Читать книгу My Ice Prince - Анна Морион - Страница 7

The next afternoon, after the lectures were over, walking over to my bike, I suddenly discovered a small note printed on a printer in my coat pocket. The contents of this secret notice surprised and made me laugh: it was an invitation to take part in some sort of «Fox Hunt» and for this purpose I was to arrive at the back gate of St. Hugo's College at half-past ten in the evening, wearing a short skirt, heels, and «fox ears» on my head. There was also a pub route – mandatory stops where I would have to drink a bunch of alcoholic drinks and then run to the finish line – the last pub. Bullshit. Underneath the text was a plea not to show this note to anyone and to destroy it.

«What idiot planted this on me? Does anyone seriously expect me to show up? Nonsense, that's all!» – I thought mockingly.

Contrary to the call for absolute secrecy, I decided to show the note to Mary to laugh with her.

– Don't be a fool and don't go! It's fun for the rich idiots, but dangerous for the girls. This «hunt» is idiotic. Haven't you ever heard of it? – Mary frowned, crumpled up the note and handed it to me.

«How ridiculous! Vampires hunting humans, and humans hunting girls dressed as foxes!» – I smiled to myself, but out loud I said: – No, never. And what is this «hunt»?

– It's when squealing freshman girls in short skirts and high heels run away from «hunters» – guys in red jackets. Do you know who the «hunters» are?

– I have no idea.

– It's a group of Playboys who are members of a secret society, and this «hunt» is their main annual fun. I don't think I need to tell you what happens to the foxhunters at the end of the night. So just keep your nose out of it, okay?

– I wasn't going to: in my opinion, all this action is ridiculous! – I replied grudgingly and threw the paper into the trash can under the sink.

– By the way, the role of «foxy» invite only the most attractive girls. So you're one of them» said Mary.

– But I'm not happy to be considered pretty! It's a very unpleasant word. Do any girls voluntarily accept it? – I was genuinely surprised. – After all, it is such a nonsense!

– If no one would not agree, «hunting» would not be organized. And every year. And there are always a lot of girls there, – said my neighbor. – Okay, I'm going to the bathroom!

She left, and I went to the Internet and found a detailed article about the «Fox Hunt». It turns out that she organized a secret men's society «Black Swan», and in some year all its members were expelled from the university. But with a new set of students the society was revived and again organized this stupid entertainment. How vulgar!

Mary came to see me later.

– By the way, your Playboy asked me today if we were lesbians» she said cheerfully.

– What?» I was surprised beyond belief.

– Yeah, I had the same reaction.

– And what did you say?

– That he was ill-mannered.

– Good for you. – I praised him. – And he's a tactless pig!

– He is! I'm good with lesbians, but I wanted to knock him on the head.

– Now it's my turn to lie in the bathtub! – I said hastily to avoid further conversation on the subject. – Is the shower gel in there?

– Uh-huh. – Mary sat down at my laptop.

Ever since she'd forgotten her shower gel in Scotland, we'd been using mine: Mary still hadn't bought a new one, but I did it regularly, but I thought it was a friendly, neighbourly thing to do.

I went into the bathroom and immediately heard my smartphone ringing: since I had specially set different tunes on all my relatives, I knew that if Kaiser Chiefs was playing, it was my mum calling me.

– Misha, there's a call for you! – Mary shouted. – I'll get the phone for you!

She ran into the bathroom and handed me my smartphone.

– Thank you! – I quickly undressed, got into the bath and only then answered the call.

– Good evening, sweetie» Mum said in a friendly voice.

– Hi, Mum» I replied.

– Are you busy?

– A bit: I'm in the bath.

– OK, call me back.

Mum switched off, and I put the smartphone on the sink.

– Misha, will you be long? – Mary shouted.

She might not have had to shout for me to hear her, but she didn't even know she was living under the same roof as a vampire.

– I don't know, why? – I shouted back at her.

– Let's watch a cartoon!

– What cartoon? – I got excited, because I loved watching cartoons, almost to the point of insanity.

– Something from Disney!

– Great! «Beauty and the Beast»! – I clapped my hands in delight. It was my favourite cartoon.

– No! I know, let's watch The Walking Castle!

– You wanted a Disney one!

– Some other time. Well, I'll look it up on the internet?

– Go ahead.

I'd seen the Japanese cartoon before, but only once, with Martin and Mscislav, and they were laughing and joking and interrupting me the whole time, and all I did was shush them and yell at them to calm down, so the idea of watching the story of Sophie's girlfriend quietly with Mary (who was silent as a fish during the film) appealed to me.

