OLEANDER
I had barely finished speaking when a voice interrupted me.
"Hiking? Strolling through the garden? The weather's particularly lovely this morning. Or perhaps…"
I turned just in time to see Tessa step into the room. She paused, tilted her head, and tapped her fingers on her chin thoughtfully. Then her eyes lit up with mock enthusiasm as they landed on me again.
"We could catch up. You know, as sisters."
She smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. There was nothing warm or sincere about it. Her words dripped with a venom I didn't miss.
I said nothing.
"Oh, what?" she pouted when I didn't respond. "Did Hex warn you to stay away from me?"
"Um… no," I managed.
"Right." Her grin stretched wider. "Of course he didn't. I'm his sister. Why would he say such a thing?"
"Okay…" I mumbled, not really sure what else to say.
I wanted to ask what she was doing here, why she was even inside, but the words stuck in my throat. This was Hex's place. Technically, it could be hers, too.
