Fear.

It licked at Selene's bones as she laid face down on the ground. Her long-fingered hands bathed in the black dirt and soot that covered the floor of the forge. Her white hair hid her face from the fiend that had beaten her until her knees buckled. Her shaky breaths rattled her body, forcing her to squeeze her eyes shut in hopes to calm herself.

The back of her ratty shirt was torn open once again; the warm air in the forge mixed sweat with the warm blood that ran thickly between her shoulder blades. How many scars now littered her back?

A man she knew too well towered over her, his leather belt wrapped around his clenched fist.

She lifted her cheek from the ground but kept her eyes downward as she tried to catch her breath. For his own children, Arthur beat them with the leather if this exact belt whenever they misbehaved. But her, the girl they kept around as long as she stayed useful, he used the buckle.

Scarlet blood dripped from the silver metal.

"Don't look at me, girl," he growled at her through gritted teeth.

Selene didn't look up.

He crouched down in front of her, lifting her face to his.

"Don't look at me."

Selene averted her eyes, concentrating on their surroundings. The blazing forge to her right, the table stacked with tools to her left, anything but the haunting brown eyes of the man to who she was enslaved.

Sweat wove its way down her neck and he watched it move.

"You could have been such a beauty. Easy to sell off to the highest bidder. I'm sure there's some pervert out there who would fancy an exotic bride. That's the only reason I've kept you around. But now.... No one will want something as broken as you."

Selene pressed her teeth together to refrain from saying anything she'd regret. He squeezed her face tighter, so tight she thought her jaw might crack, and it took everything in her not to cry out.

"I've fed you, cared for you, given you shelter, let you work, and this is how you repay me? By robbing me? Robbing my family? Lucius? What would he think of you now with your face covered in dirt?"

Selene squeezed her eyes shut once more, unable to keep them from his rugged face. If she tried hard enough, maybe she could pretend it was a nightmare.

She knew why he did this. She knew that beating her was the only thing that made him feel powerful, and she held onto that thought as he squeezed her face until his knuckles went white and she started to see stars.

"This is where you belong. Beneath me in the dirt, groveling at my shoes," he paused for a moment, "I should have let you die in that forest, you filthy bitch."

What?

"What are you never to do again?" Arthur asked, fury lacing his tongue.

He tightened his other fist, making the leather creak. When she didn't respond, he released her face, shoving it to the side as he stood. Selene didn't realize she'd been holding her breath until he let go, and she gasped for air. She opened her watery eyes to see his boots and was too busy drawing in breath to respond to him.

"You are not to go near the forest again. Do you understand me? If I even see you in the meadow without a good excuse, I will strip you of everything I gave you and make you walk to town begging for scraps."

She couldn't count how many times she'd been in this exact position, crouched on the floor before him, her eyes glued to his worn shoes, the feeling of fear paralyzing her. All she'd known was fear of him. It clouded her judgment, controlled her every move. Fear of him is what pulled her off her roof every night, so she could get up and do his work.

Fear had kept her gaze on those boots. Fear had closed her eyes. Fear kept her on this farm.

She was tired of it.

Digging her nails into the stone floor, she felt her fear give way to something else. Something that had been building within her for years.

For the first time in her life, something besides fear coursed through her blood. She felt pure, unchecked rage.

Selene thought about Yersa, how she had let her run free. She knew she wasn't being punished for that alone. They hated their lives. Arthur hated his wife and his farm. Gwen hated her husband and the fact that they were poor. Axl hated being pampered and treated like a child. Cedric hated being overlooked by his parents. Lucius hated being so small and obscure.

Yet all of them took out their hatred on her because she was an easy target. Because she was different and no one would care if she died, no one would fight for her.

But it didn't matter.

Let her be beaten bloody and spat on. Let her be treated like an animal. Let them try to break her. They wouldn't be able to, because she had things she wanted to do. A life she wanted to live. And it was somewhere out there beyond the forest. She closed her eyes for a moment and saw the stars and the Ophiel, the Angel of the Moon.

