The Truth in Lies: A TALE OF MANN

by Amelia Wilson

  Richmond bit his lip. “Sorry, I mean.” He glanced at the counter. “Did you buy fish?”

  Comprehension dawned on Madison, and she felt embarrassed for her outburst.

  “Yes, I did. Sorry, I thought…” She trailed off and proceeded to deposit the groceries in the cupboard and the others in the fridge.

  “Does spaghetti sound okay for dinner? I’d make some meatballs too.” Richmond offered. Madison smiled. “That sounds great.” He relaxed on his seat and said nothing more.

  She took the cue and turned to her room and stayed there until she was called for dinner.

  ***

  “Who are you waiting for?” Easton stretched his neck too, watching the direction where Madison had been fixated on for the past five minutes.

  “Richmond.” She answered then brightened when a man rounded the corner. She did not notice Easton go stiff.

  Richmond stopped in front of them, eyes boring holes on Easton but handed the flash drive to Madison.

  “Thank you.” She was relieved and held the device reverently. Earlier, she panicked when it was not in her bag. She spent last night poring over her presentation, and she could not afford missing a report just because she left it at home. She thought of coming back to get it but apparently, Richmond volunteered to bring it to her when her aunt relayed the dilemma to him.

  “You’re welcome.” His jaws were set. Beside her, Easton also stood up to his full height and squared his shoulders.

  She warily eyed the exchange between the two men, who stared at each other unrelentingly.

  Confused, she saw Richmond run down his eyes over Easton and chuckling afterwards. Madison stood shocked. Was that a hint of insult in his laugh?

  “You look like a college student.” He remarked, clearly a snide one.

  “I am a college student,” Easton replied. His voice was bigger than usual like it was an attempt to intimidate.

  Richmond snorted and gazed at Madison. “You hang around him?” He sneered. Madison was puzzled yet at the same time ashamed. Richmond had no right to talk about Easton in that tone.

  “What are you trying to say?” She challenged, her nostrils flaring. She never tolerated anyone’s attempt to mock someone.

  “I’m saying you should stop.”

  It was fast. Easton strode towards Richmond with two large steps and lifted the collar of his shirt.

  Richmond retaliated and held his hands tightly, trying to pull it off. “What? Am I spoiling your fun?” He had the nerve to grin. Madison almost warned him off. Pissing off a vampire could never be a good idea. Besides, she had no inkling as to why they were acting like they had some bad history. For all she knew, they only met for the first time.

  Knowing it was enough, she pushed herself in between them and detached Easton’s hold on Richmond’s shirt. “I don’t know what it is with you two, but please stop.” Turning to Richmond, she said “And will you please go now? I have a class to attend.” Richmond tugged at his shirt and ran a hand across the wrinkled area.

  Without a word, he turned away but not before sending a glare to Easton.

  “No wonder you reek.” Easton stormed off, and Madison was left dumbfounded at the sudden turn of events.

  She lifted her blouse and took a sniff. It smelled like detergent.

  Damn them and their sensitive noses.

  ***

  Richmond confronted her right off the bat when she came home.

  “You should stay away from that guy.” Not pleased with his condescending tone, she tilted her chin up defiantly.

  “Why do you care who I hang out with?”

  “Madison, he’s dangerous.” Madison stilled but schooled her face into indifference. There was no way Richmond knew.

  “I’ve known him for months. He never did anything that looked dangerous to me.” Lies. She remembered the time when he almost killed her. She shook the thought off.

  Richmond crossed his arms and stared her down with a stony expression. “Stay away from him.”

  Madison was fuming. No one had the right to tell her what to do. “You don’t have a say on that.” Her voice was trembling; it was a struggle to keep herself level-headed.

  They were exchanging heated stares when Courtney descended from the stairs.

  “What’s happening here?” She looked from Richmond to Madison. Both of them were mum for a while until he broke the silence.

  “I was just telling her to stop hanging out with that guy.”

  “His name’s Easton.” She snapped.

  There was a brief exchange of meaningful glances that Madison could not comprehend.

  Courtney blinked at her and slowly, she said “Richmond’s right. Stop befriending people you don’t know.”

  Feeling attacked, Madison stomped a foot. “Can you hear what you’re saying? Of course, I would never know them. At first at least. That’s why it’s called friendship. You learn about each other along the way. Have you ever befriended someone whom you already knew right from the start?” The sarcasm was overflowing, and she bit her tongue. She crossed some lines.

  “Don’t play smart with me Madison. Stop hanging out with Easton.” She flinched upon saying the name. “Quit your job, you’re going straight home after your classes.”

