A dark world or a slave for a demon. Novels with the dark. The Dark World Andrey Lazarchuk

Chapter 1
- No-o-o! Tears welled up from her eyes and seemed unstoppable. - Please don't do this! I do not want!
A tall man stood in front of her, but it was impossible to see what he looked like, as if some kind of impenetrable and blurry veil hid him.
An authoritative and rather rough voice, with some hoarseness, resounded around the room:
- Your desires do not excite me at all, eskha. I decided so - so you will obey! - then, looking in the direction of one of his warriors, he ordered: - Chain her! A little later, she will join the other eschs in my palace.
- Listen, my lord! - stretching out along the string, rapped out a warrior with dark, like a raven's wing, hair. Then he turned to the girl, holding bracelets in his hands to shackle her in them. - On your knees, eskha!
- Don't, please, don't! - the girl shuddered in sobs, kneeling. - Do not do that!
As soon as she sank down, bracelets were put on her hands, shackling her wrists, and a collar made of metal unknown to the girl was closed around her neck.
With a smirk, the master said:
- That's it, let's go! - he waved his hand, making a couple of passes into the void and the air began to electrify in the room, a small dark glow appeared, and then a portal opened, into which all these people stepped, including the girl, grabbed by one of the warriors by the arm, and everyone disappeared into this dark matter.

Ten hours before
- Irka, well, where the hell are you? All my heels already hurt from such a long walk, I lost my feet while I was looking for you! - my childhood friend, Svetka, approached me.
A beautiful, well-groomed and rather tall brown-haired woman with an awesome figure. The chest is not less than the fourth size. Slim waist and curved hips. The ass is like a nut and, not bad, sticks out from behind - Sveta was exactly the girl from whom the guys almost turned their necks, looking after her, especially if she was wearing short shorts that only slightly covered her gorgeous ass!
- Well, where were you, may I ask? - the girlfriend asked, puffing out plump lips, painted with bright red lipstick.
- Light, I'm sorry, you know, if I went into one of the boutiques, you won't kick me out of there until I try on all the clothes I like! - making innocent eyes and smiling sweetly, I tried to justify myself in the eyes of my girlfriend.
Squinting her sky-blue eyes, Sveta shouted quite loudly, apparently for the entire shopping center to hear:
- And why the hell did you not pick up your cell phone? I called you ten times!
- Well, Svetik, forgive me! I just went into the fitting room, and you understand - one thing, another, and a cell phone in a purse on silent mode so that my parents don’t get their calls, - I said, making a displeased grimace. - You know them, a real nightmare, not parents! "Irina, where are you?" "Irina Viktorovna, quick home!" Irina, don't piss me off!" “Irina, I will complain to your father, and he will deprive you of all pocket money. Come on home!" And all in the same vein, - I sighed heavily.
- Okay, I forgive, I myself have the same trouble, - the girlfriend took mercy. Sveta wrinkled her nose and suddenly, as if remembering something, she cried out: - Listen, what are you doing tonight? It’s just that Vadim collects all of our people in the apartment. Well, so to speak, the "golden" youth. You and I are also invited as the most honored guests, because beautiful, popular and very rich girls at the age of eighteen! What do you say? Can we go?
Sveta looked at me with hope in her eyes, waiting for a positive answer. Well, of course, I never refuse to hang out. I love to have a great time! True, parents are not happy with this at all. Although I, by and large, do not care what they think. The main thing is that dad sends money to the account every day, and the rest does not matter.
I am young and beautiful, so I want to try everything that is possible! I have already tried alcohol and, to be honest, it’s not for me, I didn’t like it at all. Tried to start smoking - almost threw up! Fu-u, as I remember, it becomes sickening! Drugs? Absolutely not! Of course, I'm young, but not quite the same fool! It remains to try only sex, but here, alas, I have not been lucky yet - I have not found a suitable guy. Here Svetka was lucky, at her eighteen years she had already changed so many guys, as if gloves were for every day, and this, believe me, is not enough! She is experienced in these matters, not like me.
- Svetul, I can't. Today my father invited his friends to our house for dinner. business partners on business. Unfortunately, I have to attend.
- Damn, I don't envy you! Sitting around smiling and trying to be nice so that the guests are enchanted and the parents are satisfied ... a nightmare! I often have such dinners, my father constantly invites different people from his social circle to us, and it's just awful! Brr! - Sveta shrugged her shoulders, and then suggested hopefully: - Well, maybe they are?! Take it and run away from home for one evening, at least have some fun today, otherwise you will sit with these old farts and suffer! Vadim said that the party is going to be great! Come on, Iriha! Well, please, I don’t want to go there without you, it’s more fun with you! - wailed a friend.
- Svetik, I would be glad, but I can’t, really. My father said that if I did not appear at the appointed time for dinner, he would deprive me of all my pocket money, and this is fifteen grand a day - not a little. But, even worse, he will then send me to study as an economist, and I will live in a hostel on a scholarship that relies on a university. And you know, my dad is a flint, he said - he did. And I don’t want such a fate for myself, I live very well anyway! There is money, there are friends and parties - I don’t need anything else. So, today I definitely need to be present if I don’t want to lose all this.
- Yes, it's just darkness, - Sveta muttered, nervously stamping her foot, shod in chic red sandals with high heels. - He is cruel to you.
I shrugged.
“Sometimes you have to sacrifice something to get what you want.
- And in honor of what at least dinner, you know? - asked a friend.
No, my father didn't say. But I think something very important is coming up.
- Well, I don’t understand - why force your child to attend such boring events? This is the most natural nonsense! my friend asked grumpily.
- I agree - I do not understand this either, - I supported her.
- Ir, have you already picked out an outfit for dinner? - slyly narrowing her eyes, inquired Svetka.
- I understand the course of your thoughts, - I smiled, - Therefore, I answer - no, I have not chosen yet.
- And that means...
- Go shopping! we exclaimed with one voice. They laughed merrily, holding hands, and went to one of the most expensive boutiques - to choose my outfit for today's dinner.
***
Of course, I love shopping, but with Svetka this pleasant trifle drags on for a long time. A whole four and a half hours of shopping! Nightmare! I’m tired, but I still need to have time to go to the beauty salon: manicure, pedicure, nourishing face mask, hairstyle, makeup… Yes, I need a whole lot of time for this! I'm already exhausted to the limit, and then there's this! No, I do not argue, beauty is an important matter, but I can not meet the time appointed by my father. The main thing is that I took the dress, and it is gorgeous!
- Light, - I called my friend, already barely moving my legs, shod in crosses from one fairly well-known fashion designer. - Light, I'm tired. Let's get some rest, shall we? Let's sit and drink coffee in a cafe. My legs hurt-a-at! I don't understand how you walk all day in those high heels and manage not to get tired?
- Completely crazy? No rest, we have not yet picked up jewelry for the dress! And by the way, I'm tired too, I just don't whine like you, - she chuckled. An ulcer, not a girlfriend!
- Svetul, maybe, well, they are in FIG? I have so many of these jewelry at home that I can open my own jewelry store, ”I wailed, if only she didn’t drag me anywhere else.
My friend looked at me rather sternly.
- Listen, Ir, and you're not a fool by any chance, are you? Well, what the hell are you talking about? You've already worn those jewelry. So, you need something new and exactly the style of your new dress to fit. I never wear the same jewelry twice, and I advise you not to, she snorted.
I stopped in the middle of the mall, holding bags of new purchases, and scowled at my friend.
“Sveta,” I turned to her rather sternly, “I don’t need a new piece of jewelry, there is one pendant at home that I have never worn, and it just fits the dress perfectly,” I had to lie.
"Sveta, leave me alone, I don't want to go anywhere else!" I thought.
My friend is amazing! He will never leave me in trouble and always, if I need it, will support me in difficult times. But sometimes she is so intrusive that her ideas and decisions simply have nowhere to go!
Hmyknuv, and proudly straightening her little shoulders, Sveta smiled.
- Okay, - she agreed, - Then first to the beauty salon, and then, if there is time, we will sit in a cafe and drink coffee. Agree?
I nodded in the affirmative and smiled at my friend.
"Glory to you, the world-famous fashion designer! She agreed"! - I quietly rejoiced to myself.
- I agree, Svetik! Of course I agree!
And together we went to a beauty salon, but I must look gorgeous, because that's what money exists for, to spend it on my beloved!
But, alas, we didn’t manage to sit and drink coffee, too much time was spent in the salon - one hairstyle only took an hour and a half, not to mention everything else.
Leaving the "Ladies' Paradise", we warmly said goodbye to Svetochka and, having received a wish from her, to have a good time at today's dinner, I went home. There was only an hour left before the business dinner appointed by the father. Need to hurry!
Twenty minutes later I was already at home in my bedroom, which was located on the second floor - yes, the house is very large and beautiful. I will not go into details and describe the architecture of this house, I will simply say that it is the pride of my mother. She says that the house is like the palace she always dreamed of, and her father granted her wish.
My room is very comfortable and spacious, made in light colors even has a private bathroom. Imagine, a whole private bathroom and just for me alone! In a word, paradise! Basically everything I need is here. A large and soft bed, on which I so love to lie and chat on the phone with Svetka. There was a laptop and a couple of photo frames with my photos on the desk. On the walls there were photo-pictures depicting night cities, and on the floor there was a soft white carpet, which I simply adore walking on, a kind of massage on the heels! It is especially pleasant to walk on it after a long walk in heels, the legs rest!
In general, who cares, but I really like my room, and I won’t fully describe it to you, otherwise you will start to envy. I'm just kidding if anyone doesn't get it. Well, yes, I agree, I have a poor sense of humor, I sometimes suffer from it myself. Oh, I forgot to add, I also have a dressing room, where there is a pole for strip plastics. I confess, but I don’t repent, it’s just that strip dancing is my weakness, I’ve been doing this for half a year, and, believe me, it’s awesome!
Throwing my purse and shopping bags on the bed, I went to the mirror built into the wall. left side from the front door to the room.
Looking at me from the mirror attractive girl: a height of one hundred and seventy centimeters, a well-shaped and athletic figure thanks to strip plastic classes, breasts of the third size, an elastic ass and a very thin waist, as many would say, aspen. Short platinum hair, like falling snow. Everyone was unanimously surprised and asked for the number of my hairdresser-stylist, but the fact of the matter is that I have never dyed my hair, it is such an unusual natural shade. About the length. Long hair I never liked it, that's why I cut my hair short - a small "snow" hat on top, and very short on the sides and back.
And now, it would seem, why then did I stick around in the cabin for so long? Yes, everything is simple to the point of banality. Nourishing mask for hair, with which I sat for at least twenty minutes, then a moisturizing and regenerating mask. It's dreary and long, of course, but beauty requires sacrifice, as they say! Well, and finally, styling, so that my white “hat” does not get disheveled. And that's it, I'm beautiful!
Eyes ... Oh-oh-oh, eyes are my pride! Bright blue-green large eyes with long black, which, by the way, is strange, cilia. The eyebrows are also black. Just some kind of anomaly, it turns out! But I was born this way. A neat little nose, slightly snub-nosed and plump, scarlet by nature, lips. Long graceful neck. Small rounded shoulders, thin wrists.
I was dressed in a light red plaid shirt with elbow-length sleeves and dark blue denim breeches. Simple and tasteful! Just what you need for shopping!
For some more time, I spun around the mirror, like a model, admiring my appearance. I was distracted by my mother's voice from behind the door:
“Irina,” my mother called.
- Yes mom? - I responded, stopping self-admiration.
- Are you ready? May I come in?
- Uh, no, Mom. But I'm getting dressed, honestly! - I was lying. I'll be ready in five or ten minutes.
"All right," the woman behind the door sighed wearily. “The guests will be arriving soon, so hurry up, please,” and I heard the sound of receding heels.
Sighing, she began to quickly undress, taking off absolutely everything, leaving only a white thong. Throwing my casual clothes on a chair, I walked over to the bed and grabbed a bag containing a dress I had bought especially for tonight's dinner.
White, light, flowing, as if woven from a million of the finest cobwebs - it sat perfectly on my figure, emphasizing the high chest, thin waist and smooth curve of the hips, diverging from top to bottom in a flowing silk wave to the floor. The high collar and long lace sleeves only emphasized the perfection of this dress. Oh wow, it's wonderful! In it, I looked like a snow nymph.
To complete this wonderful look, she wore white open sandals with low heels. Well, that's it, the image is complete! And I didn't even need any decorations.
Taking a deep breath, I looked at myself in the mirror before leaving.
- Well, Irina, are you ready for this evening nightmare? - reflection to me, of course, could not answer. However, this was not required. Anyway, you need to go and don't be late, otherwise daddy will get angry.
And I opened the door and left the room.
Going down the stairs to the first floor, I heard voices and laughter that belonged to my father. “I wonder what made him laugh so much?” - a thought flashed through my head, but I didn’t get hung up, it makes sense to fill my head with all sorts of nonsense. While descending, the feeling of impending trouble did not leave me, confusion and fear reigned inside me, expressed in the form of a shrinking heart. Of course, there were no rational reasons to worry, and there was no fear, but it was impossible to calm down. "Yeah, what's wrong with me"? I thought frantically as I continued to descend.
- And here is our daughter, - I was distracted from my thoughts by the low voice of my father, as soon as I reached the first floor. - Irina, come to us, - he called me.
A tall, forty-nine-year-old man with the same platinum hair as mine, with a piercing gaze blue eyes, a large hooked nose, thin lips, well-defined cheekbones and a powerful chin with a small dimple. They say that the one who has it is monogamous. “They are probably lying about this dimple,” a stupid thought flashed through my head.
My father's name is Victor and he is the general director of Aikhire. I still do not know what this name means, and my father does not recognize it. The annual income of the company is very large, such amounts are not even worth pronouncing. What his company was doing I did not know, because my father had decided not to let me in on his business. However, for me it was not important, as long as our family remains rich, how my father earns does not interest me.
My father stood at the foot of the stairs and looked seriously at me. Yeah, afraid that I'll do another trick or stupidity. “Not this time, daddy,” smiling at her thoughts, she approached her father. She shifted her gaze from him to the guests, or rather, the guest, looking at whom, my eyes almost flew out of their sockets! Man ... no, man, the most a real man. Short, about a head shorter than me. Thick as a baobab tree, in addition, bald and scary, like death itself! Potato nose, eyes small, like a pig, full wide lips, protruding ears, a neck swollen with fat. I'm just sick now!
- Mm, Irina, time to meet you! he said in a high, squeaky voice, approaching me with the obvious intention of drooling over my hand. Well, like kiss. I don't want, I don't want! Get this fat guy away from me.
Aloud, smiling sweetly (in fact, my face twisted in disgust), I said:
- Very nice, - I hope my forced smile does not betray how unpleasant this man is to me.
He took my hand in his, leaned over and kissed it. Horrible! Give me an antiseptic to treat my limb, affected by his saliva! And he also stank so strongly afterwards that not a single perfume is able to kill this terrible smell! To say that I'm squeamish is to say nothing!
And for the sake of this boar dinner was started? Yes, if I knew what awaits me, without a conversation I would agree to Svetka's proposal to go to a party with Vadim. But instead, I now have to contemplate this scarecrow for several hours! I feel like I'm in my own personal hell!
- Sorry, I forgot to introduce myself. Sifushin Oleg Ignatievich, future partner and, I hope, your father's son-in-law, squeaked this creature on fat legs.
I stared at my father in complete disbelief.
- Son-in-law? What the hell, son-in-law? I hissed, eyes flashing angrily.
- Irina, I wanted to tell you later, but since it happened, I'll tell you now. Oleg will become your husband.
- What?! - we exclaimed in one voice with my mother.
I recoiled from my father and that pig and added:
- Do not be this! Do you hear?! Not. To be!
- Shut up! - my father severely stopped me. - If I said that he will become your husband, then he will become your husband and this is not discussed!
There were angry tears in my eyes that threatened to spill out. I wanted to ask: “why are you doing this to me, dad? What did I do? Not only is he a freak that the world has never seen, so besides, he is also old, forty years old, no less!
- Dear, what are you talking about? It’s too early for her to get married,” my mother tried to intercede for me. But he looked at her so that she immediately fell silent, lowering her gaze to the floor.
- I am the head of this family and the decisions I made are not discussed!
- Why are you doing this to me? I asked in a trembling voice.
“Irina, my little girl,” my father came up to me and, raising my chin with his big and wide hand with long fingers, said softly: “I love you very much, snowflake, and I want you to be safe ...
My father always called me snowflake if he wanted to apologize to me for something. That aching feeling in his chest intensified.
- How nice, - there was a mocking, but slightly rude male voice from the side of the front door.
Everyone turned sharply in the direction of the voice. A tall, perhaps two meters tall man with an impressive figure entered the house. I tried, yes, I tried to see this person, but his image all the time, as if blurred, or something, was vague. The only thing I could clearly see from him was his eyes, piercing and black as darkness itself, eyes that made me shiver all over my body. Dangerous, a terrifying thought flashed through my mind.
- Well, hello, my old friend- said this stranger, passing into the house. Behind him came two more men, fully dressed in black, their faces covered with bandages, leaving only their eyes open, each with ... swords hanging from their belts in scabbards?
"Security," I guessed. Just kind of weird.
“You…” breathed my father, getting down on one knee and bowing his head.
- Long time no see... What is your name now - Victor? You chose a nightmarish name for yourself, - this strange man grinned. Then, furrowing his thick black brows, he said rudely, looking at my father: - You disappointed me, Vic, by not fulfilling the terms of our agreement.
"Sorry," he said, swallowing hard and in a hoarse voice.
- Forgive? No, no, it won't! You have lost my trust, so I'm not going to forgive you, instead I will punish you.
- Yes, who are you? screeched Sifushin, taking a step towards this strange stranger. What right do you have to punish anyone?
“What a vile type,” the man said, frowning in disgust. - I'll give you just one chance to leave this house alive. Leave.
- I'm not going anywhere! Oleg exclaimed, sticking out his fat belly.
"Fool. Oh, damn it, I thought.
“Hmm, a hero, then,” the man chuckled harshly.
I tried to look at him again, but saw nothing but black eyes.
“Well, you yourself decided so,” he said calmly and waved his hand in the direction of Sifushin, who turned into a statue of ashes in front of my eyes wide with horror and in just a moment began to crumble, turning into a handful.
I screamed and covered my mouth with my hands, not believing my own eyes. Can not be! This simply cannot be! Fear and panic with new force began to grow within me. The man looked away from what was once Oleg, a handful of ashes and looked at me.
- Beautiful, - thoughtfully he drawled, wandering his eyes over my body. I take it this is your daughter?
“Yes…” my father breathed, still on one knee, his head bowed.
- Well, - satisfied with the answer, the stranger nodded. - I'm happy. And now about your punishment. You violated the agreement that was made between us. It's been half a year since your daughter came of age, but you still haven't introduced her to me, so I decided to come and get her myself. But instead of becoming my eina, she will become an escha.
- Not! - exclaimed the father, abruptly rising from his knees. - I won't let that happen!
But one smooth movement of the stranger's hand and ... my father, clutching his chest with his hands, again fell to his knees.
- You dare to contradict me? - slightly surprised, asked the man. - Reckless of you. Apparently, the punishment that I voiced is not enough for you. So... - he thought for a while, - Yes, that's exactly what I will do, - angrily looking at my father, he said harshly: - Listen to me and pay attention: you will lose everything that you have achieved in these twenty years, you will lose what you this contract was concluded and you will lose the one for whom it was worth living.
- I beg you, don't! - croaked Viktor.
- Too late, Vic. - the man shifted his gaze from his father to ... his mother, who was neither alive nor dead sitting on the floor.
Snezhnaya Elena Vladimirovna - a small, thin brunette with a pretty face, large brown eyes, filled with horror and the same as mine, scarlet by nature, lips.
“For her sake, you made a contract,” the stranger said, looking at his mother. One movement of the hand in her direction and ... she, like Oleg, turned into ashes.
- No-o-o-o! - I screamed in horror, breaking away from the place to the one who gave me life, took care of me, loved me.
- Mother! Mommy! Ma-a-a-ma! No mom, no!! - bitter, burning tears gushed from my eyes, the wild pain of loss flooded my heart, tearing it apart. - Mother! - I was near her just at the moment when she began to crumble, turning into a small handful of ashes. Sobs shook my body.
- Elena ... - sounded quiet, filled with indescribable pain, the father's voice. - Forgive me, my love, - his eyes filled with tears, and a heavy moan filled with suffering escaped from his chest.
- And this one, - the man nodded in my direction, - The one for whom it was worth living. And she, Victeirion, will go with me to where you are denied access, - looking at me, the stranger said: - You, eskha, will go with me to the Dark World, where you will serve me as I please.
And in a couple of minutes I, shackled in wrist bracelets and with a collar around her neck, stepped into the portal leading to the Dark World - to where the fate of a slave awaited me.

