It was difficult listening to this, especially, when my mom was having to write an article for the Jessamine Journal on the attack. We knew the real reason for the attacks, but she couldn’t very well write that into her piece.
“Are you and Ace training tonight?” she asked, as we cleaned up the kitchen after dinner.
“Yeah, and then we will search the barn again,” I added, loading the last plate into the dishwasher.
My mom smiled as she poured the dishwashing liquid in. “I think you and Ace are really getting close,” she remarked.
I could see the twinkle in her eye that told me she was trying to get information out of me.
“He’s training me, mom. It’s his job as a Crow Protector,” I argued.
I wasn’t sure who I was trying to convince; myself or my mom.
“You know, any member of Crow Haven could train you, including Maylee. I think Ace likes you,” she winked.
Rolling my eyes, I turned so she couldn’t see me blushing. “I don’t think Ace likes anyone.”
By the time I made my way outside, I spotted Ace perched on one of the large oak trees in our backyard.
I knew instantly it was Ace. He flew down behind the tree and after a few minutes, emerged dressed in a pair of denim jeans and a white shirt.
“Is Maylee coming, too?” I asked.
“No, she is training tonight with Nora,” he said, stepping into the light from our porch.
“You know, she wants to go to that silly dance at school,” I noted, as we began walking toward the barn.
“Really? Has anyone asked her?” He seemed upset by this.
“I don’t think so. She just brought it up today.”
Ace thought this over for a minute. “Good. Maylee shouldn’t be going to some dumb school dance. We may have to pretend to be high schoolers, but we aren’t.”
I felt the sting as his words poured venom into my veins. Is that what he really thought? Did he think he was above me, too?
We walked out to the barn and I looked around, confused. “Aren’t we going to Crow Haven?” I asked, hoping to shift the subject.
Shaking his head, Ace leaned against the barn. “Not tonight. I think we need to get you training in the dark and outside.”
“Ok,” I replied, nervously.
So far, all of our training has taken place in the comfort of Crow Haven. The thought of being outside in the elements made everything feel more real.
We went to work, focusing on having my kick and spin, so if I were to get cornered, I could escape. We did this for about an hour. I was beyond exhausted and sore when Ace finally stopped our session.
Like always, we went straight from battle training to becoming detectives. As we scoured through the barn, Ace and I remained silent.
Moving boxes, farm equipment, and old tools around, we tried to keep our spirits up, but it was starting to get frustrating. I had no idea where the necklace was hidden, and I was growing upset.
By nine that night, we had both decided to stop searching for the night.
“We have been through this barn a million times and nothing is here,” Ace stated, sliding down the side of the barn. He sat down, his knees up and his elbows resting on his jeans.
A squawk rang out in the distance and I noticed Ace shaking his head.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“Maylee is coming,” he said, pointing to the Crow that was landing near a grove of trees.
After a few minutes, she jogged over to us.
“Hey,” she waved.
“Hi,” I said, sitting down next to Ace.
Maylee joined us and we filled her in on our training and the search for the necklace.
As Maylee listened, I could tell that she wasn’t just here to check on our progress.
“So, why are you here?” Ace asked, coldly.
I nudged his arm, chastising him for his behavior. Even though I knew it was of no use.
Without missing a beat, Maylee responded. “Well, brother, I am here because I texted Lizzie here several times about the dance coming up. I want to go,” she insisted.
Ace shook his head as a scowl appeared over his face.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” he stated through clenched teeth.
“Why not?” I shot out.
Stormy eyes looked back at me and a chill raced down my spine.
“First, we have Demons after us and until the necklace is found, no one is safe. And...dances are stupid,” he growled out. “I thought we already talked about this.”
A hurricane erupted inside of me as my heart spiraled out of control. I knew Ace hated things like this, but to hear him say the words aloud just broke me.
“I talked to Sawyer today. She said if I wanted to go, her boyfriend, Garrett, had someone I could go with,” Maylee said, sounding hopeful.
I sat there in silence as the siblings bickered.
“No way. You aren’t going,” Ace yelled, jumping up to his feet.
“Why can’t you just be cool for one night?” I asked, jumping to my feet, too.
Chuckling, Ace looked up at the star filled sky before turning his gaze back to me. “Cool? I guess I’m not cool. Look, I don’t have time for your childish games.”
Crossing my arms, I tried to fight the urge to hit him. “You think I’m childish? Well, you are a big jerk,” I shouted. I knew I was being immature, but I just couldn’t help it.
Ace paced the ground around us as he ran a hand through his short hair. “You two are insufferable. It’s not safe. Besides, you barely know these people,” Ace argued.
“We have gone to school with them since kindergarten. Maybe it’s time for us to stop being the town freaks,” Maylee cried out.
Exhaling a deep breath, I spun around and faced Ace. “These people are my friends, too. If you don’t want us going because you think it’s too dangerous, then why don’t you just go with us?” I asked.
My heart was in my throat as I asked the question. Part of it came from my own worry and the other part was created from my own interest. As much as I hated to admit it, I wanted to go to the dance. To be young and free for just one night. And, to be honest, I wanted to be young and free with Ace. However, it appeared he didn’t feel the same way.
Letting out a deep, dark belly laugh, Ace threw his hands up in the air. “I wouldn’t dare go to some stupid, high school dance. If you all want to act like kids, go for it.”
If I thought my hurt was in pain before, it was now splintered from the axe that Ace had just used to break it into a million pieces. There it was, he would never go to the dance, nor would he ever do teen things.
Storming off, I left Ace and Maylee out by the barn as I left the scene. Refusing to look back, I cried until I fell asleep in my bed.
Chapter Nineteen
Change of Heart
F
or the first time since moving to Nicholasville, I decided to drive myself to school. I had woken early and sent Maylee a text notifying her about the change in our schedule. To say she wasn’t happy was an understatement.
I hadn’t slept since Ace stopped being my Protector and trainer. The nightmares were far worse now and I could never anticipate when they would visit. I knew without Ace in my life, without his protection, the nightmares would continue to plague me. I missed Ace, even if I refused to say it.