Entwined (The Entwined Duology #1)

The Opera House stewards paid Pretoria and I no mind as we merged with the crowd at intermission. We passed through wafts of pipe and cigarette smoke, snagged tall glasses of a vaguely green sparkling wine, and faced one another.

Pretoria clinked her glass against mine, the rich, deep blue of her gown shimmering beneath a layer of gossamer and a fur wrap—twin to my own—which, conveniently, concealed her throat. She looked lovely, as always, but thanks to the tactful application of cosmetics, not quite herself.

The same was true of me. The differences were subtle, but persuasive. I doubted Lord Stillwell would recognize either of us in passing, given the passage of time and the bustle of the crowd.

“To the hunt,” she murmured, and I felt a quiet thrill. I might disagree with much of my sister’s choices in life, but there was an addictive quality to moments like these—when we were united, resolute, competent.