Ring of Madness

by Royden Labrosse

  For a few minutes he let himself just lie down and think.

  Things were going... not bad. His surname finally stopped bouncing and came back under the household arm. It was good to get her back sooner, but Mieczysław didn't want to put pressure on the girl. Why not? The most serious obstacle was her inhuman stubbornness. That's something else, and that's what the vampire saw in the days he spent together. In critical situations, all human abilities are manifested. All their strengths and weaknesses. Everything he can do. That's what Julia has shown herself. Mecislav was delighted with her abilities. Her .

  strengths

  . Her ability to highlight the main thing and stand on its own, without giving up a single step. That's the only reason he was alive and well now. On the other hand, Julia was just an ordinary girl. With a breakthrough of shortcomings. And her integrity and her disgust for orders... any commander would have just choked on such a soldier. The vampire had no choice. The girl had a huge...

  force

  . And I had no idea how strong she was yet. It was worse than that. The vampire had no idea what she was capable of either. I didn't want to put any pressure on her. He'd bounce up, and... What would happen after that, the vampire didn't know. The options were different: explosion, fire, flood, IPF, the voice of God from heaven - whatever. Whatever the fantasy is enough for. But what's not good enough is for sure. Mechislav remembered very well what happened to poor Andre... Dyushka, he'll come up with it! Ha! It's been almost six months, and his predecessor is only called Dyushka. So it's glued posthumously.

  And if Dyushka was smarter and left two girls alone... He wouldn't. In time he did not recognize behind childish obstinacy rigid character and persistence, firmness and aspiration to victory - and continued to press. But he should have just said in due time: "Okay, Julia. I'll let your friend go, and you'll serve me for her. Will we have a deal?" - That would be more than enough.

  That's not what he did. Mecislav knew where their confrontation began. Andre just didn't take the cheeky girl seriously. He got angry. And he promised her a painful death and a painful life - already as a vampire. Of course, Jula didn't like it. She found a way to escape. And she even managed to get Daniel out.

  Damn it! That reminds me!

  Mecislav didn't lie to his name. Sync and corrections by Danielle

  really

  was a friend of a vampire. And I don't care if vampires aren't friends. And there's no affection either. There's only pure profit. Ha! Da Miecislav would gladly give all the revenue of the Prince of the city for ten years to resurrect this damn artist!

  A brilliant artist.

  Unfortunately, how brilliant Daniel's paintings were, how unsuitable he was for the life of a vampire. Elizabeth, by turning him, made a huge mistake. And Mecislav suspected that by killing Daniel, she had made the worst mistake of her life. That Julia would never forgive her. Mechislav was already beginning to understand the character of his surname.

  He'll never forgive her. He will wait as long as it takes, he will wait, he will be silent and patient, and then he will strike. Brutal and unexpected. And the last for Elizabeth.

  May Danielle not be the best man in the world. Capricious, like all geniuses. Willful. Not able to adapt to circumstances. Fascinated - and just as easy to leave their hobbies. His constant passion was only painting. When he met Julia Leovenska, he really offered it to Mieczysław. He appreciated her strength and character - yes, not yet fully developed - but what is it for a man of twenty years? Little things! Some are still children by the age of forty. Evaluated - and offered Mieczysław to use it. And immediately he spoiled his plan. He fell in love, got carried away, dragged into bed, put the first seal...

  Mecislav wasn't too angry about it. He'd break his neck to anyone else. But not Daniel. It wasn't his friend's fault. It's just that he had a temper. A dog is not responsible for barking and jumping in joy. It's in the blood. Just like Julie's blood, her damn stubbornness!

  Bloody hell!

