Free Keeping the Genie (Genie's Love, Book 3) by Dee J. Stone Page B

the room. Sebastian stares after her. I rest my hand on his chest. “What’s wrong?”
    “Her thirst for blood is overwhelming,” he says. “I can see it in her eyes.”
    “Is that a bad thing?”
    “I don’t know. I just hope she doesn’t do anything to hurt herself, or someone else.”
    I slide my hand into his. “You know what she needs? A friend. Someone to talk to.” She seems to always be by herself.
    “She has me.”
    “I know and you’re a wonderful brother to her. But maybe she needs a girl for a friend. You know, like me.”
    He turns to me. “You’d be her friend?”
    “Of course I would. She’s your sister.”
    His smile is wide. “Thank you, Lily. She worries me. I’m glad she’s strong and can take care of herself, but I need to know she’ll be okay.”
    “Don’t worry. I’ll be there for her.”
    He presses his lips to mine, then whispers in my ear. “You’re more awesome by the day.”
    “No, you are.”

Chapter Eleven
     
    I knock on Renaya’s door. Many of the rebels have already gone to bed, but I have a feeling Renaya hasn’t. She opens the door a crack. “Yes?”
    “Hey, it’s me. I was wondering if I could come in.”
    She widens the door. She’s wearing the plain Ortarian clothes and looks like a completely different person. It makes her eyes seem warmer than they usually are. When she’s got that uniform on, she appears like she wants to slam her fist into everything that stands in her way.
    “Why?” she asks.
    “I thought we could get to know each other a little bit.”
    “Why?”
    I smile, trying not to let her coldness bother me. “Because you’re my boyfriend’s sister and I’d like us to be friends.”
    She crosses her arms over her chest. “I don’t have time for friends.”
    I know Renaya’s tough, but I didn’t think this would be so hard. I actually thought she’d welcome my friendship.
    “Okay,” I say. “We don’t have to be friends. But I’d really like for us to talk.” At dinner today, I noticed some tension between her and Sebastian. I know she hates that Sebastian is worried about her. I don’t blame him. Daisy always worried about me and was constantly in my business. Maybe that’s how older siblings are. Sebastian just wants to protect her.
    Renaya shrugs and invites me inside. Her room is similar to mine, except hers is spotless while mine is a little messy. Because I had to get to training, I didn’t have a chance to make my bed this morning. Nothing is out of place here. It’s almost as if she doesn’t live in this room but is only here temporarily.
    She motions for me to take a seat and I drop down on one chair while she takes another. She looks at me and I look at her. She doesn’t seem to be interested in me at all, but I don’t let that bother me. This girl has been through hell, and I want to be there for her. If she’ll let me, that is.
    “So…” I start.
    She just looks at me.
    “How are you?” I ask.
    She rolls her eyes. “Sebastian sent you, didn’t he?”
    “No.”
    She snorts.
    “What’s your problem with him? I thought you’d be happy to see him after being separated for so long.”
    “I am happy to see him, of course. I just don’t want him to treat me like a baby. I’m not the delicate, obedient girl I used to be. He needs to accept that.”
    “He cares about you.”
    She crosses her arms over her chest. “I don’t want to talk about this. If Sebastian can’t accept that this is the way I am, then that’s unfortunate.”
    I nod slowly. “He’s having a hard time, but I’m sure he’ll come around. Those were some crazy good moves you did in the training room.”
    She shrugs.
    Quiet.
    “Do you want me to leave?” I ask.
    “I don’t care what you do.”
    I decide to stay. Maybe I can destroy the wall she’s built around herself. I want her to know she can talk to me.
    “When I found out you were alive, I couldn’t believe it. I felt so happy for you and for Sebastian. You don’t