The Place Where

by Rodion Pretis

  * * *

  While the Wolf and the Player went to the bank to Maclan, Alexei managed to go to Kiryak's shop and pick up a completely unique outfit: a weightless airy dress with a wide hood that gently falls to the floor. It was worn over overalls, fitting the body like a second skin, and completely invisible under the dress. But the most important thing in this new thing was that this "frivolous outfit" was stronger than many protective armor.

  “You look amazing,” said the Player and the Wolf in one voice as soon as they entered the room and saw the girl.

  “I would say deafeningly,” the Destroyer grunted, once again carefully examining Alex from all sides.

  “I hope they believe that I'm just a bored young lady looking for something new,” sighed Alexei, carefully examining herself in the mirror.

  “Don’t forget to be capricious more often,” Nick concentrated his eyebrows, “and stamp your leg when you don’t like something.” You can flirt recklessly, but do not forget to hang yourself from time to time on Wolf's hand .

  - Be a sort of spoiled cat who is used to getting everything she wants, just point with a finger and say “I want”, the Destroyer advised.

  “Yes, I understood, I understood,” the girl sighed heavily. “I must behave like a complete and complete fool.” And then they will believe?

  “By all means,” the Player promised and fastened a massive piece of jewelry around her neck. “So I will see and hear what is happening, so that we can intervene if something goes wrong.”

  - It's time. The car is waiting downstairs, - the Wolf shook hands with Alexei.

  “Well, ready for my whims?” - the girl smiled dazzlingly.

  “Anything for you,” he theatrically pressed his hand to his heart.

  “Good luck, guys.” The Destroyer opened the door, letting them out into the corridor. “We will follow you on the Hybrid.”

  As soon as Alex and Wolf approached the car waiting for them, the girl began the performance:

  - I said that I want the car to be red! And this green! I won't go anywhere in a green car!

  “But, honey, they are all green,” the Wolf joined the game.

  “I don't want to know anything!” - she stamped the foot. - I want to go in a red car!

  “But, Dee ...”

  - I want a red one !!!!!

  “Beloved, I promise that I will buy you a red car,” the Wolf carefully took Alexei's hand and kissed his fingertips. “But now there is only one.” And if you want to see something interesting, you need to sit in this one.

  - ABOUT! - the girl pouted her lips. “Well, if it's interesting ...” she reluctantly got into the car, followed by the Wolf, got the address of the club to the driver, and the car started off immediately.

  The driver decided not to risk it and did not wait for another hysteria of a spoiled young lady. A few minutes later, the Hybrid took off easily from the parking lot and followed the taxi.

  Chapter 18

  Alexey's acting abilities could only be envied, she entered the role so well and played it that already at the entrance to the club she managed to make an indelible impression on the guard. She ignored the entry line and, stating that she was not used to waiting and was not going to do this, defiled past the taken aback face control, stopping for a second to pat one of the guards on the cheek and smiling affectionately with a purring voice: “You just honey. "

  “Oh, Daden, take me,” moaned the guard, who was honored by the girl, taking out a banknote and a piece of paper with a phone number from her pocket.

  “It seems you made an impression,” his partner laughed.

  “Deliver me, trainin, from such ladies,” he jerked his shoulders and threw the sheet with the number into the utilizer. - Pampered, moody and hysterical, always getting what he wants. Let him at least not get it this time.

  “Maybe spoiled,” the second grinned, “but what a beauty.”

  “That's all, now only by invitation,” a third, obviously the chief, approached the two guards. “By the way, who was the last to enter?”

  “Some rich, spoiled young lady with an escort,” the first guard answered. - She put money and a phone number in my pocket.

  “A bored lady, eager to have fun and ready to pay for it,” the boss smiled slyly, “this is just fine.” That's what, Anastas, ”he said to the first security guard after a little thought,“ since you liked her, you'll meet and send a special invitation to this exclusive evening, you'll say that you will be there too, especially since it's true. ”

  “As you say,” the guard frowned a little, but nevertheless took from the boss's hands a black square of plastic with a golden stylized eye squeezed out on it.

  - How many more fights do you have under the contract? - asked the partner the second guard when the chief left.

  “Today is the last,” Anastas thoughtfully turned the invitation in her hands, “the main thing is to win, and then I am free.”

  - Yes, and well financially secure. So I think maybe I should sign a contract ...

  And don't think, Tim, this is such dirt and such a swamp. No money is worth it. ”Anastas very seriously looked into the eyes of his partner. “Believe me, even being a simple mercenary is better.”

  “Well, you know better,” he shrugged philosophically. “So you have to try yourself as a mercenary.”

  - It's best to join a dei team, they get paid more. The other day there was a couple of dei, either looking for something, or just came to have fun and had the misfortune of paying with a card. So I can get their contact phone number from the operator for you, ”Anastas suggested.

