Boyana was a vampire.

True, she did not have the long canines, sickly looks or bags under her eyes that we have learned to associate with B-movies and other forms of modern mass culture merchandise.

Quite the opposite.

Boyana was a vampire proper—evil breath turned solid. The process of solidification of evil breath and its transformation into a vessel of darkness is slow and might take anywhere from ten to a hundred years. Initially, the vampire is but a shadow lurking amongst humans, a mist without form in a sea of human bodies. It must be noted that a vampire is not a living thing and can gain neither life nor soul. It is, in its essence, an enemy of life itself and exists solely to feast on the souls of the living. To this end, it will always be drawn to people. Draining the light radiance of the souls of its hapless victims, it weakens them and grows in strength and density.

In the beginning of its material existence, the evil breath thickens to sludge and though it takes human form it often loses it for lack of substance. It is a time when the vampire is extremely vulnerable so it must stay out of sight but close enough to its prey to keep feeding. Hence, it skulks around basements and garrets when the sun is up and creeps in rooms to suck the life out of the sleeping at night. It goes on like this for some time until the day the vampire’s body is complete. Once this happens, a vampire is hard to tell from a human. On the inside though, it is nothing but amorphous, with no bones, organs or anything human-related. Like a doll made of rubber. There are those who claim that a vampire’s body is full of blood which they suck from their victims. However, these stories persist for one reason alone: to set fashions. One thing cannot be denied—the market share of the popular idea for sullen hunks stripped to the waist and seductive ladies on high heels in tight black leather outfits who off-handedly engage in mind-blowing sports acrobatics garnered with blood and violence in excess, is huge.

Traditional concepts, too, are full of smoke. Contrary to popular belief, vampires have no issues with the light of day nor are they averse to garlic or silver. Killing a vampire proves to be quite difficult. Independent from its physical form due to its nature, the evil breath can solidify and continue its existence in another body should its old one be destroyed. To kill a vampire, the evil inside must be driven away to where it was spawned, back to the fires of Hell.

Boyana was done solidifying a long time ago. She was rather nondescript—ageless, medium height, hair of no particular colour worn in a boring style, her eyes faded and her body, the image of a cheap play doll. One could not say her skin was pale but that it was washed-out and even a little see-through like a boiled turnip. This spawn of Abaddon would choose ordinary clothes and blend so easily with humans that she turned practically invisible.

Boyana alone knew the moment she had first appeared in this unholy land but this sad event must have happened a long time ago. Other vampires respected her mostly for her age but regarded her as a misfit because her score of victims and lost human souls was nothing to be proud of. Vampires far younger fared much better than her, killing dozens at once, sucking them hollow and gaining power and influence over the world of humans. While Boyana bided her time, making targeted souls suffer one by one, never in a hurry, focusing all her energy on one hapless victim tearing it apart piece by piece until it was no more. She did not lust for power and sought no privilege. She was ancient, indifferent and evil. This more than anything made her rather dull and boring, just another agent of Evil.

In the course of her long existence, she had travelled far and wide never staying long in one place for anyone to notice she did not get old. Bigger cities were her domain as she could stay anonymous among the cattle. Besides, there were plenty of sinners whose souls were easy prey for a vampire’s insatiable hunger. The bustling crowd jostled, shoved and yelled while the predator’s keen senses feasted on the life juice that washed over her billowing out from people. She bumped into a young woman who was screaming into her mobile phone. Boyana sensed desperation, just a bit and anger, in plenty. The woman did not seem to notice and kept shouting. Boyana turned in with the flow to follow the stranger in the crowd like a skilled surfer, eyes on the woman’s back and listening in on the conversation. She could hear the exchange easily, not that the woman cared the whole world was a witness. The vampire closed in and took a sniff at her aura. A reek of decay and disease so typical of a woman of the streets. This soul had already gone down the dark road and was of no interest to a vampire.

But Boyana had picked up another trail.

