Гери Йо's Blog: Gery Yo is here, page 7

Just a beginning

Глава 1Той гледаше как Клариса влиза в клетката за боеве, започна да си поема дълбоко въздух само за да не избухне и да не направи погрешното движение, да не удуши някого със собствените си ръце, защото само тази гледка го караше за  миг да загуби себе си. Беше й обещал, а той винаги спазваше обещанията си  към нея. Стисна още по-здраво юмруци, сега ги деляха не повече от 5 метра. Иначе нищо не би го спряло. Така далечна му се струваше вече, не можеше да я защити. Пое си още по-дълбоко дъх. Тя нямаше нужда да я защитават, но той имаше нужда да я защити. Клариса се обърна.Само за миг видя отблясък на сините й очи – предизвикателство. Непобедима. Беше му казала, че  е непобедима. Отново щеше да победи и щеше да го бие, той имаше 7 победи, а тя само 6 , сега щяха да са равни. 7 е хубаво число. Щеше да победи.Той издиша тежко и пристъпи три крачки към телената ограда. Долу имаше още една ограда. Където бяха гостите, познаваше някои от лицата от собствените си двубои. А след тях беше Клариса. Стисна ги по-здраво, всички бяха на разстояние от него, сякаш изучаваше някаква странна невидима стена. Във всеки друг миг би се радвал и би ги удостоил със злорада усмивка, но сега сърцето му щеше да изскочи. Премести ръка на камъка на шията си и го стисна, тя му го беше дала казваше, че  е спомен от родителите й, както и той й беше дал една от нишките на гривната си спомен от неговите или поне той смяташе така. На ринга не позволяваха никакви бижута, за да не се използват  като оръжие. А тя беше вплела едната лента в косата си. Днес носеше синя туника, но скоро и не я щеше да съблече и да остави тренирането си тяло на съдбата. Не се знаеше с коя ще се бие. Знаеше, се само, че ще е жена.Предната вечер преди Господаря а й каже, че е избрана, те лежаха един до друг в тишината на нощта и настолната нощна лампа и Клариса драскаше по нещо. Тя рисуваше разни монади с причудливи линии винаги кръгли и завършени в целостта си. Правеше го, когато беше щастлива ей така да си драска, но той знаеше, че и тук се крие талант, може би някой от родителите й рисуваше така.Ако в този свят беше имал нужда от творци, щяха да са щастливо семейство, на него тогава му се спеше  и беше задрямал на рамото й, но когато усети да се размърда той протегна ръка към нея без да отваря очи:- Къде отиваш?- Познай – наведе се и го целуна по челото тя, той си беше  изместил главата на земята с течение на времето, но пак беше усетил, че тя се  е размърдала - Да изгася безценната ти лампа и да лягам, разбира се – него сънят винаги го побеждаваше по-лесно, сега съжаляваше за това, че не й беше споделил повече от времето си. На следващата сутрин щеше да довърши мандала и я намери и му каза, че е избрана за и радостта й. Тогава се роди страхът й да не я изгуби. Не знаеше какво му става с всяка битка се боеше повече. Не знаеше от къде идваха тези мисли. Изгубеше ли я, всичко губеше значението си. Щеше да е… свободен. Да заспи да си почине той така обичаше да си почива. Щеше да му хареса и да сънува Клариса и как са заедно в планините на потока, в нейната стая, на татамито…- Не се бой, Дънкан, тя е корава – появи се Господарят и понечи да го потупа по рамотоТой само трепна и хвана още по-здраво мрежата  в този един момент му се прииска да го хване за гушата да го запрати далеч. А ако го направеше все някой щеше да го убие или поне да го прати в безсъзнание и той нямаше да си догледа турнира, а  това беше важно. Уан го погледна учудено и изпухтя нещо неразбираемо. Дънкан само стисна челюст все едно не го е чул. Докато го подминаваше чу „перфектната двойка” и колко много нови войни ще му докарат. Той се обърна, но Господаря вече слизаше по стълбата, щом върна погледа си сякаш видя никакви цветове като размахващи се раса, но що за глупост беше му се привидяло сигурно. Или някой носеше подобен цвят. Макар малко да носеха оранжево. Но сякаш видя цветът няколко пъти, нямаше как да са монаси, тъй като никой не ги беше срещал, а  само се разправяше за тях, а за Дънкан това бяха детски приказки. От сенките на една упаднала цивилизация раждаха такива неща – приказки и страшни истории за запълване на времето. Така мислеше той и не спираше да го повтаря. Макар всички да разправяха, че белегът на Господаря е от монах, това беше опит на Уан да запази статута си. Може би някой е предпочел този цвят, дори съперницата на Клариса.После студеният страх и лошите мисли отново нахлуха в главата и сърцето му. Той винаги беше боготворил Господаря, дори Клариса понякога му се присмиваше, че е прекалено лоялен, но точно в тези моменти изпитваха такава злоба, макар от тук да виждаше увереният и съсредоточен профил. Вече беше съблякла туниката и разгряваше китките си за пореден път като леко подскачаше на място. За последен път се бърна да му прати ликуваща усмивка, след това отправи поглед към другата врата.


