As the sky faded to a collage of soft pinks and purples, Alix led the group to her home. It was a monumental steel structure with tall glass windows- there was an alien-like feel to the building, everything was in a monochromatic color-scheme and even the people seemed to operate like robots- their movements brash and abrupt. The elevator ride was a bit awkward as no one said a word, except for Will's initial surprise when Alix noticed he pushed the button for the penthouse suite. After that, Alix casually checked herself out in the reflection of the metal walls, while Luna clutched the steel railing for dear-life and Will whistled along to the instrumental version of what a wonderful world, blasting through the speakers. Twyla, however, stood in the back corner, staring at the screen of her phone. She knew she should call Xavier but every time her thumb went to the green call button, she retracted it and bit the metal loop in her lip. He was better off without them, she thought.

But...

There was a slight ache in the place where her heart resided whenever she thought of never seeing him again. Twyla didn't really understand because she knew the heart was an emotionless organ and all feelings came from her brain but damn, she could feel it contract upon thinking about his name. She hated it. She hated not knowing what to do or how to feel- she had only met him a few days ago after all, and that was not a healthy time to get attached to someone. Despite all that she knew though, that didn't stop herself from missing him. There was like some invisible line that tethered them together and she didn't understand it nor did she want to.

Twyla's thumb was still hovering over the call button twenty minutes later, as her legs dangled over the edge of the balcony. Alix had whisked both Will and Luna away the second they entered the penthouse. She claimed the two of them would get eaten alive in a supernatural club. But Twyla didn't see how a change of clothes could fix anything, the only supernatural creatures who ate people alive were vampires and they could care less about clothing.

Vampires.

Twyla sighed and looked back down at the phone.

"You're giving me a headache." Her head whipped around to see Alix leaning against the doorway.

"Call him," Alix walked over and placed a hand on Twyla's shoulder. Twyla tensed at the comforting gesture.

"He shouldn't be involved in this Alix. I wouldn't have even involved you if I didn't have a choice."

The New York skyline glittered as apartment lights slowly flickered on and the neon signs glowed brighter the darkness. It was beautiful and a little overwhelming to know that there were so many people in one place. Somewhere lurking in plain sight was an ominous villain who was trying to kill them. She had been so sure it was the Delphi. Both Alix and Uncle Leo said they were crazy conspiracists who were obsessed with the Moon Goddesses- they dedicated their entire lives to killing them. But they had the book, and whoever took her family needed that book.

It was only then, in the midst of her musings did Twyla remember what her mother had said on her first day back in New Brooks:

"The Moon Goddesses were twins you see, and they had a fondness for anyone who shared the connection that they had, so everytime a set of twin witches are born they are gifted with powers from both the Light and Dark side of the moon. They are more powerful than the other witches that exist and because of that there are those who wish to use them or kill them. Those who hunt them down trying to kill them are afraid that their magic will awaken the dormant hunters and all supernatural creatures will be doomed or to put it simply they are jealous because of their own shortcomings. Those who wish to use them are very greedy individuals are want to harness their powers as weapons for their own benefits."

Of course, Twyla now knew her spiel about twins was a wretched lie- there was only one pair of special, magical twins and they were the moon goddesses. Reborn every century, taunting their brother in mortal form. She wanted to hate her mom for all of the lies and pain but part of her understood. Luna had freaked out upon hearing that she was a witch, and Twyla had been so mad, they wouldn't have listened to anything else Celeste had to say. It had only been a week since she returned to New Brooks but it felt like years ago. So much had happened in such a short span of time, Twyla wasn't even sure who was anymore. Was she still Twyla Goodwin? Or was she Edith Beaumont? Elizabeth Moyer?

All of those names, even the one she bore in her current life, sounded like the names of characters in her favorite book. She knew their story, their wants and needs, strengths and weaknesses. She knew who they loved, who they hated; but they existed in a different world. One, that she didn't belong to. The only name that sounded even vaguely real to her was Aki, and that was the one person she knew nothing about.

"You know," Alix sat beside Twyla, their arms brushing against each other, "The old stories said that Alla could move men with her mind but Aki could move mountains with her eyes. She was so powerful she could spilt the earth in half, if she wanted to."

