Ring of Madness

by Royden Labrosse

  Chapter 8

  What to do with wounded vampires

  Danielle stopped a couple of steps from the cabin and smelled it.

  - You know, Jane, I don't think you lied.

  - I think you're moving! There's no time!

  The vampire kicked the door with his foot. He didn't seem to have put much effort into it, but the joint just collapsed inside, raising a cloud of dust.

  - How long has this door been used? - I asked by the air.

  Nobody answered me anything. Danielle stepped inside, dragging me after him. Inside, it was just like I saw it as a ghost.

  - There should be a cellar downstairs," I explained. - That's where they lie.

  - And where's the entrance to it?

  - How would I know that? I was a ghost here. I don't want to fly!

  - Oh, I see. Then sit here, the vampire has cornered me very rudely. - In the meantime, I'll look for the entrance.

  Danielle went somewhere deep inside the house. I tried to pile myself together. We have to act. If that's how I'm gonna feel tonight, I better not leave the house. I'm gonna get bent into an arch with one word. Hmm, and I'll get him mice all over the neighborhood. Let him drag his foxes! I'll ruin the celebration!

  I don't even know how long I sat there. When you feel like shit, time somehow loses its relevance. Daniel's wailing took me away from self-examination and stupid thoughts on "Where does it hurt more? ». It hurt the same everywhere, so I wasn't even offended by a vampire.

  - Jane! Can you come up to me?

  - Did you find it? - I shouted.

  - Found it!

  I rushed to him, forgetting about the pain. What's wrong with news like that?! Anyway, if you think about it, your legs are like cotton on corners. Little things in life! I found a vampire in the farthest room. He was standing over a hatch in the floor. A big hatch like that, solid, about a meter by two.

  - What's that?

  - That's what we need.

  Danielle took the ring on one of the sashes and pulled it up with force.

  - What, it's not locked?!

  The muscles under the vampire sweater walked in waves. He could only answer when he pulled the heavy lid aside. He didn't drop it, but he put it down carefully, though it cost him a lot of effort. On the other hand, don't smash it on the floor, right?! Such noise will wake up the dead. Or will he not wake up? But we didn't want to check it out.

  - There's no need to lock this lid," the vampire shrugged. Elastically bent back and reached out with his whole body. - It's heavy, you bastard! Only people like us will take it away.

  - What if there are three or four people?

  - What are they grabbing on to? It's a small ring!

  That's for sure. You could grab the ring with one hand, at least with two. That's all it takes.

  - What if I extend the rope?

  - Jane, there's always security here! Who'll give them time to mess around with the rope?

  - No one," I agreed. - Shall we go?

  In the dark hole, you could see the stairs. It was wide, comfortable. But it smelled so disgusting! Gross! Blood, rats, some other filth, a deadly smell that always comes from underground... It's good that ghosts can't smell! Otherwise I'd just throw up! Even though it's not too late!

  Danielle went halfway down to the basement first and gave me his hand. I was still a little shaken, but are we afraid of such little things?! A vampire will catch me if I fall anyway.

  We were slowly going downstairs. The darkness was really getting on my nerves. Daniel was all the way down to the flashlight. Yeah, well, vampires see in the dark. Alas, it didn't save him. There were no special effects that directors love to use. No red eyes in the dark, no rustle, no disturbing music. It's just that Danielle suddenly screamed, let go of my hand and started falling somewhere. Or did he not fall?! You could hear the sound of a struggle. I was noticing, but then I woke up. There's only one enemy. If there were two, I'd be on the other side of the world. And I'm still alive and relatively unharmed. So what do we do now? What could have happened? Did one of the werewolves grow flesh quickly? No, that's bullshit. The way their rats got burned, you can't come back to life here. Well, who did? Vampires? Well, this one's pretty good.

  Someone from that trinity in the coffins. Smelled danger, blood or death, and stood up to admire it. Before or after I left? Before or after. Or maybe we just didn't run into each other. And good. So, what do we do now? What you can do! I took the cross out of my pocket and raised it above my head. I'm sorry, Danielle, but you're not gonna get a neck cross and you're gonna get the light. I know that for a fact.

