When the night finally arrived, I found myself nervous.
Kade picked me up and after taking a million pictures for my mom, we headed to the school with my Crow Protectors in tow. Ace was nowhere to be found and for tonight, that was for the best.
Arriving at the dance, I couldn’t believe how incredible everything looked. White string lights hung from the ceiling as red, yellow, and orange silk leaves floated all around us. Bare trees lined the walls of the gymnasium where the dance was being held. It looked like we were walking into a magical fall harvest.
Holding my hand, Kade walked me to a round table with a golden table cloth. It was near the DJ booth where loud, upbeat music was playing. Students danced all around us, their bodies moving and swaying to rhythm.
As Kade helped me to my seat, I took a second to admire him. He looked dapper in his black suit with a matching red mask. We looked like a couple out of the Phantom of the Opera.
“You look incredible,” Kade whispered, his hand trailing down my bare arm.
“Thanks,” I said, smiling at him.
Sawyer walked over with Garrett and she looked like a fairy in her emerald green dress and glittery crown.
“Hey,” she greeted sitting down across from us. Garrett sat down, too, his navy suit complimenting her dress.
“You guys look great,” I admired.
We began to fall into an easy conversation. We laughed and watched everyone around us with amusement sparkling in our eyes.
“Where is Maylee?” Sawyer asked, glancing around.
I checked my phone. I hadn’t heard from Maylee but she had told me that she had a surprise. I knew Thomas, Levine, and Collin were outside the school. They had promised to stay outside and not dare enter the school tonight.
“I don’t know. She is supposed to be here,” I added.
Just then, I spotted Maylee walking into the gym. Her black hair was slicked back and her gorgeous eyes sparkled against her black dress. She looked like a movie star.
“Wow, who is she with?” Kade asked, as we both stared at my friend.
“No clue,” I breathed out.
Maylee sauntered through the crowd, her hips swaying back and forth and capturing the attention of everyone in the room.
“Look at Maylee,” Sawyer whistled.
“Hey everyone,” Maylee gushed. She was beaming with happiness and I was so happy for her. She didn’t listen to Ace after all. “This is my friend, Duncan,” she introduced us to her date.
I had noticed him from my Biology class and couldn’t help but wonder if he were a Crow, too. There was so much I still didn’t know about my own world.
“I’m so glad you made it,” I said, leaning over to talk to her.
“Me, too,” she giggled.
“Who is your date?” I asked, unable to hold back.
Leaning in close so that only I could hear her she said, “He’s not a Crow if that’s what you want to know. But, he’s not exactly human either. I will tell you later,” she finished, winking.
I sat back, grinning from ear to ear. I loved this side of Maylee.
With all of my friends at the table, everything felt like it was right in the world. If only for this moment.
A slow song began to play and I noticed that couples were making their way to the center of the gym. Kade stood and offered me his hand. “Dance with me,” he stated.
Placing my hand in his, we walked hand-in-hand to the dance floor. Placing his hands on my hips, Kade pulled me to him and I rested my hands on his shoulders. We swayed to the sweet melody that belted out promises of love and faithfulness forever. It was easy to get lost in moments like this. To forget about the cruel and unforgiving world that lurked just outside the school.
“You know, you’re the only girl I want,” he whispered, his words like a soulful touch to my ears.
Looking up, I saw the admiration in his eyes. Kade was such a great guy. If he knew who I truly was-- what Demons haunted my dreams and reality, he wouldn't feel that way.
“Kade, you are too sweet,” I sighed.
“Just tell me that you aren’t dating anyone else,” he stated.
My head fell to his chest as I closed my eyes. It would be so easy to tell him that I wasn’t. It was true, after all.
But, I couldn’t.
My heart belonged to a guy who didn’t want me. I could fall into a comfortable routine with Kade, but I would be lying to myself and Kade. As much as I wanted to like him, he just wasn’t the one that spoke to my soul.
He wasn’t Ace.
“Lizzie, did you hear what I said?” he asked, causing me to look up at him.
From the way his smile faded, I knew he could read my feelings.
Suddenly, something caught my attention. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw two figures walking through the gym doors.
Thomas and Collin.
My heart dropped. If they were inside, something must be terribly wrong.
The music shut off without warning and everyone began to yell their protests. As the lights came back on, my eyes locked on Maylee’s.
“Students, we need your attention,” Principal Prewitt announced as he took the microphone from the DJ. We all grew silent, fear starting to set in. “I was just notified that there was another animal attack,” he continued, gulping as beads of sweat grew on his brow. He was in his forties, a tall man who appeared to be in great shape, but right now, he seemed out of breath. “The body of our custodial staff member, Ronnie Lawrence, was found on the front steps of the school.”
Everyone began to murmur as some cried out in shock. Thomas and Collin walked over to Maylee and I could see them whispering to her.
Kade held me tightly, trying to protect me from this horrific news. Little did he know, I was directly involved in this disaster.
“What do we do?” someone shouted from behind us.
