What irony! What a cruel joke!

The aeroplane sat on the tarmac, drove down the road and soon came to a stop. People jumped up from their seats and pulled their suitcases and bags from the shelves and from under the front seats. When the cabin door was finally opened and the passengers began to slowly leave the plane, Grayson leaned in close to my face.

– Let's go. And don't you dare take a step away from me," the vampire whispered in my ear.

– I won't! – I answered him ironically, out of place.

– Don't even try to run away, Viper, or I won't be as kind to you. – Grayson grabbed my hand, and we headed for the exit. Luckily, I managed to grab my backpack. As we made our way to the exit, I almost fell, tripping over someone's bag, but Grayson didn't mind me, just dragged me along, not looking back at me like I was just a suitcase on wheels. We walked down the wide, long corridor into the airport building to check in, and then we walked briskly toward the terminal gate.

– My luggage! – I exclaimed in despair as we walked straight towards the terminal exit.

– What's in the luggage? – The vampire responded indifferently.

– Everything! Things, shoes, personal belongings! – I answered. – I need them!

Instead of answering, Grayson turned sharply to the baggage claim, and I followed him. I had no choice, though: the vampire held my palm in his icy one the whole way. But I was glad: at least I'd have my clothes, toothbrush, toothpaste, and necessary feminine accessories with me!

After picking up my suitcase, we left the airport, and the bright sunshine and the bright sunny day immediately blinded me: all the way to Rio, my porthole was covered with a curtain, as there was no point in enjoying the views for me. We stopped in the shade of a wide, long awning. But the sun was shining all around us, and that made me smile ear to ear. He couldn't steal me away now!

– Oh, yes, you can't be in the sun! – I said sarcastically to Grayson.

But he just grinned wryly.

– Silly girl! – He laughed suddenly. – You think I haven't thought my way out of this? I've been living in this world for a hell of a lot of years, and I know how to walk in the sun, even on the sunniest days! Look!

Grayson pointed at a man approaching us with two large black umbrellas, one of which he held above his head: this man was dressed in a strict black suit, just like my tormentor. It was only now that I noticed that Grayson was wearing a tightly buttoned black suit, with only his head and palms exposed.

– Good evening, sir," the man who approached said, and I saw that he was a vampire, too.

"Is it evening already? But it's still so bright! How did I make it to evening?" – I wondered, looking around and seeing the sunlight, unusually bright for evening.By my calculations, it was almost seven o'clock in the evening here in Rio, but I had safely forgotten that, exhausted from my emotional struggle with Grayson.

After giving me a mocking glance, the vampire approached and raised his eyebrows as if to ask: "Who the hell is this?

– Good evening, Mitch. She's a guest of my castle," Grayson told him, smiling unpleasantly. – Where are my gloves?

Mitch silently pulled thin black leather gloves from his jacket pocket and handed them to Grayson.

– The weatherman was wrong: instead of rain, it's sunny all day today," he said.

– No problem," Grayson said, letting go of my hand, "it's only two steps away. – He pulled on his gloves and took the umbrella from his servant, opened it, and grabbed my hand again, stepping out into the sunlight, the huge umbrella hiding him from the sun's rays. Mitch followed us.

The bright light was still blinding me, and I had to cover my eyes with the palm of my hand. I looked around at the thousands of people around us, hustling, shouting, rushing, and I envied them for being free, while I felt the icy grip of a vampire on my skin.

– So, what do you think of Brazil? – I heard Grayson's voice.

– I'm afraid I won't get to see it because of you," I told him grimly, walking obediently beside him.

– You have beautiful hair," he said suddenly, giving me a fleeting glance.

That out-of-place phrase made me smile mockingly.

We were getting further away from the airport building. The wind blew my hair around, tangling it, but I had no way to keep it out of my eyes as I dragged my wheeled suitcase behind me with my free hand.

People looked at us in surprise: we must have been something funny. Two men in black suits, hiding from the sun under big black umbrellas, were clearly asking for attention. I was the only one dressed for summer.

We walked and walked. I was starting to get exhausted from the heat and was breathing heavily. My loose hair only made it worse. Finally, we reached a small building and stood under its graceful shade. There wasn't a soul around. Grayson closed his umbrella, but didn't take off his gloves. As we reached the place, I noticed girls smiling at him as we passed, but he didn't seem to pay any attention to their smiles.