Vadim had his eyes down.
- Julia... sorry. I was racing like the wind...
And I knew it was true. I never accused Vadim for a second. If he'd been near Mieczyslaw, he'd have shut him down with himself. He would have done everything possible and impossible to keep his friend and the Prince of the city alive. I knew it. And I wasn't angry.
- Shall we go to him?
Vadim gently hugged me by my shoulders. There was pain in my heart with a stupid nail. It seemed that every blow was given to him with great difficulty. But why, it seemed? That's how it was. Now I was breathing for two, living for two, thinking for two...
And it doesn't matter that Mechislav is a vampire (he is a living corpse) and formally and actually died a hell of a lot of years ago! For me, this canine infection was quite alive! And I was going to do everything to get him out!
* * *
Vadim took good care of his friend. They stripped the sword, bandaged it and put it on the bed in his room. I involuntarily estimated the size of the bed. Yeah. You can stay in a bed like this, it's quite brotherly. If you don't look specifically - in these expanses you can spin with a wolf all night and not even touch with your hands.
Next to the chief sat four vampires, of which I only recognized Vladimir, Valentine and Leonid. Above the bed stood some blond man in a white robe, bent down. No, with fangs like that, it's never a human being, but a natural vampire.
The vampire turned to me and gleamed with cold gray eyes.
- Fluffy? Finally!
The mocking nickname given by Machislav scratched the heart with his claws. Shit! Let him tease me as much as he wants! As long as he stays alive! And I even agree to his insolent jokes. Let him have his jokes!
I looked at the doctor questioningly. A Scandinavian-type vampire was gloomy and unhappy.
- We have a stalemate situation. He has one bullet in his heart. Notice the silver bullet. Another one in his lung, one stuck in his rib.
- And is he still alive? - One of the vampires was struck.
- Yeah. Heart's not beating, tissue necrosis isn't happening, silver's not spreading. He's in a coma. There's still no brain damage. But I can't take out the bullets either.
- Why?
- Because he doesn't have the strength to survive it," the vampire shrugged his shoulders, "and I'm not strong enough to make up for what's missing. I'm sorry.
Mm-hmm... Can't survive the surgery. But silver isn't a pimple, it won't shred itself.
- Don't you get it? How long can he lie like that?
- Judging by the saturation of the aura with force - about forty hours. Then the rapid necrosis, decomposition and necrosis will begin. It will be impossible to save the patient.
Heart pounded shaman's tambourine - deaf and long.
- Is it possible now?
The vampire shrugged his shoulders.
- You're his last name. It's like a battery. You can take the power that I and he don't need from you. It's worse than that. He's in a coma. And he can't consciously do it. The power flow will be uncontrollable. I'll be dragging bullets. The heart will be damaged. And with a damaged heart, vampires don't usually live. It's gonna take a lot of energy to get it back to normal. But Mecislav won't be able to control the process. And there could be a lot of energy overruns on your part. And once you have less energy left, you can neither keep him alive nor get out of the trance yourself. And we will lose both of you.
I shrugged my shoulders. A sloppy, a little lazy gesture. And how dear it was to me, god knows. On the outside, I am calm and reasonable. Only my heart beats harder and harder. And a stupid nail in it slowly turns like a clock hand. The minutes left to me and Mecislav are running away. And soon it will be too late... for what?
I looked at the doctor's point of view.
- It's possible. And what do you suggest I do? Not to do anything?
The same vampire shyly coughed in the corner.
- Julia... we can make you a vow of blood. You're human, but you have the strength to support us. And then you, in no hurry, will find a strong contender for Mečislav's place.
I shone my eyes at him. My first wish was to squeal: "Traitor!!! Fass!!! ». But then...
Is it treason to calculate all the possible options? Let them talk. In the meantime, I'll get my spirit together.
- As in the place of E. Tulsky? Thank you, I'm fed up with the horns! I saw those freaks! It's better to get in touch with them yourself!