Глава 2Червено. Другото момиче беше в червено. Като гнева. Тогава защо му се привиждаха други цветове в сенките? Беше по-висока от Клариса и с по-тъмна и от неговата кожа, имaше силно тяло, покрито с белези. Имаше и един лицето, който и предаваше страшно изражение. После се сети, че не знаеше от какво са тези белези, не биха се получили в двубой като този. Сигурно сега Клариса виждаше и други, защото беше по-близо. Гледаше я с тих гняв, всъщност върху лицето й виждаше своята омраза, но стаена, не явна. Винаги щом имаше Двубой, той забравяше колко неща беше направил за тях Господаря, как само той го беше научил на едни от нещата, които само той знае.Сигурно защото мразеше защото обичаше Клариса, преди просто го боготвореше. Но само любовта можеше да роди тази омраза. Ако не я обичаше. Ако не си представяше живота си без нея, нямаше да се обърне ката в мислите си отново премести поглед към него той се здрависваше с господаря на тъмната жена в червено. Студено ръкостискане, но ако между тях имаше конфликт и той можеше да се реши само така. естествено беше по-нормално двамата да се срещнат на ринга, той беше боец и се хвалеше с поне 30 победи, но по това време Дънкан не е бил роден и не беше сигурен дали се е случило. А сега рискуваше живота на Клариса. Като в някаква игра. Не биваше да остане тези тъмни мисли, те можеха да му струват живота. Погледна косата на Клариса, той сам я беше сплел на рибена кост и в нея беше сложил един от цветовете в гривната му, досега й бяха носели късмет. Бяха три цвята, синият го даде на нея, на китката му останаха жълтото и кафявото, би трябвало да е спомен за миналото му. Но освен тези връвчици той нямаше никакви спомен. Господаря го беше намерил полужив на 6 години, а мозъкът му не желаеше да се връща във времето преди това. Беше запазил само тази гривна нанизана тогава двойно на слабата му ръчица и ги беше запазил. Все пак беше единственото нещо, което имаше. Време беше двубоят да започне и дано приключеше по-бързо. Не се знаеше дали някоя от жените няма да загуби живота си, или честта си. Той беше на 11, когато господаря уби Ребека след един двубой с един юмрук в челото, тя падна и повече не се изправи. Скоро не си беше спомнял за този случай, но сега извика в съзнанието му. Гневът го удари отново и той искаше отново да удари по нещо особено силно. - Този мач ще се състои в 10 рунда, ако до тогава няма нокаут или предаване – обясни съдията безпристрастно 10 рунда? Сърцето му прескочи един удар. Трябваше да са 5! Какво стана обърна се към Господаря. Той беше със стоическо изражение. Не знаеше дали и той е изненадан. Не знаеше какво може да се случи през тези рундове с Клариса.Гонгът.Мачът започваше. Клариса беше леко объркано, затова за получи всички начални удари. Но бързо се върна в играта и започна да се нагажда по ударите на противницата си. Започва да отстъпва настрани и да я заблуждава, ту на ляво, ту на дясно, като редуваше крачките с противоположно кроше. Той знаеше, че тя е близо до атака, но тогава гонгът отново удари. Оттегли се за миг до едната врата и треньорът и зашепна нещо, тя го прие с рязко кимване, изглеждаше странно концентрирана, този път не вдигна глава да го погледне.Господаря изглеждаше притеснен, той не разбираше защо да намира това за трудно. Тя щеше да се справи, щеше да оцелее. Но това видя онези цветове отновo и после блесна някаква светлина, може би някой прожектор е  бил включен без да иска от тези, докато слагаше ръка на очите му, пред които се мержелееха светли петна. Беше някакъв сумрак и му трябваха минути да осъзнае какво стана.  Тогава разпозна расата. Това наистина бяха монаси той се втурна в суматохата към Клариса. Те щяха да  я убият! Не се виждаше и Господаря, не знаеше какво е станало с него, но знаеше, че Даша, главната телохранителка си знае работата, той само да достигнеше Клариса, но се луташе слепешката,  но въздухът сякаш бе станал по-тежък, все едно не иска да влиза в дробовете му. Настъпи объркване и тогава видя отблизо монаха. Можеха ли да правят това? Клариса се взираше объркано в него, опита се да го нападне, но той с  плавни движения удари с двата си пръста нещо в гърдите й и тя се свлече в ръцете му. В едната си ръка носеше тояга , която преметна на гърба си щом  хвана момичето.- Това е престъпление. Всички тези битки са срам за човечеството – гласът му беше висок и така хубав, сякаш беше удоволствие да слуша човека, наранил любимото му момиче. – Трябва да се сложим край! Засрамете сеСрам! Срам!Сякаш се носеше във въздуха.- Глупци! Взели сте се за богове – чу се от другаде. После той видя господаря до едно е един от тях. Нещо го събори все едно въздухът се беше материализирал в юмрук и го повали. Когато се опита да е изправи като дишаше тежко, той вече не виждаше Клариса, видя как нещо е затиснало Даша, и отиде да  я издърпа. Одра ръцете, но я издърпа не знаеше коя е нейна кръв и коя негова, зад стената беше застинала Господаря и той не знаеше как точно да го достигне, не беше сам.Отново се огледа за Клариса. Беше я загубил,. Не в битка, а от монах. От почти легендарно същество опита се да се изправи, но усети, че от носа му тече кръв той се обърна отново, претърколи се, но падна отново. Нещо беше закрило пътя му. Нещо го препъна тялото на Даша. Той изтръпна и се наведе, облекчението беше голямо, когато чу, че дишаше. Притисна в раната, която виждаше част от тениската си. Очевидно се беше опитала да стане и вече беше в безсъзнание, после чу гласът на господаря: - Не си мисли, че ще победиш, Амира!Това име смътно му говореше нещо, той стигна до преградата, докато натискаше още по-силно парцала върху раната на Даша. Тогава забеляза,че другият войн се движеше като котка и май беше жена. После свали ркърпата около главата си и я заметна да падне на едното й рамо. Косата й имаше странен цвят, той познаваше само едно момиче с такъв цвят на косата нито рус, нито кестеняв .Сякаш се беше вплетен злато или някой друг метал. Беше чувал, че някога златото било много ценно, но това било преди да разберат хората, че здравето не може да се откупи с нищо и болните никога не се вдигнаха. Всеки бил покосен и малцина останаха на този Ад , в които се намираха.За него това бяха пълни глупости, той не можеше да си представи така нещата, не и като Клариса. Тя мечтаеше, чертаеше като с четка картините си, но това бяха безполезни мечти. Така и не й го каза. Защото колкото си по-щастлив  толкова ще те боли повече. И в е момента искаше да не я е срещнал, защото така болеше от мисълта да е я види никога повече. И когато си помисли, че не може да бъде по-разочарован и сломен, разбра, че  винаги можеше да е по-лошо, с думите които чу и с това което видя. Монахинята беше приклекнала господаря с сложила крак на гушата му. - Сега ще те пощадя, защото сме кръв. И ще направя голям грях пред себе си и моите учители. Те ми нашепват мъдрост, но аз все още тъжа за изгубения си брат, които пое по пътя на жестокостта. Ти забравяш, братко. Поправи се. Имаш време.Брат? Защо го наричаше така? Самата сестра на господаря е монахиня. Косата, същата като на дъщеря му. Мислеше си, че не може да изпита толкова болка, но очевидно това беше само началото.

Самотата и творецът - вечната двойка

За самотата е  писало много, даже наскоро свърших новелите на Джордж Р.Р.  Мартин, в която тя беше често главна героиня, тъй като тя  е част от живота на твореца. Лошото е, че въпреки много-то, рядко това нещо е не лигаво, сантиментално и безсмислено, но случаят тук не е този. Имаме творба, в която все трябва да има нещо автобиографично, за което подсказва ни размените имена  на главния герои Боги „Бога” Иванов (Иван Богданов) и мислите на един мъж за самотата. Да, мъж тук е много важно, не защото опровергава нечие клише, а защото за жена да е самотна е по-трудно в нашето общество, което често се омъжва рано, започва почти веднага да се размножава и после се грижи за децата, когато иска да си тегли куршума вече е прекалено късно, но мъжът… Той е  напълно свободен след раздялата (в случая не остава самотен татко) и може да  размишлява, което свободно време кани самотата като негова спътница. Нашият мъж се жени рано и после самотата идва, за да го мъчи и изтезава. Първо образът на загубен и влюбен младеж може би интелигентен (само това се намеква), но с много ниска емоционална интелигентност (върви с повечето умни хора) и очаква от жена си пълнител, не разбира какво има, изобщо героят се оказва често сляп за промяната и тя затова го изненадва толкова, което прави душевната болка двойна. След това помъдрява, поне мъничко, макар до края да има клиширани и обобщаващия образ на жената, които се противопоставя с различните от живота му.В началото героят изтъква как се глади и облича, но по принцип  всеки човек е хубаво да се храни, да има хигиена, но като мъж той очаква това от партньора, по-скоро майчина грижа и до края героят подсъзнателно търси такъв вид жена, която да го отърве от самотата. Макар да се споменават много жени, героят не е плейбой, той няма и приятели и близки и тук клишето на образа се губи в духовната пустота на отчаяния самотник. Той наистина е вълк единак.
Няма други главни герои освен той и самотата, споменатите глави и жените в тях са недоразвити, защото текстът клони повече към новела отколкото към роман. Вечно търсене на човека-творец на половинка като я  намира и се задушава, такива сме неперфектни същества, няма да  се променим, без да знаем какво точно искаме.Книгата не е еротична, не очаквайте българските нюанси. Добре позиционирани стихове за доизграждане на образа как все пак понякога самотата се оказва най-примамливата любовница.

Новелите на Мартин – чудесните хибриди

 ИК БардПреводачи: Юлиян Стойнов, Милко Стоименов
Аз имах големия късмет да прочета почти всичките новели нa Мартин заедно и се получи страхотно, защото за някои новели и разкази от „Пясъчните крале”, са споменати в Приказните песни, а под споменати имам предвид страхотните лични спомени на автора преди всеки раздел. Това прави толкова ценен Приказните песни, друго си е авторът да споделил  спомени, вдъхновения и наградите на произведенията си и то по един непринуден и забавен начин.