  Madison stormed to her room in disbelief. She was about to hurl the door close when her aunt’s voice flitted. “And don’t you dare lie to me. I know your schedule!”

  ***

  It was brief, but Gavin was sure of it. He was buying something from a convenience store earlier in the city, a place he barely went to unless necessary, and caught a whiff.

  Upon seeing Easton, he warned him. “You should lie low. Someone’s surveying the area.”

  Easton looked away. “I know. I’ve met him.”

  Gavin was quiet for a second and finally breathed. “You should take a shower.”

  Easton complied without a word.

  Chapter-8

  There was a knock on her door, and she pressed her face harder on her pillow. Nonetheless, whoever it was, the door opened and then shut again.

  “You two are not a good match.”

  She whipped her head up rapidly that she was thankful a vein was not caught, or a bone did not crack.

  “We’re not together.”

  “But you reek of him.”

  “What are you talking about?” Madison fumed. They have been hinting about a foul scent repeatedly, but she never caught a whiff even once. The bubbling irritation was surfacing, and she was about to blow her fuse if he so much as mentioned about her smelling bad.

  He sat on the edge of her bed. She had half a mind to kick him.

  “I’m good for you. I’m a good match for you, Madison.”

  Madison’s mind reeled. Was Richmond high? Did he hit his head or something? Why, all of a sudden, was he talking about how good of a match they are?

  When she remained silent, he continued. “I can make you happy.” She rolled her eyes, but he only smiled knowingly. “And I am mortal. My life has an expiration. Just like you.”

  At that, she froze. “What the hell are you talking about, Richmond?” Panicking, she stood up and pulled him toward the door to no avail.

  “Get out! You’re talking nonsense. I don’t have time to talk with crazy people, so get out!” He was heavy so her attempts were futile. He did not budge.

  “He’s a bloodsucker, Madison.”

  It felt like a bucket of ice was dropped on Madison at the declaration. Richmond knew. He knew, and he was proud about it, judging by the sneer on his face.

  “I know.” She admitted. This time, it was Richmond’s turn to be shocked.

  “You knew, but you kept him?”

  “Stop talking like he has a contagious disease, Richmond.” Her voice was sharp. She was beginning to tremble from all the overwhelming emotions coming at once.

  “He is a disease in himself, for Christ’s sake Madison! He feeds off human blood! He’s a despicable creature!” Richmond en
circled his hand around her arm. She could feel the circulation cut off. His hold would definitely leave marks.

  “How did you even find out?” She wriggled her arms, but his grip was tight. She flinched, but he did not relent.

  “I can smell him, Madison. He’s disgusting through and through. I can even smell him in you.” He swallowed, and his face was contorted in disgust.

  “Smell him? Are you fucking insane?”

  “I’m not.” Oddly, he was still calm, at least from his exterior. “I was just trained to kill someone his kind.” Her eyes widened. Vampire hunter. He was a vampire hunter.

  He tugged hard until she was lying on her bed and he was hovering above her, tracing his eyes over her face then down to her neck. When his sight landed on the almost invisible marks, he pressed a thumb there and put pressure.

  Madison wailed then thrashed, backing off when she managed to escape his grasp.

  He stood up. “Think about it. I’m the better choice, you know it. Stop this nonsense before you do something you would regret.” And with that, he went off, slamming the door behind him.

  Chapter-9

  Easton sat on the sofa and pondered if Madison was well.

  He did not trust that guy. He may be overthinking things, but he looked dangerous. Easton could not help but worry.

  “Easton.” He looked at Gavin. He did not hear when he got inside the house or when he settled beside him. There was a lot going on in his head that he even missed someone’s presence.

  He spared his brother a glance but did not give a verbal response.

  “I think it will be best if we relocate.” The suggestion made him realize the gravity of the situation. It was not the first time that he heard about vampire hunters, but it was the first time he had a direct confrontation with one for the past fifty years or so. It was unnerving.

  “I can’t.” There were unspoken reasons. Hunters had never tracked them this fast. It usually took them years before they start surveying the new area where they had located so he could see where Gavin was coming from.

  “Easton, we’re not sure if he’s alone or if he already called for back-up. If we don’t leave now, we might fall into their trap.”

  A headache was threatening him. He dragged a hand over his face, weighing their options.

  Leaving the city would mean having to go somewhere thousands of miles away. He would leave Madison and this city and there would be no assurance that she will be safe. Richmond did not look trustworthy; he was not the type who would protect Madison if there was a danger. Easton reasoned himself that it was his biased opinion talking.

  On the other hand, staying would mean that he would gamble for his and Gavin’s life. His brother would never leave him. However, he could not bear the idea of living every day without a trace of Madison. He had been highly dependent on her presence for the past months.

