5

Vegetables were stewed on a hot frying pan, next to it was a medium-sized pot with soup that was not yet ready, the smells of food spread throughout the kitchen, moisture from the hot steam settled in small shiny droplets, like perspiration. An older woman was standing over the stove making her late dinner. On the wall, in beige wallpaper, hung a round clock in a lilac frame with small purple patches, reminiscent of the shape of a cat's fine fur. The second hand moves smoothly in a circle. Three o'clock in the morning. The illusion of time control, an attempt to somehow tie down the inevitable course of events going up their spiral. 3:0. Brown dress, the color of fresh cocoa, with long openwork inserts, gently -blue, reaches the knees, slightly covering them with a translucent edge decorated with a fancy pattern. Large fluffy pink slippers. On a thin neck hang several necklaces of an old style, with small inlaid stones, some covered with some incomprehensible writing. They rattle lightly from movements, wooden, steel, stone shades of sound . T iho-quietly. Once a young, beautiful face with toned skin, it was replaced by an old wrinkled face, black hair already knew what gray is, white curls mixed in a neat hairstyle that fell to the shoulders. Fine lines spread symmetrically over the face, still beautiful but faded with time. Brown spots on her hands, a silver bracelet of intricately woven chains tinkled slightly, moving in time with the hand holding a spoon stirring finely chopped vegetables. Slightly turning her head to the side, the woman smiled, the wrinkles at the tip of her mouth clearly cut through.

- Hello Brook-ta-man, I haven't seen you for a long time. Will you have dinner? She said as she poured the vegetables into the soup. In an armchair, against a wall with beige wallpaper, behind the woman's back, a vampire began to materialize from a light haze that could have been taken for steam from a pot. He sat in a comfortable position with his legs crossed, his fist on his chin , his head slightly turned, a smile of satisfaction on his face.

- You , as always , will not be fooled by Eliza. The vampire looked at the woman from behind, he saw how blood was flowing through her veins, her heartbeat was perfectly even, the woman was absolutely not worried.

Eliza, he chuckled. “Don't think that I doubt your undoubtedly amazing culinary skills, but you all understand who I am and my food preferences. The woman turned lightly to look at the vampire, brushing her hair back a little.

- Well, Brook-ta-man, I'm not offering you my cooking. A clean, slightly childish smile appeared on her face. - Look in the fridge, there is something you can eat a little. With interest, looking at the woman, the vampire moved to the refrigerator with smooth movements. When he opened it, he saw items found in most refrigerators, but there were also unusual items, such as a clear plastic bag with red liquid inside. A wiry, pale-skinned hand took the package.

- Oh Eliza . You provide for everything, you know everything that concerns you.

- Well, strange guests come to me, you need to know the tastes of your friends, whoever they are, this is politeness. With a slight shrug, she said. Turning around, she continued cooking the soup. The vampire opened the package, greedily took several large sips. Pale blue, the eyes were transformed into burning dark blue light. Predatory habits were reflected in small movements, sharp and clear.

“Even though I don’t really like semi-finished products. I must give you credit, the blood is fresh, and the man is healthy, his knowledge will be useful to me. Slowly lowering his body, the vampire leaned back in his chair. His eyes were blue again.

“I haven’t seen you for a long time, the last time it was about ten years ago, when you had a crisis, hmm, even articles about strange events got into the newspapers.

- Yes, then there was a dirty massacre, but what to do, order had to be restored at any cost, and traces can always be covered. Let's not talk about the past, it is inside us, no one sees the future of the dark, let's talk about the present.

- What would you like to know? Eliza closed the soup with a tight transparent lid, and turned off the stove.

- Well, in general, nothing serious, werewolves have problems with someone killing them, our elders are preoccupied with fluctuations in subtle matter, some oddities. The vampire's voice was slightly embarrassed.

- But I feel that trouble is coming, and I used to trust my instinct, for many centuries it did not let me down. The voice rang with confidence.

- Those who have come are only pawns, but they will point to the threads coming from the ball. The woman spoke in a low whisper, clearly and monotonously.

- Hmm, you want to say you need to find strangers in the city, they will lead to a threat? But where to look for them?

They will find you soon, very soon. Be ready, - the woman lowered her voice, - the white-faced are ruthless. Brook-ta-man's eyes narrowed.

“Damned mercenaries? Suddenly, now I can get ready , thank you Eliza. I appreciate your help. The vampire made a deep bow, pressing his right hand to his chest.

Whenever you need my help, I 'll be there.

- I know. Eliza smiled.

Elise watched the figure of the vampire slowly move out of the room and then disappear. She took a ladle and a plate with small patterns of wild flowers , humming a melodious song under her breath. For a second she stared into nowhere, with a tense face, then relaxed again and, continuing to mutter a song, poured hot soup.

Brook-ta-man walked down the street, thinking about everything he had heard. He walked like an ordinary person, practically not using the powers given to him. He, concentrating, was looking for energy flows, and, if possible, absorbed energy from them, charging his “internal batteries”. He, like Alud, had heard a lot about hunters, but now the situation was different, he knew that he would be attacked, and now he would dictate the terms himself. Tracking senses are now constantly activated so as not to miss a possible threat. He walked along the street wet from the rain, the fog gradually subsided, there were much fewer people. They sadly went about their business, or simply shied away, not knowing where to go. The vampire walked with his eyes downcast, considering the situation. A man in a shabby jacket and a knitted hat called out defiantly to him

- Hey man, come here, there is a conversation, where did you go, I said he came up to me. - Brook-ta-man did not even have to turn around to feel the intention and I was a stranger - it was an ordinary street bandit, frostbitten to the floor of his head. The vampire caught the gleam of steel in the man's hand, it was a knife, although what difference does it make, the vampire ran, heading for the nearest nook and cranny, as if he was running away.

- Hey, stop bitch, stop fucking! - was heard after him. The dull clatter of boots on wet asphalt accompanied the fugitive to a dark nook. The vampire was already waiting for the pursuer. Brook-ta-man's face lit up with a slight predatory smile. This person will no longer live, he will become the "late meal" of a hungry creature.