Page 50 of Light in Your Eyes

Zoe sighs.

This is a way for you to be completely safe here. Everybody knows the rules, and nowyou're the only exception.

One day, someone may take advantage of Kellan's disability and hurt you. Non-members are not supposed to be here. Outsiders have been killed in this place.

I gasp at that information, slapping my hand over my mouth.

There are people with grudges in here, people who wouldn't tolerate such unfairness. I really don't want to risk you getting hurt.

I have no choice but to admit my defeat. If it's the only way for me to survive this place, I'll do it.

I just never thought that I would be a member of a mafia.

Zoe's eyes soften as she notices my willingness to proceed with the tattoo.

"All settled?" Stas' voice breaks the silence.

I almost forgot that he's here.

He watches us with amusement before excusing himself. "I guess you trust Zoe more. Go have your girls' time. I'll be leaving," he jokes, giving me a pat on my shoulder.

I watch as he pushes through the door and steps out of the tattoo studio.

Zoe hands me another note.

Are you ready?

I swallow and nod. I guess that I have no other choice.

***

Getting inked is definitely an experience that I won't forget for the rest of my life, but it's not as horrible as I thought it would be.

There are tears and little screams, of course, but it's not that bad. Thanks to Zoe, who makes me feel like I'm getting tattooed by an angel. She constantly tries to calm me down with her gestures. She handles me with gentleness and care—she even stops and hugs me a few times during the process.

By the time Zoe finishes the tattoo, Stas comes back with a set of new tools. The moment his eyes land on my tattoo, which is inked on the back of my right shoulder, he squints at it.

"I couldn’t believe it at first, but I guess his decision is final,” he says. “Did you use the special ink I gave you?”

Uneasiness stirs inside me. I can't imagine if there’s something wrong with this tattoo and I have to go through it one more time.

Zoe nods.

Stas sighs. “I guess we’ll see what happens next. I’m positive that I heard him right. It's the one he ordered for Layla’s tattoo when he came to see me this morning. I just hope that it wouldn’t cause any chaos.”

"What?" Worry fills my tone. "What's happening? What's wrong with my tattoo?"

I can't see it yet because it's inked on the back of my shoulder. They go silent for a while before Stas sighs again.

"Well, Layla..." He sounds like it's difficult for him to explain.

What could make him hesitant? I bet that he's made thousands of tattoos, so what could be wrong with this one that he couldn't even find words to explain it?

"I don't think we have the capacity to tell you about this tattoo," he says. "Only Kellan knows the reasons for it. You can just ask him when you meet him again."

My worry escalates. I turn my head toward Zoe, who gives me the same guilty look.

"I'm sorry, Layla," Stas speaks again. "We can't give you the answer. We don't want to surpass Kellan's authority."