- Why?
- Because Diego was capable of blurring the fog. We couldn't hold him. And it would be a shame to die without even getting out of a trance.
- Oh, I see. Sasha, you remembered. The ability to turn into fog.
- Why, is there a vampire database somewhere? - I couldn't help it. - Like a website? You go in, you type in a hash, and you get a report? Photo, name, ability, opportunity, place of residence?
- I don't.
- Yulka, you what? Are you crazy? Maybe we should get passports, too!
I realized myself that the question was stupid. Even the temple of Christ the Savior would have been mortgaged for such a base in the IPF. Not to mention little things like money, people and opportunities.
- Then how would it have been?
- Sasha would contact my vampire friends by e-mail. She'll send out pictures. And he'll hang on his phone. Alfonso da Silva is on the council. You can't just question him like that, but you can try someone else.
- Okay.
It was really clear to me. One president can't interrogate another. But maybe he can ask me agonko. And if he's got power on his side, he'll get an answer. Well, I've known before that the Vampire Council is a dirtbag.
- Well, what are we gonna do for now?
- We're gonna take you to the hospital.
- And then what happens?
- Do you have something to offer?
- Yes, I do.
- I hope, Curly, that's... a worthwhile offer? And it'll let us brighten up the rest of the night?
Mechislav whispered, burying his face in my hair. His warm breath touched my neck, I shuddered involuntarily... Whispering in the dark, in that darkness where there is nothing but the intertwining of bodies, the intertwining of destinies... where the sheets smell of perfume and love, and the words are read more by the touch of the lips to the wet skin. And there's no need for words...
Mecislav touched my neck with his lips. I felt the tips of my fangs and shrieked.
- I'll ask for no teeth!
The vampire in the front seat - Sashka? - shuddered. I'm not used to my antics yet. But Mechislav just smiled. Then he licked my neck briefly and pulled away.
- So what did you have in mind, girl?
- I have to consult with my grandfather.
- About what?
The vampire's astonishment was unplayed. Well, I'll explain.
- Mecislav, were there any vampires investigating?
A vampire rubbed his forehead.
- No. We don't have to do that.
- We do. Raul said they showed up while I was still in church. So they're being leaked information by someone.
- Fuck," muttered Vadim from the front seat.
- So we have to figure out who the woodpecker is today. I can't do that. Vampires are tense with logical thinking, too.
- We do? Yulia!
- Vadik! - I barked just as angry. - You're too used to relying on
power
and magic. Except that too many people might know about my trip. Ramirez is here. Ivan Tulsky arrives tomorrow. What, are you suggesting we torture the whole list under these conditions? Or to interrogate magically? We're all in a hurry in the second ten! There's only one way out! Trust the people!
- What could people know about us?
- We're going to talk about it in a distracted way. It's like a logical problem.
Mechislav shook his head with determination.
- No, Kudryashka, I don't think your grandfather can help us in any way.
- He has a lot of experience.
- His experience is what, 40 years? Fifty? Mine is almost four hundred. I have other specialists, too. The same Sasha.
- It's precisely because of your age... you're too out of date. Mechislav's a little wince.
- That's silly, Julia. Well, think about it. My addiction to clothing in the manner of the Middle Ages doesn't mean I'm stuck at the same time. Vampires have a duty to follow science, art, and all novelties, in any field, regardless of their preferences. We just...
can't
to afford the luxury of staying in development. If some Aunt Masha can get married, spit on education and spend her whole life cooking soup and wiping children's noses - it is easy for her to succeed. And if I want to live like an ordinary person, the IPF will find me in ten years. They're developing. At least because they're all almost human. And their lifetimes are short. And we can't afford to fall behind them.
The vampire didn't convince me, but it didn't make sense to insist. I'm not gonna make it anyway. I turned my back and stared out the window. The car was flying through the night. The sparks of the windows and the lanterns...
I wonder why Mechislav said that the IPF
almost
people? That's a very meaningful reservation. And... nasty.
- Fluffy, - Mechislav slightly pulled me by a strand of hair, seeking attention. - Call your grandfather and tell him I'm assigning him and your mother security. The guys will take the post at the entrance, and tomorrow morning at six o'clock will come to meet you. And they'll accompany your family everywhere.
- A lot of that security is good for you.
- You're still here. And you're almost healthy.
Yeah. If I were alone, I'd have that group of two vampires and six werewolves in two seconds - in a bag and in water.
I obediently dialed my grandfather's number.
- Hey, kid. Why aren't you calling?
- Grandpa, I'm in trouble here, I got shy.
- Pull up. We'll figure it out.
Mecislav confidently picked up my phone.