- I will notice that if you cut yourself, all those who were under the hand of Mieczysław - and now under your hand, too - will be left without protection, - modestly reminded Leonid.
- Lazy, dry up, I'm out. - How do you have any conscience?! When Mechislav is recovered, I'll tell him to kick you back! With your legs!
- If he recovers. And if it doesn't?
- Then I'll kick you back myself. I'll put my hooves on especially for this purpose. How ashamed of you to say that! You're a pig, not a tiger! Piglet!
- I'm a tiger, Leonidas is offended. And unlike you, I think of all my congeners. I think about all the paranorms that live in this city! We don't need someone like Duchka or Ramirez! Or God forbid, Alfonso! Well, at least now this one fell off somewhere and doesn't get confused. But if you think it's going to be long, you're very much mistaken! He should be back soon. And you have to be prepared for any developments. Are you sure he won't order you to cut up Mieczysław? And if you survive that, he'll redirect you to himself. As long as you're weak and you can't resist. And if you naively think that you can defend yourself against him - don't think so either! How many vampires will support you? Alfonso is their dick after all! And the Council, too! They'll live with it. And you're just a surname, and you're not all that!
And you're right, you bastard! He's right to the last word! I sighed.
- I take it it's my decision?
- Yes," Valentine roared. He jumped up from his seat and walked into the room. The fox's ears came and went from under his blond hair. - And if any bastard says a word to you, I'll personally kick her teeth up! Okay, everybody?! No matter how many of you are here! We owe Yulka our skins! That's it!
Vadim charmingly smiled at everyone present and put his hand on my shoulder.
- Julia saved my life, too, in her time. So I support any decision she makes. And I don't want to turn my friend into a commodity. We're not gonna find one like Mecislav anymore. And you don't have to drag any bastard in here yourself. Do you agree?
The vampires were silent.
I gently took off Vadim's hand and walked around the room with my heels on.
- I have no choice. If I let him die... Doctor, what are the chances of me dying if the seals are broken?
- About sixty percent.
The medic clearly understood my game, but he did not like both options.
- And when you try to save him?
- I cannot adequately assess your strength. But I know how you smeared Alfonso da Silva. Seventy-five percent.
- Well, there you go. You see, fifteen percent is a tiny difference. - I let my hands go. - Doctor, start preparing for surgery. I'm leaving Vadim in charge for the duration of my blackout. In the event of my death, I order you to do everything you can to keep me safe. Ferstein? Oh, yes! Charles. If anything happens to me...
- So did I, too," the dragonfly quietly cut me off.
- Don't you get it?
- I can reduce the risk of an upcoming operation," said Charles calmly. - If I add my strength to yours.
I slammed my eyelashes.
- But... how!?
- It's primitive. Dying together like that. After you're dead, Alfonso will get me on the moon, too. I can't defend myself against him yet. And going back is worse than dying.
I understood that. But... maybe we could take him somewhere.
- Alfonso will really find me everywhere. He drank my blood, I drank his. Though forced, it doesn't play a role. I'm wearing his bindings. The only way to destroy them is if he dies. And he's
not going to die yet. You can give me protection. I made sure of that yesterday. So I can - and I will share my strength with you!
I almost choked on my spit. Thank you, Vadim knocked on his back in time, didn't let him drown in amazement. Charles, me too? Our strength together?! But how!?
- How is that possible? Your dragon's still stiff. And I can't feel your power. And I can't do anything... I just can't!!!
Charles seemed suspiciously calm. Like a roulette player who bet everything on thirty-six.
- Yes, it is. But there is one way we can use it.
- – ?
- Blood magic. The old dragon magic. We are strong in this.
- Be more specific! You forgot, I don't even have zero education in this field. That's a minus!
- If we mix the blood, I become your blood brother. Blood, earth, water, fire, wind... the rite is old but reliable. If we hurry, we'll have enough for him and ten minutes. And then you'll feel me like your brother. And I can give you as much strength as you need.
