– 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.