'You're a savant.' I whispered, feeling scared. I walked backwards until I was against a wall. My mind was filled with images of him ripping my clothes off with an inhuman speed and suddenly it all made sense.

'And so are you it would seem.' He replied, his voice even.

'Get away from me!' I cried out, trying not to show that I was scared but I knew it wasn't working.

'You'd be very useful, you know.' His smile was sinister.

'Useful?!'

'In the battle against the humans. It's coming Lucy, so no use trying to hide from it. You're going to have to choose a side sooner or later. Savants or humans?'

'Don't be ridiculous.' I hissed, spitting in his face.

He growled. 'You'll make the right decision even if it's against your will. I have guys that can do that, you know.' I carefully slipped my feet out of my wedges as he continued to speak. 'Change someone's actions and feelings.'

'Go to hell.' I hissed, kneeing him as hard as I could in the crotch. He fell to the ground and I sprinted home as fast as I could. I locked the building door and then hurried up the stairs, locking my door twice and pushing the sideboard in front of it. Then I sank onto the floor and cried.

My phone kept ringing the next day, but I refused to answer it. I was worried Rich had somehow got my new number and the thought terrified me. He knew other savants, savants who were more powerful. The thought made me physically sick. When the banging started on my door that afternoon, I tensed up. Had he come for me? I sure as hell hoped not. I looked up at the door in terror as the banging continued. Soon Jackson or someone else in the building would come and find out what was going on. Then they'd be hurt and it would be all my fault.

'Lucy! Lucy! Are you in there? Don't make me kick the damn door down beautiful.'

Ed. Why was he here? I caught my mess of a reflection in the television screen and winced. Still in my clothes from the night before with make-up smeared down my face. I looked like absolute shit.

'Come on beautiful! If you don't want to see me, just say, but I need to know you're alive in there.'

I stood up and carefully pulled the sideboard away from the door, pushing it back to its normal location. Then I slid the latch across and opened the door, shying away from the light streaming in. Ed pulled me into his arms, holding my tight, and then I let the floodgates open again.

'I'm going to kill him.' Ed growled when I finished telling him what had happened in the early hours of that morning. 'Where can I find him?'

'Please don't. I have no idea what he's capable of and he's got savant friends. It's dangerous.' I said, my voice sad.

'Then we'll go to the police. He's not safe to have out there, Lucy.'

'And then he'll tell everyone I'm a savant and then I'll be a villain.' I replied, looking into his eyes. 'It's all a game to him. Just one big game.'

'What do you think he means about a battle?' Ed said suddenly, his face curious.

'I think that hostage situation isn't just a one-off incident.' I said. 'I think it's going to get worse.'

'I'm going to call Sky and Zed.'

I shot him a confused look. 'Why?'

'Zed's brothers were the ones that came that night you helped Sky. The guys that killed that dangerous savant. One of them works with the savant part of the FBI. They might be able to help.' He pulled his phone out of his pocket. 'Go and have a shower and pack your bags. You're coming back to London with me. At least he doesn't know where I live.'

A few hours later and I was at Ed's house, unpacking my big suitcase and my little suitcase. I wasn't sure how long this was going to go on for. Zed had said he'd call his brother and let us know what was going to happen. I placed my cowboy boots from Nashville on the shoerack and let out a sad sigh. Everything had seemed perfect until New Year's Day. How had so much changed? I had an ex boyfriend out to get me, which was bad enough, but he was also a savant, making him even more dangerous that before. I thought about my power. The one that helped me push him away from him. I needed to learn to control it. It could prove to be useful. I stared at the can of deodrant on the dresser and squinted at it, willing it to fall over. Nothing. I tried again. Still nothing. Frustrated, I glared at it. Nope. It wasn't going to work.

'Got a problem with lynx?' Ed joked and I looked at him in surprise. How long had he been stood next to me.

'I'm trying to move it but it's not working.' I sighed, feeling frustrated. 'You have a go.'

'In case you've forgotten, my ability is a little useless. I can see sounds. Like when you speak, there are lovely lilac swirls.' He said with a lopsided smile. 'And when you sing they go all different shades of purple.'

'Have you ever tried to use your telepathy to move things?'

'Nope.' He said, popping the 'p'.

'Try it.'

'I really don't think anything is going to happen.' He sat down beside me.

