Nadia looked at me sympathetically and a little guilty.
- Yul, do you want me to stay with you? Want to go together?
- I'll get over it.
I was looking at the sky darkly. The sun hasn't set yet, but Mecislav is Prince of the city. He doesn't have many laws written to him. He can move during the day and even walk around the world in the sun. Although no, I'm lying, not in the sun. At that time, it was covered in clouds.
What the hell difference does it make?!
* * *
We sat together in the living room. I, Slava, Klara, was mentally renamed Klavka by me. Nadia left shortly after my call. I secretly suspected that for her advice she would receive from a vampire, if not a commission, verbal gratitude, but did not hurry to voice this guess. What's the use? If we fight with a friend, that's all the profit. Slava and Slava were silent. I laid out the solitaire in a grim way. The son-in-law didn't come together for the seventeenth time, and I was nervous. The phone call didn't give me any joy. I looked at the phone grimly, struggling with the unworthy desire to climb under the sofa and not to get out of there for five or six years. Or better yet, all ten. The phone kept busting. I picked up the phone.
- Yeah?
- Good evening, Yulenka.
I was shaking my whole body. How well I know that voice: soft, gentle, enveloping like a fur blanket, caressing the skin like a light summer wind. In vain, I was hoping that separation would help me get rid of this vampire's charms. I was only strong enough to speak with a more or less even voice:
- Good evening, Mechislav.
- I'm very happy to hear your voice again, Curly. Did you just call me?
Yeah, well, that's what a vampire is all about. Embodied pragmatism under the mask of sexuality.
- Not really. Actually, I've been having some problems.
- Oh, you did?
- I'm sorry. - I couldn't resist the poison. - If it weren't for my problems, I wouldn't have called you a hundred years ago. Until the day I died. Well, that's how you talk. May I see you?
The vampire used to ignore my attempts to say nasty things. I even knew why. Whatever the child had, as long as I got mine. And he will get - and his pound of meat (mine), and his liter of blood (damn, mine!) - whether I like it or not.
- Any time you like, Fluffy.
- Tonight?
- I'd love to see you at my club.
- I'm not going to the Wolf Fight!
It almost came out of me with a scream. But I really couldn't! I couldn't go where every wall, every corner reminded me of Daniela. The memories could fade away in time, and I'm sure they will, but for now I'm still in pain.
- I wouldn't invite you here, Curly.
Was the vampire's voice sympathetic? Didn't it sound to me? Unbelievable! Something died somewhere, right!
- But where then?
- Do you know the Three Sixes club?
- Yes. I do.
- Come there. Tell the guard you're coming to me, and they'll escort you.
I was hesitant for a minute, and the vampire immediately caught my insecurity.
- What's wrong, baby?
- Yeah, I confessed. - Can I take two people with me? You mean a human and a werewolf?
The vampire didn't hesitate to answer for a second.
- You can bring anybody you want, honey. But I'd like to know who they are.
- My brother and his werewolf girlfriend.
- Do you have a brother, Yulechka? I didn't know that.
- And I don't believe you didn't know.
Mechislav quietly laughed, and even on the phone his laughter made me shiver. He was almost touching me. It felt as if a vampire had run his fingertips over my skin.
- I thought he was dead.
- I thought he was, too.
- Do I not hear in your voice the joy of a dear relative's return?
- And you won't," I said grimly. - Unless the sky falls to the ground! Or I will go completely mad.
The vampire wouldn't comment or find out what I meant.
- Come here, Curly. I'll be waiting for you.
- I'll be there in an hour and a half.
- All right. I'll see you later, Fluffy.
- I'll see you later, Fluffy.
I hung up and covered my face with my palms, waking up. That voice still sounded in me. Mieczysław's voice was one of his best numbers. But even if I react to the voice this way, what happens when I see it? Throw a vampire around my neck? But I won't! I won't! I won't!