Victor was sitting on the floor in the house that was built for his wife Elena - the beloved, the only and beautiful woman, for the sake of whom he concluded that damned contract!
- Yes, if I knew how all this would turn out, I would never have made that deal! Let me be alone and unhappy, but you, my beloved, would be alive now, - bitter and angry tears choked, practically not allowing the man to breathe. “But I won’t leave it like that!” I lost you, my love, but I don’t intend to lose our daughter! Rising up off the floor, he pulled out a cell phone from his pants pocket. Selecting one number from the list of contacts, he pressed the call button.
- I'm listening, - there was a low, slightly hoarse from sleep, male voice.
- Gaiho, this is Victor. Did I wake you up? I'm sorry.
- Victor? he didn't understand. - What else Victor?
Taking a deep breath, the man replied:
- Victairion.
There was a moment's silence in the receiver, and then a wary:
- Mister?
- Yes, Gaiho, it's me. I need your help.
- Sir, Victeirion, please, excuse me! Waking up, I didn't recognize you. Please excuse me again, - the man said in a voice still hoarse from sleep. - Uh, could you wait a minute? he asked.
- I'm waiting, - Victor answered shortly and looked around his dwelling, which now, without Elena, became unnecessary to him.
A luxurious palace is her dream, the dream of his beloved woman. How many times Elena told him about her dream that Victor could easily imagine how exactly this house looked like in her dreams. And after some time, he gave her a dream. Her dream. He will never forget how much happiness was then in her eyes. And he will never forget how much horror they had before death. "It's all my fault," the man thought ruefully.
"Master," the man called out in a more cheerful voice. - I'm ready to listen to you.
- Gaiho, call all of our people in whom there is at least a little bit of the magic of the Dark World. We urgently need to open the portal. - Victor was tense to the limit, as his voice spoke - irritated, nervous and angry.
- Portal? But that could take a lot of time, sir. Here things with magic are much worse than in the Dark World,” Gaiho said, not hiding his excitement.
“You have a maximum of three days to gather everyone and open the portal,” Victor said rather harshly.
- Three days? So little? But why such a hurry? - did not understand the man.
- He has my daughter, Gaiho. He came for her. He killed my wife and took Snowflake to the Dark World, to his domain. We have three days to build the portal and three days to get my daughter out of his clutches. If we do not have time to cope during this time, then in a week my daughter will legally become the escho of the Lord. And then we will not be able to help her, but now there is still time.
- What? the man asked in a hoarse voice. - He took Snowflake? But she is...
- Yes! the Master interrupted him rudely.
After a short silence, Gaiho said decisively:
- Everything will be done in the shortest possible time, Mr. Victeirion.
- I hope for you, - Victor answered and dropped the call.
Now, determination and unshakable confidence shone in his eyes.
- Irina, my girl, don't be afraid, I'll come for you, - he squeezed his cell phone with such force that it crumbled into small pieces. Shaking them off his hand, he whispered: - I will pull you out of the clutches of the Lord of the Dark World, Snowflake. My little girl, my Snow Demon.

Recommended by: Sonya Vetrova
From dark fantasy impressed novel
Ani Sokol "On unknown paths"
Status: completed by 99% (according to the author, it will be posted in full one of these days), free of charge The heroine is not boorish, not an idiot who got into the world of stitches (dark world) and learns to live there, among evil spirits, demons and scavengers.
Annotation:
How many hits around. And all, of course, involuntary. No one dreamed of falling into a black hole and raking in adventures. They all dropped out without asking. At least one of them looked back at the abandoned relatives? NO
Dragons and princes are waiting ahead, and parents are boring.
I suggest you take a look. Only once.
The novel has one minute so far - it has not been proofread (but there is a warning that this is a draft)
http://fan-book.ru/samizdat/na-nevedomih-tropinkah/1-gost16384/page/1
Botalova Maria "In the power of demons"
Abstract: What should an ordinary student do if she is suddenly dragged into another world? And four men, not allowing to come to their senses, simultaneously begin to seduce? Or not even seduce, given that no one is particularly interested in your opinion. Oh, they're also demons? And what about princes? And you have to marry one of them? Oh, do you want love? So this is not for demons - they only specialize in voluptuous pleasures! But who will let you go now...

Status: completed

Grin Anna "Forget my name!"
Summary: Do you like divination? Lena always liked them. But this time the girl was not lucky - after drinking the potion on the advice of her friend, she was transported directly into the arms of a demon from another world! Great dream, you say? But no! The problems that follow this are clearly not drawn to a beautiful fairy tale. Well, at least this demon constantly helps Lena out of trouble. Or maybe he is the betrothed that pseudo fortune-telling predicted?

Status: completed

Aleksina Alena "Playing with the Beast"
Abstract: What is happiness? Maybe it's love, friendship or loyalty? No, not in this world. There is exactly one happiness in this world - to find the Owner, who will be indifferent enough not to torment, and indifferent enough not to kill. There is no other happiness here. Why? Because this world is cursed. Because people here are weak-willed slaves, living only to satisfy the whims of cruel and almost immortal Lords. There is no love, sensitivity and disinterestedness here. But a girl with a strange name Cassandra, pulled into this ugly reality from a modern metropolis, will find the strength to withstand and destroy the ancient Curse that turned kindness into weakness, devotion into stupidity, and love into a cruel game. That's just ... what will it cost her?

Status: Completed

White Lily "Dream"
Summary: Once in another world, you become a personal slave to the lord of demons. And when you finally manage to escape, what will you know? Your life in exchange for the life of the world. Is the whole world worth one life? Costs. What if this life is yours?

Status: Completed

Natalia Ruzhanskaya "Spread your wings"
Synopsis: A love story...
What will the Demon Lord do to delay or completely cancel the prophecy of his death? .. And what should the young angeless do when the earth is slipping away from under her feet, and you are left alone among the enemies? How to survive if you exist only at the whim of the dark Lord, not knowing what the next day will turn out to be? Just live as best you can... and time will tell where the winding path of Fate will lead...

Status: Completed

Irina Sergeevna Gribovskaya "Do not look for adventure"
Annotation: You live for yourself and do not know that one day you will wake up not at all in your cozy bed, and not at all in splendid isolation. Of course, I wanted adventure, but so what?! I decided to post it in a common file, for the convenience of both you and us. Happy New Year, my dears!!! And in general, this is the end. How happy he is - you decide.

