Ring of Madness

by Royden Labrosse

  - Well, well, well...

  What it meant, I never understood. But I gave it to my brother with all my heart.

  - My relationship with vampires isn't about you yet. Only with werewolves.

  - And why is that? - I gave Clara's voice.

  - Because you're going to be a werewolf couple," I shrugged my shoulders. That's the tone I wanted to choose from the beginning. Not to persuade and not to make excuses. To put it before the fact, to hear all the arguments against it, and to do as I've planned from the start.

  It took me a few seconds. In that time, I managed to get my notebook and pencils out of my purse and now I was spinning them in my fingers.

  But my brother was far from a giraffe.

  - You want me to be a werewolf?

  - I don't.

  - What?

  - I haven't wanted anything for a long time," I explained. - Unless they learn how to raise the dead. And you'll have to be a werewolf if you want protection and help here.

  - And I thought you'd already made a deal.

  - I've made a deal with the Prince, and you need the protection of the pack as well. Valentin is the leader of the pack.

  Clara jumped up and bowed low again.

  - It's an honor...

  - Shut up," Valentine broke it off. - Let Julia talk to her brother.

  The shape-shifter has quieted down obediently.

  I continued:

  - I've already been charged by the Prince. But this is not a poorhouse. You'll pay for yourself. With your status, Clara, I don't know yet, but I don't think anyone wants it for free. Then decide what, how much, with whom and to whom. That's what Valentine's gonna explain. In the meantime, get ready to grow wool on a full moon.

  - But why?

  I could explain that in a couple of minutes.

  - You'll be the guarantor of security for Valentine and his flock.

  - – Я?!

  - You," I typed it. - Sit down, think, look for arguments for and against, and then try to make them clear to me and Valentine. Will fifteen minutes be enough?

  I was sure my brother would wake up much earlier. But it didn't matter to me anymore. I was surrounded by a familiar wall, separating the rest of the world. The pencil slipped softly on paper, leaving a grayish black mark. Each time I watched as someone's face emerged from the smooth white paper - and found flesh and expression - I felt an almost ecstatic pleasure. Valentine watched me closely, without moving or saying a word. Clara, of course, made a mug and didn't sit still at all, but I didn't have to ask her to pose. Bad is an artist who, after one look at a person, can't draw him in all the details. Or maybe not too bad. I don't know. But that's the standard I set for myself - and I was going to follow it rigorously.

  I managed the drawing in less than fifteen minutes. In thirteen minutes and forty-seven seconds. And without even looking at what happened, I put a notebook in my bag. And then... I'll look in the car, along with Valentine. Slava sat there and looked at me. Are you ready to speak out? Fine! And I nodded, letting him speak.

  - Have you thought it over?

  - Yes. Julia, I can't!

  And I was hoping that my brother had gone to me... But not fate. I remember that I didn't hesitate for a long time in the same situation. Maybe that's why I got into trouble with the Seals at the deep end. Okay, I'll think about it tomorrow!

  - And why is that?

  My brother was in a difficult situation. To say that he doesn't like werewolves? Is it when his werewolf woman and prima wolf, the clan leader whose brother asked for help and whose hospitality he is currently using? It's almost suicide. I was even wondering. But Slava turned around.

  - I'm not ready yet.

  - It's okay, you already know my friend Nadezhda, right?

  - Is she so bitchy and ear-eared?

  I was even a little offended. And Nadia's not an earful. She's just a little naughty. Just a little bit.

  - I'm glad you two liked each other. The description's very precise. Anyway, she was accidentally initiated. In battle. And nothing! She's alive and well, she's very good at fur skins. She even became a primai.

  - And it's very good," Valentine confirmed.

  - Well, there you go. And one more plus to you. If you get cleaned up... Val, does he have a chance?

  - Not much, but he does. He's not going to fall, anyway.

  - Well, if you get clean, you can claim your rights to Clara. Your union will be harmonious and long. And no one will take it away from you, except with life.

