MARKED BY THE MOON; SHE WHO SHINES IN BLACK

ia's

system? I gazed back to meet the stare of the furious faces of my bullies. Their disappointed faces gave me a kind of relief. Students chu

NSTINCT RESPONSE – A

tter bomb mid-class like some plus-sized ninja. T

omantic way. More like a horror movie sound effect before the killer shows up. A lot was going on in my brain, each time she

ME" a dozen different ways in the margins of my notebook. The bell rang, and the rest of the students filed out like

ss the bed. Then I stood in front of the mirror. Just stood and stared at

en joy that had clung to me since I lost my Grandmother. It was a soft black shimmer under my skin. Like my bones were glowing.

hell..." I

again. I mean, a lot had happened since I clocked seventeen. I might

ESSED CONFIRMED. BLOOD

does that even mean? Blood acti

ks, but there I w

at me as it knew too mu

Was that why they threw that perfume bottle? Maybe my black glow sce

led like I was about to burst out of it. I pulled it off, and the glow d

om, shut the lights, and locked the door like I was about

s up my arms like vines. My body didn't feel like mine anymo

to th

ing me into?" I as

UNLOCKING HERITAGE

this," I muttered. "So go ahead and keep

swirled. I was no lo

wolf running through a silver forest. A woman with glowing eye

oom floor, gasping as I

either the chosen one or

a cult meeting. I promised I was never going to skip meals again, but right now it's no

skin wasn't. It hummed like it wa

a knock

n my door? No one ever knocked on my door. People avoided me like I

through the peephole, but al

and this time it w

note stuck to the glass. I ope

d in class. Don't th

didn't need anyone to tell me who they were. Th

would be the first time since I was admitted to Northmont Hig

te into my draw

low was still there. Like it had

them," I

System r

READY. USER