Status: Completed

Galina Krasnova "Favorite toy"
Summary: Well, some people are lucky! And then it hit like that. Instead of a fairy-tale world - slavery. Instead of power - the shameful status of "favorite toy". Instead of a goal - the desire to survive. Friends? Those are the ones over there, right? Two princes in exile and a capricious princess? With friends like that, you don't need enemies. And there are too many of the latter even for a hero who has drunk anabolic steroids, not like for a fragile dancer. Well, nothing, we'll still dance when they finish the game ...

Status: Completed

Malevanaya Natalya "Fiery-haired demon"
Annotation: The plot of this story is outrageously banal - it is an unobtrusive, light fairy tale.

Status: Completed

Malevanaya Natalia "The Devil's Secretary"
Annotation: What to do if the guy you love sold your soul? If now you are working in Hell, side by side with the Prince of Darkness himself - the Devil? If life is destroyed and is gaining momentum, but in the wrong direction? The only advice is never to lose heart and boldly step forward into the "beautiful far away."
Warning!!!
There is no violence or sex in my work. And yes, the Devil is still my sweetheart and darling, but only for Angelina and for her sake. In addition, the main character is not a super-duper girl who will stop a burning hut at a gallop and howl at a horse ... uh, something I'm not talking about ... in short, you understand me. Or maybe it would be more interesting to read if GG-I was hysterical and fainted all the time ??? So, lovers of sex and cruelty, and also not lovers of pink snot - we pass, we pass by!

Status: Completed

Kuvaykova Anna series Hellian Valandi:
- Friends are not chosen;
- Fragments of the past;
-- Saitanshe rose
Abstract: Heh, did I, a seventeen-year-old magician, go to study at the Academy of Magic, that fate would bring me to two dark elf princes, a slightly suspicious High Elf and a bunch of other "wrong" personalities? I didn't even dream! And then it turns out that my magic is not all right, the arrogant maid of honor of the local princess hates me fiercely, and the local handsome man is going to kidnap me for the eighth time in a month. And that's the little things in life! Ahead of me is practice in the city of half-bloods, necromancy competitions and a trip to the city where I swore not to even stick my nose out! Involuntarily, the question arises: where did I sin so?

Status: Completed
Legacy of the Rose: The Magic of Silence
Annotation: Sometimes, fate disposes of our lives in a completely different way, as we would like. A revenge that is simple and so pleasant to the demon's heart turns into a real punishment for himself. A simple girl, dumb as well, turns out to be in his field of vision quite by accident ... But who said that she cannot be used for one's own purposes? Demons are not the kind of people to pass by the gifts of fate, confidently thinking that they will not have to pay for them. But sooner or later, Ariatar will need to understand who this strange child is: punishment or punishment. Or... salvation?

Status: in progress

Anastasia Isaevna Kovalchuk "The Lady of Darkness"
Annotation: The girl finds herself in another world, and not just in another world, but in the castle to the Lord of Darkness himself, the demon! His son, Daimon, takes over her magic training. Do you think she wants to study? No matter how! And soon there will be a ball in the castle, and the girl is hired by a teacher of etiquette and ballroom dancing ... The teacher was taken out with a nervous breakdown, a tick in both eyes and a stutter. And when it turns out that the Lord and his son want to use the girl as a victim in the ritual... She flees the castle, and she is captured by the cycle of adventures. A new friend - a metamorph, and even a prince. A crazy demon, by the way, the half-brother of the Lord's son, who is trying with all his might to seize power in the Empire of Darkness through a girl... An obnoxious vampire mercenary, a charming Amazon... And with all this friendly company they decide to save the Empire, leaving the destroyed churches along the way, robbed robbers and colorful memories of visitors to taverns.

Status: Completed

"Friends in captivity", "Order of Death"
Summary: To bewitch a third-year student? Easy. Smash the hall of practical magic? Perhaps. Go on a trip instead of studying? With joy! Flunk exams and get into practice to hell with it? Exactly. Meet Elsa, a first-year student at the Academy of Magic who has the ability to attract trouble. She accomplished a lot in a couple of days. Visit the Imperial Ball with the elves, take part in the gunsmith apprentice tournament, save the king of the metamorphs and his son... And also wander into the cemetery with your elf friend and run away screaming so much that even the trolls got scared!

Star Elena"My personal enemy"
Abstract: "All magicians are vile, arrogant, shameless womanizers" - a truth known to every witch. "Battle magicians are the worst category of magicians" - everyone in the kingdom knows this. "Witches are trained only in a closed Vedic School" - an axiom. But contrary to all laws of logic, the Ministry sends thirteen witches to finish their graduation year at the Academy of Applied Magic, in the very lair of the adherents of the combat faculty. And the witches will have to urgently attend to issues of survival. For example, figure out how to get rid of stubborn boyfriends? What are the battle mages afraid of? How can you annoy the rector of the academy? How to awaken a beast in a man, horned and hoofed, in seven days? And what should the hereditary witch Yaroslava do if she managed to lose the argument to this very awakened one? Yes, only the magicians and the demon will have to take care of the issues of survival, because the ancient truth says: "It's more expensive to get in touch with the witches!"

Status: completed

Strelnikova Kira "The Demon's Mistress"
Abstract: Returning from work in the evening, I could not imagine how a chance meeting at a crossroads on a rainy evening would end. And I never thought I'd be there main character an ordinary children's fairy tale about Beauty and the Beast ... However, I hardly pull on Beauty, and my Beast is not a handsome prince at all. But everything is in order. So I'm coming home...

Status: completed

Alexandra Lisina, Time for Change series
-- The Dark Lord
-- Gray Limits
-- Labyrinth of Madness
Annotation: At the end of the ninth millennium after the Age of Race Wars, the time is again approaching when the Border separating the Inhabited Lands from the Gray Limits is gradually weakening, and the rulers of the world are thinking about the threat of the imminent end of the world. Every thousand years, the immortal races send on a long Journey of daredevils who are able to penetrate into the very heart of the Cursed Forest and restore power to the Amulet of Iziar. Every Age there is a suicide bomber who is not afraid to venture into the Labyrinth of Madness to give the peoples of Liara hope for the future. Even now, anxious times are coming when desperate audacity, bordering on madness, is required. And again there is an opportunity to change this world at will.
However, this time not everyone agrees to change.

Status: Completed

Mamleeva Natalya Rinatovna "Academy of Omnipotence, or My Demon from Childhood"
Annotation:
“You are lucky to have such a sweet enemy,” Niella sighed, looking out the window, under which was the training ground, where now the eighth year was waving swords with might and main.
Is this monster you call cute? - I rolled my eyes to the ceiling, and then carefully casually looked out the window, my personal nightmare, as if having heard us, turned around and bowed jokingly, saluting with a sword. - Just a little...

Status: Completed

Lina Alfeeva "Akkad DEM and I"
Annotation: A non-classical hit in another world) the scene is the Fiery Citadel, in which the demons of Chaos are trained.
Easy to read, lots of funny situations.

Status: The first part is finished, the second is laid out. Selling almost every day.

Odysseus Penelope "Oath or Marry the first person you meet"
Annotation: Find out about the betrayal of the groom on the eve of his own wedding? It's worse than taking a thoughtless oath and becoming the bride of a demon.

