Ring of Madness

by Royden Labrosse

  Now both vampires were clapping their eyes.

  - What was I for? - I was surprised at the vampire.

  - And for the fact," I explained, "that I could not humanly explain to my comrade what I am. I would say honestly that for me even more than an hour is not an obstacle. But I'm willing to bet on anything - you just looked at him and caught words through his lip. Like, Jane knows what she's doing, her trance is not your concern, she'll do fine... On the other hand, thanks for believing in me. I needed it. By the way, Mieczysław sends his regards, he said that he is very pleased with you, and he allowed it, that is, he even ordered to come with us. So you're coming. But be careful.

  Danielle put his head down. Vadim laughed.

  - That's exactly what happened. Danielle, I'm sorry I didn't hold back.

  - I'm sorry," the vampire said. - I'm sorry, too.

  - It happens.

  I nodded. I sincerely doubt that I was able to reconcile them, but even something better than nothing.

  At least for a few hours until we get out of this problem with the Prince. And then I won't give a shit. I'll be able to sit at home in peace and deal with my problems. Ask my friends for advice, find out what's wrong with Nadia... And if Andre wins, I'll just die. And then nothing else will matter.

  - Shouldn't we be on a date? - I asked.

  The vampires looked over, and Vadim took a look at the watch.

  - We'll have lunch now, and we'll go.

  - Shall we have lunch?

  - Right. There's a lot of blood in this guy. Enough for both of us and more to go on. And I want to get some more food before I go.

  I bit a fingernail.

  - You feed, and I'll probably turn my back. I'll close my eyes and close my ears. I'd hate to test my nervous system early.

  Vadim laughed.

  - Jane, you are something. You're not afraid to see me half-freshened, you're not afraid to see us drink blood, for you see, the problem.

  - The problem, I agreed. - Let's eat. In the meantime, I'll think about something. Or I'll just meditate. There's plenty of problems. And the first of them is my headache.

  I closed my eyes and held my ears together. But even through the clenched palms of my hand I could hear the soft squelching sounds. No vampire is able to quietly suck blood. It seemed to last forever. I tried to think about bunnies and squirrels, but it didn't work out well. Funny thing is, I was thinking about blood and I wanted more blood. Hot, tart, brackish. And I tried my best to distract myself from my thoughts. Then somebody pulled my hand.

  - What?

  - We're all done, Danielle gently pulled my fingers off my head. - Would you like some blood?

  I looked at him. A vampire had blood in the corner of his mouth. Just a little bit, just a few drops, but it was there. And I was attracted to that? Manilo? It excited me! That's the right word. The blood shone wetly in a dim light and poured black. And it couldn't resist. Bunnies and squirrels were forgotten, wild thirst came to the fore. I reached forward to the vampire with my whole body. Danielle shuddered a little, but he didn't pull away when I licked the blood off his skin. We kissed with a gentle, almost chaste touch of the lips, and I could feel the taste of someone else's blood on the tip of my tongue.

  Our kiss didn't last long. I didn't need sex right now, oh, no. Now I was drawn to the warm, scarlet, sweet liquid that gave life to people and animals. Vadim, as if having read my mind, raised our victim so that I could easily reach his neck. The man was unconscious and four thin red trickles escaped from the bites. I walked my tongue around his powerful neck and felt the taste of pure skin. The smell of expensive cologne hit my nostrils. And I started sucking blood. Shy at first, but then I got bolder and bolder. The taste of fresh blood feels like it's lifted some inhibitions. A new essence was waking up inside of me. And she yearned for blood. She wanted everything that could give her life. Blood means blood, men means men. Whether willingly or not, I was becoming like the woman in the portrait. I was pulling blood into myself, almost without getting dirty. I think it lasted a few minutes. It was only a few minutes, but I suddenly felt the Force in me. And I detached myself from my sacrifice.

  - What's wrong with me?

  The power was splashing inside me, burning hot. But not the way it used to be. After the werewolf blood, I didn't feel anything until it was time to act. Now I had a liquid fire under my skin. I was all like after drugs. The power just didn't burst out, making me carelessly enthusiastic. It was like I was gonna step up and fly up. The earth can't hold me. I've become too light and airy for her.

