Chapter 2

"Your Excellency, this goes against the rules, I have nothing to do with this!" From behind the brute, a short man appeared, thin, or rather, dried out. He also widened his eyes at the sight of me and, as he approached, revealed his fangs! Real ones! If it could be considered a pathology with one, then with two?! "Has old Serapion lost his mind?"

"Just don't make assumptions, Yust," the brute continued to loom over me, and his teeth, maybe it was just my imagination, but... it felt like they grew even larger. That's why his next words were practically hissed, almost whistling:

"Don't... make assumptions... Ah," he wiped his forehead, "what a smell, I... call, call someone! I can't bear it! Yust, damn it!"

"But, Your Grace, who should I call?!" the second one yelled. "The others... Oh, devil, what is this?" The "little one," as I mentally dubbed him, licked his fangs, and something red dripped from them.

"Amintha! Call Amintha! She..." the leader choked on his own saliva and squeezed out, "She hasn't left yet, she must be... here... Yust, quickly!"

Suddenly, I felt twisted! Darkness instantly clouded my eyes again, and a loud voice enveloped my head! This voice didn't belong to anyone present. It was as if it was a vision, although what do I know about that? It shattered my consciousness into tiny fragments:

"Eos! Eos!" resounded in my mind. But it wasn't like a scream—it had such tremendous power, as if all existing sound amplifiers were combined and turned on simultaneously! At least, that's how it sounded to me.

"Eos! Eos!" The torment of sound was just beginning to intensify. I was spinning, it felt like I was literally spinning. Around the room. In circles! Gaining momentum and speed, reaching its limit, the unknown force eventually flung me helplessly towards the wall!

It seems my spine cracked. And something inside, on my back, tore apart. And it felt like something spilled inside, something very hot... What is it? Oh my God, it burns so much!

"Eos! Eos!" the male voice continued to scream in my head. Now I'm certain. Definitely male. Why? I don't know. It's just that my consciousness, amidst the pain, perhaps unable to withstand the pressure, decided to play games with me. My back was being sliced open, I instinctively arched backward, but it only made things worse. The wretched feeling of impending doom shifted from my back to my head. My eyes grew heavy. It felt like another second and they would pop out of their sockets. Quite literally! I howled!

This couldn't be called a scream anymore—it was my howl! It seemed like my throat was torn apart and bleeding.

And suddenly, everything stopped again. Darkness. Silence. I don't feel myself.

"Eos," the voice became very faint. And in the pitch-black darkness before my eyes, a silhouette appeared! Not close. So far away from me that I couldn't even make out whether it was a person or an animal.

"Eos," the voice drew closer. "Eos," almost, almost, it feels like I'll see him any moment now!

Without even understanding who it is, I suddenly desperately wanted to see him. His face! Even a faint outline, even a featureless shadow... Unexpectedly, my body stirred as well! I knew he was getting closer, and with each step he took, my sensations came alive. I heard the pounding of my own heart. Strong, fervent pounding. With delight, I felt the blood rushing through my veins, awakening every part of me step by step. Organs, muscles, skin!

"Eos," it sounded right by my ear, "where are you?" An icy breath scorched my shoulder! Someone's cold lips touched it. I trembled.

Not from the cold, but from thirst!

I felt my chest. How it instantly swelled, how my nipples hardened, as if they even increased in size.

What is this? I... I've never experienced this before...

"Eos," his lips, oh yes, I'm already certain it's "him," grazed the tip of my ear. "I'm waiting for you..." With those words, a true fire ignited in the depths of my abdomen! Flames shot up in an instant, towards my chest, my neck, to that very tip of the ear, reaching my lips, causing them to part:

"Kir..." I heard my voice. Along with that name, the flames exhaled outward and...

A shockwave at the speed of light plunged me back into darkness!

"Azari, what is happening here?!" Through the darkness, an unpleasant female voice sliced through my head. It was excessively loud, beyond measure! I can't... I can't...

"Lady, I don't know anything," the grating of the big guy's voice became a genuine screech, like the sound of a muffler being dragged along the asphalt behind a car. "It... it just happened, we don't know, we're not involved, don't report anything to Kir!"

"It's not us," squeaked the "little one," "no! All the blame lies with the High Mage! Amintha, it's not us!"

Now they began to argue simultaneously. Each one defending their point of view, while at the same time, the unbearable noise in my head swelled like a massive snowball rolling down from a high mountain. With each passing meter, it grew and grew, becoming a heap of noise that could crush an entire city. I can't... I can't... I have no strength! None!!!