Status: Completed

Whether Ldokl made a suggestion to the housekeeper, or she was busy all the time while we were gone, however, I managed to do without a reprimand about my absence (which, it seems, no one noticed at all). The housekeeper just shook her head, sending me to the guest of the castle, and warned that at the slightest complaint I would be punished. For the first time in this castle, I ate with such an appetite: after all today's worries, I managed to get pretty hungry. I don’t know who was preparing dinner, but it seemed to be more satisfying than the previous one ... On reflection, I remembered that I still hadn’t really had dinner at the castle - yesterday’s banquet didn’t count, everything was too grand there. As before, as soon as I finished my tea, everything disappeared from the table, and I thought about what to do. I did not want to read at all - that is, I tried, but before my eyes, obscuring the lines, the smiling face of the demon kept getting up, and I soon put the book down. I soon got tired of sitting thoughtlessly and indulging in memories. Yes, Ldokl is handsome, you can even clarify - demonically handsome, and it would probably even be interesting with him if ... If he were not a demon, I suppose, with his extremely uncomfortable manner of communicating. Besides... What could he even find in me in this nightmarish hoodie and mask, and why doesn't he want to talk to me when I'm normally dressed? I mean, what makes a maid more attractive to him as a guest? Or does he hope that I will quickly break down from loneliness? How true are Ruanna's hints about the attitude of demons towards girls and the dangers that threaten the maids? If everything was as she describes, Ldokl would not let me out of his bedroom, and if Ruanna is lying, then why is he happy about the effigy that I turn into in this hoodie? Why did he even need to ride dragons and intimidate me? Did I accidentally fall out of the chariot? Why is he looking at me like that?! Rising resolutely to my feet, I made up my mind to find an occupation that could save me from unnecessary reflection. Demons never lie, so bypassing the castle might actually help me get out. Having driven away ridiculous thoughts, but is it worth it, they say, to run away from here, when there is so much beauty and magic here (including, of course, the owner), I left my room and thought. The second floor I went around the whole or almost the whole. Besides, Ldokl told me not to be seen by him today. For the same reason, the third floor was excluded, especially since, according to the housekeeper, only the demon's office remained on it; I don't think there was a special need to visit all the pantries, dressing rooms and bathrooms. On the first one, there was always a risk of running into Ruanna, and the castle did not let me into the towers. By way of exception, I settled on the basement, especially since if the magic of the castle does not work there, I can not be afraid of the sudden appearance of a demon, maids or a housekeeper from around the corner. Of course, it is absolutely not necessary that the rule Ruanna told me applies to the basement, but ... - We must go somewhere, - I said to myself aloud. - Why not in the basement? The castle seemed to agree with me: a door opened in front of me, leading to a narrow long corridor, at the end of which I saw steps. - Thank you! - I said in the air, but did not wait for any answer. Having reached the steps, I was about to go down when I suddenly discovered that I was caught by the hem of a hook that had come from nowhere. Turning around, I found that a coil of rope was tied to the hook, which, as soon as I took it in my hands, immediately broke free and rolled down the steps. I gasped, and stepped towards the steps, intending to catch up and pick up the skein ... and froze in place, discovering that the rope, among other things, also glowed in the dark with a steady bright light. Of course, because I did not think about the lamp, completely forgetting the day spent "visiting" the demon. A luminous ball was jumping up the fifth step from the top, suggesting that I follow it. - Thanks a lot! I bowed heartily to the castle and began to descend. The descent seemed to me endless; Ten... fifteen... twenty... twenty-five... thirty... forty, forty-one... On the forty-second step, I caught my heel and fell, covering my head with my hands. Having thus overcome five steps, probably, and stretched out on the cold stone floor, I groaned and loudly announced how unhappy I was. Something hit me on the arm and, yelping, I opened my eyes that had been squeezed shut during the fall. A coil of luminous rope jumped around me. There was no other answer to my words, and where would he come from, if the basement was really not enchanted. Oooh, I got to my feet. The bruises hurt terribly, after all, the stone floor is no joke, especially if it is not bewitched. The skein hopped at my feet like a dog begging for a walk. "Let's go," I agreed, taking the first step. The skein of joy jumped up to my knee and rolled forward, pouring light to the height of my height. I wanted to see the ceiling, but the darkness was thick overhead, like good coffee, and my attempts to catch the skein and lift it higher ended in my bumping into the first rack in the basement. Okhnuv from pain, I stopped "hunting", and rubbed my bruised forehead. The skein slowly rolled up to me and rubbed against my shoes - sorry, they say, but it still didn’t fall into my hands. Following the rope, I went around the rack, and then waited until the skein rolled in the opposite direction so as not to form extra loops: in the basement itself, each fathom reduced the diameter of the ball, and it apparently did not want to end ahead of time. I did not notice anything interesting either in the rack I bumped into or in the other three. Dusty jars of jams, marinades, pickled mushrooms, jam and marmalade. Bottles of rare wines, some of which I had only read about, which could not be obtained at our house for any money. Sauerkraut, which can only be seen in families ordinary people , and next to a jar of soaked lingonberries. Taking a closer look, I noticed that there was no dust anywhere on the shelves, bottles and jars, apparently, those products that were constantly used in the castle were stored here, because magic does not work in the basement, and dirt will not go anywhere by itself. As soon as I thought this, the skein rolled out from behind the racks and led me further - to where I felt a strong cold and saw in the dim light the space free from the racks. The basement turned out to be divided into a sector of shelving and many nooks and crannies, into which I could hardly see chests, sacks and barrels. Taking a step towards one of these nooks, I caught the smell of sauerkraut, and from the barrels on the other hand, it smelled of wine - a sweet and at the same time tart smell that made my head spin. Here it is - the mysterious wine of demons, from which people forget about all sorrows. And I already thought that Ldokl boasted then, at his holiday, and the guests were served, although rare, but not at all magical drinks. Hank did not give me much time to explore all the nooks and crannies in the basement. Very quickly, the rope began to fade so that I could barely see it myself, and hurried back. The light became brighter again, and the skein, bouncing merrily on the stone slabs, led me on. Every step I took was picked up by an echo so that I began to feel as if someone was following me. I stopped in fright, the echo faded and sounded again as soon as I took a step. I had to put up with the constant noise and hope that no one would go down to the basement after me. The path seemed as endless as it was monotonous. Chests, barrels, sacks - at some point I was afraid that the basement in the castle of darkness is no different from an ordinary cellar - except for the size. But for some reason the skein leads me along it - after all, he wants to show me something, right? Before I realized how absurd it was to talk about an inanimate object "wants", the skein stopped and, jumping up, lit up so brightly that in the first moment I almost went blind. We stood in front of a stone wall - seemingly completely monolithic. - And now what? I asked quietly. The echo carried my words in the same way that the footsteps had carried before. The skein jumped even higher and began to beat against the wall - it would hit below, at the very floor, then it would jump to the height of my shoulder, then again at the very floor, but at a distance of about a yard from the first point, and then hit again at the level of my shoulder - right above the third point. From his blows, a rectangle two arshins high and one wide was highlighted in the wall, and, squeezing my eyes shut from the bright light, I did not immediately realize that this piece of wall was gradually moving away like that. .. as if a door had opened in the wall. Rubbing my eyes, I realized that the comparison was accurate. And this is in the basement, where there is no magic! A coil of rope rolled up to my shoes and began to poke into them, as if pushing me towards the door. Unable to resist curiosity, I leaned over so as not to hit my head and stepped over the threshold. A huge hall appeared before my eyes. It seemed to extend for several miles in length and width, and in height reached at least five sazhens. It is impossible to imagine that it would be possible for human forces to rebuild such a building. The walls, bare near the door, were further covered with tapestries, the ceiling was painted with images of demons and monsters, and the floor was literally littered with various treasures. I have never seen so much gold in one place in my life. Old coins, on which symbols incomprehensible to me were stamped, ingots and golden sand, it lay everywhere, sparkling in the bright lighting of the hall. As in other rooms of the castle, the light poured out as if from nowhere, and the coil of rope that rolled into the door after me, on the contrary, went out. I looked back, but the door was no longer in sight. I was seized with fear - is it really a trap, and I will stay in the basement forever? Great darkness, I would have preferred a dark cellar with countless food supplies as a place of confinement than a bright hall with its sparkling treasures. As soon as I thought so, a coil of rope pushed against the wall where the door had been, and it immediately opened, and the light in the hall faded. I let out a sigh of relief, and the ball rolled up to my feet, pushing me to go further, deeper into the treasury. I stepped forward to the door, but the skein seemed to go berserk and, jumping in front of me, began to beat against my legs until I staggered back and, stumbling over something in the darkness, fell on a pile of gold. Groaning in pain, I struggled to my feet, and the coil of rope, like a naughty kitten, rubbed against my shoes. "I'm not angry, but don't do this to me," I said. There was no echo in the hall, so my voice sounded very quiet. The coil of rope jumped for joy a couple of times, and then began to push me to continue the tour. Sighing, I obeyed; however, I myself was interested to see what was hiding in the basement of the castle of darkness. Taking my first step between the piles of gold and jewels, I heard the door creak shut behind me, and at the same time, a bright light flashed in the hall again. Well, let's hope Ldokl guesses where I might be if I can't get out of here, and Ruanna notices I'm missing. The main thing is that she does not do this before I examine the most interesting ... And there were many interesting things. In the piles of gold here and there sparkled with multi-colored lights gems . It is impossible to imagine that somewhere in the world diamonds no smaller than the palm of a hand and rubies the size of, probably, the size of a human heart were kept. The stones were carved either in the form of balls, or drops, or bizarre figures that depicted creatures unknown to me. Bending down, I tried to pick up one particularly beautiful pebble, from which an unknown craftsman had made a semblance of a ripe apple, but the light around me dimmed, and the “apple” glowed with such an ominous blood-red light that I hastily pulled my hand away. In that moment, everything was the same. - Look - look, but don't touch anything, right? I asked. Nobody answered me, only a coil of rope pushed at my feet. What happened next was astonishing things. At first I, in fact, did not understand what I saw: there is nothing like it in any house and is not lying on the street. Only on the pages of old books such things are described, and occasionally there are pictures from which I recognized what I saw. In the demon's treasury were weapons, piled away from the jewels. Swords, knives in leather sheaths, broken swords, bows and arrows, battle axes, and spears with broken shafts nearby. Much was broken, the metal not hidden by gold rusted, the swords had terrible notches. There was also metal clothing - armor - to protect against deadly blows, also crumpled and rusty. The piles of weapons, starting at my feet at the aisle, extended to the far wall of the hall. The tapestries that I noticed on the walls were clearly woven for this castle: the paintings on them were so huge that I could easily see them; however, the hall was still smaller than I thought at first. The scenes that adorned the walls cannot be seen in any other place, except that something like this occasionally slips in the pictures in old books: armed people, people radiating radiance, people flying through the air with spears in their hands - and others stand in front of them, blocking heads with shields. The expressions on the faces of the people depicted, the way they stand and hold their weapons, frightened me: I have never seen such rage, such a desire to harm. It was recorded in the books that the fairies promised humans to tame demons if humans would stop killing each other, but no details were given about that time. Here's how they did it. Raising my eyes to the ceiling, I saw other paintings there: demons - they could be distinguished from people by their beauty, skillfully conveyed by the artist, colorful clothes and an emblem denoting the element subject to each - fighting dragons. Compared to demons, these were three times the size of Ldokl's lacertus, and they belched fire, whipped their tails, and flapped their wings. And then - a man dressed in red - most likely a demon of fire - carries in his arms beautiful girl . The girl is wearing a long pink and blue dress, and her face is distorted with suffering, as if the touch burns her. Nearby is a bright scarlet castle, from which tongues of flame burst out, probably, this is where the demon of fire carries its victim. People have gathered under the castle walls, brandishing their weapons, their faces contorted with the same fury as on the tapestries. And the demon is not touched by either the rage of people or the suffering of the girl: he laughs merrily. And in the next picture, a demon dressed in blue is leaning over a man who is crouched on the ground and is trying in vain to cover his head with his hands. A pale yellow castle - it looks like it is made of sand, but much more than what children playing at play can build - and a girl looks out of the window in the tower. She is wearing a white dress, and her face is sad, as if she had no one else to rely on. A black-clad demon stands on a seven-colored bridge - and at the other end, a girl in a rainbow dress walks back with a frightened expression. She does not at all look like the rainbow fairy that Sol showed me, but I understand that the poor thing cannot be anyone else. Who knows how truthful the artist was, or maybe now the then rainbow fairy is simply no longer alive. A terrible thought came to my mind that it was then, at the moment captured in the picture, that the unfortunate woman could have died ... I already walked with my head thrown back and not looking at my feet, and now, having become agitated, I lost my balance and fell, stumbling about something solid. The coil of rope, "noticing" this, hastened to roll up to me, and with my right knee I knelt down on it, thus hitting only my left leg. "Thank you," I said with difficulty, standing up. It seems that I got more bruises in this basement than in my entire previous life! The skein rubbed against my legs and rolled on, leading me along. I no longer risked looking at the ceiling paintings, and therefore looked around. In addition to tapestries with images of battles, I was struck by portraits standing on easels right in the middle of piles of treasures: ladies in heavy dresses that cover their entire bodies and headdresses that cover their hair, men in armor and helmets, with swords or spears - and in some places with axes in their hands, young men with bows in their hands, quivers and daggers on their belts, and girls in the same heavy clothes as the ladies, but with hair loose over their shoulders and bouquets of flowers. These people, it seems, never smiled, they were serious and even, perhaps, severe. Why? And here is a picture depicting not one person, but, as on tapestries and the ceiling, an entire scene. The huge black castle overwhelms with its size. It has narrow windows on the first and second floors, and at the level of the third, small turrets rise in the corners, which rise one more floor above the general level of the castle. They are rounded and extended beyond the wall so that through their narrow windows one can see the entire plain near the castle. And there is something to look at: a crowd of people gathered around ... no, demons. They do not seem as beautiful as on the ceiling, their faces are distorted with rage and anger, and each brandishes a weapon or empty hands, from which, however, a multi-colored radiance emanates. A "radiance" also emanates from the castle - only black, darkness creeps in, and in some places the bright glow of the demons gathered around collides with clots of darkness. However, the castle is protected not only by radiance - fanged monsters are flying in the air, flapping their wings and it seems that they are about to fall on the demons gathered around. - What is it? I muttered. - Castle of darkness? Another castle? Some kind of battle? No one answered me and, sighing, I went on. Unknown artists, about whom people had not heard anything, depicted all the scenes (unlike portraits) in such a way that I could almost hear screams, groans, threats and curses. About the events depicted in the pictures I saw, I could only guess. “There were wars and people carried weapons,” I said aloud. - And demons abducted girls, and people tried to fight them. And people wore uncomfortable clothes, and the demons fought among themselves and with the fairies. And then something changed. Weapons were brought here, and paintings depicting battles were brought here. Maybe the books were brought here, because now everyone says that there are very few old books, and nothing has been preserved. All this was brought here and hidden in the basement. What for? So that people do not know their past? To forget how they once fought? What is this all for? Nobody answered me. I went on, step by step, passing by fabulous treasures that cannot be seen anywhere else: gold, and stones, and precious vases, and jewelry worthy of the greatest rulers, which are now nowhere else, and weapons - not only broken and rusty , but also new, sparkling no worse than jewels, such a match for the great warriors from a very old epic. Tired and knocking down my legs, I sat down on another pile of gold and thought. "The fairies say that the lust for power, the lust for money, the desire to kill their own kind and get more than others are dark qualities, and those who follow them lead the world into darkness when demons rule the world. But Ldokl told Sol that if people weren't afraid of the demons, they wouldn't obey the fairies, and Sol cried at the mere thought of it. But fairies - that's what they all say! - do not seek power, at least, light fairies, and control people for their own benefit. I saw diadems worthy of great rulers and swords worthy of great warriors, but we did not and cannot have great warriors and rulers: we have no one to fight with, but we are ruled by a council of cities, which we choose. Where, then, in the world is beauty and is magic needed only to raise people like little children in school? "The questions seemed difficult to me. If I ever return home, should I tell about what I saw? What "Will the new pact that the demon is going to conclude with my help bring good or harm? Will my escape bring harm if I manage to escape as I planned? I was completely confused, and no longer knew what I should do to cause less evil and grief "Suddenly my reasoning was interrupted by the fact that my magical guide began to fuss and jump around like a dog calling its owner for a walk. "As you say," I said, rising to my feet, "let's go further. However, the coil of rope was not going to lead me further down the hall, or anywhere else.Suddenly, the lighting in the hall began to dim, until it was completely gone, leaving only a dim light from the rope.He jumped a few more times, and then rolled up to me and, before h I had time to say or do something, wrapped a rope around my legs and dragged - you can’t pick another word - back to the exit. In vain I tried to throw off the rope, break free or stop him with words. The first tug made me fall to the floor, and after that I barely managed to protect my head from hitting the treasure lying around. The hank inexorably dragged me back, and only at the wall in which there was an invisible door, it slowed down slightly. Annoyed voices could be heard from behind the wall: Ruanna and Ldokl were arguing. I went cold with horror, imagining how I would now be carried right to their feet. The darkness is great, is there really nothing that can be done? Meanwhile, as I said, the speed at which I was being dragged across the floor began to slow down. First, I managed to snatch out a knife seen from afar from a pile of treasures (this time nothing prevented me from picking it up), and then, at the very door, I managed to sit down and grab the rope that tied my legs. Traffic stopped and the skein hopped around me in obvious impatience. I raised the knife to cut the paths, and the skein became completely furious, starting to beat against my hands, and when I "realized" that this did not help, I began to pounce on my face and neck, trying each time to hit harder. Throwing the enraged ball away (I will never again trust the friendliness of magical things!) I grabbed the knife more comfortably and cut the rope. There was a quiet ringing, the fetters fell from my legs, and, after a moment's delay, they went out. Immediately after that, the skein thrown aside also went out, and when I tried to feel for the guiding rope going beyond the wall, I found that it was nowhere to be found. Great darkness, am I really going to stay here forever?! No no! The demon and the housekeeper of his castle walk around the basement, and if I have no other choice, I can call them for help. Probably, Ruanna noticed my absence, and called the owner to help find me - however, it is not clear how they guessed where to go? The voices came very close, and I perked up. Despair never managed to seize me: everything that happened was too much like a fairy tale, one of those that I read as a child. But in fairy tales, everything ends well and... Even when I was dragged along the floor, I wasn’t afraid that something might happen to me, I just didn’t want to be thrown out in front of the demon in such a ridiculous and uncomfortable position. Now, leaning against the wall, I eagerly listened to Ldokl's conversation with the housekeeper, hoping that their conversation would tell me a way to get out: everything would have happened in fairy tales, why shouldn't this happen in the castle of the demon of darkness? My expectations were not in vain...

Tonya quietly hummed a cheerful song under her breath, with difficulty winding the well chain around the collar. The bucket hit the side of the well loudly and cold water fell on the girl's tanned legs. Tonya deftly picked it up and poured it into her blue plastic bucket, which still smelled like a store. - Help? - a pleasant male voice touched her ears and the girl quickly turned around. The man who offered his help stared at her intently, as if trying to memorize every little detail. His bright, almost transparent eyes were as cold as the winter sky, and his hard, heavy chin was covered with stubble.

He was tall and powerful, like a bear, huge muscles rolled under his T-shirt and Tonya thought that he could easily carry the bucket with her, right to the house. - No, thanks, I'm on my own. - I do not care on the way with you - the man picked up the bucket and headed up the road. - I see you for the first time, - Tonya followed him, looking at his broad back with pleasure. - Are you staying with someone? - Came on business. Would like to buy your milk factory - Yes? - the girl was surprised. - Usually such people do not pull buckets of water ...

