Lost, Then Home: The Third Book in the A Tale of Two Sisters Series

Part Two: Bleeding Through

"You didn't even use a condom?!" Serenity whisper yelled as she and her older sister walked down the stairs of their mansion.

"No, and there was no time to magically find one. It was the heat of the moment kind of thing," Reagan whispered back, lowering her voice even more when she saw their mother in the foyer, putting on a pair of earrings.

"Idiot. Before we know it we're going to have another teenage pregnancy in this family," the brunette said loudly, causing her sister to shove her and their mother to look up at her as the doorbell rang. "Great, now he's coming back for round two."

"Serenity, that's enough," Regina said as she hesitantly went over to the door. "I don't want to hear another word out of the both of you about what happened on Prom night."

"Hypocrite," Serenity said under her breath, making Reagan shove her again.

Regina opened the front door, finding no one around, but a basket of green apples laying at her feet. She rolled her eyes, picking up the basket as someone said from the kitchen, "A gift." The sisters raced to the bottom of the stairs to find their wicked aunt sitting on the dining room table, holding a glass of wine in her hand, "From sister to sister."

The Mayor closed her front door, making her way to the dining room, "What are you doing here?"

"I saw your tree and I thought you could use something better. Red apples are so sickly sweet, don't you think? People tend to like something . . . A little sharper," Zelena said as she started to walk around the room, looking at the decor.

"And green apples are just . . . Bitter,' Regina replied as her older sister picked up a vase. "That's not yours."

"Story of my life," Zelena replied as she sat down the vase, walking out of the dining room, going to the living room.

"Why are you here?" Serenity asked in annoyance.

Zelena chuckled, "The rumors are true, you are just like your mother. I just have some sisterly concern, sisterly advice, you know. Wanted to make sure she was alright after our little showdown."

"I'm fine. Are you?" Regina asked, following her.

"Getting there," Zelena sat down on one of the couches. "Wow. This is nice. So luxurious. You really don't appreciate what you have, do you?"

"Right, because I got everything, and you have nothing. If you want your superpower to be envy, go right ahead."

"'Envy' is just another word for ambition."

"Well, that's just not true," Reagan said, leaning against the door frame of the room.

"See, I strive for things. I work. You, Regina . . ." Zelena scoffed, standing up. "You cast a curse that was just a fancy form of running away. With every advantage, you still turn your back on every opportunity for happiness. You, Regina—You just . . . You don't take risks. You don't live your life. It's just such a waste. I can see why our mother was so disappointed in you."

"Disappointed in me? She gave you away."

"You have no idea what really happened. That's exactly what's going to hurt you."

Regina laughed, "You didn't come here to give me sisterly advice. Why are you here?"

"So perceptive. I'm here, Regina, because I wanted to make sure that you weren't someplace else so I could take what I need. Or rather, The Dark One could. Do you feel, it sis? He's taking your heart. Oh, and sweet Reagan, I hope all goes well with your boyfriend, it would be a shame if you lost him."