Blood of Desiderium (The Divide Book 1)

by Ali Stuebbe

Everyone dresses in light shades of color at this court, but my soul resonates with the dark, calling to it because it wants to dance with the night.

I shuck off my cloak and toss the nauseating powder blue cover to the other side of the deck, feeling more myself in my all-black training attire.

How I can feel the strength in me wanting to demolish every evil soul in this world, but then the moments I feel weak, tired from the war raging inside, is when the darkness seems like an escape. A way to slip under and make this grey world fade into nothing.

If this is some sort of game he’s playing, I’ll play. I’m already in the midst of many; what difference does it matter if I add another?

What is it with these males making me drop my books?

“You should never have to dance to death’s song alone, little demon.”

The turbulent waves roaring in her eyes come crashing down, trying to take me with them and pull me under. But I don’t relent. I’d willingly be dragged to the depths of the sea, so long as she’s with me.

“I’ll be your villain if you need me to, little demon.

“Shine like the moon, Emma.” Her brows furrow together. “The moon?” “The moon has scars, too. But night after night, it glows brightly against all the darkness that tries to conceal it.”

“Don’t you dare hide, little demon. When you feel like you’re falling, I’ll be your wings to help you fly.”