ivan Susanin. Okay, that's enough, it's already got me!
- That name is familiar to me. So he's still alive? How many fights did he have?
- Three," I reported with great pleasure. - I should have told Prince Mieczysław. Recognized by the Prince's Council.
I looked back at Ramirez, but the vampire just nodded a little. Yes, that's right, recognized by the Prince's Council.
- Really? Now there was a clear surprise in my voice. - I never thought he was so strong. So poor Andre died?
- That's right," I confirmed.
- Doesn't that upset you, girl?
- Was it supposed to be upsetting? - I was surprised.
Elizabeth had a quiet laugh. I was stunned. The laughter of the same Machislava excited me, Andre annoyed me, now it seemed to me that I was poured with nails.
- I don't think so. Did you call to tell me this news first? Or did your Prince order you to?
- No," I said. The most serious moment in the whole conversation was coming. - I'm calling you to correct a misunderstanding. It's just a terrible misunderstanding!
- And what do I have to do with yours - she just highlighted the word in bold - misunderstanding?
- I was told you ordered Daniel to be executed.
- Yes.
- But why? I don't understand!
- What's not to understand? I didn't send him to Andre to work for his enemy. And he did, or you wouldn't ask for him!
I shaken my head.
- It's not like that! Danielle saved my life! Supreme Powers, don't you understand?! He is an artist! A brilliant artist! It only takes three seconds to kill him, but how long will it take nature to create such a genius?!
- You're protecting him so hot," the hissing overtones cut through his voice. - Has he painted you yet?
- I drew," I agreed. - I wouldn't say if I hadn't seen his paintings!
- And yet he must die!
- But why?! Geniuses and talents should not stand next to politics! Danielle was doing what was necessary! He was trying to survive!
Elizabeth laughed.
- Say, can you put your phone on speakerphone?
I looked at the werewolf. That model was unfamiliar to me. Valentine poked his finger at some button.
- Go ahead.
- Can I talk to Ramirez? - vampire voice, ringing and clear, spread out across the room.
- Yes," Ramirez said as he approached me.
Elizabeth laughed again.
- Ramirez, my request for execution remains valid," she said loudly and clearly. - But I wanted to play. Can all the vampires in town hear me?
- Yes, Elizabeth. That's it.
- Perfect! Let everyone ask me not to execute Daniel! If all the vampires in this room agree to give him life, he will live! If he doesn't, he won't! Do you agree with me?
- This is your game and your will," Ramirez said.
- Exactly! My friend, will you do me this little favor?!
- Absolutely! Honey, pass me the phone. Okay, I'm the first one to ask for Daniel's pardon.
I gave Ramirez a grateful look. He bowed to me and gave the phone to Vadim.
- I also ask for Daniel's pardon," said the vampire clearly.
The phone went from hand to hand in the hall. I squeezed Daniel's palm. Higher Powers, how I love him! Why did we fight?! How could I have been so stupid?! I was losing precious moments of happiness! I will not lose another second!
- Shall we go to my place later? - I whispered.
Danielle leaned over and touched my lips. Not even a kiss, just a touch.
- Let's go. Yes, we will.
- Please have Daniel's pardon.
- Please have Daniel's pardon...
- Execute him! Execute him!
I twitched a hysterical scream. I turned my head to my voice and saw - Katka! My friend was clutching the phone like a dagger. My blue eyes were burning with evil fire. She met my look and once again, loud and clear, said:
- Execute Daniel!
- Katya! - I shouted. - No!
But it was too late. The laughter of the winner was heard from the tube.
- Execute! The voice of the people is the voice of God, isn't it? Even for vampires!
- Wait!
I stepped forward to grab the tube, but Elizabeth passed out. I ripped the phone out of Katka's hands and rushed to the number. At first, no one a
nswered me. Then there was a man's voice on the phone.
- I'm listening to you?
- I want to talk to Elizabeth! Our conversation is interrupted!
- Our conversation wasn't interrupted, the vampire answered the phone. - I was quite clear. Execute.
I squeezed my hands.
- Elizabeth, you can't do this!
- Why not? Because you're fucking?
And that's when it hit me.
