I stood rooted to the spot as this girl stared back at me. Without giving me the chance to protest, she pushed me out of the way, walked in and closed the door quietly.

“Now I know there’s music playing downstairs, but I still don’t want to risk anyone hearing us.” She moved to the window, peered out nervously and then closed the curtains with haste. Moving back to her position in front of me, she placed her hands either side of my face and shook her head in disapproval. “You’ve been influenced. I assume that was Elizabeth’s doing.”

All I could manage was a “Huh?” Still in a daze at seeing a stranger that could pass as my twin.

“She has really messed with your head, you poor girl.” She stroked my face quickly before letting go to pace up and down my room.

I watched her for a few minutes whilst deciding what to say. “How do you look exactly like me?”

She froze mid pace and turned to look at me slowly. “You don’t know?”

“Know what?”

The corner of her lips pulled up into a sly grin. “Oh this is too good.”

“What’s too good? Who are you?”

“Surely you know who I am…” She smirked.

“…Ailyn? I say that because everyone kept telling me I looked like Ailyn.. And well, you look like me…” I babbled.

“Well done.” She moved to the door, opened it and quickly popped her head out before shutting it again. “Okay, I think we’re okay still.”

“Think we’re okay? I’m confused. What’s happening?”

“We need to go.” She said with a sense of urgency.

“Sorry? Leave? Why would I want to leave?”

She narrowed her eyes at me. “You ask too many questions.” She peered out the window again. “It’s quite a drop to the floor but I suppose you’ll be fine.”

“Suppose?! Uh I’m going to have to disagree with going. You see, I’m happy here with Lizzie. She’s been kind to me, why on earth would I want to leave with you? You won’t even tell me what you want.” I moved to my bed and sat down, refusing to move.

“Just do as you’re told!” She shouted at me.

“Who do you think you are? My mother?” I laughed, surprised at how confident I felt in front of her.

“No, not quite.” Ailyn murmured whilst glowering at me. “Look, you need to come with me, right now.” She grabbed my arm and pulled me towards the window.

I pulled against her grip, but she was too strong and I couldn’t break free. She opened the window and started to climb out, dragging me with her. I struggled against her grip and started screaming.

“No one’s going to hear you, shut up.” She yanked on my arm even harder making me scream louder. Suddenly the door burst open and Lizzie appeared in the doorway. Ailyn’s grasp on my arm loosened and then she let go completely.

“Evain, what’s wrong?!” Lizzie rushed to my side instantaneously.

“Ailyn’s here!” I shouted and pointed out through the open window. Lizzie moved me to the side and looked out.

“There’s no one there, Evain. Are you sure you weren’t just having a nightmare?” She looked at me sceptically.

I held out my arm where a large red mark was appearing from Ailyn’s tight grip. “Does this look like a nightmare? She was in here and she tried to take me!”

Lizzie examined my arm closely. “That does look quite bad. But how would Ailyn even get in here? I mean, you never open your window.”

I looked at her incredulously. “She came in through my bedroom door. Why are you even asking? You must have seen her come through the front door!”

Lizzie looked confused. “There was someone at the door, but it wasn’t Ailyn. It was this very nice guy. We got chatting and you know…” She winked at me.

I gaped at her. How could she be thinking of guys right now? “Is he still here?” I wondered.

“Well he was when I left him because you were screaming.” She rolled her eyes.

“You heard me scream? Over the loud music? Incredible…” I said in awe.

“Well, I felt it more than I heard it.” She confessed.

“Felt it?”

“I’ll explain later. Come and meet him!” She grabbed my hand and led me downstairs. “Hey sweetie? Where are you hiding?” She giggled. We went into the front room and there was no one there. “That’s strange.” Lizzie muttered.

“Looks like he left, sorry.” I mumbled apologetically.

Lizzie caught the sadness in my eyes and pulled me into a hug. “It’s okay Evain, I don’t blame you. But I wish you saw him, he was so cute! I didn’t get time to work my magic on him, but he’ll be back I’m sure. In fact, you might like him.” She stepped back so I could see her face, and waggled her eyebrows at me. “Okay you don’t seem too impressed, still in some shock over the apparent visit of Ailyn?”

“I didn’t imagine it! She was there! She came up whilst you were blasting loud music and she told me we had to go.” I cried, but all she did was chuckle. “She also said you’ve been influencing me. What’s that?”

Lizzie’s smile dropped immediately and her skin went paler. “Evain…”

My eyes widened. “You influenced me?!”

“How can you be angry over something you don’t understand? It’s not something bad…” She trailed off and couldn’t meet my gaze.

“Then what?” I demanded.