"Silence, everyone!!!" My throat unleashed a thunderous cry! But along with that cry, something happened that I can't explain. It was as if a hot sphere formed inside me, somewhere in my stomach. In a split second, it grew and engulfed me, reaching the inner walls of my skin, and as soon as every cell felt that power, the energy burst forth! I witnessed that moment - my eyes opened on their own! A massive violet wave erupted from within me and knocked the disputants off their feet!!! All three of them crashed into the wall!

At that very moment, silence fell. The noise ceased. My muscles relaxed for a moment. It was only then that I realized I was sitting on the floor, against the opposite wall, watching these strange people "slide" down the other wall... with fangs?!

Suddenly, my head spun, I felt dizzy, and I doubled over once again. Immediately, my stomach expelled the meager breakfast I had consumed in what now seemed like a past life. Two boiled eggs and a piece of black bread. Having rid itself of the excess, my body decided to escape. Somewhere inside me, apparently, a self-shutdown button was pressed. For the umpteenth time in a single day, I descended into darkness.

***

This one or that one? That one or this one?

Warrior Amintha lazily surveyed her lunch for the day. The entire train car was filled with newly arrived people. Among the crowd, a young man in his twenties caught her eye. Handsome, strong, with a chiseled abdomen and a face that was a fairytale. It was a pity that she didn't engage in sexual encounters with humans, and men didn't particularly interest her. Ordinary men. Meh...

Milady absentmindedly hummed a quiet melody to herself – she always did so before indulging in any pleasure. Relishing in the taste of a human being was one of the privileges bestowed upon her by Kir for delivering the tastiest representatives of the other world to his Empire. It takes two weeks to travel by train from Rosnia to New Wurd. And throughout the entire journey, Amintha would be satiated like a true, chosen vampire.

But let's return to the second option. The second one... He bears a striking resemblance to Kir. Tall, dark-haired, with a face marked by masculine scars. It was another one of her amusements – finding people who resembled her master and drinking from them. There was something about it. Typically, such targets weren't particularly delicious. But was it some sort of moral satisfaction? All the vampireesses in New Wurd were in love with their master, it was ingrained in their essence. Something akin to a mother's love for her children. It existed. You would willingly give your life for it, obediently submitting to his will. That's how nature created them, vampires recognize the strongest at a genetic level. Even if it didn't suit them.

Smirking, Amintha decided to drink from the young man first. Strong, beautiful – he couldn't possibly be a failure. There was a hundred percent chance of unhappy love here. And that, like a good seasoning, enhances the taste of blood. Youth and intense love, excellent ingredients.

The vampire approached the guy and playfully sat on his lap. He immediately, like a hypnotized doll, embraced her and leaned towards her lips.

"Nooo, darling," she waved a long finger in front of his nose, "the neck. I want to see your neck!"

The young man obediently tilted his head. Perfect! These people from the other world, after their suicide there and then transitioning here, become so tender and dull. They do as they are told. They don't think for themselves, delicate little flowers, they obey any command. And while they may not be as tasty, there's no need to chase after them anymore. Of course, not everyone has access to human blood. Amintha was lucky to be part of Kir's entourage. If she had remained a regular vampire, like before, she would have fed on animal blood from farms and died at four hundred years old. But now...

Without further delay, and with pleasure watching the pulsation of the appetizing vein on the guy's neck, Milady bared her fangs and, practically purring with delight, indulged in her "meal." This process was relatively short, as humans don't have that much blood, and draining Kir's people to the last drop was prohibited. Feeding was allowed, but not killing. Killing humans was strictly forbidden. There were already too few of them.

Quickly satiated, the marquise licked her lips, gave the bewildered guy a kiss, and returned to her place at the end of the train car. Out of all the people on the train, Amintha chose him. The peculiar girl who had put on a spectacular light show in Azariya's domain a few hours ago was better off among humans.

No, there is nothing supernatural about magic; it's normal in their world. Wizards of varying strength are not uncommon. Only wizards, not humans. Especially those who come from another world. For them, it's normal to sleep or sit and stare at the wall for a day after the transition. They will only start walking on their own within a month. Some faster, some slower. But not right away. And during this whole time, they will remain silent.

They won't shout and throw magic around! Where did this girl get such power? No, the transition to another world can affect each person differently. Who knows what glitch in the spell could have occurred. And what was that spinning on the floor? What was it? It was as if someone was controlling her like a toy. No, this matter should be brought to Serapion, the supreme mage. And Kir will be interested in this too. Perhaps all of this is the work of the enemy of New Wurd from the bothersome of Ivrop. What could they do? Raise a new mage? But then it's an invasion because the territory of Rosniya is sovereign; there's no place for war there. It's a violation of all agreements.

