Page 16 of Blood Moon
Resting at the bottom of the envelope was a gold chained necklace, and dangling in the center was an opal pendant held by a thin lobster claw clasp.
It was exactly as I remembered. As a child, Rena would let me wear this necklace while I played make-believe. I’d always been enamored by the sight of it, and I felt like a princess when I wore it, like I was born in a time fit for large gowns held at the ribs by tight corsets.
I remembered the distinct metallic smell that came from it, an aroma I assumed magic was born of, and looking at it now, I still sensed that same enchantment.
A ward,she had said.Protection.
I slid to the floor and pressed my spine against the bed as I held the heirloom in my hand. When I squeezed it, it felt like her, the essence of who she was in my life. All the stories and songs she’d sung. All the adventures we’d had, all the moments she’d held my hand in encouragement. And all the times she’d wrapped her arms around me to tell me that I was life’s greatest gift. This was who my mother was before she disappeared.
Now, she was no longer this idea in my head, and I was indisputably torn. On one hand, there was a sense of reprieve. I knew my mother was alive and had a motive for why she’d gone. I knew there was some vague plan and a promise of a return. But on the other hand, I was overtaken with anxiety and an ambiguity that made my temples throb. I was struck with terror, my body trembling beneath the weight that something was after me. She’d flat out declared I wasn’t safe—that the world wasn’t as it seemed—that I shouldn’t be trusting of those who could be my friends. What was I supposed to do with this information, other than uncover every word she didn’t say, other than try to find where she was and why she couldn’t return? Was what was after her also after me? Was this the danger that guy was warning me of?
I was unsure how Rena remembered me, but I refused to be the broken little girl I once was, waiting for her to come back. I’d had to pick up the pieces after she left, I’d had to do it alone. Five years she’d been gone. I didn’t want to wait five more. Rena had revealed so much in that letter that it hit me low and hard in every sunken place. This wasn’t how I’d envisioned the next chapter of my life, but I had no choice in this regard.
Moments passed before I rose, processing this unfortunate revelation. I wasn’t safe, but I was unsure what threatened my security. I placed the letter in the drawer of my desk and tucked the necklace into the front pocket of my jeans. Family heirloom or not, I was determined to figure out how this small object had the power to protect me and what, exactly, it was supposed to protect me from.
CHAPTER9
I couldn’t discern it yet, but she could never be lovelier than she was now.
Article II, Lost Letters from Aadan the First
I left dinner early, despite the subtle stares from Stevie, Abi, and Em. Their looks weren’t judgmental, but more so looks of concern.
I’d been spacey, taking half-bites of whatever I’d mindlessly scooped onto my plate, anxious that someone would pop up with another warning sign—something that would rightly agitate me since it seemed as though everyone else was aware of the apparent “dangers” on this campus, apart from me. I’d been so furious, I’d mistakenly bit down on my fork, to which Abi cautiously said, “Bitch, slow down.” Whereas Stevie and Em patted my shoulder with curious eyes and twisted lips, sharing sentiments I didn’t catch.
The only part of dinner I remembered tuning in to was the part wherehewalked in. I twitched a little, trying to bury the uncomfortable feeling that came with his presence. His hair was loose, and it flowed gently as he ran his fingers through it. He wore a plain white shirt and jeans as he sat in a booth with two other guys. They shared physical similarities, with broad shoulders and long limbs. Both tall, and charming in a way I couldn’t comprehend. One had darker skin with long black locs. The other was of Latin decent, like the nameless boy, but with light brown hair and piercing green eyes. They relaxed into each other like they were longtime friends, or family.
Instead of touching his plate, he eased into his seat. His friends joked about something while he remained expressionless, and for whatever reason, I wondered if it was to spite me.
See, there was this inexplicable feeling that told me he knew thatIknew that we were in close proximity to each other, and because of that, he refused to acknowledge my presence. It was a power move; it wasmymove, and I didn’t like it one bit.
I chewed a piece of protein aggressively and took a sip of water before I nudged Em. “Who is he?” I was entitled to know, and while I wasn’t confident she’d know him, it was a risk I was willing to make. She was from town, and I assumed he was from town, too.
Em followed my gaze. She grinned, a small sparkle in her eyes when she saw him. “That right there, is Julian Santos. We went to high school together. Word on the street is that something tragic happened to him junior year,” she said. He sat up straight, a half grin forming on his face as he picked up his fork. “Whatever it was, he was pulled out of school for an entire month. When he came back, he looked like …that,” she said, looking him up and down. “Now, girls just throw themselves at him, hoping they trip and fall in love.”
Julian Santos.It wasn’t a name I would have guessed. In my mind, “bastard” would have been more fitting.
“Ha,” Stevie said, listening in on our conversation. “You could hardly say that. I’m sure they’re falling, alright … it just ain’t in love.” She grinned manically, and Abi laughed. The two of them bumped fists, and I chuckled with them. It was admirable how all of them were so close.
“Heisfine, though. I’ll give him that,” Stevie said.
Abi snickered. “He’s alright. I’m more of a boob girl, you know?”
“You’ve got to stop picturing guys with boobs,” Em said.
Abi sighed, looked away from Julian. “I can do what I want.”
I nodded my head as I took a sip of water. Abi was truly outrageous. “Wait, Em, what high school did the two of you go to?”
“Timber High,” she said.
I hummed, took a few mental notes. It was no wonder I hadn’t run into either of them. Timber Plains was a fair size—there were close to 200,000 people in our county alone—but it was also spread out. It felt small and large at the same time. Their school was east of where Bobby and I lived, close to the Kansas City, Missouri, border.
“What about you?” Em asked.
In response, I told her I went to Piper High School, and Abi and Stevie mentioned they were from St. Louis—something I was aware of—but that they specifically came to LLU for the dance team. Unbeknownst to me, Lakeland had a reputation for having one of the best collegiate dance teams and marching bands in the state of Kansas.
They carried on in conversation about a few people on the team, and while they did, I snuck another glance at Julian and chewed on the edge of my thumbnail. I wondered what had happened to him that he needed to be pulled out of school for a month. Whatever it was, it had to be serious.
