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– Yes, but… – I was confused: he gave me a real mate. I had nothing to say, because Grayson was absolutely right about me, about English culture and its influence on my mind. I mean, Mary Smith's influence on me.

But that defeat didn't discourage me from digging further into the sad story of Cedric and his girlfriend. On the contrary, it has doubled my annoyance.

– You can say what you want, but I know Cedric's in love» I told Grayson.

He glared at me. I thought he was going to come at me with questions about how and when I'd found out and maybe accuse me of being a spy, but to my amazement, Brandon just chuckled.

– If he did, I'm not aware of it» he said, and then he turned his gaze back to the road.

I was annoyed: what a great liar! How could I catch him? Was it even possible?

I was silent for a while, waiting to ask Grayson again, but not to be too forward, lest he realise that I had a personal interest in the story of Cedric and his crush.

About ten minutes passed.

My neighbour seemed drowned in his thoughts: his face was too detached and gloomy.

– What girl were you talking about? – I asked, as if out of boredom, without even looking at Brandon.

– What? – He asked in a completely calm tone.

«How calmly he keeps his temper! That's stamina!» – I was involuntarily surprised.

– When I came up to you, I overheard you talking about some Viper» I said, praying in my heart that he would tell me something about her, even the smallest thing.

– It's nothing» Brandon replied shortly. – She's an insignificant person.

– Why is she insignificant? – I asked.

– Because she doesn't matter» he said. – And forget it.

My question about Viper made his face tense.

«What's wrong with him? And what's the mystery with everyone acting so serious?» – I marvelled.

– 'But, if she's an insignificant person, why did you talk about her?

– Adults talk about many obscure things. But it's bad manners to overhear other people's conversations.

– I did not listen willingly, I was just going to get my bag! – I was indignant. – It's not my fault that I have such a fine ears!

– Let's not talk about that» the vampire said sternly. – If you want to know something, ask Markus.

– Oh, yeah! Right! He's gonna tell me everything!

– What makes you think I'd do that?

– I didn't. God, I was just asking!

Brandon didn't say a word, but his face remained tense and frowning.

I didn't try to repeat the attempted interrogation, but rather stared at the raindrops dripping down the windscreen. Of course, I hadn't expected to be entertained with conversation on the way, but I hadn't expected such unbearable silence either. I started to take the player out of my purse, but suddenly I noticed something unusual lying on the panel by the windscreen that looked like long, dark, straight strands of hair.

«Why does he need that hair here in the car?» – I wondered.

– Is that a woman's hair? – I asked, looking at them.

– 'As you can see,' Brandon tossed, not taking his eyes off the road.

– Whose are they? – I leaned my face forward to get a closer look at the strange piece of jewellery.

– One girl's.

Brandon's voice was simply icy, but I couldn't keep quiet: those beautiful feminine hairs intrigued me.

– Why do you keep them here?

My companion was silent.

– Probably so that they would remind you of that girl? – I suggested.

– Yes» he answered coldly.

– Did she give them to you?

– Almost» my neighbour said with a mocking chuckle.

His words and tone surprised me.

– How so?

But Grayson didn't answer again, and I knew it was best not to ask.

– Can I touch them? – I dared, reaching out to touch the hair I was interested in, but Brandon instantly grabbed it.

– No» he cut off short.

«Psycho! What's the big deal?» – I jerked my hand away and looked up at him: the sternness of his face scared me a little.

– I'm sorry, I just wanted to-» I started embarrassedly.

– Just stay out of it» Brandon interrupted me.

But my curiosity was stronger than my mind.

– Who is she? – I asked quietly, hoping Grayson wouldn't scold me for this interrogation

But he grinned darkly again.

– If you ask me that again, I'll put you in the back of a car and you'll ride in it the rest of the way to Oxford.

I swallowed: his tone was so convincing that I was scared, and I bit my tongue. I didn't want to ride in the boot.

– I'm sorry I was talking too much» I said, trying to calm his anger at me a little.

– Yeah, you like to talk, and now you're talking about something you shouldn't. – Was his answer. His voice didn't warm.

– I get it. I'll keep my mouth shut.

We drove in silence for a while after that unfortunate conversation; I felt annoyed that I hadn't been able to find out anything about the girl Cedric loved, or the girl who'd given Brandon her hair. I was frustrated because I knew how Cedric's love story ended, but I didn't know how it began and continued. Summary: Cedric disappeared and his girlfriend was taken away from him. But why? Why? How dare they?

The silence was starting to depress me.

– Brandon» I called quietly to him.

– What?» he said calmly.

– Let's just talk… About something!

– Oh, Misha, you're so frustrating. Can't you see that I'm not much of a talker? – Brandon laughed softly.

– I swear I won't touch on what we talked about again. I just have an important question. Well, please talk to me! I can't drive in silence! – I begged.

– I noticed that. All right, I'll answer your question, but promise me you'll be silent afterwards. You're keeping me from thinking.

– I promise. – I said I would.

– Good. So, what's your question?

– Do you like being a vampire? – It wasn't really a question that was important to me; I just wanted to talk about something so I wouldn't feel terribly awkward.

– That's a strange question» Brandon smiled suddenly. – Where did you get that idea?

– There was a lecture on identity the other day» I blurted out: there really was.

– Since you're curious enough not to be embarrassed by the possibility of being in the back of a car, I'll tell you this: I like being a vampire, even though it can be hard sometimes.