It was just like the first time, and every time after. He didn't know why he had bothered to show at such an event, and yet that otherworldly power had made him attend. While getting ready for the celebrations, Sebastian knew something had to come out of tonight, and yet, no matter how much he thought of it, he never believed it would be her. He didn't want to question the timing, nor did he want to feel as though something was amiss. All he wanted was the blonde that stood on the opposite side of the hall, the blonde who looked exactly like Emmaline. Romeo groaned, hearing Sebastian's every thought. If his friend was one thing, it was annoyed. Ever since he'd made a pact to stick by Sebastian's side, Romeo was unable to tune out of his friend's thoughts, and when Sebastian's mind wandered to Emmaline, Romeo was the only one who would hear everything about her. Sebastian wandered if that was why his friend drank so much, but had never bothered to ask.
He'd done this a many times before, but none had been as restricting as this. It wasn't that he didn't want to be near her, he couldn't. Someone close by had formed a barrier, blocking him from edging closer. His emerald eyes skimmed the room, unable to locate the power source. A creature present knew him and his purpose, or maybe someone had just sensed his interest and made an attempt to protect the girl.
"Mine," Nathaniel whispered, his voice raspy and uncontrolled as he looked longingly towards her. The blonde continued to sip her drink, her delicate lips leaving a glossy smear on the rim. She hadn't looked at him since taking the beverage from the waitress, whom Romeo had sent over, much to Sebastian's disapproval. Romeo played with girls as though they were to be extinct the next day, and the fact that he had eyes only for the blonde infuriated Sebastian.
"What isn't yours?" snapped Romeo, seeming annoyed that Seb had already made his claim on this girl. He could read his friend like an open book. Whatever Romeo felt towards her he didn't bother to hide.
"Are you blind, do you not see who she is?" Seb retorted, finally shifting his eyes off her for only a second to look at Romeo, his life-long friend and ally. Of all people, he thought Romeo would understand, as he had all the previous times.
"Do you not see what she is?" Romeo slammed his glass onto the table, the contents of his drink splashing over the sides. Romeo seemed pissed, and as the power forming the barrier seemed to shift, it all began to make sense. Not only had Romeo read the girls mind, he had made it so Sebastian couldn't approach her. Anger flared as he had never felt it before, and the urge to hit his friend squarely in the jaw was becoming too strong to ignore. He had only a minute to explain before Sebastian made a scene.
"What did you see?" he asked hoarsely, taking a step closer. Romeo didn't even flinch. It wouldn't have been the first time they had punched on, both alone and in public. He set his own glass on the table, not breaking eye contact with the Vampyre who'd follow him to any ends.
"I saw nothing of Emmaline," he replied, closing the distance between them. His eyes swirled to a strange yellow, inviting Sebastian to take the first punch. "You would have made a fool of yourself, then again, maybe if you had of, I would have had her all to myself," he whispered, taunting his friend. Sebastian let out the breath he'd been holding, taking a step back. It seemed Romeo had had a little too much to drink, though Seb knew he spoke the truth.
When his friend sought the minds of others, he saw everything, from what they did just yesterday all the way to a past life if they had one. "She isn't what you're looking for Seb," Romeo dropped his head, picking up the glass he'd had earlier and taking a large swig, downing the whole thing.
Sebastian would not let his friend be right. This girl was the exact replica of Emmaline, and he would prove it was her. He would woo her to no end, make her see that of a past life as his lover. Romeo turned away shaking his head, having heard Sebastian's thoughts once again.
Satisfied, Sebastian turned back towards the blonde, only to realise that she was no longer there. He let his gaze sweep over the ballroom, and yet, no bobble of blonde hair or cerulean gown.
"Don't do it," Romeo muttered, sounding bored. He looked on with raised brows as Sebastian hastily rushed off in search of his "beloved". He heard Romeo sigh in defeat, before he disappeared into the throng of people. He knew his friend had his best interests at heart, but Seb had to see for himself.
The night air was thick with the smell of cologne and alcohol. It seemed the whole of the male student body had escaped out into the courtyard, their laughs and sarcasm carrying with the wind. Sebastian ignored the comments and stares that came his way. Some were envious, while others attempted to be friendly. He didn't stop to acknowledge either one, his only purpose was to find her. Sebastian had never been patient when it came to Emmaline. He needed her as he needed blood to survive.
After only minutes of pushing and shoving his way through to the other side, he paused. There she stood, with her back to him, talking animatedly with the dark haired Were she'd been with earlier. His chest began to pound, his mind whirling a million times a minute with what he could or should say. Where Emmaline made him impatient, she also made him dumbfounded. He was at a loss for words before he even took a step forward.
He stopped behind her, letting the girls scent waft around him, so mystifying, so alluring… so strange.
Strawberries, with no hint of lilacs. One thing he was certain, Emmaline always had the same aroma, no matter what life she lived. He tried to shake it off, to rid Romeo's words from his mind, but how could he. She was the exact replica of his lover, from her long golden locks to the curve of her body and long slim legs. True, the timing of her appearance was a bit off, but she was only early by a few weeks. Maybe it was fate giving him extra time to make things right. However no matter how many excuses played over in his mind, Sebastian couldn't shun the feeling that this wasn't right.
And then suddenly something else reached him, and Sebastian froze in place. The girl turned unexpectedly, her emerald eyes opening wide as she took him in, and yet that soulful gaze held no recognition. She was different, she wasn't human as she had always been. His mouth opened as if to speak, and yet no words escaped. It was Romeo who came to the rescue, smiling smugly as if to say, "I told you so".
"Ladies," Romeo extended his hand towards the two girls, his smile not once leaving his face. Sebastian ignored him, his mind still unable to process the situation. He had been guided here tonight for a purpose, and this blonde had pulled him straight in. The power had led them to one another, he knew as much for he could still feel the presence of the Otherworld hovering around the group. She was the reason he was here, he could feel the rightness of it all settle within. From the first moments, he had been determined she was Emmaline, but it seemed fate had another plan.
Confusion continued to eat away at his mind. He was unsure what the God's were creating, but already he didn't like their scheme. Of all things, she was a Fey, her kind being his worst enemy. Anything between them, be it friends or something more, was forbidden. They may as well hand themselves over now for all it mattered. Though if his gut feeling was right, this girl was about to become a huge factor in his life, whether he wanted her to or not.
"I'm Lylah," she replied, letting Romeo take her hand. Sebastian ignored the jealousy rising in the pit of his chest as Romeo's lips brushed the skin on the back of her hand. This girl wasn't who he chased time after time; he had no reason to feel envious. He was already in love, with Emmaline. And yet, the girl's name continued to repeat inside his head, her voice an echo in his mind.
Lylah.
Her name, so short, and yet so simplistic for such an ancient soul.
