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Chapter 15: Midnight

Indeed, indeed, I cannot tell,
Though I ponder on it well,
Which were easier to state,
All my love or all my hate.
Surely, surely, thou wilt trust me
When I say thou dost disgust me.
O, I hate thee with a hate
That would fain annihilate;
Yet sometimes against my will,
My dear friend, I love thee still.
It were treason to our love,
And a sin to God above,
One iota to abate
Of a pure impartial hate.

-by H.David Thoreau

Hazrat Inayat Khan once said, "The best thing is not to hate anyone, only to love. That is the only way out of it. As soon as you have forgiven those whom you hate, you have gotten rid of them. Then you have no reason to hate them; you just forget."

But sometimes it's hard to take your own advice.

So I am not forgiving Dominic yet.

He has to do way more than just say sorry for me to forgive him. But I hardly doubt he will do that. After he disappeared when he saw the scene where Christopher and I were hugging, I never saw him again. The mansion was so big that one could hide and never be found forever. And I didn't bother to look for him.

I was hanging out at the dry kitchen with Grace when Maxine approached us.

Yes, he finally appeared after he attacked me at the waterfall. I don't blame him for trying to stay out of my sight after the incident; I wanted to kill him after what he did to me. But I remain seated at my stool, eating my fruit tart and ignoring his existence.

Maxine opened the top cabinet where they stored their blood supplies in wine bottles and took out a bottle. He poured himself a glass and placed the bottle back. I didn't have to look at him to know that he was staring at me. Grace busied herself with the fruit tart I made and pretend not to notice the uncomfortable silence in the room.

And Mindy the housekeeper just had to choose the wrong time to barge in.

"Adele, are you ever going to do your own-oh, master Maxine! I didn't know you were here!" Mindy flipped her long carrot red hair and blinked her violet eyes at Maxine.

I rolled my eyes; Mindy is flirtatious when any of the Donahue brothers are nearby. It's like someone flipped her switch and she turned almost immediately from snappy to flirty. She can be really annoying when she wants to but most of the time helpful. Though I don't understand why she hates me more than she hates Grace the werewolf. It's like my sole existence annoys her to death. Oh wait, she already is dead.

"Mindy and Grace, would you mind giving us some time alone?"

Maxine's sudden request surprised everyone, including me. Grace looked at me uncertainly, deciding whether or not it is safe to leave me alone with someone that nearly killed me back then. Mindy however was glaring at me and if looks could kill, I'd already been dead. I looked at Grace and nodded slightly. Grace sighed and stood up to leave, dragging Mindy together out of the room and closing the door behind them.

I eyed Maxine suspiciously and he sighed, "Will you stop looking at me like that? I'm not going to hurt you."

"You already did."

Maxine threw his hands up in frustration, "Will you please not make this any harder than it already is?" I shrugged my shoulders and continue to poke my fruit tart with my fork. Maxine slipped into a stool opposite me but I didn't look up. "Look, I'm sorry for what I did that day--"

"Did what?" I asked innocently.

"Adele!" Maxine groaned and I smiled, who knows making fun of Maxine can be this interesting?

"You know what? I'd love to kill you for what you did that day." I took a bite at my fruit tart and pointed the fork at him. "But for now, I forgive you so don't bother apologizing. It's annoying." Maxine smiled with what I think was relief and I chuckled, "You look pretty stupid when you try to get your point straight." And he scowled at me.

"I'm curious in knowing what happened between you and that silly brother of mine." Maxine leaned in and gave me seductive smile, "Want to fill me in with details?"

I looked at him innocently, "Which silly one?"

Maxine rolled his eyes, "Everyone could hear you bawling your eyes out yesterday and now you said nothing happened?"

I shrugged my shoulders. "I just felt like crying."

Maxine shakes his head, smiling. "Well, I'm just glad I'm forgiven. But give Dominic a chance, he deserves it." Maxine ruffled my hair, "After all, if you can forgive someone like me, you definitely can forgive him."

