THE LAST GIFT

SISTERHOOD

"No, no, my mother never mentioned any of this," I said, unable to fathom my mom ever having a child and not telling me. "You just want to use me for your personal gain."

"Avery, look at her face," he said. "Does she not look like your mother?" I looked closely at her face, and it felt like I was really seeing her for the first time. I saw the resemblance of my mom on her face, and every single doubt went out. I knew this was my sister.

Immediately, tears dropped from my eyes. I didn't know how to feel in this moment – grateful that I wasn't alone or feeling betrayed that my mom never thought to mention anything about this to me. I looked at her and wanted to call out her name, but I couldn't. It was too painful for me, so I looked away from her and asked, "Cleo attacked my people, and my mom is dead?"

He looked at me with much sadness in his eyes and said, "Yes, it's no longer news. Cleo is using it to brag, saying she eliminated all the supernatural, and you are on the top kill list now. You are to be shot on sight."

I was so angry, but I couldn't trust anybody yet. "That's why I sent Tia to come get you here," he said. "I want you by our side. We might stand a real chance against those maniacs and their leader."

I looked at him and said, "I can't work with people I don't trust, and your kind has taught me a lesson." "Avery, trust us," he said. "We are one."

"Trust you?" I replied. "Your story is really interesting, but the last time I trusted someone, it cost me my family and my people. And if I wanted revenge, I could do that on my own." As I tried to walk out, I heard her voice – "Avery, you are not alone."