– I'm not surprised. Don't take it personally, sweetheart,' Lady Morgan told me with a smile.
But I could see the cruel disappointment on her beautiful face when she saw me. Without Cedric.
– Oh, not at all, Mrs. Morgan. At least I've breathed the air of seclusion," I said in a calm tone, sitting down in the chair next to me, which was now vacant. Mr. Morgan's away somewhere. – Besides, your son looked so peaceful, I didn't want to take him away from his euphoria.
– Peaceful? Cedric? – Mrs. Morgan questioned quietly, incredulity in her voice.
– That's what it seemed to me. – I shrugged and put my foot on my leg. – Misha told me that you're planning to look for a new place to live next year?
– Yes, but we're not sure if we want to move. But I'm leaning towards Iceland. Quiet, peaceful place. Not much in the way of hunting, but we're willing to put up with the inconvenience.
– You should live in Toronto. Believe me, it's paradise," I suggested. But, remembering that I might be seen with mortal lovers, I added. – You're right, though: Iceland is the place to be. Beautiful scenery for filming. I'm thinking of hiring an Icelandic woman as a model… It should be very interesting.
– I'm sure it would," Lady Morgan said with a smile. – I think we'll be seeing those pictures in the best glossy magazines again soon.
– Glossy is not the way… I prefer aesthetics. Maybe in the near future. – I stroked my chin thoughtfully with my fingers, already imagining my own exhibition in the best galleries in the world. But alas, in the present, I'm stuck on the glossy step. But it won't be for long. I promise. It's time to improve my skills and channel them into something truly worthy of a photographer, like reportage photography. Hmm, I'll do that right after I shoot that strangely beautiful Icelandic woman whose hair and eyebrows are so white they made even me marvel. I'll surround her with cold landscapes and icy beauty to emphasise her own. Most importantly, she's not a model at all, just a nurse in the hospital of her tiny village in the west of the island. She'll be the best thing I've ever done. And then I'm going to kill her. Her blood intrigues me. The wind of Iceland seems to be playing in her veins…
– Maria?
I woke up to hear Markus's rather loud voice calling me.
– Yes?" I asked with a smile, not looking at him.
He knew my secret. He had seen me. He could tell Mariszka.
I should ask him. I have to. Tonight. To find out how far the truth about my shitty life has spread.
– I'm going to the airport. Would you like to keep me company? – Markus asked.
I looked up at him in surprise.
He looked at me calmly.
"Obviously, he wants to talk to me about the same thing I want to talk to him about," I thought. There was a reason he'd asked me to ride with him to the airport.
– Yeah, I'd love to. – I got up from my chair. – But I hope we can make it before the gift-giving.
– Of course we will. My son wouldn't forgive me if I missed this momentous occasion. – Markus turned to his mother. – Tell Mariszka we'll be there in half an hour.
– Please don't be late," Mrs. Morgan said meekly.
Markus and I went down to the castle's huge garage. Silently. I waited for Markus to ask me the question, but he didn't say anything. It was only when we approached one of the cars, a luxurious black Jaguar, that Markus looked at me and smiled.