I took a deep breath, gathering my thoughts. One more time. And one more thing. Take it easy, Julia, take it easy. Deep breath - deep exhalation. And so twenty times in a row. So that the brain tissue can be oxygenated - and work normally.
- Charles, do you realize what you're getting yourself into?
- Yes, it is.
- Or maybe not quite? I'm tied to Mieczysław. And I'm going to drag him out of the swamp. You're going to be my brother - with all the rights and responsibilities that come with it. There will be few rights, many problems. I don't know what happens next either. And how will you...
- Silence! And consciously! Julia, do you have a choice? Or do you have a better offer? Anything!?
No. No, no, no. Charles offers the only way out. Where a loner isn't strong enough, the team can help. I already knew what I'd do. I'm gonna drag that sworn vampire. Whatever it is. Whatever it is. And the only thing that tortured me was Charles's fate.
- What do you need for this ritual?
- It's no big deal. Make a fire somewhere in the open air. It's better made of rowan, birch or oak. Which will be nearby. And give us a clean dagger. Of iron or bronze.
- I have a suitable one," Vadim came to life. - Black bronze. I brought it personally from Crete. I'll get it now. Guys, follow me! We'll cook everything. Julia, Charles, shall we call you?
I waved my hand. Vampires and werewolves flew away, and it was just me and the dragons. The three of us, if you count vampires. But Mieczysław (for some reason!) was completely quiet, immobile and didn't even try to get me into bed! It's so nice! If it was possible to leave him alive, but just as... uh... sexually inactive - you couldn't have wished for better!
I walked around the room again and stopped nose to nose with Charles.
- You don't have to be a part of this.
Charles didn't flinch or look away. The violet eyes did not burn, as they say, desperate determination. It's just... I knew it was easier to tear down the great wall of China than to convince him.
- I know.
- It's deadly dangerous. And if I don't have the strength... we don't have it, if something gets out of hand, we all die.
- Yulia, what happens to me if you die? Same death, but slow. Now I bet everything on you. And I hope it works out.
I was creepy and in pain. And, God, I'm not worth it! I'm just a snot! And, guys...
For what!?
- I don't deserve that kind of trust.
- Let me decide that.
- Do you realize you're going to be my blood brother? With all my stumbles and shifts and family, it's a very troublesome position.
- And you become my sister. And you get a very dubious treasure with an unstable psyche. I don't talk about my relatives. And they're still alive - we bastards are alive.
- Are you kidding me? - I had an epiphany.
Charles smiled a little.
- Trying to distract you from the great things to come. Did I do it?
- You did it. You're a swintie after all...
- Will I fit into the family?
I wanted to make a joke that pigs are for pigs, buns are for buns, without specifying which of us is which, but then I changed my mind. It was too careless of me to ask a question. The purple eyes were too thoughtful.
- We should talk to Grandpa about this. But you've got a chance.
And all of a sudden, I realized that there is.
What is there to hide? My grandfather keeps telling me that it's not eternal. And somehow I have to take my brains in my fist and take things from him. And I have the ability to commercialize, zero point zero, minus ten. And if America creates a fund and hires a manager in such cases, then we can't get through that number. It's gonna take everything down to toilet paper. I won't even notice. And I don't want to let that happen. My grandfather tried, he pawed at me, and I'm gonna rewind... badly.
The second option is to marry someone and give him the firm. That's not a bad option. But! There's a chance of finding an asshole like that that you'd rather be widowed at once. And... I imagine coming to Mieczysław and telling him: "I'm getting married here..." I wonder how long my fiance will live? A day? Two?
Hardly anymore.
The third option - to entrust the management of the company to Mieczysław or someone else from vampires, was not even considered. No way! A woman must be independent.
My brother wasn't considered either. What is it, Slavkin's abilities caused me only a nervous laugh. And the offer to trust him was a sniffing. What was missing! It is better to kill yourself at once, because my grandfather will get up from the grave - and personally me for such pranks.
But if Grandpa agrees to trust Charles...