Crossing her leg over the other, Amintha spat loudly. Sometimes, after feeding on the freshly transitioned, there can be a disgusting aftertaste. If the person had been in the mood to die for too long. If they had been planning suicide for a while. It seems the same was true for this young boy. Ugh, it ruined all the pleasure.

But what if... she tried the blood of this girl? After what she did at Azariya's place, the guest had been thrown off, which is perfectly normal when such a large amount of magic is released. Just think, Amintha herself was thrown against the wall! The warrior smirked. She remembered the silent scene in Rosniya when Azariya, weighing three hundred kilograms, was propelled with such force that it created a window in the adjacent room. Two by two meters.

Lady laughed heartily. Yes... it's good to "shake up" that fatso; he chases poor Yust while indulging in human girls himself.

Nevertheless... it won't be easy to transport the girl to her destination. Amintha looked gloomily towards the seat where the mysterious guest peacefully slept, curled up like a kitten (oh, these humans). The stranger has been in this state ever since she blacked out on the floor in Azariya's castle. When will she wake up? Something is off with her. Perhaps the magic could have been a coincidence, but how did she retain her consciousness? Amintha hadn't heard of such cases. Throughout the history of transporting people to Wurd, which spans more than nine hundred years, it had never happened. They always remain silent. Always dull.

And the scent. No, not a bodily scent. Vampires don't perceive that well. They always sense the scent of blood. They can determine the blood type. Even the shade. But here...

The girl has such a strong attraction to vampires. Amintha had to literally drag this person out of Rosniya. Azariya and Yust are weak when it comes to fangs; you need resilience to withstand such a powerful allure. The girl was extraordinary, irresistibly delicious in some otherworldly way. The scent of her blood seemed to speak to the vampires, saying, "Drink me and gain eternal life." Strange. Wrong. Suspicious.

And very dangerous. On the way to the train station, Amintha had to kill a vampire from her own guard! Smelling the girl's scent, the guy lunged at the captive. Young and unable to hide his fangs. He paid for it with his life immediately. With a swift strike from the lady's enchanted sword, the handsome bloodsucker's head flew under the train's wheels.

Lady let out a tired sigh. Now she has to answer for that too. And two more weeks of travel ahead. Of course. She made the right decision by hiding the girl in a carriage full of people. Their scent will somewhat muffle her presence. And the trusted veteran fighters guarding the door should keep anyone from laying a hand on Kir's prey.

However, that's all in theory. Amintha has vast combat experience; she's worth an entire army on her own. But if there's a collective frenzy along the way, it will be difficult to stop.

And besides... she mustn't lose control herself.

Lady covered her nose with a lace handkerchief – it seems she'll have to ride like this all the way to the Empire.

***

The sound of iron wheels. The train. I smiled without opening my eyes. Sleep hadn't completely released its grip, so a childhood memory easily came to mind. My mother and I were traveling to a country house to visit her acquaintances—an extraordinary event for our family. It was summer, and I was excited because I knew there would be wild strawberries with milk waiting for us. Sunbeams fell on my face through the dirty train window. I was still very young, sitting on a hard seat, swinging my short legs in white sandals, moving them back and forth. It was a delightful activity, and the movement of the train added a pleasant touch to the fun. Someone lightly nudged me with their elbow in the side. I frowned. Who could it be? Definitely not my mother. She sat across from me, knitting something. Fixing my gaze on her, I admired the color of the yarn—a delicate pink that seemed so soft, just like down. Equally soft and tender, just like childhood itself. I closed my eyelids. It felt so good that I wanted to sleep. Just a little while longer, and I'll be back in an instant. Just... just a minute more...

"Eos!" The familiar voice erupted within me, yanking me out of childhood and ruthlessly hurling me into that inexplicable reality I had escaped into the darkness from!

The train. I struggled to open my heavy eyelids. Goodness, my mouth was so dry! I needed a drink... even a drop of water...

I squinted. The sun outside was scorching mercilessly. But it didn't warm me like it seemed to in my dream; it burned me. I furrowed my brow. How could I hide from it? After looking around for a moment, I discovered a thick curtain behind my left shoulder. Without much thought, I untied the rope holding it and immediately freed the saving fabric. Phew. How unpleasant it was!

