Page 27 of Lost Girl

Silence settles upon us. The only sounds to be heard are those of birds chirping high up in the trees and the light howl of the soft breeze rolling through. My sister’s frozen in place, blanching more and more by the second. She doesn’t want to believe such accusations about a friend, but what reason would I have to lie to her?

“Is she hurting her?” she finally asks.

“I didn’t see any scars or bruising, but given the way she was treating her, I’d say it’s likely she will...and soon.”

“There’s no way. Tinksley would never.”

“She killed Peter, Lil,” I stress, taking three hulking steps toward her, my hands flying to her shoulders. “Did you know that?”

“I...I—I mean, Hook let me go because they were crossing the realm—for revenge he said, but—”

“But what? What did you think that meant?”

“I don’t know.”

“She’s dangerous, Lil,” Soren chimes evenly. “Like double threat dangerous.”

“The Fae, I know,” she agrees dismissively. “But it’s not active until she—”

“She triggered it when she ended Peter,” I disclose, shooting a gasp free from her mouth.

“I told you.” My head bounces gravely. “She’s not the same girl you once knew.”

Tigerlily rips herself from my hold and backs away further, cutting her disbelieving stare between me and the boys. “I refuse to believe it until I see it. Let me talk to her.”

“And tell her what? ‘Hey, my brother went snooping and found your dungeon. He told me you have a girl down there?’”

“Well no, not like that, but I’m sure I can get her to tell me without realizing.”

“Not gonna happen,” Niko voices. “Your brother left and I’m sure Hook noticed. If you randomly show up there asking questions…”

“I’m welcome there whenever,” she snaps at him. “Tavi heard Hook say as much himself. I’ll just say I wanted to see her now that they’re back.”

Like Niko said,not gonna happen.

Sighing, I rub a hand down the back of my head and sidle up beside her. “Now it’s my turn to play keeper. Don’t you dare go over there, do you hear me? Let us handle it.”

My sister glares at me like I’ve grown five different heads. “Oh no. No. No. Absolutely not!”

“Let. Us. Handle. It,” I grit.

“You’re nuts! You’re too impulsive! What do you plan to do anyway?”

“Like I said, let us handle it. Go home and read one of your books.” I’m not trying to be an asshole, but she needs to trust me on this.

“Tavi, I swear to God…”

“Just go, Lil,” my tone booms, “and keep your mouth shut. No need to involve anyone else for the time being. I’ll tell dad when the time is right, don’t worry.”

“Why are you like this?” She’s genuinely concerned, but it’s just one of those things.

She wouldn’t understand.

“Duty calls.” I shrug. “What they’re doing is wrong. If Peter is involved, you know she’s innocent.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“Believe me, I just know.”

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