Ring of Madness

by Royden Labrosse

  Konstantin Sergeyevich was surprised to look first at me, then at the girl, then again at me. The girl let her eyes out and looked at me. Did she feel bad about the truth?

  - What's wrong with you? I hope you're not gonna throw up.

  The seals were doing something strange to me. For a moment, the whole world sprayed in a cloud of pure power, and then I felt a metallic flavor in my mouth. Yeah, well, I bit my lower lip. And now I unwittingly peeled the crust off the cut. But at the same time, something weird started to happen. I could feel it more than ever. Two people were sitting opposite me, and I could feel the blood rushing violently down their veins. And at the same time, I could see. The man was not a metaphysical danger to me: there was not even the thinnest aura of Power around him. He was cruel, ambitious, calculating, but he could not conquer me. Woman... I turned my gaze on a psychic - and almost laughed. The power flowed around her with a thin aura, about three or four centimeters wide. And that's what you're going to subdue me with?! I turned around and looked around the hall. The most ordinary people. Everybody has an aura, but the streak of power that both the psychic and I have isn't there. Can she see my aura? I looked at the psychic again. The girl was definitely scared. She either felt something, or she even saw something. I don't know.

  - Are you afraid of me? - I asked her a question.

  - No! - she answered.

  And I lied. I saw it on a yellow flash in her aura. And I threw a finger at her.

  - It's not good to lie to a big, strong aunt.

  - Can you tell when she's telling you the truth?

  Konstantin Sergeyevich with a voice as if with a knife rinsed on my sharpened perception. I blinked, shooting down the picture, and turned to him. Now I was watching, like all people. Now I can't tell if they're lying to me or not. But who asks me to talk about it? Let's tell the truth!

  - When your girl lies, she gets these ugly yellow sparks in her aura. It's very noticeable. And she has very little strength. - I leaned over the table and ran my finger next to her body. - That's how much. How can she "feel me"?

  - How long have you had this ability, Jane? - Now the IPF's voice was sounding tense. There was fear in his eyes. He was afraid of me. And it made him happy. If you're afraid, you have to run away or hit. Or get your fear of yourself as an ally. But there's nowhere to run, but to hit? Who says I'll see the sunrise?! Should I be afraid?

  I didn't curve my soul.

  - A few minutes.

  The girl was staring at me.

  - She's not lying. Yes, she is.

  - I'm not lying," I agreed. - Do you see my Power?

  - I see," said the girl.

  - And I can't see her. Where are her boundaries?

  The extrasex obediently got up from the table and came up to me. She stretched out her arms as if touching something, and began to retreat. She took five steps away from me.

  - Here.

  I raised my eyebrows. That's a lot. It's a lot. Judging by the bone eyes, I don't even fully understand how much it is. But if those five centimeters are considered strong, then I'm out of competition. In my humble guess, the psychic just measured two or two and a half feet in steps.

  - That's funny.

  Konstantin Sergeyevich coughed up, clearing his throat.

  - Funny? That's a great word! Jane, you wanted to tell me something...

  - I still want to, - I rubbed whiskey, gathering my thoughts. - Anyway, a friend called me that day. And she really asked me to talk to her. For some reason, I didn't want to drag her home. I tried to get rid of her, realized that I couldn't, so I offered her to come to our summer house. I'm sure you know where it is.

  - We know," confirmed Kostik.

  I couldn't help myself.

  - What, were you collecting a file on me?

  - Just like every woman who almost twisted our psychic's brain. One of our best psychics.

  I thought he meant the best, but then he looked at the woman at the table and changed his mind. That's right. Talents - they're like: fragile, nervous, thin... They have to be ironed on the wool all the time and fed with praises.

  - Thank you for the compliment.

  - That's not a compliment.

  - Then we'll talk about it later," I decided. - My friend was hysterical. I decided to go and give her a head start. That's where it all started. If I had said no... But I was stupid and didn't know anything. And at Katya's dacha, she told me she had been bitten and raped by a vampire.

  Kostik's face became focused and some kind of doggy. If he was a hound, I'd say he was on the trail. Something came up in his bright eyes...

