- Leonida. Will you dispose of it?
- It's a good choice.
- I know. The day after tomorrow, the first of September. So don't plan anything for that day. Okay?
- Absolutely. But at night, I'm waiting for you.
- For... shit!
- I'm glad you remember.
I nodded dullly. According to the agreement, I shared blood and strength with Swordsman twice a week. It was easier for him and me. For me, the excess of power was thrown away. Afterwards Mecislav didn't have to feed on people for two days. Saving money.
By the way, I didn't lose much blood in the process. Twenty grams every time, no more. My strength was already accustomed to Mieczysław and saw him as an extension of me. Therefore, it was not necessary to drink blood from me for a long time. Thirty seconds after Mieczyslaw's fangs were inserted into my vein, there was an explosion of power - and he fell away from me, happy as a leech.
- Can't we reschedule?
- No. We're having a little celebration here on September 2nd to celebrate the start of the school year.
- Yeah. And to that end, cross off those two lines. With the stars, you send someone else to negotiate.
- Vampires sleep during the day, and you're my authorized representative.
- I don't care. Communicating with these idiots...
- It's not like you've ever talked to them. How can you judge people without knowing them?
- Am I wrong?
Mecislav shook his head with a smile.
- No. But I could.
- All right, let's leave it at that. Send Valentine to them. And to Dosa and Lavric. Or somebody else.
- Like Slava?
I stuttered.
Stanislav Leoverensky, my older brother, appeared in our city a little over a month and a half ago. And - with a lot of problems. In short - he managed to fall in love with one of the weakest representatives of the werewolf clan, picked up problems on his tail - and rushed in the hope of hanging them (problems) on our (grandfather, mother, my) neck. For some reason, we did not like it. Grandfather - in life is reluctant to dig up other people's dung heaps. Mom, she never found out. I mean... Vampires are quick to shake the good, clean and bright out of man. All that's left is reason and eternity. The brother was handed over to a local pack of wolves and quickly became a werewolf fox. Problems that he dumped on my hands, managed to solve, and his "eternal love" was a banal spy. She was caught trying to kill me, and she was killed after receiving a statement.
Slava was terribly worried about her death. And now she is, when there is time. And he has no time. Mechislav took him to his club and drives him like an errand boy - all over the world. Just turn around in time. In return, Slavka gets an apartment, a salary and even a work record! Even - contributions to the pension fund, what's it like? Yes, vampires pay taxes. Funny as it is! They cheat, of course, but within the necessary limits. And when I asked the vampire why, he answered simply. It was easier for them to sacrifice some of their profits than to get the police attention. And there - and the IPF can't wait long.
- Send it! Just don't touch me! Not before you!
- Okay. But at the opening, you have to be.
- The second one? And also at 2:00? Won't your face crack, sir? I have genetics at this time!
- That's not true. - Mecislav turned my schedule around in his hands. - You're out of genetics at 1:45.
- Boom!
- And then you have your day off. Three couples, that's it!
- Not all! What am I supposed to do, dress up in fifteen minutes, put on my face and bake half a city in kissel? How do you imagine that?
- Take it easy. You're gonna go to the institute well-dressed. And after the institute, Valentin will pick you up and you'll come together. He's going to be there, too.
- Are you kidding me!?
I imagined how I modestly declare myself at the institute in a dress that costs more than the director's house, with jewelry for which I and the director himself will be sold to the organs - and moaned.
- What scares you so much?
I rolled my eyes.
- What!? Don't you get it?
- Refusing the usual uniform? Jeans, shirts, shaggy head? Well, you'll get over it sometime.
I imagined the face of our institute fashionista Katya Kozodaeva when I come in couture clothes and her condescending voice: "Leoverenskaya, have you decided to become like a man? ", presented the faces of secretaries, the Ministry of Taxes and other blatant cathedral shushiers - and once again, with difficulty, but tried to explain to the vampire that this is not the case. I'd rather change in Valentine's car. He'll be fine. And as for the hair, ha! It's all about the hair. I'm not coming with a shaved skull, am I?! Well, that's enough.
