– 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.
Suddenly, the clock chimed loudly, announcing itself to the entire castle, and I shuddered with surprise, and goosebumps ran down my spine. I feverishly counted the beat of the clock. Running up to the third floor, I opened door after door with desperation, and with two more strikes before midnight, I finally found the dining room. As soon as I entered and closed the door behind me, the lights in the dining room went out, and all I could see was a long table and Grayson standing at the window.
It was so dark I was afraid to breathe: I was in total darkness, alone with a vampire who wanted to kill me. It was a living nightmare. My back pressed against the door, and I froze, not wanting to pull away.
– You're just in time. I was ready to get angry," Grayson's voice came over my ear.
A loud yell erupted from my throat. Damn vampire! Scared the hell out of me!
– You must be really hungry. – His voice was already far away from me. Grayson seemed to be flying in the darkness, making no sound.
But I couldn't answer him: my throat constricted. The darkness and Grayson and the unknown frightened me and made me breathe hard. I put my hand over my heart, and it was beating very fast.
Suddenly a candle was lit, then a second, a third, a fourth… Ten candles in all. To my relief, the darkness had receded, and now the large dining room was illuminated by the soft, dim light of these life-saving candles. They stood on the table, their glow reflecting on the metal domed lids covering the large plates. There were only two pieces of cutlery, each at the end of the long, wide table.
