"You're not human either," Amelia said blankly.
"Yes," Dante said.
And as he spoke, his eyes changed.
Crimson red. Deep and dark, burning like embers in a fire. His horns emerged from his temples, curving back sleek and sharp, catching the light.
Aunt Lyla made a small, strangled squeak.
Her face went pale, then green, then white again. Sweat broke out on her forehead, and her hand flew to her chest as if checking that her heart was still beating.
"Oh," she whispered, her voice trembling. "Oh my."
She wobbled. Her knees buckled slightly.
Alina stepped forward quickly, grabbing her aunt's arm. "Aunt Lyla, sit down. Please."
Lyla didn't argue. She collapsed into the chair again, fanning herself with her hand, her eyes wide and fixed on Dante's horns. Her breath came in short, shallow gasps.
Amelia was staring at Dante. Her face was pale. Her hands were trembling. But unlike her sister, she did not look away.
She stood up. Slowly, carefully, she walked toward him.
