Ring of Madness

by Royden Labrosse

  - I don't get it?

  - Curly, do you know about the order of the Seals yet?

  - Vadim told me.

  - So when Daniel's mind was dying, he took all the power of the Seal with him. You gave it away, but his Seal pulled mine with it. And for two Seals at once you did not have the power. It almost killed you.

  - That is, your Seal almost led me to my grave," I concluded.

  - It's a little rough, but it's true, curly. Now I'm gonna have to restore the body seal on you.

  I snorted.

  - It's not bad to dream.

  - Excuse me, girl?

  I looked a vampire right in the eye. A normal person would go into a trance with one look at the bottomless green lakes, but I was no longer a normal person. Well, then who was? Well, hell knows me. And I was overwhelmed by a cold, burning anger. I pronounced every word:

  - – Я. I don't. I'm going to. I'm gonna have it. I'm not. Del. С. Vampires.

  Mecislav didn't even lead with his ear.

  - It's too late now, baby.

  - It's never too late," I answered.

  - You're already my last name. With one seal, though. You can't change or remove that.

  - I'm not your last name. I don't belong to you.

  - I didn't say you were my property, Curly. But you're not going anywhere anymore. You can't get the stamps off.

  - Even if I killed you?

  - You're not gonna get over it, fuzzy. Are you ready to risk your life?

  I looked right into his eyes. Now I was ready for something else.

  - You still have doubts?

  The vampire got out of bed easily.

  - You can't talk to me now, Curly. We'll talk later. When you come to your senses.

  - There is no "sweat" for us," I replied sharply. - Danielle is dead. He was the only thing that tied me to your fang company. And the only thing I regret is that I didn't let him put another stamp on me. He asked me for it, and I was shy. You were a fool!

  - You couldn't stand four Seals, honey. After Daniel died, they would have dragged you to your grave. You would have died for sure.

  I laughed bitterly.

  - I wonder if it's easier to die or try to live without someone you love.

  - Dying is always easy, kitty. - There was compassion in the green eyes, but I didn't want to see it. Vampires are evil! That's it!

  - It takes much more courage to live," his voice whispered next to the bed. - Don't make me disappointed in you.

  I measured it with my eyes.

  - What do I care about you? I'm a human being and I have nothing to do with night fang beasts! If you come near me again, I'll turn you in to the IPF!

  Mechislav smiled a little. His fangs sparkled.

  - You're not gonna do it, Curly.

  - Oh, really?

  Now I believed what I was saying. And the vampire had to feel it.

  - I hope you don't give them Vadim or Boris?

  - I won't. But I don't want to see you either.

  Mecislav smiled again. He didn't argue. He knew very well that I was furious. And he knew that any word he said would be taken in bayonets. Now. And then maybe not.

  - I'm not going to look for a meeting with you, my lovely. But if you need me, you can always find me.

  - It's more like hell freezes over," I snapped.

  - Some peoples believed that hell is a place where it is very cold, a lot of snow and ice, curls. There's no need to disagree.

  - It's worth it.

  He was standing at the door, so incredibly beautiful as a dream. And I hated him. I didn't know how to hate him before, but I learned fast. Danielle didn't die because of him, but Mecislav took him under his protection and didn't protect him. For me, it was tantamount to betrayal.

  - Our world, my joy, is right next to yours. And you live in it now. As much as you resist, sooner or later you will come to me. You are my surname, and even Daniel's death has not changed that. We will definitely be together.

  He sounded so confident that I was scared. And, as usual, I hid fear behind rage.

  - Get out of my room and out of my life!

  The vampire bowed a little. This gesture came out light and real. Maybe that's how the courtiers bowed to the king in the seventeenth century.

  - See you later, Curly.

  The room door slammed behind him. I cracked my fist on the pillow in a rage. You bastard! I hate him! I hate him!!!

  The door banged again, and Nadia came in.

  - I sent everyone far away. How you feeling, Curly?

  - Don't you start! - I prayed.

  Girlfriend had a crooked smile.

  - Did you know that you were registered as Isabella Vadimovna Klykova in the waiting room?

