Evain’s POV

As soon as I finished I went upstairs hesitantly. She seemed a little weird, but she had been nice to me so I had no reason to dislike her.

She met me at the top of the stairs. “Oh Evain, did you enjoy your meal?” I nodded at her and she beamed. “Let me show you around!” She grabbed my hand and pulled me into every room.

“This is the bathroom, you can take a shower or a bath once we’re done. I’ve already left you out some towels and feel free to use any of my products.”

“Uh thanks.” I was struggling to take everything in, she went so fast.

“Ah, this is my room.” I looked around; everything was dark red and black. Thick black curtains hung from a gothic window, shining moonlight onto her dark red, double bed. Sashes dangled from the ceiling, giving the room an otherworldly feeling. “Like it?”

“Yes, it’s really pretty.” I said with some enthusiasm, hers was rubbing off on me.

“Great! Okay, enough here. Time to see your room.” She still hadn’t let go of me, so I was yanked from her room back into the hall. She pushed open the dark mahogany door and my room was revealed to me. It was… White. Very white. The carpet was thick and cream, whilst everything else in the room was white. Everything that is, but the curtains which were thick and black. Keeping out the sunlight I suppose.

“Do you like it?”

“It’s very white…”

“Oh I know, it was a theme I was going for. Completely opposite to what I normally choose. As you have probably noticed, it’s the only pure room in the house. And it’s all yours!” She grinned and shoved a towel that was placed on my bed at me. “Now, go shower and get some sleep. Tomorrow we’ll find you some new clothes and I can sort out your skin. Maybe give you some blood…”

“Uh no thank you, I’m fine.”

“Don’t argue, I know what’s best.” She shot a look at me before softening her expression.

“Sorry…” I mumbled.

“It’s fine. Go and shower, you need your rest.” She waggled her eyebrows at me and sashayed off.

“Wait!” I called out.

She stopped and looked over her shoulder at me. “Yes?”

“I don’t have any pyjamas…” I felt my face heat up a little as she turned and smirked at me. Without answering me, she disappeared into her room. I stood there feeling a little awkward and wondered if she was coming back or not.

“Here.” She reappeared holding a large T-shirt. “Wear this until we find something else.” I looked at it hesitantly. “Well I have other nightwear if you would rather try that.” She winked at me and I blushed. “Well?”

“N-No, no thanks.” I stammered as she laughed at me.

“Didn’t think so.” She chucked the shirt at me. “Sweet dreams.”

I watched her walk into her room and close the door quietly. Finally I was alone again. I grabbed the towel, leaving the shirt on the bed, and walked into the bathroom. I was tempted by the bath, but seeing as I was incredibly tired, I opted for a shower. As I removed my clothes, I found bruises on my skin, but the sad part was that I couldn’t remember where each bruise came from.

Hot water ran over my aching body as I found some shampoo for my hair. It needed a good wash and I was glad I finally had the chance. I took longer than I usually did, but I had to think about Elizabeth and what her intentions were. She seemed… Friendly, but maybe too friendly. I will have to let her know next time that I’m just not interested.

Once I had finished, I padded to my room and slipped on the shirt she left for me. It went halfway down my thighs, revealing the cuts Damon had left from earlier. I reluctantly dragged my eyes away from my injuries and climbed into bed. The linen was soft and it caressed my skin as I fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.

Voices from Elizabeth’s room woke me.

“Shhh, we’ll wake her.”

“But I came all this way.” A deep voice said.

Giggling.

“Oh okay then.”

I heard kissing which shortly turned into moans of pleasure. My eyes widened in surprise and I felt like I shouldn’t be around to hear that. I moved to sit up, and felt an ache in my neck. Rubbing it gently, I got out of bed and made my way downstairs. I could hear them less from there.

I curled up on my side on the sofa and started to fall asleep again, it felt as if I could sleep for years.

“Oh hello there.”

I opened my eyes and found a man standing at the end of the sofa, his eyes travelling up my legs and resting on my butt. I was shocked to discover that the T-shirt had ridden up and was revealing the underwear that Lizzie had given me. I blushed and sat up, pulling the shirt down.

“You must be Evain.” He winked at me. He had a foreign accent, European but I couldn’t tell whereabouts. Perhaps Spanish?

I mumbled a yes and his eyes twinkled. “I’ve heard so much about you.”

“Uh… You have?”

“Yes.”

“Oh…”

“Maybe next time you will join us?” He raised his eyebrows suggestively.

“Uh—”

“Roberto? What are you saying to her?” Lizzie floated down the stairs in just her underwear. I averted my gaze quickly and focused on Roberto who had taken a seat next to me.

