My mother entered the room, and I reluctantly turned to face her. I had been in a good mood. I didn’t particularly want to change that. But there she stood, and that meant she had a reason. She never visited for a simple chat.
Her eyes flicked briefly to the window. If I hadn’t been watching, I would’ve missed it. She didn’t comment. She didn’t ask about the lone black feather sticking out from under Capote. She just gestured to the bed, and I took a seat.
She carried the makeup in her hand, and I refused to wince as she applied it none too gently to my eye.
“There,” she said, leaning back to examine her work.
I blinked a couple times to clear my vision and went to study myself in the mirror. My black eye was still visibly swollen, but at least the foundation she’d applied covered up some of the bruising. I stared at myself, almost ignoring the fact that I’d become reasonably comfortable with this routine.
“Thanks,” I mumbled.
It was all I ever said to her when this happened, and it occurred to me that it was strange to be thanking her for covering up an injury she had caused. Still, I had learned long ago to enjoy these moments with her. These moments when I could almost believe her when she said it was necessary for me to endure the physical pain she inflicted.
“Now go,” she said, snapping me out of my thoughts. “Or you’ll be late for school.”
I nodded and grabbed my loaded backpack off its hook as I headed out the door.
“Hey, wait!” my little sister, Nelly, called from upstairs.
I was tempted to shut the door behind me and head off without her, but I knew that would only piss off my mother. I suppose that’s why I was tempted. I felt good this morning, stronger. And I realized much later this probably had something to do with the blackbird.
As it was, my mother shot me a warning look as I stood in the open doorway and waited impatiently for Nelly. A few moments later, she came running down the stairs with her backpack in tow. I rolled my eyes as I took in her usual perfect and prim appearance. Her golden-brown hair hung perfectly straight across her shoulders, and her makeup was light and tasteful. We were both very pretty, but most of the time I couldn’t help but feel mildly jealous of her. I had my reasons. Believe me.
She was wearing a baby-blue button-down blouse and light-colored jeans. I looked down at my wrinkled T-shirt and sweatpants. Mom always got her the good stuff. At least the pants fit me nicely.
“Don’t you look pretty?” I said. “Can we go now?”
This earned another glare from my mother, which I pointedly ignored by pushing the hair that had fallen out of my sloppy ponytail off my face.
Nelly just smiled genuinely and swept past me through the open door. It was childish, but I sighed and rolled my eyes again. Nelly certainly is the diplomatic one. Me? Not so much. Still, I felt bad for making fun of her this morning. It wasn’t her fault she didn’t have to “prepare”—that’s what my mother called it—like I did. And, truth be told, I was glad she didn’t get the same treatment from my mother. Nelly’s more fragile than I am, and I wasn’t sure she could take it.
Just before I closed the door, my mother called out to me. “Alexa—”
“I know, I know,” I said, cutting her off. “Don’t stop until we get there.”
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Acknowledgments
Alexia Purdy
I seriously don’t want to leave anyone out but with this two-second memory of mine, I will.
First of all, to my family who put up with this crazy mind and love me no matter what. I love you too!
I want to most definitely give kudos to all my beta readers who read my stuff in the raw and still love it. You rock!
Michael K. Rose for your constant support, insight, and the ability to turn my cruddy writing into a shiny gem.
Kendra Gaither for your constant friendship, help and insights. So lucky to have met you!
Melissa Pearl for your amazing friendship and showing me it’s never over until the world stops spinning!
For anyone I’ve forgotten (shame on me) you should know who you are and that you mean so much more to me than you’ll ever know. Stay amazing.
About the Author
Alexia Purdy
Alexia is a USA Today Bestselling author who currently lives in Las Vegas and loves spending every free moment writing or hanging out with her four rambunctious kids. Writing is the ultimate getaway for her since she's always lost in her head. She is best known for her award-winning Reign of Blood series, and A Dark Faerie Tale Series.
Connect with Alexia Purdy:
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Reign of Blood Series Facebook Fan Page
More books by Alexia Purdy:
The ArcKnight Chronicles:
ArcKnight
Sovereignty
Reign of Blood Series
Resonant
Reign of Blood
Disarming
Elijah (The Miel Chronicles):
A Reign of Blood Companion Story
Amplified
A Dark Faerie Tale Series
The Withering Palace
Evangeline
Ever Shade
Ever Fire
Ever Winter
The Cursed
Ever Wrath
Without Armor
History of Fire
Ever Dead
Legends of Fire
Guardians of Fire
Other Stories
The Fall of Sky
Wicked Grove
Papercut Doll
Poetic Collections
Whispers of Dreams
Five Fathoms
Anthologies
Soul Games
Faery Worlds
Faery Realms
Faery Tales
Lacing Shadows
Destiny’s Dark Fantasy
Once Upon a Curse
The Shapeshifter Chronicles
Once Upon a Kiss
Fuse: A Collection of Fantastical Tales
A Plague of Dragons