She shifted her weight and started biting her lip. “It’s just something we can do to you humans… A sort of telepathic way to change your thoughts.”

“When did you use it…?” I sank down on to one of the chairs in shock.

“When you first got here, you were panicking and I calmed you down.” I nodded and she continued. “And then before we argued. I influenced you to let me have some blood, and then have some of mine… I… I’m sorry.” She hung her head in shame.

“Is that why I can’t remember it?” I stared at her and she nodded solemnly. I sighed, walked over and pulled her into a hug.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m angry, but I think you did it with good intentions.” I felt her nodding. “Also, I need you right now. I don’t know where Elijah is, or what happened. But I’m here with you now, and you’ve been like a friend to me.”

She pulled back so I could see her face. “Thanks.” She whispered and I smiled.

“Anyti—” I started to say before she cut me off with her lips pressed against mine. It lasted for only a few seconds before she pulled away.

“I’m so sorry!” She gushed as she brought her hand to her mouth. “I just… It just seemed like… Oh god.” She left the room in a hurry without even looking back.

“Lizzie wait!” But she was already gone. I brought my fingers to my lips and looked in the direction she went in.

Elijah’s POV

I went through countless journals to find out a bit more about Elizabeth, yet I was no closer to knowing enough to find Evain. As soon as the sun set I was on my way to find her, I had nothing but the scent to go on and I was hoping that would be enough.

I headed back towards the area I had ran into Ivan, as that was where he said the scent had split into two. Surely taking the other path will lead me to her, right?

It took me longer to return to the clearing than it had taken to leave it. I guess Evain’s blood was slowly leaving my system; soon I will be weaker than Ivan. Once in the clearing, I headed in the opposite direction, growing slightly weaker with every step.

Maintaining my pace was becoming a struggle, but before long I came across a house that seemed to loom out of nowhere. Wondering whether it was Elizabeth’s house or not, I found a nearby bush and hid behind it, observing the house.

After a few minutes I saw a window upstairs open whilst music blasted from downstairs. Maybe she was having some sort of party… At least she’ll be happy. A scream pierced through the night. Evain.

I was just about to climb up to the window to help her, when I saw Ailyn drop to the floor, land like a cat and run off. A face appeared at the window, Elizabeth I’m guessing. The sound of a twig cracking tore my gaze from the window and I focused on a figure leaving through the front door. I crept closer slightly to see who this mystery man was and was slightly surprised to see Ivan speeding off in the direction Ailyn went in.

I followed Ivan and found the two of them whispering out of sight of the house.

“And what were you doing with the red one downstairs? Do not think that you have time to find yourself another girl, we have work to do.” An angry Ailyn said.

“And just how would you have managed to get alone with Evain if I hadn’t distracted Lizzie?”

“Lizzie? You’re on a personal name basis with her?”

“Are you jealous, Ailyn? Besides, you were unsuccessful! Where is Evain? How did she manage to over power you?”

A loud whack echoed as Ailyn slapped Ivan round the face. “It was working, until she screamed. Turns out they’ve been sharing blood…” I brought a hand to my mouth to stifle a gasp.

“Sharing blood? Nice, so Lizzie heard Evain and came running?”

“Yes.” Ailyn whispered bitterly. “Influencing her wouldn’t even work! I must be weaker than I thought…”

“So what’s the plan now?”

“Well…”

I shifted position and rustled some leaves. I silently cursed myself as Ailyn froze and placed her hand over Ivan’s mouth.

“Did you hear that?” Her eyes scanned the area, briefly resting in my direction. Ivan shook his head. “Well, even so, I’m not willing to discuss further plans in the vicinity of the house. We shall do it back at mine, hopefully Elijah’s cleared off, I do not want to deal with him tonight as well.”

As they left, heading back towards Ailyn’s place, I decided to go and check up on Evain, now that the troublesome pair had left. The music had stopped and the light upstairs was now off. Curiously, I walked round to the front of the house where a light shone out.

Evain was sitting down as Elizabeth was gesturing with hands, almost pleading. I was about to go and knock on the door when Evain moved to Elizabeth and pulled her into a hug. If they were arguing about something, it was over now. I felt my mouth pull up into a smile, watching Evain’s happiness. My body was calling for her; it had been ever since she was taken from me. But now that I was so close to her again, the feeling was stronger and nearly overwhelming.

I thought I’d let them finish their moment, I didn’t want to intrude. I waited until the hug stopped, but before I knew what was happening, Elizabeth had her lips pressed against Evain’s. My breath caught in my chest as I stood there watching them. “No…” I whispered.

I couldn’t watch anymore, so I turned slowly and walked away.