Ring of Madness

by Royden Labrosse

  - Julia... Are you here? Everything will be fine...

  - Of course you will," I reassured a friend. - You just relax and don't get nervous. The next contraction is waiting for you. I'm with you, the kids will be fine, you too... I promise you. Last night was worse...

  Nastia moaned and bent out. I automatically grabbed her hand and immediately regretted it. The werewolf was clinging to me with such force that the bones seemed to rub against each other. But if it made her feel any better, let her...

  The fight was over, and Nastia looked at me longingly.

  - Yulia, are the children sure they're okay?

  - That's right," I assured you. - So the doctor will tell you...

  - Yes, yes, it's all right, the doctor hastily confirmed. And I slipped to another level of vision.

  It wasn't quite all right. Alas. In Nastia's aura brown-green and dirty-red tones flashed, children seemed to be separate clouds of silver, and brown sparks flashed in them too. And the drawing on Nastia's aura, indicating a werewolf, was almost open.

  Oh, shit!

  I squeezed the werewolf's fingers tight. It was much worse than I thought. If the drawing now opens up, Nastia will just spill over into a fox. Unchecked. And then what happens to the kids? I mean, they're reacting to changes in their mother's aura, and...

  And the drawing was cleaning up faster and faster. Another fight followed - and Nastia screamed.

  And I almost didn't think I covered it with my free palm.

  The werewolf's exhaled and soaked. From the outside it looked as if I held my hand over her, and she calmed down. But in fact, I had the strength to soothe the drawing, trying to prevent it from turning. Nastia felt as if she was going deep into her fox and was relaxing. And I kept pushing and pushing the drawing. And the doctor, who was fussing between the werewolf's outstretched legs, raised his head and smiled at me. I smiled back. I think I've seen this werewolf before. But I couldn't even remember his name...

  It's a shame.

  I'll get better. Later.

  The sneaky drawing, noticing that I had lost my concentration, burst out again. And I focused on it again.

  It was like covering a hot corner with your palm.

  Except this one, it didn't go out under my fingers. He was burning, pulsating, beating, trying to get out...

  The hell it is!

  I fully focused on him. I couldn't see anything except the drawing under my palm, I couldn't hear it, I couldn't feel it - and it was only when I was really shaken that I realized something...

  The doctor smiled and held two children in his arms.

  - Yulia, it's all right...

  - The hell it is! - I'm out of breath. - Take the children away! Nastya's gonna turn over soon!! Hurry up!!!

  The Doctor flew out the door! Gleb raked me in the armful and dragged me outside. I didn't get out. In fact, I was in a rag condition.

  There was screaming outside the door, and then a fox yawning. And I knew from somewhere that there was nothing wrong. Nastia threw herself over. And her children...

  - Where are the children?

  The doctor gave me babies.

  - A boy and a girl.

  I squinted, looking at their aura. Bright, clean and sparkling. And with a still blurred but already existing pattern. Silver like that. Something that reminds me of a fox.

  - Are the kids all right?

  - Yeah. Except they'll have to be kept away from Mom soon.

  - Uncontrolled transformations?

  - Yeah. She was close to it in childbirth...

  Doctor nodded.

  - I get it, you didn't let that happen. And you...

  - We're working on it. Ideally it would be to develop some kind of amulet to make women do without me. But so far, it's not working out well. Gleb?

  A werewolf came up and looked at the doctor.

  - Vitya, one should have conscience not only in the intimate sense, but also in the universal sense. Yulka is barely on her feet, and you're talking about science... Yulia, come on, I'll take you home?

  I didn't mind. On the contrary.

  Charles was sitting at the computer. At the sight of me (disheveled, tired, and on his left hand clearly protruding bruises), he stitched like a cobra. But I walked past him to the bathroom.

  What was it and how Gleb explained it, I don't know. All I know is that when he came out, Charles gave me a glass of juice in silence. I drank it, crawled to bed, and passed out.