Principal Prewitt nodded and began to speak again. “As of now, we are asking that you all remain in the school until the local authorities can make sure everyone gets home safely. There are animals walking the streets, rabid animals. Your parents have been notified, I just need everyone to remain calm,” he finished, trying to muster a smile.
Girls began screaming as guys yelled to go get their hunting guns. We were in the type of town where everyone hunted and owned a gun. But, this wasn’t what the town needed right now.
“Lizzie,” Thomas stated, standing behind me.
Kade and I spun around to face him. I knew I had to leave. Thomas was here to get us. The Demons were after me, and if they knew I was here, everyone would be in danger.
I released my hand from Kade’s and moved toward Thomas. Reaching out, Kade attempted to stop me. “Lizzie, what are you doing?” he asked, pain searing his eyes.
Just as I thought things couldn’t get worse, the universe decided to add another twist into my dilemma.
Ace.
Running through the gym doors, Ace locked eyes with me. Although he was in a mad, frazzled state, he looked breathtaking as always.
Kade turned to see what had captured my attention, and his head fell. “I never had a chance, did I?” he asked.
Ace was pushing his way through the crowd and I knew I only had a few seconds before he would sweep us all away.
“Kade, you are incredible, but my life is complicated. I need to go with my friends,” I said, hoping he understood and would forgive me.
A forced smile appeared over his face. “I get it. Look, I like you, but I always felt like you were somewhere else, even when we were together. Be safe,” he finished, placing a kiss to my cheek.
Ace stopped as his jaw clenched tightly. “We need to go now,” he growled out.
Maylee said something to Duncan before running over to us. “We have to get Lizzie out of here,” she announced.
We ran to the back of the gym, making sure to keep an eye out to ensure no one saw us. Teachers and school staff were manning the doors, so we had to be careful.
“Levine called me as we arrived. The animals are running rampant through the street, searching for Lizzie. The Crow Haven Council sent word earlier that the Demons know that Lizzie is searching for the necklace. They must have spies watching. Our dad is coming home,” he said gravely.
“What does that mean?” I cried out.
“Our dad is part of the Crow Haven Council. He tracks the Demons and other evil supernatural’s that pose a threat to us trying to live amongst humans. If he’s coming home, that means it’s bad,” Maylee said.
“We need to get to your house now. We are running out of time,” Ace said, finally looking at me.
We rushed out of the gym and ran through the halls. We turned toward the janitorial closet where there was a back door.
Emerging outside, the world was eerily quiet. Somewhere in the distance, the sounds of growls and loud howls pierced through the night. Everyone around me began shifting into Crows, flying into the safety of the sky.
“Great. What about me?” I asked, frustration ringing from my voice.
“I will fly you,” Ace announced, his large, black wings spiking out from his back. I would never get used to seeing that.
“Ok.”
Picking me up, Ace took me in his arms and leapt into the air. Cradling my head in his chest, I kept my eyes closed until we arrived back at my house. As we flew through the air, I tried to memorize this feeling of weightlessness and the comfort of being in Ace’s arms, because after tonight, I may not ever experience it again.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Knocking on Death’s Door
W
hen you are faced with death, everything else in the world becomes nonexistent. All you want to do is remember all the things that made you happy, and lock those memories inside so they are with you forever.
Now, as I stand in front of my house, my Crow Haven family standing around me, I know that this is the defining moment in my life. I could feel the presence of evil making its way to us. The shadows were speaking to me, calling out for me as they danced around us like haunted fairies.
Nora arrived moments after us and she was prepared to fight, with or without the necklace. We couldn’t run any longer. A loud howl rang out and we all flinched. There was no time or discussion as we all rushed to the back of my property. I wasn’t sure why that was where we kept going, but something deep in my gut told me not to stop looking out there. I wasn’t sure if that was a sign or just my own mind playing tricks on me. Either way, we weren’t giving up, yet.
No one dared to comment as we all began searching. As a group, we moved out past the barn. Holding my dress up as I walked, I had to admire the comedy of our situation. Maylee and I were dressed to the nines as we searched through the mud and trees. My parents were busy researching the house while we focused outside. My dad had crawled under the house, too, but still no sign. They knew what was happening and it was almost too much to handle.
“Do you all need anything?” my mom called from the porch.
“Just a map to the necklace,” Nora called back.
My mom chuckled. “Aunt Morgan showed it to me once when I was a teenager. She had told me stories about it, but since it didn’t belong to me-- a Mediator-- I never gave it much thought. I wish I had,” she finished, her voice shaking.
“Thank you, mom. We will find it,” I offered.
“I can get my guns,” my dad offered. He was human and I loved him even though he had no idea what he was doing.
“Thanks, but bullets won’t work on Demons,” Thomas stated flatly.
Nodding, they went back inside and left us to finish our search.
Nora, Thomas, and I moved toward the pond, while Ace, Maylee, and Collin went out past the barn. Levine was stationed at Crow Haven in case any more news came to fruition.
Moving through the darkness, the only sounds I heard was the swaying of the tree branches and the beating of my own heart. As we neared the pond, the temperature seemed to drop even more and a chill raced down to my bones.