  - That's the argument, of course," my brother extended.

  I kept pushing him:

  - And that's not all! Werewolves live about twice as long as the average person, they are practically not ill, they are hard to kill, they are a fairly cohesive community in which a smart and strong tungsten will always find its place.

  - Very nice," said the brother. - What are the disadvantages?

  - And where without them? - I shrugged my shoulders. - But... they're not that big. Yes, you'll have to obey vampires. But there are certain subtleties to the Valentine pack. His werewolves are more friends than servants. And if you don't want to deal with vampires like so many wolves don't, no one will force you. It will be your conscious choice.

  - What if something happens to your vampire or Valentine?

  - What if you get hit by a tram? That's possible, too. But that's why I'm with them, to rule out accidents like this.

  Valentine measured me with a smile so poignant, I knew I was overreacting. And I was in a hurry to get better.

  - Yeah, well, it's worse, but it's less. I'm not denying that what's happening to you right now is my fault, too. But this is a story I don't want to remember. What's important is that Ramirez, the emissary of the council who's coming here, is, uh... negative to Mečislav. And to protect Mieczysław, I'll do a lot of things.

  - Why?

  I shrugged my shoulders. What could I say? The truth? I trusted my brother too little for that.

  - My relationship with Medislav is none of your concern. But I will explain something to you. The man I love more than life would prefer this vampire to me. And in such matters, I listen to his opinion unconditionally.

  Valentine put his hand on my shoulder. He already knew what my brother's next question would be.

  - Will you introduce us to this lover hero? I'd like to know who you chose to be Prince of the city. All the more reason.

  this

  The prince.

  I shook my head. My soul was torn by the usual, but it gave me no less sharp claws pain. The old poems came as a keepsake.

  My beloved has died. Pour yourself down, tears, pour yourself down!

  The lord of soul and heart has died.

  Come on, tears, come on!

  I didn't realize myself that I had whispered it out loud. I only realized it when Slava suddenly found himself on his knees near my chair.

  - Julenka, forgive me! I didn't mean it! I swear!

  I looked into Slavka's eyes. They reflected a small part of what I felt, remembering Daniel. And I knew that this pain was beyond his strength. He

  really

  knew what was happening to me. I understood that I was torn out of my first love, my heart was cut into two parts, one half was buried and left to die. And I tried to survive. And sometimes I even successfully pretended to be alive. But how could you live with half of your heart? Well, I couldn't. I prescribed myself a cure for this disease a long time ago. I had to try and love another person. But - and that was the funniest and the most bitter - I saw no one who could even remotely compare with Daniel. Nadia was right about something. Danielle was really using me for his freedom. But then he fell in love. And I saw his love. A sincere, selfless... When neither life nor soul is sorry for the person you love. Leaving, Danielle left me the most precious thing he had - his spark of divine fire. And only I could understand what it meant to him. And who could I love now? I will never, ever agree to less! Yes, in time, some wounds will heal. Som
eone will end up in my bed. But even now I knew it would be a self-deception. I might as well use a vibrator. Because a bed without a soul, without a heart, without what we shared with Daniel will be empty and dull. It's worse than that. Whoever I have and whatever I have, there will always be three of us. I will remember Daniel every minute. His desperate grey eyes, his smile, not a smug and insolent smile of the winner, for which you usually want to take something from a man, but a tender and gentle smile. In those moments when we were together, I was a goddess to Daniel. And he was no less to me. If Danielle had stayed alive, I would never have looked at another. No matter how long our happiness lasted. What would I do without you, my love?! How do I live with half my heart?

  They say vampires heal such wounds if help comes on time. And what will help me?

  Danielle, Danielle...

  - Don't make excuses, brother.

  I still had the strength to use that phrase. Then I let myself go for a moment and I stuck my face in the palm of my hand.

  - There's no way you could've known what was happening to me. You weren't here. And I-I lost someone I loved. I didn't protect him. I couldn't. And I didn't even die with him as I wanted.