Първата част разказва за детството на Джордж за любовта към комиксите и супер героите и ни радва с три истории, които са посредствени за стила на Мартин, но посредствено за него значи над средното ниво, така че радват читателския интерес. В третата част авторът споделя за успехите си и понеже имах под ръка „Пясъчните крале” започнах двата сборника заедно, и прочетох Пясъчните крале, наистина много увлекателна новела, която ме беше накара за купя и целия сборник, след това започнах да чета кръстосано спомените. Доставих си двойно удоволствие самите „Пясъчни криле” насекомите, които еволюират, отвори очите ми за света на Мартин след заселването на хората навсякъде из галактиката, разбира се, разказите (или по- скоро новели, според обема) просто са свързани в съзнанието ми. 
Повечето са сложни свързания за светове и наситеност, абсолютна характерна за автора (ако не внимаваш губиш. защото въображенеито муе  необятно) към тях си включвам „Бързите приятели”, „Седем по нивга не убивай човек”(страхотна заигравка с „Книга за джунглата”), както и интерсното Стъклено цвете, където видях поредния прототип на Денерис. теу е и награждавания „Нощен летец”, който на мен ми се нареди на последно място сред останалите, може би след „Каменният град”. Тази страхотна фантастика, чудесни полети из неогранчените възможности на въображението. Мислени някога като недописания проект „Авалон”„Свръх контрол” и „Месаря” разказват за световете, където оперират мозъците на хората са да ги направят послушни зомбита, интересна гледка към темата и доста необичайно, макар да са нещо като под тема на космическите пътешествия на автора.Лично за мен извадките от „Дивите карти” ми се сториха най-нежни, докато "Могъщата костенурка" ми хареса)има супер герои, под форамат ан зараезенис  видрус хора, но идеята е една и съща), то дневника на джокера ми се стори поредното извинения за сегрегацията в САЩ и изобщо позната тема и очевидно развитие и колко държави обиколи при избито в 90% от случаите, този Дезмънд. Неговите новели са все хибридни, поне той така твърди за мен това е истински стойностно  ужаси и фентъзи, просто ако няма такъв ужас за човека като самотата, отритването и нещастието. Върколашката история също ми легна на сърце, жалко, че не  разработен като роман както и „Авалон”, но по-добре да си стоят така, че да допише поредицата, която мен ме плени като негов читател и му оставям вярна като самурай на даймьо след тези три антологии („Приказни песни” оригинално е две книги, но е издадена като една)А писателските разкази си ги слагам в любими за тези му творби, макар образът писателя да е неразбран мъж с объркан брак и темата за писателя и самотата неговите стремежи и разбирания срещу тези на обществото. „Потрети на неговите деца” като черешка на тортата, преди това и „Губещи варианти”. Той е един от малкото автори, които могат да накарат фантастичния елемент да изглежда реалистичен.

Гери Йо

Сказание за Железоръкия воин

Мирослав ПетровИК ГаянаКнига за български воин от ханско време и неговите приключения. За жалост такива книги са кът в съвременната ни литература, затова се зарадвах на издаването на тази така макар да се води историческо фентъзи, фантазийният елемент е така тънък, че спокойно книгата може да бъде описана като приключенски роман.А приключенията не липсват, една история на бързи обороти в много действие и битки и описание на бита на древните народи обитавали земите ни. Мирослав Петров не се спира само на едно от тях или не ги обединява в обобщаващ образ, а позволява на въображението да рисува достойни люде и воини, чийто наследници да се наречем, а след като имаме така малко информация за този период, защо всичко не би било точно такова? С мистични амазонки и жени-воини се среща ханският багаин.Авторът обича да слага този  образ в книгите си, а за жените воини не се твори така лесно, както се чете, в „Дъщеря на огъня” е съсредоточена с главна героиня, може би заради това или поради малкия брой страници, но образът на любимата на нашия багаин Хела не е развит достатъчно и остава в сянка, което на мен ми липсва в определени глави. И макар любовната история да променя живота на българския воин. Тя не е разказана романтично и не е ненужно разтегната, тя е простичка и ясна, дори реалистична, ако сметнем, че така са правили хората по онова време, чиято всяка нова битка може да ги срещне със смъртта. А самият главен герой е прави образ на мечтания воин, той е честен и достоен, въпреки кръвта по ръцете му, винаги се придържа км своята лична правда и е по-скоро като всеотдаен самурай. Макар ако нашите воини бяха по-известни  в световно отношение биха се гордели с тях да сравняваме самураите, а не обратното. Книгата радва и с прекараните илюстрации на Веселин Чакъров, книгата ми напомня на „Мъглите на Авалон”, която има страхотни илюстрации, а и самата книга е същият жанр.  Това прави книгата уникална на фона на българските автори, а и не само.И нека в зимните дни да си сложим бронята добре, да си вземем в оръжията и да идем в ханското време на все още не станалия хан Тервел,  за да се запознаем с много нови приятели и да пречупим волята на враговете си. 
Гери Йо

The Heiress

The Heiress is an urban fantasy book written by young Bulgarian authour Gery Yo, it is the first part of Twilight Queen series. Here is a sample translated in English. Enjoy the magical world of vampires, werewolves, witched and hunters where honour and love are supposed to be the most important things after all. 



