My grandfather listened attentively and focusedly. And then he started asking questions. Valentine could have answered something. He could have described the crime scene. He could tell us that werewolves were found, and the relationship between the packs. I could tell him how I felt. But in everything else...
How many vampires are there in town? Which of them was initiated by the Prince of Tula? Who kept in his heart the light and pure image of Dyushka (the former prince)? Who and for what can have a tooth on Medzisław?
We could only answer the last question clearly.
- That's it. And not one tooth, but fangs in three rows.
- Very comforting, - summed up the grandfather. And I thought about it.
We didn't say anything. Finally he shaked his head.
- Would you like a drink?
- Do you have any juice?
- You pour it yourself, not a little one. And I'll have orange blossom. I poured the juice over the glasses, Grandpa drank it, and I summed it up.
- The fact that you were set up is like counting with two fingers. Otherwise, there's not enough information. I assume you must have a traitor. Can vampires know if they're lying or not?
- Sometimes they can.
- Well, let them do it.
- Too many people will have to be questioned.
- If they want to live, they can do it. Julia, is there any way this could threaten you?
- No more and no less than everyone else. We'll survive.
- Don't lie, it's good. If there's more data, then you'll come for advice. Without suspicion or evidence, I can only say two things. But Mecislav must have gotten to them, too. The first one. Look for a traitor in your circle, at a high enough level. The second. Be as careful as you can. They may not want to kill you - but kidnapping, or poisoning, or trying to somehow turn you off for a couple of days from public life is quite possible. Okay?
- I've already been given security," I burst out.
- Well, that's great. Will you give the vampire my big human thank you?
I was screaming. Valentin snorted.
- Bummer?
Bummer. And a bummer. And even chewed. You can't make a vampire scandal. Even if my grandfather said we needed security, then we'll have to put up with it.
Grandfather shaked his head and winked at Valentina.
- Well, I'm calm for Julia. Now call this creature here.
- What creature? - A werewolf surprised.
- The one that used to be my grandson.
- Okay. Now.
- Wait a minute! - I raised my hand. - Do I need to remind you that everything that's said in this office is going to stay between us? And if anybody talks, I'll know who to ask.
- Yeah, and if anyone cheats, we'll punch them in the face, the cheeky redhead,
[7]
- puffed up Valentin. - Yulia!
- You can be offended. But if there's a traitor among us, it's better to take precautions in advance. Not a word to anyone, not a half a word about this council. Not even Mieczysław. I'll tell him myself.
The shape-shifter just nodded and came out. Grandfather sat down at the table and started to look through some papers.
- I'd rather do it now," he explained. - At the same time, I'll get my thoughts together.
I nodded and went to get another glass of juice. The spectacle promised... to be. And - be beaten.
Slavka stormed into the office with a hurricane.
- At last! I was already waiting!
- It's all right, young man, I didn't make you wait nine years for a reception - my grandfather didn't even raise his voice, but it was freezing on my skin.
And I saw a young boy for a moment.
"Will you send him to the rear? "I'll run away anyway. "I'll take my revenge to the last. And you won't stop me even if you stun and tie me up."
No hysterics, no shiver in your voice. Titanium determination. And even titanic. Then, during the Great Patriotic War, grandfathers were born of a steel character. Or was he before? Congenital? He just didn't show up in peacetime because there was no need? I guess so. Otherwise, where else would I have gotten the same advances?
Slava stopped as if he had raided the wall, and then took two steps forward.
- Grandfather!
Grandfather didn't even think to raise his head from the papers.
- Julia, you and I haven't agreed yet. I'm going to finish up and give you some time.
- And I'm not here?! - Slavka spoke with sincere indignation.
- And if anyone cheats, we'll hit the face, the insolent redhead...
