- You just sit here and wait for me, okay? If I come home, we'll go home.
Semi-drakoshe clearly wasn't comfortable. He looked around and was nervous.
- The master is too close.
- He's not your boss. Not sideways. He was, and he came out. You're a free man now," I said again the last day. - Until you learn to live by yourself, I am responsible for you. Then you'll figure it out for yourself. Here and now you are only because it is dangerous to leave you alone and without security at my house. If your family comes by, it'll be half a day. But if Alfonso decides to do something like, "So don't get you anybody," it'll be much worse.
- It's no big deal either," Charles swung away. - No, I'm sure Alfonso will want me back in the cage. And you're wrong about the wrong master, too.
- Details? - That's what I asked.
- He was drinking my blood. I was his. Forced, but I have a few drops of his blood in me.
- I don't think so. You're quite alive. And any foreign blood will be digested and sooner or later excreted from your system.
- Julia, it won't come out. It's like the Vampire Seals.
- Oh, yeah?
I wince. I hate this lousy metaphysics! That's all, everything in this world could be explained with a strict logic! But not magic! Magic is... available to me. But!
I don't really know what I'm doing yet, or how. And how do we clean Charles? Well, if I understand correctly...
- That's right. But I don't know how. The only radical way is to kill Alfonso da Silva.
- Am I talking out loud again?
- Yes.
- Will radical cleaning help you?
- From His Seals, it will.
- And from that vampire?
- So that's it... Either clean everything, but I don't know how it's possible or even not to get involved.
It wasn't a "don't mess around" question for me. I would have gladly ripped off Alfonso as much as I could, passed the meagre residue through a juicer, doused with gasoline - and set fire to it. Not because of my natural cruelty. No. Because of the law of balance. An eye for an eye, a jaw for a tooth. It's not for nothing that they say whoever remembers the old one, the eye out, who forgets, both.
And torturers, executioners and fascists have no place in this world. And there should be no place.
But I can't kill Alfonso now. Well, that's enough trouble. Charles would stand up...
Which is what I said.
Charles took a breath, came up to me and knelt down.
- Are you crazy!?
- No. Yulia, I want to tell you this. I'm grateful to you. Very grateful for your attempt to free me. If it doesn't work out, I'll just try to die. But you can't blame yourself.
- Hmm... Can you hear yourself? Or are you just a pig for real? - I've been wondering.
Charles was worried for a moment. I had to explain.
- If I can't get you out, we'll die together. Cause I'm still gonna eat myself up later. I can't live with that kind of burden on my conscience. There's only one way we can get you out of here. And I'll do anything to do that. As long as I'm alive, I'll fight. Do you understand me, Tail? And stand up, at last. Stop wiping the floors!
Charles shook his head.
- I can't understand you. But I'm grateful to you. For everything, I'm grateful.
- Okay," I said, "thank you. - You're not going to jump out the window?
- No.
- And poke sharp glands in your veins?
Charles smiled involuntarily. The violet eyes glowed with warmth.
- I won't. I promise. As long as you're alive, I won't.
- Good girl. They say reptiles are stupid," I summed up.
- That's not true, Charles was offended. - You just weren't trying to train them!
Yeah. And cooking, too. And who do we have here to accommodate? The Viper? A mug? Medyanok? Viper fricassee, copper salad, trained... brrrr...
- What is this conversation about, gentlemen and ladies?
I almost moaned. Mieczysław, as always, appeared at the most inopportune moment. I sit, Charles is on his knees in front of me and holding hands. Is that what you'd think?
I don't know. But Mechislav didn't stay long with the taunt.
- What, are we proposing an arm and heart? Julia, have you already agreed?
- Yes, we decided to call the first child the Sword, and the second Slavik, - I answered shockingly.
Mechislav shone at me with his eyes pinched. Now there's no way anyone would ever call him sexy. Sounds like it's the same. Snow-white shirt, black pants, black stone hairpin on thrown forward. As usual - the collar of the shirt is unbuttoned, and at the same time a couple of buttons lower - not to hide the beauty from people? And the smooth golden skin casts a darker tone on a background of boiling white fabric. The pants also fit the thighs. All of Medislav's things are clearly made only for this particular vampire and cost so much that you can buy our rector. With giblets and for a third of the amount. And yet, yet...
How much this vampire controls both himself and others!
His looks are just as much a weapon as his sexuality. And a knife hidden somewhere private. Or more than one. I've just never seen it before. All I've ever seen is the outer shell. Or just what I've been shown. Charming, sexy - and the same horny man who loves exclusive clothes. A man for whom beauty and sex are paramount in life.
It seems to be the same now.
But!
A slightly different look on your face. A different squint of the eyes. U-turned shoulders. A smile. The pose itself - emphasis on both legs, a slight tilt forward, slightly turned palms - and suddenly you realize that you have a jaguar in front of you, which is about to jump. And it would be nice if it wasn't on your back! Though on your head, there's not much joy.
Is that a mask? The mask of a warrior?
Or is the mask something I've seen before? Before we clashed with Ramirez and Ivan Tulsky? Before Mieczysław understood - I would do anything so that none of our people would die again.
