Alas, even my talent did not help this unsuccessful cause, and the silly goose turned into a painted duck in couture outfits. Tasteless and glamorous. However, I am always honest and do my work diligently and meticulously, so Mrs. My-Husband-Millionaire has nothing to complain about. A week later she received the coveted folder, from which she was delighted and almost squealed with happiness like a piglet. That very evening a tidy sum of money arrived in my bank account.

In fact, I don't need money at all, and this unfortunate seven hundred thousand is just a drop in the ocean. But I do not touch my billions hidden in bank accounts and prefer to spend what I earned by honest labour. My luxury apartment in Toronto's cultural and financial centre requires a decent five-figure monthly investment, because Shangri-La, the penthouse I've lived in for almost five years, is actually a five-star hotel. I lived in another neighbourhood before that, but since my looks no longer matched the number on my next passport, I had to move and buy a new passport, with a more racy number for people's perception. But I love Toronto – a city where I feel free. Lots of people, fresh blood, fun and opportunity. And so far away from my devout parents. It's a shame to be so far away from Misha, but that's the only downside to my living on another continent. There aren't many vampires here, and that's a plus, too.

I'm twenty-five years old. That's what my Canadian passport says. In reality, I'm two hundred… Hmm, two hundred and something. I don't like to announce my age and I don't count my years. I'm always young and beautiful. Time has no power over me. Only the sun can give me away, so I try not to go out during the day. My time is evening and night. Oh, then I revel in life and my beauty. Two centuries have not changed my tastes: I have always loved being the centre of attention, fun and voluptuousness. The party girl is me. For this reason, my blood relatives, including my siblings, seemed dull, almost righteous: they don't sleep with mortals, don't kill for fun, and keep to the shadows. Only my older brother Martin is somewhat like me, but he too has never "stooped to sex with mortals." Martin understands me. Two years ago I confessed to him that I sleep with mortals, and my brother accepted it. He simply said: "It's your life, Maria. You're an adult vampire." Still, I asked him not to reveal my secret, and to this day, neither my parents, Mscislav, Mariszka, nor Misha are aware of my adventures. Especially Mariszka: I have the worst relationship with her. I am only thirteen years older than her, but we have never understood each other. She's a miss of innocence and decency. It's a wonder she married Markus Morgan, who likes to hunt mortals at his friend Brandon Grayson's estate. Mariszka… Hell, I don't even regret the fact that we barely even speak to each other. But I love my nephew. Almost as much as I love my little sister Misha.

Misha 's my soul mate. I wish I had been with her since she was born, but my own affairs and plans were too distracting, so the first time I saw Misha was when she was ten. She was such an adorable little girl! But after a couple of months, I had to leave. Because of Mariszka. She was always lecturing me that I could have a bad influence on little Misha 's unformed character. I remember with what a painful smile I left the house. I forgave Mariszka. But I haven't forgotten how deeply she insulted me by kicking me out of my parents' house, chasing me away from Misha, whom I love more than all my brothers and sisters put together. Fortunately, she is now in Fredrik's good caring hands. Soon I'll meet them.