  - I am very glad that you did not die with him, - broke out at Slava.

  - It was certainly not her fault," said Valentine. - She tried very hard.

  I glanced at him with my eyes.

  - My life is my right! As for you, Slavik, I have no doubt that you are madly glad that I am alive. Otherwise, you'd be dead on your own.

  - This is not why I am dead," said my brother.

  - Yes? And why is that?

  Slava kept his eyes open.

  - Because I acted like a pig then. If not to say worse. And I'd really like to correct my mistake.

  I really wanted to say nasty things to him. So that until tomorrow he could spit it out. But I couldn't even afford it. And I was terrified that I could never do it. For the rest of my life I would use Slavkino's guilt to my advantage.

  - Fix it. But for that, you'll have to stay alive. I mean, to be a werewolf fox. Do you agree?

  Slavkino didn't take his eyes off it.

  - This is .

  really

  Is it necessary?

  I, too, knew how to lie with the most honest look.

  - Yes, you did.

  - I agree.

  - All right, I got out of the chair and reached out.

  It felt like a carload of bricks had been unloaded. If Mecislav is in such pain every time, you should feel for a vampire. About three minutes. But then, then... I turned to Valentine.

  - Maybe you should stay here. Call a couple of werewolves, bring them up to speed and tell Slavik what awaits him...

  - Clara can do it, too.

  - She's going down," I broke it off.

  Valentine put his eyelashes down. I think he figured out what I meant. His brother had to take the handle to the transformation and prevent him from getting negative information from Clara. It's enough that he's already got it.

  - As you command, my lady.

  I shoved his elbow to the side with my soul.

  - You've got to be kidding me again!

  - I'm absolutely serious, mistress! - There were mischievous demons dancing in blue eyes.

  A lousy man. I shook my head, trying to get in shape as soon as possible, and headed for the doors.

  - Bye, tails!

  - Bye...

  - I hear it from the toothpick!

  - Goodbye, mistress.

  I wanted to tell Clara not to call me mistress, but then she changed her mind. I didn't force her to. She asked for it. And she put her head down kingly.

  - Goodbye.

  We said goodbye to Valentin again. He caught up with me as I was leaving the club.

  - Julia, wait a minute!

  - Yes?

  What else does he want from me? I did what he wanted me to do.

  - Julia, your brother's initiation will take place tonight at 10pm. I'd like you to come.

  - What for?

  I couldn't contain the bitterness. It hurts. It just hurts. It's like watching a movie with a bad ending. It's like it's always the same, but there's still some sludge.

  - Because you need it yourself.

  I shaved my head.

  - I don't need it. It's a guarantee of security for you and your pack.

  - Now you think you pushed your brother into something terrible and painful. I want you to understand that I didn't.

  - Oh, yeah? I've seen the Nadushkin scars. Isn't that enough?

  - It's an isolated incident. If the initiation is voluntary, it's almost painless. And then, don't you want to see it yourself? It's still better than staring out the window and yearning for a failure. At the same time, you will make sure that nothing bad happens to Slava.

  - Even if it did, I don't care! And how do you imagine that? To control werewolves? That's funny!

  Valentin's obviously sick of the argument.

  - Julia, I'll send my guys for you. It's 9:00 p.m. Are you coming?

  - I'll come where I'm going. Just tell them to call their cell phone. I still have to talk to Mieczysław. If he has any plans for me and tonight...

  Valentin shaken the mane of blonde hair.

  - Julia, I know you're not very positive about Mečislav, but you're wrong.

  - I am, aren't I?

  - He's not such a bastard against the rest of the vampires. You just don't talk to many people...

  I didn't want to discuss that topic. It's not enough that I have to communicate with Mieczysław now, so also listen to the lawyer. Wouldn't you all fuck off, eh?

  - The discussion is over. Bye, I'll see you tonight, call.

