Chapter 60

Madison grew up very different from her siblings. She was much older after all and lived through the last dark age. There was another difference, and it was how she was raised. Madison's mother was cruel and abusive.

By the time Marcus learned of this the damage was already done. After that Madison trusted no one and even resented her father slightly for his inability to see it sooner. When Marcus got remarried and had new children she wanted nothing to do with them.

Every time Madison would return for orders she would always see her siblings playing in the estate. How they ran around so happy with a mother who loved them and never raised a hand in their direction.

Over the years Madison had little interaction with her siblings but watched them grow from afar. When they grew older they wanted to play with her, but Madison wasn't sure how to react and remembered her mother. The result caused her to lash out coldly shrugging them off, and with time they stopped asking.

One day Madison was watching them play together happily at a distance. She desperately wanted to know what it felt like to be a real family, and feel loved, but Madison didn't dare approach after being so harsh before.

Madison's eyes began to water as she watched from a distance, and wondered what was wrong with her. Grace was looking for her children and found Madison crying. With the emotions running high her thoughts were easy to read.

Grace thought Madison wanted no contact with them and understood due to her background. Because of this Grace kept her distance. When Madison turned around noticing the audience she attempted to flee, but Grace sped over hugging her tightly.

Madison wanted to push her off, but the embrace was so warm. Madison hesitated but then clung tightly to Grace as tears streamed down her face. After that day Madison would spend time with her siblings, but still had problems with her emotions.

She began seeing Grace as her new mother, and when she was killed Madison pushed for the bloodletting. It was Madison's words that pushed her father, and the rest into action. While Marcus was on the floor bleeding out he gauged his surroundings.

Over half of their clan was agreeing with Aleister's ambitions. Marcus knew very well that some longed for the days where vampires ruled humans, and the rest were just scared of human retaliation. His family would be targeted first and killed to send a message. Then he would be used as a puppet to keep the others fighting together and fed on by Aleister allowing him to further his strength.

At that moment on the ground, Marcus connected to Madison ordering her to kill him. That it was the only way to fool Aleister and get their family to safety. Madison fought back the tears looking at those beside her.

Madison turned herself ice-cold acting before she could overthink it. After the deed, the pain almost broke her, but for their sake, she had to harden her resolve. If her act seemed false in the slightest it would all be in vain.

Enticing Aleister caused him to ensure there would be little interruptions in the castle. While enduring his bed Madison's familiar gave them the chance they needed to save her siblings. Madison wanted everything brought to light in case of her demise and wrote the letter with that in mind. Wanting the two to know she never hated them and wishing them well in life.

Cassandra finished the letter learning the truth behind Madison's actions, and her behavior in the past. Cassandra stormed out of her room to find Arthur and showed him the letter. Once he finished reading it a look of panic swept his face. At the end of the letter, Madison claimed she would kill Aleister when the forces were split. Cassandra ran downstairs seeing Mark entering as she rushed up to him.

"Can you please show this to your soldiers?" Cassandra asked as she handed him the letter.

"S-sure," Mark replied as he searched for a guard.

The public bath was lively that morning, and Zack decided to join everyone. He was relaxing in the bath recovering his strength and noticed a few of the lizardmen walking in. Of course, his attention was on the females preparing to enter.

They had fins near their ears and thick muscular tails. Other than that they had alluring figures resembling a human. Zack had seen lizardmen before but only in combat, and never a woman.

They were capable warriors, and when drawing out their essence can transform. When this happens the scales spread across their bodies like armor, they receive a spike in strength, and diamond-sharp claws retract. The woman that caught his eye the most was a young warrior named Savanah.

Savanah had tan skin, an emerald tail, chestnut hair tied up covering the nape of her neck, glowing green eyes, and a beauty mark on her neck. She had a petite chest, toned abs, wide hips, and thick thighs. Zack had to adjust his gaze promptly as she glanced in his direction. Savannah caught a glimpse of his actions and decided to sit next to him.

"I'm Savannah, and If I remember right your the boss around here right?" Savannah asked while checking him out.

"I'm not everyone's boss. I just hired some extra work for winter. Did everyone settle in well?" Zack responded while glancing at the new faces.

"Yeah, we found a nice spot with some help. The weather here is perfect, before we came here we were huddled in a cramped cave, and that's when Lilith found us. Thank you for the food, and place to stay." Savannah said while soaking deep in the bath.

'This water is amazing.'Savannah smiled.

"I hope you treat this place as your home, and if you have any food requests, or living accommodations just write them down. Once we handle this crisis I can help everyone adjust to their living situations better. Could you send a leader or representative towards the fields? We have someone over there that can set you guys up with everything you need." Zack asked.

"We are still debating our new leader. Our last chieftain fell to the dragon, and we been focused on hunkering down for winter. We were gonna hold a conclave in spring, but I'll gather the others, and have a temporary representative." Savannah replied.

"You're the one who handled that dragon right?"

"Did you really fight it alone?"

Zack quickly became the center of attention. All of them had to flee or seek shelter from the dragon, but he faced it alone and managed to defeat it. They heard positive things about Zack, and it appeared true. He had a private bath but still chose to sit with the others.

Zack's reason for this was to get familiar with the others, but also to avoid a strenuous task that could be waiting. While Zack was walking out with Savannah someone launched an arrow of mana in his direction. Zack caught it before it struck his shoulder. Looking over the culprit was Kaya as she stormed his way from the private bath.

"What was that for?" Zack asked as he dissipated the arrow.

"You caught that so easily," Savannah said while examining his muscle.

Kaya saw this pouting as she stormed forward. Zack prepared himself to be struck again, but Kaya kissed him. Kaya's face was bright red as she glared at Savannah.

"I-i was waiting in o-our bath for you," Kaya stuttered as she pulled away.

"I'm sorry I wanted to greet the new people, and I need to get some rest for tonight's mission. Wanna join me?" Zack asked while holding her hand.

"Y-yeah," Kaya replied as she turned around tugging his hand.

"So Lilith's teasing was true?" Savannah asked walking behind them.

Hearing Savannah's words Kaya let go of his hand running towards the mansion. Zack should've known them teaming together would involve teasing. The entire trip Lilith was getting under her skin, and constantly giving flirtatious advances.

"I'll go speak with the others. Have a nice nap." Savanah smiled at Zack as she headed for the mountain.