Yes. Our people. No matter how you spin it.
The first step was taken by Mechislav himself - when he brought Boris and Vadim to this city with him. And I saved their lives once. And I began to perceive... How!?
We're responsible for the people who were tamed, right?
And for those who were saved?
Probably twice in response. And Mecislav, too. I already understood that ironically. It's like I've been branded on my ass. Along with the second Seal.
When man has two Seals, he gradually begins to understand his vampire. It's good to understand.
This man would do anything to protect his own. And he can be very serious. And assembled. Or the other way around - gentle and caring to get what he wants. The slogan "All for the front, all for victory" performed by Mieczysław will sound like: "Everything for me, everything for my people's lives." If you need to crawl on your belly, eat dung with a spoon and sleep with a person who is disgusted even by worms, Mieczysław will do it.
And maybe it'll make me.
Or maybe you don't have to.
Whether I like it or not, it doesn't matter. What matters is different. What would I do for Boris? Vadim? Valentin? Nastia and her children? Constantine and Gleb? Tanyushki and Alexei? And a dozen other vampires and werewolves.
I know the answer.
But I don't even want to admit to myself yet.
I don't want to.
And I won't!
Instead of embarrassing confessions, Mečislav got, as usual.
- Anyway, are you on a case, or are you coming up for promotion?
Mechislav shone his eyes at me.
- Have you changed your clothes yet? Are you wearing makeup? Have you styled your hair?
I murmured his face. Actually, I had my dress with me. And I came naturally wearing jeans. They found an idiot outside in a lightweight dress in the fall.
- If you come out, I'll change.
- Actually, this is my office.
&nb
sp; - Actually, you could have given up on his girlfriend. Okay. I'll change at Boris'. He left anyway. And Charles will stay here until we leave.
- What if I don't?
- Do you mind?
Mechislav rolled his eyes.
- Yulia, that's enough! Do me a favor, at least be serious today!
- It's even more serious! I must introduce Nastia to these freaks," I snorted.
- Oh, yeah. They got a pretty good shit last night. I don't think they'll contact you today. But just in case, I'll give you a little more.
- So add it up. You. And I won't be serious. And you won't! - I'm getting in a funny mood more and more quickly.
Mecislav shaken his head. And suddenly he winked at me.
- Well, then, don't be serious! All the way! To die is like that with music!
- I'm not going in there yet.
- And nobody's going to. But you will.
- You're gonna get cornered...
You bastard. The whole mood's been ruined. Okay.
- That's when I went to see Boris. Charles, can you help me zip up my bra?
- Girl, don't get too excited, - Mechislav warned softly. - If you ever decide to wear underwear - the only one who sees it will be me.
The green eyes sparkled dangerously. But I still couldn't resist.
- What if the wind lifts my skirt?
- So you'll be wearing tight skirts. Any other questions?
There were no questions.
- No, it's not. Then Charles stays here. Or you can get him a safe room.
- Okay. You don't have to worry about your treasure.
- The treasure plus the beast... - I have thoughtfully stretched it out. - Where have I heard that before?
- You're going to change!? - Mieczysław asked about it in an icy tone.
- I remember! There was also a fairy tale - a beauty and a monster.
- Julia!
I sighed and went to change.
Let the boys have a little chat.
* * *
After Julie left, Charles got comfortable on the sofa - and looked at Mieczysław defiantly.
- Well?!
The vampire walked around the room without answering anything, sat down at the table and smiled.
- Would you like a drink?
- Have you forgotten? I don't drink blood.
- And the cognac?
- Do vampires drink cognac?
- Look at that. So what?
- It's okay. I... I wanted to ask you.
Mecislav looked at the semi-dragon.
- About what? Not giving you up?
The purple eyes sparkled with rage.
- No. You don't get it. I know it's not up to you. But I got to know her, too. That's not what I'm asking. Make sure she doesn't get hurt. If there's anything...
- Is that so? Haven't you fallen in love for an hour?
The green eyes were looking closely and carefully. Mechislav understood perfectly well that the situation was not just complicated. It was actually a soap bubble with manure. One reckless movement, even a breath - and it will burst, impregnating everyone with a very unattractive content. And it's almost impossible to push it away. Just get ready. That's why he's been probing Charles now. One on one. Trying to figure out to what extent this... this creature is reliable?
To call even a semi-dragon - a man in Mieczysław's case did not turn his tongue.
- No, Charles just answered. - I remember you, by the way.
- You, too.
They were silent for a moment. They met once or twice. A long time ago. And both times through the Vampire Council.
Young then (and three hundred years old was not a baby), Mechislav received first the status of ronin, and then the Creator, proving his skills and strength.
And Charles was Alfonso da Silva's toy already then.
And they both remembered those meetings. Miecislav also remembered how Alfonso kindly offered him "a little fun with that bastard..." And your indifferent rejection. "There are plenty of legitimate children in the world." And the purple eyes, for a moment there was rage.
Then Charles wasn't broken yet. Now...
How much can you count on him?
