Ring of Madness

by Royden Labrosse

  - Didn't you feel it?

  I waved my head.

  - This is different. It's different at all. I remember what happened that time. It was much calmer.

  Mecislav sprayed in a wide smile.

  - That time we just had a kiss. We didn't go any further.

  - And this time we could have had sex for a week! - I got angry. What an ego. Does he think I finally lost my head because of his sexual abilities? Well, okay. I lost a little bit. But you can always find it... I guess. - It's not about sex. It's about the way things have been going on between us. It's not exactly the host's mark, it's something new... you said you felt alive?

  Mecislav was thinking for a while.

  - Yes. I think I can even stay awake during the day.

  - And I didn't need a dry drink for that," I strained. It came out especially caustic, because I was just starting to untangle my hair. And when did they curl up like that? The hairbrush crashed into it, and it seemed to be stuck. Maybe I should shave my head. Why don't I leave a comb on the top of my head and tell everybody I'm a Mohawk on the trail of war. And I'll borrow my feathers from my home department. Because they're lying in the closet, gathering dust...

  - Give me the comb, Fluffy, - Mechislav took away my instrument of torture and began to comb my shreds himself, starting from the tips. - So you'll stay bald.

  - You also didn't teach me how to take care of my hair," I sprinkled.

  - To keep your hair from getting mixed up like that, you must rinse it with lemon juice after washing. With a slightly sour solution, about half a lemon per bucket of water," said the vampire. - What happened to your neck?

  My neck was all right. Two neat holes in the carotid artery. It wasn't bleeding anymore, but otherwise it was sad.

  - And how do I disguise that? Tell them they poked me with a fork? An antique fork?

  - Antique.

  - I know it was. Doesn't matter.

  - I'll take care of it. Tanya has dresses in the shop that fit, with a high gate.

  - Is it in the summer?

  - They won't be hot even in summer. Trust my taste.

  - I'll iron my shoelaces...

  - Julia, when are you going to grow up?

  - Seven hundred years from now.

  The vampire sighed and handed me a comb and hairpins.

  - Don't you want to stay here?

  - No. I still have to talk to Rokin. And the I.P.F.'s better off not pointing this place. Actually, I have a busy program for tomorrow.

  - Make sure you're free by tonight. Ivan Tulsky arrives next night.

  - Ugh.

  And that's when I remembered another thing.

  - Ramirez! He wants to talk to me! And he promised to wait downstairs!

  - Damn! - A vampire couldn't resist. - You can't ignore the invitation. Can you talk to him now?

  - Why, is there a choice?

  - Yes, there is. Either we talk here or we talk at the club.

  - It's better at the club. That's where he's not gonna rip my head off.

  - Well... I'll be there for you. If anything goes wrong, all you have to do is raise your hand.

  - It's very comforting. Do you have a drink?

  - I won't let you talk to Ramirez drunk.

  - And I won't go sober myself. I have a bad head right now. By the way, thanks to you.

  The vampire sprayed in a very manly smile. A smug pig.

  - Okay. Glass of red wine. You got a deal?

  I had a drink, and I went to work.

  Mecislav walked me to the dining room. Ramirez sat at the corner table all alone and looked at the only rose standing in front of him in a tall vase of frosted glass. As soon as the poor thing didn't fly...

  I must say, the decorator had a taste. The Three Sixes had several halls that didn't communicate with each other. Disco, bar, gaming rooms - two of them, this restaurant... there was something else, maybe...

  But if the disco and bar were designed for young people, the restaurant - for the category of older people who just want to come to have dinner with someone in an intimate setting.

  And this atmosphere was created here. The walls are glued with something under malachite, probably, with a film like "self-adhesive", high ceiling with stucco, dark green curtains to the floor with golden tassels. Matte bronze lamps, white and green tablecloths, vases of matte crystal with flowers - roses, lilies and white or green orchids ...

  While I was walking, I had thirty seconds to decide. What to do?

  I mean, how to talk to Ramirez. Oh, no matter how you talk, there's still one result. How old is he? A thousand? A thousand? Less? How about me? He's been living in a vampire shithole all this time. And I didn't even get into college that long ago. No, I suppose the institute has a vampire viper as well, but that doesn't affect me yet. And I don't have the skills of a serpentologist.

