Ace found a seat in a plush, navy blue armchair that sat beside the warm fire.
Ace looked so out of place in the fancy room with his black t-shirt, baggy jeans, and eyebrow piercing.
“So, Maylee has explained to me that I have been less than welcoming to you since you arrived here,” Ace said, leaning his elbows on his knees.
Rolling my eyes, I couldn’t help but smirk at his attempt to be polite.
“This is normal behavior for you?” I asked.
Somehow, that elicited a chuckle from Ace. “I don’t typically talk to a lot of people. I try to avoid conversations as much as I can,” he admitted.
“I’ve noticed.”
“Anyway, I understand that you want answers and last night you were given answers in a manner that I hadn’t planned. Our dedication to Crow Haven is sacred and your role with us should not be taken lightly. I apologize for...everything,” he added.
I had to admit, I was blown away by his calm manner and the way he seemed almost human.
Almost adorable.
Nodding my head, I tried to remain calm. “I just want to understand who and what I am,” I stated.
“It must be difficult not knowing your true history and then finding out everything in the manner in which you did,” Ace began. “Centuries ago, towns became plagued with Ghost sightings and strange occurrences. They were supernatural disasters but it wasn’t easy for humans to understand. Your ancestors discovered a gem that had been bound with a protection spell. Legend states that once that necklace was placed around the neck of a Shadow Seeker, which is part of your heritage, the person wearing the gem could protect all those surroundings her. The necklace was passed down through generations and your aunt was in line for it. Now that she has passed, the necklace should be passed to the next Shadow Seeker. Your mom is a Mediator, which deems her unable to hold the power of the gem.”
I sat there, listening intently to every word Ace spoke. His words were gospel and felt as though they had the power to give me life.
“Is this necklace here?” I asked.
Shaking his head, Ace sat up taller in the chair. “That’s the problem. We weren’t prepared for your arrival. We have to find the necklace and soon. One Demon has already arrived; there will be more that follow now that they know the protection spell isn’t set.”
Jumping out of bed, I felt like a surge of energy had been lit inside of me. I paced the floor as thoughts began pouring into my head.
“It would have to be somewhere on my property. That explains why my Aunt Morgan left the house to my mom when she passed. Everything she did was for a reason, that much I knew from the stories my mom had told me.”
A smile beamed across my face as Ace watched me curiously.
“Do you think you could find it?” he asked.
“I think so. We will have to search the property,” I said, continuing to pace.
“The next issue won’t be so simple,” Ace said, stopping me dead in my tracks.
“What are you talking about?”
Ace stood, his large frame towering over me as he moved closer to where I now stood in the center of the room. “Even with the necklace, you will still have to learn how to defend yourself. Some Ghosts and spirits won’t pose a deadly threat like the Demons do, but they still sometimes like to fight for their old lives. You have to be prepared for everything. I will train you and teach you more about your role as a Shadow Seeker,” Ace finished, huffing.
I could tell this was difficult for him, so I decided to hide my own snide comments.
“Great, when do we start?” I asked.
Before Ace could answer, Maylee entered the room holding a tray filled to the brim with breakfast foods.
My senses went crazy as the aroma of fresh sausage, scrambled eggs, and warm pastries filled the room.
“Breakfast,” Maylee rang out, way too perky for the morning.
Ace took that as his cue to leave. He rushed to the door, but before exiting he turned to me and said, “Tomorrow we will begin your first training. And, don’t worry about your parents. I sent them a text from your phone last night and told them you were staying the night with Maylee,” Ace stated, before disappearing out the door.
Oh crap, my parents.
With everything that had happened, I had completely forgotten about my parents. I was beyond grateful for Ace and couldn’t help the smile that grew on my face.
Noticing my sudden change in demeanor, Maylee placed the tray of breakfast items on the bed and sat. I could tell from her face that she wanted to ask me about my conversation with Ace, but she didn’t.
Sitting down beside her on the bed, I began devouring the delicious food as Maylee and I enjoyed a few minutes of silence. Because we both knew, that soon enough the silence would end and the insanity would begin.
Chapter Thirteen
Don’t Call It A Comeback
G
ray clouds hung heavy in the Sunday morning sky. A light drizzle began to fall, blanketing the ground with a light mist that made walking on the grass more like sliding on ice. After my conversation with Ace, Maylee had driven me home to unsuspecting parents. Little did they know their daughter had been chased by a Demon the night before.
My mom should have been the first person that I confessed my terrifying night to, but I just couldn’t bring myself to sharing the gritty details with her.
For once in my life, I had my own secret and for the time being, I wanted to keep it as my own. I knew that eventually, I would have to tell her what was happening; but, for now, the Demon would stay my own information.
I knew Ace would be coming by to get me around noon for our first training session, but there was something I needed to do first.
Finding my mom out lounging on the living room sofa, I settled myself in one of the large navy chairs that faced the fireplace.
“Hey mom, did Aunt Morgan leave anything here when she passed?” I asked.
Turning her head to face me, her eyebrows arched in question. “What do you mean?” she asked, muting the Hallmark movie she was watching.
Crossing my legs, I tried to appear casual. “Well, I remember you and dad once telling me a story about how you found an old letter in the attic here. Something about a Ghost that was looking for her fiancé,” I stated, trying to remember all of the details of the tale.
This house had held centuries worth of families and stories, and I knew there were more secrets here left to be discovered. Hopefully, some of those secrets were my great aunts, too.
Pursing her lips, my mom watched me carefully before she answered. I could sense her trying to get a feel for my question. Like she knew I was hiding something.
“I’m not sure. You know, this house is full of old items. Even after the renovation, I’m sure there are things still in the attic. Truthfully, I haven’t been up there since I was a teenager,” she mused. “Why do you want to know?” she asked, sitting up and narrowing her eyes on me.
I gulped down my own fear. My mom could always tell when I lied, and I was doing my best right now to appear as calm and collected as I could.
Relaxing in the chair, I smiled “I just thought it would be cool to find something of hers. You know, you and dad and Aunt Lucy had all the fun. Since I’m not really like you, I would just like to explore,” I admitted.