Chapter 1SheThe castle was dark and seemed deserted. No mortal would come there. The shadows dwelled there, the darkness dwelled there. Somewhere there, centuries ago, a count had cursed his soul forever and thus was his kin cursed. This was where the dwelling of the vampires remained. But the worst thing was that not anyone lived there. She lived here – the Queen of the vampires.Now, after a bitter struggle, the throne belonged to Dracula’s daughter. She ruled their world, she separated it from the one of mortals. She had won a bloody throne in bloody fights and bloody tears. With her steel fist and proud look she was the strongest one among many immortals. Because she was cursed, and moreover – she was his daughter. Blood is thicker than water, but water was too much thinner than blood.She was waiting for someone. It was dark in the room but his breath haunted still. The darkness was her cloak, but the smell of his kisses was in her mind.The castle was faraway, to the deserted road in South Romania. It was far away from the boring monuments where tourists paid in order to touch Dracula.Oh, you miserable mortals, thought Vitoria, why do you search for Dracula? Look in your hearts – he is here, waiting patiently, the anger, hatred and fury to wake him up and turn you in beasts.Beasts like her. And she found her hunter, who caught her violently. She shuddered. Was it so easy to kill the skillful killer? The paradox of life, that the wonderful castle was, which was nothing more than just stone blocks, built by the first Roman colonists, fortified  and destroyed trough centuries like her heart. And they survived.As if it was knight’s castle, a fortress of Christianity, but without a single cross in there. As if there was strong wine in the expensive glass, but not made of grapes.Her eyes were dark, darker than night. They were like that every time she looked like a human being, but it seemed this time had never been. Her skin wasn’t fair and it had never been. She had tanned skin which turned peach when she was in her true form. Her dark raven hair fell down to her shoulders. She didn’t want to be here. She didn’t want to look into the darkness hoping to find the faith, which her kin had dispatched long ago. This wasn’t her place. She knew it, she had always known it, and she would have known it. But nobody gave her a choice. The only choice she had was to decide whether to fight to live or die. Her slender body was dressed in a pale blue dress – Simona’s favourite colour. But this would hardly protect her. Her stomach muscles tightened, because she would be responsible not only before her but before herself. She took a dressing-gown and threw it on. The silk fondled her skin and she buttoned it up so that she didn’t look too guilty.With a glance she lit all the candles in the room. She didn’t know why she kept them as there were lamps imitating cheap crystal with the newest bulbs inside. Fire raged inside the candles. She liked that element. Fire didn’t pet, it killed. Just like her. The furniture was so poor. Except for the big bed there was a small table with two chairs coated in velours, as if there was only space for two there. There were memories from the past only hanging on the walls. They were probably expensive in the human world. They, as passing creatures, loved old things, but to her they were a reminder of what a cruel man could every martyr become. Those who didn’t become cruel, the few martyrs who had kept their souls, were canonized and glorified. Te others lost their souls in the fire of sin and wrath. Vitoria sent a sigh towards the past and prepared to meet the present. Simona was coming. The blue Opel drove like hell towards the fortress. Yes, blue was a wonderful colour for everything – the colour of the sky, the colour of the new expensive dress bought from Los Angeles, the colour of the dew, the drops of the ocean. But Simona knew that something had happened. She always knew what expected her - sometimes it was just a slight feeling, others -  a blurred dream, and often - a vision. Everything was connected with the magic she had grown up with, taught how to use it by her grandmother in that small village near London. The magic was the reason she lead this life. The magic she was marked with and which she mastered. That is why they called her a witch. She stopped the car impatiently. The road wasn’t that god and she shouldn’t take this car. But it didn’t matter. She put off her wine-red cloak and her mahogany curls covered her shoulders. She stopped sharply in front the door. She looked down and hissed. Her green eyes lost its colour and for a moment became white and sparkling. Her teeth barred. Then she sensed the memory, a memory of a man but not the one who was waiting behind the gate. A memory that wasn’t hers. A thousand years have been passed, before she got used to the emotions of the others. She opened the door with a look I order not to waste any physical force There, in the antechamber of the castle, without any interest, a blond man followed her with his eyes as he was sharpening the blade of a sword obviously didn’t want to be interrupted by her.“Is she here?”, she asked angrily.“Yes, she, the vampire queen is here!”, he calmly continued doing his job and added without raising his eyes – but you know…, you should know at least this. - he raised the sword and pointed at her.“Are you doing stupid things again, Steven?” “Will I hit you if I throw this, thought he at voice – Right, it’s not worth it, this weapon is a fine work.”She walked past him with a look burning with anger. Steven only nodded, checked if the blade of the sword was sharp enough and went to put it in its place. He had been a warrior for a very long time, and a good warrior always respected a good weapon, especially one with a silver-pated blade. As a vampire it would have burnt his fingers, but put in his human hands it wouldn’t hurt him. The witch climbed the stairs and opened the door possessively without knocking. “You were with a human? Something like human?”, while she spew out her questions, she fixed her curls with a nervous gesture. She was surprised by the utterly silent answer she got.“Yes”, the other woman’s face was buried in the darkness, but the sadness on it was visible.“And you admit it just like that”, Simona didn’t trouble to hide her anger.“Yes. What do you want me to do, Simona, lie you? You are too precious to me to lie to you…”Simona approached and hugged her gently, but in a moment she drew back.“There are strong feelings here, they are haunting in the air. And with a…”, she started walking around the room angrily, trying to catch the other’s presence which hadn’t gone yet, “It was a hunter?”That was a big problem among them. While Simona hated all the other creatures except vampires and witches, it wasn’t the same with the queen. She even welcomed the existence of hunters – very often they solved some of her problems and they were good opponents. Every good warrior esteemed the good opponent. She had heard from her mother that a warrior was happy while he had enemies, but when he had defeated all of them, it became harder – then he had to face himself. Just a week ago Simona went to the other end of the world to a group of young vampires who were about to be revealed. It was typical for new, uncontrollable vampires. To her that was a walk to the beaches of Miami, but now she found out that it had just been a way not to be in the castle.“Tell me how it was”, the Queen tried to calm her downShe, who hadn’t lost a battle, still couldn’t put up with the quick-tempered Simona. That was between them. “Boring… I don’t know why you sent me, I mean now I know. You did it to get rid of me”“It’s not true! I thought it was dangerous! But not that dangerous to send you alone. It was all over the media! The word ‘vampires’ was mentioned.”“Stupid puppies” said the witch.“Aha! What was her name?”“Well, whose name?”, the witch started playing with her hair again.“You know what I am talking about”, the Queen raised her voice. She went to Simona and grabbed her hands.“Vitoria, don’t get mad like that!”, she pulled back and frowned. Even that way she was enchantingly beautiful and attractive. “I’m asking which one of the two?”“They were two?”, she snickered. She obviously wasn’t that guilty.“Well…yes…cute ones…a little bit stupid.” “Well, as long as they agreed with you... Who made them?”, the Queen sat against her.“He was killed…I can’t remember his name.”“Who made it – a mortal or a hunter?”“A werewolf”, hearing those words made Vitoria shudder. This wouldn’t end soon. “Why?”“I didn’t quite understand but this vampire of ours…there I forgot his name, has been very naughty. He made himself four fellows and they gave mortals the creeps.”“Well, don’t forget that because of vampires like them mortals think that we can’t go out in the daylight and we are afraid of garlic”, Vitoria laughed. “They, people would only see an inexperienced vampire, but not the originals.”“Yes…”, Simona smiled against her will and went back to the subject. “You didn’t tell me who he was.”“Not a specific one…”“Why for such a short time?” she put her elbows on the table and continued watching carefully in the face of the other one.“I wanted to have some fun”“You’re lying,” bristled up, she bared her teeth, “He meant something!” “Well, there is something like that… but he left”.“Did you chase him away?”“No, I didn’t”, Vitoria stopped talking. Simona knew her well and she knew she wouldn’t find out anything more now and she angrily left the room.She went down the stairs with ease. She was too angry to continue this conversation. The spacious first floor stacked her thoughts even more. A hunter with the vampire Queen! Maybe she did it so that she could later tell that as a joke. Nevertheless she didn’t want to stay alone with her thoughts since she came across the blond vampire again.“She got rid of you, didn’t she?” asked Steven who was still hanging around there. My ladies are ready. They are very obedient, this time he held and old knife with golden halt which contrasted with his worn jeans and a T-shirt with MMA signature on it on his firm body.“I guess so,” she sat on the last step and put her hands on her chin.“Which is not of my concern”, he smiled, but the expected remark didn’t follow.“Well, come on … you will be fine”, he tried to calm her down, although they didn’t have many peaceful moments in their communication.Steven was one of the best Vitoria’s warriors and had never left the castle. He sworn to protect her when he met the queen, but he didn’t tell Simona his story. She didn’t even ask, but his presence always teased her.“Who was he?”“Not ‘was’, he is still some deluded hunter with samodivianWhen she stood against the wolves some of them writhed with pain from the silver arrows. Vitoria turn her headed as if from nowhere from the out of sight appeared black figures. They chased away her enemies. One of them came closer her and put down the cloth from his face. “You are the Lin’s daughter, aren’t you?” The person in black asked.“Yes” She was very surprised.“I am her friend, I have sworn to protect you. Come with me”“Where?” She was confused and she wasn’t sure if she could trust him.“Japan”“Why?”“I see some fallen reasons over there” He pointed at the killed wolves. Then he got her hand and insisted, “Let’s go, soon the sun will rise”“I will not melt”“Are you sure?” His voice sounded surprised, although his face was hidden again.“Yes.” She wrinkled her nose. At that moment she was not in the mood to break myths, having in mind she had just broken the myth of sisters’ love. “I am so sorry; there are few vampires in Japan”. He tried to be polite. “It’s ok…”she looked at him amused. Now she would know the Eastern way of life that her mother had told her about, but she couldn’t teach her, there wasn’t enough time. There she spend a lot of time, there she prepared for the battle of her life.
Vitoria heard the opening door and came back to reality in the instant. Some memories disappeared very hard and she was absorbed by them, as she was in a bath with very hot water you know it was hot but still burnt yourself.“That was your Japanese friend, wasn’t he?”“At least some of his people” Vitoria followed Simona with her eyes, his time she was quiet the heel of her shoes barely touching the floor. “Oh, yeah, he is too important to come by his own, isn’t he?” She sat on the armchair in front of her. “What happened, Vitoria?”“I have a bad feeling about the Heiress” „Excuse me?!” Simona rose suddenly “when did you find her?”“Ten years ago” Vitoria looked the roof tiredly.“Where have I been?” Simona blushed and started to think when she had been “Yes, I was a little but busy…then this cutie…”“She is not cutie” Vitoria rose her voice and waved with her angrily.“She will be one day” Simona looked at her with her sly look which she knew how teased her company and she would use it in future too. “I hope so”“I hate when you do it like that” Vitoria went near her lightly. Now Simona saw that Vitoria had changed her clothes. The pretty dressing gown had gone; she was wearing a scarlet shirt and dark trousers, which stressed on her dark hair and her deadly almond eyes. The witch was se the reason recently showed ninja.Then the queen smelled her and without warning sank her teeth in Simona’s white neck.“A habit from centuries ago” The redhead and didn’t push her aside.“No more talking about Elena.” Vitoria turned her back and sit comfortably on the other armchair. She fixed her look at the ceiling again, as if the answer she looked for her stirring questions was there.“Elena… such a beautiful name, I hope wars don’t about to start because of her” The witch make the obvious association with another queen.Then she stood up abruptly. She bit the queen and at that moment and felt thoughts and her memories. When she sank her teeth in the gentle neck she took most powerful vampire blood and images came to her. She saw the face of a child which didn’t look like her. The child was blonde and skin, but its aura hardly blinded her senses. Her presence was very much alike the daughter of the Walachian lord. She signed from euphoria not because the blood she drank but because of the gifted child.
Steven put the weapon in order in the room for them. Vitoria just like him took care of them. He was a good in Martial arts just like his mistress and wanted to be perfect at it. Soon he wouldn’t meet a warrior that can be his equal. Noone from a long long time.He liked the armory because this one of the places which didn’t remind him of her. Of hiss cruel but first love. She had lived in this castle and Steven thought that she would have put a small wound, unnoticed but blood still dripped from it as much as he drank from his victims. As Simona didn’t go back soon, she supposed to tell Vitoria. They would stay together one to another till the end. He was jealous secretly because Simona was loyal to her. There was nothing that took them apart as the burning secrets from the past. However, he would stay of her side till the end. He should have bitten the impudent hunter and kill him with his bite but Vitoria wanted to have some fun or whatever she did with him. He didn’t asked her what her feelings were, he didn’t share what he felt with her. What was this nonsense about feeling people liked to twaddle about. That way no feeling was gone or forgotten. Moreover, the feeling was an enemy for a warrior’s heart. This samodivian blood smelt from distance. He had killed many vampires and werewolves. The killing was his second skin. He was dangerous. As long as he was here Steven couldn’t have rest for a second. His heart lightened the night when he stopped sensing his present. He took a nunjaku. Definitely, the Eastern martial arts were his weakness. He decided to lose his energy that way. He didn’t want to leave the castle and go hunting. He supposed it was still dangerous as they both are lightly absent-minded. He had heard the coming werewolves lately. Until Vitoria took the throne, werewolves who supported the previous queen didn’t recognize her power. They were serious enemies of Steven, too, as a skilled warrior he sensed the new battle coming at the door. And he didn’t have patience. He didn’t like to stay and prowl. Good warriors didn’t do it, this wasn’t joy for them. They loved the battles face to face. To death.  



