Possessed hearts

– My life brings me nothing but joy," I replied ironically.

A lie. Disgusting. Black.

My life was beautiful. But it all fell apart in an instant. But no one must know about it. It's up to me to forget what torments me so much. How can I do that?

– I'm glad," Fredrik replied briefly.

He is lying too. After all, he doesn't care, not at all.

– But where is Cedric? I want to say a word of greeting to him," I said hastily.

– He's in his room. He said he was tired of the crowd and needed a breath of solitude," Mrs. Morgan answered me. Her eyes flashed strangely, and a bitter smile flickered across her lips for a moment.

– I hope he doesn't mind my disturbing him," I said quietly, thinking that Mrs. Morgan's sudden transformation was due to the very disagreement that had forced Cedric to leave the castle. But that's their family and their problem.

– I don't think he minds… Cedric has been sitting there for three hours. Tell him we're waiting for him," Mr. Morgan said suddenly. His eyebrows furrowed slightly.

– Gregory…," his wife said quietly.

– It's all right. Don't take it personally: he never liked to be among the guests," Mr. Morgan said quietly.

– I'll get him. I'll see you later! – I said cheerfully and headed to the other end of the castle, where Cedric's room was.

The sound of my heels echoed off the high stone ceilings, making it even louder and more intense. Every step I took was another second-a second of my lost life. But the Morgans' behaviour made me wonder: what had driven Cedric so far away from his parents? They had always been a very close-knit family… So strange. It's useless to ask Mariszka – that prude is always as silent as a fish. But I'm sure she knows. Maybe she'll tell Misha and she'll tell me. Although, it's been eight years, but this mystery has remained a mystery.

I walked to the solid wooden door leading to Cedric's room and opened it without knocking.

– You never knock on other people's doors," I heard Cedric's handsome voice. He was standing at the window, his back to me. He was probably thinking about something, and my visit had disturbed his loneliness. The loneliness he loves so much. Strange Cedric.

– We're related, which means we don't have to observe these ceremonies! – I said cheerfully and glanced round his room.

It was huge. Dark. Sullen. How fitting for this hermit. Books, a fireplace, an ascetic atmosphere, and minimal furniture. Heavy black curtains on the windows, this time opened wide. The dim light of the gloomy Prague day seemed to embrace Cedric's tall, handsome figure. Black shoes, black jeans. Black jacket. I'm sure: black shirt and black tie.

– Are you in mourning? – I joked, walking slowly toward Cedric.

– You're so clever," he said without turning round.

I didn't think his joke was fu

– Who?

He didn't say anything.

I walked over to him and looked at his face with a grin.

Cedric didn't seem to notice me; he remained silent, staring out the window.

– Your mother is very upset about your absence," I said, not uncomfortable with his coldness toward me.

He said nothing.

– Cedric, this is getting a

I think my gesture made him a little angry, because his eyes on me were angry. Frowning eyebrows, stern face, scowl. He's so handsome, this vampire, this hermit. And he's still alone. He's not in love with anyone. He's free. But at the same time, it's like he's disco

– I didn't call you, Maria, and I don't intend to entertain you," Cedric said in a quiet but simply icy tone.

He'd never felt any friendly feelings for me. Nor have I for him. I was just trying to play a little game, but I realised that this time I'd hit an impenetrable rock.

– I don't need to be entertained. I always find my own entertainment," I smiled sweetly.

– Doing inappropriate things with mortals?

My breath caught in my throat. How did he know?

– Calm down. It's your business. – Cedric gri

– Where did you…" I whispered, taking a step away from him.

I realised now that playing with him had been a bad idea. He was stinging my soul with his words, the way a wasp stings soft human flesh.

– You're careless. Markus saw you.

– M-Markus?

The news made me feel creepy.

My brother-in-law has seen me. With a mortal. He could have told Mariszka. And she would surely rush to share this "magical" news with our parents. Oh, no. No!

– But he only told me. So your secret is safe," Cedric said quietly, as if to comfort me.

– Yes, you can keep a secret like no one else," I whispered with a smile. – But you can't judge me.

– You're right. And I don't judge you. – Cedric turned his face away from me and stared out the window again. And I realised that was the end of our conversation.

– Your mum's upset, Cedric. You have to come with me. – I headed for the door, not bothering to persuade him.

– They're not bored, believe me. – I heard a cold reply.

– As you wish. – I gri

Walking back to the hall, I felt awful. Horribly dirty.

Why is Cedric Morgan always so honourable? Cold. Always so… Clean? Has he never done anything reprehensible? Not once in his life? In almost three centuries? It's hard to believe, but it seems to be true. And that's why his moral purity embarrassed me. It depressed me. Next to him, I felt covered in fresh, horrible-smelling dirt that soaked into my skin that I could never wash off.

"What's all this sniffling, Maria?" – I said to myself to get rid of this oppression.

I was used to spitting on everything and everyone. But sometimes my reason failed me, and then the feeling of disgust at my dirty soul haunted me, tormented me. And at that moment it seemed to me that, even just being near Misha, I was committing a blasphemy.

As I walked into the hall I'd left only three minutes ago, I forced myself to square my shoulders again, lift my head proudly, and walk up to the Morgan seniors with a smile. Hell, I promised them I'd get back with Cedric. Oh, well. I tried.

– I'm not surprised. Don't take it personally, sweetheart,' Lady Morgan told me with a smile.

But I could see the cruel disappointment on her beautiful face when she saw me. Without Cedric.

– Oh, not at all, Mrs. Morgan. At least I've breathed the air of seclusion," I said in a calm tone, sitting down in the chair next to me, which was now vacant. Mr. Morgan's away somewhere. – Besides, your son looked so peaceful, I didn't want to take him away from his euphoria.

– Peaceful? Cedric? – Mrs. Morgan questioned quietly, incredulity in her voice.

– That's what it seemed to me. – I shrugged and put my foot on my leg. – Misha told me that you're pla

– Yes, but we're not sure if we want to move. But I'm leaning towards Iceland. Quiet, peaceful place. Not much in the way of hunting, but we're willing to put up with the inconvenience.

– You should live in Toronto. Believe me, it's paradise," I suggested. But, remembering that I might be seen with mortal lovers, I added. – You're right, though: Iceland is the place to be. Beautiful scenery for filming. I'm thinking of hiring an Icelandic woman as a model… It should be very interesting.

– I'm sure it would," Lady Morgan said with a smile. – I think we'll be seeing those pictures in the best glossy magazines again soon.