She envied Beatriz. The pure freedom she’d clawed out and clung to. It was a life that had never been in the cards for Elysia.Uncontrollable.That’s what Beatriz was. Their parents despised it. Had long ago given up on reforming her into someone they could use. If drugs and alcohol were the cost, then Beatriz was more than willing to pay it.
Elysia straightened and crossed her legs. “I may have something that could help you.”
Beatriz smiled smugly. “I knew it.” Her words cut short as she devolved into a coughing fit. Shaking her head, she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and gave a half grin. “Smoking too much.”
Elysia ignored her and held out a hand in pause. “It’s too big to offer for nothing. Family or not, I will need something in return.”
A frown creased Triz’s smooth face. “You want to bargain?”
Elysia let a little bit of the woman she had become shine through her eyes and watched for the moment it registered on Beatriz’s face.There. Uncertainty hidden behind a patronizing smirk. Good. Her sister could bother with a little respect.
“The information you request is worth far more than whatever juvenile tangle you find yourself in. I will tell you now with your assurance that you will not act until I can verify its truth next week with the diplomat’s arrival. It comes with a cost.” Even Elysia could hear the snootiness rolling off her words, but she couldn’t help it—Beatriz brought out the worst in her sometimes.
She watched her sister closely. She could have sworn the glint in her sister’s eye was one of thrill and excitement.
“Name your price.”
“I shall hold you in my debt and you must fulfill whatever it is I desire when the time comes. Do you agree?”
There was a formality to her words that had Beatriz recoiling, considering carefully. It was like Elysia could see every thoughtrace through her hard gray eyes. She pitied the fools that thought a vapid, long-legged waif had climbed into their bed.
Beatriz nodded once sharply and stuck out a hand. “You have a deal.”
The situation must be worse than she had thought for Beatriz to agree so easily to such a terrible bargain. She had expected at least a small amount of negotiation. Perhaps her sister still thought that she was not capable of her own machinations.
Elysia was not sure if she was wrong or not.
Time would tell.
But like Beatriz said, it was always good to have a bit of leverage in your pocket.
Elysia stood and slapped her palm into her sister’s outstretched hand, giving it a firm shake.
“Good.” She made quick work of explaining the Bellian diplomat’s vices and blunders, not bothering to mince any words.
Beatriz’s eyebrows lifted and she shook her head. “Bastard. Send word when you’ve done what you need to do.” She stretched and made to stand.
She was almost to the door when her eyes snagged on something resting on the table. Elysia watched as the angles of Beatriz’s body became harsh, the blood rushing to the edges of her cheekbones in a bright pink flush.
Beatriz snatched the grimy coin off the table and held it out like it was treason itself.
Her mouth became a harsh slash. “Where did you get this coin, you pilfering, glorified busybody?”
Chapter 7
Elysia lunged for the coin.That’s my lifeline, you harlot.But Beatriz flung an elbow into Elysia’s gut, attempting to manhandle her like a sack of potatoes back onto the couch. She held the coin far out of reach, and Elysia’s anger soared to where she could barely think.
Through sheer mental grit, she willed herself to remain in control.I must not react. I must not react.
“So easy to”—Beatriz flicked her on the forehead with her free hand—“rile. Doing you a favor, trust me.”
Elysia’s temper snapped the moment her sister’s fingers reverberated off her forehead. Years of training aided her. Her leg swept out, collapsing Beatriz from the knees. One more breath and her sister was flat on her back. She dug her knee into Beatriz’s chest and wrapped her fingers around her throat.
Her sister’s pulse was warm and erratic under her fingers. She plucked the coin from Beatriz’s now rigid grasp.
It was then she saw her sister’s wide, fearful eyes. How they tracked her like she was a rabid animal.
Her rage drained in an instant. She sprung back with her palms facing her sister.
