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Moira looks at the girl, whose head is down. She then goes back to the woman.

“For you, five dollars.”

“Very well,” the lady turns to the girl. “Since you want it, you can purchase it.”

I notice the bite to the woman’s tone as she holds out the notebook toward the girl. The young girl takes the book and walks toward Moira. It is then I notice the old bruise under her eye. She catches my gaze and quickly looks away.

“Right this way,” Moira says, escorting the girl to the counter.

I’m not sure what that notebook does, but whatever it is, I know the young girl will never be the same.

Later that night, I stand in front of the bathroom mirror. The black long sleeve A-line dress flows down my body. A deep v cut down the center of my chest, showing off my Royal vampire markings. The slit in the front of my skirt gives just enough peek of my long legs to make the dress sexy.

“You know,” Marley says, suddenly standing at my bathroom door. “I’m starting to think you’re color blind. Do you own any color other than black?”

I smile and shake my head at my sister. Her curly hair is in a high puff on the top of her head. The pale pink flower babydoll dress she’s wearing stops at her thighs.

“I have plenty of gray clothing,” I reply to her question. “But the bigger issue is, where is the rest of your dress?”

She looks down at her long legs, then back at me. “Are you serious? This dress is not too short.”

“It is if you’re thinking about flaunting it in front of a certain werewolf.” Although she hasn’t mentioned Torak to me, I can sense her attraction to him and his attraction to her. I sense his because of our connection.

“I’m not thinking about Torak.” She waves me off.

She’s lying, but I won’t call her out on it. I’m assuming this is still a touchy subject for her.

“Good,” I say. “You have all the time in the world to grow up and date. Enjoy your youth.”

She rolls her eyes playfully. “Yes, Mom.”

I chuckle as I stick my tongue out at her.

She joins in my laughter. “I’m heading to the festival with Anya. Is that okay?”

“Yes. I’ll be there shortly.”

Marley walks into the bathroom and wraps her arms around me from behind. Her chin rest on my shoulder.

“What’s this for?” I ask, placing my hands over hers.

“Just because you’re the best sister ever. And I love you.”

I have to take a deep breath at her words. Although they warm my heart and make me feel ten times taller than I am, I know they are undeserving. Instead of telling my sister this, I turn and place a kiss on the side of her head.

“Go on,” I say. “Anya is outside.”

She lets go of me and steps back. “You know, I just noticed. This is the first time I’ve seen you in a dress.”

I tug at the sleeves of my dress, making sure they cover the cuffs. “I was born in the 1500s. I’ve worn enough dresses to last me a lifetime.”

She laughs before slipping out of my room. Once I know that she’s left the house, I pull the bottle of perfume out the drawer I stuffed it in earlier and place it down on the counter.

“Are you really going to do this?” I ask my reflection in the mirror.

I could just leave. Maybe, now that everyone is accepting Marley, I could leave her here with Liz. It keeps her out of the way, and I could stay on the run. As long as I don’t stay in one place too long, I can avoid Markis.

“But for how long?”my thoughts question. “And what happens when you don’t run fast enough, and he does find you?”