The encounter puzzled her even more. Easton knew where to find them; she was certain she told him earlier. It was weird that he would be looking for her as Gavin said, or even odder, that he would ask for Gavin’s help to find her. She was sure he could manage on his own if it came to that.
“Should we continue this tomorrow? We’re halfway done right?” She began packing up her things and Kelvin did the same.
“Okay, same time. See you.” He hurried out, pausing before going through the door. Madison followed him and her eyes widened upon spotting Gavin at the door, staring at it like it had committed a crime against him.
“Is everything alright?”
He only glanced at her then turned around and left her alone. Madison was dumbfounded by the undisguised hostility.
***
The shelves loomed over her and she was beginning to feel jittery. She strode through the library and hurried to return the books she got.
It felt like déjà vu. There was that nagging feeling that she was being watched, being followed. She checked her back a few times but saw no one, to her relief. But as soon as she faced front again, the uneasiness returned immediately. Madison could not wait to get out and meet Easton.
She tiptoed and slid a book in when a hand touched her lower back and she gasped loudly in shock, facing whoever it was.
“Easton!” Her head was reeling but she was beyond relieved that it was Easton and not anyone else.
“What happened?”
“Nothing. I was just surprised.” She looked at both ends of the shelves to check if there were other people. She could still feel the weight of someone’s stare but she could not pinpoint its source, not when she was practically surrounded by hundreds of books where someone could easily hide.
Could it be Richmond?
She dreaded the answer to her question but she knew she had to keep alert. If it was really Richmond, she had to be prepared. She was probably already marked as an ally of the vampires with how she tried to protect Easton. It would not be surprising if Richmond launches an attack against her too.
“Are you sure?” He held her cold hands. The tension was starting to seep out of her.
Whoever it was, they had probably gone off.
“Yeah. I wasn’t expecting to see you here.” She averted her eyes. Easton had his way of extracting the truth out of her but she did not want to alarm him of her suspicions when she had no clear proof. It would not be wise that the two of them would be on edge for no reason.
“You were taking too long so I came to check on you.”
“Well that was the last of it.” She gestured at her empty hands. “Let’s go.” She held his hand and led him out, searching for any suspicious person but found none.
Get yourself together. You’re just imagining things!
***
Gavin watched as they went out of the library with their hands clasped. The sight made him boil in anger. Seeing them together did not sit well with him. Not any more of his disapproval over Madison but because he wanted her for himself.
He walked out of the shelf he was hiding and ignored the librarian who looked at him curiously.
His control was starting to loosen. He was restless and shaken by the mere thought of Madison spending time with other people, even if it was Easton. The other day he nearly attacked the guy who was close with Madison and he had to walk away to cool himself down.
He desired for Madison. He craved for her attention and her touch. Gavin often found himself biting his tongue around her because his body was going crazy. His mouth watered because he wanted a taste of her. Madison was making him ballistic with want and need. He did not know until when he could stop himself from pouncing her. Gavin was near his limits. He needed to taste Madison if he wanted to salvage what little sanity he has left.
Chapter-3
I’m Caught in the Midst of Emotional Turbulence
The sound from the television served as the white noise as they ate their dinner. Courtney had been cold to her since the fight between Richmond and Easton. At first, Madison understood why her aunt would be angry.
She had every reason to she suddenly found out that Madison befriended a vampire who nearly killed the child of one of her old friends. She also knew that knowing that vampires exist must be too unbelievable that she was yet to get over the shock.
Madison gave her the space she needed but as weeks went on and she got the same cold treatment, she tried to make amends but to no avail. Courtney was adamant on ignoring her.
Steel scraped against the plates and Madison was feeling tired of their ongoing feud. She had no one left but her aunt and now, Courtney seemed to hate her to the core.
“Are we really never going back to how we were before?” These were the words she repeated multiple times in her head and tried to revise and rephrase to sound more amiable. She braced herself for the reaction.
Courtney stopped chewing and dropped her fork. Madison thought she would be up and leave her hanging but she stayed seated, eyes fixated on the food in her plate.
“We can.”
Madison perked at the response.
“But only if you stop seeing him.” Courtney fiddled with her fork as she waited for her niece’s response.
“I don’t understand what is wrong with Easton.” Her defenses were on high-alert, especially when it concerned Easton. She was not aware when she started caring so much for him.
Courtney stood up so fast that her chair came tumbling down. She banged her hands on the table making Madison jump.
“He’s a bloodsucker Madison. Isn’t that enough reason for you to stay away from him?” She shouted. Her eyes were blazing and she was fuming. Madison had never seen her so livid before.