Believe me, people are different, - he grinned, exposing his white, strong teeth. - And you are the daughter of the owner of the milk factory, right? - Yes ... but it is unlikely that acquaintance with me will help you acquire it. - What do you! I didn’t even think of using our acquaintance for my own benefit ... - And you wouldn’t have succeeded, - Tonya smiled, - my stepfather, he was never interested in my opinion.

Mother! Mother! - a ringing voice rang like a bell in the silence of the street. - Marta gave birth to kittens! Tonya rushed to the little boy, who was standing near the huge wrought-iron gate, and frightenedly grabbed his arm. - Why did you come out? - I heard your voice... A long and dry woman appeared near the gate, she quickly approached the boy and led him to the house. - Why don't you let the child go out of the gate? - the voice of her guide brought Tonya out of frightened thoughts. - He's blind. - She answered sharply and took the bucket from his hands. - Thank you.

Sorry I didn't know. The man suddenly held out his large hand to her. My name is Arnold. - Antonina. - the girl put her narrow brush into a warm hand and he gently squeezed it. - Why do you go to the well? Is there no water in such a huge estate? - the man changed the subject of conversation. - No, it's just that it has the most delicious water in the entire village. Tonya smiled. - I'll go ... all the best. She disappeared behind the gate, and Arnold whispered after her: - You must be tasty too ... Which is what I want to check.

Who was that? - the voice of the stepfather was dissatisfied. - Where? - Tonya asked again, although she perfectly understood who he meant. - The man who accompanied you from the well itself. His fork clanged against his plate. - I don't know... offered to help... said he wanted to buy your plant. - calmly answered the girl and moved her son a plate of cake. - Honey, your favorite cake.

Yes? Why didn't he contact me? - I do not know. Tony shrugged. “I don’t like that you walk with a bucket like a village woman,” the man continued irritably, “tell the servants and they will bring it, since you like this damned water so much!” Tonya looked at him and averted her eyes, unable to bear this look filled with anger and something else that she would prefer not to think about. - Mom is not a woman! - the boy's voice was offended and loud. - Shut up, George! his stepfather hissed. - And don't you dare butt in when the grown-ups are talking! - Do not shout at him, Vitaly Andreevich! Tonya jumped up.

He lacks education! He threw his napkin on the table and stood up. - Take care of him before I hand him over to a boarding school for the disabled! The man quickly left, and Tonya pressed the boy to her, looking into his frozen, frightened eyes. Don't be afraid, I won't hurt you...

Arnold immediately saw the soft, feminine forms of Antonina, when she delightfully, smoothly walked along the sidewalk and, having driven a little further, slowed down. - Good afternoon, Tonya!

Hello Arnold, - she waved her hand at him. - How are you? - Okay, let me give you a ride. The girl calmly climbed into his car and leaned back in the seat. - It's very hot today ... - Yes, it will probably rain, - Arnold agreed and looked at her, noting the high chest and graceful knees peeking out from under the light dress. - Walked? - No, I went to our car service, to find out how the repair of my car is progressing ... - the girl straightened her hair and he suddenly distinctly felt her smell, dizzy and intoxicating.

How is your boy? - Well, thank you ... I spent the whole day sitting next to a lambing cat. Tonya laughed. - I was worried that all her kittens would not have enough milk. - He's a nice kid. - Yes, that's right... Arnold drove slowly along the deserted street, feeling her warmth and fresh breath with his skin. - So you live with your parents? What is your husband doing? - My husband died four years ago together with my mother... They crashed in a car accident when they were going to the hospital where I gave birth to George... - Excuse me again... I didn't even imagine...

Nothing, everything is fine ... - she touched his hand and Arnold felt everything, even the movement of blood through her veins and a slight pulsation at the fingertips. - My stepfather did not leave us with my son and I am very grateful to him ... He takes care of us ... - Apparently he good man. - said Arnold, but the way her heart fluttered and the blood pounded excitedly in her temples, he began to doubt it.

A dark cloud appeared on the horizon and thunder rumbled, moving away with its grumbling to the tops of the pines.
- Now it will rain... - Tonya carefully looked at Arnold and admired his chiseled profile and long, blond eyelashes that cast shadows on high cheekbones. His hands gripping the steering wheel were beautiful, with long fingers and a thin, dark skin.
- Do you like me, Antonina?
The girl shuddered and blushed, caught off guard.
You are a handsome man...

You are also very beautiful. His transparent eyes flickered over her face and Tony's heart beat like a trapped bird. - I live very far from here... There are mountains covered with heather and ancient castles with ghosts, in which winds walk, whispering secrets...
Where are these wonderful places? Antonina whispered in fascination, watching his face lean closer and closer.
- In Scotland... - he breathed and their lips met. Thunder rumbled and Tonya heard his words: - Do you want to see everything with your own eyes?

* * *
- This goes beyond what is permitted! - stepfather furiously clenched his fists, looking at Antonina, wet and barefoot, holding sandals in her hands. - In front of everyone, you were hanging around with this bandit! What do you think to yourself?!
- Don't I have the right to build my personal life? - Tonya looked in bewilderment at the angry, red-spotted face of Vitaly Andreevich.
- As long as you live in my house, you will adhere to my rules! Get it on your nose! He grabbed her hand and threw her onto the couch. Tonya fell awkwardly, her dress pulled up, exposing her smooth hips, and her stepfather's face was distorted by a grimace that looked like a painful lust, which made her feel uneasy. He jumped out the door and the girl heard the sound of a car leaving.

Mom is that you? - Georgy entered the living room, holding on to the walls with his hands and peering with frozen eyes into the darkness that only he could see. - Mother?
Yes, honey, it's me. Come on.
The boy quickly passed the distance between them, deftly kneading the furniture and clinging to it.
- Are you wet?
- Got caught in the rain, son.
- I want rain too...
- Oh, it's very nice! Someday you will definitely feel it! - Tonya began to cover his plump cheeks with kisses and they rolled foolishly on the floor. - Well, now it's time to drink warm milk.
- Do you read to me?
- Of course, honey ... let's go.

Arnold entered the office, lined with antiquities that absolutely did not harmonize with each other, betraying the owner’s complete lack of taste, and looked around.
- Good afternoon. - Vitaly Andreevich stood near the bookcase and the light from the window did not penetrate the dusty shadow of the corner with a single ray.
- Hello. - Arnold did not see his face, but felt the anger and hostility of the owner of the house. - I'd like to talk to you.
- If you are talking about the dairy, then you are late, I agreed to sell it with another person.

Sorry... but I have another topic to talk about.
- And what is it? - Arnold heard notes of undisguised irritation in his voice.
- About your daughter... I would like to ask you something.
Vitaly Andreevich stepped forward to meet him, flashing his cruel eyes.
- How does she relate to you?
- Not yet... but I hope that soon, this will change.
- I am listening to you.

* * *
Your friend came today.
Antonina started up and this did not go unnoticed by him.
- What friend?
- Arnold.
- Ah ... about the plant? - Tonya tried to look calm and at ease.
- And not only - the stepfather's voice became oily-sweet. - He wants you.
- In terms of? The girl rolled her eyes at him excitedly.
- He wants to marry you. - Vitaly Andreevich walked around Tonya and stopped behind her. - What do you think about it?
She cringed at the sensation of his gaze boring into the back of her head and at the sensation of impending disaster.

I... don't know... I like him...
- And you would easily follow a man you don't know? Here it is your essence, Antonina ... - his stepfather hissed and from his breath her hair stirred on her head. - Well, nothing, all this can be fixed.
He stepped away from her and she breathed a sigh of relief.
- Maybe you were seduced by his money, huh?
- I was seduced by his money! What are you talking about?! exclaimed the indignant Tonya, looking with horror into his snake eyes.
- Or maybe you thought he wanted your blind puppy? Vitaly Andreevich laughed hoarsely.
- You vile, rotten man!
- And I thought that you like me ... Antonina ...
- Stinky rat might like more! Tonya exclaimed and ran out of the room.

Vitaly Andreevich chuckled smugly and pulled out a voice recorder from the pocket of his dressing gown.
- Well, well ... you yourself wanted this ...

* * *
Antonina was nervously chewing on a straw when a black jeep drove up to her, from which two huge foreheads emerged. They unceremoniously dragged her into the car and, ignoring her screams, drove her down to the river, cackling merrily and looking at the frightened girl.
- Don't yell...we won't do anything to you...

Where are you taking me?! - Tonya tried to open the car door, but strong hands twisted her.
- We'll take a couple of photos and deliver them home. neighed one of her captors. - Calm down, you will be alive and well!
When she was dragged out of the car, Tonya instantly recognized this place - the sauna, Cleopatra, which also belonged to her stepfather.
- Why did you bring me here?
- Come on, open your mouth, - the bald kingpin suddenly said and took out a bottle of vodka from the car.
- I do not want!
But the second bandit covered her nose, and as soon as Tonya opened her mouth to take a breath, a burning liquid poured into her throat.

* * *
- You know what to do. - Vitaly Andreevich held out a package to a not tall, frail man.
- You see ... Arnold Robertovich asked me not quite about this ... - his narrowed eyes gleamed greedily.
- Why, then... he asked you to find out everything about Antonina, and I think this will be worthy material... Make sure that his spirit is no longer near her! I will thank you very much.
- Ok, I'll call.
- I'm counting on you.
The man left, and Vitaly Andreevich went up to Tony's room and with a grin looked at the girl lying on the bed in drunken oblivion...

* * *
Arnold threw on a black silk robe, hiding the signs on his body that were not intended for prying eyes, and nodded to his assistant to call the lawyer who was waiting in the living room.
- Did you bring me anything? - He immediately got down to business.
Yes... but I'm afraid you won't like it...
- Yes? His eyebrows shot up. - What is it?
In this frail little man, he felt fear, excitement ... but in his presence, many experienced these feelings.
- My man installed a recording device in her stepfather's office and this is what came of it ...
He put the flash drive on the table and pushed towards Arnold.

"Your friend came today.
-Which friend?
- Arnold.
- Ah ... about the plant?
- And not only. He wants you.
- In terms of?
- He wants to marry you. What do you think about it?
- I was seduced by his money! Stinky rat might like more! "
- There is still a photo there ... - the lawyer said awkwardly, hiding his eyes.
Arnold calmly opened the photo folder and stared at Tonya, liberated and naked, with a bald bighead wrapped in a sheet.
- Thank you. My assistant will give you money for the work.

The lawyer did not linger, feeling that something terrible was rising in this strange, powerful man. He slipped out of the office and breathed a sigh of relief.
Arnold lifted his heavy eyelids and stared at the wall, where smoking holes instantly appeared. He snarled and snow-white fangs were reflected in an ancient mirror, which he tore off the wall with force, scratching long nails surface.
"I'll make you suffer, you filthy bastard!"

* * *
Tonya woke up with a terrible headache and a parched throat. No matter how much she tried to remember what happened yesterday, only vague fragments, blurry and trembling, flashed before her eyes. She struggled to her feet and went to the shower to wash off the feeling of something dirty and vile.
Having forced herself to have breakfast, she played a little with her son and gave him to the nanny, went out into the street. She was walking slowly down the sidewalk, straining her memory, when Arnold's car pulled up right next to her.
- Hey, sit down.
Antonina excitedly got into the car, enjoying the smell of leather and expensive cologne.
- Hey...

Did your stepfather tell you about my visit?
- Yes, of course ... - her face was covered with a blush.
Arnold looked with disgust at these miserable acting attempts and could hardly restrain himself.
- What did you decide?
- I don’t know ... I feel something for you, but we don’t know each other so much ...
Arnold felt fear, shame and confusion in her, but now he understood what caused them. She was hypocritical and played, and all her feigned tenderness and pleasant smile is just a mask of a greedy and lustful girl.
- I want to give you something. Arnold handed her a small package. - Look at the house.

Antonina took it and smiled.
- What is it?
- Surprise.
The girl looked at him intently, as if feeling disgust and anger raging in him, and got out of the car.
Arnold did not stop her and drove away, not even looking at her lonely figure on the hot sidewalk.

* * *
What Tonya heard and saw shocked her. She stared blankly at the computer monitor and everything that happened last night clearly stood before her eyes.
- No ... no ... - she whispered, shaking her head from side to side and imagined with horror what Arnold thought of her ... a man who was so fascinated by her that he was ready to unite his life with her, who she liked, and to whom she felt an irresistible craving... Tonya jumped up with the determined intention of finding him, explaining everything, but her stepfather's rough, mocking voice stopped her.

Sit down! It is unlikely that after what he saw, he will want to listen to your pathetic excuses!
- Why? Why are you doing this to me? Antonina looked perplexedly into her stepfather's excited eyes. - What did I do to you?
- You should be with me! he hissed, advancing towards her. - I've been waiting for this for fifteen years and now I won't let you run away with the first person you meet! You are mine!
- What do you say?! - Tony backed away to the window. - Stop it! You scare me!
- Well, I'm not so scary ... - Vitaly Andreevich whispered and yellowish saliva appeared in the corners of his mouth.

This will never happen! - the girl twisted her lips in disgust, looking at her stepfather's shaking belly, peeking out of his unbuttoned shirt.
- Then I'll get rid of your blind puppy, - he laughed, - I'll drown him in the river. How do you like this option?
- You wouldn't dare! Tonya turned pale and folded her trembling hands. - Please... where is my son?
- In one, very secret place ... if you want to see him, tonight you will have to ask me well about it, dear daughter ... - his lips stretched into a lustful smirk.