  - How are you feeling? - Danielle asked.

  - Perfect! That's just great! - I just had an interesting thought. - Can't you feel my condition? Through the Seal?

  Danielle put his head down.

  - I can't feel it. I just can't. The Seal alone is too little for me. If there were two or three, I could...

  - Forget about it without talking," I interrupted.

  - Jane, but...

  - Without a "but." Got time for some nonsense!

  - That's not bullshit, Danielle was offended. - I'd feel safer if you had another of my stamps on you. It won't take long to put it on, and if you let me...

  I shook my head.

  - Danielle, I don't know if I can take it. Two vampires, two different minds... How can you say you want to put me at risk like this?!

  That's it! The enemy has to hit him with a weapon! Cause he's got fashion! There aren't many people and what I love. I mean who and what! But I will never let anyone blackmail me with my feelings! Moreover, if Danielle dare to continue this trend, I will simply leave him! I'll leave him! To the monastery! To the men's!! A bath attendant!!! Boom!

  - Danielle, could you move into the back seat," Vadim asked.

  - What for? - I don't get it, vampire.

  - In the process. I'll drive the car. I'd rather drive after all, and I can get away from the chase if anything.

  - As you command," Danielle said. - Jane, would you like to move into the back seat? Closer to me?

  I took a close look at the vampire.

  Danielle. I love you. But will I ever be able to understand? I hope so! I shook my head.

  - Well, fire me. There's a dead body lying under your feet.

  - A dead body? So that's what this is about! - It hit Daniel. - Jane, you just took his life!

  - I'M WHAT?!

  - You took his life," said the vampire again. - When a man dies, a rabid amount of energy is released. Looks like you pulled it into you.

  - Energy from a dead body?!

  I'm confused. It's disgusting!

  - Jane, we all do it sooner or later," Vadim explained to me, getting comfortable and fastening his seat belt. - It's not a big deal. And your energy is not from a dead body, as you said. Your energy is from the very existence of a living person. That's what turned a poor man into a corpse.

  - You mean I killed him?

  - And again, past. You didn't kill him, you just did. In fact, you showed mercy.

  I snorted. Somehow Vadim's story was all fun and easy.

  - So you'll convince me in half an hour that I'm a noble creature, Robin Hood of modernity!

  - Why? - A vampire turned on instantly. - In terms of dialectics...

  I leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. Purely friendly, no hint of sex.

  - Vadik, you're beautiful! And thank you so much for not letting Daniel put another stamp on me. If Danielle didn't know, I can tell you that Mieczyslaw and I almost died when he put the Second Seal on me. And your protector announced that he would no longer take risks, but would only put the Third Seal on me with my full consent, both external and internal. Danielle has now risked three lives. No, not even five! It's not like I put you and Boris in here! I would have accidentally killed him, died on my own, then because of the Seal and exhaustion would have killed Mecislav, and then you two. Probably while trying to escape. Now do you understand what you risked?

  The last phrase I said was direc
tly to Daniel. The rearview mirror reflected the surprisingly unfortunate light gray eyes.

  - I'm sorry, Jane. I didn't know. I wanted what was best.

  - The same phrase will be written on our grave after the nuclear explosion," I twisted. - We'll all blow up on this planet, mutated cockroaches will grow instead of us, they'll do archeology, they'll figure out what we've been doing here, they'll put a monument to us and write: "They wanted what's best, but they didn't want what's best! ». Do you understand?!

  - Jane, I already apologized!

  - And compensation for moral damages? - I gave it to you.

  - Move in with me, and I'll make it up to you for all the moral expenses you want.

  Honestly, I wanted to say no. But I caught the look of the light grey eyes, and I couldn't.

  - Vadik, don't you want to go out and put the body away? - I was wondering. - Just for a little while. For half an hour?

  One look that the vampire threw at me and Daniel was enough for Vadim to assess the situation.

  - You're right, it's not good to leave that scum here!

