Preface

In my line of work, death is the unspoken companion. Pageant queens and debutantes have to make the weight somehow, and not all of us are naturally small-boned. You think we live glamorous lives surrounded by friends and popularity? I had my own mind and my inner demons, my hobbies and anorexia. Between my eating disorder and my mother, I'm lucky I lived this long. But they didn't kill me. Not quite.

Instead, I would die tonight. As my lungs caught fire and my legs struggled to propel me faster, I couldn't bring myself to dread or fear my death. Dying for the one I loved seemed a better choice than death by beauty pageant.

I stumbled into the clearing, bright with the light of the stars. I was utterly alone. No one could hear me scream. My death would be quiet, but at least it was mine and not my love's. I refused to be sad. The glorious huntress stepped forward with a smile that blinded me as her hands reached to close around my neck.