Stars and planets above illuminated the darkened sky that hung over the library.
Zeda, not yet inside, yanked off her cloak, revealing short silver hair and two badges sewn into her left arm. The word ugly was engraved into the top badge and embossed with an etching of a moth and the words Mark Badge.
She entered the steel and glass building and breathed in the pleasant aroma of old books as acceptable women glared at her. They appeared as if they were auditioning for a horror movie, and dressed in identical gray and beige clothes. Faces decorated in scarlet lipstick.
Zeda gripped a leather-bound book and sat at a circular table. Those sitting closest to her bolted.
One of the half-starved women pointed to a sign near the exit. Marked women welcome, crossed out with, Ugly women are scum.
She ignored the woman and glanced at the mahogany bookshelves. Librarians of both genders slid books and eBook readers into their designated spots.
Another Marked woman wearing a pink jumper emerged from the bathroom. The words Marked for selling cosmetics in unauthorized colors embossed on the top badge.
A Wolf woman approached and tapped Zeda’s shoulder.
The woman pointed at the name, Dr. Bloodstone, printed on a 99-cent store tag. Her peach and black striped hair tumbled down the left side of her face, covering it. A cinnamon bun disintegrated between chews, and a few crumbs landed in her hair.
She rubbed her frosting stained hands over faded Halloween costume medical scrubs. “Lady, I can give you fake plastic surgery for the bargain price of thirty bills. Meet me out by the dumpsters. I do wonders with crazy glue, pillows, face cream, and rolls of duct tape.”
“No, thank you, I’m fine.” Zeda turned away from her.
Dr. Bloodstone grinned. “I have a 100% survival rate, no scarring, and only a 75% minor infection rate.”
“Wash your cheap scrubs and hands more.” Zeda glanced at her book.
Dr. Bloodstone pointed at her. “Thanks for the tip. You could be pretty if you shaved your nose and wore braces. I don’t do that sort of stuff, though.”
“Dr. Bloodstone, I love my face and my nose is fine.”
“I’ll be lurking in the park or the rose garden if you want a deal.” Dr. Bloodstone walked away.
Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.
Zeda opened her book and thumbed through the first three chapters.
“Hey Zeda, can we talk?” A man approached her. His face appeared Tiger-like, but his body was Human and muscular.
Women ran to the table and tossed their numbers at him.
“Would you girls stop bothering me?” He turned his chair around to face Zeda.
“Oh, Chaz, hi.” She dropped her book.
He slid the book towards her, trying to grasp her fingertips. He rested his chiseled arm on her shoulder. “You’re not still mad at me, are you? Honey, you’re the one who friend-zoned me.”
She grabbed his arm and brushed it off. “You told me you want me for a mistress, but I’m not wife material. That is how an idiot tells a woman he loves her. You’re not dating anyone.”
“Stop being mean,” he said.
Zeda slammed her book closed and pointed at her face. “You offered me free plastic surgery. I might as well shove a paper bag over my head.”
“You know, I didn’t mean that.” He tapped his clawed fingers on the white plastic table.
“Maybe I should buy an Anthropomorphic mask. I’m sure Van Millvele will lend me hers. She has major self-image issues. Vanessa needs to worry about her terrible writing and not her face.”
“Her writing is fun, and she doesn’t place a mask on her face because she is ugly, though she is considered hideous on our planet. Van is a private person, and she will tell you I’m your soulmate, and you’re ridiculous,” Chaz said.
Zeda leaned on the table. “She advised me to say no.”
“Liar.” Chaz folded his arms and pouted.
The librarian shushed them.
“Chaz, I chose not to have the surgery because my parents and I disagreed with the Mark Board. I’m not one of your fame-obsessed dumpster fangirls.”
“You shouldn’t be your parents’ experimentation,” Chaz yelled.
Zeda’s finger dug into her chair. “They are not the ones trying to change me. There are plenty of women who your chump of father will accept.”
He reached and touched her shoulder. “Zeda, I’ll lose my title if I go against my birth father. I’ve loved you since I could understand the breath in my body.”
Zeda placed her book in her purse. “What you’re doing is amazing, but it won’t force me to love you. You’ve turned Marked women’s lives into a reality TV show with paid sponsors, and the Mark Board doesn’t want to be seen in a negative light. They’ll arrest you if you date me.” She turned from him.
He roared, but it resembled a loud cough instead.
The librarian pointed to the exit. “Go, I don’t care if you’re a prince, you are loud.”
Zeda and Prince Chaz-Vice stomped outside. Paparazzi attempted to take their photos, and they hid their faces behind their hands.
A man sprung from behind a stopped car with a laser gun and shoved the icy metal into Chaz’s side. “I’ll burn your pretty muscles before I kill you.”
Zeda snatched the gun, kicked the man to the ground, and she glanced up at Chaz. “Mistress, I can’t do, but I can help you defend yourself.”
“Will you wait until the Mark Authority Squad arrives and leaves? I don’t want to be alone with them. I’d rather deal with the police or the guards, but the Mark Board approved firing and arresting fifty percent of their forces.”
“No, I’m already their enemy, and I need to leave for my job at the complaint call center in ten minutes.” Zeda shoved Chaz into his mint-green limo, and she pointed the assassin’s weapon at his chiseled jaw, and the man fled.