Easton slid closer. “Where else did he hurt you?”
Madison pecked him on the lips, relishing the softness of the flesh. “Nowhere else. I made sure of it.”
She could feel the tension leave his body. He was probably dreading to hear her answer. At least she was glad she did not have to lie for that one.
“Has this been going on for long?”
“A week.” She murmured, not meeting his gaze.
“Since you started wearing those clothes?”
She nodded.
“You should’ve told me.” There was no accusation and she felt glad to be assured that he was not angry with her.
“I didn’t know how. Besides, I didn’t want you to fight…”
Easton sighed. “But we still did. This would have not stopped if I didn’t follow you earlier. You looked like you were about to do something stupid so I decided to follow you.”
Madison wrinkled her nose. “Was I that obvious?”
Easton chuckled at the action. “A bit. But it was more because I know you so well.”
She flicked his nose and they shared a laugh. It lightened their mood immensely.
He sighed again. She brought up a hand and pressed her wrist against his lips. He needed a distraction and she was willing to give it to him.
When they got together, she could not stop asking Easton why he found her blood delectable. It started from honest curiosity until they started to experiment. From time to time, he sucks a few drops of blood from her wrist. The wounds were small enough not to inflict any pain or cause serious bleeding. Sometimes, she even offered herself to him, knowing that even the few drops will help him gain energy.
“Go on.” She coaxed and Easton conceded. He brought his lips against her wrist and used one of his canines to puncture a small wound. Madison barely winced and paid attention to him as he sucked gently.
Madison never admitted it but seeing him in that state made her euphoric. For her, the action creates a stronger bond between them and it made her more eager to offer herself as much as she could.
Her eyes fluttered and she licked her dry lips.
They ogled at each other and Easton swept his tongue against the wounds, never breaking their eye contact. It caused a shiver to run down her spine.
The door opened and the connection was broken and they froze as Courtney gaped at them, looking terrified at the sight of him holding Madison’s wrist, which looked a bit red.
“What is happening? Madison?” She was in hysterics and she walked to the bed only to pull her off of Easton.
“Aunt Courtney, we were just--”
“What?” She gazed at her sharply. “Just playing games? Just experimenting? Exploring how much a bloodsucker can restrain himself before he sucks the life out of you? Is that what this is? Because it certainly looked like that to me.”
“It wasn’t--”
Enraged, she pointed at Easton. “No, shut up. Let her talk.”
Madison stood there, flabbergasted. She was still shaken with how rapid her emotions were changing. A while ago, she was basking in Easton’s attention. Now, her aunt is fuming to get the truth out of her.
Not finding a way out, she confessed. “It was something we do often. There’s no need to be worried. Easton has full control of himself.” She rambled. She did not see the slap coming and she brought a hand to her cheek as she gaped at her aunt.
“You consider sucking blood out of each other normal? Can you hear yourself Madison?”
Easton remained on the bed, not wanting to interfere with them though he wanted to shield Madison. If Courtney hits her one more time, he would not be able to restrain himself.
“You are both crazy. Whatever made you think that you could be in a relationship was bullshit.”
The statement made her blood boil. “What we feel for each other is real, Aunt Courtney. Please, stop thinking that we couldn’t make it work because we can.”
“You can’t! Or else you’ll be the cause of each other’s death!”
The outburst was expected but Madison and Easton exchanged puzzled looks.
Courtney heaved deep breaths and exhaled slowly, still not letting go of her hold on Madison’s arm.
“Madison, your grandmother was also bitten once by a vampire.”
Chapter-6
Our Lives are Intertwined
All her life, Madison could only remember being with her aunt. She was told that her parents died when she was young and as she grew up, she learned that the only remaining family she had was her Aunt Courtney.
Her aunt was never the type to narrate stories about their family and Madison got the impression that it was a topic to be evaded. Until now.
Courtney was conflicted but decided to tell them the truth. “Take a seat.” She gestured for Madison to sit on the edge of the bed while she dragged the chair from Madison’s desk. Easton scrambled to settle beside Madison. For a minute, he contemplated of leaving them to talk in private but seeing how wary Courtney eyed him, he knew what she was about to say concerned him too.
She faced them with a dreadful expression.
“Your grandmother was bitten by a vampire before.”
Madison nibbled with her lip. “Did she die?”
Courtney shook her head. “No, she didn’t. But the vampire who bit her did.”
