Riverbend Penitentiary

Harlow

I had been convicted at just age sixteen. Still a child in the eyes of the fae, but my crime of attempted murder had me tried as an adult. The Winter King didn't take kindly to his only heir being stabbed and I suspected he was a strong force behind me ending up in Riverbend Penitentiary. Being suspected of numerous other actual murders I committed didn't help either. In my defense, they were all super wicked supernaturals. Really I had just been doing the supernatural world a favor by alleviating it of their presence. There was a lot of people who slept more soundly at night. My name was still whispered among the fae even four years later. Fear lingered in other fae's eyes when my name was mentioned.

It had been a long four years in Riverbend Penitentiary as the only teen, but at least I started to make a name for myself in here. I was the leader of the most notorious prison gang and no one messed with me. Everyone quickly learned the name Harlow Abernathy and that she was someone to be feared. Infamous assassins typically were, and I had been the best.

My youthful appearance paired with my platinum locks and emerald green eyes allowed me to get close to my marks with no issues. It had almost been too easy. Easy until I was tasked with assassinating the cruel fae prince of winter for his crimes against his people. I had been so close too, even stabbed the bastard at his birthday masquerade. I still dreamed of it. If his stupid friend hadn't chosen that moment to walk around the corner, I would have gotten the job done and fled into the night unseen. Even with the second I had hesitated. If I ever escaped, I vowed to finish the job. Because escape was the only way I would leave these prison walls since my crime handed me a life sentence. The Winter King made sure I would never see life outside this prison.

I sat against the cold wall, daydreaming of that day. A smile crossed my face at the thought of the prince and his friend laying in a pool of their own blood. Some would say I was demented, but I would argue I was just being practical. The prince caused the misery of his people and his friends was personally responsible for mine. The cruelty of the prince was whispered about only behind closed walls. It was rumored he could make your worst nightmares come to life, trapping you inside your own mind. Some fae were gifted with extra abilities, and his was believed to be used for torture. If my name instilled fear, his instilled pure terror.

I had grown up an orphan and was taken in by the secretive assassins guild as a baby. Even as a baby, the master could sense my immense power. Power that I hadn't even known what to do with. Not only could I shift into a wolf, I could sill use magic in my animal form. Something that greatly pleased my master. The master had taught me everything I knew. When I was younger, it had scared me how quickly I took to killing. It didn't take me long to stop being scared of myself.

At just thirteen, I had my first kill. I had poisoned a spring court fae that was beating his wife and children. Wife beaters were the worst. They were among my favorite assignments to take on. I had stabbed him straight through the heart with my favorite ice dagger and was gone in a flash.There was no honor is hurting those who were defenseless.

As I was completing my assignments,I got to travel all over the fae world. All four of the courts- spring, summer, winter, and autumn. Technically being a winter fae made me apart of the winter court, but I never felt any kinship with the lands. It didn't stop the additional count of treason for my sentence though.

"What's the formula? Tell mother I miss her. Can she hear me? Shhhh, the shadows are watching!" Brent's insane mutterings brought me out of my murderous daydream. These were becoming daily episodes for him.

I opened my eyes and let out a small sigh. Guess daydreaming about murder was done for now. It was always hard to concentrate on my thoughts when Brent was screaming.

"No, mother calls me Drish. Brent is gone. Drish, Drish, Drish. It's coming. Don't you know? IT IS COMING." Brent was full on screaming at the top of his lungs now. He didn't often get this loud. Sounded like I was in for a rare treat today. I wanted to pound my head against the bars. I was starving. The guards never came with any food while Brent was having an episode. They probably weren't fans of his particular brand of crazy either. I feared I would end up like Brent if I didn't get out of solitary soon.

"Shut up you fucker!" I screamed, rattling the bars. It was official, I was completely losing it. Hunger and a lack of sleep had finally pushed me over the edge. At the moment, I couldn't handle anymore of Brent's rambling. All I wanted was peace and quiet. Food would be good too. And sleep. Okay so maybe I wanted a little more than peace and quiet.

"My name is Drish!" he screamed back at me. I let out another primal scream before dropping to the floor and curling into a ball. Rock bottom wasn't a place I intended to stay long, but it was where I was for now.