It looked so fragile—I tried to break it, but it wouldn’t break or bend, not with anything I could bring to bear on it in my mind. I fought and fought, pulling frantically on the necklace collar around my neck until blood stained the chain, running down it from my neck and from my fingers. Shhh, said a cool voice. Shhh, you’re breaking my heart, cara. I froze, then looked up from the now-heavy chain to my image of Stefan, which crouched next to me on the stage. I promised, he told me. I promised not to tug on the leash. I promised. Don’t hurt yourself so. I keep my promises, Mercy.