- Konstantin Savelievich? This is Mechislav Nikolaevich. Good evening... No. I'll manage... What happened in winter won't happen again - his voice was firm and confident, pauses were interspersed with clear phrases. - Nothing. But I consider it necessary to provide security for you and Julina's mother... Believe me, my guards are better than any special forces. At least because they'll survive even after the grenade explodes. And they'll kill the enemy without looking at any conventions. - He listened to his interlocutor again and continued: - Yes. Werewolves. But there's no need to worry. They won't hurt you... Sorry for the stupid suggestion. Okay. I'll send them in today. They'll be on duty in the driveway and in the driveway tonight. And in the morning at six o'clock...? It's a deal. At 6:30, they come in, meet you and accompany you all day. Do me a favor, put them behind the wheel of a car. One at the wheel, one at the back, with you. And don't be afraid for them. You can't kill them that easily... Yes. And one more thing. I'll order them to bring the guns. Without permission, but I guess that won't scare you. It's nowhere illuminated, loaded with silver bullets, so it'll help against all the paranorms. It's effective against people, too. At the same time, the guys are bringing in five rounds. You're gonna need... No. She's a weapon herself... Still is. Konstantin Savelievich, please. I would not persuade you, but the situation is critical. Everything will be resolved in the next two or three days. But if there's anything, be ready. To everything... Yes.
And he handed me the phone.
- Hello?
- Yulka, what's your way of getting into the wrong place?
- Who knew you'd get in so much trouble from your idiot brother?!
- We should have dug him up quietly under the fence. Or give him to the stalkers with his head.
- Yeah, you should have. But you can't do that now. It'll be like admitting your weakness. We can't defend ourselves, so we give it to you... that's what they wanted. It's going to be a lot harder for us to live after this.
- Will you stand to the end?
- Where do you want me to go? Although I already have a desire to kill Slava, to dig up with his paddy somewhere under the bush and say that they shit on us too.
- What is a paddy?
- It's what he found. The lowest caste in the werewolf hierarchy.
- Mm-hmm.
Grandpa was quiet for a few seconds. And then he made up his mind.
&n
bsp; - Yulka, if you need it, don't spare anyone. I'd rather bury him again, not you. After all, I've been dead for nine years. And I don't want to lose you. You are Leoverenskaya.
I blinked with suddenly moistened eyelashes. Well, if...
this is .
isn't a compliment, I don't need another. For my grandfather, family and family were everything. For me, too, as it turned out. And recognizing someone as Leoverin was like an order to him. And for me, too.
The clear waters of the river of time flowed slowly. The portrait gallery was going away. Hundreds and hundreds of people who had lived before me, passed on to me their blood, their character, their features, their tastes and passions, their firmness ... and their eyes were firmly and tenderly looking at me through the abyss of centuries.
And if misfortune had happened to her, the descendants of misfortune would be able to do it!
Sometimes," said the sunny prince...
Captivity will make you go through the mud...
Pigs can only swim in it!
[13]
And I was walking.
I held my head and smiled.
I would overcome any trouble.
I fought not for life, but for death, even against an enemy that was many times superior.
What for?
So that someday after many, maybe even hundreds of years, my descendants would look as far back as the ages. And smile.
"Our ancestors fought for life. With claws, teeth, words and deeds. "They did everything to make us live. Born, laughed and cried, loved and hated. Can we let them down? Chicken out, break down, betray... just not to survive and give life to our children? Who says we can't do this?! That we won't do it again, go further and higher?!"
We can do this. Just to keep our family alive. We are the Leoversen.
And any man can say the same about his kind. About their family and their children. And it's no trouble if you lose information about your ancestors. You get up off your knees. And tear yourself higher and further! And why live if there's no purpose? Nowhere to aim? Not to see the sky...
- Julia? Stop hanging out in the clouds! Come in! Reception!
Grandfather wasn't ceremonial.
- Do you understand me?
- Yes.
- Then go ahead.
- Okay, then. Have a good one.
- Okay. Bye.
I took my head off the phone and looked at Mečislav.
- Grandpa's gonna rip my head off.
- Don't worry, Curly, I can always protect you, a vampire smiled at me.
My hands were hurting more and more. So my vampire prognosis was not optimistic.
- And you'll get your fangs out. With pliers. And no anesthesia.
Swordsman laughed briefly and punched me in the tip of the nose.
- Curly, you're adorable. You should have threatened to "complain to Daddy..."
- That's how I'll see you, so I'll complain. In the meantime, you can go to him yourself," I snapped. It wasn't a pleasure to mention the dead father.
- I'm sorry, Fluffy. Vadim, we'll be right there, and let's go to my place. You, Boris, Sashka, Leonid...
- And it would be good to call Valentina," I added.
- Call her? We're not putting him out yet. You've made great friends with him lately," said Mieczysław slowly. - It was scary to look at him when he found out about the attack.
- He is a good friend," I said. - I would worry about him too.
- How much?
Something unfamiliar sounded in the vampire's voice. But my hands were too whiny for me to think about such trifles as well.
- Hardly.
- How much?
Vadim's distinctive hook came from the front seat.
- Yulka, calm down, chief. Tell him you and Valentin are only friends, or he'll shave the poor werewolf's head.
I shaken my head.
- Have you all gone crazy?
- Because the chief's jealous of you, or because I got caught up in the werewolf thing? - Vadim was still having fun.
I would have kicked him for sure, but it was hard to reach with my foot and my hands were already hurting.
- Vadim," I whispered, "if you don't shut up, I'll spit on you!