  I felt really lousy, but I couldn't contain the smiles.

  - And who is that to me?

  - Vadim, of course. Slap what you get off him! So you'll hear "curly" every step of the way.

  I shook my head.

  - Danielle used to call me that when he was angry.

  Nadia sighed and sat down next to the bed.

  - Jane, Danielle is dead. Whatever you say or do, he's not coming back. Only you're gonna get hurt more.

  I knew it myself, but hearing my thoughts from Nadia was so much worse. It was like you betrayed your loved one in your thoughts and someone peeped at them.

  - It hurts so much, Nadia! It hurts so much!

  Girlfriend's face has softened. Nadia sat down on the edge of the bed and pulled me to her.

  - Cry, curly. You didn't want to, but you can't change anything now.

  - Don't call me curly! - I barked. And I tried too hard. My throat burst spasm, I coughed and only after a few minutes I realized that I was coughing through my tears, and Nadia strokes my hair and sentences me something comforting.

  That was the last straw. The camel's back broke, I stuck my face in an old girlfriend's robe and cried, crying my whole bad life. It hurt crazy somewhere in my chest, and I knew it wasn't going away. When a piece of meat is pulled out, there's a scar. When they rip out love, what's left of it? I had to learn that from experience. But even now I was in terrible pain.

  Epilogue

  I failed in the hospital for another month. I could've gotten out earlier, but the doctors insisted on thorough treatment. They were afraid of cardiac arrest. But they didn't say anything to my family. And thank you for that. Although I strongly suspected that it was Mieczysław's work. I didn't hesitate to ask. I was visited by Boris and Vadim, too. They didn't come together, but they came separately at least twice a week. They came for a short time and told me the latest vampire news. Miecislav has established himself as Prince of the City. The first thing he did was invite his pack to move here. Now in our city there were fifteen vampires more. Everyone accepted his authority unconditionally. Anna, that is, once Katya, and now vampire Anna, was punished for her vile deed. Vadim said that Mechislav forbade her to feed for a month and threatened that at the first disobedience he would give her to the IPF. It has frightened the former friend so that she became simply the share-girl. She tried to seduce Mieczysław, but the vampire used her and threw her out for the second night. He never touched her again. I wasn't touched by it. Well, just a little bit. Jealousy doesn't tell if you love or hate it. Although I didn't hate Mieczysław. Except I'll admit it to him when the cows fly. Both Vadim and Boris only call me "curly". None of the vampires even remember my name is Jane. And if I remind you, they just shrug their shoulders. Well, anyway, Mecislav ordered me to call you "curly." He's our Prince and we have to obey. Yes, it's pure childishness on his part, but the orders of the Prince of the City are not discussed. If he says to throw himself into the fire, then we will. And then, you really are a curly one. Beautiful and all that curly. This is where our argument usually ends, and we move on to other topics.

  In fact, Vadim and Boris are amazing guys with an amazing sense of humor. When they don't kill or drink blood. It's a pleasure to talk to them. They come to my h
ouse, too.

  Nadia threw herself over the first full moon and brought me a picture. The film shows a luxurious red fox, two and a half times bigger than they actually are. Girlfriend says she likes herself much better in a furry image. Even though she's much more beautiful in a human image. She has decisively changed her image and now she is not complaining about the lack of male attention. She also left the morgue and now works at a private dental clinic in town. I know that this clinic belongs to werewolves, but nobody else knows about it. There's been no reprisals from the institute's superiors. And I know that Mechislav paid a rabid bribe in advance so that Nadia would enter the next year at any faculty she chose. I'm happy for her. She's a smart girl.

  The IPF didn't show up at the hospital. I was very happy about that. But when I got home, the first night I heard the bell. I picked up the phone.

  - Hello?

  - Good evening. May I speak to Julia Evgenievna?

  - You're already talking to her," I informed her.

  - This is Konstantin Sergeyevich.

  - Hello, Lieutenant Colonel, I was glad.

  - It's the colonel. Julia Ev...

  - Jane. Congratulations to you. I'm very glad.

  - I'm glad, too. I mean, thanks to your information...

  - Did you complete your quarterly shooting plan early? - I did.