I looked at my brother and Klavka sitting on the couch in a hug. They loved each other. You could see it from a mile away. And I was even jealous. I recognized love, too. I learned it for a few short crazy days, and I lost it just as soon as I realized it,
what
got and
what
I'm losing. And it hurt even more! If Danielle hadn't died, we could have been sitting on the couch in a hug like that. Higher Powers, I wish I could see his light gray eyes again! Just once, just for a second!
- Gather round," I said coldly. - We are going to see the Prince of the city.
- Did you talk to him? - Slavka asked.
- Yes, I did.
- Are you in such a relationship with the Prince?! - It's already Klavka.
- It is none of your business what kind of relationship I am in or with whom.
Klara hasn't answered anything. And I took a closer look at her.
- Stand up, please.
- What for?
- You don't want to ride in that rag, do you?
- Your stuff won't suit me, Clara slowly got off the couch.
I've never seen her standing up before. She was almost head over heels above me. What a kalancha. I nodded.
- Okay, let's go like this. And I went to get dressed.
I picked a summer pantsuit out of the closet. It's a pretty sand-colored thing. Clamshell pants, a top that opens the back but tightens the chest and covers the scar under the collarbone, a light summer jacket with short sleeves. The more clothes I wear, the better. I'm wearing gold beaded bracelets. They're the same earrings. Handbag and high heeled shoes. I don't use cosmetics on principle, I don't even paint my eyes or lips. All I have to do is invite my hair - and I'm ready to meet the scariest vampire in town. Beautiful. It's just a picture. Princess! No. Corona! How could something bad happen to a girl this pretty? No, never! I'm the one trying to cheer myself up, if anyone doesn't understand. Too bad I don't even believe in myself.
We came out of the house with a fun threesome. In front of me, behind me, under my arm, - Slava and Klavka. At home, I called a taxi, which I stuffed idiots in love with. And I plunged into the front seat.
- Where are we going? - I asked the driver.
- "Three Sixes." Do you know where that is?
- I'm going for a ride in the breeze!
I didn't expect any other answer. Mecislav was simply obliged to provide advertising to his establishment. And knowing the vampire, I had no doubt that the Three Sixes would be a hit for several seasons. I wonder, and when Nadia invited me to the club, she knew that this is the last toy of the Prince of the city? She should have known, that's why she was a werewolf. Especially not to fall and not even an ordinary wolf, but one of the examples. She could not stay in the dark! And yet she dragged me there? We need to clear up this little question. If I don't forget, I'll be sure to ask.
And she'd better not know it!
The club occupied an entire building. It's also pretty old, with columns and all sorts of curls on the facade. Beautiful, pale pink. But if there was a story connected to it, I didn't know it. And the hell with it, with history. There's still one principle - away from the city centre, almost in the private sector - and if I went down to the cellar, there'd probably be a steel door. And some cozy rooms with all kinds of insulation - so that no one on the surface would know what's going on downstairs. On the facade of the scarlet neon, there were three sixes burning. The number of the beast. The vampire must have cho
sen the name. I wonder why scarlet? Blood? The designer's decision? Or just a triple red light, like in some serious public places? Okay, I'll ask you later.
I walked in with determination. I wanted to get away terribly, but I didn't let myself stay even for a moment. Fear and hesitation stayed at home, I was calm and focused, like before the fight. Though why - how? There was adrenaline in my blood.
As soon as I crossed the threshold, some guy in a white shirt threw himself at us. Yeah, that's the size of a bouncer he'd work with. Or maybe he is. Gorilla muzzle, bull's muscles, two heads taller than me, smile brutal. You're gonna fly out of the street screaming like that. Although should I be afraid of some kind of rocking? I wasn't scared of vampires, but there's just an ordinary muzzle of anabolics! He had a plastic name card attached to his white shirt pocket.
Dima.
Just a name, nothing more. Who is he in this club? And who is he, anyway? A man? A vampire? I don't think so. A shapeshifter? Or a hybrid? The hell with them all!
- Is there anything I can do for you?
- Good evening, Dima," I said softly.
- Good evening, Dima was embarrassed.