  Well, is it worth finding out which one of us is smarter? The answer is already clear. Ramirez is gonna rip me apart under a nut. Which means I just have to accept it.

  No, it's not my nature... But this... idea came instantly. Your nature? And you can change your nature! And write it off as a hormone riot!

  Thanks to Shurochka, Larisa Golubkina. I've always loved the Gusar Ballad.

  I plunged next to Ramirez and rapturously hatched my eyes.

  - Oh! Sorry I'm late! I know you don't like to be late! Or do you like to be late?! What's the right thing to do, you don't know?! Oh! Oh, come on, it's me! Russian isn't your native language!

  Ramirez squinted.

  - What are you playing at, Julia?

  - My favorite game is "Battle of the Sea"! - I told you. - And you like it?! But I never guess neither E2 nor E4! But I should be lucky in love!

  - And lucky?

  The vampire clearly couldn't decide how to talk to me. I was smart, and now I was a complete idiot.

  - Oh, yeah, of course I did! - I snapped so that a couple of tables two tables away jumped out of the blue. - Mieczysław - he's so, so...

  There was an expression on Ramirez's face which I deciphered with the short phrase "the diagnosis is clear". Not me first, not me last... And yet the vampire decided to inject.

  - And Danielle? Did you forget him yet?

  And then I got an eyelash in my eye.

  I woke up. I had a nasty hair in my eyeball once. And I was crying instantly. Ramirez was confused. Like most men, when a woman next to you starts to look like the Amazon. Not the warrior, but the river. Snotches immediately showed up in the kit. If anyone ever gets an eyelash in someone's eye, you'll understand. Damn wool! I did not dare to catch it, it would break the whole game, but it pierced more and more acutely, and I cried in my voice. Am I a woman, or where?! And then, Ramirez's stunned face was worth it!

  And nothing, nothing to remind a girl of her first love! All the more tragic!

  Oh, Daniel, why did you die... Who did you leave me for...

  The howling turned out to be full of tragedy.

  - Yulia, Yulia, Fluffy, are you all right?!

  Mecislav materialized next to him and looked at Ramirez angrily. In the distance, the indignant Boris and Vadim loomed, my bodyguards were wiping in the background. And everybody looked at the toothpick without much pleasantries. He made the girl cry, you bastard!

  - What did you say to her?!

  - I swear on my honor! I didn't say anything! I just mentioned Daniel!

  Mecislav sighed and picked me up. The eyelash must have got even deeper from the movement, and I immediately buried the vampire's shirt. All of it.

  - Excuse me. Yule him.

  really

  I did. I suggest you talk when she calms down. Tomorrow, for instance. And now I'm going to send her home.

  I wept sorrowfully. Well, when am I gonna get out of the auditorium and get that thorn out?!

  Mecislav turned around and took me back to his office. There he sat down on the sofa and tried to sit down next to me. That's why he got it right away.

  - Let go, lo
ver hero! I have to go to the bathtub!

  I think all vampires are brothers in thought. Mieczysław's face was as stunning as Ramirez's.

  At last I pulled out that disgusting eyelash. It's always like this. If they fall out, it's bound to be long and beautiful, with curved ends. And the lashes are short and sticking out in different directions. And at least what do you do with them, but you can't get a beautiful palisade of Maxfactor advertising! Bitches!

  I flushed all the makeup to the left - you still can't resuscitate, - I blowed my nose. Well, it's not romantic, so what? It's in the series heroines can cry for three hours and look perfect, they are specially trained to do this, and in life - five minutes of tears, and you already look like a nightmare. Nose with potatoes, red and rotten, cheeks swollen, lips like a swarm of bees walked on them, and eyes need a shovel. Reality is...

  I went back to Mieczysław. The vampire looked at me with a judging (hysterical? surge of emotions? neurosis? psychosis?) look and was going to say something, but I was ahead of him.

  - I know you're not gonna believe me, but I...

  really

  just got an eyelash in the eye.