- That's right. Chief, I guessed she's in love with our blond fox," the vampire cheered. - What are we gonna do?
Slap.
Mieczysław, unlike me, his hands didn't hurt. Vadim swayed forward, then backward, the car was swinging, and I smiled rather.
- Chief, what for?!
- For not taking action.
To him. Fang seducers are still a good thing. But toothy humorists...
Too bad!
* * *
We're staying at a private clinic. There are two of them in our town. Both of them expensive... I don't go there. My health is more expensive.
- Do they treat you here, too? - I was wondering.
Mechislav cleverly slipped out of the car and picked me up again.
- Put it down! What am I, an invalid?
- No. You're a beautiful woman to carry on your hands. And I'm going to do it for the rest of my life.
- I can imagine how much I'm gonna save on shoes," I said.
- If you want, I'll order you a gold shoe with crystal heels.
I shuddered. It's clear the vampire is mocking. Why's that? You try to walk around with a salad bowl on your leg! I bet in three steps it'll be on the other side of the world, and in four steps all the shards will be in your heel?
And the shoes are gold leaf? The only thing cooler than that is "Spanish boot"!
[14]
- It's better to kill at once - your hands hurt more and more, and there was no strength or desire to respond to stupid jokes.
- No way. You still owe me the Body Seal.
Oh, shit, no! Your iguana!
- And you intend to claim your debt?
- Yes. Today, after we're done with business. Are you feeling well enough?
- No. I feel just disgusting. I've been sick. And I might throw up again. On you.
- I'll get over it. As a last resort, we'll take a bath. Can you imagine: night, candles, foam bath...
- ...I slip on soap and I fall on your head, breaking both your legs.
- Curly, look at life more fun. I can always catch you.
Mecislav stubbornly failed to notice my push-up attempts. The mood was finally ruined. Now there's the Seal. And the reluctance...
If I could say no, that's what I would do. But a vampire is fulfilling his obligations. Slava and Slava are safe. Relative, but what's not relative in the world? Something you haven't tried to take anywhere yet? Oh, I'm going somewhere wrong.
But I tried to refuse.
- And then there's no way to put a seal on it?
- Oh, no.
- Personally, I'm in no hurry.
- Well, you should. The seal will increase your chances. This time, you were just going to be kidnapped. And what happens tomorrow?
- I'm gonna get run over by an IPF on a tank.
- For what?
- For everything.
* * *
Before we got to the clinic, a perhydro (a la Merlin Murlo) girl in white... white... no, it's a robe after all. For a second there, I thought it was a shirt. However, the robe was deep neckline, tight, transparent and ended up somewhere in the panties. So I wasn't really wrong.
- Hello! - She sang. - Come in, please, settle in!
She opened the door to the waiting room in front of us. Well, the situation's on the level. Euro repair, flowers, sofas... it's clear where the clients' money is going.
- Is there anything I can do for you?
She only looked at Mieczysław like I wasn't even here.
- We need a doctor," said the vampire.
- I will.
happy
lend
you want to have any
help," said the blonde with a breath. Her bust was so hesitant that if she hadn't had a robe with a zipper, she'd sur
ely have been left without buttons. And the words "happy" and "any" she singled out in her voice so that I understood: if Mieczyslaw would leave me even for a second, he just wouldn't live.
He'll be raped.
And they won't remember me, even though I'm bleeding out on the doorstep. Although... the vampire was also looking at her "forms" with undisguised interest. And the blonde was trying to get her hip on him without paying any attention to me. Bitch!
The owner's instinct worked faster than the brain. And I quietly whispered through my teeth.
- Julia, your hands? - The vampire immediately forgot about the medic.
- Yes, he did.
The medic had to pay attention to me and open the door of some office in front of us. That's where Medicislav put me.
- What's with the patient?
Mm-hmm. They don't ask about problems like that, they want to go to hell on horns.
- The patient's alive. And she's able to move on her own. Only the hands are hurt.
- Put the girl on the couch.
Mecislav shrugged his shoulders and sat down on his own, keeping me on his knees.
- Doesn't it hurt?
Mechislav shook his head negatively.
- Nothing at all? You know, I'm so good at massages...
- I have no doubt," I commented. - Erotic. With an ass.
It came out quietly, but clearly. Medicare went red stains.
- Girl, I advise you not to insult the attending physician.
- Girl," I mocked her with a mocking tone, "for the money you shout for the service, I can at least run and bite the doctor's heels on all fours.
The lady in the white coat sparkled with the look of the hyena.
- Show me your hands. What are you holding onto the guy? I'm not gonna bite you!
- What about him? I whispered quietly under his nose. I held out my hands.
The vampire was shaken by a silent laugh that caused another furious look.
- Girl, what have you managed to do with your hands?
- Frostbite," I answered.
- Yeah? Where'd you get the shots?
- I was the one who plucked the frozen porcupine," I said. That's right, medic! It's a tram hump!
- Girl, stop lying to me! What were you doing with your hands?!
- Are you going to treat me? - I asked you the same harsh question. - If not, I'll go to a professional. If so, I've already told you everything that concerns you. Well?!
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