Chapter twoHeWhy did her kisses still burn his lips? Why did her smell still haunt him? Why did these thoughts push away her in as distant place in his mind. Was he enchanted? Yes, he was enchanted, that was the only explanation. But was it the magic of love? He purified from the dark forces in the stream in the Samodivian Castle and still he saw her face in his mind. Maybe because she was the strongest of them all, the daughter of Dracula himself. The wind played with his dark hair, let free on his shoulders, and his light almost silver eyes looked the forest and saw everything in hunter’s eyes, the footprints of samodiva, a smell of blood of a lost traveler and the wolf smell conquered the fortress.He wore his hunter uniform which was a long black mackintosh which hid countless small weapons as the long boots with black trousers in them and two knifes. Today he was wearing silver blade because he would meet some wolves.Philip got close the landings of Volcor, the werewolves’ lord. He was one of the loyal Melissa’s allies. And he didn’t wasn’t Vitoria to take the throne. Did Melissa look like Vitoria? Did she have the same lips, her laugh, her strong right arm and her power?It was a deserted medieval fortress in the South mountain foot. It wasn’t so far from Vitoria’s castle. Vitoria! It was her name in his mind again. They had met in such a forest. He was looking for a vampire when she appeared behind him and said that he took care of it. As if there was nothing, as if they talked about the weather. He didn’t feel her presence; he felt every magical creature. Only her he didn’t. Because she was the only one. For him.Now he was afraid to go back home, namely visiting his mother. He wasn’t welcome here. In the forests of the samodiva. The legends said that if a man seduce a samodiva and made love with her on full moon, the woman would get pregnant. But in practice that was impossible, because samodiva were the most tempting. There was a little problem on the Balkans. On full moon the werewolves were uncontrollable. It was a dangerous time for the beauties. Then a hunter saved one of them from a raged werewolf and she got pregnant. How romantic! But that wasn’t the end of the story. His story should have end at the same way. When he grew up his mother sent him away. He  didn’t belong to her female word. Philip became vampire hunter just like his father. But he was immortal because of his mother. His eyes were grey but his hair was black not like hers – a golden than the sun itself. He was strong and tall. He has her face characters and sensual lips which she shared with the queen. But he inherited his father’s craft. This craft meant nothing till he was in the bed of the vampire Queen.He sensed that there were many werewolves around him. He couldn’t see them but he knew that they are close and they got more and more. The feeling of betraying her was in his heart. The fortress was seen in distance. He took there was magic over there. He took a deep breath and walked faster“Are you Philip?”“Yes” He answered. “Volcor is waiting for me”“Of course” The man said and looked at him confused.The man who welcomed him was with blond hair and huge muscles, but his eyes drank him. Something wild was in his look. Of course, all the looks of the wolves were wild. Philip followed him. The room they entered was too dark and cold. It wasn’t just a little bit with… he didn’t want to think about it.  Volcor sit in the throne and looked searching in his eyes. He has a long white hair and sharp features with a bulging chin and a hawk nose. He was tall and looked arrogantly not only because of his height. “You’re going to help me destroy her, aren’t you?”“Of course. That is why I am here.” The werewolf continued to stare at him protruding.“It is true, isn’t it?“What?”“That you are a son of samodiva?” He took a deep breath.“It doesn’t really matter”“Oh, it does, it does! Most hunters don’t have such skills”“Most” Philip agreed and cross his hands in front of his chest.“Yeah”“Assir, please, help me assure myself.”At the first moment Philip didn’t understand, but when the werewolf standing of one of his sides attacked him, the things became clear. The monster, which wolf’s face didn’t show anything, and his body was even stronger and bigger under the wolf’s hair. Philip smiled slightly. He jumped from the instant attack and landed slightly some meters away from the monster. Was there anything but the stone floor or everything was Volcor’s plan?Without losing a second, Philip attacked. The hunter was very fast and scratched the wolf with his blade only slightly. The monster writhed and became a hurt human.“He will be fine. I only scratched him with my silver blade. But, Volcor, what a bad hospitality? Philip didn’t hide the challenge in his look.“Well, come on, let’s go to the living room. I see, it’s worth it to talk with a human like you”“A human?” the hunter looked around “I don’t see any in here”The room they entered was spacious hall with pictures which described the wild life of wolves or spacious cold paces with drops of blood on the white snow. Definitely, it wasn’t like her castle, with the slightly shade of asceticism in it without hinting of powers or overdressed of the walls. She was strong enough not to show off that. Volcor caught his movement and invited him to sit on a wooden table in knight style. There weren’t many knights on the Balkans but he felt as if he is in the yard of King Arthur.“Can I offer you something refreshing?” The host was friendly and obliging. “No, I am here on business. I hope there isn’t another battle to offer me?”“I think that you have to thank me not go mad” Volcor smiled in his a little bit strange and scary laugh.This laugh could have scared Volcor’s enemies but not Philip. Something made him think that the werewolf didn’t feel like home in here.“This isn’t your home, is it?”“That is true. I took it when his previous owner was killed”“So, count Dracula had lived in here?” Just now Philip understood what hid the secret feeling. Then he explained when he saw the surprising look in his host’s eyes. “Well, just for a while. This is one of his castles. I don’t know it belonged to his niece or maybe his lover. But I think it belonged to a dear woman to him.”“What makes you think that a lover live in here?” Volcor challenged him.“It might be” Philip though about it. “I just know that after the Chinese woman wthere wasn’t another” he knew the purpose of this challenge.He knew who was the lover of Dracula and also knew that she was the mistress of the castle. She had wanted to be immortal but the count hadn’t honored her that way. Philip studied all of this in advance. He was always prepared besides the time he met her. He shook his head as his thoughts were teasing lice. The he looked the werewolf in the face and ended the topic. “A woman he didn’t even love.”“Maybe… But now the castle is mine! And it will stay mine.”“Only if Vitoria didn’t get angry and didn’t come to take it back” he put this challenge in his words purposely. “That is why I called you there, boy!” Volcor hit on the table.“We came back to the subject. I want to destroy her, she is not a confused vampire, she is dangerous” Philip took a deep breath and said it “I want her death”“She is just a woman” The werewolf sighed loudly.“A woman you didn’t deal with” Philip nagged.“Yeas, and there is another woman around her. A very dangerous one.”Philip thought about that. He didn’t know who were Volcor talking about; but he explained to him “A redhead witch. She masters powerful spells. We must focus on her. We must!”“Are you sure that this witch serves her? Of course Philip didn’t expect to meet all her followers but he was very surprised that the castle was so deserted when she was there. He expected to be full of her loyal vampires, ready to please her mistress and to protect her. But he saw only one vampire. It should have been that way on purpose. She should have leaded him there so he couldn’t see her real way of life.“She doesn’t serve her, she is her lover” Volcor explained satisfied.Philip stared at him surprised. He couldn’t control himself at all. He thought he knew this woman, but how can been that she had a woman for a lover? Did she lie whole the time about it. In his mind a face of a lecherous roman woman with wild hair, shaggy tunic and red lips. They were from drank blood. He winced nervously made by the sight in his mind, so erotic and so dangerous at the same time? Was it a trap? The thoughts this night were like no his own. His silence made Volcor angry. He looked at him sadly.“I didn’t expect. “ The hunter tried to explain.“This is the one you are very surprised. We talk about the most cruel and fierce among vampires, the pride of the lecherous father and blood drinker. The witch is pretty, but I don’t want her blood, I want her broken… I don’t want to do magical dates. They are totally abnormal, I am telling you!” As of the word “normal” was a part of their world and he saw that he lost the hunter attention he continued “And the other is a great fighter. His name is Steven. I want him for myself. I will tame him and he will fight on my side.”Just then Philip knew and remembered Steven and it was impossible to tame a man like him, not even to give him alive and to betray his mistress. He felt his cursed fair eyes which followed him at the whole time and waited for a wrong step in order to attack him. He would be his target he would not give him to Volcor and Philip was sure that Steven would guard the queen till the end. Steven should fall death, there was no alternative but he wouldn’t let him to the Volcor’s people. Let the werewolf lost army of them when they fight. Philip didn’t care about it. “I don’t know who others will be summoned by her” thought Volcor “But I did know that we shouldn’t allow the Council to gather. They should be far from her she has got a lot of supporters but without the strongest of her own she will be an easy target.“But we should start from somewhere, shouldn’t we? ““Of course we should! I have started it already” He hinted. Although Philip made a pause. He didn’t continue.“Where from” The Hunter hesitated before saying the word. “The lover who is a witch?“Oh, no, we will continue with the Heiress!”Philip looked interested and just added. “Please, continue”