'Humour me.'

He stared at the same lynx can I'd been staring at and suddenly it fell over. 'That was a complete fluke.' He said.

'Well then try standing it up again.' I replied, raising my eyebrows. He frowned, showing me his best concentration face and then the can stood itself back up. 'Right, so it's just a fluke?'

'I don't understand.' He said, confused, although a grin was tugging at his lips. 'I've never been able to do that.'

'And I'd never seen into the future. Just felt bad things happening.' I told him. 'Maybe it's because we've found our soulfinder. Doesn't the legend say that we're more powerful together? That we balance each other out?'

'I guess you're right.' He said, looking thoughtful. 'I never believed all of this soulfinder stuff until I met you.'

I smiled. 'Me neither.'

'The slightest words you said

Have all gone to my head

I hear angels sing in your voice

When you pull me close

Feelings I've never known

They mean everything

And leave me no choice

Light on my heart, light on my feet

Light in your eyes I can't even speak

Do you even know how you make me weak

I'm a lightweight

Better be careful what you say

With every word I'm blown away

You're in control of my heart

I'm a lightweight

Easy to fall, easy to break

With every move my whole world shakes

Keep me from falling apart.'

'Great work, Lucy.' Amy, one of my album producers said into the microphone the following Tuesday. 'Can we try that again but with the backing singers?'

The backing singers, Rachel and Kayleigh smiled and nodded, putting on their headphones. It was weird having backing singers, but it was also cool. Jesse counted us in on the drums and we tried it again with the backing singers.

'What do you think, Eric?'Amy asked my manager, who was watching carefully through the glass.

'I like it. Adds more power to the song. Can we try it all the way through?' He replied, smiling sweetly at Amy. He clearly fancied her, with her long, curly hair. She was really pretty though so I couldn't argue with that.

Lightweight was going to be the third song on my album. Heart Attack was the first and I'd recorded the second, Gonna get caught, the previous day. Lightweight was taking a little more work but we were getting there.

'Great work team!' Amy said that afternoon. 'That's another song recorded and ready to go to editing.'

The backing singers high-fived me and I smiled. Was I going to be able to leave early? I sure hoped so.

'Okay, let's run through Made in the USA.' Eric said into the microphone. If we practise it now we might get two songs recorded tomorrow.'

It was a recent song of mine, based on my relationship with Ed. After all, we'd met in America. I'd tweaked a few lyrics since first writing it, editing it when I was in Nashville. I bit my lip. I hadn't performed it to him and I wondered if he'd liked it.

Jake started up with the base and the drums came in and then Daisy on the guitar. I counted in my head, ready to join in.

'Our love runs deep like a Chevy

If you fall I'll fall with you baby

'Cause that's the way we like to do it

That's the way we like

You run around open doors like a gentleman

And tell me, "Girl, every day you're my everything."

'Cause that's the way you like to do it

That's the way you like

Just a little West Coast, and a bit of sunshine

Hair blowing in the wind, losing track of time

Just you and I, just you and I

Whoa, whoa

No matter how far we go,

I want the whole world to know

I want you bad, and I won't have it any other way

No matter what the people say,

I know that we'll never break

'Cause our love was made, made in the USA

Made in the USA, yeah.'

'Okay stop there.' Eric cut us off and I looked over at my band, confused. Daisy raised her eyebrows. 'Lucy, where's that edge gone to your voice? And the emotion?'

'Sorry.' I apologised, not thinking I had done anything wrong.

'Let's go again from the top.'

The next day I recorded Made in the USA that morning and then Ed was called in that afternoon so we could work on I was Made for Loving You together. We'd not sang it together since we were in Nashville writing it and it made me nervous. As the studio was booked out that afternoon, we sat in the small rehearsal room on stools, rehearsing, whilst my band, Leon and Eric listened.

I played on my guitar, whilst singing the opening of the song. Then Ed took over with the verse he'd written.

'Hold me close through the night

Don't let me go, we'll be alright

Touch my soul and hold it tight

I've been waiting all my life

I won't scar your young heart

Just take my hand. '

I tapped my foot as I joined in with the next part, singing like my life depended on it.

'Cause I was made for loving you

Even though we may be hopeless hearts just passing through

Every bone screaming I don't know what we should do

All I know is, darling, I was made for loving you

Please don't go, I've been waiting so long

Oh, you don't even know me at all

But I was made for loving you.