I smiled at him.
- My name is Julia Yevgenyevna Leoverenskaya. - The man was perplexed, and I reluctantly added: - Some unconscious types call me Kudryashka.
The face of the orangutan was illuminated with understanding.
- The chief ordered me to escort you to him as soon as you appeared. Your friends can wait in the hall.
- First, sit them down so that I know where to look for them," I ordered, "and then you and I will go to your chief.
Slava looked at me in surprise.
- Julia, the boss is...
I kicked him in the leg.
- Slavik, go to the hall. Be a good boy, sit and watch the striptease. Shut up!
- You've become a terrible bitch," said my brother.
I wasn't feeling well.
- I had nine years to practice.
My brother had the conscience to put his eyes down.
Dima sat his brother and Clara down at the table closest to the door. I nodded.
- Okay, great. Will you walk me to the chief's?
- Of course... Curly.
I wasn't arguing. Mecislav will always be himself. I won't hear another name from his friends. Neither will I hear from the vampire himself. Unless I can make him angry. When he was angry, he called me by my real name. But an angry vampire is a nasty alternative to eight quite decent letters. After all, a name isn't that serious at all. And I bet it was just so he wouldn't consider me his property.
We went up to the third floor. Actually, I was expecting us to go down to the basement, but apparently the vampire has another cultural program planned for today. Dima came up to the door with a black "Director" sign, turned around and looked at me.
- I can't go any further. That's what the chief ordered.
- Thank you," I thanked him.
Dima turned around and went downstairs. I thought about it and decided to knock. I shouldn't have knocked. I could barely raise my hand when the door swung open. Mecislav was standing right in front of me. I exhaled sharply, forgetting to breathe. I couldn't even think in front of him. The past time had not affected him in any way. The vampire was just as incredible, stunningly beautiful. My black hair was shattered on his shoulders, and I wanted to put my hands in it to see if it was as soft to the touch as it looked. My fingers were unwittingly stiff, and I squeezed my hands into my fists, away from sin. My green eyes were shining brighter than the electric lamps in the hallway. He was dressed in everything black: black tight pants, velvet even to the point of view, and black high boots to the middle of his thigh. The black shirt was so transparent that underneath it you could clearly see the torso, open on his chest, tinting gold-copper skin - and I suddenly felt a terrible desire to walk on it with my hands, touch it, open the shirt even further, stick my whole body ... I still remembered what it was like to feel his skin with your hands, glide on his body, caress, iron ... Higher Powers!
- You're doing your thing again?!
My voice sounded so hoarse, I even shuddered.
- Word of honor, I didn't do anything to you this time, Curly.
I think the vampire was enjoying my confusion. He felt my desire, and he enjoyed it. I ate my lips. What else can I say? Of course it's disgusting!
- It's a shame I didn't kick that door open. I didn't know you were waiting for me on the doorstep!
- Do you want to kick me so bad?
I shrugged my shoulders.
- I don't think your loosened nose will save me from nightmares. And then, hand-to-hand with vampires?! I still want to live!
- You can hit me, Yulenka. I'll allow it. And I will never raise my hand on you.
Thank you, that's comforting. You may not lift it yourself. And your employees?
- If I try to hit you, it won't end in a fight, it'll end in sex," I said. - You know very well that even just seeing you is a temptation.
- And how much temptation is that, Curly?
The voice of the vampire silk rolled over my skin, and I shuddered. I could feel his gaze like a warm hand on my body, and I dreamed of more. Just like before. But you can't. I shaken my head, dropping the obsession. As I always have.
- Well, I always knew I was attracted to you. Well, that's not new. Are we still gonna stand in the doorway?
The vampire laughed quietly, and that laughter slid a cool wave over my skin. I felt my nipples tense, and I quietly regretted not wearing a bra. But I never wore that sled - not with my incomplete second size - and for nothing. The vampire looked at me, and his beautifully outlined lips were touched by a light smile. He knew what was happening to me. He enjoyed my confusion and desire. And I didn't like it at all.