“I’ve known him for months and he has never hurt me. Not once.” She lied through her teeth. She had long forgiven Easton for his mistakes so for her, she was telling the truth. After the last time he sucked her blood, he never did anything to deliberately hurt her.
Courtney scoffed and started pacing around with her arms crossed. “You think I’d believe in that?”
“You should because it’s the truth.” Madison’s hands were trembling. She had enough of her aunt accusing Easton.
“You’re making a huge mistake, Madison. Being with a vampire doesn’t mean you’re a character in some sort of a fairytale. If you don’t want things to get worst, it would be best if you separate ways.” Courtney contained her anger and tried to appeal.
The statement made Madison more furious and confused. From how her aunt said it, she seemed to know something that she was not telling Madison. She kept going on about how it was a bad idea being with Easton but she never told her the real reason why she should not. Her aunt only sputtered pathetic excuses which she refused to believe. There was something she was hiding. She felt her anger but there was something more. Something akin to fear.
“What do you mean by that?” By now, she also stood up and faced her aunt head on. This was the confrontation she was waiting for ever since that day. Her aunt tried to divert the topic whenever she tried to bring it up and this was the only time she was showing signs that she still remembered what happened and Madison was determined to keep her talking.
Courtney was the only family she had and she would do anything to convince her that she is safe with Easton. Her acceptance would mean so much to them.
Her aunt was taken aback by her question and she turned and tried to walk out, if not for Madison’s grip on her arm.
“You know something. Please, let me know what’s bothering you so we can work this out.” A choke escaped Madison and she did not realize that tears started to form in her eyes.
Courtney’s expression softened and Madison could see her struggle with the fleeting emotions flashing through her eyes. She wanted to say something. Madison was aware that her aunt had been hiding a secret that seemed to burden her more than anything. She wanted to know because she did not want her to suffer alone. She was willi
ng to carry part of the burden if it means Courtney opening up to her.
“I don’t know what you’re saying.”
“No. You definitely know what I’m talking about Aunt Courtney. What is it? Tell me! What is it about Easton that you want me to stay away from him? I know it’s not just because he’s a vampire.” She was certain that she hit a nerve when her aunt gulped visibly and pulled her arm away.
“I don’t know anything.” She hissed.
Madison gave up and watched her back as she stomped her way up the stairs. She felt exhausted with their confrontation. Nothing was adding up and she had no clue to her aunt’s secret. Whatever it is, she had to make sure to make her confess because it obviously concerned her relationship with Easton.
***
It was faint but she heard it in the dead silence of the night. Instead of panicking, she laid calmly and remained in her half-asleep state, knowing that it was Easton again who was sneaking inside her room.
It was a habit she was not able to stop. Easton came from time to time and used her window to get in. She protested at first but soon let him be as he promised and he only wished to accompany her while sleeping.
Admittedly, she loved the nights they spent together, cuddled beneath the warmth of her blankets. During those times, it felt like everything about them was normal. It was an alternate world where they were just a couple who enjoyed being together.
The footsteps neared and she anticipated him lying down behind her and spooning her. What she did not expect was for a heavy weight to settle on her and large, cold hands gripping her wrists tightly.
In shock, she was not able to struggle, still believing that it was Easton and he was just playing around. When the hold got tighter, she finally opened her eyes and was met with Gavin’s pair, which were dark and dilated.
He looked furious and he panted heavily while staring at her, straddling her waist to cage her down. Madison was lost. The better part of her was telling her to scream and ask for help but she had to know why Gavin came barging in her room and why he looked like he was about to murder someone.
She gulped at the unpleasant thought and forced herself to not panic. This is Gavin, Easton’s brother. He meant no harm. He had a good reason why he’s here and that’s what she should ask.
“What,” her voice came out as a squeak. The fear was overpowering her senses. “What are you doing here?”
Instead of answering, Gavin went straight to her neck and flicked his tongue on her skin, emitting an audible gasp from her. She started to thrash and tried to throw him off her body but he was bigger and stronger. He locked her jaw in a tight hold and forced her to meet his gaze.
“Look at me.” He growled. Madison whimpered and she felt how he started to take over the control of her body, how numbness crawled across her torso and down to her limbs.
The only thought running on her mind was Easton. What would he feel if he knew that his brother killed her? How would he react? Will he know about it or will Gavin make it look like somebody else did it?
When she laid limp and she had no means to struggle, Gavin released her wrists and dipped down again her neck, licking hungrily in one area. He bared his fangs and poised it against her flesh. She could feel the start of a bite. The wound was still small and barely noticeable but there was blood seeping out.
Gavin flicked his tongue against the wounds and moaned at the taste of Madison’s blood.
“I knew you’d taste heavenly. No wonder Easton never seem to get enough of you.”
