40: Chapter 40: News from Frank!

The rain hadn't stopped on the way back from the cemetery.

Shaun dropped Ballard off at the police station and drove toward Hill Manor.

The wipers swung back and forth on the windshield, making a monotonous sound.

His mind was still on the people at the funeral... Deputy Chief Brown's gaze, Linda's back, and that line from Ballard: "I want to stay at your manor for a while."

His phone suddenly rang.

Shaun glanced at the screen; it was Madison.

He answered immediately: "Hello?"

"Shaun!"

Madison's voice burst from the receiver, brimming with triumph.

"Guess what?"

Shaun felt a stir in his heart; judging by the tone, it seemed like something good had happened!

Thinking it over, what good news could Madison have for him right now?

It could only be about Frank.

So he asked directly: "Did you find Frank?"

There was a second of silence on the other end, then Madison clicked her tongue.

She said: "How did you guess it right away? That's no fun."

It really was him!

Shaun hit the brakes and pulled the car over to the side of the road.

"You really found him?"

"Really." Madison's tone carried a hint of wanting credit. "I had Queenie look around the area, using her voodoo doll's sensing ability, and guess what? She actually found something."

Shaun's heart skipped a beat.

"What kind of things?"

"Footprints, bloodstains, and..." Madison paused, "a broken beer bottle with fingerprints on it."

Shaun's fingers tightened on the steering wheel.

Bloodstains!

"Is he alive?"

"I don't know. Queenie can only sense the lingering aura; she can't confirm if he's dead or alive. But at least the old man was definitely there, and he didn't die on the spot."

Shaun took a deep breath. If he didn't die on the spot, there was hope.

Shaun digested the information, then heard Madison say: "There's one more thing."

"What is it?"

"Cordelia wants you to come over."

Shaun was stunned for a moment: "What for?"

Madison's tone became a bit subtle: "To test your magic."

Shaun knew this day would come.

Ever since the day his magic awakened, he knew that if Cordelia found out, she wouldn't pass up this opportunity.

Sensing Shaun's silence, Madison asked with some concern on the other end: "Shaun? Are you listening?"

"I'm listening."

"So, are you coming?"

Shaun thought about it.

His intention was that he didn't want to go at all.

What if the test revealed he was some kind of monster?

What if it turned out his source of power was problematic?

What if...

There were all sorts of possible results, and he couldn't be sure!

But after thinking about it, he still wanted to know about Frank's situation, his relationship with the witches was decent, and he had Madison as an "insider"...

So, Shaun decided to make the trip.

He asked: "When?"

Madison said: "Right now. Cordelia happens to be free today; after today, she'll have to get busy with all that messy stuff again."

Shaun glanced out the car window.

The rain was still falling.

The direction to Hill Manor was to the left, and the direction to Robichaux Manor was to the right.

So he turned the steering wheel and veered onto the road to the right: "Twenty minutes."

Madison's laughter came from the other end of the phone: "That's a good boy."

After saying that, Madison hung up.

Shaun didn't mind; he just tossed the phone onto the passenger seat and stepped on the gas.

The rain was getting heavier.

The wipers on the windshield were swinging frantically.

Shaun gripped the steering wheel, but his mind was on something else.

"Frank... what on earth did you go to do?"

Shaun parked the car at the entrance of Robichaux Manor. Before he even turned off the engine, he saw that familiar iron gate open on its own.

He stepped on the gas and drove along the oak-lined driveway.

A person was standing at the entrance of the main house.

Madison.

Seeing Shaun's car pull up, she rushed over.

Shaun had just pushed the car door open when she grabbed him in a hug.

The hug was tight—so tight that Shaun could feel her heartbeat, as if she wanted to knead herself into his body.

Then she loosened her grip slightly, cupped his face, and kissed him hard.

It wasn't the light, tentative kind of kiss.

It was a real, solid, audible kiss.

Shaun stood there stunned... just as he was about to ask what was wrong with Madison, he heard her say directly: "I missed you."

Shaun opened his mouth, not knowing what to say for a moment.

Then a voice came from the porch.

"Oh, oh, oh, Madison is acting all lovey-dovey..."

Queenie stood under the porch, holding an umbrella in one hand and a bag of chips in the other.

She had an expression of watching a show, chewing on chips, and continued vaguely: "It's only been a few days since you last saw each other? Is it really necessary?"

Madison let go of Shaun, turned her head, and rolled her eyes at Queenie, saying: "None of your business."

Queenie said: "Of course it's my business; it makes me feel uncomfortable watching it."

Madison kicked at her.

Queenie dodged, laughing even harder.

"Fine, fine, it's your man, you're the boss."

She bit into a chip.

"But is it necessary to stand in the rain? You two are like drowned rats."

Madison ignored her; she took Shaun's hand and walked toward the porch.

Shaun was dragged along, savoring the moment.

He subconsciously licked his lips; Madison's lips were very soft.

Queenie saw this from the side and let out a strange cry: "Oh my, still savoring it?"

Madison turned back and glared at her: "Shut up!"

"I won't."

Queenie followed, leaning in close to Shaun, "Shaun, do you know how many times she's been muttering about you these past few days?"

"Every morning when she wakes up, the first thing she says is 'Is Shaun coming today?', and the last thing she says before going to sleep at night is 'Will Shaun come tomorrow?'..."

Madison's face turned red in an instant upon hearing this, and she shouted: "Queenie!"

It was the first time Shaun had ever seen Madison blush.

That Madison Montgomery who was always sharp-tongued, always stubborn, and always had that "I don't care about anyone" expression... was blushing.

And it was very obvious.

Queenie doubled over with laughter: "Look, look! She's blushing! Madison can actually blush! I'm going to take a picture for memory!"

Madison let go of Shaun and chased after Queenie.

The two of them circled the porch, one running and one chasing, cursing at each other.

Shaun stood under the porch, watching this scene, speechless.

"Shaun."

A gentle voice came from behind.

Shaun turned his head.

Cordelia was standing at the doorway, wearing a dark long dress, her hair loosely tied up, with a gentle smile on her face.

"Come in."

She said, stepping aside to let him in.

"Don't stand out here in the rain."

Shaun nodded, ignoring the two noisy ones, and followed Cordelia inside.

As they passed by Madison and Queenie, Madison grabbed his arm: "Shaun, wait, I'm coming in with you..."