– I've been to the car showroom today and I've found a great one for you," my mother said to me.
– Like a peacock? – I asked mockingly, knowing my parent's taste.
– By the way, your father thinks so, too. Don't you, Gregory?
– It's a great car," I said, but I knew he supported his beloved and was biased in his judgement.
We could have argued for a long time, but this time I had neither the energy nor the will to waste time on idle chatter.
– Well, I'll accept it," I began.
– Hail Mary," Markus said.
– What are you doing here? I think you're talking? – I asked mockingly, mocking him.
– For your information, I have the unique gift of speaking and listening at the same time, which doesn't stop me from observing your argument. Mum's just a magician – she got the stubborn one to come round and win 1-0! – replied my brother cheerfully.
– Do you really agree? – Mother jumped up and down.
– Agree? I was forced to agree! – I said, laughing. – Besides, I myself am glad that now you will get rid of me.
– I'm going to the salon tonight! – My mother jumped up from her seat.
– Luckily, it's already closed," I chuckled.
– Not for me, it isn't! I want you to go to university tomorrow like a normal vampire, in a nice car, not this junk! – replied Mum as she left the hall.
– What's going to happen to my faithful swallow? – I muttered regretfully.
– May she rest in peace," Markus said in a sad, mournful voice. He and Mariszka giggled.
– Shut up, Markus," I said sharply.
– Whatever you say, mister! Not a word of discretion from now on! – he said.
I heard the laughter of the couple again.
I decided to ignore them and meditate again. But this time my father interrupted me.
– How was your day? – he asked me.
– The usual. My life is so boring and monotonous that nothing interesting can happen in it," I replied, unhappy that my father wasn't letting me reflect in peace and quiet.
– Judging by your mood and tone, the routine is eating you alive. Anything new in your studies? – Father asked again.
– The rector has decided to show his power and make fun of the students," I grinned. – As of last week, the senior courses are supposed to prepare the juniors for their exams until winter.
– Why would they do that?
– Who knows. There's a whole pack of these oafs at the university.
– Interesting.
– And fun.
– How does this happen? – asked my father, clearly interested in this innovation.
– Everyone has a student from the junior year sitting on their neck.
– And you?
– And me.
– Who's sitting on your neck?
– A third-year student girl.
– How's your relationship?
– It's not. The only weird thing about this situation is…" I started, but suddenly stopped talking. Should I tell my father about my strange state of mind since I'd met Viper? Maybe he could explain what the hell was happening to me.
– The scent of her blood," I said instead, not wanting to share my weakness with anyone. – I've never smelled blood so beautiful. It's so heavy and tart that it makes it hard for me to focus when I'm sitting next to her.
I learnt long ago to control myself and temper my predatory instincts. Now any scent, even one that incited me to kill, was not dangerous to me. But Viper blood beckoned to me like no other in all the years of my long life. I mentally pictured drinking that marvellous blood and feeling the sea breeze on my face. But where would that sea breeze come from if Viper was born and raised in Brno?
