Ловушка для Мыслеформы. A Trap for a Thought-Form. Премия им. М. Булгакова / M. Bulgakov Award (Билингва: Rus/Eng)

Suddenly, the Witch, the author of «The Devil’s Trill», introduced by me at the first party there, appeared in the hall.

The Guardian gave her a displeased look, which she immediately noticed, being frozen at the entrance. However, as soon as I announced the break for an autograph and photo session with the Killer, the Witch sailed up to me.

«May I take a picture of you?» she asked with a mysterious smile.

«Of me?!» I raised my eyebrows in surprise. «Why? A professional photographer took a billion pictures of everybody, including me, during your own party here!»

«Please, Alice, just one frame!» exclaimed the Witch and added in a whisper, «Hurry!»

Her mesmerizing voice and magical look frightened me no less than «Hurry!» and the Guardian’s bell of the previous night.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed the Guardian hurrying towards us and Roman entering the hall.

«Hurry up!» repeated the Witch, looking around nervously.

I remained standing with my back to the Giant Mirror when the Witch took a picture of me, but the Guardian immediately grabbed her hand.

«Milady?» he said sternly. «Taking pictures of portals is strictly prohibited!»

The Witch mysteriously looked into the Guardian’s eyes, while there was some movement on her phone, something was appearing, flickering and disappearing. When that stopped, she silently handed the phone to the Guardian. He scanned the file folder, but apparently found nothing criminal.

The Witch headed for the exit. The Guardian followed her, and I hurried to my table…

«How are you?» Roman asked calmly, and I wanted so much to bury myself in him, so that he would hug me and… express compassion or protect?.. no, there was no such word there and then…

«This Mansion is the most mysterious place in our city I have ever been to,» I breathed out and added mentally, «What’s going on? Do you understand anything?»

«And what other places in the city have you been to?» Roman asked aloud obvious nonsense, in my opinion.

However, I thought about it and got into a wall of fog!

«Aah! Well, of course, to the Union of Writers!»

Roman kept silent, and then, as if gently stroking my back with his eyes, said,

«Let’s go on!»

«Whatever you want,» I nodded obediently.

Task No. 7. SACRIFICE

…The sacrifice is one of the ways to attract the attention of the Higher Forces to oneself.