* * *
Arnold looked blankly at the wall, barely holding back anger and hatred, so poorly controlled feelings in demonic creatures. She made his anger boil in him like fiery lava in the mouth of a volcano, but the passion for this beautiful, big-eyed girl did not go away either. He was tormented by these conflicting feelings until the evil inside him won and he grinned, imagining the fate that he had prepared for her, so that this lustful rubbish would never smile again and enjoy life and deceit ..

* * *
Tonya darted around the house like a she-wolf driven into a trap. Finally, unable to stand it, she jumped out into the street and rushed to the river, realizing that little George could be hidden in the sauna. She ran like crazy, not noticing that she was running barefoot and injuring her legs on sharp stones. She did not even notice that Arnold was following her, approaching closer and overtaking her. The man with a sharp movement opened the door and dragged the squealing girl inside.
- Arnold?
- Not expected? he laughed evilly. - Where are you in a hurry? To your next lover?
- What are you talking about? Stop... - Tonya felt tears rolling down her cheeks. - Stepfather hid George and threatens to kill him!

I don't want to listen to your lying stories! - Arnold interrupted her and the girl recoiled from him, frightened pressing her hands to her chest.
- It's all set up by my stepfather! He wants me and blackmails me with his son! Tonya peered into his transparent eyes, but saw in them only self-loathing.
- Or maybe he isolated from a whore like you, a poor, sick child? Arnold asked mockingly. Maybe you don't belong next to normal people and you are driven only by greed and lust? Have you already been in your stepfather's bed, or did you save that for later?
- How can you?! Because you don't know anything!
- I saw the pictures.
Arnold immediately felt her shame and became angry.

Everybody. I have no desire to listen to you.
Tonya twitched towards the door, but Arnold's huge hand squeezed her shoulder painfully.
- You stay with me. Now your place will be right - the place of a whore and a servant.
- Leave me! - Tonya began to kick, trying to escape from his tenacious fingers, but only caused herself even more pain. - There's my son, you bastard!
- You won't fool me anymore! Stay silent or I'll hit you! Arnold growled and Tonya fell silent, desperately smearing tears of rage and helplessness down her cheeks.

* * *
"Ram, keep your eyes on her until we're in Scotland." - Arnold ordered his assistant and he nodded, but could not resist asking: - How will Lydia react to her?
Why should she treat her somehow? Lydia is my woman, and this is an ordinary whore. - Arnold noted with pleasure how Antonina broke out. - Take her to the basement, she belongs there.
Rem approached Tonya, but she did not allow herself to be grabbed by the hand and proudly walked forward.
"What the hell is she pretending to be outraged innocence?" Arnold thought irritably. ankles... Damn!"

* * *
Tonya paced from corner to corner, unable to stop even for a minute. A square window almost under the ceiling caught her attention and she looked around. A pile of boxes in the corner is the path to salvation. She stacked them on top of each other and reached for the window, hoping it didn't have bars. The frame opened easily and the girl slipped out, skinning her shoulders and legs. Cautiously making her way across the yard, she noticed a brazier and several skewers sticking out of the stand. Tonya grabbed one and slipped out the gate.
Hiding behind bushes and trees, she reached the river and approached the Cleopatra, listening to the sounds coming from there.

Looking through the large window, she immediately saw George, sitting alone in the large kitchen, with tears in his eyes. His stepfather did not even try to hide him for real, being sure that Tonya, distraught with fear for his life, would do whatever he said. The girl climbed into the kitchen through the window and carefully approached the boy so as not to frighten the already frightened baby.
- Who is it? - George squeaked thinly and blinked, which caused a huge, transparent tear to roll down his cheek like a pea.
- Hush, baby, it's mom.
- Mom? - he tried to get up, but Tonya picked him up and turned to the door, saw his skinny nanny.

Leave the child! she squealed, but Tonya put forward the skewer and hissed:
- Get out of the way or I'll run you through!
The nanny jumped aside in fright and Tonya rushed forward, as if all the demons of hell were chasing her.
The kid whimpered softly, clinging to her and at that moment, she was ready to kill anyone who would dare to take her son away from her.
- Are you going far?
Tonya flew into someone's huge chest and looked up to see Arnold.

Not...
- Yes. The child will have to be returned.
- I won't give it up! - Tonya stabbed him in the stomach with a skewer and gasped in horror, watching him enter his flesh like a knife through butter.
Arnold sighed heavily and pulled out a skewer and tossed it aside.
- What's happening? Tony stepped back and nearly fell over. - Who are you?
Georgy wept thinly, hysterically, and stared with his unseeing eyes straight at Arnold.
- Don't touch my mother... don't touch...
Arnold seemed to have fallen into an abyss, looking into those eyes, touched his soul and felt how great love fills a small heart, love for his mother, which he clung to with thin fingers.
- Give it to me. Don't be afraid, he will stay with you... It's not his fault that his mother has such a black soul...

Tonya realized that she had no choice and whispered in her son's ear:
Don't be afraid, he won't hurt you.
The boy trustfully held out his arms and Arnold caught him, feeling how fragile he was.
* * *
Georgy was sleeping, spread out on the sofa, and his flushed face was calm and peaceful. Arnold tore his eyes away from Antonina, who was sitting next to her son, and said:
"Children are blind, but you can't fool me." Do not think that all these events will pity me.
- Who are you? Tonya asked quietly, without raising her head.
- You don't need to know.
He went out, and the girl fell asleep, resting her head on the edge of the sofa.
She woke up already in Scotland and, opening her eyes, screamed, looking at the gray walls covered with ancient tapestries...

What are you yelling? - an elderly woman looked into the room and looked sternly at Antonina. - Get up and get to work!
- Where I am? Where is my son? Tony quickly looked around the room.
The boy is playing in the yard with other children.
But he's blind!
- So now, lock him in a room? the woman chuckled.
- Where I am? Tonya asked again. - How did I get here?
- In Scotland. The woman couldn't help but smile. - The owner moved you here at night.
- How did you move it? Tonya asked in bewilderment, not understanding what she meant.
- He's a demon. And so everything is subject to him.
- What-about???

Be respectful, you have the great honor to serve the Black Dragon...master of the Golden Mountain. the woman whispered. - Understood?
- I didn’t understand anything ... you are telling some fairy tales! He's just a cruel, vicious man who does whatever he pleases!
-Shut up! the old woman yelled at her. “Your head will be torn off for speaking like that!”
- What's going on around here? - Tonya ran to the window and stared in horror at the stormy river, carrying its waters over the stones.
- The Black Dragon clan is very ancient... - the woman sat down on the bed and patted the mattress with her hand, inviting the girl to sit next to her. - Sit down.
- Black dragons are the demons of the night, the guardians of Hell... On dark nights, they ride their black horses through the moorlands and, God forbid, appear on their way...

They are cruel, but noble, shrouded in the mystery of their origin... Their bodies are covered with drawings that the Devil himself inflicted on them and they plunge people into horror...
“Well, well, even if that’s the case… Why did he want to buy a dairy??? Daemon??? Tonya chuckled. - Does not fit somehow with his mysterious essence.
- I don’t know why he was doing this, but it’s not about the plant, he was trying to achieve something, and the plant is just a cover for his true intentions. How did you meet?
Tonya told her everything from beginning to end, and as she told her story, the woman's face was drawn out and turned pale.
- Just not this...

What? For some reason, Tone was scared.
- Arnold fell in love with a girl from Russia and married her, offering her his heart and even immortality ... She was very beautiful and gentle, with a sweet, naive smile ... But one day, the owner found out about her betrayal ... The girl turned out to be lustful and walking, and always found entertainment in the nearest villages, disguised as a peasant woman ... He waited until she gave birth and took the child, who was conceived by no one knows who and killed her ... with particular cruelty ... The screams of his wife were heard on the whole neighborhood and people were shaking in horror, fearing the reprisal of an angry demon ..

Now it’s clear why he didn’t believe me ... - Tonya whispered. - Tell me, where is the child of this woman?
- Lives in the castle, but the owner does not notice him. We wonder why he didn't kill that poor little girl...
“Do people living nearby know that he is a demon?”
- This is a parallel reality. Here everything is frozen in antiquity, both castles and people ... We, the servants, were brought from Russia so that the owner's wife could understand us, and we her wishes. Only people grow old here, but demons do not... The villagers hide and close doors and windows at night, so as not to see the terrible demons from the Black Dragon clan... so as not to lose their lives or souls...
- What should I do?..
- Try not to see him. Do whatever he tells you to. Now let's go to the kitchen, help with dinner. My name is Ekaterina Mikhailovna, and yours?
- Antonina...
- Dress Antonina in the clothes that I brought and let's go.
- Tell me, who is Lydia?
- You don't need her. Don't you dare argue with her.

* * *
Dressed in a soft linen dress, with her hair braided, Tonya asked Ekaterina Mikhailovna to see her son, and descending the stone steps, she found herself in a small garden with green trees and colorful flowers. Children's voices came from under a sprawling oak and Tonya went there. There were five children, apparently the children of servants, George and a little girl with blond hair. The son smiled and chirped something, touching the children's hands, and they treated him to nuts and apples.
- George! Tony called softly.
- Mother! I have friends!
- It's good honey. Are you not afraid yourself?
- No, I'm having fun!
- Then I'll go, but I'll watch you from the window.
- Good!

Tonya looked lovingly at her son and then she felt the gaze of a girl who looked like an angel. There was so much pain in her eyes that the girl's heart sank with pity. Most likely it was the daughter of the woman killed by the demon...
Antonina went back, but those eyes remained in front of her for a long time...
The kitchen was hot and smelled of food prepared by women in colorful aprons. They gave her the same one and put her to clean the fish, looking with interest and whispering.
Tonya was completely exhausted by dinner, her arms ached, her back could not be straightened, and her eyes were red from the onion fumes. She went to the window and stuck her head out Fresh air, inhaling the delicate scent of flowers wafting from the high hills.

You have nothing to do that you look at the beauty of Scotland? - a sharp, female voice came from below and Tonya looked at a beautiful woman dressed in a dark red dress. She looked at Tonya with disdain and irritation, and her Golden hair reached almost to the knees.
- I ask you, maid?
- Can't you get some air? Tonya asked in bewilderment.
- It is forbidden! - hissed the beauty. - Need to work!
Antonina guessed that this was Lydia ... Arnold's mistress and felt a pang of jealousy.
- I can't work all day, otherwise I'll collapse from exhaustion.
- How are you talking to me, you bastard?! she yelled. "What's your name and why haven't I seen you before?"

Ekaterina Mikhailovna came up behind and pulled Tonya away from the window.
Why are you talking to her? I did warn you!
- Yes, I can not be silent! Am I a slave?! Some ancient age!
- Hush hush! Don't talk like that here! In your opinion, it won’t happen anyway, but you’ll find trouble on your head!
A breathless girl flew into the kitchen and blurted out:
- Arrived! Set the table!
Panic immediately arose, women ran in, trays and plates rattled, ironed tablecloths were pulled out of the closet, and Ekaterina Mikhailovna pushed Tonya.
- Serve the meat, quickly!

I AM?!
- Who? Take the dish and go for Innes!
Tonya grabbed a dish of meat and followed the little girl who was carrying the bread. Going down to the living room, Tonya tried not to raise her eyes so as not to meet Arnold's eyes. Although she followed Innes, she still had to raise her head to see where to put the dish.
- Do you have a new slave?
Tonya could not resist and threw a fleeting glance at the speaker, and remained standing with her eyes wide open. In front of her sat five men dressed in leather, with incredible eyes ... Arnold, huge as a bull, looked at her with his transparent eyes, in which silvery lights flashed, his hair framed a high-cheeked face, and sharp fangs were visible through parted lips.

Yes, I brought her from the human world.
- Good...
Tonya shuddered as she looked at an equally huge man with red eyes and white braided hair.
“You always choose pretty slaves, Arnold…” A demon with dark hair and strange, orange eyes spoke up. The others sat in silence and bored her with piercing glances.
- The main thing is that she knows her business and is efficient. Arnold laughed and turned to Tonya. - What's frozen? Don't stand like a statue!
The girl put the dish on the edge of the table and rushed out of the living room.

* * *
She managed to lie down only late at night. She persuaded Ekaterina Mikhailovna not to send her to serve at the table anymore and worked in the kitchen. George was brought to her, she fed him and seated him in a corner with an old wooden horse, which he felt with quick fingers and stroked its rough sides.
By the time her head touched the pillow, the baby was fast asleep tired from a long day and his legs were twitching as if he was running somewhere. As soon as Tonya began to fall asleep, the sound of hooves and the neighing of horses was heard under the windows. The girl stood up and looked out into the courtyard, fascinated by what she saw.

Five horsemen dressed in black rode into the yard ... their leather jackets were open and Tonya clearly saw the signs on their powerful torsos. They moved and flowed from one to another like black snakes. The terrible eyes of the demons burned, but it was such a delightful sight that Tonya involuntarily gasped. One of the men raised his head and the deep hood of his jacket fell over his shoulders, revealing a familiar, high-pitched face with silvery eyes. He looked at her for a long time and galloped on, beating sparks from under the horse's hooves. Tonya trembled with a premonition of something approaching with terrible force and immediately saw that a demon with red eyes was looking at her, his blond hair fluttered in the wind and fell like a silk blanket on the horse's black rump. Tonya stumbled back from the window and jumped into bed.

