CHAPTER THREE

"I thought that was lost," my mother said as I walked down the stairs, the jade necklace resting against my collarbone.

I touched it instinctively. The necklace had a strange pull—like it wanted to be worn, like it needed to be close to me. It was subtle, but persistent. The way the ring in The Lord of the Rings called to everyone who touched it. Creepy, but kind of fascinating.

"Um, yeah, I thought that too," I replied, trying to sound casual. "Apparently someone found it. It was delivered in the package I got earlier."

I didn’t want her to suspect anything. Not yet. Not until I understood what was going on.

"Oh, that’s nice. Such a good fellow," she said, her voice softening. "That necklace has been in our family for generations. It was last worn by my grandmother. I never understood why my mother didn’t wear it—or why I never did—but she made sure that you did."

Her eyes drifted, her voice trailing off into thought.

No, no, no, no, no. Deep in thought is dangerous. If she starts thinking, she’ll start asking questions. Questions I don’t have answers to. Questions I don’t want to answer.

"Um, Ma, where’s Lex? We need to continue packing, right?" I asked quickly, redirecting her attention.

The necklace was my problem. I’d figure it out. Okay, Lex would be involved too—because we were thicker than thieves, and I couldn’t hide anything from him even if I tried. That guy was my second half.

"Oh yes, Lex went to say goodbye to some friends. You should do the same. The moving truck will arrive soon—we’ll be leaving first thing tomorrow morning."

Mission accomplished. She was distracted. I needed to get out of the house before she circled back to the necklace.

"Okay, Mom, see you in a bit. I’m going over to Isla’s." I pecked her on the forehead and yelled the goodbye even though I was still within earshot.

"Act like a young lady!" she called after me as I bolted out the door.

Isla. My best friend. Or best dude, really. She’s kind of a tomboy, but definitely not gay. How do I know? Last Halloween, she dressed up as the Joker, and I went as Harley Quinn. We kissed—for a contest. Tongue and everything. It was awkward and hilarious and gross. We lost the contest, by the way. I nearly gagged on the way home, but Isla pulled a guy dressed as Batman into a kiss right after. That was a sight.

I’ve known Isla since kindergarten. She had blue hair and a fake arm tattoo when we met. I was instantly drawn to her. We bonded like kids do—over crayons and chaos—and we’ve been inseparable ever since.

Her house is just a short run from mine, so we visit each other all the time. Her dad’s not in the picture, like mine. But her story is darker. Her mom, Debra, is a hairstylist and tattoo artist. She’s like a second mother to me. Always trying to convince me to dye my hair or get inked. I promised her that when I was ready, she’d be the one to do it.

I’m going to miss them both so much.

"Hey, Debra," I greeted as I walked into their house. She looked up from the body she was tattooing and smiled.

"Hi, hon," she said, using the same phrase my mom loves. I stepped closer and peeked at the tattoo she was working on—an unfinished wolf with glowing yellow eyes.

I shuddered and turned away before she noticed. Something about those eyes made my blood run cold. I couldn’t explain it, but they felt... familiar. And not in a good way.

I rushed upstairs to Isla’s room. Before I could knock, she opened the door and yanked me inside.

"Sup, dude. Look what I got in memory of you," she said, her eyes watery.

She rolled up her shirt. Her skin was still red and tender. She had tattoos all over her arms and back, but never on her front. Until now.

My name. In capital letters. And above it, a small Lexi stone.

"Oh my God, Isla," I whispered, pulling her into a hug.

We stayed like that for a while, holding each other, pretending not to cry. I was definitely going to miss my best dude.

"You know," she said, breaking the hug, "all you have to do is say the word, and my moms and I can pack up shop and move to Louisiana with you."

"I wish," I said, flopping onto her bed. "But I can’t ask that of you."

She sat beside me. "No, it’s brilliant. Tattoo parlors are making bank in Louisiana. We could still go to the same school."

"Oh, Isla, I’m going to miss you so much," I said, hugging her again.

If wishes were horses, I’d ride one straight to Louisiana with Isla beside me. But I knew it wouldn’t happen. Debra wasn’t the type to move cities on a whim, no matter how close we were.

"Call me every day. Video call. Text. I’ll come visit when I can. I’ll probably spend the summer in Louisiana. We can still go to college together," she said, her words tumbling out fast, like she was trying to outrun her emotions.

"For sure. I’ll always call," I said, smiling sadly.

"When are you leaving?" she asked, opening her drawer.

"Tomorrow morn—" I started, but stopped abruptly when she pulled out a blue stone strapped to a thread.

I stared at it, confused. It looked like a pendant, but not like any I’d seen before. The stone shimmered faintly, almost like it was glowing from within.

"Where did you get that?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

I noticed a hypnotizing effect the longer I stared at it. It was almost like I could see an image in my mind.

My heart skipped. "Wait... what?"

I felt the air leave my lungs. The mark. My mark.