I watched as Maxine walked out the door and I was left alone to sit in the dry kitchen with my fruit tarts. I finished them quickly and did the dishes before going to the library located on the top floor. The library was one of my favorite places other than my own room. It was a huge room with shelves stacked with hundreds of books, a fireplace and a set of comfy sofas.

Horatio had allowed me to use the library and I was thankful. There wasn't much to do around here since they don't let me use the phone or the computer to contact anybody. Not that they have any computers, anyway.

One of the other reasons that I like the library is that none of the Donahue brothers would come here to disturb me. Seems like none of them like to hang around books.

But then I was wrong.

I was so engrossed in this book I found among the hundreds of books that I didn't notice people coming in until they took the book out of my hand. I get really angry when people bothered me while I'm reading. I was going to snap that book-stealer's neck in half but stopped when I saw who it was.

"The Night Princess by Phoenix Tears. Hmm, I didn't know Adele likes to read. Who would have thought?"

Edwin waved the black leather book in front of me with a smug smile on. I tried to grab for it but he threw it to Adrian instead. Adrian caught it effortlessly and looked at the title printed in silver.

"Oh, I know this book. It is a good read but the story is very sad." Adrian said as he threw the book back to Edwin and I scowled at him as I snatched it back.

"Wow, Adrian reads. Who would have thought?" I sarcastically snapped at him before flipping back to the page I stopped.

"I read. It's my brother that doesn't." Adrian smiled as Edwin threw him a dirty look. My lips twitched as I tried not to laugh out loud. I prayed that if I ignore them enough they would just leave me here alone to read in peace but unfortunately, God never hears my prayers.

"It's a tragic such thing could happen to our dear baby brother. Don't you agree, Adrian?" Edwin annoyingly bothered me with his annoying heartthrob smile and gorgeous eyes. I had to resist the urge to hug him and punch him at the same time.

Thanks to Dominic's blood, I am still pretty strong. And that is a very good advantage.

"Well, you don't look sympathetic to me."

Edwin glared at me but I ignored him and continued with what I was doing; reading The Night Princess. I'm really getting hooked to this book.

"You know, I had no idea why father would ever want such an ugly daughter-in-law, might as well throw you in the kitchen as food. Seeing that Mindy didn't like you that much either." Edwin hovered dangerously close and I shrink further into my seat.

"I bet my blood won't taste that great. You might as well go find someone else who is willing to play blood victim with you. Good luck with that." I smiled sarcastically at him but he smirked at me.

"Oh, I bet your blood will taste just fine. After all, I do know how tasty your blood smelt like."

I paled at that. Of course I'd still remember that waterfall incident where I got all bloody with all the vampires there to enjoy the smell of my blood. And Julian...my heart ache every time I think of what happened back at the basement where Julian is still kept prisoner.

Edwin smirked even more when I didn't retort back. "What? Cat got your tongue?"

I glared at him, "Sorry, but I think an idiotic bat just did."

Adrian, the nicer older twin who was too busy with his phone barely looked at us as Edwin and I engaged in a glaring competition. I decided to play nice by being the first to talk. "Weren't you going to torture me with your knowledge about your brother dearest?"

Edwin smirked at me, "What? Can't stand a little glare?" I did what I know will annoy him the most. I ignored him and went back to my reading. Edwin let himself fall on the couch next to me and stretched himself lazily like a cat. He faked a yawn and I rolled my eyes at him. Adrian had surprisingly placed away his cell phone and was eyeing us with curiosity.

Out of the corner of my eye I saw a movement and I acted on instinct.

I smacked Edwin's hand with the book when I noticed it had slide closer to my shoulders.

"Ouch! What was that for?" Edwin snapped as he rubs his hand. I shrugged innocently.

"Sorry, I thought it was a big fat ugly bug."

Adrian laughed and Edwin threw his twin another dirty glare. "That is so unfair," Edwin pouted at me, "Why do Christopher and Dominic gets to hug you but I don't?"

I gave him my nicest smile, "Are you going to tell me about your evil brother or not?"

Edwin looked at me innocently, "Which evil one?"