Grandpa just turned over the contract page. And he did it with a face that made it clear to both of us: No. And even
no
. Maybe it won't. My grandfather was obviously angry - at me and at Slava. He wasn't even mad at me - for bringing the "Fox's brother" here, at Slava... not even mad. It's just that Slava no longer existed for him. Well, Grandfather can see how and with whom to talk. I won't spoil his game.
I obediently sat down on the sofa.
It took at least fifteen minutes before Grandpa raised his head from the papers.
- So, Julia?
- It's as simple as that. Slava didn't believe me. I could have made a phone call, but I decided that a personal meeting was preferable.
One look was enough for Grandpa. We both couldn't let that reptile crawl up on Mom. You couldn't control it completely. How do you keep a man who wants to come back?
It's easy.
We have to understand,
why
he's coming back. Or who... It doesn't matter. The important thing here is not to make a mistake.
Grandfather came out of the table and walked around the room, stretching his muscles. Flexible, strong and, what's the matter, even now beautiful. Even at his respectable age... There is, there is a beautiful old age and without suspenders and botoxes.
- Really? Grandpa's voice whipped like a whip. - And you thought I'd accept a traitor into my family again?
- I did not betray! - Slava was outraged.
- Really? And what is the name of what you did?
- And what is the name of what you do? You're sleeping with my mother. It's incest.
I snorted. Grandpa shrugged his shoulders.
- I don't have a daughter on my side. We're not related in the next ten generations. It's because she was married to my son and your father... Well, so be it. Both Zhenka and Tamara are dead. We didn't start seeing each other right after they died. We were grieving. I know that Alya loved Zhenka. And I loved Tomka. We felt bad when they were gone. And that was it.
- She's my mother, and you're my grandfather. It's unnatural.
- It's all church nonsense. We have no blood in common.
- That's no excuse for what you did!
- And I'm not making excuses to you. You're not worth an excuse. You're a traitor. Shallow and cowardly.
Grandfather stacked his words like a sword - hard and clear.
- I never betrayed anyone. I just walked away.
- There are many ways of betraying. You can tell your enemies a military secret. Or you can run away. Leave everything and go cowardly and steal your mother's trinkets.
- I only needed them for the first time. Then I provided for myself!
- You'll continue to do that. Okay?
- I don't care. Let me pay you for these miserable trinkets! Do you remember what I took? I can't buy them back, but I'll give you the money!
- I don't need a penny from you. And you won't get another penny from me.
- I won't take it. But you can come to Clara and me sometime. We're going to get married, we're going to have kids, your grandchildren...
- My grandchildren, by definition, can't come from you. Unfortunately, you look too much like Ginny. So there's some of my blood in you. It's a pity Alya didn't fatten you up on the side.
- Like with you?
- No. You don't look like my grandson. You're not in our lives anymo
re. And I'm not interested in you.
I wasn't going to feel sorry for my grandfather's brother. Slavka didn't need pity. His blue eyes were burning with anger, his face was distorted.
- My mother will be glad to see me. And my children, too. Klara is a wonderful person, she'll like her.
- What are you trying to do, bring Padi into the house? - I was surprised.
- What are you, a racist? - Slava's swooning.
- No, - I cut it off. - But your Clara is a weak link. And I don't like her. I don't want to talk to her or do anything. The farther she is from me, the better.
- And don't touch your mother," added Grandpa. - It was hard for her then, after you left, and I don't want her to be hurt now.
- If she finds out I'm alive and I'm all right, she'll feel better.
- No. For her, you died. It's gonna stay that way.
- I have my own head on my shoulders, too. If I decide to see my mother, you won't dare stop me! You can't stop me!
Grandpa shrugged his shoulders.
- If you want to get into my family, I'll just shoot you. Like a mad mutt.
And it was said so calm and cold, I knew he'd shoot me. And he won't even hire a hit man, he can handle it. And the hand won't shake. In my grandfather's cold yellow eyes, almost like mine, only lighter, the frosty night was splashing. And the glare was shimmering like a telescope sight. And here's Slava...