  Vadim went outside and started pulling out the body. Danielle dragged me to the back seat with ease, speaking of great experience, and immediately found my lips.

  And I answered the kiss humbly and gladly.

  We forgot about everything. About Mieczysław, about Boris, about Vadim, about the death coming with us... What did it matter if we were there?! And our bodies touch, repeating each other in the ancient, as the human race itself, language, the same ancient confessions.

  Daniel's fingers slid easily over my body. I feverishly kissed his face, eyes, lips, hurt his fangs, but a slight pain only spurt my excitement. I didn't realize anything but one thing. We're here for each other. We're together. And Danielle loves me! What else does it take to be happy?! The moon from the sky? To hell with it, the moon! For me, both the moon and the sun were his gray eyes, reflecting me.

  Our love was fierce, furious - and some kind of amazingly tender and sensitive. Danielle understood my desires before I knew them myself, and I had a sixth sense of what he wanted from me. And I was in a hurry to fulfill his every whim. Turns out love can be that way. It's incredibly gentle. Madly gentle. Swept away everything in its path and purified the soul. Probably because that's what it was - Love. Not just sex in the backseat of a car.

  We only regained consciousness when Vadim banged on the window.

  - Hey, there, lover heroes, maybe it's time you woke up. Isn't it time we woke up?

  I reached out in Daniel's arms, touching glass with my hand.

  - I love you.

  Danielle smiled at me. And he had a smile as tender and pure as an angel in a stupid picture.

  - I love you too, baby! I love you very much. More than life!

  - And why do we only have to go somewhere," I sighed as I moved away and tried to find my things. It turned out to be quite difficult. The panties were hanging on the steering wheel, one boot was stuck under the driver's seat, and the pants were thrown to the floor. I think we even went through our clothes in a fit of passion. We didn't even want to talk about our hair and makeup.

  Danielle noticed me groping my hair with horror, and he took my hands aside.

  - I'll take care of your hair. We still have time before we get there.

  I gratefully kissed him on the cheek and started dressing. The vampire did it faster than me, but it was no surprise. He had a long practice on his side.

  When I finally buttoned the last button, he clicked the lever and let Vadim in. The vampire plunged into the driver's seat and gave us a ridiculous smile.

  - Maybe we can take you to the hotel for a couple of hours, huh?

  - No, I was trying to seem serious and focused, which wasn't easy because there was a distinct sex smell in the car and Danielle was trying to do some styling on my hair. - First it was Andre, then everything else. Vadim, right to "Wolf Fight"!

  The vampire confidently turned left.

  - Aren't we going to get lost?

  - No way! I know a map of this city as a memory!

  - Well, that's great!

  Daniel's hands were confidently ironing my hair. I pressed my back on the vampire and smiled pretty good. Isn't that enough? Even if that's all fate will give me, I'll be grateful to her for that too. Because nothing more beautiful than Daniel has ever happened in my life.

  It was like a vampire kissed me on the neck when he caught my thoughts. I clung to him even tighter.

  - Love you," I whispered.

  And I heard the same quiet whisper in response:

  - I love you.

  Vadim looked at us in the rearview mirror, shook his head dissatisfied, but kept quiet. That's right. If he dared to say something bad to me now about Daniel or hint at my connection to his master, I'd just chew him up!

  Vadim's confidently ruled for "Wolf Fight." And I even recognized the suburbs. Everything was so beautiful that I was not even surprised when my whole body twisted acute pain. I bent over and screamed. Daniel's hands, previously lying lazy at my waist, were clenched by steel hoops. What a lucky thing that vampires are stronger than humans and Danielle managed to hold me! I wouldn't have thrown myself right through the glass. The pain was unbelievable! It was like I was stabbed all over my body and then slowly twisted and squeezed out. Blood dripped out of me, and life went with it. I'd scream and fight in my cramps. It was like electrical discharges were passing through my whole body. I think I scared both vampires half to death before I realized anything.

  - Jane! What's wrong with you?!

  - Honey! Answer me something!

  I could barely get back to normal. And I thought, how nice it is when your body feels nothing. If I'd known this was gonna happen, I'd have gotten my analgesic drunk.