I was made for loving you

Even though we may be hopeless hearts just passing through

Every bone screaming I don't know what we should do

All I know is, darling, I was made for loving you.'

Everyone in the room with us clapped as we ended and I wiped my clammy hands on the legs of my jeans. Eric nodded, something which I'd worked out was a sign of approval.

Leon gave us the thumbs up. 'Your voices sound great together. I don't know about you Eric, mate, but I quite like this as an acoustic song.'

Eric nodded in agreement. 'I'd like to try it just with a tambourine or symbols though.' He looked over at Jesse. 'Think you're up to the challenge?'

'Yes sir.' Jesse saluted and my manager looked at him unimpressed. I looked and Daisy and we tried not to giggle. It was pretty funny.

I was exhausted when we got home that evening and I was even more tired the next day when, finally, the album had been completely recorded. I had an early night, heading to bed as early as I could, as I had a migrane and felt really sick. I was woken up in the night by the repetitive ringtone on my phone. I groaned as I looked at the alarm clock beside the bed and Ed groaned too; it was 5am.

'Hello?' I said sleepily into my phone.

'Lucy, it's Sarah. I'm so glad I got hold of you.' My landlady said, worriedly, on the other side of the phone.

'Is everything okay?' I yawned.

'I'm afraid it's not. There's been a fire at your flat.'

'What?!' My eyes widened and my heart hammered against my chest. Ed looked at me with concern, sitting up in bed beside me. 'How? And my neighbours? Are they okay?'

'Everyone in the building got out, but I'm afraid the fire just took hold too quickly. I think you need to get down here.'

I felt sick as Ed and I quickly got dressed. Ed called Leon, who managed to get us a helicopter, the quickest way to get to Brighton. I'd hoped to have enjoyed my first ever helicopter ride, but instead I was panicking. So many precious belongings of mine were in that flat, and so many memories too. Ed squeezed my knee and I looked out on the dark world below, where the sun was just starting to appear over the horizon.

We were in Brighton thirty minutes later, and another ten minutes later, we were at the block of flats. It was easy to spot mine; there was a police car outside and a fire engine still. My stomach knotted as I reached my landlady, Sarah. Then I looked up at the charred outside wall of my flat and my knees almost buckled.

'It's bad.' She told me, her voice sad.

A fireman walked over to us, carrying a box. 'Miss May?'

'Yes.' I whispered, my voice sad.

'I'm James Stewart, the fire chief for the Brighton and Hove stations.' He said.

'Is it bad?' I asked, my voice groggy. I looked over at the blackened part of the building again, hoping it wasn't.

His facial features softened and I knew it was bad. My prayers had been ignored. 'I'm afraid so. It looks like an arson attack. It started by the door and quickly spread through the rest of the property. I'm afraid almost everything has been damaged.' Ed grabbed my waist from behind, holding me up as the tears started to fall. 'We've managed to save a few items.' He continued, passing me a box. 'The police are going to want to speak to you.'

'My neighbours?'

'They're all fine and their properties are saveable. We think you may have been targeted.'

My eyes stung but the rest of my body felt numb. I looked over towards the police officers, who were shooing away some photographers. Paparazzi. Just what I wanted. I sank to the floor, the remains of my belongings in the box I was holding. I carefully opened it up, looking at the photo albums, one from when I was younger and one which had belonged to my granddad. Then there was the blackened teddy bear I'd had when I was a baby; he'd definitely need to be washed. And then a soot-covered jewellery box. I opened it up and looked at the pearl necklace my granddad had given me for my eighteenth birthday, still in pristine condition. Everything else was gone; my other photos, my first guitar, my clothes. I sat on the floor and wept until the police took me down to the police station to start the investigation process.

After lunch, Ed called us a car and we headed to my parent's house. The police had no idea who had attacked my house, but they were worried that I was being targeted. That made me worry about my parents. When my mum opened the door, I quickly pulled her into a hug.

'I'm so sorry about your flat, Lucy.' My mum whispered, stroking my hair. She looked over my shoulder at Ed. 'Hello, Ed.'

'Hey.' He whispered. My mum stepped aside, letting us in the house and closing the door behind her.

I sat down on the sofa, still feeling numb.

