Matthew and Alastor knew each other when they were still alive. From the beginning, Alastor developed an intense and unwanted obsession with Matthew—one that went far beyond fascination. Matthew’s words, expressions, and offhand comments controlled Alastor’s moods and thoughts, something Alastor despised about himself. He hated that Matthew could affect him so deeply without trying, that his attention or lack of it held so much power over him.