Prima

by Ivory Wolf

The story is told by several women, each a favored protégé in her time. This is about their struggle to achieve the limelight-in more ways than one-what they're willing to do to get it, and what they'll go through to keep it. Yet every exquisite fruit reaches its prime, and afterwards, is very seldom desired.

1. Prologue

Prima

(of a female), first among equals

No one ever really plans on being wicked. That much is apparent in the stories we all have been told as children. Rarely does a person wake up in the morning to proclaim war on the masses.

No.

Their actions stem from something dormant, lying within the core of their being; something that can be awakened, begin to stir and remain churning for weeks…months…even years—building and rising until one day it just bursts like an infectious wound, spreading its filth and stench over all in its path. Perspectives sharply pivot.

Calm, rational minds lose their way. The sweetest turned sour. They were provoked, stepped on—driven to it. Sometimes our best intentions can turn out to be our worst ideas—and forgiveness is a forgotten art.