Page 1 of Lost Girl

?Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major - J.S. Bach?

“For the love of God, Tavi, please don’t do anything stupid,” my sister hisses at my side, straightening the skin-tight plum dress clinging to her figure.

I still can’t believe our father allowed her to leave in such an exhibited state.

Believe me, I tried voicing my opinion on her choice of attire for the evening, but all he had to do was give me that look, and I was snapping my jaw shut. I don’t get much of a say about anything these days, a fact I know damn well is my own fault.

But c’mon, she’s half naked, exposing far more than he’d ever have let our mother show off. How is he okay with this?

“Did you hear me?” Tigerlily yanks on my arm, jerking us to a stop. When I glance down at her, she’s glaring at me, dark brows furrowed indignantly.

Sighing, I roll my eyes and nod. “Yes,mom,I heard you.”

She slams a fist into my bicep, all but growling at me before taking off. “I wouldn’t have to ‘mom’ you if you acted right.”

“Well, perhaps I’d act right if Hook didn’t—”

“He’s not a bad person!” she snaps, stopping short yet again. “Not as bad as you and most of Rosewood make him out to be. Yes, some of his choices are questionable, but no one is perfect. Besides, he’s done a hell of a lot better job ruling these lands than our ancestors did, that’s for sure!”

My mouth falls slack at the fire blazing in her ludicrous declaration. How dare she spout such drivel? “What in the actual fuck did he do to you?”

How can she for one second think that he’s not bad?

That’s when it hits me, harder than a moribund tree falling in the woods. Her newfound loyalty to their kind, those despicable bloodsuckers, must stem from one thing and one thing only.

“Did he…Did he fuck you?”

Tigerlily’s face contorts with disgust in nothing more than a single blink. “Ew, NO. What is wrong with you, Tavi?!”

“No? Then why the sudden allegiance and understanding for their kind? You were never like this before.” I stalk up to her in a rush, shoulders squaring as I drop my gaze.

Not that she so much as flinches. She’s unfazed as always. I don’t know why I bother, honestly. Why I think she’ll react to any form of intimidation. Being raised by our father and uncles, my sister has layers upon layers of thick skin.

More than any woman I’ve ever met. Aside from our mother, of course.

“Because being in there,” she motions to the castle behind her, “taught me there’s more to immortals than meets the eye, more than you think, dearest brother.”

As if that’s supposed to change my mind.

“I don’t care if the sun shines out of their—”

“Are you done?” she growls. “We’re going to be late.”

No, I’m not, but I don’t tell her that. She doesn’t give me the chance anyway. Once again, she storms off without a glance back, leaving me at the very entrance of Hook’s palace.

I’d say I wonder who she gets her temper from, but I’m not one to talk. We’re both as fiery and stubborn as mama was.

“Lil, wait!” I hustle behind her, sweating bullets in this damned tuxedo jacket.

My sister stops long enough for me to catch up, lifting her chin as we follow the stoned path. “Don’tdo anything stupid,” she repeats, eyeing me from her peripheral.

Adjusting the now too tight bow wringing my neck, I tip my head. “I’ve got this, lil’ sis. Chill.”

“Sure about that? It’s a full moon tonight.”

“You know that doesn’t affect when I shift.”

“But it affects your temperament. You’re irrational and impulsive during this phase.”

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