Page 28 of The Tracker's Secret

Lucia toed the hardwood floor, hands stuffed in her hoodie’s big pocket. “What’s up, Sis?” she said, her eyes meeting mine just briefly.

“What... a surprise,” I said.

The last time they were here was the night before Rosalina and I opened for business. We had hosted a little inauguration party and invited only our closest friends and family. They’d visited a few other times, but not together.

They stood shoulder to shoulder, both beautiful with their long, brown hair and dark eyes. No one could deny we were sisters. We all looked like Mom. To my surprise, Lucia stood slightly taller than Daniella, which meant she was also taller than me since Dani and I were both 5’7”. I had no idea when that had happened. She had grown in the blink of an eye.

Daniella wore beige slacks, a black sweater with glittery trim at the neck, and red flats. I could imagine her with her healer’s coat over the cute outfit, a stethoscope around her neck, and a Children’s Hospital badge to complete the look. In contrast, Lucia wore ripped jeans, a tie-dye hoodie, and skater shoes.

“It’s good to see you, Rosalina,” Daniella said.

Rosalina smiled. “Same here.”

Lucia bobbed her head at my friend. She could be so eloquent sometimes.

“We wanted to talk to you?” Daniella cautiously glanced at Rosalina

“No worries. Rosalina knows,” I paused for a beat, then blurted out, “Did Mom send you?”

“No,” Daniella said, “but she talked to us yesterday and told us everything.”

“Everything?” I asked.

They nodded.

“Even the werewolf bit?”

Daniella nodded. “Yes.”

“Quite the big reveal, huh?” Sarcasm rode heavily in my tone.

Daniella took a step forward. “Are you all right, Toni?”

“Sure, I’m fine.”

Another step closer. “Are you sure?”

Her brown eyes were gentle, concerned. She’d always been great at comforting us—the most nurturing and kind. I still remembered her carrying Toddler Lucia around, changing her diaper, and feeding her with such patience.

I melted under her gaze, and all my emotions came rushing out. Before the first tear splattered onto my cheek, Daniella wrapped me in a tight embrace and squeezed me so hard I hiccupped. Lucia rushed over and snuggled right between us.

“Guys, you’re killing me,” Rosalina said, then joined in the hug.

They held me until I stopped crying. Embarrassed, I pulled away, drying my tears.

“We’re so pissed at Mom,” Lucia said.

“I can’t believe she lied to you like that.” Daniella shook her head. “All these years.”

Lucia sniffed. “She’d better never act all holier-than-thou from now on. If you want us to, we’ll never forgive her.” She sounded so serious, it made me laugh.

“You don’t have to be mad at her for my sake,” I said.

“I was already mad at her anyway. She took my phone,” Lucia said.

Daniella and I exchanged a glance. Lucia was always getting into trouble because of her phone and social media shenanigans.

My older sister drew herself up. “I don’t think this needs to be said, but I’m going to say it anyway. We’re the Sunder sisters, and nothing and no one can ever change that.”