Charles broke his silence the first time.
- I want her to stay safe and sound. Can you provide that?
- I want to do it myself. But I can't keep her.
- I know you'd rather she turned around and kept quiet.
- Yes. But she can't do that.
- What can you do?
- I don't know.
The green gaze crossed with the purple one. And it was as if the swords that collided somewhere in the distance were ringing.
- You can take me back.
- I can. And I can't. She won't forgive me to death.
- I tried to talk to her. If anything, don't let her blame herself. Okay?
Mechislav sighed. Then he left the table, took out a cognac from the bar, a glass - and put it on the table in front of Charles.
- I'll have them bring you some meat. I know you do.
- We do. And one more thing. You're so gonna ruin her.
Green eyes sparkled madly.
- How's that?
- She doesn't know anything about her power at all. And she can't use it. You did this on purpose?
- No. She's the one who won't even listen to me.
- Anyone else? - got in the top ten with his question, Charles. Mecislav shaken his head.
- As long as you're with her, you can teach her yourself. You're welcome.
- Our magic and hers are different.
- And what is the difference?
- Don't you understand the nature of her power yet?
- She's a wonderful aura manipulator. I guess she'll make a pretty good healer.
Charles smiled crookedly.
- I wish. Her power is the power of life. Just as your magic is the magic of death, so her is the magic of life. While Julia is still only at the beginning of her journey, she will grow and develop. Do you want me to explain what that means?
- Oh, shit!
Mechislav fell back into the chair and wrapped his hands around his head. He couldn't have imagined anything like that. Or could he, but he didn't want to?
Probably both.
Yulia is the magician of life. Her power is the power of life itself.
It explained everything. Thoughts, bricks and bricks were laid out in a slender structure. Her strength, her actions, her possibilities... But the consequences!
The power of vampires is closer to necromancy. It's hard to find something more opposite to the magic of life. In fact, he and Julia are antagonists. And her power is growing. Faster than his power. For now, faster.
And then who will be in charge of their bundle?
And what kind of bundle would that be?
Is the magician of life the vampire's surname, or is the vampire a servant of the magician of life?
And Julia...
- Yes. In a hundred years, if she lives that long, she'll have your advice on one tooth," Charles smiled crookedly. - And so will you.
- Shut up," Mechislav whispered. - And if I find out you said a word to anyone...
- Yulia already knows. And everything will know.
- I'm not talking about Jula.
The violet gaze quietly met the green one. What did Charles read in the eyes of a vampire? What did Mecislav understand? But five minutes later, a quiet one was heard in the room:
- I won't say anything to anyone. The word of the dragon. But Julia will know all about her abilities.
- Let it be. And I'll do whatever it takes not to give you up. Word of honor.
- That's not why I'm here.
- I know. I went to the delegation. I'll tell them to feed you. Or better yet... I'll send a vampire to you. The name is Irida. You'll sit at her place. And you don't have to be afraid. She doesn't care about you. She'll just make sure you don't get hurt on purpose. Julia will come for you when she's free. Or I
'll come for you. You can at least send the others, you can kill them. Do you have any questions?
- No, it's not.
Mechislav slammed the door, entering the corridor.
Thoughts were simple and clear.
The first one.
The council must never learn about Julie's abilities. The Reader of the Aur - and that's it!
Number two.
To drive into her stubborn head that silence in this case is life. And without giving a damn about any objections, actively teach her. Or better yet, entrust it to Charles. Yes, the magic of dragons is alien to human, but at least she is not a complete antagonist of the magic of life.
Third.
In order for the Vampire-Script to remain in its original form, Julia must voluntarily stay with it. The conclusion is simple.
He needs to do everything he can to make Julia love him as much as Danielle does. Better yet, even stronger.
How do we do that?
He'll think about it when Alfonso leaves.
One thing's for sure - no man but himself will touch Julia with a finger.
The vampire didn't know what else was in that decision himself? Jealousy? Calculations? Feelings of ownership?
One thing was for sure.
Julia belongs to him.
Dissenters should pay for their funeral in advance.
* * *
I put on a dress - a stocking with cuts and notches and looked in the mirror. Yes, it looks delightful.
Tanya brought Nastia a bunch of outfits - and at the same time dressed me for this evening. In an eeriely fashionable white dress with a long hem and a bare shoulder. Silver patterns on white fabric gave me an airy and even a little infernal look. (Okay. If it wasn't, you can still dream about it!) The dress also had a white handbag and shoes on a heel so long and sharp that I could no longer worry about guns. One blow and the shoe would not even be removed by the pathologist. There were also beads and bracelets with some kind of transparent stones attached to the dress. Crystal, I guess. It's not diamonds, is it? And a pair of rings with such a size of stones that if they were diamonds - neat enough to repay the country's foreign debt! Okay, I'm exaggerating a little, but a couple of lemons in euros would definitely give me for them.
All the more so because it was cut and polished in platinum. Modestly, just...
And Mieczysław's black and white outfit will go just fine.
Okay. It's time. How's the poet doing? It's time, my friend, it's time!
Ring of Madness Page 166