  The swordsman yanked his leg irritably like a cat with his tail. Now this girl has it in her head that sleeping with him would be a betrayal of Daniel's interests. And how to get that stupidity out of her head, the vampire just didn't know. You can order, curse, yell, stomp on her feet, seduce her and drag her to bed - and the latter is not so difficult - but it will not change anything. Their relationship is just beginning to take shape. It's not even a foundation yet, it's a foundation pit. And putting pressure on fluffy stuff now is like throwing excavators and digging a hole with a child's shovel. You just have to put up with it and make sure she doesn't see anyone else. Nature will do the rest. Yulia is a young, healthy woman. And the vampire saw it well,

  like

  he has an effect on her. Sooner or later, she'll be in his arms. And all her impertinence is for fear of giving in to her desire. Okay. He can wait. The two of them have forever ahead of them.

  If they don't kill themselves first.

  Or they can.

  What's her brother worth? A bastard! There's no other way to tell.

  Julia couldn't make a sound judgement. But Mieczysław saw Sławkin's little soul very well. His greed, cowardice, selfishness... well though this puppy does not have Julia...

  by force. Powers

  he didn't get it. Well, they say that in every family once in a hundred years a child is born, combining all the vices of the generation. If the grandmother was a cartelist, the grandmother was a prostitute, the grandfather was an alcoholic, and the father was a thief - that's all it would unite in the child. And it's a mess. It's the same filthy thing in the Leoveren family.

  Mechislav respected Konstantin Savelievich. He valued Alina Petrovna, Julie's mother. Personally, he did not know her, but the result of education was before his eyes. Let the main line was determined by his grandfather, but not every woman is able to raise a fighter from a child, not afraid of a devil or God. Most women just strangle children with their love, not realizing that they do them a bad favor. Then, going out into the outside world, which stretches beyond the walls of their native home, such a child turns out ... at best, firmly beaten and learned life. In the worst case, mommy wriggles around her baby for the rest of her life, and no one is happy about it: neither to her (I put all my life on you, and you do not appreciate, ungrateful!), nor to the child (because of your position, I can not create a family, or to defend themselves!). Yulia was completely self-sufficient. She made decisions, often heavy, she was responsible for them, she was not afraid of death ... For a young snot it was just perfect.

  Slavka... that is Stanislav Leovensky did not possess any of her qualities. He would not have come to the aid of a friend. He would have succumbed to Duška at first sight. And so the whole story would have ended - without even starting. Mieczysław did not like this man, but he might have been the right leverage to put pressure on Julia. She would do anything for her family. And anywhere. At least barefoot on the coals.

  And Mechislav was even jealous of that quality of hers. He couldn't have done it himself. He wanted to live above all else. And Julia got into a fight, thinking only about protecting the people she loved. Her life, the life of her opponent - it didn't matter at all. All that mattered was winning. And Julia wasn't worth the price.

  Mechislav very much hoped that one day... The day would come and he would be among those whom this girl would protect even at the cost of her life, freedom, mind... without thinking about the consequences for herself and without changing into little things like "what is good and what is bad".

  Mecislav knew how the girl tortured the werewolf. How she controlled the rats. How she bargained with Andre. He admired her. And he was ready to squeak his teeth - because it wasn't for him Julia did everything. She did it for Daniel. And it was only for him.

  Vadim once tried to raise the subject of torture. Julia confirmed everything Danielle had told him, but when the vampire asked: "Why didn't you trust Danielle with this case? He's a vampire. He knows the anatomy and can torture bet
ter than you. And you wouldn't be so embarrassed..." - he got a clear and concise answer. Julia looked up and threw her head up. "I knew what I was doing. I knew it was disgusting. It's disgusting. That I couldn't keep my word. "That I'd kill. I'm gonna suck and cheat. You can despise me for that. But me. Those were all my decisions. Because I could have handled it easier than Daniel. He's an artist. He is a creator. And it would be harder for him to live with his hands and soul dirty. When enemies ask for it or just order you to be broken, it's easier to bear. But when friends... He was already suffering from spying for Mieczysław. And if he still had to torture for me... don't do that. I loved him too much for that."

  Only he knew how much effort Mieczysław had to listen to it calmly. Yes. First love. It's not easy to forget. And it was after that he decided not to put pressure on Julia.

  She must come to him herself.