  “Come on,” Tim burst into flames, “my contract with the club is about to end soon, maybe that will work out.”

  “Well, then I'll go get the phone and at the same time hand over the invitation to that young lady,” the first guard turned and entered the club through the service door.

  * * *

  Entering the club, Alexei instantly orientated herself and headed to a part of the VIP room, where she and Wolf took a free cozy alcove near a separate dance floor. The polite and smiling waitress quickly brought the order and, showing the call button, literally disappeared.

  “Something tells me that your passage did not go unnoticed,” the wolf smiled at the meal.

  “And then,” the girl drank the wine from the glass, and mischievous devils had fun in her eyes. - So, only those who are accustomed to the fact that all their whims are instantly fulfilled enter, and this automatically puts us in the category of VIPs.

  “Then I won't be surprised if they bring us an invitation to the battles, as they say,“ on a silver platter ”,” the Wolf leaned back in his chair.

  - I'm just counting on it, - Alex slyly smiled at Wolf, sipping wine.

  “You wouldn't drink as much,” he could not stand.

  - Local alcohol does not affect us, - the girl laughed, - we have a different metabolism. So you can just enjoy the amazing taste and not be afraid of the consequences.

  “Hmm ... what's the whole thing?”

  “Well, if you take the strongest that is here,” Alexey thought for a second, and then continued, “and drink 3-4 glasses in a row, then there might be some slight effect, but it will be very short.” By the way, here no one can drink a glass of the strongest, and even then they simply fall and are cut down.

  “I'll have to use it,” the Wolf grunted.

  - Do not forget to invite to this performance, - the girl shook her hair and gracefully rose, again entering the role. - I want to dance.

  “As you say dear,” the Wolf kissed the tips of her fingers and led her to dance.

  “So it seems to begin,” Alexei leaned closer to the Wolf in the dance. - Near the bar stands one of those guards who let us into the club.

  - Which the?

  “The first, one that resembles the Destroyer, but the hair is blond and the eyes are gray.” Now leaned on the rack and watching us.

  “I see,” the Wolf answered after a few dance
steps.

  “He obviously doesn't want to come up while you're around,” the girl remarked when the music changed, and the guard never came up. - So the plan is this: you lead me back to the table, and you go out for a walk, at the same time you contact the guys and find out where they are.

  “I don't like it very much, it's risky to remain without cover,” the Wolf frowned, accompanying Alexei to the table.

  “We'll have to take a chance, we just don't have time for another attempt,” she squeezed his hand encouragingly. “And then, if anything goes wrong, I can always teleport.”

  - Heck! Okay, you're the boss. I'm coming. ”The wolf smiled dazzlingly and kissed the tips of Alexey's fingers. “I'll be back soon, honey, just a little walk.” Do you have something to bring?

  “Still of this fault,” she tilted her head to her shoulder, “I don't want to see the waitress anymore, I didn't like her.”

  “As you say, darling,” he once again kissed the tips of her fingers and left the alcove.

  “Can I keep you company, catators?” - a pleasant male voice was heard, as soon as the Wolf left the VIP zone, and a guard came into the alcove, dressed in a tuxedo sitting on it like a glove.

  “Oh ...” Alex looked coquettishly at the newcomer. - In a tuxedo ...

  “This is a VIP room,” he shrugged, sinking into a chair next to the girl, taking an almost empty glass from her hand and putting it on the table. “I am Anastas,” he kissed her hand, not taking his gray magnetic eyes from the girl.

  “I don't even know what to do,” she thought thoughtfully, “either call the guard, or ...”

  “The guard is already here,” he began to cover her hand with kisses, “and while your companion is gone, I can entertain you, catatori.” All ... whatever ... you want.

  “Oh ...” Alexey felt trapped: she couldn't use force - it would mean complete failure, she had never felt so helpless.

  “So what do you want, catatori?” His voice sounded very soft and gentle.

  “Dance,” the girl slid easily from the chair and smiled happily: “Here he is!” - I want to dance!

  “As you wish, catatori,” it seemed to her that the guard, barely noticeable, sighed in relief and led her to dance.

  “And you dance well, Anastas,” the girl smiled sweetly at her partner.

  “I'm generally moving well,” he answered pointedly, clutching her harder.

  “Wolf!” Alex shouted telepathically. And then she continued more calmly: “If you hear me, come back to the VIP zone faster, but don't come until I call you.”

  “I see your companion, katori,” the sad tone did not fit a bit with a flash of relief that sparkled in the eyes of the guard. “Too bad we had so little time.” But maybe you will agree to see me today at a special closed evening? True, this will not be a little what we would like, but you can still see how I move, ”he smiled and continued. - This is an exotic sight, fencing fights. I'm sure you will like it, catatori. I will dedicate my battle to you and immediately after it I will rise to your table - he pressed it even closer to him.