'Tea?' My mum asked.

'I'll have a coffee if that's alright?' Ed said.

'I'll put some food in the oven too. I'll bet you're both starving.'

I wasn't. I just shrugged. My dad walked into the living room to join us, sitting in his favourite armchair. 'Hello.'

'Hey, Mr May.' Ed replied as I looked at the family photos on top of the fireplace; my dad holding me as a newborn baby, me with my mum on my third birthday, a picture of Willow and I on my eighteenth birthday and, finally, one of us all in America on Christmas Day, the one which had just passed.

My mum returned to the living room with warm croissants, cheese, jams, tea and Ed's coffee. She placed the tray on the coffee table in the middle of the room and then sat on the other armchair, opposite my dad. 'Your old room is still made up for you.' My mum said, her voice soft.

'I don't think we should be here.' I whispered, thinking back to what my ex had said the other day. Another battle was coming. A war. Did I really want my parents in the middle of that? When I couldn't really protect them? Mum was a savant, but I had no idea if she had any special abilities. And mine definitely couldn't protect them.

'We'll be fine.' My dad said with a reassuring smile.

'What if whoever targeted me comes after you?' I said, my voice hoarse. I didn't know what I would do if I was to lose them.

'They wouldn't dare and if they come near you again I'll-'

'Dad!' I cut him off with a frown. 'I want you to leave.'

'Leave our home? You grew up here and then where will you go?'

'Lucy can stay with me.' Ed replied. 'My house is secure. She can stay with me until we find a new flat for her, somewhere safe. But I agree, we need to get you two somewhere safe incase the suspect knows where you live as well.'

'Work won't let me have any time off, you know that Lucy.' My mum said with a frown.

'So work away from home.' I said, my voice persistent. 'Please mum, your security is worth this. You can both work away from the office, you often do.' They always had done. Dad was a webdesigner so often worked in his in-home office and mum worked for the same company, checking and trialling websites before they went live.

'Where would we go?' My dad asked with a raised eyebrow.

I looked back to the photograph on the fireplace. 'Michigan. Auntie, Uncle and Willow would love to have you, especially if it meant keeping you safe.'

My mum looked thoughtful for a minute. 'That isn't a cheap flight ticket.'

'I can get you on a flight first thing in the morning.' Ed said, looking up from his iPhone. 'Say the word and I'll book it.'

We escorted my parents to the airport at six o'clock the next morning and I found it hard to release them from a hug and let them go. I hoped I'd done the right thing. Willow had promised to keep them safe and I'm sure my Aunt and Uncle wouldn't let any harm come to them. When we got back to Ed's, I finally managed to curl up and get some sleep, until I was woken by the familiar ringtone.

'Hello?' I said, sleepily, knowing it couldn't be any worse news.

'It's Eric.' My manager said from the other end of the line. 'I'm calling to let you know that I've called off any events this week. I think you need some time to sort things out.'

Well that was surprisingly kind of him. 'Thank you.'

'We've released a statement about what happened, as the press have released a few photos. Just so you know.'

'Is it in the papers?'

He paused before replying. 'Yes, but we're going to stop anything else being published about it.'

I frowned. No doubt they'd chosen photographs of me sobbing outside my ruined flat. 'Thanks Eric.'

'I'll call you next weekend. Let me know if you need some help finding an apartment. Bye.' And then he was gone.

I spent the day on the phone to my insurance company, claiming insurance for my lost belongings. Luckily, the company were completely understanding, especially as they'd read my case in the paper. I faxed over the relevant paper work and documents from the police station and they promised to pay out to me within a month.

'Looking at places already?' Ed said the next day, when he caught me nosing at apartments to rent in a newspaper. 'Should I be offended?'

'Sorry.' I apologised with a sigh. 'I can't live here permanently.'

'Why not?' His face was serious as I looked up at him.

'It's a bit... soon.'

'Oh.' He said, looking down at the cup of tea in his hand with a frown.

'It's nice having my own place, you know? For when friends come to stay?'

'Your friends are welcome here anytime.'

'And I'm so grateful for that.' I told him, my eyes sincere. 'But just for now, I think I should have my own place. You know, incase you see sense and decide to get rid of me.'

