– Come to me," the vampire's voice came from beside me, and it was as if he'd come out of the darkness.
I obeyed silently and walked over to him. He was wearing a black suit, and his dark hair was nicely styled back. He seemed to be well prepared for the "festivities".
My silk dress was so light that I felt naked, and I adjusted the slippery straps falling off my shoulders.
– Have a seat. – Grayson led me over to the table and sat me in a soft chair, then sat down at the other end of the table.
– Can I…" I started timidly, afraid to say what I was asking.
– Can what? – The vampire asked in a sweet voice.
– Can I turn on the light?
– Who are you talking to? If it's to me, I have a name.
His voice was calm, but I could feel it: he was angry.
– B-Brandon? – I said, stammering. His, a name like a blade, cut my tongue.
– Yes, Viper?
– Would you mind turning on the lights? – I asked.
The vampire sat across from me, but it was like he was present in every corner.
– Why? I find the dark very romantic," Grayson said softly, and I heard something glass tinkle, but I couldn't see what – because of the rather dim candlelight and the length of the table, I could only see Grayson's silhouette, and his voice came to me muffled, echoing.
– I'm scared," I whispered, squirming in my chair.
– Scared? – The vampire heard my whisper and, rising from his chair, slowly made his way toward me. – Are you afraid of me? – he asked ominously.
– You already know that! – I exclaimed, panicking at his approach. I jumped up from my chair and backed away, not knowing what was on his mind or why he was coming toward me.
– Am I really that scary? – Grayson continued his interrogation in a sneaky tone, coming closer and closer to me.
– Yes! And you want to kill me! – I answered honestly, my voice shaking.
– I'm just trying to amuse you. I don't like seeing you so scared.
– You don't have to entertain me! Just leave me alone! Lock me in the dungeon, kill me, just leave me alone! – I whispered, horrified to realise that there was nowhere to retreat-I had my back against the wall, and Grayson was right next to me.
His silhouette, lit by the yellow light of the candles, was so ominous that my voice dropped. My body shook with a fine tremor. My breathing quickened. My heart pounded frantically. As the vampire approached me, I leaned against the wall with force. Grayson towered over me, and I had to lift my chin to look into his face, though it was hidden by the darkness. I felt small and insignificant and defenseless, because I knew that one blow from his hand and I'd be dead.
– Why are you afraid of me? – Grayson asked quietly. He touched my arm with his icy palm, then it slid up my shoulder, crawled up my neck, and stopped on my cheek.
– You're scaring me! – I squirmed, feeling a strong revulsion at his touch. My body tensed with terror.
– But you're not afraid of Cedric?
I couldn't answer him with words, so I shook my head negatively.
– Then why do you think I'm so scary?
But I remained silent and continued to breathe loudly and frequently.
– I can hear your heart beating loudly, like a bird in a cage," Grayson whispered in my ear. – And I know that when I brought you that dress, you wondered where I got it. Didn't you? It's just that you're not my castle's first guest, and this dress belonged to a young aristocrat who ran away with me from her mother's funeral.
