Page 15 of Lost Girl

I love my sister.

I fucking love my sister.

“I told both you and Pa I didn’t want to go, and yet here I am, walking right into the leech’s den.” I adjust my bow tie for the fifty-millionth time. “So excuse me if I seem more unenthusiastic than the norm.”

“Considering that I’m alive and free, you really need to let that go, big bro.”

“I will never let that go. Ever.” The snip in my tone is purposeful. “Yes, he didn’t intend to take you until your dumb ass suggested it, but the point is, he still took you. Locked you up in his castle like a prisoner.”

Tigerlily groans, throwing her head back in frustration. “Do you ever listen? He didn’t lock me up. I had a room, was fed three meals per day, allowed to go anywhere I wanted within the castle grounds. And for the record, you’re-fucking-welcome, because I guarantee if I hadn’t stepped up in your place, youwouldhave been a prisoner, probably wasting away in the dungeon. Or worse.”

Of all the things she said, one thing sticks out at me most. Just one. “He seriously has a dungeon?” I’m incredulous, the hairs at the nape of my neck rigid at attention.

Another groan, followed by a frustrated sigh as she rakes a hand through her long hair. “No, Tavi! I was just using it as an example since you wanted to assume I was trapped in some dark tower like the maiden of Canterbury.”

“I mean, can you blame me?” I huff. “What did you expect for us to assume?”

“Nothing, because you shouldn’t be assuming!” The echo of her shrill cry ripples through the forest. “DadknowsHook, so the fact that he was feeding into your assumptions boggles my mind.”

“One more time—can you blame him, Lil? It doesn’t matter if he knows the douche or not; Hook still took you away from us without care.”

“And I got to leave, unscathed I should add. I wasn’t even gone that long.”

“Three months is a quarter of a year. I hate to break it to you, but that’s plenty long.”

Tigerlily rolls her eyes and scoffs on a new stride. “Just let it go, seriously. I’m here now and that’s all that matters.”

“Yeah, except you’re dragging me to this stupid party.” My reply draws another irritated growl from her throat.

“For the love of God, Tavi, please don’t do anything stupid,” she hisses, straightening out the skin-tight plum dress clinging to her figure as I go in on this damned bow tie again.

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?” she 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 once more. “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?” I seethe incredulously.

How can she for one second think that he’s...

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 counter, stalking up to her in a rush, shoulders squaring as I drop my gaze.

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