Literally flying out of the bathroom, I put on clean clothes and came into Mary's room. We put the laptop on a small table, lay down on the bed and in absolute silence started watching The Walking Castle. I was overwhelmed and couldn't find the words to tell Mary how excited I was about the film. I liked the idea of Beauty and the Beast: the main beauty is not physical, but mental. And the fire-demon Calcifer seemed cute to me.

After watching I was sniffling my nose: the cartoon touched me to the core. Mary shook me by the shoulder.

– What's the matter with you? It's all right» she said.

– It's beautiful… I always get upset when I watch cartoons. Especially the dramatic moments. And the directors draw them on purpose to make children cry!

– You're a sensitive little lamb! – Mary stroked my hair. – Let me braid it for you. You'll be curly tomorrow.

«Oh, Mary, I wish I were a sheep instead of a wolf in sheep's clothing.» – I thought regretfully.

Mary braided my hair, and then her friends called her and invited her to go for a walk. They called me, too, but once again I declined. Mary switched off the phone, got out of bed and went to the door, but suddenly stopped and turned to me with a confused smile.

– Misha… I have a favour to ask of you.

I raised my eyebrows in agreement to hear her request.

– Your clothes are so cool… Can I wear something? Please!

Of course, Mary's request surprised me, but I didn't feel disgusted that someone else could wear my clothes: when my sisters came home to Warsaw, we often borrowed things from each other.

– Do you still ask? Take whatever you like» I replied with a smile.

Mary flew over to me, kissed my cheek, shouting, «Thank you! I'll do all the laundry!» she ran out of the room, and I immediately heard the poorly-lubricated wardrobe in my bedroom open, the rustle of clothes, and a song Mary began to hum.

It made me feel good that she trusted me enough to ask for such things, and it was so natural! All the girlfriends in films and TV series who live in the same house wear each other's things all the time, but I didn't like Mary's clothes – they were too colourful and bright: Mary had the taste of a teenager.

Ten minutes later my friend came into my room: she was wearing my knitted grey jumper, a white T-shirt underneath, and my tight light blue jeans on my legs.

– So, how was it? – She asked, twirling in front of me like a mirror. – It's cool, isn't it?

– It looks good on you, and the colours are good» I said. – I didn't realise we were the same size.

– I knew that a long time ago, when you were away, I tried some things on» she said.

– You're fast! – I laughed.

Her curiosity had embarrassed me before, but now I took it for granted.

– Why don't you come with me? – Mary asked.

– No. I'm doing a tutor's assignment» I said.

– Well, whatever you want. If you change your mind, come along! We'll be in the pub. The Big One! – She quickly put on her shoes, put on my coat and headed for the door. – Oh, I nearly forgot! – Mary went back to her room, right in her boots, and opened her wardrobe. – I have a great hoody, but it's tight in my chest, and you have almost no chest, so it's just right for you!

Mary pulled out of the wardrobe a light green hoody with white inserts on the chest and back in the shape of teddies.

– How lovely! – I said, so as not to offend my neighbour: in fact, this hoody seemed silly and teenage.

«Yes, looking at this green wonder, it's clear why Mary liked the horrible pink bicycle!» – I thought involuntarily, giving the hoody an appraising look.

– 'Glad you like it! I bought it in London this summer, but I've put on a bit of weight since then . No, it's just that my breasts have grown. Well, Misha, a gift!

I looked at Mary perplexed: she gave me her thing? Me?

– You can run in it even in winter: it's very warm. – Mary put the hoody next to me on the bed.

– That's a great idea! I'll run in it tomorrow» I smiled, taking the hoody and holding it to my chest.

«Like hell I'm ever going to wear it again!» – I thought, but pretended to be grateful for this unexpected gift.

– This is cool! Maybe tomorrow I'll run with you. – Mary headed for the door. – Okay, see you tonight! I won't be too late. Bye!

– Bye! – I said.

Mary left, and I didn't believe her promise to go jogging with me for a second: she'd promised me a thousand times, but she couldn't bring herself to get out of bed at six in the morning.

Throwing the hoody into my cupboard, I went to the kitchen, drank some blood, then rang my mother and, having told her a stream of lies, I calmly took up Chateaubriand and continued reading. I was already reading the second volume, and the book was given to me unusually hard, but it presented such original ideas and views that I could not abandon it. I needed to learn new things and grow spiritually. Grow morally.

A ringing smartphone tore me away from the interesting Chapter, but I couldn't be angry for long: it was Mariszka calling!

