Passion for Blood

Chapter 30:

I walk into the infirmary only to be bombarded by questions of the nurses about my engagement. "You are so lucky," one of the nurses say over the millions of questions that they throw at me. No I'm honestly not.

"Alright ladies, talk later we have work to do," I dismiss them. As they disperse I find grace at the back busy checking the boxes that had come in. I take a deep breath and walk in her direction. "Alright out with it, you and Xavier are to be married." I give her one of my amused smiles, at least one of us will have a happy marriage. "Actually, Nathaniel and I are to be married, there was a mistake in the announcement." The defeat on her face breaks my heart, I've known Grace to be the happiest person and there are very few times when you see defeat on her. For years she rebelled against her parents, wishing to live her life on her own terms but I suppose she couldn't win this battle. "I don't understand, I thought you and Xavier were inlove." Why wouldn't Xavier take the opportunity to marry Grace, their love for one another was something from a book. I envied their ability to communicate and to read each other so easily. "He said that he's not ready for commitment at the moment, theres a lot going on and he can't divide his attention." Her tone was blunt and straight to the point. Knowing Grace, in times like this she builds a wall around herself not wanting others to see her pain. I pull her into my arms and hold her tightly, I hear a few sniffs that soon turn into silent cries. "I don't know what I did Madeleine, I love him and to marry his brother feels like betrayal." She continues to cry into my neck as I hold her.

I walk through the hunters grounds in search of Xavier. That bastard is going to pay for this, Grace eventually calmed down and decided to leave early. I understood her pain, her heartbreak but the only difference was this time I am able to do something about it. My situation with Fitz is a problem for another day, he hasn't made a move yet so I may still have time to formulate a plan. I find Xavier training with the new recruits. "Today is about defence-" "Wonderful. Do you plan so demonstrate?" I interrupt him, his group turn in curiosity at the person who disrupted their lesson. "Is there something you need?" Xavier asks unbothered by my interruption. "Yes, I'd like to be your sparing partner for this session, I'd like to know how to defend myself." I hear him sigh before he walks closer to me. "What are you doing? You already know defence." He sounds tired, worn out. I'd feel sorry for him had he not broken Graces heart. "I came here to be your sparing partner, your actual partner is currently unavailable." Which is true, he lies in bed currently recovering from another undead attack. "Very well then, you." He points to the ginger boy, "Give her your dagger." the boy passes it to me quickly before falling back in line with his friends. Standing across from each other, I read xaviers eyes. Theres a warning in them but I refuse to heed it. He strikes first hitting my dagger out my hand and kneeing my stomach square, I take in much needed breath before I dodge his next attack. I quickly grab his arm and twist to throw him over my shoulder. He hits the ground with a grunt. In one swift movement he swings his leg underneath my feet causing me to land on my back. "Care to share why the attitude?" he pants. I turn to punch his face but he blocks it quickly, I pry his arms apart with as much strength as i can muster and my fist connects to his face. I feel the flesh tear beneath my fist, a problem for another nurse. He throws me over him, I quickly catch myself like a cat landing on all fours and force my left leg to kick him in his crown jules. He grunts in pain while the boys gasp. Quickly standing I pick up the dagger and hold it to his heart. We both pant as rage fuels us even more.

"Your behaviour was an embarrassment to our name, you are not children!" Eventually someone caught on that this was more of a fight than an actual lesson and now we sit in Alexanders office along with Nathaniel who sits quietly in a corner. "And you Madeleine, this is not at all like you, what prompted this behaviour?" Alexander asks disappointment evident in his eyes. I keep quiet and lick my open wound on my lip. The metallic taste reminding me of a certain kiss. "Xavier! You are a hunter why on earth would you entertain such behaviour?" Xavier also doesn't answer. "Tell them sister," Xavier finally speaks. Catching everyones attention. Tell them what? My heart races at the millions of things he could be referring to. Looking into his eyes I now see the heartbreak much similar to Graces. I turn away facing forward refusing to answer. "Tell me what?" Alexander asks geting irritated. "You are both grown ups, you should start acting like one, sort yourselves out and get back to work." Alexander leaves along with Nathaniel. "You don't even feel a little bit guilty?" I ask Nathaniel who stops in his tracks. Looking at me I see the irritation in his eyes.

He then leaves while Xavier and I remain.

"You couldn't talk to me like a normal person." Xavier finally speaks. "Why did you hurt her?" "That doesn't concern you sister," his tone angry. "It does when she cries on my shoulder over you." "I can't be with her, she is marrying Nathaniel and thats that." "But why didnt you stand forward for her hand?" I ask. "Something is going to happen soon and Lucian needs all the help he can get, I can't prioritise her and I am afraid of hurting her." What does Lucian want with Xavier? "What do you mean hurt her?" He sighs before standing up and making his way to the door. "Xavier what the hell is going on?" I shout at him. "You expect me to tell you this when you wont even share your other life with me." He turns hurt burning in his eyes. "I understand that it seems unfair but you cannot trust Lucian which is why I am begging you to me what is his plan." I plead. "We're advancing on the crossbreed, we first need to figure out where he resides before we attack," he says. "What no xavier you are going to die if you try and attack him." I reason. "You needn't worry Madeleine, we will be stronger than him before we make our move." at that he leaves.

I take in his words, "We will be stronger than him before we make our move." The veins on Lucian's neck, his words about becoming stronger. It all runs through my mind before it fits into place. Lucian is experimenting on himself and the hunters.