Leelo swore under her breath as Isola’s face turned beet red. “Yes, it would be. But that is not what is happening between Leelo and me. She’s just a good friend, something you clearly don’t understand. If you love your cousin so much, why don’t you ask her yourself where she’s been going, instead of sneaking around trying to catch her in a lie?” She lifted her chin. “Perhaps it’s because you know she wouldn’t tell you, that she doesn’t trust you at all.”

Sage’s lips thinned. Even from here, Leelo could see she was struggling to keep control of her temper. “You don’t know anything about my relationship with Leelo. You can’t possibly. But believe me when I say that I will do whatever it takes to protect my cousin, even if that means discovering a secret she wants to keep hidden. Leelo doesn’t know what’s best for her. She made that perfectly clear when she chose to be friends with you.”

Isola flashed a small, condescending smile. “That’s right. She chose me. The poor thing got stuck with you.” And with that, she turned on her heel and disappeared into the Forest.

Sage stood in silence for a few minutes, her face white beneath her freckles, her hands clenched into fists. A part of Leelo wanted to run and comfort her because she could see that while Sage had been trying to land a blow, it was Isola who had hit Sage where it hurt most.

But if Sage knew Leelo had witnessed the encounter, she would only grow defensive. Even now, she was straightening her spine, flexing her fingers and swiping the tears from her face before they could fall.

Besides, Leelo wasn’t feeling particularly warm toward her cousin right now. Not when she knew she’d been spying on her. She wasn’t sure what she would have done if Sage had simply asked her for the truth, rather than trying to flush it out like an ambush predator. But Sage had never respected her enough to ask.

Leelo waited until Sage had turned and headed back toward home before releasing her breath and running in the direction Isola had gone.

“Isola,” she hissed when she’d nearly caught up.

The girl whirled around, her eyes wide. “Saints, it’s you, Leelo. You startled me.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to.”

“Sage was just here.”

“I heard you talking. Thank you for not telling her about Jaren.”

Isola snorted. “Sage is the last person I would tell, Leelo. I know she’s your cousin, but she’s as cunning as a fox and twice as devious.”

“I know. It’s a miracle she didn’t...” Leelo paused, suddenly realizing how odd it was for Isola to be all the way out here, alone. “Oh, Isola,” she breathed in horror. “Please don’t tell me you went to the cottage.”