He put down his cup of tea and pulled me over to him. 'Get rid of you? Are you serious?' I shrugged and he moved his hand to cup my chin. 'Beautiful, I am not getting rid of you. You're stuck with me.' A small smile played on my lips, even if I didn't believe him. 'But I totally understand if you want your own place, somewhere to call yours. Maybe I can help? Are you looking at Brighton again?'

I bit my lip. 'Actually I'm looking at London. It seems my Brighton chapter has ended for now.'

By Monday night, I'd booked up the next day with visits to rented properties in London, which all of the landlords and landladies were excited about; after all, I was the Lucy May. Cringe. As I'd never lived in London, I'd decided it was best to rent first. I had found it hard, though, to choose where in London I wanted to live exactly, as it was so big and each part was different. I started off on Tuesday morning in Battersea. Ed had gone into work so I'd set off solo, wearing a big pair of shades on the underground in the hope that I wouldn't be recognised, despite the hefty bodyguard, Matt, who Eric had assigned to me for outings.

The landlord, Martin, met me outside the gated brick development. 'Lovely to meet you, Lucy May and...'

'This is my bodyguard, Matt.' I said to Martin, shaking his hand and feeling embarassed of the large, tall and muscular brunette stood beside me with big sunglasses on. Maybe I should have taken up his offer of a private car instead of the underground. 'Sorry, my manager insisted.'

'Understandably.' Martin nodded. 'Shall we go inside?'

The property was on the first floor. It was a one-bedroom flat, with unpainted brick walls and polished wooden flooring. The living room was small, only occupied by a modern-looking corner sofa, but I couldn't help notice how light it was, thanks to the four windows. Up a step led to the open-plan kitchen area, also modern and there was a small glass breakfast bar. The bedroom had built in wardrobes and was also very light. It was lovely, and as Matt had pointed out, it was secure. But it wasn't me. It was too modern. I thanked Martin for his time and we left.

The next apartment was the closest one I'd chosen to work. It was a two-bedroom top-floor apartment, on a quiet street in Kensington. The first thing I noticed when the landlady, Joan, took us up there was the view from the miniscule balcony. It was lovely. You could see trees and buildings disappearing into the distance.

'The balcony is only big enough for a small table and two chairs.' She apologised. 'But it is a lovely place to sit and watch the world go by. Let me show you the rest of the property.'

The rooms were decorated with white-painted walls and cream carpets. The living room was more spacious than the last, and I knew I could easily fit two sofas, a television and a small dining room table in there. The kitchen had white counters with pine-coloured tops and was less modern than the previous building. It was more homely. The bedroom was fairly small, though, and that worried me. I liked clothes and if designers were going to keep sending me freebies, I needed room for a wardrobe. I thanked Joan and headed out, Matt at my side.

'Didn't like that one either?' He said.

'Sorry, you must be fed up of my fussing.'

'Not at all.' He replied, although I was sure that he was contracted to say that.

The next viewing wasn't far away, which was lucky as we were running late. My stomach growled, but I ignored it. We had a two hour gap after this viewing, which was long enough to stop for food. The next property was in Little Venice, a short walk from Warwick Avenue. It was a one bedroom apartment, inside a white building which was blocked off from the outside by a black, iron fence and gate.

'Miss May, a pleasure to meet you.' Bernard, the landlord greeted us, shaking both of our hands. He acted unphased by my bodyguard. 'I assure you, you are going to love my property here.' He said with a friendly smile. He pulled out a key and unlocked the gate carefully, holding it open for Matt and I as we slipped inside. He closed it behind him and then nodded to the black front door in front of us. 'Shall we?' He led the way to the door, up three small steps. 'As you can see, the building is very secure. There is a code to get in.' He typed in the code. 'And there's a camera feature for anyone pressing your buzzer on the gate.' We followed him through the door. 'The property is on the top floor, but there is a lift available.'

'We can use the stairs.' I said with a smile and he led us up three flights of stairs.

'The view is worth it, trust me.' He grinned. We reached apartment 3a and he pulled out his keyring, unlocking the two locks on the door. 'After you.' I walked inside, finding myself in a cream-carpeted hallway with white walls. 'If we go to the left first.'

I walked around to the left, onto the polished wooden flooring of the reception room. It was spacious, more than enough room for living room furniture. I turned around and spotted the kitchen too, white counters with black worktops and a space where the white painted walls were covered with blue floral Cath Kidston-style wallpaper to form a feature wall. 'It's lovely.'

