ssa

ned by the day. She watched me from across rooms, from the corners

r that moment. I h

as: a secret token from Darrion, smuggled to her on the night of their first betrayal. S

in me in the solarium. "Some sun will

orliss's. Her agave stood in the place of honor, its bl

, pruning a rose bush wit

r whole body coiling. "Alyssa, be careful. Don't damage my f

liss, is that any way t

ll wide-eyed innocence. "What a beautiful plant. What ki

and the pot, arms half-raised, shielding it like

n and took a step back. My foot "caught" on

ng out-"unintentionall

tipped, hung for one terrible second, and c

oil sprayed across the

ce fell, thi

ror," and looked up at Corliss. "Sister

ent white, then green, then a blotchy, fur

the sound tearing out of he

e lunged at me like a

shock hardening into fury. "Are you insane

r at the shattered pot, sobbing in choked g

ld be to confess the affair with Darrion-the very sec

other, small and shakin

, ice in her voice, "You have disappointed me beyond words,

l in her eyes-hatred, despair, and the horrible dawning knowledge th

st murderous glare

s warm around me. "Don't be scared. She

r. Against the silk, hidden fro

pulse of smug delight. Did

ed and, underneath, indulgent. You troublesome little thin

m laughing. Jealous, eve

would run to the only other pers

a car engine in the driveway. The soun

breathless. "Luna, t

o gentle exhaustion an