Two for tragedy. Volume 2 - стр. 20

– 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?

With these heavy thoughts, I fell into darkness. I don't know how long I slept, or if the vampire came to my room, but when I woke up, it was dark outside the big windows. It must have been late evening: as I walked to the window, I saw that the park in front of the castle was beginning to be lit by the light of tall lanterns.

– Where is he? – I exclaimed nervously.

– I heard you get up. I hope you got a good night's rest. – I heard the vampire's voice outside the door, and then the key turned in the keyhole and the door opened.

Grayson stood on the doorstep.

I couldn't help but think about how handsome the bastard was. And behind that beautiful shell was such a horrible monster! Such a black soul!

– The lights come on automatically, you just have to do it. – He clapped his hands together and a bright light appeared in the room.

– What time is it? – I asked him.

– It's eleven twenty-three. It's time to get up," Grayson answered me seriously. – We have to celebrate our arrival. But I want you to get cleaned up and put this on. – He tossed a piece of cloth on the bed.

'Celebrate our arrival? Is he laughing? Although, why do I ask? Of course he's laughing! He wants me to get cleaned up and celebrate with him the beginning of my confinement in his castle!" – I thought mockingly.

What a farce! What folly! What a humiliation to celebrate the beginning of my own death!

– I want to take a shower," I said quietly. – I smell awful.

– You do. Go take a shower, and then come to the dining room. – Grayson went to the door. – If you don't show up in half an hour-I'll come get you myself, but then I'll be angry. You already know that I'm not very polite when I'm angry.

My cheek ached at those words, as if to confirm his words, and I pressed my palm to my face as if it would chase the pain away.

Grayson grinned.

– That's right, Viper. You're a good guesser.

The vampire left, and I hurried into the bathroom, where I was fortunate to find neatly folded, clean bath towels, and took a short, warm shower, gulping down the water with pleasure. I didn't bother washing my hair, as it didn't look too bad, and besides, I didn't have time for it. Back in the bedroom, I grabbed the dress the vampire had brought from the bed: it was a long, silk, classic, black dress with two wide straps. I wondered how Grayson would have a woman's dress in his house if he lived alone, but remembering his threats, I changed quickly, slipped on my black ballet flats and brushed my hair with a comb. All that remained was to find the canteen. Going down to the ground floor and assuming that the canteen should be there, I was surprised to realise that I was wrong. I went up to the first floor and walked briskly down the corridor, but I was again disappointed, and my mind was pierced by the chilling thought that the time for my search was running out.