But she never managed to fall asleep... Katerina Mikhailovna quietly entered the room and bent over Tonya.
- Get up... get up...
- What happened?
- The owner is calling.
- Why?
- Don't be stupid... not an innocent girl anymore...
- I will not go! Tony rolled over to the edge of the bed in fear.
- Stop the tantrum! Katerina Mikhailovna barked at her. - Are you being led to the slaughter? Another would have long ago run ahead of me! Get up or there will be grief.
Tonya prayed to herself and followed the old woman, realizing that her secret was coming to an end...

* * *
Arnold was lying on the bed, his fevered night jump, his body throbbing with pleasure. His skin was smooth and swarthy, beautifully shaded. blonde hair. When Tonya entered the bedroom, he tensed, looking for that voluptuous sexuality in her that Lydia was full of. But even something similar was not in this artless beauty, as if fashioned by the hand of a master. He felt his masculine nature rise, seized by the desire to possess this delicate body, covered with golden hairs. But when he saw her eyes fixed on his penis, frightened, surprised, he got angry.
- What scared you so much? Or have you never seen male organs before? Or did your lovers have less impressive virtues?

He walked close to her and lifted her head by the chin. His eyes scanned her face and Tonya swore she could feel a slight tingle under her skin.
- How well you snakes can hide your essence under a mask of naivety ... Those eyes, on the verge of tears, those trembling eyelashes and bitten lips ... Soon all this will be caused only by passion, when I take you ...
He bent down and kissed her, insistently and rudely, forcing his will. Tonya succumbed to him, feeling a fire flare up in her body, deciding to experience all the delights of intimacy with this beautiful demon.
But the beautiful moment was interrupted by a knock on the door and Arnold cursed and shouted:
- Sign in!

The door swung open and Tonya saw a blond demon with red eyes. He looked at her with one quick glance and turned to Arnold.
- The Sloa attacked the Golden Mountain.
- When will these damned dead men calm down ?! - Arnold exclaimed and ordered Tonya: - Go to your place.
She didn't need to be told twice and quickly left his bedroom.
- Since when did you start messing around with virgins? The red-eyed demon chuckled.
What are you talking about, Edgar?
- I feel these things very well... And you know it.
- It can't be, she has a son...
- I'm never wrong.

* * *
- What happened? - Tonya watched from the window as five demons quickly rushed out of the castle gates, raising clouds of dust.
- Sloa attacked the Golden Mountain, there is no rest from them! Ekaterina Mikhailovna muttered irritably.
- And who is it? - the girl looked with horror as a bloody fog rises above the hills, from which screams and the clang of swords rushed.
- These are the dead. Sloa become sinners, or even evil people, whose souls turned out to be not worthy to go to Heaven, or to hell, or even to another world ... They rush through the sky in flocks and fight without knowing rest. Their cries and clang of weapons are carried far in the vicinity...

What do they want?
- They take women and force them to cohabit with them, which is why they then give birth to terrible freaks, half dead, half people who have incredible strength. Their life is war and battles, blood and fear...so don't get caught in their eyes...even across great distances they can see you. Don't stand by the window, go to bed.
Tonya shuddered and moved away, the prospect of being dragged away by a dead man did not appeal to her at all.

* * *
The demons returned in the morning, bloody and happy. Antonina was looking at them with interest from the kitchen window, when George's plaintive cry was heard from the direction of the garden. Tonya rushed headlong down, with her heart trembling with fear, and a monstrous picture opened up to her eyes. Lydia held the boy by the neck and beat the writhing child with a thick leather whip. Beside herself with rage, Tonya ran up to Lydia and, snatching the whip from her hand, hit the enraged woman with it. The eyes of the demon's mistress turned into slits, and her face was distorted by a mask of hatred.
- Yes, how dare you, slave?! Guard! Guard!
Two armed guards burst into the kindergarten and, ignoring the frightened crying of the children, grabbed Tonya.

Whip her in the stable! hissed Lydia. - So that there is no living place left on it! Let him know his place!
The men dragged the stubborn Tonya to the roar of the children and the laughter of Lydia, who did not notice how the blond girl slid into the hole in the fence.
Antonina was pushed into the stable and tied to a post on which a harness hung, and she heard the men chuckle. A whip whistled through the air and searing pain shot through Tony's back and she screamed.

* * *
Arnold had washed the blood off himself and was now heading downstairs to join the demons drinking wine and animatedly discussing the night's battle. He went down to the kitchen door and immediately noticed a small figure climbing up the high steps. The child was out of breath and grunted desperately, but deliberately climbed forward, making Arnold laugh with his persistence. But when he realized who it was, the smile immediately left his lips.
What is the child doing here? he asked Ekaterina Mikhaylovna, looking out of the kitchen, in a stern voice.
- Oh, fathers! - exclaimed the woman and rushed to the child.
But the little girl had already crawled up to the demon and stood on her feet, lifting her pretty face up.

They beat my aunt there. She murmured and tugged at his finger. - Go.
- What? Arnold asked the girl irritably. - Who is being beaten?
- Aunt is beaten. - She repeated again and slapped her leg. - Go.
- Moms, they beat Antonina! - Ekaterina Mikhailovna threw up her hands, but the demon no longer listened to her, but rushed down, not noticing that she grabbed the girl in her arms and she clung to his neck with her small fingers.

Antonina's screams reverberated throughout the courtyard, and Arnold pulled out the stable door and flew in like a hurricane, sweeping away everything in its path. The guards fell down in horror, and the demon with a shudder saw the bloody back of Antonin...
- What does it mean?! he roared, and the straw around the men caught fire, causing panic.
We were ordered...
- Who?!
- Lydia...
"Get out, I'll deal with you later!" the demon yelled and the guards rushed away, not wanting to become victims of his fury.

Arnold approached Antonina and only at that moment realized that a girl was sitting in his arms, in whose silvery eyes fear splashed. He lowered her to the ground and she trotted towards the exit. The demon carefully untied Tonya and she fell into his arms, whispering softly:
- My son... where is he...?
Arnold carried her to his bedroom and entrusted her to the care of Ekaterina Mikhailovna, who groaned and shook her head, looking at the bloody scars.

* * *
The child was crying, smearing tears on his cheeks, his sightless eyes stared at one point. Arnold went up to him and sat down next to him, shuddering with horror, looking at the red stripe that crossed his face.
- George... come with me...
The boy shuddered and held out a pen in his direction.
- Where is mom?
Arnold took the pen and squeezed gently.
- Mom is waiting for you. Let's go to.
- Are you my dad?
This question became something stupefyingly terrible for him, and Arnold was at a loss.
- Uh...yeah.

Why did you allow this evil aunt to hurt your mother? - the boy did not even remember his injuries. - Mom was crying.
“Are you still here, you filthy puppy?!
Arnold slowly turned towards Lydia's voice and stood up.
- What happened here?
- Your slaves are completely unbelted! That little bastard smeared my dress with his paws! Lydia raised her hand over the unsuspecting boy, but the demon grabbed her wrist and she howled as the bones cracked.
- Who were you when you got here, weren't you a slave?!
- I'm your woman ... - Lydia looked into his eyes, and tears of pain flowed down her cheeks.
- You are no different from others ... only your clothes are more expensive!

I thought...
- What did you think?! Arnold grabbed her by the neck. - Do you put yourself above me? Or are you my equal?!
Why are you protecting her?! howled Lydia, throwing herself at his feet. - Why?!
"Get out before I tear you to pieces!" the demon growled. - Your soul is blacker than the hell in which I was born!
Lydia ran out of the garden, and he turned to the boy:
- Come with me.
- Let's go dad. - Georgy found his hand and gasped when Arnold caught him. - Painfully...
- All will pass. Nobody will hurt you anymore.

* * *
Antonina woke up from a sharp pain and screamed.
- Hush, hush... It's me.
Ekaterina Mikhailovna carefully removed the old bandages from the girl's back and applied fresh ones. - Lie still.
- Where is George?
- The boy with the owner.
- As?!
- Calm down, because of you he executed the guards and drove Lydia out of the castle ... now, without a doubt, she will become a victim of Sloa ...
- Why so cruel?
- Cruel?! It's a demon, Tonya! He had to rip out their hearts and feed them to the dogs! It's a display of his generosity... dear...

The door swung open and Arnold entered the bedroom, leading the boy.
- Here's your mom.
- Mom, are you hurt? - George rushed to Tonya and she grimaced in pain.
- No... everything will heal soon. Show your back.
The boy pulled up his shirt and Tonya burst into tears, looking at the red stripes and admiring his courage.
Don't cry mom, it doesn't hurt me! Dad punished the evil aunt!
- Dad?!
- Let's go son, - the demon took his hand and he obediently followed him, - mom needs to rest. And I will ask you, Ekaterina Mikhailovna, to come with us and look after the boy.
- What about Tonya?
- I'll take care of her myself.

She immediately felt the bed sag under him and froze tensely.
- Relax, I'm not going to rape you.
- I was not thinking about it.
- I thought. No need to deceive me, I see right through you.
Tonya turned her head and looked into his silvery eyes, which sparkled with curiosity.
- Whose child is this?
- What? - Tonya covered with sticky sweat and hid her eyes.
George is not your son.
- Do not understand what you talking about. This is my child.
- Well, I'll check it differently, although I already know that you are cheating.

The girl didn't expect what he would do the next moment... Arnold slid his fingers between her legs and Tonya twitched, realizing that she couldn't resist because of the pain from the scars inflicted by the guards.
- Stop it!
- Why? Or do you not like it?
- I do not like!
- You're lying again... I can hear everything trembling in you...
He touched his lips to her shoulder, then to her neck, as if savoring the taste of her skin.
- You are sweet. I want you...

Tony's body responded to his caresses, but fear gripped her heart and she tried desperately to hide it.
- Relax, I'm not a beast... - the demon whispered. - You will like to feel me inside.
- Good! Good! exclaimed Tonya. - I will tell you!
Arnold chuckled and hovered over her.
- I am listening to you.
George is my brother. When I was sixteen years old, I married my mother's lover so that my stepfather would not suspect them of a relationship and would not kill both ... He was very cruel to her and often raised his hand to her, especially when drunk.
Mom fell in love with the driver of her stepfather, who was seven years younger than her, and he answered the same ...

Knowing her husband's cruelty, she was constantly afraid for both him and me, understanding how it could end, but how could she hide the pregnancy? She trusted me and we decided on such a crazy act. When I told my stepfather that I wanted to marry Valera (that was the name of the driver), he was furious. Tonya shook her head and chuckled. - Now I understand why ... he probably laid eyes on me even then ... But the argument that I was pregnant and the arguments and persuasion of my mother forced him to agree to this marriage ...
“But the mother’s pregnancy could not be hidden. How did you resolve this issue? the demon asked, stroking her cheek.

Oh, here we are incredibly lucky ... - Tonya laughed. - The mother's belly was practically invisible until the fourth month ... And my stepfather had some serious business troubles and he was hiding abroad from his partners for three and a half months. George was born seven months old...small and constantly screaming. I was constantly in the clinic with my mother and stayed there with the baby after his birth. Things got better for my stepfather and he returned home, having learned that I was in the clinic, he bought gifts and sent my mother and Valera to me with congratulations ... On the way to me, they died, seeing their son only once .. .

Arnold sank on his back and stared at the ceiling, not understanding what was going on in his soul ... which ... probably did not exist ...
- How long have you been living with your stepfather?
- My father died when I was five years old ... My stepfather is my own uncle .. my father's brother ...
“Incest, even among demons, is considered a dirty business… How could he even think about it?”
- I don’t know, but according to my mother, he was always jealous of her father, and when he died, he began to convince her that marriage to him was the only right option.
- Like, I'll take care of you, etc...
- Yes ... It was so ..

They fell silent, and this heavy, thoughtful silence was suddenly interrupted by a loud cry coming from the side of the Golden Mountain.
- Sloa! Arnold shouted and jumped out of bed, frightening poor Tonya half to death.
She did not even have time to notice how he was wearing his leather, blood-soaked robe and he jumped out the window, under which a hoofing horse was waiting for him.
Antonina stood up with difficulty and, wincing in pain, went to the door, feeling the skin on her back burst.
- Stop! - vile, chomping voice sounded behind her back. - And slowly come here!
Tonya turned around and gasped in fright when she saw a half-decomposed warrior in dull armor in front of her.

"The Sloa got here!" a thought popped into her head and she reached for door handle, hoping to have time to jump out into the corridor, but her hand came across someone's hot fingers.
"Get out of here, you filthy dead!" - this voice was powerful and beautiful, but by no means familiar.
Tonya succumbed to the temptation and turned around, after which she lowered her eyes, meeting the eyes of the blond demon.
- Get behind me, woman.
Tonya stepped towards him, but an unknown force grabbed her and carried her away from the castle.

So... - the hoarse voice of the terrible sloa sounded like the hiss of a snake. - A beautiful, lively woman ... another one ...
Tonya, unable to move from horror, looked at the dead man with empty eye sockets, who stood in front of her and looked at him with the air of a master.
“Let me go…” the girl whispered. - My son was left all alone ...
- How beautiful! exclaimed the Sloa. - A son! So you will give birth to many strong children!
- Not! Tonya shook her head. - Not!
- Don't be so intractable, you'll like it!
This terrible voice and the laughter of the Sloa remained in her ears for a long time, from which she was covered with sticky fear ..

She was thrown into a dark room with a small window through which greyish light filtered through. Tonya groped her way to him, pulled herself up, and looked out into the street.
- Don't run away from here! - a loud, angry whisper made Tonya turn around in fright. She peered into the darkness, but saw nothing but multicolored circles.
- Fearfully? Laughter erupted from the darkness. - Now you will have both the love and the location of the owner!
- Lydia?
- Yes! Lydia! Who was kicked out of the castle like a dog because of you and your blind bastard!
Tonya noticed how Lydia's burning eyes and her hands, twisted like chicken paws, appeared from the darkness.

