Page 7 of A Sin So Pure

A frustrated groan rumbles from her throat.

“Wes offered, and he needs more experience. So, I thought, why not? I didn’t think it’d be a big deal,” I say.

“It’s not, but you still need totellme.”

“Mhm.”

“It’s a matter of House security?—”

“Of course.”

“And not to mention your safety?—”

“Yes, Mother.”

“Nora,” Josie sputters, stopping mid-stride. Her arms flop at her sides with a defeated sigh.

“Josie,” I mimic back to her.

Of the two of us, I’ve always been the one more likely to jump without looking or to ask for forgiveness rather than permission.

Like right now.

“You forget who you are,” she says.

“I’m Pride of the Unseelie.”

“That’s not what I mean, and you know it.”

Her jaw feathers, the warm beige skin rippling as she physically holds back her frustration.

Shit, she’s serious.

My shoulders soften at the concern swirling in Josie’s deep brown irises.

I grab one of her hands, curling my fingers around hers, and squeeze. She doesn’t flinch; she squeezes mine back, a silent understanding passing between us. Josie and I are the same in the ways that matter. Both orphaned young and taken in by the same cruel and power-hungry fae, we’re sisters in all but blood and name.

“I’m fine. Wesley is fine. Everything isfine.”

“I know,” she sighs. “I just worry.”

My lips twist into a playful pout as I swing our joined hands.

“But I don’t pay you to worry.”

“You don’t pay me enough tonotworry,” she huffs and wriggles out of my hold. “It seems to be a hazard of being your Second that I have yet to find a way to avoid.”

“Maybe you should meditate. I’ve heard that helps with anxiety.”

“Oh,fuck off, Nor.”

She may curse at me, but her full lips curve into a familiar smile.

“It’s all going to work out for us, Joze. This brings us one step closer to what we’re after.”I jab my thumb over my shoulder.“Can we please go to my office and get this meeting started?”

Josie snorts, walking backwards with her hands perched on her narrow hips.

“I see how it is. You want to ditch us for Imogen.”

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