I sighed dramatically, "Oh, you know, the sadistic, sarcastic, mean, I-hate-everyone-and-everyone-hates-me, psycho Dominic."

The twins laughed, their voice felt like velvet against my skin. "So Dominic wasn't kidding when he said you have a very long nickname for him. It's really cute for you to name him like that."

"How 'bout I give you one too, Mr. Not-so-bright-and-nothing-nice?" I smiled sarcastically back at him and in return, he leaned awfully close to me and blew an icy cold breath that made me shivered unwillingly.

"Careful, I might bite…" Edwin purred sexily and I backed away further away from him. I glared at him and turned to his older twin.

"How can you stand living with someone like him for such a long time I can never understand."

Adrian chuckled, "We're twins, what'd you expect?"

I snorted, "Figures."

"Don't you want to know why our dear brother goes insane occasionally? Especially, when someone takes a liking of triggering him?" Edwin purred as he twirled his slender fingers around my hair. I ignored his busy hand and focused on what he was about to say. When I didn't reply, Edwin continued, "He can control that primal part of him that has a tendency of coming out at the wrong time, but you-" Edwin jerked at my hair and our face came so close that it was just a breath away, "-just loves to trigger that particular part of him. Well, it all started with a girl…"

My heart suddenly skidded to a stop and I stopped bothering about how close Edwin and I are or how soft his lips looked like. Don't ask me how my mind wandered there; it's just natural when you're this itsy-bitsy close to a sizzling hot guy.

"What's with that look?" Adrian asked and I started breathing again. I didn't realize I had stopped breathing. "She must be disappointed that Dominic had a sweetheart."

"Yeah, I'm so disappointed to the point where I feel like squashing his two dear brothers that is in front of me just for the fun of revenge. Now you get the point of how disappointed I am?" I sarcastically replied. Adrian didn't respond and I didn't bother annoying him anymore. I couldn't move my damn head to look at Adrian when his twin was so close to my face that I might accidentally kiss him. From the corner of my eye, I could see Adrian busy with his cell phone.

"What is he sticking to his phone for? Queen Whorezilla at the other line?"

Edwin smirked in my face, "Oh, don't be jealous. Anyway, back to the topic. As I was saying, it all started with a girl. And just so lucky, that person turns out to be our dearest sister, Ashlie." I mouthed an 'oh' and Edwin smirked even more, "Who were you expecting? It wasn't any dramatic romance love story. It was just a simple little crush our dear younger brother had for the older sister. Her death caused great grief especially to him since he was the closest one to her."

Something didn't felt right, like a missing puzzle piece. Something was wrong; Edwin wasn't telling me the real story. Either he didn't know the truth or he was hiding it. I am betting on the latter.

"That's all?" I eyed him suspiciously and Edwin shrugged, "If you don't believe me, well, that's your own lost. You might as well ask Dominic yourself."

I frowned, "No way. The last time I asked him, I was nearly killed. Like you said, I must've triggered his primal side when I ask. I prefer to try my luck on anyone else but him."

Adrian had slide his phone back into the front pocket of his black jeans and was snickering at us. "Are you guys going to kiss or are you guys going to stay there like that and do nothing? I wonder how Dominic's reaction might come to be if he sees this."

I pulled away almost immediately, remembering how close the both of us are and my face felt hot as I folded my arms across my chest. I don't know why the thought of Dominic misunderstanding disturbed me this much. But of course I am not going to admit to that. Adrian just smirked, "So you really do care what Dominic thinks of you."

"No." I snapped, "I don't want to give anyone any wrong ideas. And my world does not circulate around Dominic. There could be other people too, you know." For example, Julian…and maybe Dominic.

Edwin narrowed his eyes at me, "Who, for example?"

I mimicked the way he smirks, "Like I'd ever tell you. Too bad, maybe you could try asking Dominic for his mind-reading service."

Edwin looked away, "I hated it when people remind me of not having any unique talents like him." He looked somewhat angry so I decided to ask Adrian instead, "Does all vampires have special talents? Does anybody else in this family that has special talents or is Dominic the only one?"

