“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.