Blinking a few times, I regained my vision and finally decided to assess my surroundings. Yes, it was a train. Not an ordinary one, as I hadn't traveled in such before. The carriage had two rows of comfortable seats with a fairly spacious aisle between them. A pleasant atmosphere, if we disregard the scorching sun. It was eerily quiet here. The carriage was full, with people occupying every seat from what I could see. However, none of them moved. I looked at my neighbor—a middle-aged man, bald and dressed very untidily. His coat, a sweater underneath, and wrinkled pants were all much larger than necessary. He sat calmly, gazing at one point, completely unresponsive to the surrounding world.

"Hello," I said, but it came out as a croak since my voice seemed to have gone hoarse. No reaction. I lightly touched the man's elbow. He slowly turned his head towards me and smiled. Everything seemed fine, except he was looking somewhere above my head, as if he were blind.

"Don't bother, he won't say anything to you anyway," I flinched in surprise. A pleasant female voice came from behind me. I turned around and saw a young woman approaching. Her face looked familiar. Where was I...

"Marquise Amintha, daughter of Kiryak," the girl introduced herself in a rather pompous manner, finally standing before me.

"Ulyana," I swallowed, feeling a dryness in my mouth, "daughter of Ivan."

Amintha, who was of average height but very gracefully built, was dressed in tight black leather pants, high-heeled boots, and a short blouse in a Chinese style. I love that style—deep blue color, silky fabric with beautiful embroidery. She was a vibrant girl. Short white hair styled in a "boyish" cut, just like mine, dark eyes that seemed almost black, and plump red lips. An ugly scar adorned her long, feminine neck. And protruding from behind Kiryak's daughter was the hilt of a sword! A splendid ensemble.

"Where am I?" I croaked, afraid that the vision would vanish at any moment or that I would once again fall into some unknown place. No, I needed to find out what happened and only then... and I definitely didn't want to fall into anywhere anymore!

"Well, " the marquise smirked in a rather unfeminine manner, " I don't have to explain anything to you. It's too much honor for a mere human, " the girl wrinkled her nose disdainfully, as if she had seen a dirty rat. " But lucky for you, I'm curious. It's the first time I've come across a thinking person. "

"What do you mean by "thinking"? And who are they? " I glanced around the carriage, as if trying to remind her that there were people here.

"Them? " Amintha's face twisted into an unpleasant smile. " They are nothing more than food. And you, by the way, are too. But unlike you, they came into this world without reason. Which is quite normal for suicides. "

"What do you mean? " I shook my head and... felt something off. I cast a sidelong glance at my shoulders. Hair! Long, dark hair! How?! Unable to believe what I had discovered, I touched them with my hand. I tugged at a strand. Ouch! Real hair... But I distinctly remember having the same haircut as this Amintha in the morning...

"Is something wrong? " my interlocutor asked with interest, observing my actions.

"Y-yes... My hair has changed. It seems... "

"Is that all? Just the hair? "

"I-I don't know... "

In a burst of curiosity to discover something else new, I abruptly stood up from the seat. I examined and felt myself - no, my legs were in place. I squatted slightly - they functioned. I had arms, a head, a torso, clothes, everything seemed fine. But the hair?!

"Sit down, " Amintha advised, " after the transition, it's better for you to rest. Humans are so delicate. Although... I don't know how I would have coped with something like this myself... Will we, vampires, ever be able to do something similar with ourselves? " she seemed to be speaking to herself, but out loud.

"Vampires?! " I blurted out the most crucial part of the text.

"Vampires, " the marquise confirmed with a barely noticeable nod, and immediately parted her red lips, revealing her pearly white fangs!

Now I sat back in the chair and accidentally touched the backrest too forcefully - the skin just below my neck burned with unbearable pain!

"Ouch! " it escaped from me involuntarily, I couldn't help it, it really hurt! Amintha quickly jumped towards me and, grabbing my head with one hand, forced me to bend down. This only intensified my pain, her grip was animalistic! Definitely inhuman. Whether she was lying or not about vampires, one thing was clear - she was far from being human.

The tormentor yanked down my blouse, exposing my burning spine! I immediately felt a cold touch - her fingers were icy!

"You... " she hissed almost like that brawny man who appeared in my dream. Or did he not?

"Who are you?! " her cry made the window glass next to me tremble. " Who are you?!! "

The marquise shook me, urging me to return to my initial sitting position. I looked up at my interlocutor - fangs protruded, eyes changed color. It felt familiar somewhere. Strangely enough, I wasn't scared. I was more afraid of that unidentified pain in my spine and what she had seen there. It was a silly assumption, of course, but... maybe my spine was sticking out?

