Читать книгу Two for tragedy. Volume 2 - Анна Морион - Страница 4

"This is it: my prison is in front of me"-The thought flashed through my brain, and goosebumps ran through my body.

Grayson pressed some button on the control panel, and the gate opened slowly and silently. The car drove into a huge courtyard, and the gate closed just as silently. Grayson stopped the car at a beautiful large fountain.

– Welcome to my castle. Get out," the vampire ordered me in an indifferent tone, quickly got out of the car and walked toward the castle without paying attention to me.

The brightly shining sun immediately exposed his real form, and that horrible sight made me shiver and shudder with a sense of disgust. But I obediently got out of the car, and I saw the castle where the vampire had said he would keep me for a month.

It was a huge castle of dark stone, with two towers at the corners. Logically, I figured that the same two towers were on the other side of the castle, since it stretched even farther back. Grayson Castle looked like the castles in nineteenth-century English films: beautiful and elegant, with huge windows and columns supporting a large porch, and sheltering under a vault of slightly scary but eye-catching stone gargoyles. A wide stone staircase rose to the high porch, flanked on both sides by heavy but beautiful stone railings. The castle was mesmerising and there was something mysterious about it: looking at it, I felt this beautiful old building pressing down on me with its monumental weight. And I suddenly thought: "Did this beauty was created by human beings?

In front of the castle there was a huge park covered with well-maintained paths, greens, bushes and trees, and beds of colourful beautiful flowers bloomed under the huge windows of the castle. This free and natural layout of the park is commonly referred to by landscape designers as the "English Park". In the centre of the courtyard, where Grayson parked his car, surrounded by carved wooden benches, stood a large stone fountain in which three girls carved in white marble poured water from their palms. In the distance behind the castle could be seen a forest. The castle, park, and forest must have occupied a simply huge area. And all that magic belonged to a vampire I hated.

I turned back to the gate and took a closer look at it: it was part of the high fence that obviously surrounded the entire estate. The top of the iron gate was crowned with sharp spires, and the fence itself was wrapped in some bright, curly green plant covered in purple and dark pink flowers.

It was the estate of a true English aristocrat of delicate taste, and in my heart I involuntarily confessed to myself that it was simply magnificent. On the way to the estate I had imagined my future prison in a completely different way, thinking that Grayson's castle would be a scary dark building covered in fog, as it is often portrayed in vampire films, gloomy and frightening. But Grayson's castle was the complete opposite of that picture: it was beautiful, bright and well-maintained.

"So I'll have a luxury prison," I grinned, but I was sure I'd spend the rest of my time rotting in the dank casemates that this castle, so bright on the outside, was probably filled with.

Grayson seemed to have forgotten about me, and I didn't know where to go or what to do, so I sat on the beautiful bench by the fountain and waited for the vampire to come back for me.

How silly! He was gone, but instead of trying to escape, I waited patiently for him to return! Escape – what a sweet word! But that cruel vampire knew the words he used to bind me to him tighter than a chain, and he made me an obedient puppet-as soon as he mentioned Cedric's name, my will died.

– 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?

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.

Suddenly, the clock chimed loudly, announcing itself to the entire castle, and I shuddered with surprise, and goosebumps ran down my spine. I feverishly counted the beat of the clock. Running up to the third floor, I opened door after door with desperation, and with two more strikes before midnight, I finally found the dining room. As soon as I entered and closed the door behind me, the lights in the dining room went out, and all I could see was a long table and Grayson standing at the window.