“I--” Courtney was still hesitant. It was a tale she long buried in her mind.
“Your grandmother used to be with a vampire, just like the two of you. They tried to defy the odds because they were in love. Then, your grandmother decided that she wanted to be turned into a bloodsucker so she could be with Atticus.” Courtney fiddled with her fingers. “And they did try despite all the warnings not to. Not surprisingly, everyone who knew about their relationship told them to part ways but they were persistent and met behind the others’ backs.
“When the day came that Atticus tried to turn your grandmother, he went missing. Turning someone is a long process and after they did the first phase, Atticus was nowhere to be found until one day, they got the news that he was dead.”
“Did you say his name was Atticus?”
Courtney was adamant to not recognize Easton’s presence but knowing she had to, she nodded hesitantly.
“And this happened in the first few years of the ‘90s?”
“How did you know?”
Madison looked at Easton questioningly.
“I think it was the same man who turned us.”
Both women gasped at the information.
“So he’s technically your father?” Madison reached for his hand and squeezed it. She was still trying to comprehend everything.
“He is. But when he turned us, he was already weak. I can still remember him and how he told us that he wouldn’t be lasting for long until we can’t find him anymore.”
“That explains it.” Courtney muttered.
“Explains what?” Madison looked at her aunt desperately.
“The first time you saw each other, was the attraction immediate?” She questioned, trying to piece everything together. If her hunch was right, then it would be useless to try to stop them being together. All her efforts would be futile because they would surely find a way through it.
“It was.” Easton admitted.
“Are you implying that the attraction between Atticus and my grandmother had an effect on us?” Madison treaded on the detail. It was a brave assumption to make.
“It might have. Madison, it would not be impossible that you have vampire blood running through your veins. Your grandmother was infected and you might have inherited what little of vampire blood she had.”
Madison dragged a hand over her face. This conversation was draining much of her energy.
“When Atticus went missing, your grandmother was heartbroken. But your grandfather came and everyone hoped that he would replace Atticus in your grandmother’s heart. Your mother was born and they were certain that she had traces of vampire blood in her. When you were b
orn, it was hard to say whether you also did. But during that fight…” Courtney winced at the memory.
“So me suddenly acting like I was a vampire was purely on instinct?” She remembered how she shielded Easton and bared her canines like she had long fangs that could suck blood.
“That was the first time you showed any indication. When you were younger, it never showed so I was sure you were normal. I was shocked when I saw you like that but deep in my mind, I think I’ve been expecting it.”
Silence rang in the room and Courtney decided to leave them on their own, with a warning that there would be no more sucking of blood inside her room.
“This is insane.” Easton dropped back to lie on the bed. “Maybe that’s why you smelled different.”
Madison jumped at the thought and copied Easton.
“And why I suddenly brandish my teeth to people like I had the longest fangs.” They both chuckled but the surprise was yet to be worn off. They never expected something like this. They always thought that Courtney’s opposition against their relationship was mainly because they were different. Turned out, they have similarities far more than they could imagine.
“But was that really possible? That when Atticus turned you, he also transferred his emotions unknowingly?”
“It’s probable. It’s the only logical explanation why there was a pull between us. They must have loved each other so greatly.” Easton sighed, now understanding that Atticus was brokenhearted more than sick. He probably felt hopeless and had to die wondering if they could have been together forever like they wanted.
“But why did Atticus suddenly die?”
Easton pursed his lips. “I had no idea. He just grew weaker and then he went off to somewhere and didn’t return. News just circulated that he was gone. We never had a strong bond with him so we weren’t inclined to see him. Just knowing that he’s gone was enough for us back then.”
They both fell into the depth of their thoughts. Easton pondered on the fact that Madison is partly vampire. He had never heard of such case before. He was not aware as to what her particular characteristics were. It was another mystery that added hundred to his list of unanswered questions.
He faced Madison and cupped her cheek.
“It’s been years but fate was still doing its best to make us together.”
Madison smiled. “That’s a romantic way to put it.”
***
There were the brick walls and their roughness was apparent when she pushed back against it.
She felt the lick and she gasped, opening her eyes to see a man she did not know.
“Let’s not back down, Atticus. Not now when we’ve come so far.” She said.
The man was still hesitating.
“Please.”
And then there was a sharp, excruciating pain on her neck.