– Hi, Mariszka! – I exclaimed happily, hastily slamming the book shut.

– Hello, darling! Will you be able to come to London tomorrow?

– Yes, of course, why?

– Markus and I are flying in tomorrow: he's meeting his best friend, and while he's with him, you and I will go for a walk and have a chat.

– Cool! What time should I be there? – I got excited. – And where?

– At ten o'clock in the morning we'll meet near Big Ben! – My sister sighed. – I miss you.

– I miss you too! But we'll talk tomorrow: I don't want to spill everything right now.

– Is there something to tell? That's great. – Mariszka's voice suddenly became sad.

– Hey, what's wrong with your voice? – I was worried.

– It's okay, you're imagining things. Okay, see you tomorrow, Misha.

– Bye! See you tomorrow!

The prospect of seeing Mariszka and Markus excited me to no end, and I wanted to know how Cedric was doing.

I jumped out of bed and started rummaging through my wardrobe for something to wear tomorrow, so I picked out black jeans, a long pale blue jumper, and brown boots for my feet. I liked choosing outfits, but I hadn't bought any new clothes when I moved to Oxford: I didn't see any point in it, as I'd never worn half my wardrobe, and I'd only brought a lot of clothes for nothing.

Mary got back around nine o'clock in the evening, and I immediately shared my happy news with her.

– Do you want me to ring Harry? He'll take you to London» Mary offered.

«No way!» – I thought with horror.

– Thanks for the offer, but I want to take the bus» I said, afraid that Harry would start flirting again.

Mary didn't persuade me, but suggested we watch another film, and I agreed, putting off reading Chateaubriand for a day or two. We watched the film until one o'clock in the morning, a snotty melodrama (surprisingly, for all my emotionalism, I didn't like to watch melodramas), and then Mary went to bed. I yawned too, said goodnight, and locked myself in my room, impatient for the morning to come.

The fact that I had to go to London saved me the threat of wearing Mary's pajama and shortened my run by twenty minutes, then I showered, changed, got on my bike and rode to the bus station. My coat, the one Mary had worn yesterday, was hanging at home: I couldn't ride in it because it smelt of her, so I put on a light leather jacket, although I could tell from the hats people were wearing that it was quite cold today. When I got to the bus station and hitched my bike to a post, I bought a ticket to London, got on the bus, and fifteen minutes later I was on my way to meet my sister. I was sitting by the window listening to music, and a schoolboy of about twelve was sitting next to me, looking at me every now and then , and I smiled back at him. Soon the guy fell asleep, snuggled up to me, but that amused me.

The time dragged on slowly, and I was literally glued to the window, looking out at the views: it was a deep English autumn, and in half a month it would be winter. The nature was beautiful: the bare trees that had dropped their leaves like foundlings to the ground were mysterious and frowning, as were the heavy grey clouds in the sky. This dreary grey landscape did not subdue my eyes: its slight sadness only delighted me. It was no longer the beauty I had seen in England at the beginning of October, but neither was it the gloom with which many people associate that prim country.

In London, taking hints from passers-by, I reached Big Ben, but Mariszka was not yet there. While I was waiting for her, a nasty little rain, which I disliked so much, began to fall, and my loose, twisted hair lost its volume and turned into a loofah. But despite the weather, my mood was sunny, and I waited impatiently for my sister, and while she was away I looked round the buildings and the square with interest. I'd never been to London before. The airport didn't count.

«She's late for something» I thought as I looked at my smartphone screen. It was already ten o'clock and twelve minutes. Finally, a couple of minutes later, a black sports car with tinted windows drove up to me, and out of it, with an umbrella in her hands, came Mariszka, as usual, delicate and dazzlingly beautiful: in my opinion, of us three sisters, she was the most perfect and elegant. She was my ideal woman.

I threw myself on her neck.

– Misha! You've blossomed in freedom! – said my sister, looking me over with an appraising glance. – And what a marvellously awful nail polish you have! But you're wet! Where's your umbrella in this beautiful weather?

– It wasn't raining when I drove in» I explained, and slipped under her umbrella. – But I hope you'll keep me warm. I like my nail polish, and I painted my nails especially for you!

– Red nail polish? – grinned her sister. – Well, you've surprised me. Shall we go?

But it seemed to me that she didn't want to smile at all: she must have been in a bad mood, but I didn't care, for I was terribly glad to see Mariszka.