  That day was clearly Monday with a big, fat "pop".

  * * *

  In the evening, we sat in Mieczysław's office. We are me, Charles, Valentin, Vadim, Vladimir and Leonid.

  - Let's sum up, - Mechislav gently put his palms on the table. - The priest has been found. This is a huge advantage. I have already sent the Northern report. If he wants to talk to me, I will give him the full report. But by the way, we got a full confession from the bastard.

  I smiled pretty good. You bet you did.

  - Can I not communicate with your superiors?

  - Yes, you can. If they don't want to talk to you themselves," Mechislav calmed me down. - Vadim?

  The blonde vampire shaken his bangs.

  - Chief, we have a terrible tragedy. Today Dosya Shiny and Lavrik Zvezdno-Progulsky drove out of town. The car got in the way. It fits into a tree and explodes. I guess the DNA test will tell us something. The producer already confirmed it was his car. And the police have already taken samples from the missing persons rooms.

  - They won't determine that Lavric died much earlier?

  - Yulia, after the explosion, there's only well-fried greaves. It's just not possible to determine anything there.

  - Okay. What about Nastia?

  - Alive and well. And so are the children. They're all right. Nastia was taken out of town. The whole pack is babysitting the kids now. Anything you want to say about that?

  - Yes. If they spill over on the next full moon...

  - Babies?

  - Full of werewolves. Note in parentheses.

  - If that's true, we'll soon be visited by a lot of other curious people," said Mieczyslaw.

  I snorted.

  - Why don't we charge for watching? Let's make some money.

  - I'll think about it. Yulia, you'll have to live with security.

  - I already live with Charles.

  - Well, that's great. But be advised, if you're being followed, these are my men. So don't throw tricks in the spirit of American fighters and don't leave your tail on roofs. Any objections?

  There was no objection.

  - What about the bears?

  - We're developing it, - reported Vladimir. But so far too little time and data...

  - Work it out.

  - By the way, what about Tikhvinskaya? - I got into an argument. - Her parents...

  - Natalya Tikhvinskaya will go missing. Any questions?

  - Her parents...

  - Contact the FPI about that.

  I ate my lip.

  - And I'll make a deal.

  Mecislav sparkled his eyes from under his long eyelashes.

  - Guys, leave me and Julia alone.

  Vampires and werewolves are out. Charles was late, but I nodded to him.

  - It's okay.

  Charles threw a suspicious look at the vampire and came out.

  Mecislav stood up from the table and came to me. He picked me up from the sofa. I did not resist. But I didn't relax in his hands either. The vampire felt it. And he gently touched my lips on the top of my head.

  - Julia... I wanted to apologize again. I didn't mean to pounce on you like that...

  I nodded quietly. I couldn't forgive you yet. I couldn't forget either. And there was no point in telling the truth. It's still gonna smell.

  The vampire took a deep breath. Just like a human.

  - I won't force you to do anything, I won't remind you, I won't provoke you...

  - Are you gonna hold on? - I moved out. But Mechislav's eyes sparkled so much that the ir
ony immediately escaped from me and got stuck somewhere under the skirting board.

  - Yulia... you're wonderful. And I'm really glad that we met. I just don't know what I would do without you.

  - Same thing that happened to me.

  - Don't underestimate yourself. Yulia, we have a lot of problems ahead of us. It's a fact. But... I want you to know. I'll make sure that neither you, nor your family, nor even Charles are hurt. Just because you care about them. And I care about you a lot. And... I don't want to fight with you anymore. I appreciate you too much for that and I respect you.

  I sighed. That's what a vampire is all about. I wouldn't say I do. But that feeling isn't available to vampires. Just like the bedbugs are higher math.

  - I respect you, too. And I will sincerely try not to argue with you.

  - Truce?

  I raised my head.

