by Chanda Hahn
No!
I knew it was wrong, and I knew it was risky, but I had to shift.
I closed my eyes and imagined my feathers shrinking back into my skin, the crown of feathers on my head becoming my hair, but when I did, I cried in pain.
“It’s useless,” a soft voice spoke to me. A young woman with lavender hair leaned down and gently picked me up from the ground, placing me on the floor of a black iron cage. “The band binds you in that form and keeps you from shifting.”
No . . .
I flapped my wings, rage filling my mind. I attacked and pecked at the girl’s hand, drawing blood.
She hissed, pulling back and slamming the cage door shut, turning the key in the lock. I heard the click and felt my hope fade away. She pulled the key from the lock and there was a thin silver chain attached. She handed it to the one called Aspen, who put it around his neck.
“It’s done, Allemar,” the girl said, holding the cage up.
Allemar leaned forward, his lips pulling up into a creepy smile, exposing his slightly pointed canines.
“Good, Velora, then let us leave this place. We have work to do, and a new apprentice to break in.”
His laugh was bitter—dead inside—and it echoed into the night air. Even though the forest burned, and the air around us was a hundred degrees, I shuddered.
Note from the Author:
When I was researching the original Sleeping Beauty story, I forgot how many variants of the tale there were—from Giambattista Basile’s earliest printed version called Sun, Moon, and Talia, that was adapted by Charles Perrault into Sleeping Beauty, and by the Brothers Grimm into the Briar Rose. I knew I wanted to make sure that Aura had a more active part in the story, which is why I love to write anti-heroes.
But when I read Basile’s Sun, Moon, and Talia, the message really bothered me. Where the king rapes the sleeping Talia, and from their non-consensual union are born twins named Sun and Moon. The king, already married, brings Talia and the twins to his court, where his queen tries to murder them. The story progresses, the evil queen is killed, and the king marries Talia, and they live happily ever after.
Stop . . . right there. No! No! No!
I knew right then how I was going to have to write this story in a way that I’ve not written others by touching on subjects that might make readers uncomfortable: sex trafficking, mental health, and abusive relationships. We should be uncomfortable when confronted with these topics. Mental health should be discussed and not stigmatized. Sex trafficking and abusive relationships shouldn’t be normalized.
I’ve seen it popping up all over the internet, social media platforms, and TV shows normalizing this kind of behavior. Books promoting bully romances, shows whose plot revolves around kidnapping and rape while the victim falls in love with her abuser, and more. But most of all, they all have the same message: they promise that if the victim sticks it out, there will be true love.
Dear Reader,
Love is gentle, love is kind, love is patient.
Love does not raise a hand or hurt others.
The world has a problem, and that’s turning a blind eye to the victims of mental, physical, and sexual abuse. And it was important for me to write a story where Aura struggles with mental issues, becomes a victim of abuse, and then speaks her mind. Consent is a powerful part of the storyline. Where Liam asks permission for a kiss. There are Liam’s out there in the world. I married one.
We live in a society where 1 in 5 women have been sexually abused. I will make my voice heard loud and clear, and the only way I can is through writing.
I’m 1 in 5. I’m speaking from experience, and from the heart, when I talk about healing and finding hope after.
If you have ever been a victim of any kind of abuse, you have a voice. You are not ignored. You are not forgotten. Because I see you. I’m listening.
Please, if you need help, reach out to a family member, pastor, counselor, or one of the below resources for help.
National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline.
If you would like more information on getting counseling for sexual abuse, please visit https://rainn.org
Or call 800.656.HOPE (4673)
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
If you or someone you know is suicidal, please call 800-273-8255. They are available 24/7.
Or visit https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org for support and prevention and crisis resources
If you would like more information about mental health, including depression, suicide substance abuse, please visit
Mental Health Gov at https://mentalhealth.gov
Or call 800-273-8255
Continue the Daughters of Eville Series with
About the Author
Chanda Hahn is a NYT & USA Today Bestselling author of The Unfortunate Fairy Tale series. She uses her experience as a children’s pastor, children’s librarian and bookseller to write compelling and popular fiction for teens. She was born in Seattle, WA, grew up in Nebraska, and currently resides in Waukesha, WI, with her husband and their twin children; Aiden and Ashley.
Visit Chanda Hahn’s website to learn more about her other forthcoming books.
www.chandahahn.com
