Bloody ulcer. She knows how to hit a nerve.

I wanted to answer her with a sharp witticism about her beautiful way of greeting long-awaited guests, but the tired look of my mother, who knows that between me and Mariszka there is nothing but dislike, stopped me from this idea. So I smiled strainedly.

– It's a wonderful dress. You're very elegant, as always," I said to my sister.

Mariszka raised her eyebrows in surprise, clearly not expecting this compliment from me. After all, when we had the honour of saying a few words to each other, we used to exercise in throwing sarcasm arrows.

– Thank you. Your dress is adorable, too," she said in an even tone.

But I knew it was a lie. In fact, Mariszka was of the exact opposite opinion. Oh, yes, she was the one who was always telling me that I had frankly cheap taste in clothes. That's why my short silver dress, against her elegant dark blue, looked inexcusably bright and too short. And my ten-centimetre heels made Mariszka lift her chin to look at my face. After all, she only wore a medium heel. The elegant, imposing Mrs. Morgan.

– I'm glad you like it. After all, you're the most elegant lady in our little society for a reason. – I meant to say it in a calm tone, but there was a hint of mockery in it.

Mariszka's lips immediately pressed into a thin line, but after a second she opened her mouth, ready to give me a proper rebuff, when suddenly Misha appeared between me and her. She grabbed our hands and dragged us behind her.

– You have to see this! Let's go! Mum, you too! – joyfully exclaimed Misha, and we obediently followed her. It seems that Mariszka even forgot that she wanted to insult me once again.

And why Misha, this girl, loves Mariszka more than me? What's the reason? Why her heart is closer to this dry well-mannered cold blooded girl?

This fact caused me heartache.

– Look! Cédric is so clever! – Misha let go of our hands, and we saw a very interesting picture: Cedric was hanging on the neck of kneeling Markus and unsuccessfully chewing on his neck.

– Such a little boy, and he already knows how to hunt! – Markus told us in a satisfied tone. He was shining with happiness. I knew he was crazy about his son, so whatever Cedric did was wonderful.

– I drink your blood, you wretched mortal! – Cedric shouted pathetically.

This cute scene made me laugh: the boy is growing up to be a true hunter. I doubt he'll be as prim as his mum. Ha, he seems to be much more Morgan than Mroczek. And so much like his father: dark hair, same facial features, same undisguised love of human blood. Mariszka's gonna cry with him. And I'm glad of it.

Cedric Junior was a very sweet and funny child.

– Darling, I told you it's not nice to say such words," Mariszka's voice was immediately heard.

– Come on, Mariszka, your son is a vampire, in case you've forgotten that," I said in defence of little Cedric, who immediately broke away from his amusement and looked at me. I winked at him. – Hello, little one. I see you're ready for a real hunt already?

– Misha? – Cedric said in an unsure baby voice.

– 'No, dear, this is my other sister and your Aunt Maria,' Mariszka explained to him. – 'But Mummy doesn't like it when you play games like that, and your Daddy has apparently forgotten about it.

– Hurrah! Maria! You're here! – Cedric shouted and rushed over to me. I grabbed him in my arms, and he wrapped his thin arms around my neck. – I'm three years old! I'm a big boy!

– Of course, Cedric, you're a big boy, but it's too early for you to play games like this," Mariszka said in an affectionate tone. But she looked as if she was afraid of the fact that Cedric had even spoken to me. As if I could turn him into an exact copy of me. So I gently placed Cedric in her arms. But how unpleasant. Mariszka has a way of ruining the mood. Me.