Share with me a wonderful fate! she laughed. - You will be the beloved wife of some sloa!
- But you're waiting too!
- I will enjoy the fact that you experience no less lovely pleasures!
- Well, shut up! A cool wind blew into the room, carrying the smell of heather with it. - Come out one at a time!

Lydia looked angrily at Tonya and was the first to go to the door, near which stood a warlike dead man. Pushing her on the way out, the sloa nodded to Tona to hurry up.
She did not try his patience and went after Lydia.
The warrior led them down a dark corridor and stopped them at black, skull-covered doors.
- Do not try to open your mouths until you are asked, understand?
- Understandably! - snapped Lydia and received a poke in the back.

Sloa flung open the door and the girls entered a high-ceilinged hall hung with cobwebs. Tonya cringed in fright when she saw a motley company of half-decomposed dead. They were eating something, sitting at a long table, and this something exuded a terrible stench.
- Here come the ladies! - corroded lips stretched into a grin. - Well, warriors, let's decide who gets them...

The speaker stood up and, wiping his hands on himself, went to the girls. He approached so close that Tonya felt the stench emanating from him and heard the creaking of bones.
- Both are good! - he croaked and stroked Tonya's face, enjoying the velvet of her skin. - But I choose this one!
Antonina was covered with goosebumps of horror and disgust, wishing frantically that this was a dream.
- And why will she get you?! - a stocky, bow-legged dead man jumped out from behind the table. - I want her too!
- Bones! Bones! screeched the rest of the Sloa. Whoever wins will get a wife!

The dead fussed, clearing the table, and Tonya was horrified to notice the bloody pieces of animals that the Sloa ate.
The bow-legged short man took out a black bag from the cold and cobweb-covered fireplace and poured ordinary human bones onto the table.
- Fast to the corner! - Sloa, who brought the girls, pushed them into a dark corner and hissed: - Sit quietly!

Tonya could not see what was happening at the table, only the sloa's swearing and the clatter of bones hurt her ear.
“We need to run away from here ...” Tonya whispered. Let's slowly get to the door. She looked at Lydia and tugged lightly on her arm.
- Leave me alone! she hissed, and withdrew her cold fingers. - Benefactor!
- Lydia, now is not the time! Let's try to get out of here!

She looked at her strangely, but nodded as if in agreement. Tonya took a step towards the door, but the dead people, carried away by the game, did not even notice this. The girls took a couple more steps and froze, growing cold with fear. The door was getting closer, and it seemed to Tonya that their intermittent breathing was making noise throughout the hall. When the cherished pen was very close and her trembling fingers touched the icy metal, silence reigned in the room. The girls slowly turned around and met the angry eyes of the dead, who were preparing to pounce on the fugitives. And then Tonya suddenly felt the door tremble, vibrate, as if an earthquake was beginning.

The heavy, iron structure collapsed on the stone floor and Tonya, with admiration mixed with horror, saw Arnold in his bloodied robe. From under the hood, his eyes burned with a cold, winter flame. He quickly moved to the sloa and they howled in anticipation of the battle. Tonya still could not come to her senses when the strong arms of the blond demon grabbed her and she recognized Edgar. He carried her away from this terrible place and the last thing she saw was Lydia's eyes, doomed and full of fear.
- Stop! Tonya screamed at the demon. - Stop!
Edgar looked at her in surprise, and Antonina nodded at Lydia.
- I can't leave her here.

* * *
What is this woman doing here? - Arnold, with furrowed eyebrows, bored with a heavy look at Tonya, who was sitting on the bed in his room.
She looked with delight at his naked torso, streaked with fresh wounds, which healed before her eyes and was silent ..
- I asked a question!
“I felt sorry for her… how could I leave her in this terrible place? Tonya asked quietly.
- Oh, Devil! Arnold exclaimed, raising his hands. - I still lacked these angelic deeds!
- I ... - Tonya began, but he grabbed her by the shoulders and dug into her lips. The kiss was demanding, almost painful, but in the end the demon slowed down and it even seemed to Tonya that for a second it became gentle.

You scared me ... - he breathed into her hair and the girl felt protected and happy, not wanting to remember the past.
- Do not leave me...
- Never ever...
* * *
And on a high tower, Edgar stood and his white hair was ruffled by a cold wind carrying splashes of the sea. He knew what was happening in Arnold's bedroom and it brought him pain, so unfamiliar and burning.
- Why do I need this?! Why?! - he roared and the storm picked up this roar, breaking it against the hills ...

* * *
Arnold covered Tony's face with kisses and she trembled with excitement, unfamiliar, but no less pleasant. Throwing off her dirty dress, the demon carried her into a hot bath, thoughtfully filled with servants, and carefully lowered her there, gently running his fingers over the still unhealed wounds on her back.
Hearing his angry growl, Tonya took his hand and whispered: - Will you join me?
- No, I want to love you on a soft bed, covering you with my body ... - Arnold answered in a deep, excited voice. He lathered the washcloth and with gentle movements began to wash her shoulders and chest. - Relax...

Morning burst into the bedroom with sparkling rays and Tonya woke up, inhaling a fresh, floral scent. A huge, white rose, still covered with drops of dew, lay on her pillow. Sharp thorns were prudently cut off and the girl took it in her hands, smiling at such a gentle gift from a cruel demon.
- Do you like?
Tonya turned towards the voice and saw Arnold standing in the doorway.
- Highly! She's so gentle...
"Not softer than you, my love..." he said, and his eyes lit up as the demon moved towards her.
- Do you hear what it is? - Antonina heard some fuss in the corridor and became alert.

But in the doorway appeared the small body of George, who was holding on to the wall.
- Mother? Dad?
- Come here! - Arnold picked him up in his arms and the boy squealed with delight. - Who is this walking around the castle and looking into the rooms? Isn't it a spy?
- Not! Not! It is me! George punched him in the chest. - You didn't recognize me?!
- I don't think it's little George... you're too old... I don't know...
Tonya watched their playful skirmish with a smile and suddenly saw a pale face with silvery eyes looking sadly at a man with a child.

Arnold ... - she called softly and he immediately turned to her. Tonya glanced at the door and the demon immediately saw the girl. His face darkened, and for a moment it seemed to the girl that he was angry.
- Tell me, boy ... do you have accomplices? - he asked in a stern voice and George immediately understood who he was talking about.
- No, dad! It's Veresk!
- Who?
- Heather! Her name is Erica, which means heather! She is my friend!
- No buddy... she's not a friend... she's your sister...
After these words, Tonya burst into tears and called the girl:
- Heather, come here...

The girl did not dare to approach and her silvery eyes were wide open with excitement.
- Daughter, come to us. - Arnold extended his free hand to her and the baby leaned forward, and then shuffled her legs in his direction. He grabbed her and suddenly turned away, paying attention to her dirty dress, covered with holes and stains.
- Heather, you are my sister! Dad said so. George held out his hand and stroked her curly locks.
- Dad? - the girl looked directly into his eyes and even Tonya was surprised at such a powerful radiation of these silvery eyes looking at each other. The demon touched his lips to a tender cheek and the girl closed her eyes with pleasure.

But what happened next caused a terrible commotion and screams. The girl opened her eyes and looked at George, radiating something powerful and terrible, which made the boy strangely limp, as if he had lost consciousness. Tonya jumped up and rushed towards them, but Arnold stopped her with a look.
- Don't interfere.
Veresk stretched out her hands and pushed Georgy's forehead with her fingers, his head shook and he opened his eyes. Tonya gasped when she saw that his eyes had become meaningful and as silvery as the girl's.
Now you have eyes too! she giggled.
Georgy batted his eyelashes once, twice, and then turned to Tonya.
- Mom... how beautiful you are...
They could not resist and laughed with Arnold for a long time, and children's joyful squeals spread throughout the castle.

* * *
The demons, like grim witnesses, sat near the newlyweds, drinking blood-red wine for the health of the newlyweds. Ekaterina Mikhailovna and the rest of the servants still could not believe what was happening, but joyful smiles constantly appeared on their faces, because finally, the Golden Mountain found a mistress who would give birth to a bunch of little demons with silvery eyes. Only Edgar was sad and silent, seeing off, as if on his last journey, the only woman he loved. Who knows how the life of beautiful spouses will turn out, the red-eyed demon-warrior thought, and will something happen that will throw this beautiful girl into his arms? In the meantime, he is content with the caresses of black-haired Lydia ...

(Mystical fantasy about a demon's love for a girl)

He woke up quickly, almost immediately. The obsession passed, he could see, hear, feel, breathe again ... It was breathing ... it hurt, and the blood foamed on his lips, and some people leaned over him, closing the sky. They were vying with each other about something, they were afraid of something and tore the buttons of his favorite sand camisole.

Lie down, Count, lie down, the doctor will be here soon...

It's not worth it ... - Fox coughed heavily. - It's not scary ... I have my own ... - I tried, it was, to get up, but my head was spinning, and I had to lean back helplessly on the ground again. Yet full humanization had its drawbacks. The wound, of course, will not kill him, it is not difficult to heal. But not for everyone, his methods of healing are too radical for the most respectable public. First you need to get to the chambers allocated to him.

Gaston, he called to the servant, help.

With the help of a faithful secretary, he almost managed to get up (it would have been much easier if he hadn’t had to fight off the many hands trying to hold him), but then endless horror pierced his heart, and somewhere in the depths of the skull a desperate female scream vibrated.

Rozzie, - Fox whispered doomedly, finally realizing what had happened. And desperately rushed to her, forgetting about the "mortal wound" and "serious condition." Fortunately - along with a wounded body, although this is really a miracle.

Rozzie! The door swung open and Fox burst into the bedroom. - Everyone out! he barked at the maids who came running to my cry. - Gaston, horses, carriage - we leave immediately!

He took several steps from the door to the bed without his usual smoothness, in jerks. And he fell heavily on his knees beside me. At that moment, I was also sitting on the floor - frightened, trembling - clasping my unstoppably shaking hands in the lock.

Hush, Rozzie, hush. Scared? - he smiled so confidently and calmly that for a moment I believed - everything is in order. And then she noticed the blood, caked on his lips and chin, a lacerated and blood-stained camisole in the area right chest, hair matted with sweat and gray with dust.

You... Were you hurt? - I'm scared again. - Are you dying? Is this why I...

Well, what are you, Rozzie, what are you? I am immortal. Didn't I say? he smiles calmly again, and a thin trickle of blood flows from the corner of his mouth and down to his chin. - And this is just a duel, I told you: men need to fight sometimes. Pay no attention.” He reached out with a soiled glove and carefully covered my palms.

Do not feel! I shook my hands in panic. I don't feel you, see? I don't touch! - I jerked my hands up sharply, and they easily passed through his palm, as before they passed through the bedside column - without even feeling an obstacle in their path.

Forgive me, my rose, this is my fault, - my wounded count sighed a little, without showing the slightest surprise, - he climbed up to the noble lady in dirty gloves. Let's fix it now, - and very slowly and carefully, he pulled off the glove from his right hand.

I was expecting... something. I don’t know, but his maniacal desire to always and everywhere wear gloves gave me a strong suspicion that there, under them ... There was a palm. Ordinary, human, male palm: bright skin, bluish veins appearing through it, a grid of “lines of fate” ... He handed it to me, and I instantly grabbed it, not for a moment thinking about how a drowning man clutches at any straw ... no, bogged down in a terrible, unreal swamp ...

The hand was real! I held on to her, I felt her. My hand didn't go right through it! The hand was warm, reliable, strong. Not believing myself with happiness, I grabbed it with my other hand, I squeezed his palm with all my might, I leaned on it with almost all my weight. His palm only slightly trembled, swaying in the air, but held me back!

Get up, Rozzie, - he gently pulled me upstairs. - It's all right, you see? Everything is good.

Biting my lip and not taking my intense gaze from his face, I got up very slowly, holding his hand as if it were the last pillar in the universe. My legs trembled after the nightmare, and I did not trust my legs, I only trusted his hand in my hands.

But then he staggered, turning even more pale, and we both almost fell.

Oh, I'm sorry, - I stopped putting pressure on his hand, leveled off and helped him resist. - I'm sorry, you're injured... You should probably lie down. Is everything very bad?

With a wound? No, it will cost. Just not on time. Come on, you need to get dressed. We'll have to get out of here. Immediately, Rozzie. There is no time to waste.

Without releasing my hand, he led me to a chest of clothes that stood near one of the walls. He opened the lid with his free hand (the one from which he never took off his glove stained with earth and blood), took out a wide cloak, wrapped me in it, throwing a huge hood over my head that completely hid my face, and immediately pulled me to the exit: - Let's go !

Wait, what about shoes? And you said to get dressed, and I was under a raincoat in one shirt.

All then, my Rozzie, we just walk to the carriage.

But, Fox ... - trying to slow him down a little, I grabbed the door frame with my free hand. I tried to grab it - my hand went right through it. And retreating was a nightmare again made me go into a heart-rending squeal.

Don't touch it, Rozzie, don't, - the Fox asked calmly and businesslike, like a caring dad of an excessively whispering child, who has long been accustomed to the restlessness of his tomboy. And without slowing down, he dragged me to the exit of the wing.

Fox, I ... - she informed him in a voice that had shrunk from horror, ceasing to squeal, - I seem to be falling into the floor. I knit in it.

Don't get stuck, Rozzie, it's just your fears. Calm down, parquet can't hurt you.

But Lis...

Not here, my joy. You understand that it's not here.