"Not all vampires have special talents. Some can read minds; some can see the future and so on. And yes, Dominic is the only one in the family that is gifted." Adrian explained lazily.

I nodded, indicating that I understand his explanation. Then I suddenly decided to ask, "Do you guys know where I can find Dominic?"

Adrian and Edwin raised an eyebrow at me.

"I thought you don't care about him?" Edwin narrowed his eyes at me.

I shrugged my shoulders. "Who knew?"

Adrian ruffled his hair, "I don't know; I haven't seen him lately. But I hardly doubt he is anywhere near the house, his scent are all old. He never leaves the house more than a week so, don't worry."

Was it because of what I did that day?

My guilty conscience kicked in and I felt bad. It must be what I did that hurt his 'feelings'; but what feelings he had for me? I do not know. And thinking about it gives me splitting headaches so I tend not to over think this matter. If he wants to talk, then he will have to find me. I am not going to find him, no way at all. My ego wouldn't let me survive that. en he will have to find me. I am not going to find him, no way at all. My ego wouldn'

It was nearly midnight when I decided it was time for me to stop reading the book and get some sleep. But my body didn't felt the need to rest yet so I got out of my room and wandered around the mansion.

The night was silent. The long curtains along the hallway were spread opened, allowing the moonlight to cast long shadows on the wall. There was no one about so I guess they must be in their own room or maybe they went out to 'hunt', as I've heard them said a few times. I recognized the double glass door leading to the fountain and walked towards it, pushing open the door slowly and let the view of the garden at night mesmerized me.

The garden looked beautiful in the mornings but it was even more enchanting during the night. Everything was washed in a pale blue. The sound of rushing water was soothing in a silent night like this. I stood out into the garden, closing the doors behind me and took in a deep breath. It felt so cooling out here and peaceful.

Then I heard rusting in the bushes and I froze.

I've forgotten that there are vampires living here! I wanted to turn and leave but decided to go take a look at who was at the other side of the bush. After all, one look won't hurt.

"Sebastian?"

There he was, sitting behind the bush on the grass with his face tilted towards me. The pale moonlight made it easier for me to see him and I was breathless. Either he was really gorgeous or the moonlight was just playing tricks with my mind, because Sebastian Donahue looked beautiful.

"Adele, are you alright?"

Holy macaroni, I must be staring.

"Sorry, I must be interrupting, I should leave."

I turned to leave but Sebastian stopped me, "No, don't go."

I looked at him and he smiled at me, a genuine smile and my heart skipped a beat. He looked angelic under the moonlight. He looked back to the stars, "Come and join me."

I didn't say anything but walked over to his side and sat down cross-legged at the grass. I looked up at the stars. Millions or maybe zillions stars dotted the dark sky, all twinkling brightly and my heart ached. I missed home; I missed my parents who used to sit with me at the park at night to look at the stars and I definitely missed the old me.

"The stars are so beautiful."

"Yes, they are."

We sat there in silent for a while before I asked, "Who planted this garden?"

"Ashlie." Sebastian didn't look at me as he replied, "She loved the stars."

I detected a tint of sadness in Sebastian's voice. Everyone seemed to be badly effected by Ashlie's death; she is after all their sister. So she loved the stars too, is that why Sebastian is out here? To remember his sister as he gazed at the stars? But to this extend of having that sad pained expression on as he looked at the stars…

Who is Ashlie to him exactly?

"You loved her."

I barely made it a whisper but I know Sebastian heard me just find. He didn't look at me but from the way he smiles, I already knew the answer before he said it.

"Yes."

My heart tightens. "Tell me about her."

"Our mother passed away a few years after Dominic was born and Ashlie was the only female in our household and the closes thing to a mother-figure. She took care of us and we're protective of her. She was kind, sweet and really beautiful, angel-like. Everyone loved her. When she was old enough to have suitors coming at the door everyday and every night, we got even more protective of her." Sebastian smiled as he recalled back memories, "It was funny; every time we took turns to chase those suitors away. And Dominic was the best at it, a little runt but very good at pissing those gentlemen off."