  I took a polite sigh, got Valentin out of the way and left the club quickly. The sun hit me in the eyes. I squeezed and pulled dark glasses out of my bag. I hated them before, and I wore them almost all day. Different shapes and sizes. Chameleons and regular ones. Black, brown, blue and green. They're all the same. Just to close your eyes. I had some control over my face, but my eyes didn't work. At first I didn't care about anything. It wasn't until Mom and Grandpa asked me how I was feeling several times that I started hiding my eyes. They don't have to look into my personal hell. I love them too much. They don't need to know I'm going crazy.

  There was a surprise waiting for me at the playground. Or isn't it a surprise anymore? Yes, I guess it is. It was the first time he was a surprise, and now he's walking around the agency... Next to the vase, there was this dump off the beach and he was leafing Playboy. What's his name? Seryozha? Yeah, I think so. When he saw me, he went up and smiled wide. The magazine stuck it in a vase. I imagined how another flower lover would take him out of there, and unwittingly smiled myself. You shouldn't have. Seryozha definitely thought it was a sign of sympathy.

  - Hello!

  - We've seen each other before," I snapped. - What do you want?

  - I was walking by, I decided to come in.

  The news was not impressive.

  - What the hell did you want here?

  - Well, I needed you. You like it, pretty, I want to see...

  - Yeah, lie more!

  - Well, why not? Why are you so aggressive, anyway?

  Really, why did I rat on him? I opened the door.

  - Oh, come on in. You'll be a guest. And you don't have to take off your clothes. Living room to the left.

  I went to the phone myself and clicked the answering machine key.

  Three messages. Shall we listen to the first one?

  - Yulenok, call your mom, or I'll kick your ass. You'd better come in.

  Briefly and basically. Grandpa's in his repertoire. The second one?

  - Julka, call me at work immediately, or I'll call you myself, and you won't like what you hear!

  Nadia is also a short and precise lady. You bet she's dying to know what we agreed on with Mieczysław. And I'm not saying anything, you bastard. I'll also be quiet. It'll take some time! Third?
/>   - Yulia Yevgenyevna, I'd be very glad if you call me tomorrow. This is Konstantin Sergeyevich. You know my number.

  I know, I know. Shit, what does the IPF want from me? You want me to call him at 2:00 a.m.? Will that be tomorrow already? Yes, it is! My thoughts were interrupted by a cheerful voice.

  - Nothing in the apartment! Is it yours?

  - Grandfather, I burst out. - It's detachable.

  Liar, so what? Once he finds out I've got the money, he won't get away with it. Daniel was the only one who didn't give a damn about all my capital and my possible inheritance. Danielle...

  - And you...

  - Wait, I have to make a call...

  I dialed Nadia's work phone number. My friend was there and in a disgusting mood.

  - Yulka, why aren't you cutting through?!

  - Why, do you really need me?

  - I'm curious. What did you and Mieczysław agree on before?

  - You must have pulled everything from Vadik and Valka by now.

  - Well, not everything.

  - That's all right, you've had enough.

  - Julka, you bastard! I'll die of curiosity - you'll be on your conscience!

  - It's okay, my conscience will get over it. What time is it?

  - Six o'clock at night. It's even less.

  - Here you go. And at nine, the Valka will send a car for me. Come in, we'll gossip on the way.

  - What kind of car and why?!

  - Call him and ask him.

  - Yulka, you...

  - The one and only. Charming and inimitable. Chic and...

  - Curly," barked Nadia at the tube and rattled her to the lever.

  I laughed.

  A freshly invited Seryozha came out of the room laughing.

  And why did I let him in the house?

  - And the pictures are good. Do you draw?

  - Little by little.

  - Can you draw me?

  - I'm afraid the ego won't fit on a piece of paper.

  - And you only draw me?

  - Then there's nothing to draw, I snapped at you. - All right, sit down.

  The earring sat down on the sofa and froze like a statue in Napoleon's pose. Nose up, chin to the sky, on his face - inflexibility. I shook my head.

  - It wasn't like that. Tell me something.

  - About what?