  - Our Father, who art in heaven...

  The cross burst into white cold fire in my hand. My eyes couldn't stand the drop after dark, and it almost cost me my life. Something dark threw itself at me and pressed me to the floor. I had my back so turned against the stairs that I couldn't open my eyes. It was still a starry sky in front of them. Someone's teeth got into my collarbone. They wanted to get in my neck, but they missed, so they had to go lower. I screamed in pain. Okay through my clothes, but it hurt, Christmas trees! Mechanically, I pulled my hands forward, trying to push my opponent away. I waved a cross at random. The main thing was not to let go of the chain. My fingers were like a cramp. There was a wild squeal. Heavy weight flew away from me somewhere and I rolled back to the side. I hit my elbow on some filth, the very bone, wildly wailed, but the pain, strangely enough, cleared my mind. Once again, I could look, see, and assess the situation.

  I was lying away from the stairs. Danielle was lying ten steps away from me, stuck his face in the ground floor, covering his head with his hands. It was not without reason. The light of the cross can blind a vampire. It's very simple. And in the corner there was that "Georgian prince" from the coffin. He covered his eyes with his hand, rocked his fangs and quietly hissed. He had a burn mark on his neck and his chin was covered in blood. My blood? I ran my hand over the sweater. That sucks. Blood. Let's hope that nothing important to me this Mtsyri (let it be Mtsyri - for convenience) did not chew. It doesn't feel like bleeding out. But what to do now?! Finish him? Purely theoretically... If Danielle has recovered from the blow...

  - Danielle! - I wasn't sure if I called. - Can you talk?

  - I can," the vampire grunted. - Take the cross off!

  Yeah, I just did it!

  - Then your opponent will chew me up.

  - ...I am such... opponents!!! - ...a vampire from the heart. - Where is that freak now?!

  - And not even a freak, but a very cute boy," I answered, looking at Mtsyri. - In the Caucasian style, but very much nothing. He's a dummy.

  The mtsyri is skewed.

  - Are you fucking kidding me, mortal?!

  - What are you, immortal? - I'm the one who responded. - That's what you're doing with the cross! Are you afraid of burning your finger? Twenty-first?

  The vampire stuttered, but for some reason it didn't scare me. Stupid, I guess.

  - Kill him. Put away the cross and I'll rip his head off," Danielle proposed.

  I snorted.

  - Danielle, did they put your head on?! Or did you get punched in a sensitive spot?! We can't kill him. - Mtsyri moved a little in his corner, and I immediately added: - We can not yet. I mean, we don't need it. He's from the vertical of Duchka, right? Is Andre your master? - Now I addressed directly to my opponent.

  - We use the term "protector," Danielle said. - If his master is not a creator, but a lord. Mecislav is the protector of Boris and Vadim. My creator and protector are Elizabeth.

  - Okay, great. - I kept a cross in front of me like a flag. And I went straight to the vampire. Look, I'm sorry, I don't know your name...

  - Hassan is his name," Danielle said, also without opening his face. The cross in my hand burned a small supernova star.

  - So you two know each other?

  - There aren't many vampires in town that I don't know anyone," said my favorite vampire.

  - Here we go, acquaintance
s, and almost nibbled on each other! And not ashamed of you?

  There was no shame in vampires. So I turned my attention to Hassan.

  - The boy...

  - Don't call me that, mortal!

  There was so much righteous outrage in the vampire's voice that I snorted. But it wasn't grandpa to call him?! That's silly!

  - Okay. Mr. Toothpick, we can always kill each other. Either kill or try. In the meantime, let's talk. I don't want any Duchkin secrets, but this is a stalemate. You can't handle us, and we don't want to kill you early.

  Fang seems to have been surprised.

  - Why, mortal?

  All right, let's get the vampire to talk. Now the important thing is that he doesn't shut up.

  - I have a name. Leoverenskaya Julia Yevgenyevna, may I speak to you? Haven't you heard?

  - Did you call our tread a goat in the eye?

  - I," I blurred in a wide smile. It's nice to be heard of you. It makes the job easier.

  - You're either cool or stupid," a vampire diagnosed me.

