Allorianna Matsourani Author

As Jacob kissed her, Delilah opened her eyes and glanced at Abigail. Her sister nodded, then stood and made her way up the steps to the loft. Things were going as expected. Except Delilah wasn’t convinced she could implement the plan. As she became better acquainted with Jacob, Delilah perceived a bond developing between them. He wasn’t merely a young, smart, healthy male. He was kind, thoughtful, and shy, with a vulnerability that she found extremely appealing. Never had she spent time with someone like Jacob, and she didn’t want to give him up. Astonished, she realized she was falling for him.

Delilah drew away from his kiss and caressed his cheek with her fingertips. Did he truly feel affection for her? Or were his emotions a sham, mere fabrications from her influence over him? She considered leaving the farmhouse and driving with him into the night. Away from Locha-Oki. They could identify a safe place to explore their attachment and determine the authenticity of his affection. A hideout where it would be difficult for Abigail and Pa to locate them. Deep down, Delilah doubted she could hide from Pa. His link to her was too strong. And when he found her, the punishment would be severe. She was certain of that. Still, she wanted to try.

“You look as though your thoughts are somewhere else,” Jacob said as he grasped her fingers and lightly kissed them. “What are you thinking about?” He reached for his daiquiri on the table.

Alarmed, Delilah stared at the drink, then gently pried it from his grasp and set it back down on the table close to hers. He hadn’t consumed too much; the glass was more than half full. But Delilah wasn’t ready for him to finish the cocktail laced with gamma-hydroxybutyrate, the drug that kids in school referred to as Liquid Ecstasy.

“I don’t date a lot,” she said as she wrapped her fingers around his. “Not at all, really, if you want to know the truth. Abby’s tried to push me beyond my comfort zone, but it never worked. Until today… when I met you.” Delilah could sense her face flush as she confessed her inexperience. “She has confidence that I never possessed. She’s always been the flame, and I’m a moth. I’m drawn to her like everyone else.”

Delilah reached for Jacob’s daiquiri and took a gulp. Abigail dosed his drink to render him unconscious for several hours, but the drug didn’t affect the twins. Delilah set the glass down farther away from Jacob so he would pick up hers instead.

Unaware of the switch, Jacob nuzzled Delilah’s fingertips with his lips. “Your sister is beautiful, smart, and humorous. But you, Delilah… there’s something very special about you. A gentleness… compassion…  that’s uniquely yours. And I want to know you better.”

“I’d like that. More than you can guess,” she replied as she pulled back. “But I don’t want to stay here. Can we go somewhere more private?”

A yawn escaped his lips as he smiled. “I’d love that, but I should probably head back. I’m exhausted. It’s been a long day and I don’t want to fall asleep while driving.” He closed his eyes. “I’d better stand up… before I… nod… off.”

Delilah watched in dismay as Jacob slipped into a light slumber.

“Jacob.”

She tried shaking his shoulder to wake him, but his only response was a quiet “yeah” as he slumped further into the sofa.

“Jacob.” She shook his shoulder with additional force. “Please wake up!” But he didn’t respond.

Moments later, Abigail climbed down from the loft. She studied Jacob, then grinned at her sister.

“Things are progressing perfectly. Good job, sis.”

“He’s not unconscious, Abby,” Delilah replied anxiously. “Just sleeping.”

“What happened?” Abigail glanced at the cocktails on the coffee table, then scrutinized Delilah. “Why didn’t he finish his drink?”

“Because I can’t do this,” Delilah responded. “I like him, and I don’t want to lose him.”

Abigail glared at her sister. “Oh my god, Delilah. I thought you were doing so well. But this? I can’t believe it. And Pa… he’ll be furious.”

“I know, Abby.” Delilah’s body shook. “I wanted to leave… drive away with Jacob while you were upstairs, but he fell asleep before I could get him in the car. Please, can you help me? What do we do?”

Panicking, Abigail scolded her sister. “Why him? Of all the guys you could have, why him?”

“I don’t know,” she whispered. “He’s gentle, kindhearted… and a bit bashful. Most of the guys we meet are your type, not mine. But Jacob and I… we’re very similar. And we have a connection beyond the one I set up between us. I felt it.”

Delilah dropped into a chair and gazed at her sister. Abigail was aware of the struggle she faced when engaging with other people. Between the two of them, Delilah was the empath. Her ability to experience the emotions of others was overwhelming, and many times it had pushed her dangerously close to her breaking point. Years ago, Delilah learned to break these deep emotional ties with others, but the disassociation left her isolated and lonely.

But now she had the chance to forge a relationship with someone. “Abby,” she begged, “please don’t take him away from me.”

Abigail stared at her twin for a moment, then embraced her sister. “Don’t worry, Delilah,” she mumbled. “We have some time before Pa arrives. We’ll figure something out.”