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barrage of questions. "Tristan brought a warning. Regulus is looking for me. It's a lot sooner than I expected."
    Gabby sat heavily on the armchair opposite her and groaned. "I thought we might have a bit more time."
    "So did I, but apparently not."
    "Do you want me to do something? Is that why you're here?"
    "No. Nothing like that. I want to keep you out of it." She was trying to build up to saying it. "You've been through a lot and you've only just begun using your power again."
    "What do you mean?"
    "I have to leave, Gabby," she said quietly. "On my own."
    She seemed to get it then and scowled. "Is this some kind of twisted courtesy call?" She was less than impressed. "What about Zac?"
    She knew she'd ask about him. "It's best if he doesn't come."
    "He won't let you leave."
    "He will," she said, a dark look clouding her features.
    "So, you're just going to lie? What will you tell him, that you used him? That you don't want him? Or will you just compel yourself away like you never even existed? You shouldn't underestimate him, Aya."
    "I need to keep him safe." She said it almost desperately.
    "This will break him, you know."
    "It's for his own good." Aya was unwilling to back down. Her mind was already made up.
    "Do you really think so?" Gabby raised her eyebrows. "Just because you've had two thousand years on this earth, does not mean you know what's best for him."
    "Do not lecture me on right and wrong," she said sharply, but Gabby was undaunted by her warning.
    "You might think you're doing the right thing, Aya. But he will do the exact opposite of what you expect. Every. Single. Time."
    "This is much bigger than all of you. It's my task. I have to finish this," she scowled.
    "You didn't see him when he thought you were dead. That was bad. This will be worse."
    "I can't help that."
    "It's a miracle, but he loves you."
    "And that's why I have to leave him!" Aya cried, frustrated. "If something happens to him because of me... It's best he stays out of it."
    Gabby assessed her for a long moment and shook her head. "I know you think you're doing a noble thing, but it will blow up in your face."
    "Perhaps. Perhaps not." She stood abruptly and walked towards the door.
    "So, that's it?" Gabby spat after her. "You're just going to disappear?"
    Aya turned slightly, but didn't look at the witch. "Yes."
    Before Gabby could retort, the door slammed shut behind her and Aya was gone.

 
 
 

 
    Aya's next stop was the coffeehouse. She felt like she was completing some twisted to do list. Letting everyone know she was leaving, covering her tracks and compelling away memories. She'd done it so many times before and had never felt as heartbroken as she did now. Deep down, she knew she'd hoped to make this place her home. The first one she'd had in almost two thousand years.
    Pushing through the door to Mrs. Greene's cafe, she spotted the blonde vampire instantly. Liz was behind the counter making coffee for a customer standing to the side, chatting to her. Once the human had paid and gone, she walked over and waited for the vampire to notice her.
    Liz looked up from the counter, sensing her presence and caught her eye. "Aya?" She seemed surprised to see her. Not once had she sought out the newborn on her own.
    Aya sighed, unsure of how to start. They had never really got a long that well. Liz was the complete opposite of her. She took compassion to a whole new level and she shied away from confrontation like the plague. Remembering that night when they'd confronted Arturius, she shook her head. Liz's spine had grown a great deal over the past year.
    "Is something wrong?" she asked, when Aya was silent for a moment too long.
    "Have you got a minute?" she asked, glancing around the cafe.
    Liz wiped her hands on a towel and nodded. "I'm due for a break." Walking around the counter, she called out to another girl who was manning the sandwich bar. "Luce, I'm just taking five, okay?" When the girl nodded, Liz led Aya across to an