Madison never left his side while he was recovering. Deep down, she felt guilty for triggering the fight. If things had gone worst, Easton would probably dead by now.
She remembered how furious and panicked she was, how much she wanted to help Easton and save his life from the looming death. Seeing him weak and helpless hurt her and pushed her to teeter on the edge. She snapped at Richmond and bared her teeth on him, all on instinct. She did not have long and sharp fangs like vampires did and she often realized how stupid she must have looked for doing that.
“Hey, I’m losing you again.” She snapped back into reality, erasing the mental images of the fight and replacing it with Easton’s face close to hers as he gazed at her worriedly. He oftentimes sported that look which made her heart clench.
“Are you thinking about that again?” He asked. There were only a few things that could distract Madison easily. And one was whenever she remembered the vivid images during his fight with Richmond.
Madison smiled. “I’m just wondering why I acted like that.”
Easton searched her eyes and his voice softened. “Can’t we just dismiss it as a proof of how much you like me that you automatically copied my actions?” His eyes twinkled with mischief and she smacked him on the chest but nonetheless did not protest.
It was another unexplainable instance since they’ve met. The first was the fact that there was an invisible pull between them that they could not explain. It governed their actions and made them want to spend every waking second together. And now, it the fact that she seemed to have transformed suddenly into someone with vampire-like tendencies. Her hearing was heightened, her taste buds preferred a different food, and her eyesight got better than when she used glasses.
Easton grasped one of her hands in his, brushing her knuckles with a thumb. “Stop overthinking.” He kissed her cheek and the tension seeped out of her as she basked in the calm he exuded.
“Maybe it really was because I like you too much.” She whispered cheekily.
She was taken aback when he stopped playing with her hand and swooped in, kissing her properly, making her stomach flip flop incessantly. Only Easton could affect her and incite thousands of emotions all at once.
“I really like you too.” He locked their gazes and Madison felt overwhelmed with the sincerity in his eyes.
The pull had become stronger and Madison, still drowning in a pool of emotions, let herself sink in wholly. All that matters now are that they were both safe and there was no one anymore who would deliberately part them from each other. And she truly wished it would stay the same for long.
Chapter-2
It was a Brothers’ Thing
The cafeteria was buzzing and she stretched her neck, finding Easton in the midst of the chaos. They rarely went to the cafeteria, especially during lunch periods, when the whole place is jam packed.
Earlier, Easton talked about them meeting there. It puzzled Madison because if there was anyone between them who loathed a crowded place more, it would be him. Though confused, she did not ask and readily agreed.
She walked toward a man who looked like Easton, his back facing her. She knew how his shoulders look like because it was something she came to love. Once she was close enough, her eyes widened in surprise upon seeing who was with Easton.
She approached the table and her eyes darted everywhere except for the other man sitting across Easton. The presence of another vampire unnerved her. Even though Gavin was Easton’s brother, she felt uneasy around him. Gavin did not like her for Easton, she was certain.
During the week when she took care of Easton, she barely exchanged words with the man, who also kept a distance from her. He was almost never home when she visited and in the rare times that they met each other, all words died down at the exchange of hello’s. Gavin was a man of much fewer words, worse than Easton.
While Easton had a mysterious aura blanketing him, Gavin was a plain blank that Madison could not decipher. She had often found herself wondering whether the silence was a bit of a vampire-related trait or maybe they just got tired of talking along the way.
“Hi,” she greeted, taking the seat beside Easton who beamed upon her arrival.
“Madison!” He gestured at Gavin, who was watching their interaction intently. “You’ve met Gavin.”
She smiled awkwardly at the stone-faced man. Gavin only gave her a nod before taking a bite of the sandwich. He winced as he chewed the food, his actions more practiced than a habit. His lips twisted into a snarl but he continued eating.
“How are you doing?” She started. There was no way the other would start a conversation so she had to take the initiative.