  - Well, you know, it sounded crazy to me back then. Don't people have a little bit of a trick? Some with corpses, some with monkeys and dogs, and some with artificial fangs and bites. It's not a lot of damage. There's a lot of idiots on the planet. I didn't argue with my friend, but we stayed at the cottage tonight. I wasn't asleep. I don't fall asleep at all. Typical owl. And so I heard Katya talking in my sleep. She told someone who she was with, where we were and how to get to us. That didn't inspire me. I packed up all my knowledge about vampires - and I did two things. One, I tied up a friend, and the other, I shut her up. I tried to wake her up, but it was all for nothing. She was clearly in a trance.

  - She's not lying," she inserted a psychic. I snorted in her direction.

  - When I want to lie, I'll go on TV or write articles in newspapers. And I'll have money to pay for my bullshit. And now I'm trying to find help.

  - That's also true," said the psychic.

  - What's your name? - I asked.

  The question took my aunt by surprise.

  - Tatiana Alexeevna," she replied in surprise. - Why?

  - It's better to think about someone famous," I explained. - Okay. That's not the point. After a while, I got the chance to meet the Prince of the City.

  - WHAT?!

  Kostik's face was completely stunned. Even touching.

  - Well, yeah. He showed up for his prey alone and unprotected. Thought I might not be able to offer any resistance.

  - What about you? - Tanya asked.

  - Well, I did. For starters, I've gone through everything I've heard about vampires. Tried to wake up my friend, somehow bring her back to life, but it didn't work. She was in a trance, I already told you that. I figured she wasn't gonna get any worse and I cared about her life, and I made sure she was safe. Now she wouldn't attack me or invite a vampire inside. Then the vampire himself showed up. It just so happened. We talked, I told him the impertinence, he tried to hypnotize me and ordered me to open the door and let him in. I succumbed to the hypnosis, rushed to find the key to open it quickly, and I ran into the needles. The pain would have made three of me feel.

  - I see, - Tatiana stretched out with a profound view.

  That lady was starting to annoy me. She's building herself up here. Powers with a fingernail, and a fee with an elbow. If she yawns again, I'm gonna yawn at her. It's a painted shit.

  - I'm happy for you. Anyway, we exchanged pleasantries, I snapped at him and offered to get the hell out of here.

  - And he went? - Tatiana specified.

  I threw a nasty look at her. Well, that's it. I got it. That's all I'm gonna do for you.

  - Are you trying to be funny?

  - That's how it works," she repulsed the pitch.

  - You have to practice," I advised. - On cats. Or vampires. So the Prince and I talked - and he threatened me that if I did not show up with a friend to meet him, he would find a way to attack me and my family. I couldn't take that chance. Now you can laugh at my stupidity - I was even hoping to negotiate with a vampire! Naive!

  Tatiana laughed. The bone was looking at me in silence. I, too, held a classical pause.

  - I suppose that was before we met? - I'm guessing it was before we met?

  - Somewhere around 24 hours before. I mean, a meeting.

  - So, what happened next?

  - As usual, it's no good. We came to the meeting, we w
ere put to sleep like kittens and tied up. The prince announced to us that he was going to rape us in front of each other first, and then make us vampires. I was not inspired by that prospect. Anyway, to become a vampire. And about the rape... If he was going to seduce me instead of rape me, I wouldn't resist. I have to hand it to the Prince. He's very attractive. I was lucky. The prince has been distracted. - For some reason, I've been careful not to call Andre by her name. Neither by the nickname he gave me. Why not? I don't know. But I wanted to. A prince, and a prince. It was easier that way. - I don't know exactly what saved my life, but he came out of the room. And he took my friend with him. Left alone, I was able to free myself. So I decided to try to get away. But before I did, I had to find a friend. It didn't work out. I couldn't find the skating rink. I found another vampire. He was in a disgusting state. Wounded, he couldn't move... I thought I'd at least help him. It just so happens that we helped each other.

  - What do you mean by that?

  - I learned a lot about the balance of power in our city," I shook my shoulders. - When you came, he slept in the basement of the house. I couldn't let you through.

  The bone slowly put his hands on the table. Called the dishes. His face was pulled into the mask.

  - Vampires are evil. They must be destroyed.