The vampire agreed.
- Okay. You don't have to come to my place tonight. Valentin will report back.
- That's great, I said yes. - Will you let Vadim come to me?
- I'll let you go. Still drawing?
- Yeah.
Vadim and I designed a canvas for about twenty faces. The vampire really wanted to get his image against the background of burning Moscow. Old houses are burning, people are running - and over the rooftops of the city is proudly shouting a petrel called Vadim...
I didn't mind. Why not do something nice for a friend? He'll get old, hang in his room, and show everyone. But here's the trouble - for such a case I needed images of all the participants, their description, and a lot of everything, up to the costumes of that era ... the case was - for a month can not be cleaned. When Mecislav heard about our idea, he twisted his finger at the temple, but then agreed. "No matter what happens to my child, just as long as it doesn't hurt me."
I took a look at the rest of the line.
- What is that?
- It's at my club on the third day. At night. And the will to be.
- Can I say no?
- Yes, you can. But it's better not to.
- Then I won't," I twisted. - But not for long.
- It's a deal. Two hours, no more. How do you sleep at night?
- It's bad. But right now, you can do without nightmares for three or four days.
- It's better now.
I nodded. I used to have nightmares about five days out of seven. Now I could at least get some sleep.
- Okay, Mechislav. I agree to participate in your active social life, but I have two more exams to pass. And I have to pass them by September 20th.
- How much are your exams worth?
- What!?
I woke up from my seat.
- What are you, mad!?
- What's the big deal?
I rolled my eyes. Really - what!? But I don't want to learn for money!!! I want knowledge, not receipts in exchange for legal bribes paid at the dean's office! Otherwise, I'd just ask Grandpa!
Actually, I was great at studying on my own. Until this winter. But as a result of all the vampire history, I failed in the hospital for almost two months. I managed to catch up. Something's not. It was hard to keep up with the whole course when you can't even sleep. And you quietly suspect that you're going crazy. And you're hopelessly behind in two subjects. Political science and HSE. Why is that?
We count on the fingers. I was in the hospital for almost three months. Then, in winter, with pneumonia. And I was faced with a sad choice. Take an academic year, or get out of my skin and do it now. I was thinking. I consulted with my grandfather. So I decided to rip my veins out, but not stay for a second year. The wisdom of the advice I received was appreciated to the fullest. It's hard to get ahead. Sometimes I'd come home so exhausted that I couldn't even dream nightmares. They just wouldn't get through to the exhausted and completely disabled brain. I suspect that if my grandfather had insisted on going to the academy, I might have gone crazy. Sloth is a major source of neuroses and depression.
And I just didn't have time for them.
I should have written, taught, made up for...
And if the theory, that is
, the lectures could be written off and learned, then the practical exercises - figures. You should have walked and practiced them. The working day with teachers, if anyone doesn't know, is not normal. And if a teacher can leave earlier, he will do so. It's hard to catch them. And if you catch them, they'll usually start pulling out. I apologize for the profanity, but it's true! I wish I was an angry truant! No! I really almost died! And after that, some blatant crap that reads only Cosmopolitan and only syllables, looks at you from top to bottom and says, "Well, honey, I don't know how I can help you... you shouldn't have missed class..."
At first, I tried to be nice to people like that. Then I realized I had to punch them in the forehead. So that at least with the bell or resonance (the head is cast iron) get to the remaining brains. And impudently chopped in reply: "Would it be better if they took me away from here to the cemetery!? Shall I show you my medical history - or will you call the department yourself? I'm well remembered there - after several resuscitation! »
In the end, everyone gave up. Sooner or later, one way or another...
Besides, everybody at the dean's office understood, so send them to meet me. They allowed me to finish the theoretical tails until September 20th. And that's what I was going to do. And if I manage to pass the political science more or less calmly, then I had some doubts about HSE...
