Prologue

PROLOGUE

ARIA:

It was raining own heavily; the drops cruel and the thundering sky merciless as I came to a halt after running.

The sound of violent waves crashing against the rocks fill my ears.

I stand on a cliff, below me the angry waves collide with the rocks, making those sounds that would’ve scared me a long time ago.

My heart thrashes wildly inside me as I take small steps towards the edge of the cliff.

“Aria.”

I look over my shoulder, my eyes falling on the man who drove me to the cliff.

My bare feet ache and throb with pain. Pressure builds behind my eyes, my body aches.

“Come here.”

“No.” My voice come out as a scared whisper, the sound carried away by the wind.

“Right now, Aria.” His face tightens with anger and I smile. I’ve never seen a man like him.

Turning away from him, I move forward. I am so close to the edge that I can see the dark waves thrashing beneath me.

“Lioness.” I tense, my body shuddering with cold. “Come to me.”

My lips twitch at his intentions. He’s trying to coerce me. Why use force when you can manipulate someone, huh?

“You’re going to leave us alone?” A tear escapes my eye, merging with the rain drops, disappearing in them as if it never existed.

Us.

Our family. Mine and his. The one we created. Or I was forced to.

“Think about us.”

I shake my head, smiling ironically.

I stare into the darkness. My eyes moving to the sky, flashes of lightning flickering across it.

I am so entranced by it. It seems to invite me. And I want to go.

Because when I am in darkness, no one finds me.

He won’t too. Then he won’t hurt me. Then I can live in peace. I will be normal and not crazy like my shrink tells me. I don't want to be carzy. But I am. I know I am. I hear voices and see things no one else does. I am crazy, aren't I?

My hands shake and my limbs quiver. I turn around, closing my eyes.

I remember my family for one last time.

Alara. Mom. Dad. Massimo.

I smile, snapping my eyes open. My blurry eyes take in his figure running towards me.

“You won.”

His hand shoots out to catch me but I am gone too far. Away from the light and into the darkness.

I close my eyes, letting the darkness whisk me away from this cruel world.

***