This can't be all there is. Not for me, she thought.

She opened her eyes again and looked at the boots in front of her, at the blood drops that littered them.

She'd seen this view so many times before, yet now something was different. Something in her. Something that had been waiting for her resolve to finally snap.

"I said, do you understand me?" Arthur hissed at her, spit flying from his mouth.

Selene pushed her legs underneath her, knees wobbling. Her shirt sticking to her skin, wet with blood. He didn't move an inch as she stood upright, and spit on those boots she had spent so many days looking at.

She then locked eyes with him, vile hatred written on his face as he stared back.

His gaze was nothing compared to the unknown feeling that now radiated from every pore of her skin, every follicle of hair, and every breath she took.

Then she said the words she'd wanted to say for twenty years.

"You can beat me all you want. You can break me again and again. But I assure you, one day I'll be the one staring down at you."

Suddenly, Arthur's face changed. His eyes widened, and his mouth parted in shock. Selene couldn't see anything beyond the blue inferno that burned in her eyes, the rage that lit her up like a wildfire.

He took a step back, his belt clattering to the floor. Selene drank in the sight; he looked inferior to her. She stood straight, the adrenaline pumping through her body making her want to run as far away as possible. But she wouldn't.

"You have made me beg. You have made me weep. You have made me hate this world. You have turned me into a monster, and that monster will be your ruin," she spat, an unexpected smile growing across her face.

Arthur's face was awash in horror and satisfaction settled in Selene's core.

"What ar-," his words dropped, and he took another step away from her.

He will not beat her anymore for this. Not for saving her friend. Nor for anything else. She had given everything to this family, and yet they treated her like scum.

Something in his face changed. He seemed to realize who it was that defied him. Scum indeed.

He lunged forward, his belt all but forgotten. Selene was already on the floor before she heard his knuckle crack against her skull.

It was seconds before she realized what that look on Arthur's face had been.

It had been fear.

Then the room went dark.

***

The bouncing of the wagon sent splinters of pain up Selene's back. She hoped her wounds wouldn't split open from the jostling. She pressed a hand to her side, feeling the bandage through her thin shirt.

She had delayed the trip to the village by two days. One spent searching the forest edge for Yersa, the other for her to recover as much as possible before they left.

Thanks to Lucius, Arthur hadn't killed her. Apparently, he'd barged through the door a few moments after Arthur had knocked her unconscious and carried her to her bed in the hayloft. It was thanks to him her lashings hadn't gotten infected. He'd bandaged her up as well as he could and sat with her until she woke up.

They wouldn't have been able to afford to remain home for another day. The winter was coming, and if a surprise blizzard arrived, they'd be without food and money for the next few months. Lucius wanted to see if he could convince his father into letting Selene stay home, but there was only so much he could do before his father got tired of him.

So far, Arthur hadn't looked at her once.

They had been on the road for three hours and were expected to come upon the town at any moment.

Selene gritted her teeth as she stretched upwards, trying to look over the hill they were climbing. Only the distant smoke told her they had finally arrived.

"Are you sure you won't need help?" Lucius asked her from the front seat of the wagon.

Selene gave him a weak smile and said, "I'll be fine."

He nodded and turned back to the road, reins in hand. His father sat next to him, not bothering to listen as he looked at something in the distance. Axl sat across Selene in the back of the cart, making sure none of the wheat or tools fell out during their journey.

They finally reached the top of the hill and Selene breathed a sigh of relief as she saw the town stretch out in front of them.

Axl looked over at her, glancing down at the hand she held pressed against her side.

"Are you in pain, big sister?"

Selene's nostrils flared and Axl let out a quiet laugh. She ached to lunge for him, to break his nose and watch as he squirmed in pain. But she stayed where she was on her side of the wagon.

They entered the town, passing inns and shops. Selene leaned out of the wagon, yearning to catch a glimpse of the weaponsmith as they passed her workshop.