“Do you think she buried it?” Nora asked, stomping her foot on the ground.
“I wish I knew,” I said, my voice quiet.
Stopping, Thomas shot out his arm and stopped me and Nora from moving further.
“Quiet,” he ordered.
Nora and I stopped as my heart began to beat in overdrive. Something wasn’t right. All sounds of the night ceased to exist and it was as though the world around me stopped.
A low, menacing growl echoed across the pond. My senses were on high alert as I scanned the darkness.
Red, beady eyes glowed against the black backdrop of the night. Pearl white fangs shined as a coyote stared me down. In this moment, we were at war. At a standoff to see who would be victorious. I knew instantly this was a Demon and he was coming right for me.
“Demon,” I whispered.
“This is what you have been training for, Lizzie. You are a Shadow Seeker within that wild animal is the shadow of evil incarnated,” Thomas stated.
None of us dared to move. My eyes remained locked on the beast and as he took his first step around the pond. One by one, more animals fell into place like a well organized army. Coyotes, bears, rabid dogs, and wildcats circled around the pond, their seething teeth fiercely snapping as they waited to get their paws on us. I allowed myself to scan the area for a place to escape to. All of my training had led me here and I needed to focus. We were outnumbered. One coyote moved forward, signifying his role as the leader of this pack.
As the coyote approached, sprinting toward me with death in his eyes, I took off running toward the trees lining the pond. Thomas and Nora shifted into Crows and flew all around us, trying to divert the coyote from its pending attack. Kicking off my heels, I gained more momentum as I ran barefoot.
As I neared the trees, my fort of solace, I felt a tug on my leg as the coyote bit down into my dress. My escape was paused as I stumbled forward. My hands scraped against the base of a tree, causing splinters to embed into my hands.
Tears stung my eyes as I kicked at the wild beast. My fight or flight instincts took over as I struggled to fight off the beast. I climbed through the branches, kicking and swatting away as the coyote bit and clawed at my legs. I could feel warm blood seeping down through my jeans and the pain was beyond excruciating.
“Climb!” Thomas urged.
He flapped his wings wildly all around me in an effort to help.
Suddenly, I heard the terrifying sound of flesh tearing and I watched in a frozen horror as Thomas was slung down to the ground. Blood splattered, striking me in the face as the beast attacked.
“No!” Nora screamed out.
A wildcat had caught him by his wing, stabbing through his thick feathers and staking him down onto the ground.
Crimson blood stained the ground as I stared down at his lifeless body.
Wiping a splatter of his warm blood from my cheek, a deep chill raced down my spine.
I could feel the loud, piercing screams vibrating through me as they emanated from my body, but no sound ever reached my ears.
It was as though I was floating above myself, watching the horrific events unfold in front of me, but I couldn’t fathom what was truly taking place.
He couldn’t be dead.
This couldn’t be his blood painting my skin.
We had fought so hard to stay safe-- to stay alive. It couldn’t be all for nothing.
Not now.
Not ever this way.
I let go of the branch holding me up and crashed down beside Thomas. He had shifted back into his human form. Nora was by his side in an instant, screaming and pleading with everything in the universe to save him.
My heart broke into a million splintering pieces as I crumbled to my knees, taking his cold hands into mine.
Footsteps echoed all around me as everyone found the tragic scene before us.
After every plan and every day we had spent attempting to win, it was all ending with him as the casualty of our batt
le.
A white hot rage filled my body as I pleaded for him to wake, but knowing deep in my heart, mind, and soul that he was already gone.
Everything I had come to know was now lost in my sorrow.
All I could do was think; how did we get here?
“Lizzie!” Ace bellowed, his voice piercing through all of the chaos taking off around me.
“Get out of here,” Nora growled out. We both knew I needed to get to safety. But, it killed me to leave Thomas. He was a pain, but he was my pain. We were family now.
Reaching down to us, Ace picked me up from the ground and began running at such fast speeds, I swear my legs weren’t even touching the ground.
A wild dog rushed me, biting and nipping at my leg. Sending a back kick, I managed to injure it enough to continue with my escape. Another tree was near me now and I had a fighting chance to climb again to safety. Before I knew what was happening, Ace had me up in the air and in the tree. As I climbed, I could hear him fighting off the animals that attempted to climb the tree, too.
As I reached up for another branch, My foot fell into a small hole in the tree, causing me to fall forward against the sharp branches. Crying out in pain and frustration, I took the moment to catch my breath.
“Lizzie, look out!” Ace yelled out in horror.
Coming straight at me, the coyote I had seen earlier, the clear alpha, had flung himself into the tree. He was relentless in his attack and if we weren’t enemies, I might admire his tenacity.
The coyote was still jumping and clawing, trying to find a way to me. Reaching down, I began trying to free my trapped foot so I could climb higher. To my dismay, my foot was jammed tight into the groove. Suddenly, I felt something cold and medal brush against my fingers and I stopped moving.
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