Destined by Morgan Rice

just testing her?
    Caitlin reached out and shook her hand.
    “Polly,” she said, “it’s me. Caitlin.”

    Polly stared back, and her face wrinkled in confusion. Finally, Caitlin realized that it was true: Polly really had no idea who she was.
    “I’m sorry,” Polly answered, “have we met? I’m afraid I don’t recall. Forgive me if we have. I am terrible with names and faces. Caitlin is your name? That’s a pretty one. Anyway, now that we’ve officially met, I’m sure glad to meet you. You really saved me,” Polly said, surveying the three unconscious brutes, still lying in the alley. “They were a rotten sort.”
    Rose came running over to Polly, whining and wagging her tail hysterically.
    Polly’s eyes opened wide in delight, as she bent over and petted her. “And what have we here?”
    she asked.
    “Her name is Rose,” Caitlin said. It was clear Rose remembered Polly, and it was equally clear that Polly didn’t remember her.
    Still, Polly showed Rose as much affection as she once had.
    “Rose,” Polly said, hugging her as Rose licked her cheek. “What a darling name.” Polly laughed.
    “Now now, Rose!” Polly said. “My God, she’s so excited! You’d think that she knew me!”
    Caitlin smiled. “Yes, you would think,” she said.
    One of the unconscious men groaned, and Polly suddenly surveyed the alleyway. “Let’s get out of here,” she said, and took Caitlin’s arm in hers, and guided her out the alleyway, Rose by their side.
    They walked, arm in arm, like new best friends, down the side streets of Venice, Polly leading the way. Polly was so happy, she was practically skipping, and Caitlin was thrilled to see how happy Rose was. Even though Polly didn’t remember, it still felt like they knew each other forever. Just like the first time they’d met in Pollepel.
    “I don’t know how to repay you,” Polly said. “Those men didn’t mean me the best, to put it lightly. It’s my own fault, really. Aiden warned us to never venture out alone. Safety in numbers, that’s what he says. I’m strong—don’t think I’m not—but today I’m not at my full strength, and they caught me off guard. I’m much stronger at night. It would’ve ended badly, I’m sure of it. At the very least, it would have put me out of commission for tonight, and that simply wouldn’t do.”
    Caitlin tried to keep up. Just as she remembered, Polly talked so fast, she could barely get a word in. It warmed her heart to be back with her, to be back by her best friend’s side, even if Polly couldn’t remember. She hoped that maybe, over time, Polly would remember. If not, she’d be more than happy to begin their friendship all over again.
    More importantly, Caitlin was struck by her reference. Had she said Aiden ? Could it be?
    “Did you say Aiden?” Caitlin asked.
    “Why yes,” Polly said. “Do you know him? Of course, there’s no way you could. You haven’t been to our island, have you? No, no, of course not. I would have known, of course. But you’ll see it now. I have to introduce you to everyone. Humans are not allowed, of course. Just our kind,” Polly said, looking over at Caitlin. “Of course, I can sense you’re one of us. I knew the second I saw you.”
    Caitlin tried to speak, but Polly cut her off.
    “You don’t have a coven here, do you? Of course you don’t. I know every vampire in town.”
    She grabbed her arm, pleading, “You have to join ours. You have to! I’ll talk to Aiden. I’m sure he’ll let you in, especially after he hears how you saved me. Oh, I can’t thank you enough! Talk about timing. It’s like it was destined.”
    Polly led them down an alleyway, into another small square, then down another side street, and underneath a small, stone arch. Caitlin found herself crossing over a foot bridge, over a narrow canal, and then back down the other side. Polly seemed to really know the back streets.
    Caitlin thought. It was always hard to gather her thoughts around