That didn't make Twyla feel any better. Her stomach quivered as an intense wave of nausea hit her. Below her feet, she watched as the misfits and miscreants of New York crawled out from their hiding places, as the good, law-abiding citizens took refuge in their homes. There was one girl, in particular, that caught Twyla's eye. She couldn't see her in extensive detail, she was too high up to see anything more than a dark-haired girl, wrapped in rags as dirty as the floor of a dumpster. On the surface there was nothing too special about the girl, she was just like every other street rat. But Twyla took notice of the way she moved like cat, springing lightly from foot to foot- her hands moved in a blurred movement as she snuck her fingers into the tightest of squeezes. A minute later as she disappeared around the corner of the street, Twyla could see the pile of wallets and watches in hand. She was a survivor, an underdog. Nobody noticed all that she could do because they deemed that she was not worth a second glance.

Twyla knew that story all too well.

"I feel like a bomb," the rims of Twyla's eyes reddened but there wasn't a tear insight. "Like I've got to figure out this huge puzzle before the time runs or everything is going to explode."

"It's a lot, I know. I won't pretend to understand, because I can't but I'm here for you. You were my first friend in Covington. I remember being done with my chores, that first day, at my Uncle's ranch and absolutely hating my life. And then you showed up, you made a crappy comment about how looked like death and for the first time since my mom sent me away, I smiled." Alix's emerald eyes were wide and imploring as she stared at Twyla.

"I still don't know why you smiled. I was trying to be mean," Twyla confessed.

"Because," There was a ghost of a smile on Alix's lips as she remembered that day, "I had thought that you were the Grim Reaper, coming to take me out of my misery."

"I was a little disappointed when you weren't." Twyla laughed but it was an empty sort of laugh- she didn't think she could actually laugh anymore.

Alix noticed the defeat in her friend's eyes and decided to continue with her little story. "Though I knew you weren't the Grim Reaper, I could feel that you were dangerous. You were the biggest badass in Covington and everyone was afraid of you. Just remember who that girl was, and you'll understand me when I say that nothing can stop you."

"Now," Alix popped back to her feet. She gave Twyla a mock glare, "Text your sexy, hunk of a vampire and tell him to get his butt here. I'll finish getting Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dumbass ready and then we are going to party, take names and seriously kick some ass."

With a flick of her hair the redhead sauntered back into the penthouse, leaving Twyla dumbstruck in her wake. Without thinking, just doing, she sent Xavier a quick text and let her phone fall into the pocket of her jacket. A tiny bit of the weight resting on her shoulders, lifted and evaporated. And though she still found it hard to breathe at times, Twyla knew she was going to be okay. She had to be. Swinging her legs, like a child on swinget, Twyla turned the honking and sirens into an intricate symphony in her mind. She didn't look at her phone again- it was just her and the starless sky.

That was, until, she sensed a presence standing behind her.

His hair was tousled and dark like the sky behind her, stray strands clung to his slanting cheekbones. Between his two piercing red eyes was a strong nose, which curved down towards his sculpted lips and cut jaw. His thick, black brows were pulled together, there was a look of deep concern etched on his beautiful face. The words that Twyla had planned to say caught on the tip of tongue, before she swallowed them. He noticed the look of utter helplessness on her face and stepped forward, his hulking body casted a shoulder over hers. He looked as dangerous as sin in his black t-shirt and roughened jeans, his black boots stopped just a hair away from where she sat. Twyla felt small in his presence and a little intimidated. As if he could sense her unease, he squatted until they were at eye level. She had seen guys do this before, usually on television when there were going to play with a small child.

"I didn't think you were going to call," His voice was deep, with a huskiness that typically did not exist in vampires. Twyla had to repress the shiver that threatened to travel down her spine.

"I didn't think I was going to either," She admitted, looking up at him through her lashes. "I don't want you to get hurt because of me."

He chuckled, his lips stretching into small grin. "I'm touched that you think I can't handle myself, really."

"It's not that-" He cut her off.

"I know what you mean Twyla. You're worried about me but there's no reason to be, I'm immortal- it's you who I'm worried about."

"Why?" Twyla's tone was bitter. She knew she could handle herself just as well as he could.

"I told you that I would explain it all to you. And I plan to, that is if you want to listen?" He held out his hands for her to take.

"You caught me at a good time, I've been having a lot of heart to heart moments," she tried to joke but it fell flat.