- It's been a long time since I've seen you, my girl. It's been a long time.
- Six months is a lot for a vampire?
- Even a day without you, Fluffy, seems like forever to me. I clenched my fists harder. My fingernails are in my palms. Of course, the vampire was messing with me. People like me are thirteen per dozen, except in metaphysics. Well, why am I mad? Why do I want to hear these words spoken sincerely from the bottom of my heart? Yulia, look out!
- A day? Aren't you dead in the daytime?
My voice still sounded unnatural, but internally I'm already gathered. Mechislav was looking right at me. Slowly, very slowly his gaze slipped over my body, lingering on swollen nipples, on my hips... I could almost physically feel it. It was as if my hands were sliding softly across my body. The picture flashed: two woven bodies on the carpet, a mad whisper of unquenchable passion, fire playing on the golden skin, turning it into molten metal, a black curl sliding so close to the lips ... I catch him and kiss him, enjoy the scent of his body, his hair ...
And I knew that if I took one step back, if I flinched, that vision would come true.
The vampire stepped away from the door a little bit, letting me in. I was hesitant for a second. I didn't want to be alone with him. On the other hand, anything that might have happened between us could have happened in full view of the city. Last time, the audience wasn't in the way of him or me. I took two steps inside. Mecislav was so close to me that I could feel the warmth of his body. Borrowed warmth. Alien. Today he was drinking someone else's blood. But the blood must have been given willingly and even gladly. This is one of the advantages of the title of Prince of the city: he does not need to hunt - everything will be offered.
Mieczysław's office emphasised the individuality of his master. At first glance it seemed the most ordinary - with white walls and the ceiling, with black leather furniture, with all the necessary equipment such as a computer and a photocopier - but at the same time, everything was arranged so as to emphasize the personality of a vampire. No human being would look in their place here. But the vampire in this interior looked very natural. The black and white combination of colors, against which Mecislav looked much more impressive. O
n the wall - a painting in a black frame depicting a bloody scarlet sunset, and heavy black drapes instead of ordinary blinds, and a luxurious carpet on the floor, in which my heels were immersed, so that my skin felt the touch of fur, and a vase of black matte glass with white roses. This vase immediately reminded me of another.
- Did you order the vase to be placed in my driveway? The vampire smiled without showing his fangs.
- Of course he did.
- To remind me again of your existence?
- To be able to give you flowers, Curly.
I didn't believe it, but I kept arguing.
- I was sending them back. Isn't it clear that I don't want your flowers?!
- You don't know what you want.
The voice was charming, bewitching, mesmerizing. I spent my fingernails on my skin, trying to dispel my obsession with pain. The main thing is not to scratch myself. Even the smell of blood turns on vampires I know. And I wouldn't want to be near the excited Medislav.
- I'd really like to get rid of your presence in my life!
Mieczysław's face was quite serious. Only his eyes were laughing. Well, yes, he finds me funny. I've always been a source of entertainment for him.
- I'm not the one who came to you, Julia.
You're the one
a problem that only I can solve. If I disappear, who can help you?
Slut! I blushed so hard my ears almost smoked.
- I hate it when you're right!
A vampire slipped behind my back. He was so close, I could feel his breath on my skin. There was no point in turning around and running to the other side of the room. It wouldn't have helped anyway.
- You don't hate me, Curly. You hate your desire for me. You don't like that you're not in control of your feelings.
Warm fingers slid around my neck, a vampire wrapped a naughty strand around my finger. I twitched like an electric shock, and I bounced away.
- Don't you touch me!
Mecislav sat on the edge of the table, played with a rosebud. I looked at his hands like spellbound.
The artist's and the musician's thin, nervous fingers. Fingers that can both caress and hurt. I remembered their touch. I remembered too well. My body betrayed me. And it's always been like that with Mecislav, nothing new or original. But I am the mistress of my desire! I am, not some fang bastard! Я! And everybody keep quiet and build up!
Ring of Madness Page 79