He got scared. I saw it. But he couldn't back down and got into another fight.
- I won't say you'll get caught and go to jail...
- You don't say. It's just not gonna happen. Or do you think it's okay to expend after 50 old people? That's funny. I'll get over you, too, granddaughter...
And so much disgust was in the last word...
- I really am your grandson. The last of the Leoversen! Yulka's a girl, her children won't even be Leoveren. What, the birth will be stopped?
Slavka hit the sickest place. I knew it. My grandfather wanted his last name to live on earth. He wanted it very much. But...
- Her children will. Because she really is my blood. Last name doesn't matter. And you're nothing.
- You dare not say that!
- I dare you. I've never betrayed anyone. But you chickened out and ran away with your tail tightened. And you didn't even think to call or text your mother. And she was worried.
- And you weren't?
- Julia and I didn't.
- Yeah, well, what could she understand when she was nine years old...
- I was almost ten. And I understood everything.
My grandfather didn't even look at me.
- She got it. You know what the little girl said to me then? That everyone has a right to happiness. And that at her age, when others are still playing dolls.
- She's a smart girl. And now she's rich.
Grandpa just smiled, hard and cold.
- Yes, Julia will be a rich bride. And you'll be a tailed creature.
- It's her fault!
- It's her fault. You were a creature before, now you're just more in tune with your inner appearance. I'm sorry you're a fox. A cockroach would be more suited to you.
- And you're an old goat!
Slavka spit on the floor and flew out. Grandpa squeamishly wincered and fell into the chair.
- It's a good thing he left on his own. And another thing: you're going with him now, right?
- Yes, I am.
- Talk to the werewolves. A mother shouldn't see such an ugly thing. Died, and that's it.
- Okay.
It never occurred to me to argue. Slava proved to be... just a cockroach! A filthy Madagascar scaly wing! You bastard! How dare he hint at the money! You bastard!
I was furious myself. Actually, the whole conversation I've been trying to watch the auras of relatives. It wasn't bad at first. Grandfather was dominated by red, blue, yellow and purple tones. And during the conversation, the aura just turned purple and purple. As I understood it, it meant that Grandpa was confident in his words and was going to fight to the end.
The glory was simpler: scarlet, yellow, dirty green and brownish. And while he was talking, he poured bad, ugly green with brown stripes. Anger? Anger? Anger? I don't think that's rage. Or wasn't that grandfather angry? I guess he was. I mean, he was defending his house and his family. And Slava just demanded, all at once. And he did not get what he wanted.
It's a pity I didn't see my aura. But I can practice more. I have to.
I wonder what else I'm going to slice through. It's easy with auras, if you just remember the portraits Daniel painted. He's an artist and he saw a man's soul. And he reflected it in his portraits. And I haven't gotten to that level yet. And all I see is the aura.
It's a little more.
I said goodbye to my grandfather and left the office. Valentin was waiting for me in the waiting room.
- He was eavesdropping?
The shape-shifter didn't even think to say goodbye. I took a hard look at him.
- Keep in mind, if Mieczyslaw finds out about this conversation, you'll definitely get a cheeky red face. Okay?
- Yes, Curly!
The shape-shifter stretched out into a string and ate me with his eyes with the expression of an oak tree on his face. That's why he got a heel on his leg. I mean, I tried to kick him. But the insolent animal ducked and kept teasing me and flew out the door.
Oh, I'll catch one redhead by the tail!
I couldn't catch him. The shape-shifter dived into the car and from there he pulled me in with the dumbest voice:
- Oh, you naked girl, you red girl, you pity the lousy little animal, you lame paws...
- All sick in the head," I plunged next to the seat. - Let's go get this jerk. And we'll talk to Klavka again.
- Talk about what?
- You see, I'm getting the word of that dead guy. He was betrayed by someone the vampire trusted. You have pictures and names, don't you?
