I shook my head to repel the memories, and evil looked at Mieczysław.
- Did you do it on purpose, damn you?!
- No, Curly. I wouldn't remind you if I knew.
- That's how I believed it. Wait a minute! Did you get caught up in that, too?!
Mechislav spoke in an awfully tired voice. As a teacher on the eighth pair.
- Like it or not, you're my last name. Everything that happens to you will reflect on me. We are bound by the Seal of Mind, so I'm particularly clear on your thoughts.
- Damn you.
- You've said that before.
I know. It's a shame I didn't hear a damn thing!
I was already calming down. Okay, he really might not have known.
- Shall we go?
- Follow me, Curly.
We went back to the office the same way without meeting anyone on the way again. I plunged into the chair and looked right at the vampire.
- Well, what did you decide?
Mecislav was walking around the room. He suddenly seemed very tired and confused. For a moment, I just wanted to walk up to him and give him a hug. Not for sex. It was for comfort. Just to make it clear that he wasn't alone. I could barely handle myself. One such step - and the second one will be easier to do, the third one is even easier easy, and before you know it, you're wearing all four stamps and you're obediently doing everything the master commands, right and left with all the people.
- Come on, Curly, I'll tell you everything that's going on now, and then we'll decide together what to do.
I had nothing left to do but shrug my shoulders. That's not a suggestion. If you translate it from diplomatic to Russian, the phrase sounded much stronger. Specifically: "I will have trouble with your request. Now I will show you how many inconveniences you have caused me, and when you feel guilty, I will ask for something in return that I will not get in a normal situation.
Damn vampire politics!
Mechislav stopped walking around the room and sat down on the edge of the table.
- So, Kudryashka, you have helped me to receive a place of the Prince of city and for six months have removed from all my affairs and problems. And there were a lot of them. Let's start with the werewolves. You know there's a kind of symbiosis between us, you know.
I knew that. Werewolves share blood with vampires, and vampires give them work, maintenance and safety for that. That's what Valentine told me about. Because of the nature of the body, werewolves are closed to many professions - professions that involve being in the public eye, that is, in the press, because there is a high probability of exposure. These are night work, work in hot spots, work related to medicine, chemistry, biology ... I can not list everything! And werewolves are always in great need of money. Because of the same specific lifestyle. I don't know any werewolves who are vegetarians. Same Nadia started eating meat at least twice a day after her first conversion. The werewolf body burns calories in monstrous amounts. And there are also clothes that somehow burst during transformation, a car in which you can either take shelter or get to a safe place ... again, a lot more! And it's not so easy to make money now. But in our city there are bars, there are fitness clubs, there are expensive shops ... And the fact that they close on a full moon, often coincides with the consideration, acceptance of goods or cosmetic repairs. At some point, there are helpless werewolves, at some point, vampires. Werewolves are scattered around the world, but vampires in any country are a soldered information system. By the way, that's what threatens Slava and Klara. The werewolves could lose them. Vampires are not. This is a commonwealth built to save the lives of paranorms. And it holds on very tightly. Everybody wants to live, and the IPF isn't dozing off! Bastards!
- After Andre died, I had foxes in my care. Or, as they call themselves, wolves. But if Andre and his minions kept them in check with fear and whip, your friend Valentine wasn't strong enough.
- I can't blame him for that.
- Well, you should. A weak politician is the true death of his country. A weak tungsten can't keep the pack at the head. Valentine is holding on, but only with my help. I could get rid of him and find someone stronger, but I don't think you can forgive me.
- Valentin helped you, too. He saved your life!
I wasn't particularly angry. Living a couple hundred years makes you very practical. And everything else falls into the background. All the little things that aren't worthy of a real vampire. Love, there, gratitude, loyalty, honor...
- That's another reason to let him live. But Valentine can't hold the Wolves himself and won't let me take them properly. Hence the conflict. So far he's had trouble keeping his place as leader, and consequently his life. If someone stronger had come from another pack, he would no longer be alive. Valentine had to declare his pack temporarily closed to outsiders. For .
all
of outsiders. In this situation, he is
can't
to let yourself get into a fight with another pack. And can't afford to accept your relatives.
- I see.
- Okay. Well, then there's only one way out. I'll take your brother and his fall under my protection. But I have enough problems, too. The local tigers are a pretty strong pride. We made a deal with them, but nothing more. They're not gonna lay their heads on me. I get into a fight with the Prince of another town and try to buy your fools back. Speaking of Prince Tula, I haven't heard anything good from anyone. Ivan is greedy, strong, vindictive, and also a pervert... Anyway, read something about Ivan the Terrible - you won't miss. That's what he's been nicknamed. Ivan the Terrible Tulsky. Do you like it?
- It's a great prospect. Isn't he related?
- I don't think so. What's the point?
- I'm listening to you very carefully. You and Vanya Tulsky.