  - It's not in my rules to give life with one hand and take it with the other," I cut it off.

  - You did the wrong thing.

  - Wrong. But I won't argue with you. My friend is safe now. And there's something else I can do. - Now, be careful. Not a word of untruth, not a word of lies, but the truth can't be told either. - This, - I spent my fingers over the bite on my hand, - was created by one of the Prince of the City's subordinates. I did not kill him. I couldn't. But I want to repay the Prince for his kindness.

  - And how's that?

  - I got another invitation that I can't refuse. To a party with vampires and werewolves. You want to come as a surprise? Like a girl in a cake?

  - She is not lying," Tatiana said.

  - I'm not lying. Would you like some?

  Konstantin Sergeyevich was looking at me.

  - What good is that to you?

  - Revenge.

  - She's not telling the whole truth.

  I genuinely wanted to strangle a psychic.

  - I don't have to dump everything on you.

  - If you want help, you have to tell the truth.

  I was laughing.

  - I want to?! Oh, no! Let's put the question this way. Do you want to? Would you like to get a couple more fangs on the wall? If you do, I'll give you the address. If not, then I'll just walk away. I'm not gonna get revenge for myself. But you won't get anything either.

  - Are you sure you're leaving? - Konstantin Sergeyevich looked at me with bad eyes.

  I smiled.

  - Absolutely. You saw my aura yourself. The vampire told me that my power is awakening. And it will come out when I'm in danger. I'm just gonna sweep you away! I order your men to turn their weapons against you, you order your men to shoot everyone in this bar or something like that. I need some time for that. I'd like that.

  My hand hangs over a Band-Aid, and I grabbed his tip with my fingers.

  - Now I'm gonna rip it. This is a fresh wound, and my Power will awaken with fresh blood.

  - She is telling the truth," Tatiana said slowly.

  I swore at her, taking Mieczysław's cute smile as an example.

  - And I'll turn you, mortal, into an ordinary woman! You won't own any power! I will wipe your aura and drink magic like a cup of water!

  It wasn't my voice or my words. The power of the Seals was overwhelming me again - and I was sure that if I looked in the mirror I would see the green lights in my eyes. Mecislav knew very well what psychics were afraid of. He knew how to use that fear and how to threaten. And at that moment, I was sure that I could keep my promise. Tatiana felt it - and detached from me, almost fell to the floor. The chair rattled its legs complaining.

  - Don't," said the IPFovec in a hurry.

  - So, until I do," I answered. The power wasn't fading, but the green lights were out. I knew it for sure. - Is there anything else you'd like to say about the right of entry and exit?

  - No.

  - Okay, great. Should I give you information?

  - Speak up, - just said Konstantin Sergeyevich.

  The Seals were playing a bad joke on me. Mechislav woke up and Seals woke up with him. I could feel how far he had opened his eyes somewhere. I felt a vampire's hunger. I felt his thirst for blood. Fiery. A red-hot lump rolled around in my stomach somewhere. And in front of me were not two people but two living jars of scarlet, warm, brackish blood. I licked myself. I could see the pulse around my neck on Kostik, I could almost smell it on my tongue, I could smell his skin and cheap soap, and I was ready to get my teeth into it. I barely had enough strength to squeeze it out through my teeth:

  - Will you go there?

  - Yes, - said Konstantin Sergeyevich.

  He didn't lie. Now I understand how vampires tell lies and truth. The pulse on his neck beat as often as a bird in a cage, but he didn't jump. Didn't change his rhythm. The man was afraid of me, but he didn't lie to me. Hell, if this doesn't stop... I could hardly stop myself from throwing myself over the table and getting my teeth down his throat. But something probably reflected in my eyes, because Konstantin Sergeyevich looked at me strangely.

  - Jane, are you all right?

  Are you okay?! No, it's not! I didn't take that chance out loud. I was afraid I couldn't stand it if I opened my teeth. The Seals of Mieczysław didn't think to calm down in my mind. And I knew what could calm them down. At least temporarily. I plucked the bandage off my long-suffering wrist. I buried blood from my hand. I mean, she would've buried it if she had. But I didn't want to lose a single precious drop. I put my lips in the wound, sucking blood out of my vein. The salty taste in my mouth calmed me down a little, so I could lift my head. Now people were still people to me. And I didn't want to bite anybody. This is a nice surprise.

