CHAPTER 35

Faye's bed shifted suddenly, jarring her from sleep. She groaned, narrowing her eyes to peer up at blonde curls. "Go away," she muttered, rolling away from her sister. Her head pounded and she didn't have the mental fortitude to deal with Sparrow right now.

The brief kiss she shared with Rune left her hollow and lonely. She thought she'd finally reached him, and he couldn't get away from her fast enough.

"I'm sorry," her sister said to her back.

Faye closed her eyes, wanting to be alone. The bed shifted with her sister's movements. Sparrow rubbed her hand over her back like she did when they were girls. Faye leaned her shoulder away, saying, "It doesn't mean anything if you keep doing it."

Her sister leaned back, whispering, "I won't." When Faye didn't reply she blurted out, "I say things I don't mean when I'm mad. You know that."

Anger coiled through Faye, burning away her sad feelings. She sat up and turned to her sister. "To everyone else," Faye yelled, stabbing her finger into the blankets between them. "You never did it to me. But I don't know why I thought I was special. This is how you treat everyone. It was a matter of time before you turned on me too."

Sparrow looked like she'd struck her. Her lips parted and her brow pinched. "I didn't turn on you."

Was she fucking kidding? "You wrapped me in lace and threw me at his feet."

Sparrow's green eyes hardened as she pulled her shoulders back. "He saw you in your bikini. What I put you in covered way more of you. Nothing was see-through. He didn't get a peek at anything."

A bitter laugh escaped Faye as she glanced away. "You still can't take responsibility for what you did." Her gaze shot back to Sparrow as she said, "You think this is fine and I overreacted. This is not fine—We are not fine. What you did was bullshit. Get out."

Sparrow's shoulder slumped as she sighed. "Bitch, come on."

"Don't bitch me."

"Can you just punch me in the face and we call it even?"

Faye could only blink at her sister. "You just— This isn't about getting even."

"I'm sorry. I'll let you pick all your own clothes." Sparrow took her hands and made her best pair of sad eyes.

Faye pulled her hand away. "That face works on Vash, not me."

Sparrow crawled over to her and hugged her arm to her side. "I'm sorry I upset you. I'm sorry I got mad and lashed out. I'm a bad influence and a worse sister."

"You're a terrible influence," Faye glared at her. She was still angry, but they were family. Faye took a deep breath and exhaled before saying, "You're not a bad sister. I can't think of anyone else who would come to Hell with me."

"And I crashed into the High Queen's open court." Sparrow laughed, pausing long enough to say, "Vash was so mad."

Faye had two people willing to come to Hell for her. Having people who cared that much about her was a blessing.

Sparrow tugged on Rune's jacket. "Are you sleeping in his clothes now?" Faye jerked the sleeve out of Sparrow's grasp. Her sister raised her hand in a peaceful gesture. "I mean it's a fancy jacket, but did you want to put some clothes on under it?"

"It's your fault I'm naked under this," Faye grumbled.

"You're the—" Sparrow fell silent with a huff. "I'm going to be a better sister and shut my fucking mouth."

Faye smiled, leaning on Sparrow. "I appreciate you trying."

"You're lucky I love you. I don't do this for anyone."

Now that her anger was subsiding, her headache came roaring back in with a vengeance. "I need to make some tea. My head is killing me." Faye patted Sparrow's thigh, signaling her to get out of the way.

Sparrow got out of bed and turned back to Faye. She leaned forward and rocked back on her heels before asking, "Can I ask you something and you not get mad?"

"Probably since you're asking and not doing," Faye said, getting out of bed and stretching her back.

"What happened? Did you just get too excited grabbing his neck?"

Faye spared her sister a quizzical glance as she headed for her closet. "I didn't grab his neck."

Sparrow trailed behind her. "The man asked me to heal finger holes in his neck. You're the only one with claws."

"He said the High Council summoned him. I thought he was making an excuse to get away from me. Maybe he got frisky with someone there."Like the high bitch.Faye didn't want to be jealous but the emotion sank into her bones. She changed, pulling on her clothes roughly trying not to imagine the High Queen gripping the front of his throat. His words during their last dream rose in her mind.

Vampires appreciate aggression. I crave it.

Her sister's voice pulled her from her own thoughts. "Men don't usually want to get away from half-naked women. Just saying."

"Why were you healing him instead of Sadi?" Would Sadi know what those marks meant and be upset with him?

"Because he likes you," Sparrow said. Faye cut her sister a glance and pulled her shirt on. "I asked him the same thing. He said he didn't want to prod your anger." Sparrow spoke the last, lowering her voice and mimicking his accent.

"Did he kiss you?" Her sister's eyes widened as heat rose to her cheeks. "Darkness, is he a good kisser? Did he pull you in? I'm sorry. I'll be quiet." Sparrow's eyes gleamed as she pressed her hands together bringing her fingertips to her lips.

Her sister stood on her toes and squealed as Faye eyed her. "It wasn't that exciting."

Sparrow leaned forward to whisper, "But you did kiss."

Faye looked away. "I kissed him, but I don't think he kissed me back."

Her sister's arms dropped to her sides. "What do you mean you don't think he kissed you back?"

Faye dusted her pristine shirt, unable to meet her sister's gaze. "He saw me after we had our fight. I think he came out of pity. After I kissed him, he left."

"Well, he came to me to heal him, and he scolded me about my mouth. I'm voting because he likes you."