  The vampire's green eyes burned with fiery lights and sparkled. Scarlet lips smiled, black hair stretched out in a mess on his shoulders, and a copper-gold neck in the collar of a simple white shirt beckoned to touch it with his lips. But I held back. I smiled back, and nodded.

  - Truce.

  After all, the vampire behaved like a normal person. And that deserves encouragement, right?

  Our life is a road. With pits, cliffs, bumps... and in general, it is a road from the Russian hinterland, where, as you know, there are some directions. Where it will lead us - we do not know yet.

  But it's a big plus that we're gonna feel better together.

  And who are we gonna walk down the road...

  Partners? Lovers? Lovers?

  Time will tell. And that's all.

  In the meantime...

  I smiled at the vampire again.

  - Shall we discuss what awaits us in the near future?

  Epilogue

  Godwin and Glorianne are gone, no salty bread. Mechislav still squealed to the North about their cute fun with other people's surnames, so the vampires on their return are waiting for the first thug, and then the inquiry. What, who, how...

  I don't feel sorry for them at all.

  For Alfonso, of course, we were scolded. But not much.

  Alfonso da Silva and in the Council, everybody's tired of the bitter radish, and come on, hold the councilman when he wants to go on a date with a woman...

  He'd have spotted a stakeout and ripped their heads off. And so would we. Everybody understood it very well, so we just limited ourselves to verbal reprimand. And if a vampire in the council can't defend himself, he's worth a penny.

  Of course, we didn't repent either.

  Otherwise, it's quiet and peaceful. My family's back home. My grandfather talked to Mieczysław about something. He must have read it for me again.

  We're a vampire, by the way, while we treat each other like bohemian glasses. Very gentle and gentle. Mecislav isn't trying to seduce me yet. I make no attempt to climb under the snag. And I try to understand my feelings.

  I used to think I hated him.

  Then I didn't care. I just didn't want to get in touch. And there was rejection. I DIDN'T!!! Irritating!!! It's annoying!!!

  And now...

  When I realized I could lose him, something moved deep inside.

  I was ready to break up our bond, but when I knew he'd still be alive.

  And the death of Mieczysław...

  Would I have survived her? Or wouldn't I? And what piece of my soul would go with that green-eyed vampire?

  It's all questions.

  And there are no answers yet. And I'm in no hurry to look for them.

  I'm scared. I'm scared to love. I'm afraid to lose again. I'm afraid of losing myself in his arms. I'm afraid...

  You can list my fears for hours. Hey, going to the dentist costs me a lot less.

  The truth is children are absolutely healthy. And they are werewolves. They were even born with a full set of fangs, and the boy tried to scratch the doctor's finger. In a word, heredity.

  Constantine is happy. He's raising the children now. And Nastia spends her days in a health camp away from the city. For three months, she will turn completely uncontrollable. So for now she's better off staying away from the kids.

  On the other hand, technique is doing wonders now, and a friend watches her offspring through Skype every day. I was there once. I almost choked myself. It's been eight years since I've heard so much shit on both sides since Aunt Tanya came to visit us.

  That my friend, that Constantine is ready to carry me, so I reduced our communication to a minimum. So their heads will stand in place, and we'll be friends.

  Medislav was very pleased with the result of his experience. But my story about bears is the opposite.

  The vampire is determined to find out with whom of the Council and how our furry nonfriends are connected. And he's gonna find out.

  We don't wash, we skate like this. When their leader comes to us... And she will come.

  I'd bet the tip of my looking-glass beast's tail on that. Can't stay away when it comes to her baby. Especially since the stories about Nastia are widely spread around town. And two tigers have already come to me with the same request.

  Peter and I are actively working on the amulets. So far, the best stone for them is the moonstone in silver. That's not good. For more than a week, our handicrafts don't live together. So either the donkey or the padishah or me and him...

  He and I don't give up.

  Sooner or later we will understand what our mistake is and we will do everything right.

  Charles isn't helping us yet, but he has more important things to do.