Tokarevich Yuri Mikhailovich was the host. Rare, excuse me, beast. In my opinion, he sincerely believed that the slightest ignorance of his subject should be equated to high treason, and to punish by shooting with the subsequent quartering.
At the same time, he himself was very blatant and he just did not know. He read from a book and checked the students' answers with a book.
Not a jerk?
- Curly!
I shaken my head.
- Anyway. I'm going to take the exams myself. And I'm going to study, too. If you do, think I'm deadly mad at you. Do you need this on the eve of your highest visit?
The vampire shook his head.
- My love, what do you care about all this human stupidity? Diploma, certificate, what do you have now? What difference does it make? You understand - none of your teachers will be there - and the bones will be rotten, and you still will. Only you can't show your diploma, because it'll show your real date of birth.
- At least I'll keep the knowledge.
- What do you need them for? It's all stupid! I live without knowing how many vertebrae the giraffe has, and...
- I boast of my ignorance," I snapped. - Look, you, the dentist's victim, I'm human. And as long as I'm supposed to live as a human being. You see, I'm also going to be a doctor of science. I'm going to defend my thesis on bats and cheeky rats. And I'm certainly not going to sacrifice my whole life to yours. And I'm not going to live solely by your interests! I am a person and an individual without your permission. And, frankly, I'd be happy to have you out of my life somewhere!
- Well, don't count on it.
The vampire who just stood a few meters away somehow ended up right next to me. Heavy warm palms rested on my shoulders, slipped down on my arms, squeezed, powerfully but powerfully, attracted me to a strong male body. I did not resist. To break out? No, you didn't!
Just tried to hit a vampire's shin with a heel.
I did.
- What's with the childish antics, Fluffy? - a quiet whisper in my ear. I unintentionally trembled. It's nothing personal, it's just that Mecislav works that way on everyone. Even when I know that it's only vampire magic, I want not to get out, but to turn around in his hands, hug his neck - and kiss the scarlet lips, as long as we both have enough breath. Till the world gets dizzy and it's a perfectly understandable shape. In which he and I...
Stop!!!
- Let go, you bastard, I spit. - I'll hurt you!!!
The answer was a quiet laugh that ran through my skin like a feather bunny. My hands pressed me even harder.
- I'd like to see that. How you're gonna hurt me. You can't raise your hand because it's beautiful. You're an artist, and you'll feel it intensely. For the rest of your life. And to hurt me is like tearing up Da Vinci's painting. You'll never do that.
- From modesty you will not die...
One hand of the vampire moved completely provocatively to my waist, the other stroked my neck. A little, barely touching my fingertips, so that I myself did not know what I wanted more - to turn out from under the insolent hand - or vice versa, to press down even harder ...
But you can't. You just can't.
If I surrender to Mieczysław, it will be much worse.
Not because it's a competition - who's gonna drag who out.
Not because sleeping with someone without love is... a surrogate. It's like chicory coffee. You can drink it, but it's disgusting. And the difference is clear at once.
And because for a vampire, it's another whip. Mecislav acts like a powerful drug on everyone. Of those who recommend it for a "passionate stormy night." And I - once I give in, as it will be and one more time. And one more time. But for him, it's math. Naked calculation. He will go to bed with me (or with any other woman of his choice) with a cold head. It will be me who will go crazy and demand a dose. One more thing and one more thing. The further, the more often. And he will use his sexuality and our relationship to control me.
Nice and tough. Jumped over a hoop, baby? Here, have some candy.
And there's no other way. In seven hundred years, he had a lot of chances to learn.
I won't stand a chance.
- Let go!!! Now!!!!
I rushed that I was strong, and I was free. Mecislav looked at me with a sad reproach. My whole body was like needlepointing. And at the bottom of my abdomen - especially. I wanted... so, not to think! And at home to do a hundred... two hundred push-ups!!! Five hundred!!!
- Fluffy, how much will you deny me and yourself what we both need?
