Passion for Blood

Chapter 26:

It's been two months since the incident, and I haven't heard from Fitz and have avoided Lucian. Grace and Xavier have resumed their relationship and appear to be content. However, I am unable to relate. My brothers were concerned because I was having nightmares about the boy. I feel hollow as if a piece of myself is missing. As a distraction, Alexander thought it would be best to put myself out there and mix with gentlemen, but our chats have generally consisted of their fortunes and so on. Coles' pack has left the council now that the undead are under control, according to Nathaniel. I know that it's not the truth, I'm sure Cole found out about my play and is angry with me.

"Madeleine, Mr Huxley has requested that you come to his office," a messenger says. Sighing, I finish bandaging the hunter and rush to the bathroom to wash my hands. "Madeleine-" "I'm fine, Grace, really." I emit a real smile.

I knock on his door and patiently wait for it to open, but instead of Lucian, I am met by Alexander. "Madeleine, please come in," he says, moving to the side to allow me to enter. "Mr Huxley has requested to see me?" As I sit across from Lucian's empty chair, I inquire. "He'll join us soon, but I wanted to speak with you first." I see his tense posture but disregard it as he continues. "Mr Huxley came to us the other day with a proposition," he explains looking very uncomfortable. "What kind of a proposition?" Uncertainty settles in my stomach as I inquire. "He told me about your dedication to the council and how you've been assisting him on the side in defeating the enemy, and he spoke highly of you-" "Get right to the point, Alexander," I snap catching him off guard.I'd feel horrible if the uneasy sensation went away. "He has finally asked for your hand in marriage," he says.

"What?" I ask, astonished, but I don't hear anything as his lips is moving. Are Lucian and I getting married? I feel my stomach churning and excuse myself to walk outside. I dump all of my bile in the gardens, oblivious to the people staring at me. No, I cannot marry Lucian. As I continue to empty my stomach, I feel a hand hold my hair back. I notice a handkerchief dangling in front of my eyes and hurriedly grab it to wipe my lips. Standing up, I look at a concerned Nathaniel. "Don't try to help me now that you feel guilty." I say noticing the hurt across his face. Unfortunately I don't regret it."I take it Alexander told you." "How could you agree?" I ask, attempting to gather my thoughts. "The council believes that the families should be joined to prevent outsiders from entering; they believe that this will be safer," he attempts to reason as I chuckle. "Do you think an undead will try to seduce me to the point where I'll fall hopelessly in love with him and marry him, only to bring him into the council and wipe us all out?" I yell. "Please try to understand, Madeleine, that this was decided, and I can't change their minds-" "But you could have turned Lucian down." He gives me a puzzled look. "I thought you and he were getting along fine; has he done anything to you?" They can't find out, so I shake my head. "Is there someone else?" he asks again, and I pause for a moment thinking back to Fitz. "No, but Nathaniel Lucian isn't-" "Madeleine, there you are." When I hear his voice, I put on a fake smile for Lucian. Nathaniel excuses himself, leaving Lucian and me alone. "Why me?" I ask, getting right to the point. "You know far too much." He looks down at me and smiles. "What were you going to tell Nathaniel? That I experimented on a wolf, someone whom you had to kill in order to save your mate," he says venomously. "You, Madeleine, are in this, you agreed to help me-" "That was until I found out you were using children." I stand up for myself. "Are you now feeling sorry for Fitz because he was also just a boy? The younger they are, the easier it is to control their thoughts into doing what you want them to do. Now I'm sure Fitz got out about your involvement, which means he's upset, and all I want to do is keep you safe." I laugh at this. "How is that wolf trying to attack me keeping me safe?" I ask perplexed. "Minor hiccup; we'll fix it with the next one." Next one? He observes my puzzled expression and smiles. "You didn't think we'd stop at one, did you?"

When I walk back into the infirmary, I am immediately swamped with questions about my engagement. When Grace calls for everyone to continue working, the ruckus quickly falls away. "Thank you." I smile gratefully at her. "How on earth did they find out so quickly?" I inquire, and she gives me a knowing glance. That's right, we're nosy. "How do you feel about it, I'm sure you must be happy-" "Happy? "I have no reason to be happy; I betrayed Fitz and trusted Lucian only to make matters worse," I groan. "You never told me this, Madeleine; all I've heard from you is that Lucian might be right; where is your head right now? One minute you trust Lucian, the next you don't," she says irritation evident in her eyes. She is fair. This never-ending loop is becoming too much. I say quietly, "I killed a boy," but she hears me. I never told

Grace anything because I was afraid she would condemn me. I made a terrible mistake that I will never be able to forgive myself for, and I couldn't stand her reaction, but when she hugs me, all my fears go away. "We should probably go out tonight." I give her a puzzled look, and she elaborates. "We can spend time together, and you need a break from all of this." She makes me laugh by waving her hands about. Maybe a distraction might help; I haven't gone out in a long time, and the last time I did was when I met... I shake my head, eliminating any ideas that come to mind about him. "Why not," I think after a while.

AN: sorry there was a mistake with my updates, I forgot to publish one whole chapter