Her auditory range well above average, she could hear the voice of the other one the woman was shouting at. There was an immaturity to him, just a boy in his late teens. Boyana could sense resistance and defiance in the tone of his voice but what whetted her appetite was the promise of a young and chaste soul. Fresh, sweet and succulent, the aroma of innocence was not something a fierce vampire could resist. There was no doubt, this most delectable meal would be the next victim of the hyena from hell. Following the woman, Boyana learned she was the mother of the boy whose name was July. The mother tossed the phone in her bag with one final curse managing to hit yet another passerby. The innocent man offered an apology but collected another obscenity from the hateful woman.

The vampire kept the stranger in her sights until they reached a rundown part of the city where the locals hung in groups around corners and abused substances of doubtful origin. They hailed the woman often and made a few lewd remarks as a taunt. Her name was Silva. And since she was not in the mood to play along, she gave them the middle finger and some equally graphic profanities. The ensuing verbal skirmish kept the audience too busy to notice Boyana skulking behind Silva.

A couple of stinking streets on, the woman sank into the gloom of a seedy arcade and was soon lost behind some old store’s rusty peeling advertising boards. The vampire promptly followed her inside the dark old building. Evil creatures have a taste for the macabre and all kinds of hair-raising developments. Darkness held comfort for Boyana. It was home. 

Silva’s foul smell led Boyana to the entrance of a shabby building, a dingy staircase marked with urine and up to a corner apartment on the third floor, down a hallway. Its front door was barely hanging on the hinges like a wounded soldier leaning for support on a friend’s shoulder. The tenant hadn’t bothered to close the door which meant everyone was invited. Boyana eased inside like a shadow. She was not accustomed to getting invites anywhere—contrary to popular belief a vampire is never a welcome guest. 

The air was stale which could mean either that the windows were rarely if ever open or a rat had died under a cupboard. The apartment was poorly designed—a two-bedroom layout, the passageway, a separate bedroom on the far end and a bathroom opposite. Silva’s scanty dress lay in a pile among empty bottles, garbage and the cigarette burns on the floor where it had been hastily removed without a care. The dress’s owner seemed to be taking a shower judging by the snorts and sloshing sounds coming from the bathroom. Boyana saw Silva’s bag lying on a chair, rummaged through its contents for the mobile phone, found the number of the boy in the recent calls list and committed it to memory. She put the phone back and adjusted the bag. Bathing took a long time so it can’t have been just about hygiene. The vampire was patient and having nothing better to do found it prudent to sit down. She looked at the battered sofa, exiled behind a table laden with all kinds of forgotten objects and took a seat cautiously at one end.

She waited. After what seemed an eternity the noise from the shower stopped. Silva appeared naked at the door in a cloud of steam. She was a bit on the thin side, her body showing the awkward signs of hasty cosmetic surgeries. Her skin, covered up in tasteless tattoos, sagged a little in some important places. Water kept dripping on the floor as she had thought it a good idea to dry up and keep cool at the same time. Silva showed no surprise at the uninvited guest and asked:

“And who are you?”

The naked woman came to the table and retrieved a packet of cigarettes from the mess. She helped herself to one sorry fag, discarded the packet without bothering to offer her guest a smoke and looked around for a lighter. Boyana produced one and lit her cigarette.

“My name is Boyana and I am the school psychologist with the school of your son, July.”

Silva took a long drag from the cigarette which was now damp between her fingers and shot the vampire a look full of suspicion.

“No family name, how cool! What is it you want?” She crossed arms below her breast implants and breathed out a cloud of smoke down at Boyana who was still sitting.

“You must be Silva, his mother, right?”

Silva nodded once behind a curtain of smoke.

“I’d like to talk to you about the boy but perhaps you would like to get dressed first?” And the guest met the sharp look with an amiable smile.

"A couch doctor is a first for me." Silva made the statement with some annoyance and reached for her short gown in red and black hanging on the door. "What has the little bastard done this time?"

