it

cold window, watching the funeral cars come closer. My reflection stared back

ainst the gRey sky. More cars followed, filled with people wearing black clo

ann said behind me. "

I was the backup sister, the hidden one, forced into a place

their grief. The sound made my heart heavy. Below, import

to the glass. "I'm not dead fr

y throat. I watched Javier get out of his car, his strong body

s, the people, her husband. But I was only

putting black silk on my shoulders. The dress belonged to Kimberly-everything beautiful h

the dress. Her hands worked well, but her eyes k

ating old lessons. "Second daught

es. Purple eyes-different from Kimberly's blue ones-l

" Maryann said, put

" I said. "They must

. She fixed my hair to hide the mark

anister's silver car joined the lin

ryann said in a low voi

red in corners, speaking quietly when I walked past

ett," they whispe

iends, talking fast. He watched m

igh, back straight, careful steps. Kimberly mo

sed-respect for their leader's rank, not

fferent power," so

ced too much with their special senses. Str

l decorations. Maryann walked behind me. Her steps should have

he royal family, out of place. Javier stood stiff

drop matched the odd power in my chest.

red. Her hand held my arm, h

bright, nothing near wolf magic. I bit m

dbye to their almost-queen. They looked at me afterward

ripped harder, my hands white on dark wood. No

ntrol,"

hing from my lessons. It burned

His pain hit me hard-or maybe the magic reacte

eone about this new strength. But something k

e, the power growing near my sister's body. Everyone wa

hair was neat, blue eyes closed, hands over wh

d. Magic-old but new-ran up my arm. It took

y. The power pulled toward my sister