Word Count: 1622

~Millicent

Me.

The person who delivered the towels into my room, only moments ago, was me. It took me a moment to recognise my own features on someone else, but there is no doubting that it was me. Or at least, a version of me. I'm visibly disturbed for a moment, once my screams cease and I'm cloaked in a veil of silence. Sinful doesn't arrive with the haste I assumed he was, so I stand alone in this bathroom, panicking.

Suddenly, a figure appears in the doorway behind me. I'm staring at myself, but a version that has clearly been copied to a lesser, almost sicklier state. This fake has timid eyes circled with darkness, remaining a dull, pale green. Her skin is disturbingly sallow, her hair dead and flat against sunken cheekbones.

This person has stolen my body. They have made a poor replica to scare me. And I'm not exactly sure how they did it, but I'm more concerned with my escape.

"What the hell are you?" I question softly, voice quivering.

"Pretty little Moon Goddess. Come to visit us poor folk finally?" She drawls, voice a raspy hiss. I wince, but only slightly. My back remains to her, but I can see her clearly in the mirror. The way she stares, is so dark and devious. Who is this person? I've never seen magic being used in such a manner; it's terrifying.

I turn around, eyeing the door that she stands by. There's no hope for an escape. There's no hope that she's here just to convey a message, and that she isn't going to hurt me. She carries no weapon, yet wears a dark coat over her shoulders, which she could be concealing anything under.

"If you have an issue with the power here, that really should be taken it up with Sinful," I breathe. Speaking of that bastard immortal...where is he?

He didn't plan to leave me here, did he?

"We all know where the power lies. He has spent too long pursuing you, and it's making him weak. How long until we all fall because of you," they seethe. I'm almost unsure if I'm hearing right. Sinful's own people are turning against him, all because of me. From what I have seen, Sinful isn't so caught up on me as everyone likes to assume. Either that, or he wears a rather convincing mask.

My hand runs along the basin, looking for something, anything to distract them enough to escape. I'm not exactly sure how much magic they have on their side, but I'm not so interested in finding out. However, it doesn't seem as though they are particulary reasonable.

"I promise you, there is no relationship between Sinful and I. Please do not take your frustration out with me," I say softly, hoping my gentle pushing is enough for her to relent.

"There are other people like me, and they don't like you, Goddess," she murmurs.

I don't let my expression shift, but her words do unnerve me. If what she is speaking is true, then there are other people out there with similar abilities to hers. How dangerous would it be, if these people spread to the mortal world, improving their powers enough to completely replicate the looks of their victim, then it would cause utter havoc.

Suddenly, she lurches forward, frail body swaying violently, giving me enough time to push her back by her shoulders. I've never been the tallest, fittest of builds, so fighting off a weaker version of myself isn't much of an issue.

She stumbles backward, cursing me with ugly words. She rears up, straightening her shoulders, focusing all her attention on me with one harsh glare.

My vision sparks bright white, and extreme pain follows suit.

Falling down to my haunches, I clutch my head. Thoughts don't follow; my entire being concentrating on the feeling of my mind imploding, forcing on itself with a power that has to be controlled by magic. The pain is consuming, existing within bright colours that swarm my vision, dancing around in some kind of taunting mantra.

And then, it stops.

My limbs feel weak, as I collapse onto the floor, barely catching myself up by my arms. I lift my head, waiting to feebly plead for my life, or perhaps thank this vile creature for allowing me a moment of mercy. Instead, I see my own body in a heap in front of me, all the life drained out of it.

And standing above, is Sinful, rubbing his hands off across his suit jacket.
He catches my eyes for a brief moment, before he rushes to kneel down before me.

"What in the world just happened?" I breathe, gathering up enough energy to utter those words with force. Sinful sits next to me, holding my back, the other hand around my waist. Pitifully, I lean against him, refusing to feel guilty for his warmth that I feed off of. A man who can do so many unkind things is choosing to sit here with me.

"Doppelgänger's. They are demon like creatures that are native to my territory, and exist in only small numbers. They migrated after being expelled from their initial creation place, Thought's territory," Sinful explains, not seeming all that pleased with their existence.

"Hence the crazy mind powers?" I question. I'm still reeling from exploitation of my mind. My head throbs, but at least the feeling is slowly ceasing.

Sinful nods.

"And you let them live here? Why?" I ask, as he slowly helps me off the ground. My legs shake in protest, but I refuse to let that stop me, as we walk back into my bedroom. Sinful lets me rest on the bed, as he moves over the light the fire.

"They are the lowest of creatures. I myself am an outcast, not accepted by my brothers as a sin of equal value. They hated that I had more power. So would would I be to not allow a few fallen folk to live within my territory?" he says, using a flicker of his power to light the fire ablaze. It's shockingly bright for a moment, but quickly dies down to a comfortable crackle.

I shiver. "How gracious of you."

Sinful smiles, coming to sit down next to me. "I see that no amount of demonic power will stop your snarky attitude. Glad to see that I got there in time."

"I called for you earlier, you know," I say, hugging my torso. The fire only does so much to warm my skin, but doesn't reach the cold feeling lingering within me. I could have died today. Being an immortal, that's not a common worry, so suddenly feeling it is uncomfortable. Still, I'm grateful I'm not back up with the Moon, althought surely he will be calling for me soon.

Sinful looks down at his hands, and for a moment, I swear a moment of vulnerability flashes across his face. "She must have assumed you would do so and blocked any connection between us. Those are trickly, manipulative creatures to be quite honest."

I can't help but smile. "So what made you come here then?"

"To be completely honest, I couldn't get you off my mind, and had to come see you. It's not often you're here, in this realm. I wanted to make the most of it," he admits.

Smothering my smile, although reveling in the warmth that consumes me, I stare at the fire, wondering what this means. What would he have done had this not all happened? It's queries I want to share with him, but don't want him to think that I'm too interested. This is a win for me. I have bigger plans beyond him, that maybe he can help me with.

That is, if I can remove the feelinsg within me. That's easier said than done.

"I have to return soon," I say blandly, giving him a side look. I'm curious to see if he will attempt to find me more time. As much as I need to get back to put my plan into action, I have enjoyed my exploration of Sinful's territory, and the freedom it has granted me. Even if I nearly got killed today by one of his subjects.

"I can help you, you know," Sinful says smoothly. I can feel his gaze burning into the side of my head. "With your master plan to escape and all."

I blink a few times. "How did you know?"

"Well, I didn't, I just figured. You see, you're more transparent than you think.
No one could possibly like living up there, not matter how much they love the people that serve them. You want to come down, and I want you down.
So maybe I can help you, considering the Moon is my creator, after all," he says.

Turning my attention to him, I consider his words. My blood has run cold at the idea of him revealing my plan, but as it runs through my head more, this is almost what I wanted...his help.

If I can get him to help me, I can execute the finality of my plan, and there won't be need to worry anymore.

"What can you do for me?" I question.

Sinful's smile quirks up slightly. "All will be revealed. Maybe we can be evil together."

💙••💙

If you're liking the story, head over to Radish, where this book is ten chapters ahead (:

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~Midika 💜🐼