xia

answer

r my breathing to even out. My back pressed against the cool wood of the do

and cruel, flash

blame for breaking our mother's favorit

r his birthday - the same scarf I had spent weeks working

flicker of a triumphant smile on her face as I

t. No fear for me. Just the cold, hard glint of self-preservation

dish jealousy, I now saw for what

dden impulse. It was the culmin

ome on! We'll miss our chance if we wait any longe

s. I walked to the centre of the room, putting distanc

ice deliberately flat and weak. "I

er perfectly: the feigned look of concern clouding her pretty features,

factured disappointment. "But you were fine la

this, I thought, a bi

ied, letting my voice trail off. "Y

esperation was seeping into her tone now. Her p

. You weren't scared when you left me wit

't feel well. Mom will be furious if she finds out we're

Sharon was Katrina's weakness, he

oal was to be at Sunstone Ridge to meet him - the man who was supposed to be

ts usual syrupy sweetness. "Okay, sister. You get

inst the wall, I let out a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding.

ard of ice in my gut. Long enough to procure the Moonpet

idge. And the destiny tha

o see the backyard. A minute later, Katrina emerged from the side door, a small backpack slung ov

y the greedy, triumphant excitement

he shadows of the forest. I didn't cal

t path so badly,

her ambition this time. I would not clea

I would watch her perform her sol

room into a soft gloom. My own path lay before me,

would break when our mother, Sharon, came h

room, would have