– You're the crazy one! – I blurted out, outraged that he was slinging mud at Cedric.

– Choose your words. Fool, you have no idea what I could do to all those people! And you know what the beauty of it is? I can kill them, but they can't kill me," the vampire said grimly.

– Say what you want! I don't care! Just leave me alone! – I whispered tiredly and turned away from him. But suddenly I felt him put his palm on my wrist and cover our hands with his newspaper. I tried to push it away, but he only tightened his grip, hurting me deeply.

– Don't do anything stupid," Grayson whispered in my ear.

– Miss, are you okay? – I heard the flight attendant's concerned voice.

I smiled as I looked at her, a spark of hope flickering through me. I planned to pretend I was sick and ask the woman to walk me to the bathroom, but the vampire gripped my wrist so tightly that I almost cried out in pain. His fingers were crushing my bones like a vise, and I was afraid he was going to break them.

"Don't you dare say anything," his icy blue eyes said.

– No, I'm just afraid of flying… But thank you for your concern," I gritted my teeth through the pain, trying to keep the tears out of my voice.

– Don't worry, I'll take care of her," Grayson said, smiling at the stewardess. – 'We're friends.

"Friends? Bloody predender!" – I mentally shouted.

– Okay, but if you feel worse, make sure you call me," the flight attendant told me and stepped away from us.

It wasn't until the stewardess was behind the curtain that the vampire let go of my wrist, and I immediately threw the paper off it and saw the dark blue indentations Grayson's fingers had left on it.

– I hate you! – I said quietly.

He only laughed softly in response.

I paced towards the car park and still couldn't believe that Viper was flying away. But despite the sadness of the breakup, I was glad that Viper was safe from now on, and I looked forward to the message she was supposed to send me as soon as she arrived at Rio airport. I was scared for Viper, for the plane could fall and crash, or a storm could come up that would bring the possibility of an accident.

When I arrived at the castle, I put my car in the garage, sprayed the interior and myself with air freshener, went upstairs and found Markus – he was in the lounge, chatting among his friends, but when he saw me, he came towards me.

– There you are! I have good news for you! – Markus said, smiling broadly.

– What news? – I smiled too.

– Let's take a walk around the city and I'll tell you all about it. – Markus winked at me.

'Something about Viper,' I guessed, or Markus wouldn't have lured me away from the castle and the guests.

Fearing the ears of strangers and chatting about nonsense, we went down to the garage, got into my brother's car, and, only after driving far away from the castle, Markus stopped the car in a small grove, under the dense shade of tall, powerful trees.

– What's the good news? – I asked, intrigued by Markus's behaviour.

But instead of answering, Markus turned on the radio loudly and began to sing along-he seemed to be enjoying his exciting news and wanting to torture me.

– Markus!

– Sing along! – he said, and then he went back to his jolly jazz song.

– I know you're having a lot of fun, but please save it for later," I asked, turning off the radio.

– Why would I do that? – Markus turned the radio back on and sang at the top of his lungs.

– Because I already have enough to worry about! – I grinned and turned the radio off again.

– Really? Then I'm glad to relieve you of some of your worries! You don't have to worry too much now: Brandon left this morning.

– That's great," I said grimly. – But how did he make up his mind? He told me he couldn't miss your wedding.

– He had urgent business in England, so he apologised profusely and left.

– Is he sure he's gone? – I asked. – Did you see it yourself?

– Yes, I walked him to the airport. He called me from the plane a while ago," Markus replied.

– That's great news," I sighed, but somehow I felt distrustful.

– Are you happy? – My brother asked, looking at me carefully. – I can see that I'm not.

– It's great news, but something's weighing on me," I said, not knowing why I was so excited. – I can't say anything until I hear from Viper that she's okay.

– But you checked the plane, didn't you? There were no vampires on it?

– That's the thing. A corridor broke down, and the passengers had to get off the pad. And it was in the goddamn sunshine.

– It's unfortunate, but it's no big deal. I think I see what you're worried about, though. You're wondering if she met Brandon?

– Yes, and now I realise how thoughtless I was! – I said bitterly. – After all, he called you recently, and, therefore, he is not yet in England.

– You don't have to worry about that: he left on his private plane, and before you sent Viper to Brazil.

– Are you sure about that?

– A hundred percent sure.

– But I need to be sure. I have to call him. – I was worried.

What if he didn't get off on time and saw me and Viper? I mean, then he could have jumped on her plane to eliminate the "vampire-threatening mortal girl." What if he was, after all, on the same plane as Viper?

Those thoughts burned my mind.

– I don't think that's necessary," my brother frowned.

– I have to call him," I repeated. – Give me his number.

Markus sighed unhappily.

– Wait for a message from your Viper to come in or not. What if it's just a coincidence? I am sure of it," he said in a dissatisfied tone.

– You're right, we should wait," I agreed. – But if I don't hear from Viper, I'm going to Brazil. I'm sorry, Markus, but I won't be able to find a place to go, and I'm already regretting sending her there.

– It's all right. You're exaggerating. It's just a coincidence, believe me. There's no way this situation could be real.

– You don't know how much I want to believe it, but if you do the percentages…" I began grimly.

– I'm so sick of your whining! It's okay, Viper! You don't have to be so worried about her! – Markus interrupted me nervously.

– You can't understand me, because Mariszkais immortal, and you don't have to be afraid for her. And Viper is human," I grinned. – She could die, and I'm afraid I won't be there to save her.

– That girl has turned you…" Markus started, but stopped himself at the last word.

– Into a rag? – I finished his thought grimly. – So be it, I don't care. Yes, Markus, you're right: I've changed a lot. But I'm not making excuses for you.

He took a deep breath and rubbed the bridge of his nose.

– Haven't you noticed that all we've been doing lately is arguing? – He said, as if he hadn't heard what I said.

– Life without arguing would be extremely boring," I replied calmly.

We were silent for a while, staring in different directions.

– I wish I hadn't told you about Viper. Then you wouldn't have tortured yourself," I blurted out.

– I wish you hadn't fallen in love with her," Markus replied grimly, and started the engine.

We drove back to the castle. I noticed that my brother's mood had fallen; he became sullen and silent. We drove into the garage, got out of the car, went upstairs, and went our ways, Markus to the hall and I to my room.

Locked in my room, I wandered from corner to corner, measuring the vast space with my footsteps. I had one thought in my head: if I didn't hear from Viper, I'd call her, and if she didn't pick up, I'd drop everything and fly to Rio, no matter what the consequences.