“Nada, mi amor. Simply that I have heard much about her.”

She narrowed her eyes at him. “From who?”

“Ivan.”

I shuddered at the sound of his name. I knew any day now that he would catch up with me, and then what trouble would I be in?

I felt Lizzie slip in between Roberto and I and wrap her arms around me. “Don’t worry Evain, I won’t let whoever he is, hurt you.”

I rested my head on her shoulder and caught Roberto looking at us whilst biting his lip. I instantly moved out of Lizzie’s hug and blushed.

“She should join us next time.” He whispered seductively.

Lizzie looked at me, mulling it over. “I wouldn’t mind…” My eyes widened and I was about to protest when Lizzie cut me off again. “But she doesn’t seem interested in me. I think I scare her.” She laughed and I looked away, embarrassed.

“Perhaps I can convince her otherwise…” Roberto added.

“Leave it for now. In fact you might as well go; I have a lot of things that I need to do. We will meet up again shortly.” She winked at him as he bent and kissed her hand.

“Adiós guapa.” He caught my hand before I could move it out of reach and he pressed his lips to it slowly whilst maintaining my gaze. I resisted the urge to cringe.

“Go, go!” Lizzie shooed him out of the house and then turned to me, smiling. “Let’s get you sorted out with some clothes. Come with me.”

I followed her upstairs and into her room, hoping she would give me something more to wear than what she had on.

She opened her wardrobe and looked through clothes. “Right, let’s see. I have so many items sitting here that I just don’t want to wear anymore…” She pulled out a black top with long sleeves and chucked it at me along with some dark grey jeans. “Try these on.”

I smiled at her. “Thanks.” I left the room to try it on, she may feel comfortable walking around practically naked, but I didn’t.

The jeans fit perfectly and the top clung to me, showing off my figure. I tended to go for tops that were slightly baggy, that way I wasn’t as conscious about myself. But I was hardly going to be picky right now. I walked back into her room.

“Well… What do you think?” I spun on the spot so she could see how it fit me.

“It’s perfect! Just let me know if you need anything else, you can normally find everything in my bedroom.”

“Uh, about that…” I looked round the room trying to think of what to say.

She moved closer to me. “I know, Evain. You’re not interested.” She pulled me into a hug and I felt her lips on my neck. She moved away quickly before what she did had sunk in. “Anyway, I have to sort you out some food and then try and heal you. Let’s go!”

She left the room in a flash as I stood there in a daze. I brought my hand up to my neck, it was still warm.

“Evain?!” Lizzie called for me from downstairs where I could start to smell food cooking.

“Uh, coming!” I hurried out the room and went downstairs. Lizzie stood in the kitchen stuffing food onto a plate.

“Sit and eat.” I obeyed. The food was delicious, wonder where she learnt to cook.

Lizzie slid into the seat opposite me and rested her head on her hand. “So who’s this Ivan then?”

I froze, my fork midair and I shivered. Lizzie reached out and patted my hand. “It’s okay, you can tell me everything.”

I placed my fork on my plate and sighed. I guess I would have to tell her at some point. “I was at Damon’s for a while, for days he didn’t leave. But then one night he said he had to see to something. After that I didn’t see him for ages, about a week I think. I was at his place on my own and everyday I waited for him to come back. I trusted him.” She moved to my hand and squeezed it sympathetically. “One night I heard someone outside the door and I thought it was him but when I opened the door I found Ivan. He had visited before and he had threatened to take me, so I already knew his intention. I turned and ran, managed to get to my room. But he sat outside claiming he only wanted to talk. Eventually he smashed the door down. He said he had a proposition for me.”

“A proposition?” I nodded. “What was it?” Lizzie looked confused so I continued.

“He wanted me to join him.”

“Join him? As in… become like him?” She screwed her face up in disgust.

“Yes. Become his, what he called, dark princess. He promised riches, land and shit like that. I denied him profusely. Said I was waiting for Damon to come back. I thought he actually cared for me.”

“Damon does that… I’ll get to it in a minute. What’s made you so scared?”

“When I said no, he got… violent.”

“Which explains why you look so beaten up!”

“Uh well… Some of that was Damon.” I admitted as anger flared in her eyes.

“He just can’t help himself sometimes. He couldn’t help himself with me, and now look!” Her outburst left me surprised and sitting at the edge of my chair, ready to quickly leave. “I’m sorry. But you’ll understand once I tell you about what he’s really like. Continue.”

“There’s not much more, he said we had to go somewhere when the sun was down so when he left me, with every exit in the house locked, I decided to escape. Only when I managed to escape and find Elijah, I knew he would come after me soon. Then I dreamt of him.”