Madison wanted to scream at him. To tell him that Easton was not with her just because of the taste of her blood. But she only managed to let out small yelps that did nothing to affect her assaulter.
Gavin returned to his position and swept the remaining blood with his tongue, then he bit her again on the same spot, this time he went deeper and Madison could feel him sucking slowly, as if he was relishing the feeling.
His hands roamed on her body, caressing her torso down to her waist. Tears prickled the edges of her eyes and they fell down in droplets, cascading down her temple.
Gavin was moaning as he alternately licked the wound and drained blood from it. She felt him move his hips against hers and she felt horrified, thinking of the worst situation this could lead to.
She willed herself to move, trying to remember how she managed to push Easton back then when he attacked her. He started to grind against her just when she was able to move her fingers and toes. She was practically pleading her body to move and escape whatever magic he used against her.
He stopped sucking and gazed at her, desire and lust reflected in his eyes. He licked the blood off his lips and lowered his head. At this point, Madison raised her hips, twisting her body to the side as much as she could, catching him off guard. He stumbled down the bed but he was quick to return and hold her down.
Having no other way, she screamed and prayed that her aunt would hear her. Gavin covered her mouth with a hand and slapped her with the other. She could feel how sore her cheek was with the impact of the blow.
She thrashed against him, lifting her body and hitting him with her fists but he did not budge. His nostrils flared and he ignored her hits. He was torn between leaving and killing her for good. It would not be hard for him to snap her neck but he was being held back.
Her blood was the most delicious one he had for decades and he could not take the thought that it would be gone in an instant. Drinking the blood of a dead person would be synonymous to a mortal drinking spoiled milk.
His conflicting thoughts were interrupted when the door opened and the woman screamed. This was not part of his plan. He only wanted a taste, and possibly Madison reciprocating his touches. A hysterical woman was not included in his imagination.
Taken aback, he leaped away from the bed and walked backwards, keeping watch of the women who were petrified beyond belief.
When he reached the window, he opened it hastily and jumped out, running away at full speed.
Courtney hugged Madison, who was a complete mess, with tears decorating her cheeks and her voice hoarse as she cried. Courtney reached for the tissue box on the bedside table and pressed it against her wound. It would not suffice to stop the bleeding but right now, Madison needed comfort more than anything.
When Madison’s breathing became even, she hurried downstairs and fetched their first aid kit and attended to the wounds, relieved when they stopped bleeding.
Madison could not stop sobbing. She wanted to erase the memory of what happened but the wounds would serve as a reminder and it would take time before it heals. Fortunately, the slap only reddened her cheek and did not leave a mark.
She sniffled and hiccupped and wiped away her tears.
Meanwhile, Courtney fought down her emotions. When she heard Madison’s scream, she knew it had something to do with the bloodsuckers. She was not ignorant and she knew that Easton sometimes sneaked in. During those nights, she would lay awake on her bed, waiting for any sound that would signal that her niece was in trouble.
Her worry was useless until tonight. What she did not expect was to see the other bloodsucker, who she knew to be related with Easton. She was tempted to run to their house and set it on fire if not for her niece who needed her now more than anything.
She hushed her and coaxed her to lay down again and sleep.
“I can’t sleep.” Madison bit her lip as a fresh set of tears sprang out her eyes.
“Oh, dear.” Courtney decided to lay down beside her. “I’ll stay here, don’t worry.”
Madison reached for her hand and squeezed it tightly. “Sleep now, dear. I’m not leaving you alone.”
Needless to say, Courtney stayed awake the rest of the night, jumping at the slightest sound. She would do anything to protect Madison. All her life, she knew her main purpose was to protect Madison, no matter what. And she would not back down just because a bloodsucker decided that her niece’s blood tasted good.
Chapter-4
I
t was All My Fault
“Don’t you feel hot?” Easton gestured at her clothes.
She caressed her neck and smiled forcibly. “It’s a bit chilly at night so I prefer them.”
Since that night, Madison wore turtlenecks and hoodies to hide the wounds. She was hesitant to attend her classes the next day. She was scared at the idea of meeting Gavin but when he did not show up, she was relieved.
Maybe he regretted what he had done and he was just mustering the courage to ask for her forgiveness. Madison liked to think that was what he felt -- regret and remorse. She could not bear that Gavin would not feel any guilt with what he had done.
She hated lying to Easton. She knew that he was aware that there was something wrong. She avoided his touches and kisses and tried to spend as less time with him as possible. As long as the memories replayed vividly, she would find it difficult to face Easton like nothing happened.
Angel Romance: Awakened (Paranormal Book for Adults) (Cursed Angel 1) Page 17