We walked around the town, and my sister asked me about my studies, what I was doing, how I was spending my time, who I was talking to, and I told her all the same things I had told my mother. I knew that if Mariszka found out that I was living with Mary, she would get angry or, worse, teach me about life, so, according to the official version, I lived in seclusion, did not communicate with anyone, but watched people and their behaviour. And when my sister asked me, «Have you met Frederik Haraldson» I said, «No. Not once.»

– How is Markus? – I asked, because I knew everything about Mariszka, but almost nothing about her husband.

– 'He's fine,' Mariszka replied briefly.

'Is that all she can say? «It's fine?» – I was surprised at such secrecy.

– 'And Cedric?

– 'He's gone to Russia. And please don't mention him to Markus» she said. Her face became stern and aloof.

– Gone? But you said he had to study at Charles University! – I was astonished at the news: Cédric had dropped out and left?

– Yes, but he changed his mind. Did you hear me? Don't talk about him in front of my husband! Markus is suffering a lot because of his brother's absence. – Mariska's voice was still harsh, but the aloofness on her face was replaced by resentment.

– Since you ask, I won't. It's just weird: Cedric seemed so fixed to me. – I shrugged.

– Fixed! – A mocking smile appeared on my sister's lips. – Okay, let's not talk about that.

– Good.

Mariszka's behaviour discouraged me. I was confused: What had happened to Cedric, or what had he done to make my sister so angry at the mention of him?

We walked on in silence. I didn't know how to break our silence, so I just stared around me. I was embarrassed to be walking next to my favourite sister, but I felt bad and ashamed that my words had led to two close blood relatives with nothing to talk about.

– What about Maria? Did she call you? – Mariszka suddenly broke our silence.

I was glad that she at least asked about something, and that now I could chat carelessly, just to avoid listening to our grave silence.

– Yes, recently. She's in Ottawa now, part-time photographer. Do you know who she's been shooting recently? Some celebrity! Can you believe it? – I tried to say it cheerfully, but all I got was a hysterical squeal.

– Who was it? – My sister asked, pulling a big touchscreen phone out of her purse.

– I don't know who exactly, but I'm sure she's very famous… In Canada» I replied, glancing at what she was doing.

Mariszka started fiddling with her phone, and I turned my head away, pretending like I didn't care that she preferred her big brick phone to talking to her sister.

– How do you fit it in your bag? – I muttered to myself.

– It's very useful, by the way» Mariszka said, and put the phone back in her bag. – Sorry, that was Markus: he texted that he was waiting for us at the restaurant. Let's go to him.

I was surprised at the haste, because we'd only been walking for an hour, but I kept silent: it must have been the plan.

We caught a taxi to the fancy restaurant where Markus met us, and I thought once again that he and my sister were the most beautiful couple in the world, and I remembered that Cedric was nothing like his brother. But my sister's insistence immediately echoed in my mind, and I decided to keep my mouth shut.

Markus and I hugged, and he led us inside the restaurant, but to my amazement, we passed a beautiful hall, went down a dark staircase somewhere, and ended up in the basement, where there was a small but swanky restaurant, and sat down at a table. There were only the three of us in the room.

A waiter appeared next to us. A vampire.

– Three glasses and a bottle of the freshest» Markus told him.

He brought three large wine glasses and a beautiful bottle labelled 'New England'. I had never been to a place like this before, but I understood perfectly: there was fresh blood in the bottle.

«Wow, a vampire restaurant that serves blood to guests is right under people's noses!» – I thought as I watched Markus pour the blood into glasses. I looked at him and wondered what had changed in him in just three months: his face was like carved stone, his eyes glittered coldly, and his voice was no longer as friendly as it had been in Prague. I shifted my gaze to Mariszka: she, too, was serious. To say that I felt out of place would be to say nothing.

Taking a glass of blood, I began to drink it in big gulps.

– When did you eat? – Mariszka looked at me intently.

– Yesterday, – I honestly answered, – why?

– You drink blood so greedily, as if you were starving.

«I drink so greedily to take my mind off your serious faces for a second!» – I thought grudgingly.

But I set my glass down on the table and shrugged.

– You're imagining things. Markus, tell her to watch her husband, not me. – I tried to make a joke, but Markus didn't even smile, and I felt unbearably awkward.

I wanted to get up and walk away, to leave them alone: I felt superfluous, though I'd never felt that way before, not even with all the Morgans. And now… It was so unfriendly and cold that I just wanted to run away.

– Well, young lady, tell me how you're doing. – Markus suddenly asked and took a sip of blood.