  She has to come of her own free will. Otherwise they won't succeed. Julia won't tolerate pressure on herself. And... he was just curious. The first woman to resist her attraction so desperately. But why?

  That's what a vampire wouldn't understand.

  Love? But what love can be when she and daniel have known each other for a week. Even less. It's anything, but not love. It's an emergency, a hormone outbreak, an adrenaline rush in the blood... It was like that in the war. When people walked to death, the feelings would get sharper. But love?

  Mechislav had his hand in his face. He didn't believe in it. Then what did he believe? Why does Julia try so hard to stay away from him? Out of childish obstinacy? Would you like some? Suck it! You won't have it!

  Maybe it will. But how can you tie it up? Yulu as a fully grown man who makes tough decisions and is responsible for them. And another Yulu, a snotty girl drowning in her emotions.

  A vampire, despite years of experience, hasn't been able to do that.

  Only Konstantin Savelievich Leoverensky could have helped, but the vampire did not consult with him.

  The Larczyk opened simply. Yulia was the most ordinary girl of nineteen (soon it was twenty, do not forget about the gift and holiday...) years old, with all the complexes, uncertainties and stumbles, typical for this age. But too young to grow up. Growing up in combat.

  From here came all the discrepancies. Julia tried her best to return to a peaceful life. To what was...

  "before the war."

  in her case, to vampires. And she didn't realize it couldn't happen yet. It's not real.

  Julia herself could have sung on the subject: "Life cannot be turned back, and meat from cutlets cannot be restored..."

  But she did not want to understand it. She did not agree with reality, did not want to meet with Mieczysław once again, did not want to just admit that - everything. Her childhood was over. And it's time to be responsible not only for yourself, but also for other people. And she...

  already

  answering. Because the surname of the Prince of the city is as responsible for all the paranorms of the city as the Prince himself.

  Fear of responsibility. Fear of adult life. Fear - and what will it be like in this life? Suddenly not as she was taught, as she herself wanted? That's what was pushing her away. Wherever, but only far away.

  Mecislav didn't know that either. The only thing he felt with his gut so far was not to push the girl. And he was right. The more he would pull Julia towards him, the more she would resist. And the vampire was waiting.

  They'll still have time. Because the vampire and the surname are more than connected forever. And they have more than one human life ahead of them.

  All that's left is to deal with the Prince of Tula.

  But Mecislav didn't see a particular problem here. Ivan Tulsky is one of those with whom one can bargain and negotiate. Yes, he's indiscreet. He's a cut. Tough. Sometimes even sadistic. So what? It's not like he's in bed with him. But Ivan Tulsky understood his benefits very well. And Mieczysław had something to offer him.

  Things were much worse with Ramirez.

  Ramirez Mieczysław had known for a long time. And he didn't love her. That's an understatement. He would have gladly cut Ramirez into pieces and turned him through a meat grinder. Slowly. Very slowly. And now that the pervert has his eye on the fluffy...

  Freak!

  For Mieczysław, the reasons for Ramirez's actions were completely irrelevant. What difference does it make why you want to take the source...

  strengths

  ? Because of her...

  strengths

  ? Or is it because she loved Daniel and was loved? Or for both reasons? Well, who knows? It didn't matter to Mieczysław at all. What matters is different.

  Ramirez Julu won't get it, even if he turns inside out. Three times.

  But you can't tell him that directly. Everything will be fucked up as far as he can get. And the negotiations with Ivan will be ruined, and Yule will talk nasty, no matter how much more he calls for a fight. Even if you kill him, you'll get so much trouble with the Council that you'll choke yourself. And it's no use. Vampires are a bit of a loser.

  You have to walk on a thread and hope his unpredictable surname doesn't cause you any problems.

  I wonder how her day went. Boris should be here soon with his report. Mechislav did not lie, telling Julia: everything that concerns you, I report immediately after waking up. It's better to know in advance where your other half is going to get into, or you may not have time to pull her out. Although these six months she did not cause any problems: sitting at home, drawing on the streets and roaring in the corners.