And he might as well agree. I know what a blood oath is. Even though it's from IPF magazines, and it's a very nibbled version. They were just looking at curses. And within the scope of the topic, the blood vows.
It was an interesting article. About the things for which a man can be cursed on himself and his descendants to the seventh knee. You know? Anyone can be cursed. But it doesn't have to work. If you didn't do evil, at least scold you and curse you. It's not gonna work. But if you've done something that even the possibility of clinging to you... betrayal, meanness, murder... Let it be the right thing to do from your point of view - on the balance scales it can be quite different. For example, the grandfather and mother couldn't earn it. Even though they began to live together (by the way, nothing new under the moon, snobbish and thriving before...) - they began to live together when it did not hurt anyone. Slavka, as I understood it, had already earned it. Because he left and left everyone and everything. In fact - betrayed his native blood. And all Judas has to get his aspen. And his aspen is already planted. Charles can earn it if he becomes my blood brother and then betrays me. I can earn it. You don't even have to go far for that. Good, not good, but I swore to Mieczysław. And the Seals were made to me with my voluntary consent. Let the principle be: you - to me, I - to you. It does not change anything. Not the little one, I knew what I was going for. And the vampire was trying to keep his word. Now it's my turn to stand behind his back. If I break my vows, I'm going to cry hard. I might get hurt. Maybe I'll hurt my loved ones. The first option is preferable.
But the trouble is, at best, I'm changing my awl to soap.
If I go to help Mieczysław, I could die. And so can he.
"Die"? That's right! Such a simple outcome!
If you remember, that's it, no grief, no worries...
Everyone's gonna start feeling sorry, mourning you...
Ugh! Listen to you, your ears are twisted so easily! »
[16]
Brains are on the roots, too. For known reasons, I wasn't happy with the outcome. I wanted to survive, to stretch out Mecyslav, and then find the nest that ambushed - and hang his legs on the TV tower. To spend time in the sun.
I had no doubt that the unknown bastard was a vampire. And I will find him. If I stay alive. That's the first option.
Option two, Charles and I die heroically trying to save a long-starved vampire.
But if I die, my problems automatically end. I know where I'm going. And the clearing is waiting for me. I mean, it's not a big deal. I strongly suspect that I can beat a normal death for Charles, too. Somehow. Someday.
Worst of all, the third option. Mecislav is dying. But Charles and I don't. Then we're in the same paragraph. Two hours later, the joyful Alfonso da Silva comes back and puts his nasty hands on us. Charles goes back to the torture chamber. I... I don't have the same rich fantasy as Alfonso. So his tail knows where he's gonna put me. One thing's for sure, I won't like it there. So I'm gonna fight for the life of one green-eyed, fanger-eyed lousy guy seriously.
He's been ambushed!
Bastard!
I wasn't trying to talk the dragon out of it anymore.
A blood oath is serious. It's very serious. And breaking it means taking on one of the worst curses in the world. I remembered that from the IPF magazine. Which means I'll have a brother I can trust completely. And Charles has a sister. It's the same principle. Isn't that bad?
I think there are more pros than cons. Especially for me.
And we spent the next five minutes studying the ritual of blood joining. I didn't know anything about that at all...
- You guys ready? - Vadim's head slipped through the door.
- Ready," I sighed. - And you, sit with the chief. Lock yourself inside and don't open it to anyone but me. At least the whole council will be here and start advising. Okay?
- Yulia, and the doctor?
- Does it do any good?
- But...
- It's my responsibility," I sighed. - Charles, how much time do we need?
- About ten minutes if the fire is on.
- That's good. Shall we go?
- Let's go," nodded Charles.
- And how far did you go? Get the knife! - Vadim smirked and gave us a dagger made of black metal. Yes. It's a real work of art. A three-edged narrow black blade with channels for blood flow - so good and cut and stab. The handle in the form of a lying cat that stretches all the way out and puts its head on its paws - the edge of the dagger serves as its tail. And if you look closely - it seems that the cat will now stretch, bend and sleep - say, what you are squeezing sweaty palms ...
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