– I'm fine! Oxford is a wonderful city! I have a little house there and a blue bicycle» I started to say, staring down at my glass. – My life is insanely interesting! I don't really socialise with anyone, I just come to and from lectures. In general, I always thought Warsaw was the best city in the world, but now I'm in love with Oxford…

I talked and talked, but I couldn't help feeling awkward and unnecessary: this meeting was so different from what I had seen in my imagination that morning! What the hell made me come? Had I traded my lectures for this?

At last I stopped, having told all I could.

– I don't know what else to say. Anyway, I'm doing great. – I thought my tongue was going to fall off from talking so much.

– Well, I'm glad you're enjoying your studies, but to be honest, I was against you going to Oxford at first» Markus said, smiling tiredly.

– Why? – His confession startled me.

– Because you're so young and defenseless.

– And Cedric doesn't think so: he advised me…

Suddenly Markus's face contorted into a grimace of pain or rage, and the glass he was clutching in his palm burst, spilling blood all over the table and our clothes.

– Misha!» exclaimed Mariszka in a sharp, icy tone.

«What's going on! What have I done!» – flashed through my head, and I jumped up sharply from my chair.

– I'm sorry! I… I'm sorry Markus, I don't know what's going on, but I want to leave! I'll go! – I exclaimed fearfully and ran for the stairs.

– Mischa! – I heard Markus' remorseful voice. – I'm sorry!

– Don't, my dear, don't apologise: she will understand when she finds out, – Mariszka said to him affectionately.

– 'She mustn't find out. Do you have any idea how it will affect her? – Markus asked her.

– 'Why should it affect her? I know my sister and I know that she hasn't found common language with Cedric.

– He said there's a lot we don't know about her.

– Markus, it's all right, I'm with you. Don't think about it.

There was the sound of a kiss and then there was silence.

Running out of the restaurant, I hid around the corner and leaned my back against the wall. My clothes were splattered with blood and my soul was filled with incomprehension and confusion.

«Markus got so mad he crushed the glass… What am I doing here? We have to leave… We have to get out of here now!» – I thought frantically.

But then Mariszka appeared in front of me.

– Misha, why did you run away? – She asked me affectionately, stroking my shoulder.

– What's wrong with him? Why did he get so angry? – I almost cried.

– He was tired, you know? He's just tired. – My sister's eyes filled with pity. – Poor thing, were you scared?

– Yes, very scared» I answered in a shaky voice. – Can I go home? I can't stay here any longer.

– But we've only been together an hour and a half. Well, calm down. Do you want to go for a walk or go shopping?

– Mariszka, we're splattered with blood! – I was desperate to escape to Oxford.

– It's no problem: we'll go to my hotel right now and change. Even if you want to leave, you still need a change of clothes, I hope you realise that?

I even smiled at this bitter truth: she was right – they wouldn't let me on the bus dressed like this! They'd be asking me where the blood came from!

– All right, but then I'll leave» I agreed sullenly.

My sister silently took me by the hand and led me to the car in which she had come to Big Ben. As people passed by, they looked at us in surprise, and I was ashamed of my appearance.

We arrived at the hotel, went into Mariszka's suite, she washed the blood off my face and hands (luckily my hair was clean), then I changed into one of her dresses (my sister loved dresses, and she had a lot of them) and a grey jacket. I didn't take off my boots, as the alternative was heeled shoes. After that, I had to wait for Mariszka to shower, change and call Markus to tell him about her walking me to the bus, and he said he was waiting for Brandon, who was supposed to show up any minute.

«Is that the Brandon Grayson who was at their wedding? He's just stunningly handsome! Also an extremely charming man» I remembered. That was all I knew about him, though, because I'd only seen him a couple of times.

After leaving the hotel, Mariszka and I got into the car and drove to the bus station. There my sister said goodbye to me, apologised for the bad day and Markus's behaviour, and left.

I went to the ticket office, ordered a ticket and, when it was time to pay, I was horrified to find that I had forgotten my purse with my wallet and phone in that horrible restaurant.

«What incredible bad luck! But there's nothing to be done: no one will drive me for free, so I have to go back there» I thought with annoyance and walked quickly to the restaurant: I remembered the way to it, because Mariszka's car had driven past it, and I had a good memory for directions. As I approached the restaurant, I suddenly heard Markus's voice.

– I'm glad you're here» he said, sighing heavily. – I'm afraid I have terrible news. I've wanted to tell you for a long time, but I've never been able to get away from Prague, even for a day, and it's a matter that can't be discussed over the phone – it's too personal.