  - What's wrong with me?

  My voice was creepy. That's the only way to sound evil. Rattling, inaudible, some kind of shouting. Just an angelic voice!

  The vampires are looking at each other. Only now I noticed that we were standing on the side of the road, Vadim leaned over me and held my hands tightly, and Danielle pressed against him, holding one hand over his shoulders and the other over his waist.

  - And let me go. I'm not dying yet.

  Danielle shaken his hands obediently. I took a deep breath and exhaled. Yeah, I'm all wet! My royal look is gone! Now I look more like a porpoise. I mean, the one they just pulled out of the sea.

  - What happened to me?

  The voice was getting more and more confident. I was starting to feel better by the minute. The euphoria I felt from drinking blood and then loving wasn't coming back, but it wasn't getting any worse. It's just that my whole body felt like it was getting heavy and alien.

  - You suddenly started screaming and fighting. I couldn't see or hear anything, almost got hurt. I caught you by the hand in time so you wouldn't drop the glass. What was wrong with you?

  I looked at Vadim. What was wrong with me? I wish I knew! I'm an undergraduate! A monkey with a grenade! You're a gifted monkey! But even the most talented man can't prove the Farm's theorem if he doesn't know what integral is! So do I! I can roll up mountains, but I just don't know what I did!

  - Danielle, don't you have any guesses?!

  - One thing is, the vampire voice sounded tired.

  - So? - Vadim barked.

  - Don't forget that Jane is a surname! I'm fine, but with our third known equation...

  - Chief! Oh, shit!

  - Are you saying that it wasn't my pain, it was his? - I specified.

  - It's quite possible. Or just indigestion," Danielle said. - The blood is poisonous.

  - Well, you still haven't puked, I puked. - Let's go now! Vadim, start the mare! If those freaks do anything else with Mieczysław, it'll suck! I'm not the Iron Lumberjack so you can't feel anything!

  Vadim obediently moved from his seat. The jeep was picking up speed.

  - How did you feel?

  - It was as if all the blood was squeezed out o
f me," I answered. - Is it possible?

  Vadim is darkened.

  - More than that. It won't work with humans, and a vampire can gently cut all his veins and bleed out. And then you can plant leeches, too. That's what you must have felt.

  I scolded. Long, intricate and tasteful, describing the detailed process of the birth of vampires in general, vampires in particular and Mr. André. Anyway, just a little bit of detail. His intimate relationship with the world around him, some unicellular and mechanical washing machines.

  I'm sick of everything! DO-STA-LO!!! I can't see these vampires anymore! Bring me back! Make the lamp go on, make sure nothing happens, make me break the phone that day, make me go to the resort with my mom and grandpa! Whatever! Bring me back!

  The vampires understood my condition and kept quiet the whole trip. And they did. If somebody said a word to me now, I'd be off the chain like a rabid Baskerville dog. And then I'd be sorry for my flash. But both Vadim and Daniel didn't say anything. And I was quietly boiling in my own anger. Well, that's okay. If I find myself among the enemies, I'll throw everything at them! Let them know who's to blame and what's to blame! I hope they don't kill me there at once?!

  Vadim stopped the car at an unusually quiet and unlit club and turned to me.

  - Jane, I have one request for you.

  - Yeah? - I could already speak more or less calmly.

  - Jane, whatever the chief wants you to do, for God's sake, don't argue! And get a hold of yourself! You're welcome!

  I wanted to rat on a vampire, and then I just sighed. Well, you're right on all sides. My long, unbridled tongue always leads to different pesky things. Like fighting a vampire. Now, I can't afford the luxury of tongue-banging without hesitation.

  - Okay, Vadim. I'll do my best.

  The vampire smiled.

  - Thank you, Jane.

  He opened the door and helped me out. I left my jacket in the car and made sure it was for nothing. There were ten steps to the door, but the wind with the snow croup was just going through. I wouldn't get sick! Oh, okay, I'll cure you!

  Or die for fuck's sake. But in a boo-long company. I wonder if I go to hell with a dozen vampires and get a discount or a discount on my frying pan?