Page 51 of Maddie

Hewasn’ttired though. He should’ve been after all that had happened. It had been almost two weeks of jumping through mental loops and days of running through danger for the cure. His body had changed completely. But that was the thing—helikedwhat he’d become. Not the idea of drinking blood so much, but even that wasn’t so bad. As a vampire, he was stronger, faster, and he felt morerightthan he ever had as a human.

Plus, there was Maddie. He hadn’t known her that long, but he’d known his ex-girlfriend for years. Look howthathad turned out. Sometimes it wasn’t about the length of time two people knew each other.

Fuck. He already knew what he wanted to do. All that was left was to come to terms with abandoning one life for another.

Chapter Twenty-One

Maddie

Three days had passed. Maddie and Noah shared a mattress in the safe house, but he’d been quiet. So quiet. Yet she knew his thoughts weren’t. It was a peaceful few days, even though she wished Noah hadn’t been brooding. Before they would fall asleep in the mornings, he kissed her thoroughly as if he were trying to find an answer. But that was all they’d done. Kiss, tender and slow, as though she was stitching the finest of hats.

Maddie fiddled with her arm sleeve and glanced up at Ferris. He sat on the floor, leaning against the wall, sketching in a notepad. Noah was in the bathtub, washing himself before they headed to the Ruby Heart Palace.

A door creaked open, and Maddie turned to find Alice standing there. The vein at the girl’s neck thrummed and Maddie could scent the mortal blood flowing through her. Alice hadn’t spoken to Maddie since discovering Noah may possibly stay in Wonderland. But that wasn’t only a surprise to Alice—it was to Maddie too. However, regardless of immortality, a shadow of their human side would always linger within the heart of a vampire. And even if Noah did stay, he may decide down the line that he wanted to go back home after all.

“Can I talk to you?” Alice asked, not moving away from her door.

Maddie lifted her chin, her interest piqued. She waved a hand in the air and patted the spot beside her on the settee. “Come on then.”

Alice’s gaze flicked to Ferris as her fingers dug into her oversized shirt. “Alone?”

Maddie arched a brow, curious as to what was so secretive. She stood from the settee and padded toward Alice’s room. Ferris didn’t stop drawing, but she knew he was listening to every word.

“Why couldn’t you talk to me out there?” Maddie asked while Alice shut the door behind them.

“I can’t.” Alice winced. “I tried to kiss Ferris last night.”

Maddie inhaled sharply. “You like Ferris?”

“No. I don’t know.” She nervously shifted from one foot to the other. “I mean, he saved my life.”

Because of Mouse… That was why he saved Alice’s life. She didn’t say it out loud though—she didn’t want to hurt Alice anymore. Maddie also didn’t know much about his past life with mortal women, but he’d never had a girlfriend for as long as she’d known him. Only that he’d fucked Imogen to get turned into a vampire so he could become a servant in the Ruby Heart Palace for Mouse. Alice was pretty but Ferris had said he would never choose mortality again. “I’m sorry. Unrequited love is—”

“Whoa!” Alice held up her hand. “I don’t love him. I just wanted to thank him and have a little fun while I was at it. At home, I still haven’t really found myself.”

Maddie understood that better than anyone. She’d been reckless at times, just to escape herself, her past. “You eventually will.”

“Thanks.” Alice bit her lip, seeming to think for a few seconds. “Please make Noah eat the mushroom.”

Maddie took a deep swallow. “I’m sorry, I can’t. Just as we wouldn’t want to be made to do something. Even if you two both return to the mortal world, Imogen and Rav will still be alive, hunting you, regardless if you’re human or not.”

Alice scowled. “You just met my brother. It isn’t as though he could fall in…” Her words trailed off as she stared up at Maddie, her eyes growing wide. “Do youlikemy brother?”

Maddie’s heart kicked at her rib cage, screaming yes, that she liked Alice’s brother very much. “He’s a pain in the arse and asks too many questions.”

“It’s my fault for following Rav.” Alice furrowed her brow. “I never should’ve left the club with him. I mean, how pathetic is that? All over trying to get my teeth filed into fangs.”

It was a strange concept, as though she would’ve been dressed up for Halloween forever.

“You aren’t the only one who followed Rav. And even then, you were under his influence to go down his rabbit hole or you wouldn’t have gone.”

Alice blew out a breath. “I never want to see a fake vampire movie, book, or club ever again.”

“The clubs do sound rather terrible.” Maddie chuckled, then turned serious. “Whatever you choose to do out in the world, you’ll do fine, Alice. You’ll discover yourself, just as I once did. As for your brother, let him decide. It’s what I would do for my sister. When she wanted to turn, I didn’t stop her. It was her choice in the end.” But secretly, she’d been glad Mouse had chosen the path to immortality because Maddie wouldn’t have to see her sister die. Yet if Noah stayed a vampire, he would have to watch Alice wither…

Alice stared at her bare toes before looking back up. “If he does stay, watch over him. He trusts with his heart too easily.”

“I will.” Maddie grasped Alice’s shoulders, a rush of tedious guilt washing over her. “I truly am sorry for what I did. I shouldn’t have tried to take you to Imogen.”

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