Chapter 3NinjasVitoria still remembered the day when Elena was born. This night, the queen had sensed the power the little girl emitted. With this power, she could take away her burden. This throne never had been meant for Vitoria. Elena was a daughter of Vitoria’s cousin married in Moldavia. They had already a son, but the little girl born on that night would have given them more glory to her kin. Vitoria herself couldn’t explain why such a power is born in human body to human parents, but she wouldn’t take the risk. If she hadn’t taken her in ward, the girl could be uncontrollable or worse: the vampires’ enemies could kill her undergrown if they knew about her. Ad she knew that their world kept a few secrets. How far can you go?
That late night was very sad for Lora – Elena’s mother. She held her newborn baby in her lap when the unexpected guest, Vitoria appeared. “She had cried. You cannot take away my child”“No, Lora, I came to tell you that your daughter will be your queen one day.“This child would stay mine” She pressed closer to her the baby. “Of course, Lora, she will be your daughter, she…”“Elena, we will call her Elena, Nikolae and me”“A queen’s name” said Vitoria loudly.Now she pared that had made a mistake, this little girl didn’t deserve it, and Vitoria would take care of her. This girl had the power which she would find from now on.
The queen expected Musaki, she could trust only him, she could trust the girl’s life only to him.Vitoria was wearing a beautiful pink kimono with embodied golden dragons on it, which belonged to her mother. She plaited her hair on a braid. When she looked in the mirror she reminded herself how she looked like a human, a pretty girl. Only the light shades under her eyes and a little tormented face told that something was wrong. Maybe just a sick girl she thought. Because the curse was an illness, awful infection which ate her soul, this thought made her wince, she got angry. She became paler and lost the colour of her eyes and the image in the mirror became blurred and started to disappear. For an instant Vitoria lost control and changed. She closed her eyes. Maybe she had lost control because she was very thirsty, a thinгthat she would fix that night. This should make Simona very happy, she felt neglected these days. If she had gone, now she shouldn’t feel so weak. The queen was prepared a tea ceremony for her dear guest, now the only thing to do was to meet him. The tea, however, wouldn’t quench her thirst.She looked outside. This would have happen very soon. She felt the present to come closer. Now when she was sharpened her senses and concentrating as very easy.Simona looked outside, too. Her look drew the unknown forest paths and the night’s pulse; she sensed the nature although her own existence was against it.“I am wondering what path they will choose. I hope they won’t meet some of the Volcor’s beasts. But they are not that stupid, although are very ugly because they hide their faces” Steven tried to make a joke. He wanted a rematch against the masked enemy but at the same time he was worried of their safety. “No, they will come from Moldavia” the answer of Simona sounded a little absent-minded.“I see how much you care!”“Oh, come on!” She turned to his look,” Look, they are coming from East, and the will be here in 10 minutes. Even a samodiva shouldn’t meet him.”“You see it”“Yeas, I saw it!”“Witches! Nothing can ever surprise them!”“A matter if skills.” She shrugged her shoulders.The queen didn’t want to take part in their arguing, she had witnessed thousands of them, but she wasn’t in that mood that night. She continued to stare at the darkness.Simona thought of Vitoria. Something was wrong. And the person who was to blаme was the other one wherever he was. She hadn’t met him so she couldn’t see his faith or find him as much as she tried. And if she had found him, he would have killed him cause she hurt Vitoria. The queen should’ve never trust a human, she had never done that before when she was a human. She wouldn’t forget the things human had done to her. That way she would never forgot the things done to her savior Vitoria.“Here they are!”“Let’s go!” She pushed them sharply and for some seconds they were at the first floor. No one knocked but Simona open the door with a look and the ninja lord saw two figures - her and Steven.Steven pierced him with his eyes and he was wearing only a white shirt and dark jeans. Simona was wearing one of her most beautiful green dresses, she wore trousers very rarely. Her eyes were the same as the dress they always took the blade of the clothes on her, and she was sure that the warriors looked at her more than it was appropriate. She smiled slightly and showed her white teeth with some sharpened blades and she was sure most of them thanked the fact they were wearing masks. But Musaki’s face wasn’t hidden. He had a beautiful face with Asian eyes and was bald which made him look wiser. He didn’t pay attention to her unlike the others. He was wearing a black kimono with embroidered golden dragons on them, long golden waistcoat and black trousers. He had swords on his waits.“Is Vitoria san here?”“Yes, she is, please follow me. She is expecting you” Simona said.Two of Musaki’s people stayed at the gates, and two of them walked with him“This is already too far.” Steven said between his teeth and his face gained his vampire shape.“It is necessarily.” Musaki said.Here Simona sent him a murderous look. Steve was overacting. Again. When she got Vitoria’s room she knocked.“Yes” It was heard from outside although Vitoria was aware who was this. But it wouldn’t hurt if she behave just like human. “Vitoria, Musaki is here.” Simona let the guest in and went out after her attempt to be polite. “I hope the meeting will be useful.”Musaki shut the door and the other two ninjas stayed outside to guard it.“Vitoria! You are so beautiful!” they bowed to each other, and then hugged.“And young I hope” The queen smiled and the guest followed her.“As I am here, this should be something important, isn’t it?”“Of course, I will not send for you or nothing, Musaki sama.”“To send for me just for a cup of tea, I won’t mind”“Please, sit down. I am sorry but there is no tatami on the floor”“It doesn’t matter” The guest sit comfortable in front on her. She poured her tea and he drank slightly. “You have such pretty china” I am so glad, you didn’t forgot some of the traditions”“That is what you thought me” She smiled at him heartily. For her Musaki wasn’t only a good friend, but also a great teacher. “I awe you that I am invincible to you.”“Well, not exactly invincible” He smiled and tried to hut him she protected herself and made “the snake” hand at him in order to find a nerve in the hand but he missed. He freed himself and took his cup. Both of them smiled.“I found my Heiress” The thing surprised him“But you are on throne for so short period of time” His disappointment was so big that he didn’t try to hide it.“This is not my faith! And the girl has unique gifts…Well, she will have them.”“You think, she will become target for our enemies”“You are reading my thought, friend!” She smiled at him sincerely. She hadn’t smiled that why while he came. She just signed and paid attention to her guest and looked him carefully.“Please, let her come to us. There we can beat all evil which try to hurt her.“He thought of something and then added.” She is woman too?“Yes, she is still a girl”“But if that is so how can it be possible she is a vampire?”“She is from Dracula’s kin.” She said that as if it explained everything.“When will she understand about the evil in her?” The lord didn’t want to look at her when she was asking this question that is why he started observing the fine China.“When the beauty of childhood leaves her, I guess, as it happened to me…” She stared somewhere through him. ”Maybe never”“But you cannot take the risk” He continued her thought.“Yeas, these people are most dangerous, people born with this burden. For someone is written, but the Faith doesn’t hold her feather hard. She loses it, write our way but gave us to our own choice.“That is so. “He looked at her understandingly. He knew Vitoria had had, had, and would have many enemies, but the biggest enemy was herself.“Let’s meet her.”“Yes, we will. But I am asking to come alone.”“Of course! Mariko convinced me to take them, only for travelling.”“The road is really dangerous and I am totally agreed with Mariko san. Take some rest this night, we will see her tomorrow.”
Vitoria put some clothes very quickly on the other morning, threw her coat on and took her sunglasses. There was sun outside and it teased her eyes. There was folding stick in her pocket just in case she couldn’t use some of her abilities at daytime. But she can use other her skills which didn’t include sharp teeth and pale moon.  Musaki was waiting for her in the hall. Although he was wearing informal clothes - a shirt and coat, just not to be that noticeable. As if he was different at sunlight just like a vampire. But he was a ninja, and they can change their appearance as long as they want.“It is not far” She explained.“That will not stand the new silver Toyota I gave to you”“You know how I like Japanese cars” She smiled, unlike Simona who used to find her inspiration in cars once in a month.They got on their way and soon they were at the school, where Vitoria insisted Elena to learn Martial arts. The students training at this moment. In this school a Chinese master, a close friend of Vitoria worked. She inherited this from her mother, the eternal searching of spiritual force. The group was formed by 10-12 years old children. Musaki nodded at the teacher who caught his sight at him, the other one who sensed the coming guest was a small blonde girl. She turned her blue eyes and recognized Vitoria. She smiled at her, looked Musaki from head to toes and continued with the hits which the teacher explained patiently.“Your technique is very good although I don’t know much of kung fu” Musaki said.The girl looked small for her age but she had very smart blue eyes and still puffy chicks. Her nose was chubby and when she smiled two dimples on her chicks. „Her smile is so innocent” thought Vitoria.“She reminded me of you as little girls”Vitoria turned sharply, looked at him curiously, then she laughed when she understand the joke. “You didn’t see me as a child”But he didn’t smile. He was speaking the truth, he saw her.“Sometimes I thought you will feel us. We were watching you Vitoria. We wanted to be sure that you are fine and that you will be grow up strong just like your mothers”“Actually, you will understand that I’m more like my father” She frowned to this conspiracy.“That you didn’t take your mother’s eyes didn’t mean that you didn’t inherit her spirit. She doesn’t find her powers, isn’t she?“No, she isn’t” Vitoria looked at the girl with pain “But sometime soon…”The training ended and Elena ran to Vitoria” Hello, Aunt. Do you like how I fight? I will become the best and the strongest in the world” She said that proudly and made a turning kick with a jump.“Yeas, dear, I saw you.”“Who is he? The girl studied him with her look.  “I am a friend of Vitoria and soon you will come to visit me”“Oh, no. Thank you. But I cannot come. I have to train…” she said that so seriously that made Musaki smile.“I won’t be an obstacle to your education way, don’t worry”“Vitoria, welcome” the master Yuen came closer and cheered the guest with a bow.“I see you are taking care of my girl” Vitoria said.“Then why did you bring company?” He couldn’t hide his displeasure.“She is easily to be found in here that is why” Vitoria followed the girl with look as she walked to her class mates “You are right, strange things have happened here these days. But as long as she is with me, she is safe!”Vitoria and Musaki strained. This was definitely true. Here enemies knew about the girl. * * *“He looked like a nice girl”“The nicest, she is cute. How small she looks like”“She wouldn’t take the house near the lake. I hope she doesn’t. Strange happen there“She heard them. They were talking about her. She hated people to talk about her. Whatever happened, she should have this romantic house near the village. A forest was near   the lake, a virgin land, still not cut and the garden had some wild roses.“Do you think you can stay here? Do you expect any company?” The woman asked, knew as estate agent and so many roles in the village.“Yes” The girl smiled and then frowned that he couldn’t buy a house here only by bank account so nobody disturb her. But locals knew about her and some of them came to say hi. The people in the village are few, they cannot hurt me, she thought. “Here are the keys” The kind woman gave them to her and looked at her with suspicion.“It’s a good investment” The guest said turning to her new property. “Well, oh…ah… well” the woman couldn’t think of other interjections so she gave her the documents and said goodbye.The girl smiled for a goodbye with a confident and a little scary smile. The newcomer put her jacket on a chair and was on a pink blouse and worm jeans. Some untamed brown curls came to her face and she put them back in the ponytail. Her blue eyes still sparkled in amusements, she smiled again she was short, irresistible, defenseless. And most of all – she was alone. She didn’t mind that. She went out trough back door of the small house which she had bought. The lake blazed in the light and seemed majestic. There were flowers everywhere, they made her blind and made her smile. She was in colors too, because she wore black in most cases. There was a garden swing on the small veranda. She sat on her tan started to swing slowly. She could feel the wind in her hair. And nothing else. Calm and free. Then she felt some moving in the forest. As if someone was watching her. She wouldn’t see who or what. Maybe the game of the shadows played on the going daylight.  She went in, the shadows started to move. The phone started ringing, but she didn’t answer it just threw it on the bed. She made herself a copy and went back to the swing. She was alone traveler, she didn’t like company. As a wolf in the woods. It was strange that she thought of wolves in that moment. The night was coming; she went in and lighted an old lamp. The novel which was bought recently was very interesting but she didn’t finish it while she was coming to there. Nothing else happened.The main character was in death danger. A sound was heard. It came from the wood. She hoped they didn’t break in.The woman met the death… Again the same noise. She survived. She was saved… the girl looked up.She met her lover and hug him… the door squeaked and fell. They were too close, the thing was too close. She got mad. The book had an epilogue and wanted to read that too.“What a disgrace!” She yelled when the door fell and she threw some shurikens