I smirked. It turned out that I wasn't the only one mentally provoking Kiryak's daughter into a new frenzy. Or rather, a new degree of frenzy. Curiously, can frenzy have degrees? Judging by the marquise's appearance now, one can confidently say - definitely!

"Who are you?! " she shouted her question again, and the frenzy reached a new level. I decided not to irritate her further and honestly confessed:

"Ulyana Ivanovna Belova. "

"Are you trying to make jokes?! Answer me, I say! "

"Ulyana Ivanovna Belova, " I attempted to repeat calmly, but it didn't work. My voice almost disappeared. I cleared my throat. All this time, the angered girl stood over me. " Please tell me, w-where am I? I can get off the train at the next station, just guide me if it's not too much trouble, how to get back home. "

For a moment, Amintha, wide-eyed, continued to stare at me, and then, suddenly, she hid her fangs and... burst into laughter!

"Get off at the next station! No, you're positively mocking me! If those bastards from Ivrop sent you, then you should know that I'm taking you to Kir, and he will decide whether to execute or torture you! You can tell him your fairy tales there! Get off! "

The woman continued to laugh but moved away from me and eventually returned to her seat at the other end of the carriage. Still in a slight daze, I preferred to wait with my questions. The woman was clearly not in her right mind. Perhaps everything will become clear later. I really hope so.

I cautiously touched the spot on my back where the pain still lingered - the skin felt rough. Some large, calloused patch. A burn, perhaps? And why did it anger her so much? It's me who has the burn, not her! It's all so strange.

Vampires... No, I've heard that now they even implant teeth, fanatics can do anything with enough money. But for them to actually protrude like hers... Who knows? I don't keep up with that. In that case, what is it then? A clan of fanatics disguised as vampires? Well, I can believe that too.

There's only one remaining question: how did I end up in the office of that brawny man after falling headfirst from the ninth floor?! Oh, no, there are still so many questions, but no answers! And I'm thirsty... I'm terribly thirsty...

The sun disappeared behind the mountains as we drove along a winding snowy road. I couldn't take my eyes off the scenery outside the window, even with such a strong thirst.

Stop!

Mountains? Where did the mountains come from under Moscow? I pulled back the curtain - yes, indeed. Huge, towering mountains. The road was unpaved. Occasionally, small houses were visible in the distance. And there, a deer ran by with branching antlers... Where the hell am I?!

"You're in Wurd," came Amintha's displeased voice from behind me.

"Is that a country?" I jumped up from my seat and turned to face her. Desperately trying to recall the map layout of countries and major cities. I don't remember anything with that name!

"It's a world," the marquise's eyes flashed unkindly again. "You made a transition from your world to ours. Don't remember how you ended your life?" Amintha suspiciously squinted.

I blinked in astonishment. I remember perfectly. That's the problem. But I'm alive, right? It seems like...

"But I'm alive?" I blurted out.

"Alive," nodded my interlocutor, scrutinizing me almost carnivorous. "It's magic. In our world, humans have almost disappeared, eaten by us. So the Supreme Mage decided to bring people from another world. So far, we can only obtain suicides. That's why you're all so clueless," Amintha snorted, "but even that is enough to satisfy us and prolong our powers."

"So parallel worlds exist?" I couldn't pick up my jaw from the floor anymore.

"As you can see," Amintha clearly wasn't pleased with my questions, but I won't relent until I know everything.

This can't be! It's some kind of terrible prank! Only happens in books...

I couldn't understand how it happened. She was just at the other end of the carriage, and suddenly, she's practically nose to nose with me.

"And if I were to try you right now," the marquise said predatorily, and her fangs reappeared from her mouth, "would that be a prank too?"

"Fangs can be grown," I mumbled in complete bewilderment. Amintha was so taken aback by my response that she even took a step back.

"What do you mean, grown?"

"They do that in dental clinics nowadays."

"Where?"

"Well, in any country," I shrugged.

"They grow fangs for vampires in your world?!"

"They grow fangs for people who are into the vampire theme."

"How?!" the warrior was in such shock that she even accidentally sat on my neighbor. He didn't react.

"Yeah, how would I know?"

"A person with vampire teeth..." Amintha whispered, looking somewhere through me. "I wish I could go to your world."

"Alright, where am I? Will you tell me? I slept for so long that I ended up in the mountains? Is this the Ural Mountains?"

"This is Wurd. The vampire world," my companion repeated again, and then she stood up, face to face with me. "It's interesting how, as a speaking person from another world, we will finally learn so much... However, it's better if you tell Kir yourself. And now, sleep..."

