From Ashes to Their Luna

t-just a small "tsk" when I see my si

ice cuts through the mo

Stupid, stu

t me?" Victoria's eyes narro

s fist slams into my stomach. The air ru

ister has an attitud

I can recover, sending me stumbling sideways into Marcu

ia orders, taking a long

on my left, Marcus on my right. Their grips tighten until my bones ache, and I'm

closer, the lit cigarette dangling between he

o,

arette comes closer to my a

y skin. Then Victoria presses harder, and the pain exp

n my scream,

ly," Victoria whispers, twisting the cigarette deeper. Her eyes ligh

"Look at her try

c," Marc

r, his fingers digging

stomach lurches. But I don't make another sound. I

lifeline in the darkness. 'Just one more

s my eighteenth birthday. Tomorrow I

Victoria-my younger half-sister who orchestrates most of my torture with the precision of a master puppeteer. And free from my father Dominic

anymore. My oldest brother used to

dying the angry red mark she's left behind. "T

Victoria announces, flicking ash

d with a sharp crack. Pain shoots up my legs, but I don't move. I s

. 'Tomorrow I turn eighteen, an

ches from downstairs. "GET DOWN

from the floor, my arm throbbing where Victoria burned me.

ews. The tension radiates off him in waves-something's definitely

nd his face twists with disgust. "A

It crashes into my ribs, sending m

e a damn sloth!" He's on his feet now, looming over me. "Us

cry, don't give hi

un to the kitchen, my ribs

ask Clarissa, scanning

ing. "Don't you dare come into my kitchen and sta

orry,

ne splitting my lip. "The bread is in the

g as I start making breakfast for everyone. Toast, eggs, bacon-the works. The smell

fresh and perfect in her school clothes. Dad takes his plate without acknowledgmen

ful daughter like for lun

ith friends," Victoria says swe

eetheart! Anyt

before Clarissa took her place and decided I was nothing but a burden. Mom used to call me her "little sunshine," used to pack my lunch

he attention, the gentle touches. My throat closes up as I watch Cl

in her eyes. The one that means she's thinking of new ways to make me suffer. She

at me. "Victoria just told me you'v

t? N

's voice rises to a shriek.

atch the tiny smirk playing at the corners of her mouth. She'

was

h blood. "No breakfast for you today. Or tomorrow.

he word "hungry?" with mock concern, then

y backpack. 'Tomorrow I turn eighte

school first, laughing and joking like a normal family

side, and for just a moment, I can breathe

onger, Moira. Tomorrow,