– It's okay, Markus, the main thing is that you found the time. So, what happened to you? – A charming man's voice answered him (I recognised it immediately. it was Brandon Grayson). – You don't look so good. I've never seen you like this before.

– I'm lost, Brandon. I couldn't even imagine… It hurts me to even think about it. I can't understand how it happened because there's so much my parents won't tell me, so his last day in Prague is a mystery to me.

– What do you mean?

– Cédric disappeared.

«Cedric disappeared»? Not moved away like they told me, but disappeared?» – This news discouraged me. I stopped, leaned against the wall of the building, and even held my breath: I suddenly had a chance to find out about why Markus was so angry and worried.

– Disappeared? – Brandon was surprised too, judging by the tone of his voice.

– Yes. He realised it was us who hid her from him. But don't worry: he doesn't even know she was-» Crap! I didn't hear the last of his words, because a huge double-decker bus drove past me, followed by another one, drowning out the roar.

I mentally cursed: this conversation could be the key to Markus's secret!

When the buses were gone and there was relative silence, I listened again.

– Cedric's trouble is that he fell in love with the wrong woman» Brandon said grimly.

«How could Cedric fall in love with the wrong woman? Cedric! With his beautiful soul! If he chose her, then she's perfect!» – I was in fundamental disagreement with this saying, though I knew nothing of the «wrong woman.»

– Yes, damn her! But he disappeared. At the end of August, the day after we hid her» Markus said.

– 'Isn't there any trace of him?

– There isn't. He trashed the hall, burned all the paintings and our family portrait, but he talked to our parents for about twenty minutes and demanded we give her back to him, then he stormed off, got in his car and drove off. And those rattlers didn't even stop him! When I found out about it, it was like I was blind and deaf at the same time. If it hadn't been for Mariszka, I'd have gone mad. Cedric almost killed me.

– I had no idea it would turn out so tragically» Brandon muttered. – Was he so obsessed with her?

– As you can see. I've got the Secret Service on my ear, thousands of private investigators working for me, but so far there hasn't been a single lead: it's like Cedric's vanished off the face of the Earth.

– I'm sorry, Markus, and I want to help: I have a lot of connections, in all circles.

– You think I haven't tapped into them? But it's all for nothing! And Father… He still can't get over it: he just sits in his armchair, staring at the fireplace, and then he goes into Cedric's room and stares for hours at the painting he's done. Mum closes herself in her bedroom and only comes out to hunt. The castle suffocates us all. I can't imagine how Mariszka stands it all. – Markus took a deep breath. – I found this in Cedric's desk. Do you know who the author of the drawing is?

There was a rustle of paper, followed a second later by a heavy sigh from one of the men.

– Viper? – Brandon asked quietly.

«Her name is Viper? What a strange name… She must be an amazing girl to have won Cedric's heart. But I don't recall any vampires with such an unusual name. Although, there are so many of us, I don't know more than half of them. Maybe I'm just unfamiliar with her» I wondered sincerely.

– That's a touching drawing» Grayson said. – I think she's madly in love with him. I've probably heard it from her a dozen times.

«Brandon knows this Viper girl too? Why does everyone know her and I don't?» – I was overcome with annoyance.

– That's the trouble: it's some kind of curse. Damn it, why did this have to happen to my brother?! – Markus exclaimed quietly.

– Where is she now? – Brandon asked. Markus didn't answer, and the man repeated in an insistent tone: «Markus, where is she?

– In a safe place» Markus answered him. – Why do you want to know?

– I wonder where you locked her up, because I'm aware of the story and I remember very well how your parents took her away unconscious.

– No, I'm sorry, but I'm not answering that question.

– Markus, don't be stubborn. You know very well that this stays between us

– Why do you insist?

– Why? Maybe I want to visit her. – Grayson's voice turned mocking.

– Brandon, I'm not in the mood for jokes right now. Only three persons know about this.

– But four persons know the whole story, and that includes me.

– Don't insist. I'm gonna say no. – Markus' voice sounded very tired. – I know you're curious…

– Misha! What are you doing here? – I suddenly heard Mariszka's voice right above my ear.

My sister took me by surprise, but I couldn't let her realise I was overhearing. I had just found out about a big secret: Cedric was in love with a girl named Viper, but his family was against her, and she was hidden somewhere, and then Cedric disappeared. What a news flash!

– Two buses just drove by and splattered me from head to toe! – I put on my hysterical Misha mask again.

– I can see that. But what are you doing here? You're supposed to be on the bus to Oxford!

I shook off the hem of my dress and my boots, which were really muddy from the buses that had deprived me of the opportunity to find out where Cedric's girlfriend had been for a long time.