I looked at Sebastian silently, his face glowed with happiness as he recalled back those memories that he called 'funny'. Then I had to ask, "What happened after all of you were bitten?"

His eyes immediately when wide and he stopped smiling anymore, "I prefer not to talk about it."

"Why?"

"Some things are better off not knowing and left forgotten." Sebastian was back to gazing at the stars above.

"But you guys don't forget easily." I pressed on, "I saw that part of the memory, Sebastian. I want to know what happened after that. I want to know how your father turned into one too. And lastly, I want to know how Ashlie died."

Sebastian turned to face me; anger was practically radiating off him. But I didn't care, I don't know why I was so headstrong in knowing what really happened after they were attacked and how they ended up being here. Not knowing anything bugs the hell out of me.

Suddenly an idea popped into my head.

I smiled at Sebastian devilishly, "You know, there is another way I can know what happened without you having to tell me."

Sebastian raised an eyebrow at me, "What are you thinking?"

"All you have to do is spare me some blood."

"No."

I frowned at him, "Why not? Think about it at least! All you have to do is give me some of your blood and I can see your memories and you won't have to tell me all about it! Come on, think about it at least."

"Oh, fine." Sebastian cringe his eyebrows together to act as if he is thinking hard and he smiled at me, "Still no."

I let out a dramatic sigh, "Oh well, since you won't voluntary donate your blood…"

I smiled evilly and tackled the surprised Sebastian to the ground. Pinning him to the ground playfully, I said with a giggly voice, "Then I will have to take it with force!"

Sebastian was laughing, his body vibrated beneath me. His eyes twinkled with amusement as he smiled at me, still laughing. "Oh, force! Like how? Bite me?"

He laughed even more and I smiled down at him. "I could try…" Sebastian looked at me, his laughter softens but his eyes still held amusement.

"It's weird; normally it's us vampires that ask for blood but now it's a human that is asking for my blood."

Still pinning him down, I eyed him suspiciously, "So, are you going to give me your blood or do I have to bite you?" In a swift movement, Sebastian had changed our position. I was down lying on the ground with Sebastian on top.

I choked out a surprised gasp and Sebastian smiled down at me, "I never really like being at the bottom." I stuck my tongue out at him and he smiled even more, "Fine, it you really want to know, then I will give you."

"Now?"

"Yeah, now."

Sebastian extended his fangs, bites the back of his wrist and held it to my lips. At first my body refused to take the blood but as Sebastian pushed it harder to my lips, I forced my own lips open and took in the blood. I am not a vampire so I hated the taste of it; it tasted like iron and I nearly choked on it. But I pushed it back down and took another gulp on Sebastian's blood. I opened my eyes to look up at Sebastian's face; his expression was unfathomable. I continue to take in another gulp of blood when Sebastian pulled his wrist away.

A single drop of blood fell on my cheek and Sebastian leaned down and licked it off. I let out a small gasp as I felt his cold wet tongue swipe across my cheek.

"How are you feeling?" Sebastian asked as he got up so I can stand up.

"I don't know." I answered. Truth is; things looked clearer to me now, I can hear voices louder and I definitely feel stronger. Is this the side effect of drinking vampire's blood?

"You should get some rest," Sebastian said as he looked at the rising sun, "And I need to get out of the sun." I chuckled at that. Sebastian turned to look at me. He leaned down and gave me small peek at the cheek. I nearly fainted and Sebastian gave an amused laugh.

"Have a nice sleep, Adele, and dream about me."

And he left.

I dragged myself all the way back to my room and fall face first into the pillows. I may look calm outside but inside I was screaming, 'Sebastian just kissed me! Oh My God! Sebastian just kissed me!'

My eyelids suddenly felt heavier and I yawned. Suddenly feeling the need to sleep, I pulled open the covers and crawled in, didn't bothered to change into more comfortable clothes and before I knew it, I was engulfed by darkness.

What do you think? Finally a scene of Sebastian and Adele! Review and tell! Keep those reviews running!