Prologue

HER KNEES gave way and her body hit the ground with a thud. She shook her head in disbelief.

No.

This wasn't happening.

This wasn't allowed to happen.

Her eyelids dropped down, threatening to cover her eyes completely. She fought to keep them open, fought to not fall asleep, fought not to faint completely. But her body was drained, her magic was being repressed by her emotions, and she knew that. Yet as hard as she tried, she could not get herself back in order again.

The only thing she could think of was how utterly dumb she had been.

She should never have thought that this time might have been different. She should never have taken the risk or let them rope her into their world full of happiness and sunshine.

Of course, life would never allow her to be happy. Of course.

The red shoes were coming closer and closer, the knife glinting in the moonlight. But as hard as she tried, she couldn't do it. She couldn't get free from her emotional cage.