The days passed quietly—uneventful, calm. Almost too calm.
A strange kind of stillness settled over everything, like the air was holding its breath, waiting for something to happen.
I wanted to go out and find Jade, to ask the questions that kept circling in my mind like restless birds, but I told myself to wait just a little longer.
I was sitting alone in my room when a sudden warmth flared on my wrist.
I looked down and saw the glowing tattoo Oregon had given me during our ritual—normally still and faint beneath my skin, now shimmered like golden threads.
They pulsed gently—then stronger—like a heartbeat trying to warn me.
Something was wrong.
A firm knock on my door made me jump.
It was Oregon.
He stepped inside, his face pale and tense.
"You felt that too?" I asked him.
He nodded, eyes sharp.
No words were needed.
We both turned toward the window at the same time.
A strange sound drifted in through the open glass—light footsteps on gravel.
Measured. Intentional.
Then a voice spoke.
"Leighton."
My heart stopped. The voice was calm, but strangely it sent a cold chill down my back.
"Did you hear that?" I whispered.
"I did," Oregon said, his voice quiet but alert.
We rushed outside, moving through the trees without saying a word.
The sound led us past the sacred grove, where moonlight slipped through the branches like silver mist.
And then we saw him.
Jade.
He stood in the shadows, dressed in black. His piercing blue eyes locked with mine, and I noticed something was different. His usual smirk was gone.
He looked… serious. Almost sad.
Oregon stepped in front of me protectively, his body tense.
"He shouldn't be here," he said.
"Not like this."
Still, I couldn't help myself. I stepped forward, heart pounding in confusion.
"Jade? How did you find me?"
He tilted his head slightly.
"I didn't need to search. I've always known where you were."
He glanced at Oregon, then at me, "I need to speak with you, Leighton. Alone."
Oregon stood firm, he didn't move. "No."
I placed a hand on Oregon's arm.
"It's okay. I'll be careful. Just give us a few minutes."
He hesitated. Then, with a tight nod, stepped back.
Jade gestured for me to follow.
I walked behind him in silence until we reached a black SUV parked just beyond the trees. Without a word, he opened the passenger door for me. I got in.
As he started the engine, I asked, "Where are we going?"
"Just wait," he said softly, eyes never leaving the road.
Back at the mansion, the sun had already gone down, slipping behind the tall trees that surrounded the estate.
The golden light had faded, and now only long, dark shadows stretched across the walls and floors.
Everything felt heavy and still, like the house itself was holding its breath. A strange tension filled the air—thick and hard to ignore.
It clung to the hallways, wrapping around every corner, making the silence feel louder than usual.
Xander paced the polished marble floor, his hands clenched into fists.
"Would you stop pacing?" Dylan snapped. "You're making me nervous."
"I can't help it," Xander replied.
His voice was tight.
"Leighton's missing. She's not in her room. She's nowhere."
Dylan's expression dropped.
"Wait. Are you serious?"
From across the room, Vlad stopped moving. His entire posture went still.
"I can't feel her energy," he said slowly.
"It's like she vanished."
At that moment, Oregon came through the garden doors, brushing off leaves and looking grim.
All three men turned toward him.
"Oregon!" Xander barked. "Where's Leighton?"
"She left with Jade," Oregon answered, voice low.
"Jade?" Xander frowned. "And...who is Jade?"
"The guy with Mr. Georgio the other day," Oregon explained.
"He said they needed to talk. Alone. I didn't trust him—something felt off—but Leighton insisted."
Vlad's eyes narrowed, glowing faintly red. "Something is off."
"Then let's go find her," Dylan said, already heading for the door.
But just as they reached the front entrance, headlights lit up the trees outside.
A sleek black SUV rolled into the driveway.
The window rolled down. Jade sat behind the wheel.
"Excuse me," he said, cool and calm, "could you let Miss Leighton know I'd like to speak with her?"
Everyone froze.
Oregon stepped forward, face pale.
"What are you talking about? You already took her."
Jade blinked, confused.
"No, this is my first time here. It took me hours to find this place."
Oregon's voice dropped. "I saw you. You were here. You took her."
A long silence followed.
Then Jade's expression turned dark.
"That wasn't me."
Xander's eyes narrowed. "What are you saying?"
Jade looked up, deadly serious now. "Someone else—took her. It wasn't me. Someone who looked exactly like me."
Dylan's voice turned sharp. "A clone?"
"Or worse," Vlad said coldly. "A mimic. A shapeshifter. Maybe even the work of a dark spell."
Jade met their eyes.