  Mechislav slammed his "max factors." That's who would advertise mascara! And put his portrait on boxes. Millions would be bought out. And Lenca DiCaprio would cry in the toilet. Where would he get that stunning charm?

  - Ramirez just asked me something about Daniel, I blinked, and here's the result. You don't think I'm so hysterical, do you? I could've had a good time at home, but it just worked out so well...

  During my speech, Mechislav changed several masks - from stunned (what?!) to surprised (an eyelash?!) and completely stunned (and only?!), and then leaned back on the sofa and laughed.

  - Fluffy, you are a miracle! An eyelash, just one eyelash - and the enemy is defeated! I just love you!

  - Yeah, I love you too, I snapped at you. - Am I going to get home today?

  Mecislav rolled his eyes, but decided that at least Ramirez wouldn't get to me at home with a heartfelt conversation, so he gave up.

  - Yes, he will. Come on, I'll walk you out.

  - Come on, let me walk you out. That way, Ramirez won't get attached on the way.

  Mecislav stood up and opened the door to me with a bow.

  - Please, Julia Yevgenyevna!

  Four guys were already waiting for me behind the door. Gleb and Konstantin smiled. The other two were measured by the judging glances.

  - This is Alexei and Nikolai. They will guard you too," smiled at Leonid.

  - It's very pleasant.

  Nothing else was enough for me.

  - Take Julia Yevgenyevna home, and let the two of you be on duty near the house in case of an attempt or kidnapping," said Mechislav. - Leonid?

  - I have already given the instructions.

  - Well, that's fine. Come on, Fluffy, I'll walk you out.

  - I'll get over it. You'd better e-mail me everything about Diego. I'll sit here and read it.

  - Okay. I'll tell Alexander.

  Mecislav picked me up and headed for the club's exit.

  I didn't even try to move.

  It's no use.

  * * *

  One conversation on the phone.

  - Sir?

  - The first group is dead. It's just you left. Tomorrow you must take over the object.

  - As you command, sir.

  - Take her out of the house and put her to sleep. Do you know how to do that?

  - Yes, sir. We have her lover. He will summon her.

  - Does she also have a lover? Mecislav is losing his grip. However... the better. Tomorrow she must be safely hidden.

  - We can take her out...

  - No. Through the Seal, Mecislav will feel it anywhere. When the capture is made, send me a message.

  I'll come and try to redirect it to myself.

  - What if the locals show up early?

  - If you do the right thing, you shouldn't. And if you're wrong... I won't get you anymore. But Mieczysław's fantasy isn't much poorer than mine.

  The voice of his interlocutor was a bit shaky. Apparently, the gentleman's fantasy wasn't about writing fairy tales or drawing at all.

  - We'll try, sir.

  - You don't have to try. Do it!

  - We'll obey, sir.

  * * *

  I got home at 4:00 in the morning.

  I just didn't feel like sleeping. But there was a computer next door with a net exit. What, hang on the forums?

  I'll hang (hang? hang? hang?), talk to people, unload the body, which is saturated with adrenaline. Cause you can't sleep now. We need to calm down. I'm gonna have a nasty dream, that's all. Sleeping's gone bad.

  It's settled. I'm going to the websites.

  What sites?

  Libraries? I wish I could, I usually spend a lot of time there, but I don't want to read now, I'm too excited. I'm not excited about the book.

  Toys? I'm gonna lose. It's not mine either. I'm not a gamer. Why should I fight all kinds of evil on the screen when there's three times as much evil in my life?

  Shops? Yeah, I miss them in my life!

  "Classmates"? "VKontakte"?

  But I wasn't attracted to those sites either. It's not that I didn't feel bad there. They're pretty cozy places. And I used to go there. But after what happened in winter... What will I write about myself? I'm dating a vampire? Profession - surname? Family is mother, grandfather, werewolf brother. Long-distance relatives are a pack of werewolves, foxes. And put a picture of me in my arms with Mieczysław.

  The people will envy me.

  And then where to?

  And then it hit me.

  I quickly went on Google and typed in the phrase "catch a spy."

  I got a few thousand links and started reading. One thing led to another.