The woman's pupils fascinated me. They dilated, and inside, it was as if a second pupil appeared, but of a different color. Yellow. And it seemed to be spinning! After observing this extraordinary phenomenon, I asked:

"How do you do that?"

"What do you mean?" Amintha blinked, and the effect of the spinning pupil disappeared. "Can't you sleep?"

"Why should I?"

"Oh, damn," she said irritably and swiftly struck the back of my head.

"It'll be more secure this way," the lady muttered, lifting the unconscious girl under her armpit and seating her back in place.

"It's too unusual and dangerous. Let Kir and Serapion deal with you. Who knows what you'll decide to tell them. And isn't it all just fairy tales? Just think, they grow fangs! If it's Ivrop's doing and his ruler's, I'll have to express my admiration when I meet him. Fangs..."

Amintha summoned a road mage from the neighboring carriage. He was weak in power, but Serapion had equipped him with the necessary spells.

"Put this person to sleep. Let them sleep until we reach New Wurd. Just don't overdo it. If you kill her... I'll kill you," the marquise grinned predatorily. These petty mages, she had her eyes on them. The slender boy, clutching his precious satchel in his hands, hastened to carry out the order. With trembling hands, he sifted through the vials that were found in the luggage and, finding the right one, began his work.

Amintha preferred to step aside, just in case, to avoid conjuring up anything unnecessary that might affect her as well. But everything went smoothly. The young mage handled the simple task well, and until they reached New Wurd, although under constant supervision, the mysterious guest peacefully slept in her seat.

I had never been to America. I had always wanted to go there, but the opportunity seemed far-fetched. Although I had seen numerous photos of the Empire State Building, the one that King Kong climbed. And now, I was pushed out of an old bus (even in the most remote areas of Russia, it seems that relics of the past like this no longer operate) and I stood there, looking up at the building. Or at least, its replica. Along with me, the bus brought the rest of the passengers from the train. We were shackled like slaves and now being disembarked from the transport. I tried to look around, but with the tall guards who instantly surrounded us, very little was visible. I stood on tiptoes. Yes... Maybe Amintha wasn't lying? It didn't quite fit with what I was accustomed to seeing on a daily basis. Buildings in the constructivist style, horse-drawn carriages, cars from the 1930s, like the ones shown in old gangster movies. A double-decker car with passengers both downstairs and upstairs passed by, immediately followed by a person in a horse-drawn carriage. It was a very specific New York of the 1930s... No, we don't have a city like that in our country. We don't even have cities like that. So where am I?!

I frowned—once again, the sun mercilessly burned. Oh my God, I had just woken up a few minutes ago, it seems the annoying fellow traveler managed to put me to sleep after all. And my back hurt. And I was thirsty again.

Passengers were still being pushed out of the bus, and I continued to examine the surroundings. The guards who shielded us from passers-by—there was something about their faces... How can I put it? And their eyes. They all had that same changing pupil. Vampires... But if they were vampires, then why were they able to be out in the sun so easily? And the people (or were they also vampires?) walking on the streets seemed perfectly ordinary, except for their outdated clothing. Even my grandmother didn't wear that kind of clothing. I'm not exactly an expert on fashion, but I had the feeling that these were our very specific 1930s.

"These ones can go to the dump, " I heard Amintha's voice somewhere nearby. " But I'll take this one with me. You two, " she pointed with a long finger at the oldest guards, " accompany me. "

The marquise slapped me on the back, indicating that I should walk ahead of her. I didn't even squeak. Who knows, maybe she'll put me to sleep again.

As we approached the main entrance, two people—or vampires? Oh Lord, I'm ready to believe anything now—swung open the doors in front of us. After receiving another blow to my aching spine, I hurried to continue my path. Through a vast hall with high ceilings, probably three or four stories high, with bronze walls, a gleaming floor, and gilded columns, we walked towards the elevators. The spacious cabin had mirrors on the walls. And this circumstance shocked me once again!

Finally, I saw myself. But it was someone else. The face had become thinner, the green eyes seemed even larger. Yes, and long brown hair, no short white haircut. Only my jeans, blouse, and boots remained the same. Perhaps this really was another world. Or an endless dream.

I looked at the reflection of my companions. Exactly! They were reflected in the mirror!

"If you're vampires, why do I see you in the mirror, and why aren't you afraid of the sun? " I hadn't even had time to think, and my tongue had already spoken the words aloud.

"You'll find out soon enough, " Amintha muttered, pressing the button on the elevator wall.

