The Blood Moon

Girl and Woman

"Madam, we're here."

I pulled my forehead away from the window that had been serving as my pillow. It was a short drive between the Moonshade neighborhood and Antonov's estate, but I still managed to fall asleep in that limited space of time. For a moment, I considered instructing the chauffeur to take me around the block a few times so I could drift off in the back seat. Inside that luxury car, I couldn't hear the laughter of drunken revelers, I couldn't smell the char of burnt wood blazing in braziers, and I couldn't see the Blood Moon looming over me. I felt cozy inside my cage, tucked away behind gilded doors that kept out the cruel realities surrounding us. But a moment of thought was all the truth needed to slink in through the cracks and remind me of how futile such physical barriers were.

Reality had infected my memories and even the simple act of assessing my surroundings was enough to remind me of what I saw. I couldn't just note that it was the early morning, that I was in Antonov's car, and that I waited outside his manor. No, the elaborate web of neural pathways inside my head, connected the dots in a blink of an eye. It was early morning because I had gone to a wedding, a fair, a masquerade, and a ritual within the span of a single night. I was in Antonov's car because I needed to escape Moonshade. I was back at Antonov's manor because I wanted to lock myself in a place where Everett wouldn't dare tread.

The recollection took only an instant and the ducts of my eyes managed to spring forth enough water to give new life to the tears I thought I finished shedding.

It would have been simpler to have gone back to my apartment, where I could wallow in my self-pity in the comfort of my own bed. In some ways, it would have been safer too. However, I was hurt, I was brokenhearted, and I was angry. Decisions should never be made in those conditions and temptations should never be offered.

But, that was all easy for me to say when looking from the outside in. Unfortunately, I couldn't affect the past. I was merely an observer and the me of that morning couldn't see clearly. Not when everything around me was tainted with my need for vengeance.

"Thank you," I muttered with a sniff. I sent a thumb to trace the delicate flesh beneath my eyes, in hopes of clearing my skin of any remaining tears without further smearing my makeup. "I think I'll go in for now. Will you be able to take me home later?"

"I'm here for you until the sun rises."

"Thank you." I flashed the driver a shaky smile as I grabbed the handle and opened the door to the noise outside my quiet sanctuary.

Out on Antonov's lawn, a few elegant guests stood with glasses in hand and eyes directed up to the sky. The Blood Moon had begun its descent, but the closer it came to the horizon, the larger its muddy face became. I chose to keep my eyes to the ground as I stepped out, which in turn reminded me of my discarded pair of heels. I glanced back into the car, but then shut the shoes away as I took a hesitant step forward.

My heart had been torn from my chest and exposed to a pack of strangers. After that, going barefoot didn't seem that bad.

"Del? Oh my god, Del, you came back. Are you okay? Did you see what he was hiding?"

I didn't need to look up to know who was calling my name. His polished loafers clapped against the limestone steps as he raced down from the grand entranceway to greet me.

"Del, where are your shoes?"

"Don't worry, Dean, they're still in the car."

"I'm not worried about the shoes," he remarked with a sigh before offering me his arm. I chose not to take it, instead I grabbed the stone hand rail and headed up the stairs on my own. Taking my dismissal in stride, he continued. "It's just you have an ankle that isn't the same size as the other one. I'm just...what happened, Del?"