  The colonel laughed. For some reason, I wasn't happy about it. Why?

  - It's about that.

  - I'm happy for you.

  - Okay. Jane, I wanted to thank you for the information and reiterate my invitation.

  - Which one? - I don't get it.

  - About the tests. And working together.

  - You know what I'll say. I don't want to contact the IPF. Health is more expensive.

  - By the way, I'm glad you're cured. Would you like to share the reasons for your illness?

  - I don't want to.

  - That's too bad, curly.

  - My name is Jane.

  - I thought it was Isabella. As the Prince of the City's new friend. Nobody's seen her, but they talk about her a lot.

  - I don't care," I cut it off, feeling my ears burning. It's a good thing we don't have a video phone.

  - That's too bad, curly.

  - And don't call me that!

  - As you wish. Jane, are you sure there's nothing you want to tell us?

  - Nothing, I didn't flinch. - Have you got everything?

  - That's it.

  - Goodbye, then, Colonel?

  - Wait, Jane.

  - What else? - I was tired of talking, and I really wanted to hang up. So that no more bastards would call me on this phone!

  - Write down my phones. There's not much that can happen in life.

  - For example, I'll decide to give you a Christmas present?

  - Or Easter. It's not the point. Just-- write them down.

  I obediently took a notebook and a pen.

  - Dictate!

  Three phones, three names. And I will be contacted by the colonel immediately for each one. Well, so be it. Though I doubted I would ever need that knowledge. I've had enough vampires to sell my soul to their antagonists!

  Then there was another conversation with Vadim. I broke up with Medislav and didn't even want to hear about him, but Boris and Vadim will remain my friends one way or another. And we see each other often. I talked to Vadim after I was discharged from the hospital. At the hospital he diligently avoided this topic, but after his discharge, when the vampire came to my dacha, I could not stand it.

  - Don't you think there's something we need to clarify? - I asked.

  Vadim nodded, but he didn't say anything. And I had to start the conversation first.

  - You stunned me then. Why did I do that?

  The vampire wouldn't specify when. He nodded silently. It wasn't until a few minutes later that he spoke.

  - Jane, I'm a vampire from the Mecislav vertical. You know that.

  - Well, yeah.

  - What you wanted to do at that moment was suicide. What's more, you would have killed me and Boris. I didn't want that. I tried to stop you. And I only had one chance.

  - You knew they'd kill Daniel, didn't you?

  - I guessed," I didn't twist the vampire's soul. - I'm sorry, but my own skin has always been more precious to me. After a couple of centuries, somehow you get used to living on.

  I nodded, accepting his explanation.

  - Tell me, did Danielle really not suffer?

  - He was not in pain," Vadim said. - And one more thing. When I stunned you, he asked Ramirez for permission to speak to me.

  - He was allowed?!

  - Yes.

  - And what did he say?!

  Vadim put his eyelashes down.

  - Jane, he asked me to tell you that he really loved you, that fate has separated you, but he hopes that you will remember him and that if you are strong enough, he will give you a farewell gift.

  I frowned.

  - A goodbye present?

  - I don't know what he meant," Vadim shrugged his shoulders. - To be honest, I'd rather not say anything.

  - You didn't say nothing.

  - Yes. Jane...

  - Yeah?

  - Jane, don't be mad at the chief. It's really not his fault. It just happened to be. You've got some pretty damn bad cards. But is that a reason for separation? I know you like him.

  I threw my head in.

  - First of all, everyone likes your boss. And two, if you say one word about him, I'll just kick you out of here! Okay?

  - I see...

  What else can I say? Valentine is still the leader of the pack. He held on and is very pleased. Mieczysław helped him in his new post, both with advice and military force. Vampires are a very convincing argument. Especially if they're over a hundred years old. We talk to him, too. Well, we're good friends. We're very good friends. Sometimes I think Valentine's a little carried away with me, but then I start to think I'm paranoid, and I calm down. By the way, he also calls me "curly" and assures me that the nickname is true. I've already stopped arguing. Until Miecislav cancels his stupid order, I'm doomed to carry that name. Godfather, damn it!