It was as if she had uttered some kind of incantation - suddenly, with the speed of the ascent, I felt my heartbeat accelerate. No, I'm not afraid of heights or elevators. The excitement was completely inexplicable to me. And when the indicator on the snowy dial approached the number one hundred, I was already gasping for breath! Just like in that strange office through which I entered this world. It seems I had already decided to accept the parallel worlds theory for myself.

The elevator murmured something, and the grand doors gracefully parted in opposite directions, releasing their hostages into the boundless space. I took a deep breath, and my heart nearly leaped out of my mouth. It felt like even the ground beneath my feet trembled.

Another shove in my back.

"Go, he doesn't like to wait," the supervisor said and followed behind me. "You," she commanded our escorts, "stay here."

They obediently nodded, carrying out the order, and stood by the elevator as if rooted to the spot. We, on the other hand, continued onward. As I walked on the marble floor, I tried my best not to slip—it was so immaculate that walking here was practically impossible. I discreetly glanced at the marquise walking beside me. She seemed to take no notice of anything unusual. Perhaps she was used to it.

The interior of the rooms took my breath away. The ceilings were just as high as on the first floor, bronze walls, numerous metallic elements, mirrors, wooden furniture with leather upholstery, glass. It bore little resemblance to a vampire lair.

"Lady Amintha," a short, slender man in a sleek black suit approached us. He slightly bowed to the marquise and paid no attention to me or the others present. Only his right hand twitched imperceptibly. I wondered if it was a nervous tic of some sort.

"Aron, I urgently need to see His Majesty," Amintha said.

"Of course, he's already waiting for you," the man replied affably. "Lady Rhea had a vision," he whispered conspiratorially.

"Understood," Amintha nodded and grabbed my arm. To be honest, my wrists were already beginning to ache. It turns out that handcuffs are not the most pleasant accessory.

It was interesting that in the moment I saw Him, my heart completely calmed down. It was as if I had been given a magical nerve pill. He was sitting in the grandest hall. On the throne. Which, I suppose, shouldn't be surprising considering he was referred to as His Majesty.

There were a few others standing next to the throne... people? But I hadn't noticed anyone else yet. Like a fool, I stared at the ruler. And why?

"Your Majesty," Aron respectfully bowed to his master, "Lady Amintha has arrived."

"Your Royal Highness," without waiting for permission, my tormentor rushed towards the sovereign, "I don't know if I bring good or bad news. This is a human," she pointed her finger at me, "and she can speak. Her appearance in our world is very strange, I am certain Serapion must personally examine her!"

His Highness didn't say anything. The hall fell into a deathly silence. Everyone present clearly knew to obey him. And to wait for permission to speak. The ruler rose from his throne to his full, majestic height.

Vampires? I wasn't sure. Just regular clothing. Expensive, beautiful, but nothing supernatural. A fine black suit, a black shirt, a tie, a silk handkerchief in the pocket. A splendid, masculine figure – broad shoulders, a narrow torso. Impressive height, stunning cheekbones, and eyes. Black eyes. No rotating pupils. Short black hair, with just a few strands romantically falling onto a forehead that had already acquired shallow wrinkles. He looked very young. I would say around thirty at most. And very much to my taste. He could be called handsome if it weren't for his stern gaze. On this person's face, whether human or vampire, there seemed to be an imprint. Almost imperceptible, it did not spoil the perfect features of his beautiful face in the slightest. An imprint that time, suffering, and all that one has experienced leave behind.

His Majesty slowly approached us, and the other vampires obediently stepped back - probably, at that moment, not only I felt the wave of his power. He was getting closer, and I felt warmer. At first, it was a pleasant warmth, then a bit hotter, and then... when the distance between us was reduced to a few steps - my skin burst into flames! Well, not all of my skin, just that very spot on my back! I flinched, and he furrowed his floating, magnificent, long eyebrows. He took another step, then another.

"Ah!" I screamed and fell to my knees - the pain in my back had become unbearable.

But that didn't stop the ruler. On the contrary, he practically flew the last steps towards me. I felt the ground slipping from under my feet! He grabbed me by the collar and lightning-fast put me back on my feet. Like a dandelion fluff, like a little hamster that had escaped from its cage.

"Who are you?!" he roared, and that's when I got really scared. His question sounded as loud as that mysterious voice in my head. The enigmatic voice that screamed the incomprehensible "Eos."

Out of fear, I remained silent, my mouth slightly open because I was desperately gasping for air.

"Your Majesty, this is a human," Amintha's voice sounded unsure.

