I refused to turn around and look at him. I just couldn’t.
I heard him sigh behind me, the type of sigh that came when you felt defeated or saddened by something greatly unnerving.
“If you will just let me explain,” he began. I could hear him take a step toward me, the ground giving him away.
“Go ahead and say what you need to say, but make it quick,” I demanded. My body was still reeling from the information he had just given me and I had to see my mom. I had to ask her if this were all true or just some terrible prank being played on me.
Ace slowly circled me, as if he were trapping me in some invisible barrier. Stopping in front of me, he ran a hand over his short hair. “Spirits, or as you refer to them, Ghosts, have been haunting this town for centuries. Most of them are harmless, just restless souls that refuse to leave this realm. However, the dark shadows are evil souls. Those who were wicked while alive and continue their reign even in death. They left decades ago when Shielders and Mediators began moving into the area. Your powers can destroy them and they know it. But, they have been returning. So many of the supernatural beings have left Nicholasville, that it is now open to the dark shadows to return. If they come back, it will be with a vengeance. It is up to all of us to protect this town and the people who live here,” he stated.
“Ok, but why can’t I say anything,” I asked.
“If it becomes known that you, a Shadow Seeker, are here, they will not leave without a fight. People could die. The town could be destroyed,” he finished.
I went to open my mouth, but no sound came out. This was all too much. First, I had been forced to move away from the only home I had ever known, and now I was expected to accept the idea that I am a Shadow Seeker--whatever that is.
“Why are you telling me this? Don’t you hate me?” I asked, tearing burning my eyes.
Ace stared deep into my eyes and a flash of concern filled with his gaze. A sort of softness overcame him and a spark seemed to ignite the air around us.
Stepping closer to me, I could smell his woodsy scent as he forced me to look up at him. “Because, I couldn’t pretend anymore. I had to tell you. I don’t understand why or how, but I feel… I don’t know what I feel, but I just couldn’t lie to you any longer,” he said, his dark voice caressing my soul. “Look, part of who I am requires me to help you.”
The anger that had been bubbling deep inside of me seemed to cool off. Ace was elusive and full of brooding mood swings, but there was also another side to him that beckoned me like the light of a lighthouse. As much as I wanted to tell him this was all a lie and that I didn’t believe him, I just couldn’t.
“Well, if this is all true, then you are coming with me,” I stated, grabbing his hand and pulling him reluctantly behind me. Stopping, Ace almost ran into me. “Um, how do I get back home?”
Twenty-minutes later, Ace and I made our way out of the forest and back onto my property. I spotted the small pond and knew where I was instantly. When I was a kid visiting here in the summers, my parents would bring me down to the pond to skip rocks across the water's surface. I loved the way the sun glistened off the top of the water and the splashing sounds of frogs taking giant leaps into the cool water.
“Ok, you are home now. I will see you later,” Ace began, but I stopped him.
“I don’t think so,” I said, waving my pointer finger in his face. “You are going with me when I confront my mom,” I stated.
“I already told you, if anyone finds out that I told you...it could be really bad,” he said, looking a little shaken.
“Too bad,” I growled out, ignoring his requests to be left out.
We got back to my house in no time and as I opened the back door, I spotted my mom walking into the kitchen.
“Mom, I need to talk to you,” I shouted.
Stunned, she stopped, her eyes wide as she spotted the boy I had taken prisoner.
“Lizzie, what is going on?” she asked, taking in my frantic state.
“Sadie, what is all the yelling about?” my dad asked, walking into the kitchen. He looked around at all of our disheveled looking faces and frowned. “Why do I have a feeling I won’t like this,” he sighed.
“Who is that?” my mom asked, smiling at Ace.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” I yelled.
“Tell you what?” mom asked, walking over to me.
“Why didn’t you tell me that I was a Shadow Seeker? That supernatural people just like you flock to this tiny town that you brought me to,” I cried out.
“Lizzie,” my mom scorned.
“No, mom. He already knows you are a Mediator. He knows about great Aunt Morgan, too. This is Ace, he is Maylee’s brother. I need you to tell me what is going on? Do you know about Crow Haven?” I demanded, tears now streaming down my face.
Pulling out a chair from the kitchen table, my mom slid down, almost as if her legs had given out on her.
“It is true,” she mumbled to herself. My dad rushed to mom’s side, taking her hand in his. “Sadie, are you ok?” he asked.
“What’s true?” I asked, watching them with anger flooding my eyes.
Taking in a deep breath, my mom looked up at me. “Lizzie, I need you to sit down,” she said, motioning to the chair across from her.
Slowly, I did as I was told. Ace just stood by the door, looking conflicted and ready to leave.
“Lizzie, the world that we live in has never been ready to accept people like us,” she began, her lips trembling as she spoke. Rarely did I ever see my mom scared. She fought Ghosts for a living-- nothing ever terrified her, but for some reason, telling me this secret was devastating her. “Your great Aunt Morgan moved to Nicholasville just out of high school. At first, she was unaware of the abilities she had. Once she began to form her powers, she discovered that there were others like her-- including me. I had heard your Aunt Morgan talk about Crow Haven for years. She would tell me stories when I was growing up, but I always locked them away in my head as though they were nothing more than fairy tales. But, I always knew in the back of my mind that Crow Haven must exist. She used her abilities to help ward off evil spirits in this town. Becoming a staple of safety and support to others like her. My mom, your grandma, never possessed this power, it skips generations--until now.”
“What else is out there, Ace?” I asked, uncertain if I wanted to know the answer to my question.
“Do you really want me to answer that? I mean, I have unloaded a lot on you already,” he said, his voice uncertain.
Maybe I should listen to his warning, but I felt compelled to push the topic. I deserved-- no I desired to know what else lurked in this world of mine. If I were going to be thrown into some supernatural war, I, at least, needed to know what was in store for me.
Sighing, Ace took a moment before he spoke again. “Well, as you know Ghosts and spirits walk this earth along with others who can communicate with the dead like your mother and aunt. However, it goes much deeper than that.” He stopped talking as he ran a hand through his hair. I could tell he was nervous as he said the next part. “There are witches, Vampires, Shifters, and others that walk freely among humans. They look just like you and me, only they have dangerous and sometimes evil powers and abilities that make them far different from humans. Many reside right here in Nicholasville because long ago, the founders who established this town brought with them their spirit chasers who kept many of the evil spirits and Demons away, allowing those supernatural’s with good intentions to remain in this area. Now, they all have a school, set deep into the forests of the county, where they train and practice their magical and supernatural skills. Their safety and residency here is important.”