– What did I do to make you so angry? – the girl asked
– I don't know. I must have been in a bad mood," I said.
It was true. I didn't know the answer to that question myself.
– So you're very hot-tempered? But what makes you think you're allowed to take it out on people around you?
– I can control my emotions.
God, what am I doing? I'm persuading a mortal girl not to refuse to study with me!
– Is that why you were rude to Julia?
Oh, shit. How clever of her to catch me!
– You made the exchange behind my back. You have to admit, it's not very nice to be exchanged like a thing," I rebuked her in turn.
Viper suddenly blushed and lowered her gaze to the floor.
– Yes… That was not nice of me," she said quietly.
– Next time, if there are any contradictions between us, we will solve them immediately and without interference from outsiders, – I said insistently.
– Next time? You think we can study together? – Viper was surprised.
– Why not?
– If only because you can't keep your temper to yourself.
– I thought I said I was capable of self-control? – I asked calmly and a little mockingly.
– Yes, I heard you. But can you guarantee that you won't insult me again and look at me with that contemptuous look?
– I… promise to keep my temper in check. – I barely got that promise out of me, the first time I'd ever promised something to a man and apologised to him twice before.
– Then I agree to continue our lessons.
You do? Like I asked her to do that?
– While we're at it, let me ask you, what other poets do you prefer? – As if seizing the opportunity, Viper suddenly asked.
– Goethe, Schiller, Lord Byron, Petrarch. I've already mentioned Baudelaire. But, actually, there are many, it's hard to list them all. From literature I prefer the classics. What do you read?
– Classics are a rare guest on my bookshelf. I read some of the classics, but it's more for self-development… In fact… You may think I'm naive, but I like books about vampires. And of poets I prefer Lermontov, well, and Baudelaire, of course," the girl shared with me, laughing softly.
I couldn't help but chuckle. If only Viper knew that she wasn't naive in her fascination with books about us, and that one of the vampires was standing next to her, talking to her!
– Vampires? Good choice," I said with a chuckle.