Samodiva is a mythical Bulgarian creature, a seductress who live in the woods, the only way to take her is to steel her hair. Also called ninja star is traditional Japanese weapon.

В сенките на етажерките

ИК СиелаПреводач: Паулина Мичева

Всъщност очаквах тази история да има повече книжарница и нейното ежедневие, някой пo-странен клиент, а не цяла купчина, но попаднах в един свят на тайни общества, загубени ключове, загадки и приятелства. И все пак това си остава „книжна” книга, тоест една книга (по-скоро поредица от книги) се оказва в средата и посланието за истинското приятелство. И тъй като всички сме имали поне по един такъв случай в живота, книга, филм, сериал или спорт ни е събирал с едни от най-вечните хора, които имаме около нас и прочитайки тези редове, усещането е така носталгично и галещо спомените на читателя
Освен това се разглежда само сблъсъкът книгите и компютрите се разглежда по един много по-сладък и  в никакъв начин не прекалено сух начин, книжарниците през окото на съвременен младеж. Аз не знам какво правят в Гугъл и ми беше интересно, може би на други читатели това би им се сторило скучно, но аз съм от старата школа, а Кат е симпатично наивна, малко дори се влюбих в Нийл. Леката ирония към тайните общества, без която книгата не би била това което е, ми беше забавна. Образите на героите, на които не е обърнато много внимание и въпреки това са изградени правдоподобно и ние ги опознаваме без ни най-малък проблем, макар повествованието да се води от първо лице, единствено число. Сблъсъкът на четеца с книгата, което на мен винаги ми е звучал безсмислен като за яйцето и кокошката и ми върви към името на  розата дали тя щеше да ухае, ако не се казваше така. На какъвто и да е носител да е книгата, историята ще се запази.
Чак сега я прочетох, но си я бяха набелязала отдавна (както всяка книга за книжарница) и не останах никак разочарова както и очаквах и набързо влязох в историята на книга във вечното търсене на истината, която както винаги се оказа простичка и обикновена в една история за една необикновена книжарница.