Chapter-7
It was All for Their Vengeance
The revelation, as opposed to being a deterrent in their relationship, made their desire to be together stronger. They acknowledged that whatever affection they had was not only a result of their ancestors’ bonding but also their own affections, which blossomed as time passed.
It was strange and overwhelming, knowing how deeply intertwined their lives were. It was also intimate in a way and it made them more certain that their meeting was fated.
What still bothered them was Courtney saying they could be each other’s cause of deaths but Madison dismissed it because Easton swore to take care of her and she found comfort in it. All other trivial details be damned.
She faced the new day with a renewed vigor.
When Monday came again, Easton never strayed away from her. He never let her out of his sight, even foregoing attendance to his own classes and insisted that he wanted to be there to protect her. It was downright mad but she could see the worry in his eyes so she let him be.
They avoided speaking about Gavin the whole weekend but meeting him would be inevitable. Easton even stayed at their house, admitting that he wasn’t sure what he would do if he and Gavin would be left alone in their place.
It was near the end of the day and Gavin was nowhere in sight. Madison thought that he probably gave up but Easton remained alert, eyes constantly scanning the crowd and hands always holding hers wherever they went.
She wanted to tell him that it’s okay but she was also aware of what Gavin was capable of doing. He did not sound the least bit guilty the last time, there was a hint of arrogance when he challenged Easton.
***
She was going out of the restroom when she was pulled inside a cubicle. Her scream was muffled by a hand and she recognized him in an instant.
His bruises have faded like Easton and there was that sinister smirk which made him look dangerous. His eyes glittered and he rejoiced when he saw her fear.
“You should keep quiet if you don’t want Easton to know.”
Madison held his wrist and forced his hand away and she shouted for Easton but he was fast enough to silence her again.
“Madison. Promise to shut up and I won’t hurt you.”
Hesitantly, she agreed with a nod.
He removed his hand and waited if she would scream again but she didn’t.
Madison took it as another chance to talk things out. If there is a way to salvage Easton and Gavin’s relationship, then she would choose it. It was a brotherhood that stayed strong for a century and it’s not about to be broken now.
“Think about this.” He held her face so they would meet eye to eye. “If you run away with me now, you will save Easton from hurting later. We could make it work, Madison. We could be happy.”
She gritted her teeth. She could not think of a way to tell him that she was not interested. All her rejections only fell on deaf ears. “I don’t see you that way, Gavin. How many times do I have to repeat it so you’d believe me?”
He smiled serenely. She shivered at the sight.
“I’ll never believe you because I know you’re just lying.” He grasped her elbows this time and incher his face closer to hers. “You’re lying because you don’t want to hurt my brother. But don’t you see, you’ll never be happy with him because it’s me who you want to be with. Admit it.”
“Are you out of your mind? I don’t want you--,” Whatever she was about to say was cut. He pressed his fingers on her chin.
“You do. Believe me.”
Madison swatted his hand away and tried to duck to his side but he blocked the door with his body.
“Gavin,” she begged. “Just leave me alone.”
Suddenly, he surged forward with the force that wrenched the door open while Madison jumped to the side to avoid colliding with him.
Easton gave Gavin a cold glare. She took advantage of Gavin’s stunned state and run to Easton and hid behind his back.
“Let’s go.” She grabbed him and attempted to lead him out of the restroom. Madison could not decide if it was fortunate or not that there was no other person to witness this.
“Go ahead.” Easton did not spare her a glance and she worried her bottom lip. She could not leave them alone or else the worst could really happen.
“Easton, please. Let it go. I wanna go home.”
Easton gently pried her hand off. “I’m sorry but you have to go home alone today.”
Madison was on the verge of crying. Easton was saying things with a tone of finality. She didn’t even want to imagine what was on his mind.
“See? I told you he won’t make you happy. I’ll walk you home every day Madison. I’ll be beside you as much as you want.” Gavin was coy and he held no boundaries, raking his eyes over Madison even while under his brother’s scrutiny.
The lines in Easton’s forehead deepened. Gavin was acting out of character. He was never straightforward and he was a man of few words. The Gavin he knew was considerate and never ridiculed anyone.
“Why are you doing this Gavin?” He sidestepped and Gavin smiled triumphantly.
Madison fell flat on th
e floor when Easton shoved her, as Gavin aimed a punch in their direction.
Chaos ensued and both men stumbled down and wrestled. Easton grazed his knuckles against his brother’s cheeks while Gavin hit him back on the head and grappled for his neck.
A Dark Truth Page 4