  “You should go, Gavin. But I’m staying. I can’t leave her alone. I don’t want to compromise her safety.”

  At first, Gavin was giving him a judging look like he could not fathom why Easton would be risking his life over a human. But Easton’s decision was set, and Gavin knew there was no point in making him consider otherwise.

  ***

  Madison hurried to her next class and ignored everyone in favor of fuming against the man who had been trailing after her since yesterday. Richmond was not going to let go. He took his duty of keeping her ‘safe’ seriously, and she had to hold back herself from telling him off and frankly, say that she did not feel safe with him around.

  Her aunt was also firm, not wanting to retract her decision of grounding her. Worse, there had been no signs of Easton in school, and she was beginning to dread that he had packed up and left the city for good. The idea made her nauseate.

  It was the third day of Easton being a no-show, which Richmond was completely enjoying.

  Once they got home, he got complacent and went out again, thinking that he was successful in driving Easton away.

  She was lying on her bed, staring at her ceiling and thinking about the pair of eyes she had been missing when there was a click and then the sound of her window being opened. Easton was beaming at her, and she ran to the window and helped him close it before wrapping her hands tightly around his torso.

  Easton took a step back, not expecting the action, but hugged her back, caressing her head as he calmed her down. Madison did not realize she was sniffling.

  “I thought you’ve left. Are you leaving?” She rested her chin on his chest and looked up to him with misty eyes. Easton felt guilty for making her sad but rejoiced at the fact that she felt lonely at the prospect of him leaving.

  “No, I’m not.” He smiled at her reassuringly, tightening his hold around her waist and pulled her body closer to his. “I’m not going anywhere.”

  “Why were you not at school for the past days? You did not even leave me a message.”

  “I didn’t know how to without that bastard knowing. He was with you the whole time like a puppy, how was I supposed to get near you? If he did not leave today, I still wouldn’t be able to go in. He surrounded himself with devices I had to stay away from.”

  Madison thought about it, and it made sense. It would be best to avoid a confrontation between a vampire and a vampire hunter. She also noticed the trinkets and accessories Richmond was wearing. She thought it was just a style, but they probably were not. This world is full of things she could not understand.

  “Are you alright? Did he hurt you?”

  She shook her head no. “He pissed me off so much, though. I really want to punch him on the face. He thinks he’s some hot stuff. He keeps on telling me that he’s the good match for me, I want to make him shut up for once.”

  Easton stiffened and detached her from him. “He really said that?”

  Madison was annoyed when he broke the contact but nodded. “He was saying it like a broken record for the past three days. It was so annoying.”

  He fought off the smile threatening to come out. “So you don’t like him that way?”

  “No.” She answered meekly. His smile was making her heart pound erratically.

  He led them to her bed and made her sit. He followed and like reflex, she latched onto him. The past days when she did not have a single interaction made her miss him a lot. She was craving for his presence like he did hers.

  Easton chuckled delightedly at her uncharacteristic behavior.

  “Did you miss me?” He was not expecting a response of any sort, but he felt the nod on his chest. He swallowed visibly and directed her to face him again.

  “I missed you too. It was difficult seeing you and not being able to touch you like I used to.” His voice was quivering, and it was a feeling so new he was beginning to feel scared.

  He brushed his knuckles against her cheek. She closed her eyes at the action, relishing the feel of his skin against hers.

  A few moments after, there was a feeling of a pair of lips slotting against hers, and she gasped in surprise but did not pull away. Easton faced her fully and collected her in his arms until she was straddling him, hands entangled around his neck.

  He kissed her slowly, passionately. The feeling of his lips against hers was making her dizzy with want. She did not realize she had been wanting for this to happen again for so long.

  She mewled when he bit her lip lightly. A shiver shot up her spine, and he groaned when he felt her lose control. He began to press deeper, succumbing to his instincts to ravish her, to run his hands on her back and sides, feeling the dips and curves he had been fantasizing about.

  Madison pulled back and panted harshly, her mouth barely an inch from his, her hot breath mixing with his.

  “I want you so much,” Easton confessed. He heard her swallow and relished at the effect he had on her.

  “I thought after spending time with you, this want would dwindle, but it only became harder for me to stay away. I want to be beside you all the time.” He mouthed kisses on her jaw and neck. M
adison lolled her head back to give him access.

  He lapped at the area where he had bitten her, and she moaned loudly, tugging his hair harshly.

  “I want you too, Easton. Ever since the first day, there was something about you that I’ve been wanting so much. I don’t know what exactly it is, but it’s there.”