  Grandpa and Mom came to the hospital the day after I came to my senses. I met them with a smile and an unforgettable "Diamond Hand. I slipped, fell, woke up - hospital. I was the one who told my mother. I wouldn't have told grandfather any more, but Mechislav decided everything for me again. Two more days later, Grandpa came into the room early in the morning and looked at me so that I understood - knows.

  - Good morning, Grandpa!

  - Well, you've made a mess of things, Curly.

  - Don't you call me that!

  - I won't. But I met a vampire who gave you that nickname!

  - Do you believe in vampires?

  - Do you have scars on your hands and under your collarbone from being too religious?

  I put my eyes down.

  - I didn't want to go to an asylum.

  - I'd put you there and put you away if I knew what happened from your mouth. - Grandpa didn't think to make excuses. - But it's much more convincing when you have a werewolf in front of you and then a vampire shows off his fangs. Impressive guy, that Mecislav.

  - He didn't hypnotize you? - I was worried.

  - Can he do that?

  - He did this to me with ease.

  - No. From what I understand, he didn't hypnotize me. He offered me cooperation.

  - Oh, really?

  - The snowgirev's dead. His business was left without a master. And I'm not happy about it, but I want his business.

  - And the vampire offered to help you?

  - Yes. In exchange for eighty percent of the profit.

  - Awesome! But Mecislav was always a shark.

  - We got together at seventy-five percent. It's a good thing, and twenty-five percent for free isn't so bad.

  - It's better now," I said. The vampire, as always, was left to win. Cause I don't know if he used to own seventy percent of Le
cket Inc. But Grandpa doesn't need to know about it.

  - Don't you want to talk to me about what happened?

  I thought about it and shook my head.

  - Not right now. It's too painful. Maybe later. In the meantime, don't talk to me about vampires.

  - I won't. But I'll have a present for you when you get home.

  I shrugged my shoulders. I expected a lot, but not a two-room fully furnished apartment in the next driveway. I mean, with wallpaper and plumbing. And I had already furnished it after my grandfather showed me the papers. It turned out just fine. My grandfather's reasoning was simple.

  - It's time for you to live apart. And I bought an apartment so close that you wouldn't feel abandoned. If you want to live in your apartment, come to us, curly.

  - Don't call me that!

  - I won't. But are you sure you don't need help? When that vampire talks about you, his eyes are burning. He hasn't forgotten about you.

  - I had no hope.

  I live separately now. Mecislav didn't leave me alone. It started with a basket of roses delivered to my home with a note.

  "I always remember you, Curly. "I love you. I'm waiting. Sincerely yours, anytime and anywhere, Mecislav."

  .

  There was a phone number next to the card. The card went in the garbage can. I was sorry to throw away the roses. I just put them on the stairs. But the flowers came every day. I already know in the face of every delivery guy from the flower shop, and they know very well that then they'll have to steal the flowers downstairs. Obviously, someone told Mieczysław about it, because now there is a huge vase on the platform, and there are always scarlet roses in it. I can get mad, but the vase is firmly screwed to the floor. And I'm not allowed to clean it up by house management.

  I went back to the institute. I go to class like I used to. I presented a sick note and passed my exams. At the institute, I feel calm and good. No one there knows about my problems. Nobody calls me "curly". And it makes me feel better.

  Katina's parents called me. They asked me if I knew where she was or what was wrong with her. I didn't say anything. They never found out that their kid was a vampire. It's for the best, too. I don't think they'd accept that fact. Katya is now missing. She's not connected to me, though. Someone made sure that while I was in the hospital, Katya showed up a couple of times in nightclubs and said she was going to leave town. So I have a hundred percent alibi. I guess that's what Machislav ordered, but I don't know for sure. I don't ask about my ex-girlfriend at all. Katya's dead to me, and I don't care about a vampire named Anna. Although I'm a bit of a crook around here. Yes, you do. Yeah, she is. I'd love to snap her neck for treachery, but I know for sure it'll take a step towards vampires. And I don't want to do that. Mecislav, of course, will allow me to skin Anna and even help, but what will he demand in return? It's better not to know. It'll be easier to live.