Гери Йо 

Щъркелите и планината – малко Мураками и български народни приказки

ИК Сиела



Докато я четях, една приятелки ми дойде на готи и ме попита: „А този автор познаваш ли го лично?”, после прочете отзад информира за него и каза: „...май, не” и наистина как бих могла да го познавам, най-вече той не живее тук. Понеже прави България известна и зад граница бях длъжна да видя и първия му роман. Като разказвач го бива и го доказа със сборника му с разкази, макар и тук да се усеща една краткост на формата едно накъсване, това кара книгата да бъде обемна, но пък лъжичка по лъжичка и свършва бързо, шрифтът е големичък (което беше чудесно на очите, ми които напоследък искат да избягат в забвение) и се чете доста бързо. Щом излезе книгата почнаха да капят мнения, че била чудесна за американския пазар, но не и за нашия. Но аз останах на обратното мнение, с тази поверия и история един американец лесно би се объркал за традициите в  една погранична зона, където българи, турци и гърци (и нито един влах!) споделят парче земя и оставят костите си и кръвта върху него. Освен ако човекът не е запознат с нашата култура ще му се  завие свят и ще му се стори безкрайно екзотично.. Все пак това са няколко истории заедно с романсите на внукът и дядото наброяват поне шест. А и някой съпоставяния сами ние можем да разберем, например Партията и натискът й върху всички особено при Възродителния процес и веднага опонира с днешно време където имамът има тежки връзки и е едва ли не се разпорежда с всичко по-важно там. Самият имам, който макар проповедник има дъщеря заболяла от християнска треска. Препращането към орендата и хунския произход, малко хора биха се сетили, макар легендата напълно измислена за Лада и Атила да е една от любимите ми в книгата и най-майсторки написана, другото с тези умалителни  - американче момички, гърче и още 50 подобни ми тежат, а и за мен напевният стил в стил точно българска народна приказка. Трябваше да бъде променен в описание на влюбването на главния герои. Но съм сигурна, че авторът е целял друго, история старо звучене един вече изоставен район.

Тъкмо заради пестеливостта на описания и на първите 3 части ми напомни за „Спутник, моя любов”. Елиф ми напомни за Сумире, страшно твърдоглава, която е все едно света от небето изпусната да живее този живот, Сумире мечтаеше да е писателка с подредения японски свят търсеше хаоса, подобна е борбата и на имамската щерка, която иска да  е независима жена на новото време. И двете се намират своя пристан е Елиф в Бургас, Сумире  на гръцкия остров и после сякаш се стопяват. А главният герои същински учителят К в малко задръстен и учуден от всичко, то няма как  да е щом пристига в тази джунгла в сравнение със света, където живее, където преболедува поне 10 болести (което е чудесен номер в повествованието за едни бълнувания сякаш наяве) и се уплаши от граничарят, но все пак нека отбележим, че в САЩ военните използват оръжието си за война, а не да стреля и удря бившите си гаджета. Но после историята им излзаз на заден пана и показва младините на стареца, като се връща най-накрая за да каже от къде идва щъркеловата планина(заглавието на английски). Щъркелите са в всяко поизоставено наше село. Все пак щеше да ми хареса всички нестинари да си бяха българи, а не само да им се намеква българския произход, но това е една балканска история, не е чисто българска в никакъв случай.Всеки млад човек е искал да промени сета и е мислел, че ще може, всеки е обичал и се разочаровал, но все с тези неизменни за един роман теми вървят пъстрата черга на историята на един древен народ с още по-древни обичаи, чиито деца избягаха на Запад.. А щъркеловите гнезда превземат изоставените ни села, където никое американче няма да намери път назад, освен в авторовото въображение.
 Гери Йо

Преобразени в последен стадий

 Десислава ДюлгерянИК СиелаСлед като прочетох втората книга, чаках тази, а не ми беше никак лесно, първите две ги излапах една след друга, но определено това е черешката на тортата, една тъмочервена кървава черешка, чудесен финал за обемната поредица. Леко кисела, нов се пак сладка. Поредица, която въпреки обема си и възможността с нея да се правят леки тренировки за ръце, се чете много бързо и леко и все не ти се иска да я оставиш, но накрая трябва, защото свършва. Напрегнат еротизъм  изпълнен с насилие и битки, прекрасни същества, доста съспенс, общо взето радва почитателите на жанра. Може би прекаленото привличане на героинята от всичко мъжко около нея, макар и обяснено правдиво малко ми дойде в повече, исках някак си да не ми се разконцтерира вниманието към новите образи.  И все пак си има своята уникалност в героите и повествованието както я описах - една вампирска поредица като моята, но нямат нищо общо. И точно това ме накарада вляза в отбор Диана, че ъбън фентъзите ме изненадва с нещо и все пак не ми звучи нетипично. Хубав край на една хубава поредица и то на български автор, надявам се да има още истории за Диана и напред, дори и много искам да вляза  главите на другите герои станали ми любими. Искам да видя как мисли Теодор, Екатерина, защо не и Лизандтър, затова и не винаги обичам повествованието да е от първо лице, единствено число. Може би някоя предистория или друго приключение на главната ни героиня.
Но дори и историята да си остане така, това си е една пълнокръвна поредица, в която фантастичния елемент върви ръка за ръка с типичните човешки слабости, за да ни даде вълшебни мигове да помечтаем за безсмъртие и живот сред звездите. Гери Йо

Първи стъпки в света на магията

Нилириа УотърИК МонтКакво е Рил Ноон. Не, няма да ви кажа, вие сами ще трябва да разберете, къде е как се стига до там. Билетът е много достъпен една книга, много въображение и малко късмет да срещнете ангелите и да намерите драконите. Но гривната се дава само на избрани.Това е първа книга от чудесна поредица особено ако обичате да четете фантастика, в която нашият свят емалка частичка от други такива, по това ми напомни на добрите стари Хроники на Амбър. За съжаление е само предисловие и току стана съвсем интересно и книгата свърши, дано скоро видим следващата че напоследък продълженията да са ми много болна тема, все чакам, все се бавят, затова и направих изключение като започнах тази книга. Описателен стил с много духовити диалози, добри описания  объркания ум на главната героиня, която ни предава действието. Може би само на мен ми липсва повече действие, но приказната реалност си иска своето. Въпреки това, ако трябва  и да спомена недостатъци би било думите да бяха преведени под страница щеше да  е по-удобно, загубих се из тоя речник накрая, някак не ми вървеше текста, но разбира се, това си е мнение на всеки читател. Друга слабост, която трябва да се спра е използването на изречението за Силата, просто вече е прекалено известно с класиката „Междузвездни войни” и не знам дали е пряка препратка към там или е случайно.Харесаха ми сливането на религиите и намирането на общото им между тях, етнологът в мен просто ликуваше към всички култове и вярвания втъкани тук-там в пъстро одеяло на повествованието. А споменах ли наличието на  драконите – много важно е тяхното присъствие, тук вече съвсем ме омая историята. Но за тях няма да кажа нищо повече. Така е един истински фантаст трябва да черпи от всички вярвания и да слага общото помежду им, докато гради своя собствена история, не е лесно и е леко объркващо. Затова го могат малцина.
Гери Йо

Стъкленият меч и няколко рaзбити сърце

ИК СиелаПреводач: Деница Райкова Втората книга на Виктория Айвярд е вече прочетена и от мен, купих си я същия ден, когато изгледах поредния Х-мен и смея да кажа, че връзката е очарователно забавна. Всъщност не всеки ще я приеме така, това си е моето лично книгоусешане. Заедно с малките намеци за „училището за чудаци на Мер” или за нейната малка армия, няма как да не ме направят върл читател,  Самата Айвярд е добре напреднала с писането като втората част се усеща надграждане, най-вече психологическо, не е идеализиран, а по-скоро реалистичен образ на главната героиня при цялата фантастична обстановка. Тя е стъклен меч, но стъклото е по-крехко от желязото. Може би всичко вървеше малко шеметно и докато се усетя свърши битка след битка, но и Мер, която научава истинската цена на промяната с много кръв и жертви, дори иска живота, който познава и който по своему би бил безличен и безсмислен. Образът й не е на типичния войн като на Кал и това малко не ми хареса, образите на Шейд, Килорн и Кал са ни спестени, но се надявам в следващата книга, когато ще има и друго повествование да я повече от Кал (за Шейд, уви, вече е късно). Идеите, които се прокрадват, че човек трудно се променя, и въпреки кървавите революции накрая нещо малко се променя, а всички антиутопии ни учат точно на това. Страшничко, а? Когато хората със сили, са малко са супергерои, когато са повече, са подтисници. Много неочаквано поднесено беше, че в стара пълна със хора със способности се появяват изненадващи и по-силни образи. Интересни сблъсъци през цялото време. Определено вече е една от авторките, които ще следя , млада, талантлива, пък и даже симпатична.Корицата контрастира с предишната този път изцяло в черно, и разбира се, преводът на Деница Райкова правят книгата чудесно поднесена  на български език. 

Гери Йо