  - I'm sorry. It's... kind of a side effect.

  - It's an interesting effect," said the bloody psychic.

  That's it, I'm sick of her! Now I'm going to put her back once and for all. I licked the wound on my arm, then licked my lips, and smiled.

  - You're lucky I can control it. To get the effect, it doesn't matter whether the blood should be taken from me or from you. Even better, it's the blood of another man gifted with some power. Even if you can't see his Power without a microscope.

  - How dare you! - Tatiana's swooning.

  - Don't provoke me, girl. - I'm the one the Seals looked like again. - Or I will rip your throat out!

  Tatiana looked me right in the eye. What was in their depths right now? Who was looking out of my pupils? I don't know. But she didn't even have the strength to shake it off. And her grey eyes were full of blind terror. That's how children look from the dark. I slowly pressed her consciousness. And I knew that just a little more, and I would break her. She would obey me. And the pleasure of that feeling was so much more bloodthirsty.

  - Easy, Jane, - Konstantin Sergeyevich intervened.

  I shook my head and looked away.

  His voice has severed the bond between us. Tatiana deafly screamed and closed her face with her hands, so that God forbid my eyes to be caught again. Now she was afraid of me. And I liked it. I turned my gaze to the IPF.

  - Carnival Youth House. Knock two or three or two. If you make your woman look like me, they'll let you in right away. I don't know who's gonna be inside, but it's probably a few vampires and werewolves. Try to get there before 9:00 at night. Otherwise, it'll be inconclusive.

  - But it's 7:00 at night! - Konstantin Sergeyevich was outraged. - We may not have time!

  - That's your business. But they'll look cool in the report. Several unnatural creatures were discovered and destroyed in the course of operational activities, such as: vampires - X, werewolves - player. Well, that's
the same thing.

  - She's not lying," Tatyana, who is a little crazy, reported.

  - I'm really not lying," I sighed. - Do you have everything for me?

  - Almost. Jane, will you give us ten more minutes?

  I started crawling out of the table, but after those words, I fell back into place.

  - Okay. Just put that fool away from the table. She irritates me.

  - And why am I making you so nervous? - Tatiana asked me.

  Her tone was unexpectedly flirty. She recovered quickly. Well, confidence in her was raised over the years. I scared her for a few minutes. And now she's gonna push me to regain her lost high self-esteem. I smirked. Well, you set yourself up!

  - I don't like women with bad taste, in every sense of the word.

  The girl went red and flew out of the table without saying goodbye.

  - You shouldn't have," Kostik looked at me with disapproval. - She's stupid, but she's useful.

  I shrugged my shoulders. I roughly knew this stage of processing. "She's stupid, but she's useful. And you are a genius! It's a miracle! An angel in the flesh! "It was hard to believe, but women are complimentary. Especially from such a charming man. I'm the one who's immune to all other men after Mieczysław. And someone else would give in. The bone didn't disappoint me.

  - You saw for yourself how weak and stupid she is. But that's not who you are. You're much stronger than she is. И…

  - Konstantin Sergeyevich, - I interrupted him. - I'm a little worried. Don't you want to get right to the point? If without excesses - what do you want?

  The IPF had a frown, but he wouldn't argue.

  - Jane, I know it's too early to talk about any collaboration, but maybe you'll agree to take some harmless tests? We will provide you with all the conditions, create all the amenities... My leadership will agree in advance to fulfill all your wishes. An invaluable scientific material can be obtained from you.

  I was thinking. It's tempting. It's very tempting to agree. And in a different scenario, I'd do it. But I have three reasons to abstain. One is the easiest and most practical. Do they know about names? I don't think so. But if they do, what does their fucking code say? To destroy as well? For some reason, I wasn't drawn to the fire. I don't have a love for autodaf. I don't like autodafes. Why not? Well, uh, uh, I don't know. I feel like living! And during the examination, they can easily guess about the Seals. My behavior, even now, is very strange, not to say worse. This way, I'll frame myself and Mieczysław.