The ruler silently took a step back. Then, unexpectedly, he removed his tie and tossed it aside. With one jerk, he tore open the shirt collar, exposing the left side of his chest. He lowered his gaze to his skin, and I, along with everyone else, looked there too. There, where a human's (not a vampire's) heart should be, blazed a bright red emblem in the form of the letter "W"!

A collective gasp of surprise echoed through the hall.

"Your Majesty, what is this?" Amintha interjected. "Is this a magical abomination sent by Ivrop? Allow me, I will kill her?! My prince..."

The prince didn't respond. He drilled me with his black eyes. Did they become even darker? Uncertainly, I stepped back. Dear God, how can I escape? The burning sensation on my back was nothing compared to the fact that they were really going to kill me now. And judging by his gaze, their ruler intends to do it personally!

I wasn't mistaken. He didn't let me get far, and in an instant, just like the marquise did on the train, he grabbed me painfully by the hair with one hand! I was ready to scream, but for some reason, I didn't.

"How interesting," His Majesty said. Enduring the pain and humiliation, I locked my gaze onto his extraordinary face. Masculine yet aristocratic features, a sharply defined strong chin, and the line of his exposed, powerful neck smoothly leading to his broad chest. Lowering my eyes to that part of his body revealed by the open collar of his shirt, I licked my lips. And immediately felt ashamed of my feelings. What's happening? I'm about to be killed, my head is throbbing, my hands are in cuffs, my hair is clenched in the fist of my tormentor – and I'm thinking about...

"What an intriguing scent..." torturer's nostrils slightly flared, absorbing the smell of his victim. His eyes didn't change color. No. Instead, from his mouth, parting his rugged male lips, terrifying white fangs instantly appeared! He tugged on my hair to expose my neck, and in a split second, I screamed in new agony. These very fangs tore into my skin in four places!

I squeezed my eyes shut. Struggling was futile – his grip was ironclad. Besides, my hands were shackled. And that was nothing compared to what was happening inside my body! As soon as this vampire's teeth pierced my skin, and a thin stream of blood started flowing toward his mouth, the pain on my back subsided. It was as if he was draining it...

However, simultaneously with the relief, hatred surged within me! Unexplainable, immense, all-consuming hatred and... desire!!! While the first feeling seemed to come from somewhere inside me, the second one felt like he was transmitting it to me. My head spun from this wild mix of emotions. The desire intensified with each subsequent drop of blood that flowed to him. And it seemed like I wasn't the only one feeling it. Holding my hair tightly, the vampire, as if tearing paper, used his other hand to rip open my blouse, exposing me down to the waist! His hand landed on my burning skin around the shoulder area and slowly, sensually, descended to my already swollen breasts. And right at that moment, the first feeling of hatred, fueled by an explosion of unbridled rage, awakened that very energy knot inside my abdomen that not long ago slammed into the wall along with two of Amintha's acquaintances! It seemed like the knot sucked the remaining pain from my spine, forming strength to grow?! And instantly, the energy knot grew, just like before, reaching the inner walls of my skin, and burst forth, striking my tormentor with a weak lavender wave!

The vampire didn't fly away. He was as if tickled. With a look of puzzlement, he pulled away and stared at me intently, as if trying to ascertain what had just happened. But only for a second! As if deciding to continue, he yanked my hair even harder and, with full fury, once again sunk his teeth into my neck!

I groaned angrily. No, this won't happen! I won't let you kill me! Squeezing my eyes shut even tighter, I mentally located that same energy knot within myself and... forced it to grow! Clenching my fists, I struck the vampire again for the second time! I hit him in the stomach! Together with the actual strike of my hands, he received another wave of lavender energy. Only this time, he didn't even flinch! On the contrary, he pressed me even closer to him.

I was torn apart! Heat... My whole body turned into a blazing furnace. I opened my eyes slightly and was surprised to see a lavender glow that now enveloped my body like a solid blanket! And the prince, in the meantime, continued to publicly take me!

Where was I getting this strength from? Anger turned into fury! Clenching my teeth, I gathered all the power I could muster, placed both hands together, and... struck him with all my might in the very spot on his chest where the emblem in the shape of the letter "W" had recently glowed.

The vampire was thrown back!!! A huge lavender wave rolled across the entire hall. The others present were scattered on the floor like toy soldiers. However, His Highness was only pushed back a couple of meters, and he stood completely calmly on his feet. As for me, the invisible force twisted me in half again, my vision darkened, and exhausted, in tattered clothes and bleeding, I collapsed unconscious on the floor.