  I snorted. I've known the answer for a long time.

  - I made a bet," I explained. - I had no choice. What's your name? Danielle had imagined us, but still...

  - You can call me Hassan.

  - Hassan," I tasted his name. - I'm sorry, but I've never heard of you before.

  - It's not so terrible - the vampire has quite recovered from the shock, licked bloody lips and now tried to look as independent as possible. - Why can't you kill me?

  - We don't," I corrected. And the respect in the voice has increased, increased ... What would it be? Wouldn't it be the war with Turkey? - Theoretically, we could kill you right now. I'll take out the cross, and Danielle will rip your throat out.

  - If he can, Hassan laughed.

  - I can," Danielle snapped, climbing up on all fours and closing his eyes as well. - How old are you, boy?! A hundred?! Two hundred?! No more!

  - None of your business! - The boy snapped at me, backing off one step.

  - A hundred and thirty-two, I suddenly said. I don't know why I'm afraid. But it was as if a number came up in my head. Well, I did. On divine foolishness!

  Hasan flipped so hard that he elbowed against the wall. His hand went up, and the light from the cross rinsed him in the eyes. The vampire stitched him up and covered them with his palm again.

  - How do you know, mortal?!

  I'm sick of him with that "mortal"! You'd think he couldn't get hit!

  - No one is immortal, Hassan. My name is Jane.

  I thought it was time to push. Let him be at least a little polite. Daniel and I are stronger and we dictate the terms. So let him show us at least a little respect. And so I don't care who or what they call me. Like Grandpa will say, "Call the toilet, but don't think I'll let you use me like that."

  - How do you know, Jane? - There's more respect in the voice, but not much.

  - I'm not just a mortal. I'm also a family man.

  - So what? The last names don't have that kind of strength.

  - I mean, it sounded a little childish, but I couldn't otherwise. - I don't know my own limit yet. And I don't want to test it on you.

  - Let's check it out," Danielle suggested.

  - Shut up!!! - I finally got mad. - Anyway, Hassan, if I bury you in the basement, your tread will know the good news immediately. And he has a friend of mine. And I don't want that bastard to take Medislav away anything vital.

  - Maybe not yet," Danielle said.

  - Will you shut up or not?! - I'm no worse than a vampire. - Now, Hassan, I'm offering you this option. No one else is awake?

  - No one.

  - He's not lying," said the vampire.

  - All the better. By the way, why did you wake up? You're not strong enough to smell danger?

  - And you're not strong enough to determine my age," the vampire said. - We all have our talents. Mine is to wake up in the middle of the day and do whatever I want.

  - Including going out in the sun?

  - Well, that's not it.

  - Well, at least I'm happy about something. So, back to our sheep. Sorry, vampires. We could kill you. It's not hard for me. There's two of us, and I have sanctified crosses. You're gonna hurt us in some way, but it won't be long. But I don't want to disturb Duška any sooner.

  The vampire grabbed everything from half a word.

  - And what do you suggest I do?

  - I'll let you live. You won't give anything to Andre?

  - Not till tonight.

  - Can't Duke communicate with you in his mind? - Danielle clarified.

  - No, the vampire answered immediately.

  - Is he your tread?

  - Yes.

  - And you can't mentally communicate with anyone else?

  - I can't.

  - He's not lying," the vampire quietly told me. - That's good.

  I slammed my eyes.

  - Which is good. What are you talking about, anyway?

  - Some protectors can communicate mentally with their subordinates. At will - and at any time. At least during the day, at night.

  - Can Mechislav? - my curiosity is on fire. - What about you?

  - I'm not a treader yet and I'm not even a ronin, and Mechislav can't. He couldn't when I last talked to him. Everyone has their abilities, you know.

  - Now I do. What's a ronin?

  - Single vampire. Free and hungry.

  - I see. There was no time for distractions. - Hassan?

  - And what do you suggest I do? - Hassan asked.

  - It's no big deal. You'll go back to the coffin and fall asleep.

  - And then come out of the coffin and attack us? This is stupid! You shouldn't trust him! - Danielle is outraged.