– It's a comedy story! – I said loudly, knowing that Markus and his friend could hear every word we said: it was better that they didn't know that I'd overheard their entire conversation. Well, most of it. – I'd forgotten my purse in the restaurant, and they wouldn't take me to Oxford for free» I added sarcastically. – I looked like a complete fool! I was so embarrassed!

My sister laughed softly.

– You always have adventures. Come on, I'll buy you a ticket» she said.

– Thank you, but actually, I came to get my purse: my money, smartphone and house keys» I said.

– Then let's go get your bag.

Mariszka took me under her arm, we entered the restaurant and went down to the men. When we entered the room, Markus's friend rose from his chair, greeting us.

– Ladies. – He smiled pleasantly.

«A real gentleman, not like the rude Haraldson! And what a handsome man!» – I thought to myself as I looked at Brandon.

– It's good to have you back» Markus said, and came over to me and took my hand in his. His eyes were remorseful, and his face was deeply embarrassed. – Please forgive my tactless behaviour.

– Oh, it's nothing! I understand: you are tired! Mariszka said that lately you've been working a lot and hardly resting. Give it up, Markus: work isn't going anywhere. – I played dumb and put a silly smile on my face.

– Really? I'm glad you don't hold a grudge. – He smiled, but it was so fake that I felt sorry for him.

Now I understood Markus's behaviour, and after what I'd heard, I was filled with pain for him, because his brother was gone! No, not just gone, but gone!

– It's okay, don't apologise: it's just that I'm a bit woozy today too» I replied. – Oh, my purse! Imagine, I was buying a ticket and suddenly I realised I'd left it here!

– It must have looked quite funny… I'm sorry, I have a phone call. I'll just be a minute. – Markus took the phone out of his jacket pocket and walked to the other end of the room.

– I know you: you're Markus's best friend! – I chirped to Brandon.

– Yes, I am. We met at your sister's wedding» he smiled a beautiful smile.

He and I chatted about nothing, remembered how Markus had mistaken which finger Mariszka should put her wedding ring on, and laughed quietly about it.

– Would you stop bringing that up every time? Somehow all our wedding guests only remembered that embarrassment! Brandon, I'll see how you act during your wedding! – Mariszka said with a laugh.

– I guess you'll just have to dream about it» he laughed. – I prefer to be a forever bachelor!

Markus returned. It was obvious he wasn't happy about something.

– I'm sorry, Brandon, this damn thing is messing up all my plans! – he turned to his friend. – Just a streak of bad luck!

– Come on, I understand» Brandon said, patting Markus on the shoulder.

– But it's embarrassing to have you come all the way from your estate to see me» Markus said sadly.

– It was nothing. I got to see my best friend, and his lovely wife and her sweet little sister» Grayson said with a smile.

– Where are you going now? – Mariszka asked him.

– To the estate.

– Can you give Misha a lift to Oxford?

– Oh, no, I don't want to bother anyone! – I was immediately embarrassed.

– You'd be honoured if you let me drive you. – Brandon smiled at me.

– Then don't be mad at me for talking all the way» I agreed, but I was embarrassed at being so blatantly sold out.

I said goodbye to my sister and her husband, but I was still uncomfortable with today's situation: the memory of Markus crushing the glass in his hand and the conversation I'd overheard about Cedric's fate kept me on edge.

Brandon and I got into his black Bentley with tinted windows and drove out of London. It seemed to me that, after his conversation with Markus, Grayson had become pensive and was frowning his handsome, high forehead.

We drove in silence: Brandon must have been so deep in thought, or Markus's story must have shocked him so much that he couldn't talk. I, too, was far from reality, thinking about Cedric's fate. Had he fallen in love with the wrong girl? But that's impossible! Why did she displease the Morgans so much that they even interfered in their son's private life? And how dare they? Cedric is not a green guy like me, but an adult, wise and very strong vampire! Why did they hide Viper? Where? Her vampire parents would be looking for her, and maybe they would cause a scandal for the whole vampire society: it's unheard of to hide someone else's daughter somewhere!

I wanted to find out what the Morgans didn't like about the vampire, and I hoped that Markus's friend would clarify the situation for me. After all, he knew Viper too.

«Wait. How am I going to ask about this? I'm pretending like I didn't hear her and Markus talking!» – I grudgingly remembered, but I mustered up the courage to take the risk.

– I think Markus is kind of weird today» I said casually.

– I didn't think so» Brandon said. – Did he scare you?