She took Easton’s proffered sandwich and took a bite.
“Fine.” Gavin answered in a clipped tone.
“What brought you here?” She attempted again, eyeing him and trying to look genuinely interested rather than terrified.
Gavin shot Easton a look.
“He’s a student too. He got himself in just this semester.” Easton explained.
Madison processed the information. Gavin being a student meant that they will see each other almost every day if Easton decided that they meet with him for every common period they had. She was tempted to ask how he managed to get in during a second semester but she decided to keep mum. Whatever the reason was and how he did it, the idea of spending time with him did not sit well with her.
It was obvious that Gavin did not like her for Easton. The first time they saw each other was when Easton was almost killed and Gavin, even though he was quiet the whole time, was fuming and had shot Madison accusatory glances not just once. Even her attempts to be friendly were ignored and she sat there thinking that his coldness toward her is understandable. Because of her, his only brother almost got killed.
“That’s great…” She commented belatedly. Gavin raised an eyebrow before taking the last bite.
“I’m going.” He got up and dropped his tray by the counter before walking out.
***
Gavin’s hands were trembling. It was a miracle that he managed not to choke on the sandwich he was eating earlier.
He knew of Madison. He had listened to Easton tell stories about her and each time he did, his eyes lighted up and his actions became animated. He practically knew her just through his brother’s stories.
Gavin had never approved of Easton’s relationship with Madison. It was not a wise thing for vampires like them to be in a relationship with mortals. Easton would only be devastated when the time comes for them to part ways, particularly when Madison meets her death. It was part of the human nature they will never get to experience when they got turned.
She seemed to be a nice person. But Easton’s praises did not count as reliable assessment with how smitten he was.
Despite everything, Gavin could not help but be cold toward her, who was the cause why Easton had to be nursed back into health for a week. He saw her as a danger. Her family being connected to existing families of vampire hunters was more than alarming.
However, when he met with Easton and Madison earlier, there was a lurch in his stomach that made him uncomfortable. He felt nauseous and he had to force his throat to swallow the food.
He averted his eyes from looking at Madison but her voice as she tried to address him ignited his nerves. He thought it was anger or annoyance but it was not. When he chanced a glance to her direction, his throat felt constricted and tingles ran down his body.
With how uncontrollable he was becoming with every second spent with Madison, he decided to finish first and leave them. It would be unsafe to stay with how something inside him was aching to reach out and touch Madison’s face.
***
“Don’t worry, he’s just a quiet person.” Easton held her hands and consoled her. It was hard for Madison to conceal her disappointment. Easton had only one family member and it turned out that he disapproved of them though he never said it out loud.
She sighed dejectedly. “H
e doesn’t like me, I’m sure. He didn’t look at me even once earlier!”
Easton smiled at her whiny tone. “He’ll warm up to you soon, believe me. He just takes time before he gets used to new people.”
She continued eating instead of answering, pondering Easton’s words.
She genuinely hoped to get along well with Gavin. She could wait and try, even if that meant more awkward moments and failed conversations.
***
“I think this one’s better.” Madison pointed at the image on the right. Kelvin, her partner for a report, selected the image and copied it in their presentation.
Kelvin clicked for the next slide. “These were the pictures I saw last night.” He scrolled through his files and showed her each one. She leaned closer to see them better when a hand blocked her from getting any closer.
Startled, they both looked back and Madison was surprised to see Gavin. He was standing behind them, a hand on her shoulder, his eyes sharp while his lips were pursed. He seemed to be pissed. His hold tightened and Madison winced at the pain.
Her reaction seemed to have snapped him out of his thoughts and he released her. “Easton’s been looking for you.” Gavin said before storming out of the room.
Madison found it odd. Gavin was not the type to seek out for her. Judging by how he treated her as invisible, she is surprised that he was reminded of her existence and that he talked to her in his own accord.
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.
The Truth in Lies: A TALE OF MANN Page 11