There was an intensity in his stare that she hadn't it realized before- it took her breath away. She couldn't remember if he had always looked at her like that or if had just started. She knew that look, it was the same look Will gave Luna when he thought she wasn't looking. She had thought it was weird when she first saw it but now, and realized how easy it was to get caught up in someone's eyes. As if in a trance, Twyla put her hands in his, and let him guide her to her feet. When she was standing, he kept her hands entwined with his.

"I was not turned like most vampires. I was a young man of twenty-three, quite cocky, I thought I could do anything or anyone," he winked at her and Twyla rolled her eyes. "It was the summer of 82' when I first met her."

Xavier's body tensed, his hands tightened around Twyla's as his red eyes became cloudy with a faraway look. "She wasn't like the other girls I had met. She was, rude. Every other girl I met treated me like I was human God," he chuckled at the irony.

"But she could care less about me, and there was something stunningly attractive about that. Looking back on those days I realize how stupid I was, she wasn't even that pretty but there was a certain way she held herself, that made it seem like she was better than everyone else. But I was infatuated and couldn't think straight. And then one day, after all my incessant begging, she agreed to be mine. I was so happy, I remember bragging to all of my friends, thinking that I was the luckiest man in the world- if only I knew why she agreed to be with me, I wouldn't have been so happy," His tone was colored with anger, as his eyes darkened.

"I remember that we were happy together for a while, genuinely. I think if we had been normal people we would have had a good life but we were greedy, Twyla. I believe it was August 28th when I learned about her little secret," His nose scrunched as he tried to remember the day completely, "She was always sneaking around and I, like the idiot I was, thought she was cheating on me. Turns out she wasn't cheating- no, she was witch. A very powerful one, who thought herself to be a god. I should have been afraid but I was too consumed with infatuation and greed to think clearly, she promised to give me power beyond a normal power. And I agreed, unknowingly sealing my fate for all of eternity."

A shuddered breath escaped from Xavier and if he could have cried, Twyla was sure, she would have seen tears. She didn't knew who this girl was but she wanted to kill her. The look in his eyes, the utter devastation, was the look of a man who hated himself. Pulling her hand from his, Twyla cupped his face and rubbed soothing circles on his cheek with her thumb.

"I awoke three days later," He placed his hand over hers on his face, cradling it close to him. "She was gone and I was a monster."

"She didn't deserve you, Xavier."

"No. I deserved exactly what I got. We all get what we deserve, Twyla. The fates spare no one." He wasn't a very old vampire and yet the years he had spent alone, made him sound centuries wise.

"But I don't understand," Twyla's voice fell to a whisper as his face descended closer to hers. "Why is that supposed to explain why you're helping me? Is it because you're not greedy anymore?"

"No," his nose bumped against hers, "I'm still greedy and that's why I'm here. You remind me of her Twyla, and I want to help so you will never actually, be her."

Before Twyla could respond he brushed lips across hers, it was soft and gentle- leaving her completely defenseless. And then, with an all-consuming passion, he devoured her mouth. As if a spark had been ignited, Twyla jumped alive in his hands and kissed him back with full-force. She managed to free her other hand and grab hold of his face, keeping him close to her. It was only when she was gasping for air, did they break away.

"I am not her, Xavier," Twyla panted in his ear.

She thought about what Alix said, about remembering who she was before everything happened. She thought about that girl; the girl who took everything in stride and when something didn't go her way she would put her middle finger in the air and shrug. There were still broken pieces of her inside, and those pieces were useful but they couldn't solve the entire puzzle. There was a lot she had to learn and looking into Xavier's eyes, she realized having some help might not be so bad.

"I don't understand anything and I have a feeling I'm about to walk into hell- I could really use some help."

Xavier nodded absentmindedly transfixed on the wide-doe eyed expression she had dawned. Lowering his mouth to hers, he pressed another kiss to her lips and held her close to him.

**Okay I literally wrote this the day after I came home from the a six-hour trip. I am jet-lagged and it probably shows in the writing but I really needed to get this chapter. I have been highly anticipating the Xavier and Twyla scene because I love them. I also wanted to get in some Twyla vulnerability because most of the time she's the hard, uncaring girl but that's not who she truly is. Thank you guys for continuing to read, please tell me if you are liking the book so far!

XOXO,
Ro.**