  Mieczysław suspected that this time would soon be considered the calmest. Knowing Julia... both himself and according to the stories of Boris and Vadim...

  Oh, easy on the devil.

  Vadim knocked and walked through the door without waiting for permission. Mechislav wasn't angry. What for? It's foolish to put a lot of ceremonies on your life.

  - Vadim?

  - Julia called. She asked for a meeting.

  - So go get her and bring her to me. What's the question?

  - No questions!

  Vadim turned around, but he didn't leave in time. Boris entered the room.

  - Good evening, Chief. Permission to report?

  - Yes, sir. Vadim, you can stay for now. Let's hear how my surname spent the day.

  Boris has melted down.

  - Uh, chief...

  - Report," Mechislav pressed with his voice. And Boris was reluctant to tell.

  - Today Julia woke up closer to noon. She went to the cinema. She met with her friend Nadya. Then she went to the club to see werewolves and trained there with Valentin. From the club, the two of them went to see Julie's brother. And convinced him to initiate today. Then Julia went home. She called her grandfather. She talked to him about her brother. And then...

  - What are you washing up for? What else did she do?

  - The thing is, she met a young man.

  - Who, what, where does she live?

  - Someone Sergei Mikhailovich Novikov. Twenty-two years old. Not married. Considered to be a womanizer. Lives with his parents and younger brother in Krasnoarmeyskaya, house nine, apartment thirty-two. Studying at the Institute at the Faculty of Economics. Appearances... cute.

  - Pictures?

  - On your computer.

  - Okay. I'll check it out later. Was this a friendly visit? Boris got jammed up. And Mečislav had some bad suspicions.

  - Well?!

  - I'm afraid Julia decided to sleep with that boy for some reason.

  - That's not possible! - Vadim is outraged.

  - Really? They were seen out the window. They were kissing. Then the curtains were pulled. But I suppose they... continued kissing. A young man left her apartment about an hour and a half later. With wet hair and a whistling obscene song.

  Mecislav wouldn't take off the bed, yell, throw objects... He wouldn't even swear. What for? What's that?

  now

  would cheat? It's my fault. You provoked it, you didn't warn
me, you gave too much freedom... all by yourself...

  Vadim and Boris watched the chief closely, preparing to leave at the first signs of danger. You can return with the report later, the skin will be stronger.

  But Mechislav did not lose control over himself.

  Simply his fingers got into the mattress, making deep holes in it.

  - Who else knows about it?

  - – Я. You. Two of our guys who were watching her.

  - Are the guys reliable?

  - Yeah, they are.

  - Tell them to be quiet. - The rage was slowly fading away. And slowly, and not far away... will definitely come back as soon as possible. - If anybody, one word... do you understand me?

  - Yes, guv. I won't say a word.

  Vadim's eternal joker face was serious this time. And if Seryozha saw him now, he would only stop abroad. Or behind the equator.

  - She doesn't understand how much she set us up. Maybe she set us up if this story comes out. But I'll explain everything to her, - now Mechislav spoke quietly. - Today. Do you know where the initiation takes place?

  - Yes, I do.

  - Fine. You go and bring this... this girl to me.

  - Okay, chief.

  - And have the mattress replaced on the way. Looks like this one's gone bad.

  There were ten holes in the mattress, by the number of fingers that got into it.

  Mecislav was lying still for a few more seconds. And then with one powerful movement he took off from the bed and that there was force he moved his foot on it.

  The leg wasn't hurt.

  The bed shuddered and was suspiciously skewed.

  - Well, Julia... Well... wait!

  Chapter 4.

  Who walks at night in furs...

  I wasn't allowed to be loaded. This time with a bell on the door.

  - Who's there?

  - Alexei and Tatiana. We're here to see you from Valentin.

  Lesha and Tatyana. I looked through the peephole. Really, two people. Werewolves... Even through the door, you can feel them.

  power

  them.

  aura

  …

  I opened the door.

  - Aren't you early?