– A little. When I said that Cedric had told me to go to Oxford, he crushed his glass of blood with his fingers. – I shrugged, shaking off the memory. – And he had that face… Very sad, even scary.

– He's in a lot of trouble right now. My poor friend is lost, but I think things will change soon.

– Do you think he'll be cheerful again? Markus was always such a joker, and today I don't recognise him.

Brandon didn't say anything, but his cheekbones sharpened. It made me feel a little creepy, and I knew he wasn't in the mood for a long conversation, but I couldn't pass up such a great chance to learn about Cedric's girlfriend and himself.

– Mariszka said that Cedric had gone to Russia… I wonder if he's coming on holiday? I'd like to chat to him and brag about going to Oxford, as he advised. – I was hoping Brandon would crack and tell me the truth.

– As I remembered, Cedric had said when he left that he wouldn't leave for another ten years» Grayson said.

I was surprised to see that he'd lied to my face. And if I hadn't heard with my own ears that Cedric had disappeared, I would have believed that smooth lie.

– Yeah? It's a shame. Maybe he's in love with someone else and that's why he's doing this? – I asked innocently.

– Cedric? In love? – Brandon let out a mocking laugh. – He's not even three hundred: he's too young to be in love.

– Why young? Markus isn't three hundred either, but he's already been in love and married. What makes you think Cedric couldn't–

– Cedric didn't leave because he fell in love» Grayson interrupted me. He frowned slightly. – He'd been obsessed with Russia for the last five years, wanting to go there and see the Russians.

– But there are plenty of Russians in the Czech Republic and Poland» I argued, increasingly amazed at the extent of Brandon's lies.

– Believe me, they're not the same Russians that live in Russia. Being in the centre of another culture, you are involuntarily drawn into it and lose your national identity. I don't think it would be wrong to say that you have already felt the influence of English culture.

– Yes, but… – I was confused: he gave me a real mate. I had nothing to say, because Grayson was absolutely right about me, about English culture and its influence on my mind. I mean, Mary Smith's influence on me.

But that defeat didn't discourage me from digging further into the sad story of Cedric and his girlfriend. On the contrary, it has doubled my annoyance.

– You can say what you want, but I know Cedric's in love» I told Grayson.

He glared at me. I thought he was going to come at me with questions about how and when I'd found out and maybe accuse me of being a spy, but to my amazement, Brandon just chuckled.

– If he did, I'm not aware of it» he said, and then he turned his gaze back to the road.

I was annoyed: what a great liar! How could I catch him? Was it even possible?

I was silent for a while, waiting to ask Grayson again, but not to be too forward, lest he realise that I had a personal interest in the story of Cedric and his crush.

About ten minutes passed.

My neighbour seemed drowned in his thoughts: his face was too detached and gloomy.

– What girl were you talking about? – I asked, as if out of boredom, without even looking at Brandon.

– What? – He asked in a completely calm tone.

«How calmly he keeps his temper! That's stamina!» – I was involuntarily surprised.

– When I came up to you, I overheard you talking about some Viper» I said, praying in my heart that he would tell me something about her, even the smallest thing.

– It's nothing» Brandon replied shortly. – She's an insignificant person.

– Why is she insignificant? – I asked.

– Because she doesn't matter» he said. – And forget it.

My question about Viper made his face tense.

«What's wrong with him? And what's the mystery with everyone acting so serious?» – I marvelled.

– 'But, if she's an insignificant person, why did you talk about her?

– Adults talk about many obscure things. But it's bad manners to overhear other people's conversations.

– I did not listen willingly, I was just going to get my bag! – I was indignant. – It's not my fault that I have such a fine ears!

– Let's not talk about that» the vampire said sternly. – If you want to know something, ask Markus.

– Oh, yeah! Right! He's gonna tell me everything!

– What makes you think I'd do that?

– I didn't. God, I was just asking!

Brandon didn't say a word, but his face remained tense and frowning.

I didn't try to repeat the attempted interrogation, but rather stared at the raindrops dripping down the windscreen. Of course, I hadn't expected to be entertained with conversation on the way, but I hadn't expected such unbearable silence either. I started to take the player out of my purse, but suddenly I noticed something unusual lying on the panel by the windscreen that looked like long, dark, straight strands of hair.

«Why does he need that hair here in the car?» – I wondered.

– Is that a woman's hair? – I asked, looking at them.

– 'As you can see,' Brandon tossed, not taking his eyes off the road.

– Whose are they? – I leaned my face forward to get a closer look at the strange piece of jewellery.

– One girl's.