- It looks that way. I'm taking Stanislav and Clara under protection and I'm telling Ivan that I have them and I'm not going to give them away. What happens next? We may not count on a peaceful resolution of the conflict. Your relatives have done their best. I couldn't have come up with anything worse myself! And I couldn't have done it if I had.
I scratched my nose. I didn't know much about vampires - by the way, by order of Mieczysław himself - but I could have guessed.
- Two options. If Vaněčka is stupid, he'll come here and try to rip your head off. If she's smart - she'll turn to the Council, and we'll be sent here an emissary, who will solve the situation. Do I get a candy for being smart?
- Even two, if you guess who the emissary is.
- Do I have a long list of acquaintances? If you're suggesting I guess... Ramirez?
- That's right.
- Well, then, no problem? He's nice to us, isn't he?
- – К
you
Curly.
That "you" was so highlighted in the voice that it needed to be explained. I raised my eyebrows.
- Yeah, you did?
Mecislav took a paperweight from the table from some black stone, turned in his fingers as if it weighed nothing, and smiled.
- Baby, you shared blood with Ramirez, right?
- Well, yeah.
- – И
force
?
- That's right, too. So what?
The bright green eyes were serious and unexpectedly sad.
- Ramirez spoke to me after you went to the hospital. He wants you, Curly. He wants you, Curly. He wants you so that he can have you.
–
What
?!
I slammed my eyes, I couldn't believe such nonsense. Who do vampires think they are?! What am I, the crossover banner of the Social Work Brigade?!
- Yes, my goodness, you're not wrong. Ramirez and I talked about the third day while you were still in the hospital, but your condition stabilized and the doctors stopped hinting at the tassel coffin. If you want, I'll let you into my memories.
I shook my head.
- It'll be enough to tell you in detail.
- Whatever you want
, sweetie.
The words were quite businesslike, but the voice... Damn that vampire! That's not a voice to talk business with, but to whisper promises in bed! I shuddered and clenched my fists harder. Why does he have that effect on me?! It's not fair!
- I don't want to let you get in my head again," I cut it off. - Tell me in words.
- Ramirez came to me before he left. And offered to give you up for a good price if you survive. However, if you were going to die, he'd be fine, too. A man's last blood, a man's death gives a lot of power.
- How nice of him! You're a real scum, vampire gentlemen!
- Don't you understand anything, Curly?
- What should I understand? That they don't even put me in a penny?! It's a discovery, isn't it? I always knew a good vampire was a dead vampire! And rested! And you're still alive! And so is that fanger parasite!
Mecislav looked at me like a hopeless idiot.
- Curly, at least try to understand: what attracted Ramirez to you so much?
- You already told me that. My
power
. So what?
- You don't realize how rare your gift is yet. I knew about these people, but they were very few. Very few. " Your
power
makes me come to life. I feel almost human. And that's a rare feeling for us, my little one. So rare that we're willing to ask, lie, betray and kill for it.
- And Ramirez is addicted to that feeling? What about you? Vadim? Boris? You don't even notice it! And I talked to them a lot. And I didn't notice anything.
- Of course, Curly. You couldn't have noticed anything. Nothing happened.
- I don't get it, do I?
- Really, my dear, on your...
power
only me and Danielle got hooked. Remember, honey, when you gave blood to Boris?
- Before the fight.
- And Vadim?
- After the torture, when he was crippled. Well, so what?
I didn't know what the vampire was doing. It's just a headache! It's very sexy, though.
- Yours...
strengths
there's a curious feature. If your borrowed money...
power
goes just to replenish internal resources or to rebuild the body, you don't get hooked on it. Otherwise, the vampire becomes just an addict. I didn't realize that until now. Ramirez is a little earlier. I'm sure when he gets here, he'll ask permission to use you.
–
What
?!
Now I'm pissed off. What do you mean "take advantage"?! What am I, an Olweiss gasket with wings or some kind of sunscreen to use me?!
- Well, not you in the physical sense, not even a vampire embarrassed, but your blood. And yours.
force
respectively.
- So send him... to tan!
- I can't, Julia, I just can't.
- Oh, really?
- Vampires are quite civilized, but it's this... hierarchy that creates a lot of problems. Ramirez is one step above me. And not even one step above me. First, he's older and stronger than me. Secondly, he serves the Council. And he is the official representative of the law on my territory.
- The state is me. And whoever doesn't understand, face the wall.
- That's in France, Curly. And if I try to say something like that to the emissary of the Council, I won't even have a foundation from that wall in my possession.
- That's sad. And what do you suggest we do about that fact?
The vampire raised his eyebrow ironically.
- Us, baby?
I blushed and got even angrier.
- Well, who else?! I don't like playing on the same team with you either, but the prospect is even worse! What's the choice between Scylla and Charibda - or what was the name of those things?!
- I love educated women.
- I don't doubt that you enjoy reciprocity," I said. - It's a good thing I don't have any feelings for you.
