– You don't know how much I want to believe it, but if you do the percentages…" I began grimly.
– I'm so sick of your whining! It's okay, Viper! You don't have to be so worried about her! – Markus interrupted me nervously.
– You can't understand me, because Mariszkais immortal, and you don't have to be afraid for her. And Viper is human," I grinned. – She could die, and I'm afraid I won't be there to save her.
– That girl has turned you…" Markus started, but stopped himself at the last word.
– Into a rag? – I finished his thought grimly. – So be it, I don't care. Yes, Markus, you're right: I've changed a lot. But I'm not making excuses for you.
He took a deep breath and rubbed the bridge of his nose.
– Haven't you noticed that all we've been doing lately is arguing? – He said, as if he hadn't heard what I said.
– Life without arguing would be extremely boring," I replied calmly.
We were silent for a while, staring in different directions.
– I wish I hadn't told you about Viper. Then you wouldn't have tortured yourself," I blurted out.
– I wish you hadn't fallen in love with her," Markus replied grimly, and started the engine.
We drove back to the castle. I noticed that my brother's mood had fallen; he became sullen and silent. We drove into the garage, got out of the car, went upstairs, and went our ways, Markus to the hall and I to my room.
Locked in my room, I wandered from corner to corner, measuring the vast space with my footsteps. I had one thought in my head: if I didn't hear from Viper, I'd call her, and if she didn't pick up, I'd drop everything and fly to Rio, no matter what the consequences.
***
– What did you and Cedric agree on? – I heard the vampire's voice.
"Oh, yes. We agreed that I would text or call him as soon as I got to the airport in Rio," I remembered, regaining clarity of thought.
But what could I do? This strange vampire had taken my phone, held me prisoner, and kept his eyes on me like a chain dog! True, he was so "merciful" that he even asked the stewardess to bring lunch, dinner and drinks for me. But I didn't touch the food and only took a couple of sips of water. Grayson also let me go to the toilet when I asked him to. Other than that, he let me sleep, but I couldn't sleep a wink: my body and mind were too tense to let me sleep for a while. I felt cold in the night, and I timidly asked the stewardess to bring me a warm blanket. Fortunately, the vampire didn't mind, and I spent the remaining hours of the flight wrapped tightly in the plaid. My back and legs were aching-not even the reclined seat helped.