"No, no, he has done nothing wrong," said Boyana hurriedly, affecting concern. "It's just that I am new to the school and at this age, boys…"

"Why don't you take your bullshit somewhere else, doll!" cut in Silva. “A client will come in any moment now and I want your sorry psycho ass out of my workplace!”

But the millennium vampire was a class act and a cheap whore was just not in the same league. Boyana had gone there full of purpose and had the tools to achieve it without making headlines in the media and drawing undue attention to herself. She remained seated but her smile hardened and she leaned forward ever so slightly.

“How goes it, dove?”

This high-spirited greeting came from a man who barged in, all smiles, and threw his arms wide for a big warm hug. Boyana looked at the stranger, leaned back and the soft smile returned on her face. The newcomer looked like a permanent fixture in a drinking establishment of dubious reputation. His smirk did not benefit much from the golden tooth that shone from the depths of his mouth. He noted Silva had company and without breaking his comic posture raised his eyebrows, creased his forehead and gawped.

"Luci!" exclaimed Silva with joy she did not really feel, and jumped in his arms rather theatrically. "Don't just stand there, silly, come on in. The neighbour was just leaving, isn't that right…. Joanne?"

"Actually, it is Boyana. Nice to meet you. I am the school psychologist," she corrected and her mild features turned plasticky.

“Bugger off, deadhead! Told you I have an important guest…” started Silva, baring her teeth at the vampire sitting amicably on the sofa.

“Hold it, sweetie! Cut it off!” The golden tooth shone briefly. First upper left molar. “Look here, we have our own psychopath.”

“Psychologist…”

“Well, of course!”

“...from the school…”

“… of our July!” added the gold tooth. “Hi, love, my name’s Luci and you were Joanne…”

“Boyana…”

“So it is!” Luci settled down next to her on the sofa. “Dove, get us a cup of coffee and a shot!” he said, addressing the hostess now.

Visibly flustered, Silva got to making coffee though her mouth remained open at such an unexpected turn of events.

 “What of July’s father?” Boyana asked her. “He does not appear in the school records.”

“Ah, the Father!” Luci said mockingly, stressing on the first letter. “Why do we keep paying tribute to such trivialities? Honey, enlighten the psycho here about the demon who fathered your little angel.”

At this point, Silva burst out laughing, almost spilling the coffee she was carrying on a tray.

“Ha-ha, you must be joking! A father!” And still shaking with laughter, she turned to Boyana. “The angel was conceived at a drunken orgy! There were at least thirty bucks who had a go at me. Lucien, you were there too, you rascal...”

“Come on, dove, you know I save it for special occasions only,” said Luci with false modesty and grinned.

“Coffee’s ready and Jack on the rocks!” Silva served with an unctuous smile and added, “Just coffee for the ladies 'cause one is leaving and the other’s working!”

“So the father is unaccounted for,” Boyana made the statement noncommittally without showing any signs of indignation at Silva’s outrageous behaviour.

“His father is none of your goddamn business!” It was the hostess’ turn to get annoyed. “Don’t you have one of your own to worry about?”

“He passed away...”

“Who’d guess, with a daughter like you…” Silva made an ugly face.

“Dove, don’t scrunch up that sweet face of yours,” Luci told her off and added, “I remember my father quite well. He was such a tyrant. I guess he still is… somewhere in the pits of Hell! Ha-ha!”

Luci roared with laughter and Silva promptly joined in though she was obviously out of clue, while Boyana smiled stiffly not letting go of her cup. The revelry slowly died down and the hostess asked between two sobs:

“I don’t get it, darling! What is it you want with this boob? I say we get rid of her and shake the sofa a bit. It is where I do what I do, after all!”

“This boob, dolly, wants to look after our duckling,” Luci’s smile held no warmth. “I see you need to scratch an itch but can you tame the beast and let the grownups do the talking?”

Silva’s jaw dropped and she stood dumbfounded for a moment casting a confused glance at Luci who kept his eyes riveted on Boyana while he was slowly sipping his cold drink. Not sure how to take this, the hostess chose to bail out with a joke.

