Two for tragedy. Volume 2 - стр. 19

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.