Two for tragedy. Volume 2
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– How do you like my modest residence? – I heard the vampire's voice just above my ear, making me jump with surprise.
How could he sneak up on me so silently, despite the fine gravel of the paths?
– She's not immodest at all," I said, glancing up at him; fortunately, Grayson was in the shadow of the castle and not a horrible skeleton.
– Come on, let's go get your luggage. – The vampire grabbed my hand, and we walked to his car again.
When we stepped out into the sunlight, I was horrified to see the vampire's hand clutching mine: it had turned into an ugly bone, covered in yellow, dried skin. I felt creepy and uncomfortable, but I couldn't even squeak-it made Grayson even more frightening. He was something even worse than Cedric. His true age was probably the reason. What was he saying? He's over three hundred years old!
Grayson turned to me, and I could barely keep from shrieking in horror: his beautiful, pale face had turned into the face of a monster, and was even creepier than Cedric's had been when he'd revealed himself to me. But I loved Cedric, and I didn't care that he was a monster. Grayson, on the other hand, I hated and feared-he was a monster, and I was at his mercy.
– Don't worry, you'll get used to my form soon enough," the vampire told me mockingly. – Morgan's never shown himself to you like this, has he?
– Once," I squeezed out.
He grinned-a smile that must have made me shake.
– Get used to it: I won't hide. – Grayson let go of my hand and opened the boot, pulling out my suitcase and tossing it at my feet. – Pick it up and carry it to the castle.
Picking my suitcase up off the ground, I set it on its wheels and dragged it behind me. The vampire and I headed towards the castle. As we walked in the sun, I tried not to look at Grayson, but in the shadows, my tormentor became handsome again. We climbed the stone stairs (I had to carry my heavy suitcase myself), and the vampire opened the tall wooden door in front of me, with a beautiful metal weave of leaves on it.
– Welcome to Sunset Hall! – he said in an unexpectedly friendly tone, and suddenly he pushed me through the door, causing me to fall face-first to the floor.
– Can you not yank and push me? – I blurted out.
– I can if you ask me to," Grayson said.
– So you don't know what it means to be polite! – I grumbled, getting to my feet and shaking off my jeans and T-shirt.
– You don't deserve to be polite," he replied calmly and shut the door.
Deciding to ignore him, I looked at the interior of the castle with curiosity: it was luxurious, but elegant. Every little detail seemed to have been taken care of, and everything seemed to rest so perfectly in its place, as if there were no other place for it. But one surprising detail caught my eye: all the windows were covered with dark, thick curtains, and the hall was quite dark, with only daylight coming through the small oval windows at the very ceiling, which was so high that I had to lift my head. On the very ceiling hung a huge, must have been a crystal chandelier. A wide, white, marble staircase led to the upper floors.
The vampire suddenly took the suitcase from me and headed up the stairs. Not expecting such a pleasant favour from him, I ran after him.
What's wrong with him? Had he become the polite host of the castle, as if I were really his guest? His motives and actions were a complete mystery to me. The only thing I was sure of was that his soul was rotten and black.
When we got to the first floor, we walked down a long stone corridor: all the curtains were open, and it was filled with daylight. The vampire walked so fast that I had to almost run after him. There was no carpet on the floor, and my hurried footsteps echoed off the high ceiling and walls. Grayson's footsteps weren't heard at all, as if he were floating above the floor.
Grayson stopped next to one of the doors. I walked up to him, a little out of breath from my fast walk-the corridors of the castle were long enough for a morning jog.
– You'll live here," the vampire said, opening the door and letting me go in first.
Suspecting a trap, I glanced warily at Grayson, but he smiled charmingly back at me.
I took in more air and stepped through the door, and instead of a trap or a dungeon, I was greeted by a large, bright room with beautiful, expensive furniture and a fireplace. It didn't fit in my head, and it was not what I had expected. I looked at Grayson, puzzled.
– Where's the prison? – I asked quietly.
– I need you healthy," he said in an indifferent tone, and as he entered the room, he tossed my suitcase into the corner. – You're my guest, and you'll be staying in the guest room.
– Are you kidding me? – I asked, not believing in the nobility of his intentions. – You made it clear to me that you would kill me, so why all this circus?
– A circus? No, viper, it's called hospitality.
– Why do you want me alive? So you can mock me?!
– Sure, that, too. But that's not really why I need you alive," Grayson replied with a grim smile.
"I won't kill you right away, but I will drink your blood every day, stretching out the pleasure." – The words he said in the car pierced my mind.
Insults were tearing out of my throat, but all I could do was stare at his face in silence, unable to open my mouth.
– Besides, for a whole month you'll be my only companion. I'd be bored alone. Can you play chess?
– I do, but you'd better kill me right away! – I replied sarcastically: what's he talking about? What chess?
– No, killing you is too trivial. You'll entertain me. – Grayson came up to me and touched my cheek. – And I want to drink your blood every day, not drink it all at once.
I was terrified, and I wished he'd go away and leave me alone. Just for a little while! His presence depressed and suffocated me.
– I am terribly tired," I whispered. And I wasn't lying-I was terribly sleepy.
– No, Viper, I have so much more to show you," the vampire replied calmly.
– You don't understand… I know you're not tired, but I… I'm human, and I need to rest and sleep… Please. – I decided to achieve solitude even through a humiliating request, just so he would leave me alone.
Grayson stared at me incredulously, as if wondering if I was telling the truth or lying to his face. And I cringed, remembering that he didn't like lies, and at the thought that he'd hit me again if he thought I was lying to him.
– Well, rest, but for the first and last time. – He walked quickly out of the room and locked the door behind him.
Throwing myself onto the wide, beautifully made bed, I buried my face into the pillow and cried quietly. I couldn't understand what the vampire wanted from me! He said he wanted my blood and suffering, but then why did he let me rest? Why is he so volatile and insistently polite? Why does he call me a "guest" and not a prisoner? Why doesn't he call Markus again? After all, he had it in his head that I had to be silenced! Maybe he didn't want to upset his best friend on the eve of his wedding. But he could have told Cedric's parents about me! What are his plans? How long is Grayson going to torture me before he plays with me and deigns to kill me?