  “It will be interesting,” the girl barely breathed out and telepathically called out: “Wolf, come faster, I can no longer fight the desire to hit him with something heavy.”

  “Your companion noticed us and is coming here.” Here's an invitation, ”Anastas put a small piece of plastic in the girl's hand and disappeared among the dancers, dropping one last. “I'll be waiting for you, roria.”

  “Honey, I brought what you asked,” the Wolf came in less than a second after the guard slipped away. - Who was that?

  - So, - vaguely jerked her shoulder at Alexei, - a friend. I'm thirsty.

  “Of course, dear,” the Wolf offered her a hand and, noting that the girl was trembling, led her to the table, where she immediately sank into a chair and took several large sips from the glass brought by another.

  Alexei leaned back in her chair and pretended to enjoy wine and music, and meanwhile telepathically turned to Wolf: “We have an invitation.”

  Chapter 19

  Alexei leaned back in her chair and pretended to enjoy wine and music, and meanwhile telepathically turned to Wolf: “We have an invitation.” He took her hands in his and noted that the trembling had stopped: "How are you?"

  “It was better,” she mentally sent him a wry smile.

  “If I heard how the guys raged, when this type began to openly pester, I think you would feel better right away,” the picture of the team's indignation sent by Wolf was so funny that the girl really felt much better.

  “Did it really look like that?” Alex threw back a strand of hair and sighed freely.

  “Almost, I just removed the pip.”

  “You are just a miracle,” the thoughtform of the kiss was a little unexpected for him. "You know, Wolf, I never felt so helpless, I really did not like this feeling."

  “Imagine how scared I was when I heard your telepathic scream. It's good that you then pulled yourself together and calmly explained what was required of me, otherwise I did not know what to think. By the way, he could walk his legs with his pretty heels, he would quickly let you go - this is the idea of the Destroyer. "

  “Thank you, I'll take it into service,” a cheerful smile finally returned to Alexei's face: “By the way, they are already listening to us. The guard brought a bug. "

  “And now I want to go here,” the girl moved the invitation closer to Wolf.

  - What is it, honey? - He took the plastic box in his hands.

  “I was told it was something special,” she finished the wine and set the glass on the table.

  “If you want to go, darling, then we will definitely go there.” The wolf looked encouragingly into Alex's eyes, he felt that this role was becoming increasingly difficult for her, that such behavior was completely foreign to her.

  - Really want to! - her eyes shone with anticipation, but he knew for sure that this was not an anticipation of the spectacle, as it might have seemed to others, but an anticipation of the action, the fulfillment of the task. - And I also want to make a bet.

  “Of course, dear,” the wolf asked for an invoice at the computer terminal and left money and a good tip on the table, after which he and the girl went to the next room, where specially invited guests began to gather.

  At the entrance to the next room, they scanned an invitation, on which immediately appeared the number of their table, which turned out to be near the arena itself. The table was equipped with a special terminal facilitating the process of making bets. After reviewing the file list, the Wolf frowned; Ennio was not among the declared fighters.

  “I want to see how they look,” Alex, with a capricious expression, reached for the terminal keyboard, “how else can I choose the one I like best.”

  “Of course, sweetheart,” Wolf agreed easily, realizing how important it was for them to determine if they had the right person on this list and still support the game.

  “So, I like this one,” she jabbed her finger at the screen, where a pretty handsome fighter flashed. - Today I can bet as I want?

  - Yes, darling.

  “Thank you, you are simply unique,” the girl shone with a smile and delved into the study of the fight list. - Here, I chose three. The first fight - Cobra, the second - Anastas, it was he who gave me an invitation. Is he really sweetheart? And the third is a surprise. I like surprises!

  - So a surprise? Are you sure honey? - The wolf correctly understood what she wanted to tell him, although telepathy here for some reason did not work.

  “Absolutely,” she smiled happily, invested money for bets in a special department and removed the terminal. Meanwhile, the waiter brought and set wine glasses on the table. “I'm ready, let them start,” she said in a capricious tone and drank some wine from the glass.

  “Patience, honey, is about to begin,” he smiled reassuringly and drummed his fingers with the Morse code: “Here they suppress telepathy.” “Yes, I got it already. I bet everyone is jamming here. Everything
is clear with electronics , but how can you drown out telepathy? ”She tapped in response to his knee and smiled innocently.

  “Oh, it begins,” the light in the hall went out, and the girl clapped her hands.

  Fireworks flashed in the arena, so the opening of the tournament began. Then there was an enchanting dance performance, and only after that the first battle was announced. It was not too long, but very spectacular. As it should have been, Cobra lost, and he was taken out of the arena, and his opponent got up and headed, it was, to Alexei, but, having stumbled upon Wolf's hard look, changed his mind and took a seat at the next table, however, he didn't stop throwing hot glances in her direction.