Bloodlines

Chapter 18

Chapter 18

Maddie rushed to grab her bag, staring at the time. She had her hair up in a bun as she rushed to try leave Luke's apartment on time so she could get to her audition in time. This past week was quite rewarding for her, and she loved it so much. Maddie had lost her weapons, but a lot of positives came from that; she was able to be with her boyfriend, and she could live her dream of going onto Broadway.

Maddie had scored an audition two days ago, and had been practicing ever. For once, everything seemed in the right place. The only problem with the practice was the pain from her injuries she had sustained recently. Her wrist kept bothering her because of Cole, and she twisted her ankle during practice. She also hadn't been sleeping well because of practice, and her paranoia keeping her up. Today, her nerves started to act up and give her a killer pain on her lower right abdomen.

Luke had been with her constantly since her father took her weapons away. Maddie had felt like she was under some witness protection program with the way all her friends were keeping an eye on her. It felt like she was made out of glass, and Maddie absolutely hated it. Maddie had always been trained to protect others from enemies, monsters, and weird creatures all her life; therefore, she didn't like being guarded constantly. It was a whole new world for her. Maddie was grateful for her friends, but it felt a bit much at times. Last night was an example because she slept at Luke's just so that he could keep a better watch over her. Because of that, she was now late for her once in a lifetime audition.

Maddie found her bag and grabbed it, ready to finally leave. Luke walked up to her and started to kiss her neck romantically. His arms went around her, making Maddie's skin get goosebumps. She smiled and felt warm inside. "I really need to go," Maddie said warmly.

"I know." He stopped kissing her, turner her around, and looked at her. He pulled her closer to him, and Maddie gazed up at him . "I'm just really worried about you being by yourself, especially when there's one more fury out there, and a bunch of people who have met Annabeth and know what she looks like."

"You're ruining the moment." Maddie kissed him and then felt reluctant to leave his side. She felt Luke his hand on her waist, and immediately felt a razor blade pain stab her in the side. Maddie winced and bit back a swear. That's a new pain, she thought to herself. Maddie quickly took his hand off her waist and held it. "I'll see you later." Maddie let go of him and walked out the door.

As she started walking to hall, the razor blade pain in her abdomen intensified immensely. It felt as if every time she walked, the pain would get worse. Maddie bit the pain onto her lip, put her music on, and blasted her audition song in her ears so she could keep her mind off the pain. You've had worse pain, she reminded herself confidently. Maddie mentally went over her dance in her head to the beat of the song, hoping the pain would stop with each movement. It didn't.

By the time, she got to the place, the pain was almost on the brink of unbearable. Maddie sucked in a hard breath as she walked up the stairs to the building, walked to the room, and signed her name in. Just get through Candy Store and go home, Maddie encouraged herself. Maddie had no idea why she was reacting to the pain like she was dying, but it felt worse than any other injury she had gotten over the years. She had been bitten by freak monsters, and the bite hurt less than the pain she felt right now in her stomach. Her ankle began to throb a little bit along with her wrist on top of it.

Maddie sat down on the chair in front of the room and breathed in and out. She was most likely nervous. Maddie looked around the room and waited for Hope to come. Before she left Luke's place, she had invited Hope to come with her for emotional support since it was a big day for her, and Maddie soon regret inviting her because the last thing she wanted to do was to have Hope—or Saint Hope—tattle on her.