Rumors were whispered that she had come from a band of wild female warriors that lived on the other side of the continent in the desert and hunted down monstrous beasts that had awoken in the royal downfall sixteen years ago. Only their bows and daggers used to bring down animals with teeth the length of long swords and skin as hard as diamond.

Selene was fascinated by her and every time they came into the village, Selene rushed to finish her chores so she could visit the woman, but she was never there when Selene arrived.

The wagon moved past the shop. Inside the doorway looked dark, but smoke rose from the forge's chimneys. Selene leaned out farther, trying to see inside the building. Her back flared in pain and she flinched, pulling herself back into the wagon.

Not much later, they pulled to a stop in front of the leatherworker. Arthur counted his few coins as he jumped from the wagon.

"Let's go, boys."

Axl eagerly jumped out after his father, hurrying inside the shop, but Lucius took longer. He handed Selene the reins as she painfully climbed into the front seat. He patted her arm in understanding before following the others inside.

Selene clicked her tongue, and Tally and Leena pulled the cart into motion once more.

On their way to the farmer's market, they passed the butcher.

His door and windows were open, and Selene could easily see inside. Meat hung from bloody hooks, swinging in the wind. Someone shouting from inside and Selene quickly averted her gaze, not wanting to draw the butcher's attention.

She had stumbled into his path once when she was fifteen. She remembered his warm, clammy hands as he steadied her. She had looked up to thank him, but her voice had disappeared as he grinned at her, looking her up and down. His beady eyes stripping her naked. She had pulled from his grasp and darted away to find Lucius.

The cart passed the shop and continued.

The village was alive with people as they went about their daily lives. Children darted across the road, their screams of delight filling the air. A mother sang a baby to sleep as she watched them play, her keen eyes searching for danger. An elderly woman swept the porch of her shop with a yellow and brown cat dozing in a patch of sun next to her.

A young girl, who seemed barely ten years of age, sprinted past the cart, blonde hair streaming behind her. The hem of her dress was caked in mud. A leather ball rolled in front of her. She kicked it, and it shot through two sticks the children had planted in the ground. She screamed in joy and turned to her friends, arms in the air.

Selene smiled and turned forward as the cart left them behind. She could hear the shouts of the merchants as the farmer's market drew closer. She rounded the corner and the booths, carts, and stalls stretched out before her. Men and women alike scrambled about, bartering and selling goods.

Selene pulled the wagon to a stop in front of a large wooden booth, backed by a red tent. An old man, bent with age, hobbled out to meet her.

"What've you got for me today, girl?"

Selene jumped from the front of the wagon and walked to the back, pulling down the small door that kept everything inside.

"All the wheat you want. We've got some farming tools here if you want to buy them as well."

"Is this your whole harvest?"

"No, sir. Only as much as we could carry. If weather permits, you can have much more next time we come into town."

The man stroked his long beard, grinding his teeth while he thought.

"I'll take half them stalks and one of those plows. My eldest been needing a new one for a while now."

Selene pulled the wheat off the wagon and dragged the plow off by the rope that had been tied around it. She grunted with effort as the iron thudded to the ground. Her back ached and she was sure she'd need to apply a new bandage when they returned home. She turned to the man and held out a hand.

"Fifty silver."

The man's eyes widened, "That's more than double what I paid you last time."

Selene didn't budge, "Times change."

The man narrowed his eyes at her.

"Where's your father, girl?"

"Not here."

Selene didn't break the man's gaze. Finally, the man reached into his pocket and handed her ten silvers. Selene raised her eyebrows at him.

"Hold on a minute I don't carry that kind of money on me. Bring the crops to the booth and I'll get your money."

The man turned and disappeared into the tent, the cloth waving as it covered him.

It still felt strange to her when people referred to Arthur as her father. Most knew they weren't actually related. But when he'd taken her in and fed her for so many years, there wasn't much else for strangers to call him.