- So you're out of jealousy?! Of course I'm jealous! Danielle saw you for who you are! And he couldn't love you! You turned him into a vampire, but you couldn't make him love you! You can't make him love you! You can't be loved! Because for you, love isn't a feeling, it's a drug on a slide!
- Let's see if you feel that strong," said the vampire after a short pause.
I ate my lips.
- Elizabeth. You don't know me yet, but I don't give up on words. I swear to God, if you don't cancel that order, I'll get to you! I will break your throat and drink your blood!
- Are you threatening me on behalf of your master?
- No! - Vadim interrupted me. - She threatens you like the most dangerous woman I've ever known.
- Let him threaten," said the vampire. - If we meet, girl, I will rip your head off. And we'll see who drinks whose blood!
- Elizabeth, I started. - You shouldn't...
- You should," she cut me off. - I said, execute! I do not change my decisions! And don't call me again!
The horns in the tube were ringing again. I gave it to a werewolf and turned to Katka.
- Who pulled your tongue, you bitch?!
Katka was looking at me with a challenge.
- If I lost someone I love, who said you'd stay with someone you love?!
I took a step forward.
- So this is about stupid jealousy?! You're a scum!
- Now you'll feel what I feel! You'll understand!
I took another step. There was a mad anger walking around. Now I could rip it apart with my bare hands. And I'd throw myself at her with my fists, but Vadim grabbed me at the waist in time.
- Jane, vampires are several times stronger than humans.
- Let me go! Let me go now!
I've been pulling out and turning around. I'm gonna kill that thing! I'll kill it with my bare hands!!! And then I'll release all my power! And let all who are here die! It's a pity I can't destroy a building like Samson! Now, now... I reached out with my teeth to my hand. Blood splashes, and I'll release my rage. And Danielle... I never understood what happened to me the next moment. Something hit me on the back of the head. And the world exploded with a cloud of colorful sparks. That's all I remembered.
Chapter 13
And the last one in this story
I opened my eyes. I had a white hospital ceiling over me. I was lying on something terribly hard, and I had an I.V. needle stuck in my hand. There was a nurse sitting next to my bed. I tried to talk.
- What's wrong with me?
It turned out to be some kind of indecipherable wheezing, but even that moaning made my sister jump as if she had been poked with a needle. Her eyes were like two buttons.
- Have you regained consciousness? Blink if you can hear me!
I tried to blink. Turns out it wasn't easy to do. It's like being tied to a kettlebell for centuries. But I'm stubborn! I blinked, saw the relief on the girl's face and fell into a deep, calm dream.
The second time I opened my eyes in the same room. Or not the same room? I don't know. The ceiling was very similar. It was the same white. And there was even a needle in my hand. There was also a nurse sitting next to it. I think it's the same. I tried to talk. This time with no cognitive purpose. Now I'd give half the kingdom for a cup of water.
- Drink!
The girl understood me. She gently lifted me up by my shoulders and brought a cup with some warm juice to my lips. I greedily drank it, and I leaned back on the pillows again. Now I listened to my voice much better. And there was curiosity.
- Where am I?
- At the third city hospital," said the nurse.
All right, Nadia's around here somewhere.
- What am I doing here?
- You had pneumonia. They were afraid of losing you at all. It's amazing how you were even brought here.
- What happened to me?
For some reason, it seemed very important to me.
- You've been overwhelming the whole hospital," my sister leaned over. - You were brought in by ambulance. You fell, hit your head and fell into a coma. Then your heart stopped twice. You were barely pumped out. And when you were pumped, the next day, you were still unconscious, your temperature jumped almost all forty one. You were rushing around, raving, no medication could knock her down! Your friends almost went crazy!
Friends? Memory came back reluctantly. Friends, girlfriend, Katka, vampire, club, Andre, Daniel, Miecislav, fight, Daniel!!!
- My friends? Who are they?
The nurse looked at me with surprise.
- I never saw them. They paid for the best room, put money in their pockets, and the consulate was going to see you every day. I'm ashamed to take money from them! I already looked after you as if you were my own! I'm afraid to say - I got so much from them this month that my husband had enough to change the car!