'It's newly decorated.' Bernard explained. 'Only been done up in the last few months and no one has lived here yet. I'm keen to get someone moved in as soon as possible. Now this is the reception room and it's large enough for entertaining as you can see. You'll fit in at least two sofas and a dining table for sure.' He nodded at the large, vintage-framed mirror on the wall. 'That can be removed if needed too. Now if you follow me, I can show you the extra entertaining space, which I'm sure you'll love.'

He walked over to the outside wall, unlocking a patio door tucked into an alcove. I followed him through the door and gasped; a roof terrace. The walls had been freshly painted white and the decking had clearly been cleaned. The terrace was fairly big and overlooked the communal gardens below. I pictured myself sat outside with Leanne and Adrianna in the summer, sipping wine and spying on people. Or with Ed, watching the sunset. 'This is lovely.'

'Isn't it just?' Bernard smiled. 'You could have plants up here and make it into a lovely garden to entertain guests in.'

'Absolutely.' I nodded in agreement.

'Come on, I'll show you the bedroom and bathroom.'

I hardly needed to be shown the large bedroom with built-in wardrobes covering one wall, or the white updated bathroom with mosaic walls and flooring. I was sold. 'When can I move in?' I asked Bernard, completely serious.

His mouth turned upwards into an even bigger smile. 'Well Miss May, you'll have to fill out this paperwork.' He passed me some piles of paper. 'And I'll need to speak to your previous landlord, but you can move in on Friday if you can send over your deposit and rent tomorrow?'

'Absolutely.' I smiled and he shook my hand. 'I look forward to hearing from you.'

I didn't hesitate. The next day, I read the paperwork and faxed it over to Bernard, with a print-out of my bank transfer so that he could see I'd sent it over. Then, on Friday, I met him outside the property to collect my keys and prepare the move-in process, Ed at my side. By Sunday afternoon, I was completely satisfied, and exhausted. Furniture had started to arrive on Friday and had all been delivered by Saturday evening. I'd spent all of Sunday organising and unpacking some of my belongings from Ed's apartment, until I was completely satisfied. I walked through my new apartment, admiring the handiwork as Ed headed to Tesco Express to pick us up some dinner.

The reception room now consisted of a light blue corner sofa bed, decorated with cream and light grey cushions and facing a shabby chic TV unit, which was housing my small flatscreen television. Three vintage suitcases I'd picked up from Camden sat on one side, piled up with a small lamp on top, and a shabby chic bookcase on the other. There was a white faux sheepkin rug in the middle of the floor, matching the throw draped across the sofa. The kitchen was decorated with a Cath Kidston theme, from the blue annd white polka dot kettle and toaster to the Cath Kidston tea towels and fridge magnets. I had a small, round shabby chic dining table with four wooden matching chairs tucked in the corner of the kitchen, fitting there perfectly.

The bathroom had stayed the same, although the bedroom I'd made more exciting. I'd continued the shabby chic theme with a white wooden-framed bed, decorated with blue bunting on the end. I'd hung a row of fairylights across the wall behind my bed, from one side to the other, and I'd pegged some photos I'd printed that morning to it. I had white beside tables either side and I'd just dressed my bed with a blue patchwork duvet and a soft white throw draped across it with matching white cushions.

My favourite part, however, was the rooftop terrace. I'd spent most of my Sunday making it perfect and I knew I would get a lot of use out of it. Against two of the walls was a corner sofa made from old pallets. I'd ordered it online and it had arrived in pieces that morning, complete with cream seat pads. I'd ordered a matching corner table to go with it. Then I'd ordered a small patio table set. I'd picked up some potted plants, scattering them around and some solar-powered fairylights. In the dark, now, it looked wonderful. I picked up the plastic sheeting, covering the sofa and its cushions to protect it from the damp sky and I looked onto the city below, shuddering at the cool temperature. It was January 24th and I knew that soon the winter would be over. My phone buzzed, so I pulled it out of my pocket.

How's your new home? Enjoy your first night in it. Mum xx

Wonderful. I'll send you some pictures tomorrow. I love you xxx

I looked at the lights turning off around the city and hoped that whoever had burnt away my memories wasn't going to find me here.