- Somehow I'll survive without sleeping with a vampire nymphomaniac," I rattled. - Is it so hard to treat me like a human being!? Not like a rubber doll from a sex shop!?
- At least the doll does not resist," the vampire snapped.
I looked with my eyes for a suitable vase. I even agree to...
- You don't have to carry my office," the vampire raised his hands up as if showing that he was surrendering to the mercy of the winner. And even that movement turned out to be provocative. Here I am, my lord. What do you want to do to me!?
I wish there was more. But I'm afraid the vampire will take my ideas without understanding. And how would he get a gag and an iron mask! Or better yet, bandages and a sarcophagus and a pyramid on top! You can evict Cheops for this kind of thing!
I inhaled and exhaled. Okay, ventilate the lungs. Let the blood carry oxygen to the brain. I need brains that aren't clouded.
- Mecislav, stop checking me for lousyness. I don't need you. You're the one who needs me. And if you want us to have any contact, don't drag me to bed every second time.
The vampire was looking at me with absolutely innocent eyes.
- But what can I do to myself? I'm just a man! And you are a constant temptation to me. You're so beautiful and charming, you have such delightful skin, such stunning deep eyes...
- And the teeth and ears. Extremely charming in any weather," I moved out.
- Yeah. And I can tell you a lot about your ears...
- Before they fall out of line? Stop hanging up my noodles... in my ears!
I involuntarily snort. The vampire, realizing that the thunderstorm had passed by, looked satisfied, like a cat that had eaten sour cream and had not got a slipper on his forehead.
- Okay. Enough of this nonsense. Why did you call me today? I didn't share my blood until the day before yesterday. What happened again?
The vampire was instantly transformed.
- The first one. Your friend Raul called. He asked me to call him Peter. He was recognized by the Council as ronin. And as a free vampire, he asked my permission to settle in our city. I agreed on the condition that he wo
uld help you work on a werewolf amulet. You're not their midwife. It'll be enough if you design the amulets and charge them with Peter. Let's say every two weeks. Or once a month.
- It's better if I can charge them myself. Or along with any vampire.
- Or just any vampire?
I shrugged my shoulders. The second time, when I closed the possibility of Nastia's transformation, I noticed something that I didn't tell Mečislav about then. I guess it was possible now.
- The thing is, the magic of werewolves is the magic of life, the forest, the free wind, if you will... And the magic of vampires is death. I sincerely doubt that death can be put in the dam's path to life. Sweat wouldn't even notice.
- Vampires are stronger than werewolves," Mieczysław scowled.
- Absolutely. In my field. Comparing horror and hedgehog is ridiculous. And even more ridiculous is comparing their abilities.
- Then you only need your skills to make an amulet?
- No. I don't have the intelligence or the strength. There's got to be some vampire help.
- What about the crossing of the horror and the hedgehog? - a vampire remembers me. But if he was hoping to embarrass me with such a little thing... Ha!
- It turns out to be a pretty decent echidna.
- And I see her impressive specimen in front of me," the vampire could not resist.
I grinned and bowed my head in a bow.
- Jealous of the silence.
The vampire responded with a similar smile. Yeah, when he stops acting like a fatal seducer, he becomes like a human. It's a pity he can't always be like that. Or he can't be. It's no pity. If he were more human, it would make it much harder for me to confront him. Well, you should. I don't want to be a dog in a sex neck. I don't want to be a dog in a sex neck.
- So why do you need Peter?
- I don't know much of anything myself yet. And I don't know how. And of all his vampire powers, he's the living one. If he had stayed alive in his day, without a curse, he'd have been amazing... but no. He wouldn't. Not a time to admire Grandpa Durov. But his gift is to understand any animal. And not even to order, no. You can order the tigers, and they'll follow orders. And all he has to do is ask. It doesn't matter if it's a reasonable or unreasonable animal. A shape-shifter, or an ordinary snake. It's his gift.
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