Songbird

Dedicated to Belle_Cats2007 (On Wattpad). Thanks for all your invaluable help on this book. Love ya!

Hi, my very few, probably non-existent readers! Thanks for joining me as I struggle through my first book. I know it’s short, and I’ll add to it later on, but for now, here’s my short first chapter of Songbird.

“Alarki darling, it’s time to wake up.”

My Aunt’s kind voice echoes through our small house, bursting into my ears and causing me to groan.

I sit up in my warm bed, wishing I had the luxury of sleeping in, and force myself to run through the enchantment check that Aunt Zebidee has embedded in my brain.

My name is Alarki Dankworth. True.

I am seventeen years old. True.

I am a Vessel. Unfortunately, true.

I am human. Also true.

I am not afraid... ok maybe that one’s not true, but it’s definitely not something a Dream-Weaver would plant in my head.

“Darling, you need to get up. I know you hate it, but it’s Testing Day today.”

I groan again, leaning back onto my comfy pillows.

“I’ve set our your Testing outfit out on your desk.” She pauses, likely listening to hear me get up. “Alarki. Get up. Now.”

“Ok, ok, geez I’m up!” I think my words came out mumbled, but she’ll get it. Aunt Zebidee’s good like that.

Squinting from the light streaming in through my window, I swing my legs out of bed then walk over to the hole in the wall from which daylight seeps into my dark room. Unhooking the latch with my already trembling fingers, I poke my head out of the small gap. The cool air bites my face and gushes into my lungs, calming me. It’s still enough that I can almost pretend that I’m not stuck here, that I am free to go where I please. If only...

Tilting my head to the side, I bring it back into my room and close the latch. My fingers have stilled for now, but it won’t be long before their shaking commences again. Especially with the Testing Day today.

I stand there for a moment, leaning my head on the blissfully cool glass, before standing straight and arranging my face into the mask Aunt calls ‘my brave face’. Saying that makes it sound like I’m not brave, but I am. I’m just afraid as well.

Grabbing the clothes on my desk, I hold them up in front of me. A shudder ripples down my spine. They’re even worse than last year’s, and that’s saying something. I wouldn’t even call them clothes, more like... scraps of fabric. They’re not entirely bad, but it’s what they symbolise to the inhabitants of the city, human or otherwise, that make me want to tear them to bits, and then stomp on them, and then maybe burn them. Shaking my head at my own over-rebellious thoughts, I start struggling my way into the complex outfit.

The harem pants cling to my skin in ways that I loath, and they’re too overly revealing for my taste.

Shaeh will be thrilled. I love my elder sister, but I hate the way she throws herself at every male Draco she comes across.

The top’s even worse. The neckline dips far too low to be comfortable, and I fight the urge to pull it up. They wouldn’t like that.

The entire outfit is a revealing silver, almost the colour of moonlight, and it’s finished off with a gold belt and chains wrapping around my neck and down to my waist.

Standing in front of my tiny mirror, I stare at myself, I would love the delicate clothing, but I never want to dress up for one of them. I will never willingly dress up for those mangy lizards.

There are anklets and bracelets that where lying on top of the ensemble. Recognising these, I grimace, horrible and painful memories flooding my mind. For a moment, I shake, tears beading in the corners of my eyes. While their shape looks harmless, I’ve been forced into them several times, and they hold memories that I have no wish to revisit. Taking a few deep breaths, I fight myself for control and luckily for me I win. If my panic had continued, I’m not sure what would have happened. All I know is I can’t afford to loose. The bracelets are solid gold and heavy because of it, and I know that if I make the sensible choice to obey the unspoken orders, I won’t be getting out of them any time soon.

So I don’t make the sensible choice. A burning rage floods through me, something I haven’t felt since Mum...

I should suppress it, and I will, but the sense of relief the anger brings is another rare feeling, and I love it. No, I’ll defy them today, even if I’ll regret it tomorrow. I won’t suppress my anger, I’ll revel in it. I throw the bracelets to the floor and walk out.

I’ve never felt so free in my life.