Destiny has left its mark (Vampire Romance) +

30 ~ Love me like you do

Cassie Langdale, the former prom queen, still maintains her youthful appearance two years later, her immortal life seemingly unaffected by time. As Elijah, Darryn, and I enter the gathering area for the agent meeting, Cassie's gaze immediately turns our way.

The large room is filled with the low hum of conversation, the scent of coffee mingling with the faint aroma of cleaning supplies. The walls are lined with tall windows, casting beams of harsh fluorescent light on the polished marble floors. The scattered groups of people create a mosaic of shadows and reflections. A chill from the air conditioning sends a shiver down my spine, and the occasional clink of glassware from the refreshment table punctuates the ambient noise.I'm wearing my fake glasses again, and I've warned Darryn and Elijah not to reveal my real name. To everyone else, I'm Ella Newton, Darryn's twin, and that's the extent of my identity that can be known, aside from my close friends.

New life, new name, new face—yet I still try to avoid eye contact with Cassie, who seems to have noticed Darryn. She is the same disdainful vampire, pushing a woman aside as she approaches to greet Darryn. It's as if some spell allows her to get away with her callous behaviour, just as she did in high school when others covered for her.

The smile on Cassie's face as she speaks with Darryn makes me want to recoil. I've only ever seen her this gleeful when interacting with the football team captain she briefly dated or with Abraham.

Elijah sends me a small smile before joining a nearby group, the chatter around him growing louder as he blends in effortlessly. The fluorescent lights above cast a sterile glow on his dark hair, making his departure feel even more isolating.

Cassie asks Darryn why he didn't inform her of his arrival, clearly flirting. I step back, unwilling to engage with her.

Everyone, except the three of us, is wearing uniforms. The crisp, dark fabric contrasts sharply with the sterile environment, making us stand out even more. A girl, who appears to have been crying and is hiding behind reading glasses, stands alone, wiping her nose. Her shoulders shake slightly, and the redness of her eyes is stark against her pale complexion. I can sense a small amount of magic from her, though it's barely perceptible. What is she doing here, given that only the best are chosen?

Darryn seems enamoured with Cassie, even blushing as he responds to her query. I roll my eyes, wondering why he would choose her when there are surely many other options available. The faint scent of her perfume—a sickly sweet fragrance—lingers in the air, mingling with the underlying tension of the room.

A man at the front speaks up. "We have new members. Let's welcome them." A vigorous round of applause breaks out, and I can't help but smile. The man continues over the noise, "Ella and Darryn Newton, as well as Kayla McGreggor, welcome." Addressing the group, he states, "Your uniforms are waiting for you in your rooms. We like all of us to look the same, so please put them on as soon as possible." He then concludes, "That's all for now. Remember to keep to your schedules."

The large crowd quickly disperses. A woman approaches me, saying, "I need to show you to your room. Please follow me."

I hear Darryn behind me, "See you later, Ella."

Cassie's voice chimes in, "Omg, I can't believe you have a twin. And she's adorable."

I hurry to keep up with the woman guiding me.

My room is small, with a single bed, a small desk and chair, and a large window covered in black curtains. "Put on your uniform, then come down to the dining hall for lunch," she says, leaving and closing the door behind her.

A sound at the window catches my attention, and I open the curtains wider. "Abraham?"

"Open up," he says, and I notice a small ledge outside.

After he sits down, he asks, "How are you doing?"

"I'm not sure yet. All of this is new to me," I admit.

"You look good," he says, sounding like his old self. "I'm sorry for how I acted towards you," he continues. "I was still waiting for Daniella, and your new appearance confused me."

I interrupt him, "For now, I'm Ella Newton, Darryn's twin. No one can know my true identity."

"Why?" he asks, and I explain about being Darryn's yang. He listens intently until I finish.

"Wow," he responds. "And what have you been up to? I heard about Anastasis Vlafos' death. His sister, Kayla, is here, hiding, as we try to figure out who murdered the elite vampire." After a pause, he adds, "There's something I've never told you, or anyone, except Elijah and Neo. It's kind of personal."

"There are a lot of things you've never told me," I remark.

As the soft glow of the twilight seeped through the ancient, latticed windows of the study, Abraham's voice held an unexpected gravity. "There is something I must tell you," he began, his eyes avoiding mine and focusing instead on the intricate patterns of the Persian rug beneath our feet.

"My father and Viktor Vlafos were close friends," he continued, his voice steady yet betraying a hint of reluctance. "Our families... they forged an agreement—a royal pact that binds me to an arranged marriage with Kayla Vlafos. I am bound by this commitment; there is no escaping it."

The revelation hit me like a tidal wave, leaving me momentarily speechless. "You have a fiancée?" I managed to utter, my mind reeling from the implications. "Kayla Vlafos?"

Abraham nodded, his expression sombre. "Yes, Kayla Vlafos. She has no other living family members. She is now entirely dependent on me, which adds a significant weight and responsibility to the arrangement."

Determined to be of help, I said, "If Kayla is open to it, I can try to befriend her. It might make things easier for everyone."

Abraham's stern expression softened, and he placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "Thank you. Your support means more than you know. We are, after all, close friends."

Just then, Elijah entered the room with his usual air of quiet authority. "I need to discuss the matter of Kayla Vlafos with you," he stated, his tone leaving no room for interruption. "She goes by the alias Kayla McGreggor."

Elijah's eyes bore into mine as he continued, "For now, you must refrain from making any direct contact with Abraham. We need to maintain the façade of being strangers to avoid drawing unwanted attention or scrutiny. Stick close to your brother Darryn while on the academy grounds. I will be limited in my ability to assist you openly if any issues arise."

Before I could voice my concern, Elijah added, "Our mutual friend Penelope is expected to arrive in the coming days. She will provide additional support during this delicate situation."

I nodded, understanding the gravity of Elijah's instructions. However, a sense of unease settled over me. Distancing myself from Abraham, pretending we were mere strangers, felt like an insurmountable emotional challenge. His lips suddenly press against mine in a passionate embrace, and before I can fully register what's happening, my arms instinctively encircle his neck, and I find myself reciprocating the intense kiss. A flame of power ignites within the pit of my stomach, dancing and flaring as if it's overjoyed that I'm finally mustering the courage to convey the feelings I've had kept secret for him.

Moments later, he hastily retreats, placing his back firmly against the wall in the direction away from the door, carefully concealing his presence in my private space. This strategic positioning allows him to remain hidden, ensuring his clandestine visit to my room goes unnoticed by any potential visitors or prying eyes.

Suddenly, a sharp knock resounds, interrupting the charged atmosphere. I take a deep, steadying breath, attempting to calm the turbulent, swirling emotions that match the restlessness of my rapidly beating heart. Gathering my composure, I then proceed to approach the door, determined to see who has come calling.