- No feelings at all, my love?!
I moved away from those words.
My love.
That's what only one person in this world has called me. Danielle. My favorite artist. But he died. And I didn't want to hear it from strangers. The anger that broke out over my destiny shut down all the channels where I had restraint and common sense.
- Not love and not yours! If you call me that again, I've seen all your vampire stuff in my coffin! I'm gonna go to the goddamn Canaries and do your own work!
Mecislav studied my face like a drug on a slide, - carefully and thoughtfully. He didn't seem to like what he saw.
- I'm sorry, Curly. I got carried away. I should have understood.
- So try not to do it anymore, - I was already calmed down and could reason sensibly. - So what are we gonna do about your junkie emissary after all?
- I told him you're my family name and you're wearing another of my stamps. Ramirez said you could probably hold eight Seals, too.
- So he'd just kill you sooner or later?
- Sooner rather than later, Curly, you're right about that. Of course, I said that you have not recovered from the illness and loss of a loved one, I told Ramirez that it is simply impossible to share your surname, it's like lending an arm or a leg, and I said that everything between us has long been decided.
- So that I will become your full surname? I don't want to!
- I don't ask for that much, baby. I'm just asking you to restore the first seal. The Seal of the Body that was erased with Daniel's Seal!
- Isn't that too much to ask? - My voice was full of ridicule.
The vampire chose to ignore it.
- Yes, you're right, Yulenka, but you're unlikely to agree to two Seals in two lives.
- It's true that the ruthlessness has turned to poison. - Are you sure you can use my courtesy? If Ramirez skinned you, you won't care about the Seals of the World!
- And that means you. I've already made sure you're not a bad diplomat, if you like. Vadim has told me a lot. Ramirez will judge honestly as long as he has a hope of getting you into ownership - or, for starters, on loan. If he kills me unfairly, you won't stay with him, right, Curly?
- All right. And there's no other way?
- I would never offer you anything dangerous if I had a choice. But that problem will have to be solved sooner or later.
I covered my face with my hands. The ultimatum is clear: either an owl stump or an owl stump. The worst thing is, of course, me. It's like that bird. Quite polite politely and nicely, the vampire made it clear that he would only be able to take away my family if we were in the same harness. If I, obeying his words, bait the Emissary of the Council and let him put another seal on me. What I want nothing to do with this vampire is not taken into account. But! If I survived the Seal once, there is no guarantee that I will survive it a second time.
It's as if Mecislav overheard my thoughts.
- I completely forgot to tell you, Curly. I think you're the only one who's kept you in this world by my Seal. And I'm not lying. Connecting with me has made you much stronger. Mentally, physically. The breakup went more or less painlessly. But then the Seals were fresh. What happens to you and me now, if you decide to insist on yours and somehow try to get free, I can't even assume.
I looked at him from behind my fingers.
- Do you read minds?
- No. You just have a very expressive face.
- I covered it with my hands! I wonder why?
- Why, Curly?
Ugh!
But the decision was made. As always, then I'll regret it. Then I'll yell what could have been done better, then I'll bang my head against the wall. And then I'll do it! Now I had to save Slava. Then I will throw him out of town and I will not regret it. We'll talk to Grandfather and send him to Australia to herd sheep. Or we can sing in the blackthorn, anyway. Although the second one can be arranged here, too. Put him in blackberry without his pants and enjoy the concert. That's as good as it gets. But I have to get him out. Even t
hough Slava is a scumbag, a creature and a bastard, he used to be my brother. And for the sake of our distant childhood, I will help him. I took my hands off his face.
- I'll do it. On my terms.
- And which ones, Curly?
- I'll pretend to be your last name...
- Picture, Curly?
- Picture," I pressed with my voice. - But without any sex, without trying to subjugate me and use the dark. If I'm doing something, I need to know why and where it leads. You'll get the seal, too. I swear to you. But only after Ramirez and this Ivan the Terrible get out of town and my brother and his men stay. Safe and sound. Did I make myself clear?
- Pretty clear, baby.
The vampire just looked like a pig. And I got this little ma-boy thought in my head: Am I not paying triple the price for the goods I lay down? But what could I do? And how do I check the truthfulness of a vampire? The only thing I had to do was talk nasty!
- I wonder why I couldn't consider the second option.
- The second option, my lovely?
- Well, yes! There are at least two ways out of any hopeless situation! One is to play by your rules. The second one is a little better: I contact Ramirez right now and tell him that I agree to everything in exchange for an excuse for my family.
- An excuse, Curly?
- Oh, don't pretend you don't know Russian!
- I know. But I don't like it when you use jargon. It's vulgar. And in seven hundred years, you get good taste one way or another.
- I wonder if Ramirez will raise me, too.
Mecislav looked at me with a completely impenetrable face. I continued to develop my theory.
Ring of Madness Page 83
