Page 124 of Their Pretty Little Monster

Her pale green eyes, matching her hair, glance around the room, landing on me. She studies me harshly, her gaze hardening. Pale green scales down her arms and neck shimmer under the dim light. The King gestures to the woman beside him, her eyes haunted, yet she smirks at me, leaving me covered in shivers.

“Sage, meet your half sister, Elara,” he declares, and the floor beneath me might as well crack open.

Chapter

Thirty-Three

SAGE

“Ihave a half sister?” I mumble under my breath.

Stunned, I don’t move, just stare at Elara as she meanders alongside my father. The lights on the walls glint against the green scales on her arms and down the sides of her neck and face. She’s easily a few years younger than me, maybe six-and-ten years old. Her brilliant crystal-green eyes blink in my direction, her attention locked on me.

I’m lost for words.

“We had no idea you had a half sister, Sage,” Killian whispers, and I have no reason not to believe him.

My father grins, as though he’s achieved the shock he intended.

Elara had to know I existed because she doesn’t look surprised to see me. She’s just staring at me. Wearing a simple floral dress cinched at the waist with a belt and sandals, her green hair tumbles around her face in small curls, cut short to her jaw. She’s cute, and I can see parts of myself in her face.

So many questions whirl in my head. I doubt my mother even knows about Elara, but what would she say if she saw her? Would it hurt her to find out the man who abandoned her had a child with someone else?

“Elara has been by my side since she was a child,” my father begins. “After her mother passed from a sickness in her blood, which is a shame. Elara carries a psychic power that will confirm if you’ve been truthful.” His gaze drills into me, lingering, leaving me wanting to glance away, but I refuse to.

Wolfe steps forward, shoulders square, his broad chest sticking out. I’m captivated by him, proud to be at his side. “How does her power work, exactly?”

“Sage won’t be harmed. Stand down,” my father assures. “Elara requires a taste of her blood to see the truth of what you claim.” He glances down at the girl, grinning, his hand gripping her shoulder firmly. Her brow pinches, but she doesn’t brush him off. “She’ll reveal the truth, as she has done many times for me in the past.”

My thoughts race—a half sister with mind powers. The whole situation feels surreal. I study her again, trying to read her expression, but it’s impossible.

“Hello, Elara,” I say, eager to get to know her. “I’m Sage.”

She tilts her head to the side, eyes blinking a few times before she steps forward, her hand rising from her side. The glint of the blade in her hand catches my attention.

Killian and Nyko throw themselves in front of me; they must’ve spotted the weapon as well. Wolfe pulls me farther away from her by my arm.

“I won’t hurt you,” she says softly in a voice that is soothing, handing over the blade, hilt first. “This will be quick. You can cut yourself or have one of them do it for you.” Her gaze flicks to my three monsters.

My father is chuckling. “Look at you, my daughter, three powerful Shadowfen throwing their lives to protect you. Who would have thought?” He’s mocking me. I hear it in his tone, and I hate him more for it.

Nyko steps forward, his hand reaching for the small, curved blade.

I nod, swallowing hard and closing the distance between us. “All right,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper. “How are we doing this?”

“Just a small cut on the fleshy part of your palm should be fine,” she murmurs, her attention flicking up to meet mine.

“Quickly now,” my father urges. “We don’t have all day.”

Nyko faces me, taking my hand gently into his. “I’ll do the cut for you.”

“Thanks,” I say, shaking, a rush of gratitude flooding me.

“You can look away if you want,” he encourages, lifting my left hand. He must be picking up on my nerves, seeing he’s not making light of the situation as he normally would.

I shake my head at his offer. “I’m fine.”

The room feels like it’s closing in on me, everyone crowding around, leaving me overwhelmed.

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