“Bad dream I take it.” I nodded. “Well, I can’t believe Damon took you. But now that I really look at you, I see why.”

I rolled my eyes. “Let me guess, I look like this Ailyn girl?”

“Oh yes, very much so. Did you know that Ailyn was his—”

“Creator? Yes… I… Read his journals.” My face flamed as Lizzie raised her eyebrows in surprise.

“Well that was unexpected. Why would you read his journals?” She stared at me intently.

I bit my lip nervously. “I shouldn’t have, I just wanted to know more.”

She laughed at me. “I don’t blame you. He doesn’t reveal much about his life. You see, yes Ailyn created him but she used him and she used his brother. So I heard anyway. When I met him, they had recently ended their short and odd relationship. He was looking for some fun and that’s what I was for a while. Until he started feeding on me.” Her eyes turned dark. “I didn’t mind at first, it felt amazing… But one night I felt him go further than before, right to the point where I blacked out.” She stared off into space, letting go of my hand. “When I woke up I was different. I felt it straight away. The amount of energy in my veins, the strength and how much sharper everything appeared.”

I reached to clasp her hand this time, not realising how much life meant to her. Damon took so much from her.

“He was so happy that he had created someone, that he left to go and tell someone. I was left alone newly transitioned. Needless to say I caused him hell. I have no regrets though, not over the havoc. But he owed me.”

“Owed you? Me? Is this why I’m with you?”

She looked up at me, sorrow in her eyes. “I’m sorry. He claimed he would find the perfect girl, a companion! And should I drink from her, my powers would increase at an alarming rate.” She looked up at me, a sympathetic smile played across her face. “Can I try some? Please?”

I blinked at her, words not forming in my head. She got up from her seat and moved closer to me.

“If I could just have a little bit…” She whispered.

I stood up fast, knocking the chair over and I backed up against one of the cupboards as she got closer.

“I’ll give you some of mine first, I promise not to turn you.” She was right in front of me now, her hands either side of me. I was looking around me panicking, there was no way I could stop her.

“Look at me Evain.” She whispered. I met her gaze and peace washed over me instantly. She scored a line down her neck with her nail. “Now drink.” My head instantly moved towards the blood trailing down her neck. It was sweeter than when I had Damon’s and time flew even faster. Once she pushed me away I found I was out of breath and couldn’t remember what had happened.

“What did you do to me?”

Lizzie blushed a little. “It’s what you did to me. You said you wanted some blood, and look, your injuries are already starting to heal!”

I shifted on the spot; I wouldn’t be able to tell until I looked in the mirror. “That doesn’t sound like me…”

“You’re starting to come out of your shell, isn’t that great?!” She beamed at me.

“I—”

“No no, my turn now.” She moved to my neck and I froze.

“No, please no.” I shuddered as she stepped back from me and sighed.

“It’s only fair! You had some of mine!” She protested, looking suddenly like a young child.

“I-I just can’t… I’m sorry!” 

“Evain, I didn’t want to have to do this to you again, but you leave me no choice.” She placed her hands either side of my face.

“Huh?”

Staring straight into my eyes she whispered. “Let me have some.” 

“Okay.” I breathed.

She grinned and bit down on my neck gently. I barely felt it and after a few minutes she stepped back and wiped her mouth. “You taste… Amazing.”

And the déjà vu just kept on coming. “Now what are you going to do with me? Keep me prisoner like Damon did? Try and take me somewhere like Ivan?”

She looked hurt. “No.”

“Oh. I’m sorr—”

“Don’t.” She moved away from me and went to busy herself in the far side of the room.

“I’ll just be in my room…” She didn’t even look at me. I sighed and went to my room. How can I assume such bad things from her? She had done nothing but be nice to me, give me clothes and food. I had to go and ruin it by assuming she had intentions similar to Damon’s and Ivan’s. I threw a punch at my pillow, it wouldn’t help but it was something.

I remained in my room until darkness fell. Lizzie didn’t come to talk to me, and I didn’t make an effort to find her. I heard someone at the door and Lizzie talking to them. Loud music started playing, drowning out any noise from downstairs. Probably another one of her lovers.

There was a knock at my door and I approached it slowly. When I opened the door I blinked repeatedly. There stood a girl that looked incredibly familiar. So familiar in fact, that it was as if I was looking in a mirror.

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Okay, so as you might have noticed, I've come up with a cast. BUT I'm having trouble trying to find the right person for Evain/Ailyn. If you guys have any ideas then please suggest and I'll let you know what I think :)