- Of course I do! Mecislav gave them to me before dawn.
- So we need to talk to Clara. Who she knows, who they trusted, what, how...
- All right. Let's go!
* * *
Clank was waiting for us sitting on the couch. As soon as Slava came in, she snapped out of place and hung around his neck.
- How's it going?! What did your grandfather say?
- He sent his brother to hell," I informed him, settling down in the chair and slipping into a trance as usual. It's a habit. I didn't like Clara's aura: red, orange, lemon-green, yellowish, grey - an unsavory mess like eggs with onions and tomatoes. But that's the kind of mess I didn't want to eat. I've seen strange spills somewhere. You know, like if you draw something and then shade it on top with a chalk pencil, and you get muted tones. For example, a drawing on a werewolf aura was so obscured.
- And you're happy about it,
madam
?! - Clara turned to me. I was smiling.
- I just don't care about it. You see, Clara...
- Clara!
- Yes, and Clara, too. I'm helping you because it's the right thing to do. But at the same time... I don't like you very much, both of you. If it weren't for my blood in common with Slava, I wouldn't have moved a finger.
- I don't understand anything," Valentin sighed. - You know, Julia, sometimes I look at you and get lost. Is that what you are? What are you like? On the one hand, a selfish and lighthearted girl. If you turn the page, you're looking at a determined bitch, who's no problem for a thousand people. And it is worth turning over another leaf, forgive the tautology - and opens a weak, gentle and insecure woman. And that's what you really are?
- Ordinary," I shrugged my shoulders. - Have you seen the film "The Wizards"? Abdulov, there, Gaft...
- Yes. And?
- Well, there you go. Do you remember Alyona Sanina? Every woman becomes what she is.
want
to see. Each of us is a mirror. Which one is it? Curved, evil, dusty or gold sprayed - nobody knows. And we don't know what it is
. Why don't we talk business while we're here?
- What do you want to know about the case?
- The case, we needed Clava.
- Clara!
- Sorry, I forgot.
Actually, I didn't forget anything. I was just watching an irritated fox aura change color. Now it was more of a rotten hodgepodge. That's what it felt like. It was more pleasant to look at my brother. I don't get it. Such sacrifice, such fate, and such aura? I'd like to see a couple dozen more. I'm taking a look at Valentine. Pretty cute: green, blue, light blue, dark red, yellow orange. Green with blue is not enough, the other colors are about equal proportions, except that blue could be bigger and not dirty each other. It's very aesthetic. And even the silver pattern is right here. By the way, Clara has it bright, too. I can translate the look on my brother's face, it's duller. Is it because it was recently initiated? Oh, not much material to compare, not much...
- Val, do we have any photos from the scene? Show Clara, let her take a look. Avoz will identify who.
Which is what Valentin did. Clara squeamishly turned the photos over. And again, I didn't understand anything. Her aura was flashing red and yellow, and her face was calm, even a little boring. Red and yellow are strong feelings. So what's the point in showing that you don't feel them?
- There's a couple of vampires in here. This one is Ivan's advisor, Nikolai. This one is also some strong vampire, his name is Victor. The third one's a small bipod. Werewolves aren't here.
I nodded. Valentin signed the pictures with the vampires and gave them to me.
- Why would I do that?
- Why don't you try to guess from the photo?
I was really stunned by that offer.
- Val, what am I, a part-time psychic? I'm not gonna say anything from the pictures. I can't do that. It's not my field of action.
- But you're learning and improving. Well, who knows...
I almost woke up. Yes, I did! I already know I don't know a damn thing. All my powers, here.
all
only manifest themselves in extreme situations. And hope to solve something with my help can only be especially unsuccessful suicide mazochist, because there are much more ways to kill yourself much more pleasant and easier.
Clara's aura bursting with purple lights. That's weird. I don't understand anything. A calm face, even boring. At least she'd be worried for decency, and so would the others...
Ring of Madness Page 105