“Lucien, honey, you must be at least twenty years my junior! You are a real smoothie!”

Silva’s remark caught Luci off guard while Boyana fell about laughing, almost spilling her coffee. The gold tooth quickly caught up with the joke and bellowed as if he had only just realized how funny the village idiot’s words actually were.

“Now you are hurting my feelings,” Silva pouted and, added spitefully, “and you, cow, must be at least double my age!”

This had the guests rolling in the aisles, barely able to breathe and tears streamed down their faces. As sudden as a heart attack, the anger hit Silva and her face came out in red spots. She hissed like a cat and lashed out at Boyana reaching for her throat. Luci’s reaction was surprisingly strong and fast. He ceased laughing in an instant and held the angry woman by the waist with one swift movement. He pulled her in his lap and trying to calm her down stroked her back the way you tame an animal.

Boyana did not even flinch but her laughter died down and when her eyes settled on the couple she looked amused.

“Cut it, dove, we are most certainly not killing the psychopath. She is a teacher after all and someone’s bound to come looking for her.” Luci’s words were meant to soothe but he kept a tight grip on the woman who was still trying to break the hold. “Plus, while she is still with us she won’t lay a finger on our little angel.”

This statement slowly found its way to Silva’s head and she looked at him suspiciously.

“What do you mean?”

“Well, you know how therapists are…” said Luci under his breath.

Still sitting in his lap, Silva gave him a questioning look.

“Why bring it up again about this loafer? I told you he will be working for you before he knows it. Is it you who asked this one to come round?” She bristled, ready to explode once again.

“How can your little head come up with such utter nonsense?” he asked defensively.

“Now wait a minute! What do you mean 'working for him?'” Boyana tried to catch up.

“Shut up bitch! You shouldn’t even be here!” raged Silva. “Bugger off!”

“I told you she is staying!” Luci’s voice echoed around the room like thunder. 

His face stern, Luci rose to his feet still cradling the woman in his arms like a doll and tossed her on the sofa next to Boyana. The two women were hushed and silent but each one’s face told a different story. One looked startled, the other was openly hostile.

“I believe you understand I am not leaving matters as they are,” said Boyana, drawing herself up and setting her cup down carefully on the dirty table. “This young innocent soul needs protection and I will use all lawful means to make sure he goes to a childcare institution!”

“Too late for that, dear!” Luci bared his teeth and leaned over her menacingly. “I came first and he is mine! I know the law better than you do and besides, I have a contract here signed in his mother’s blood.” He waved a folded sheet under the nose of the vampire.

Boyana did not bother to look. Her eyes were locked on his as if she was trying to incinerate him. Silva could swear she could see a red glow in the pupils of her dear tomcat. She was doing her best to keep up with the conversation but she knew she was missing something. She had no doubt the other two were old acquaintances. She would like to think of Luci as a friend but in fact she was scared of him because he had a cruel streak. He was her client, her boss, her guardian and torturer, a seducer and confessor. He was her master. She could hardly imagine anyone standing up to him. Let alone a hussy so dull and boring you wouldn’t notice unless you tripped over her. But what really got to her was that suddenly it was all about this spotty boy, her son. She was quite certain she had never loved him. He was just a huge misfortune meant to ruin it all for a young prostitute who held much promise. Most of her colleagues turned to the streets having lost all hope but she knew she was born into it. Or at least this is how she chose to see it. Men adored her and showered her with presents and all kinds of frills. Especially after Luci had appeared. It might be that she had signed something. Often she was either drunk or high. Plus, she was not interested in papers. But as it turns out some flying sheets and kids could be important!

When Silva let her demons hold the reins they would rarely leave her soul on their own. With a lightning fast move she snatched the folded paper from Luci’s hand. Then, Silva smiled triumphantly and carelessly tore the document to pieces.