I bit my lips. Asking if my friends are vampires? Mm-hmm, and how do you imagine that? Girl, don't they have fangs sticking out? Didn't they bite anybody? Have you found any exsanguinated corpses in the hallways since the historical visits? Why can't you think of something stupider?! They're gonna take me out of here and take me to an asylum! Anyway, I didn't dream about all this? Maybe I just went to a friend's cottage, tripped, slipped and lay in the snow for a long time? Did I just dream about vampires and werewolves? Well, there were horror stories, Anne Rice was reading, she saw a bat. Yeah, mid-winter's a good time for them. I couldn't believe I saw them! That would be too good! But there's one sure way to check.
- Get the blanket off me and give me the mirror.
The nurse looked at me in surprise, but obeyed me. Yeah, you were fucking dreaming! Under the blanket, I was lying in my awesome black lace pajamas. It wasn't crazy to lie like that, it was seduction on the screen. Sounds like everything's closed, but it'll even stand up to a disabled person.
- And why the hell did you put me in this rag? - I asked you a grumpy question. I felt bad that someone I didn't give any rights to me wanted to see me in black lace.
- One of your friends brought her in. He's a cute blonde. And not just her. What's with the pajamas! You have a whole wardrobe here! Dresses for a month, even if you change them every day!
Somehow it didn't make me happy.
- And the mirror? Hold it so I can see my clavicles.
The nurse didn't say anything. She just did what I said. The client is always right, even if he decides to look at himself in the mirror. Yeah, no diet and no gymnastics. I lost weight like a skeleton. My clavicles were performing in such a way that my skin almost burst. Under my right collarbone, there was a clear, cross-shaped scar.
- Didn't I get that from you? - Just in case, I checked.
- No. Don't you remember?
The nurse's eyes were full of care and participation.
I sighed. I remember. That's the thing, I remember everything! But it's not hard to tell.
- What time is it?
- It's gonna be a long night. It's five o'clock.
I nodded.
- And when do my friends show up?
- It's around 6:00 and they show up. Not a single day was missed.
- Not a single day? How long have I been here?
- Day nine.
Oh, your zebra. And Mom and Grandpa are already back. What they're gonna do to me is scary to imagine. Mom's gonna cry, and grandpa's just gonna put her out in the hall and rip my head off. Morally. "I thought you were older, smarter, you could be responsible for your actions..." And that's not the whole list yet. Oh, your infusion!
&nb
sp; - And all this time unconscious?
- How unconscious it is! It's worse! How did you just survive! Everyone was wondering when you opened your eyes yesterday!
- And my friends? Do they know?
- They were happy!
- Describe them to me.
My sister's frowning.
- One is tall, black-haired, handsome like DiCaprio! Even better! The eyes are as green as a cat's! And with him are two blondes. One's older, muscular. The other one's kind of younger.
I moved my eyebrows. That description reminded me of somebody.
- Didn't they give any names?
- No. Those two were always talking about you and the "boss" and he was just nodding them. Get in there, do what you gotta do, bring it in. Like the king on his name tags.
I snorted. Looks a lot like Mieczysław.
- Didn't anyone else come? So brunette, tall, brown hair, gray eyes, very beautiful?
The nurse didn't even think about it.
- No, it never happened. Those three, your mother and grandparents and your friend.
- Which one?
- Her name is Naduka.
- Is she all right?
- What could be wrong with her? She's all right!
I took a breath and made myself comfortable on pillows. It's okay. Relatively okay. Just what happened to Daniel? Why didn't he come to see me? Or couldn't he? What's wrong with him? Did he really get executed?! No! I don't want to think about it! I don't want to, and I won't!
- Give me another drink," I ordered.
My sister brought a juice cup to my lips. I drank it and leaned back on the pillows.
- I see there's a TV? Turn something on for me. Or better yet, do you have a Nyushkin cell phone?
- Got it.
- Call her. And ask her to come to my place. You're welcome!
My sister nodded and left the room. She turned around on the doorstep.
- I'll call her now, and if I do, I'll tell you.
- Make the call, I agreed.
It didn't take long to wait. A few seconds later, the nurse came back to the room.
- Nadia said she'd come running.
- Well, that's good, I was happy. - Then you don't have to turn the box on. Give me the phone. No, I'm not. No, not yet. You'd better tell me something interesting. For example, read out loud your medical history!
Ring of Madness Page 71