Selene heaved the bundles of wheat over to the man's stand, dropping it a swirl of dust and dirt. Then went to retrieve the next one. By the time the man had returned, she had finished and rested against the stacks. The man handed her a small purple pouch that jingled as it moved, and the sound was music to Selene's ears. She opened the pouch, counting the silver.

"Don't bother checking it's all in there."

Selene looked at the man and pocketed the money, "If it isn't, I'll be back."

He snorted, "I'm sure you will be. Now get out before you scare off any more customers with that scowl."

Selene's eyes narrowed at the man before she walked back to the wagon and pulled herself into the front seat, flinching. Her back screamed in protest and a layer of sweat had formed on her forehead.

The older man stared at her as she did so, and the look on his face had her wanted to leave as fast as possible. Pity.

She sent the horses moving down the small road. Heading for the bakery.

The sun bore down on her and waves of heat rolled against her skin despite the late fall chill. She pulled her tunic over her head, leaving only the loose white shirt beneath it on.

She threw it behind her and when she turned, she caught the eye of a young woman. Buckets rested on her shoulders, water lapping the brim. Her eyes locked with Selene's before she turned away. She knew what the woman was thinking.

There's the girl with hair as white as moonlight and eyes red as blood.

Selene stood out against the bland colors of her village. Most had brown hair, a few had blonde, only one had white.

When Selene had been small, the girls had asked her if she had come from the forest.

"My mama says the forest is dangerous and so is everything in it. She told me you were from there. Are you dangerous?" one girl would ask.

The others would nod in agreement and wait to hear Selene's answer.

It only got worse once the royal family died. She decided to befriend the boys, whose only thought was who could climb a tree faster.

Selene looked away from the woman, focusing on the road.

The bakery appeared before her and the smell of fresh rolls washed over her. She breathed deeply, letting it fill her lungs. What she would give for a crispy loaf of bread.

She stopped in front of the shop and waved to get the baker's attention. Their doors had been propped open with rocks so she knew someone had seen her. The baker's wife, Mrs. Hedville, walked out to greet them.

"Selene! I haven't seen you in ages. How is Gwen?"

Selene climbed down from the cart, her scabs stretching and tearing. She winced, unable to contain it. Mrs. Hedville glanced at her back and her face flashed with the emotion Selene hated to see.

"She's fine. Stayed behind to watch over Cedric."

"Is he still unwell?"

"I'm afraid so. I don't think he'll get much better."

She covered her mouth with a hand, the other pressed against her chest.

"That's terrible. If any of you need help, you ask us."

Selene put a smile on her face and said, "That's very kind of you, ma'am."

Selene seemed to lose herself for a moment, her mind flying back to Cedric's room. The baker's wife seemed to be studying her.

"Are you alright, dear?"

Selene nodded her head, "Yes, sorry. I've brought what you ordered."

Selene pointed over her shoulder at the wheat and Mrs. Hedville's mouth turned up into a bright smile.

"Ah, yes! I'll fetch the money and send Jack out."

Mrs. Hedville turned and disappeared into the bakery, her apron strings swinging behind her.

The woman had always been sweet and gentle, never judging Selene as the other's did. Yet she had suffered for it. When they were younger, her son, Jack, had told her of the people that had come into their shop and harassed them. They'd even broken windows.

The people here were just bored and had nothing else to occupy their time with. They didn't bother harassing the Clarke's considering they lived so far from town. It would take a little less than half a day's ride to get out there just to throw some rocks and yell. The Hedville's were closer.

All because Selene's appearance was different than normal.

As she'd gotten older, the harsh words had turned into glances and stares. Mostly because people began to believe she'd come in the night to get revenge or put a spell on them. But all she did was begin standing up for herself. Honestly, she truly was lucky no one had gotten mad enough to go out to the farm.

She walked to the back of the wagon, lowering the door once more, and began to unload the wheat. She had just set the first roll on the ground before a flaring pain shot up her spine.

Her knees buckled, and she had to grab onto the wagon to keep upright. She cursed, trying to catch her breath as black spots faded from her eyes.