  Charles still lives with me. We're already used to splitting one bed into two. Except we have different blankets and pillows. We're the owners, alas, and we're all on our own.

  Mecislav isn't even jealous of him.

  Charles really became my brother, instead of Slava. That's the way it is. But as for the formalities...

  Sooner or later, I'm gonna have to tell my grandfather all about it. And it's better sooner than later. That's why the dragonfly gives its best to discover the modern world. He plans to get an education, to travel... a lot of things.

  Not right away. He's really looking forward to meeting my family right now. And become his own.

  And the more I look at a dragon flipping through another textbook, the more I like the idea.

  Many problems will be solved. Grandpa will have an heir. The dragon will be able to legalize itself in the modern world. Only contact lenses will have to be worn. But it's nothing. He already has three pairs of them. Grey, blue and green are a choice.

  I missed my exams. The institute is calm.

  In general, in the human half of my life (or is there already less than half left?) there is silence and beauty. And I like it.

  Now, where vampires are concerned...

  Silence and peace with the bears for now. It's mid-November, and it's still there. They're silent, furry.

  Well, let them be quiet while their teeth are sticking out. Sooner or later, we will still find out who is so strong that they can influence the Council's decision. That's the problem Vladimir is dealing with.

  Boris hasn't come back from Tula yet.

  Edward started moving there with all his company. But while he still has to live in two houses - and Boris has to help him with everything and everything.

  Okay. Okay, let's do this.

  Vladimir, I believe that sooner or later something will be dug up. He's a conscientious vampire, even if he's a nerd. He'll be fine.

  Vadim's still working on our sniper's killer. But everything goes so far that they won't find the killer. Werewolves couldn't get a trace. There was too much of a spraying of some kind. We can't find any witnesses, either.

  But somebody made us a beak like that!?

  WHO!?

  At least we have one enemy. Although I am the optimist. Probably at least a dozen of them. Or two. But until they prove themselves, we just have to wait.

  Mećislav and I see eac
h other three times a week.

  The vampire is just being perfect. Doesn't drag me to bed, doesn't screw me over with anything completely urgent, doesn't even make fun of me for no reason. And sometimes he becomes like a human being. Which makes me happy. Apparently, it's his thanks for saving a life.

  How long will it last?

  As for our relationship...

  It's very difficult for me to determine how I feel about him.

  At first, there was irritation. Then, after Daniel died, I just hated him. For being alive, but Daniel is gone. Then I started working with him. At first, through strength, but over time... over time, I started respecting this vampire.

  Yes, Mechislav annoys me with his maxi-sexuality.

  Yeah, he pisses me off. He teases me, learns, gets on my nerves, curses, laughs, argues...

  I can't hate a vampire who cares so much about his employees. Somebody more, somebody less, but still...

  He can do anything on his own. But he will not torture, torment, mock in vain... like the same Alfonso da Silva... He will give orders and wait for them to be carried out. But he can listen to excuses. The sword is fair in its own way.

  And he'll take anyone's throat out for his.

  Vampires and werewolves know that very well. They're also able to compare. And they really appreciate Mieczysław. They don't need anyone else.

  Yeah. I started respecting this vampire. And then... when he was wounded and he could have died...

  I got scared.

  Wildly scary.

  I couldn't and didn't want to lose him.

  At least let him be the devil himself (which is not the case). But without him my world will be much worse, scarier, poorer...

  Let him live, and we'll figure out our relationship somehow. At the end of the day, when he acts like a person, he even gets cute. Unfortunately, that's very rare.

  I just need some time to figure myself out.

  How much?

  As much as fate will give.

  And tonight I'm going to dinner with my mom and grandpa. Charles stays home. I mean, on the World Wide Web.

  * * *

  Grandpa was calm. We sat at the table, chewed Mom's amazingly baked pork, threw jokes... and it was so easy to imagine that nothing had happened, that I didn't have a single scar, that I wasn't even twenty yet...

  - What are you dreaming about, little girl?