They had barely touched the ground before they melted away right in front of her eyes. Luci, however, still held the very same folded sheet of paper as though it had never left his hand.

“But h-h-how?” stammered Silva trying to hold on to her sanity.

“Only he can tear it, you shithead!” said Boyana cruelly, and then turned to Luci. “The boy must sign it in his own blood, moron!”

It was getting late and everything inside the flat lit up with the red light of the setting sun trickling in through dirty windows. Silva felt confused, which was alright if she had been drinking, but she wasn’t. When in a fix she had always found alcohol really helpful so she grabbed the square bottle she had poured Luci’s glass from. She took a few good swigs and the world got visibly brighter. The man was watching her closely as if getting ready for something.

“Now, Lucien…” started Silva in an effort to set things right. After a lengthy pause, she continued, “I don’t think you can find any clients for July. My boy’s not exactly handsome. You said as much yourself. And he is not into old geezers, is what he told me. We even had a fight because of your bullshit. What do you say we forget about all this and blast off? You promised me once…” She washed her throat with more spirit.

“Mother?” There was a tall, lanky youth in the doorway. “They called me on the phone and left the line open. I figured it would be from home.”

“On the phone? Smart move, Ms. Psycho!” mused Luci with a smirk and plopped down on an armchair next to the sofa to enjoy the spectacle.

“You know I will never cede this innocent child to you,” said Boyana and hung up the phone still in her bag. “Do come in, July! It was me who called you.”

Silva gave him an indifferent wave and went back to kissing the bottle. 

“She claims to be from your school,” offered Luci and the gold tooth glinted again. “Making some big claims for such a menial clerk, hey?”

The sun had already set, throwing the room into darkness.

“I sure am!” Boyana got up rather menacingly and her voice came out harsh. “Since the boy is now here, I have no more need of you. I am taking him in my custody.”

“A virgin coming on strong always gives me the thrills! Especially at night!” They could not make out Luci’s face in the dark but his voice was steamy.

He got up to his feet, a movement too graceful to be believed.

“Hey, Lucien?” Silva’s drawl eased the tension in the room. “Didn’t this contract say you owe me something?”

She was just a silhouette against a dark background but one could not help imagine the grin on her silly face. They heard a click when July tried the switch but the flat remained dark. Electricity had been cut off most likely. One has to pay the bills.

“Now’s not the time for this, dove…” Hesitation had suddenly crept into his voice.

“I want you, now!” whined Silva and Luci felt her top brush over his head. “You promised eternal bliss, Prince Charming, and I am hurting for…”

“Oh, come on!” moaned July.

“Prince Charming?” Boyana was gloating now. “You must stick to the contract, you know that! And I am taking you to the school guard, my boy. It’s getting late!”

“I am not going anywhere! I don’t know you and all this is so disgusting, it must end!”

“July, let’s go with her,” a fine figure all in white had just appeared in the gloomy hallway.

“Where did you come from?” asked Boyana, failing to hide her surprise.

“July’s new girlfriend. Now, we will come with you to school,” she said, and touching July’s shoulder added, “and you will introduce me to your mother some other time. Won’t you dear?”

“July… wait…” started Luci but Silva, who was now naked, pulled his neck toward her, almost toppling him over.

It was as if July had lost his wits at the girl’s touch so Boyana hooked her arms through theirs and hurried them out of the flat. She could see clearly in the dark, so they quickly picked their way out of the building.

They walked in silence in the still night. There was hardly a soul around, just the early autumn wind rattling the branches of the trees. Somewhere ahead, the silhouette of a huge, ugly building swam out of the shadows into the dim light of streetlamps.

“Hey, Angelina, this is not my school. I think we should have turned right two streets back,” said July in a small voice.

Boyana heard this but even so she did not break stride, wrapped in thoughts of her own and oblivious to the bleak world around them.

“I will take her there and be back soon,” whispered the girl softly.

“Do you know her?” The boy’s surprise was just as hushed.

“She has been in my care for ages.”