“Who is up for the challenge?” Nora questioned. She was clearly enjoying this.
“Well, I would love to take you on, sweet Lizzie, but I hate to tell you I am busy with handling communication with the Crow Haven Council. I would recommend Levine, but he’s too gentle to get down and dirty with training. Which leaves us with Collin,” Thomas finished, looking at his cousin.
“Is Ace going to kill me?” Collin asked. He was kidding, but at the same time, everyone in the room was surely thinking the same thing.
“No. Ace has been helpful, but I think I need someone who doesn’t hate me,” I said, my voice breaking.
“Trust me, Ace doesn’t hate you,” Collin muttered under his breath.
Nora laughed and the rest exchanged knowing glances. I felt like they were having an unspoken conversation that I wasn’t privy to.
Story of my life.
“Anyway,” I cut in, “Can we begin training tonight? I have to look for the necklace, too,” I reminded them.
“Sure. I will bring you home and we can continue searching,” Collin agreed.
Everyone went back to their business while Collin and I began training. While we focused on escape tactics, it felt strange training with someone other than Ace. I felt like I was having a ping pong match in my own head. I wanted this change. I needed this change.
At least, that’s what I kept telling myself.
Chapter Twenty
Bad, Bad News
O
ver the course of the next few days, my life took a drastic turn. Maylee was upset with me and barely answered my texts. We talked at school, but even that was guarded and I hated how cold I felt when we were together. Kade and I had spent the last three evenings together. First, going on a double date with Sawyer and Garrett to get ice-cream at Brewsters and then going on a Ghost tour at Camp Nelson.
I hadn’t seen Ace around school or Crow Haven and as much as I hated to admit it, I was saddened by his absence in my life.
The animal attacks were still weighing heavily on everyone's minds and as I was just settling into my new life without Ace, everything flipped upside down.
While I was out dress shopping in Lexington with Sawyer for the upcoming Fall dance, my phone alerted me to a text message.
Mom: Another animal attack. Call me.
Just as I read her text, another one came in.
Maylee: Crow Haven was just notified of another animal attack.
Ace: Animal attack.
Hearing my phone pinging like crazy, Sawyer stopped me as I looked over a long, red satin dress.
“Wow, someone is popular,” she teased.
We were in a large department store and there were lots of other girls searching for dresses just like us. I leaned into Sawyer and whispered, “There was another animal attack. I need to call my mom.”
Worry filled her features as Sawyer nodded in understanding. “Sure, I need to call my parents, too.”
We left the store and walked out into the main part of the Fayette Mall. I dialed my mom first and she answered after the first ring.
“Lizzie, there was another attack,” she said.
“Tell me what’s going on,” I demanded.
I was pacing circles and I knew people thought I was crazy.
“From what I have been told through the news clips, a man who worked maintenance at Camp Nelson was found dead near the main house. HIs body was clawed and his body drained of blood. The authorities believe it was another animal attack. The local hunters are going out again tonight,” she said.
I found a bench and sat down, feeling as though I may pass out.
“What does this mean for me?” I asked. I had to be careful with what I said and disclosed out in public.
“Lizzie, this means we have to find the necklace. I have been searching the supernatural world for signs and information. I am getting information from authorities as I write my articles, so I can keep you updated. Get to Crow Haven. You need their protection,” she finished.
I ended my call with mom and then quickly dialed Maylee’s number.
“Hey,” she answered, sounding distant.
“Maylee, I need to come to Crow Haven. Can I meet you at my house and then we go together?” I asked, lowering my voice so Sawyer couldn’t hear me.
“Sure, I will meet you there in an hour,” she said, then hung up.
Clearly, she was still angry at me. I knew she wanted me training with Ace and maybe she had some insane idea that me and Ace could be friends, but I knew that would never be the case.
Sawyer and I left the mall, without dresses, and headed home.
I made it home just as my mom and dad were both walking into the kitchen.
My mom had been on the phone and was ending a call as she held up a finger, asking me to wait a minute.
My dad and I hugged as we waited for my mom to finish. Finally, she sighed and we all sat down at the kitchen table.
“Lizzie, your dad and I have been talking about the recent attack. We are very worried about you being out without one of the Crows with you,” she began.
“Mom,” I interrupted, “I promise to be more careful. I just need to find the necklace.”
Nodding she and my dad exchanged glances. “I’ve been searching the house all day and your dad went over the property. We both believe your Great Aunt Morgan has hidden it for your protection. If anyone else were to get their hands on that necklace, especially a Demon, it could be terrible for everyone.”
“You think it’s here, though. Right?” I asked.
“Of course, Lizzie. I know it’s not in the house. It has to be outside. We will help you and the Crows look tomorrow. But for now on, I don’t want you out without protection. I know how dangerous the supernatural’s can be,” she finished, shuddering.
“Maylee is on her way to come and get me. I will ask Collin or Thomas to go out when I go out with Kade,” I added.
“What about Ace?” my dad asked.
“Ace isn’t my trainer anymore,” I said, trying to keep my tone even.
“What happened?” dad asked, his tone rising.
“Nothing,” I quickly replied. I didn't want my dad to think Ace had done anything inappropriate. In fact, it was the complete opposite. “Ace doesn’t like being with a teenager,” I finished.
“He is a teenager,” my mom noted, chuckling to herself.
“Sort of,” I stated. “It doesn’t matter. I’ve got someone else helping me now.”
“As long as you are happy and safe, that’s all that matters,” dad said, easing up a little.
Well, I’m safe. Happy-- that’s a different story.
On my ride to Crow Haven with Maylee, Kade called me.
It was awkward to be on the phone with him with Ace’s sister sitting beside me, but I couldn’t let any of that get to me.
“Hey,” I answered the phone, sounding way more cheerful than I really felt.
“Hey, beautiful,” he greeted, making me blush. “I wanted to see if you could hang out tonight. I thought we could go out to my family farm and have a bonfire.”
The offer sounded nice, but I needed to see what the Crows had in store for me, first.
“I'm actually out with Maylee right now. Sawyer and I went looking for dresses for the Fall dance and then Maylee called. How about tomorrow?” I didn’t want to tell him no, but I had to put my own safety first.