  Mostly there was some kind of agieea. Movies, books about espionage, articles... I almost didn't get any practical recommendations.

  Except for one.

  "- How did the Bolsheviks expose spies in their ranks? - They told Petrov that Ivanov had proclamations in his firewood, Ivanov - that Sidorov had a machine gun in his garden, and Sidorov - that Petrov had gold under his floorboard. And then they looked where the gendarmes threw themselves and who was shaken in the first place!"

  That was the most logical advice. Especially in my situation, when everything is uncertain and death can meet under every bush.

  I took out a blank sheet of paper.

  Who knew I'd go to this church?

  Rokin and the IPF. That's number one. But you can take them away. They tried to subjugate me in a different way - mentally. And they wouldn't twist and grab me. They were too shocked.

  What if it was like, "So don't get you anybody..."? Could it have been?

  Theoretically, it could. Couldn't it? So the Inquisition would hire vampires and werewolves to massacre a snotty girl? Even a week before the arrival of Slava with Slava?

  Nereal. IPF - crossed out. Oh! By the way! Should I call Rokin, or should I call him myself?

  Tell him to call me himself. I didn't hit them, they hit me. They're the ones who answer. They're the first to accept. That's it.

  Who else is on the list?

  Valentin, Konstantin, Gleb, Slavka and Klavka. Two other werewolves that I don't know. They were just in the room when we were talking.

  So what? To cook a separate desa for each of them? Dezu goat, goat-derezu...

  What for?

  Valentine, Kostik and Gleb have one thing to say. Slavka and Klavka are the second. Those two don't say anything at all.

  Who else?

  Vampires. Mecislav, Vadim, Boris.

  Can I trust them?

  Yes, you can.

  The question was not idle for me at all. But Vadim and Boris are my friends, we fled together, they saved my life, I saved them. And for six months they supported me as much as they could, helped me, did not let me fall into depression. No, I couldn't consider them enemies. I couldn't even do
anything stupid. Even if they accidentally said something and someone accidentally heard...

  And how could this someone transmit information? Question! And the answer?

  Although... can all vampires communicate in their sleep? That's how we talked to Mieczysław. I suppose they don't need a phone or a means of communication.

  Well, Vadim and Boris are excluded. But the option remains that someone pulled information out of them. In the afternoon? When did they sleep? Because the kidnappers arrived at the scene this afternoon. And Peter said the decision was unexpected.

  If the vampires had been interrogated in their sleep, they would have told us about it.

  That leaves the werewolves.

  I bent three fingers. Valentine, Kostika, Gleb - one. Slava, Klávka and the guards - the second. Talk to Mieczysław. Although... He'll ruin my whole plan. On the other hand, I'd rather be insured by fangers. And I can't be in several places at once.

  The pen slowly removed complex patterns on paper. Thoughts were reluctant to form a coherent plan. First it would be necessary to implement everything, at least the first point, and then - to tell Mieczysław. And to sit in an ambush.

  And yet it did not leave a vague discomfort. I missed something. But what?

  A computer spewed, announcing that I had liquefied with a new message. And who sent me a piece of cheese here?

  I read Diego's biography. But I haven't been able to get anything new from it yet. Vampires are careful, you bastards. And they don't show their affections and weaknesses to others. A list of acquaintances? Every vampire in the city will know each other one way or another. If Mechislav comes to the same Saratov - or Novosibirsk, or Astrakhan - he will immediately be presented to all vampires in the city. That is, he will come, introduce himself and ask for a residence permit. That is why the circle of acquaintances - all vampires have heard about each other one way or another. Work? Alfonso da Silva. He's a protector and a creator. He wouldn't let me work on the side, but he borrowed his vampire. Who's the last one? Nobody knows. Or he does, but he won't say anything. One hell of a thing.

  Tastes in bed, tastes in life, favorite cities, favorite names...

  I've got more on half the file. It's just a paragraph. My head doesn't believe it, or... or anything!

  What a dog with him, with a vampire. I've read it. If there's anything that can be caught by the brain, the subconscious will catch it while sleeping, process it and present it at the right time.