  I smiled crooked. My whole body hurt like it was through a meat grinder.

  - Trust? I'm not crazy yet! Tell me, what if you cover the coffin and put a cross on it?

  - Never! - Hassan barked.

  - No way out," Danielle answered. - If you tie her up with something tighter. The cross deprives the vampire of all his strength. It will lie down until it is opened! The main thing is to deprive him of the opportunity to put the cross down.

  I tried to smile again.

  - Well, there you go. We put you in a coffin, cover it with a lid and tie a cross on top. And you lie there until tonight. It'll give me a guarantee that you won't do anything. And tonight your comrades will come here, you will be released and sorry. And they'll even kiss you. Then you'll be able to do something wrong. Whatever you want.

  Hassan didn't like my offer.

  - I won't do it!

  Think what a tsar! I offer him life, and he's got a nose for it!

  - Do you have a choice? Either that or I'll make you eat that cross! I swear by blood!

  For seconds, the vampire was silent. I kept quiet, too, showing Daniel my fist. Keep him quiet and don't rumble. I'm gonna rip the idiot's head off... my lover!

  - Okay. Well, let it be.

  I exhaled, and I was surprised. Have I not been breathing all this time? Although in an environment like this, it's not just breathing that you can't learn.

  - I promise not to hurt you.

  - You're not lying.

  - I don't lie to those who can catch me lying at all," I confessed modestly.

  - That's very reasonable. Put away the cross.

  - Yeah, in your dreams!

  - I don't get it?

  - You can go where you want in the light of the cross. And I don't want to accidentally kill you. Wouldn't that be a foolish thing to do in your head? Maybe you're a kamikaze hero and decide to nobly sacrifice your life for the cause of your beloved Prince! I don't care about you, but my friend will pay for it, and I don't want it at all.

  - You don't trust me?

  - I don't trust you.

  I think the vampire got angry.

  - How dare you, mortal?!

  - Laugh! Yes, I dare you. And don't raise your voice at me. I don't like it. Shall we go?
<
br />   - Where to? Danielle didn't get it.

  - It's that way. To the left. There's a room with coffins.

  - And how do you know that? - I was surprised at the vampire.

  It was getting worse and worse under the collarbone. But the blood seems to have stopped. It's good that I'm so resilient! I had girlfriends who fainted from the sight of blood. I, too, was terrified of blood as a child. I squealed and ran away. And then something happened. Something weird. I had a dream. It's interesting. I was still young, about five years old, and I didn't think about any romantic adventures. And then I dream about myself in some shabby dress and a tall man in black next to me. He leans towards me, warm hands rest on my shoulders - and I look him right in the eyes. I can't remember anything but these nut eyes. The same as mine. No face, no figure. Just the warmth of my hands, the shine of my eyes and a quiet, gentle voice. "Why are you afraid of blood, girl? It's not afraid at all! There's no need to be afraid, my little one! I want to be proud of you when we meet."

  And that's it. The whole dream. But I remembered it. And the next day, one of the boys who loved to tease us, scratched his finger and extended his hand to me: "Look! Blood! Scared?! "The day before, I'd yell and run. And now I laughed: "What a fool you are! There's nothing to be afraid of! "I've never been teased again...

  - Jane!

  - – А?! - I met up and looked around.

  - What's wrong with you? - Danielle was standing almost next to me. He covered his eyes with his hand and tried not to come any closer so as not to get hit.

  - What about me?

  - You've been standing there like a statue for a minute.

  I didn't want to explain to vampires that I just sailed away into memories.

  - Excuse me, gentlemen. I'm dizzy. I'm only human. And not the strongest physically.

  - We have to go to the room with the coffins.

  - Go ahead," I suggested to Hassan.

  The vampire wasn't arguing. He glanced off the wall and moved gracefully forward. All vampires move as if they were dancing. You can't take that away from them. He was followed by me, and I was followed by Danielle. It was the most sensible balance of power. The cross is a good weapon against vampires, so I'll wave the cross, and Danielle will hold me under her arms so I don't fall. The room was all the same. Three coffins, three vampires, three lids against the wall. There was only one vampire standing by the coffin.