Coming straight at me, the coyote I had seen earlier, the clear alpha, had flung himself into the tree. He was relentless in his attack and if we weren’t enemies, I might admire his tenacity.
The coyote was still jumping and clawing, trying to find a way to me. Reaching down, I began trying to free my trapped foot so I could climb higher. To my dismay, my foot was jammed tight into the groove. Suddenly, I felt something cold and medal brush against my fingers and I stopped moving.
“Collin, Nora,” I cried out, waving my hands at them. They were still flying around the coyote, but upon hearing my voice, they paused. “I found something,” I shrieked.
With my adrenaline pumping and my breath hitched in my throat, I took the object in my hands and pulled it up into the gleaming view of the moonlight. As the light cast its glow upon the ruby red emblem, a surge of excitement filled me.
I had found the necklace.
Holding it up with my free hand, I allowed the others to see what I had found. Ace was running toward the tree, but quickly shifted, allowing his lavish, black wings to fly him to me.
“Is that the necklace?” Nora asked, landing on the branch just above where I was straddling two thick branches.
“I think so,” I beamed, holding it up so I could inspect it.
Of all the places we had looked, inside the trunk of a tree wasn’t one of them. However, now that I thought it over, it made perfect sense. The pond was the life source for so many things on this property. It was a place where my mom and dad had found solace as teens, where people long ago who lived on this same property found love, and where the trees that allowed the Crows to watch over me, perched.
This tree was the Protector of my secrets and now, I had the answer to saving myself and our town.
“Lizzie, you have to put it on. Once you do, the protection spell will take effect,” Ace ordered, looming over me as he stared down at the beautiful necklace. “We can save Thomas.”
Placing the necklace around my neck, I felt a spark as the world seemed to shift back into place. The wild, Demon beast below stopped its attack and ran off toward the woods. Cries of pain rang out from all the animals as the Demons that had once possessed their bodies, were vanquished by the magic of the necklace. I knew in time, I would learn about the magic of this necklace and my role; but for now, I was just happy to stop the evil. As the animals departed back to the woods, I refused to move until the last one was gone and out of sight.
“You did it!” Maylee cheered from below us.
I smiled down at her as my fingers traced the intricate silver casing of the ruby. It was strange how something so small could hold so much power. We all climbed down from the tree and once we were all finally on solid ground again, Ace lifted me into his arms and spun me around. I laughed as a surge of emotions took over. Being in Ace’s arms was like finding home again and now with the necklace safely around my neck, I could breathe once again. Stopping, Ace slowly put me back down. His hands lingered on my waist and I secretly wanted him to hold me forever.
The sight of Thomas’s body brought me back to the stark reality that he had been injured. Running to him, I fell to my knees, calling out for him to be ok.
“Calm down, Lizzie,” Thomas said breathlessly.
My eyes grew in bewilderment. “You are ok?”
“Not now, but I will be. When you found the necklace, you ended the Demons. I will recover from my injuries because of you,” he said, his smile genuine.
I released a breath and felt my body relax. Knowing Thomas was going to be ok calmed my nerves.
In the distance, I could hear my mom calling out my name as she and my dad rushed to where we were.
“Lizzie, are you ok?” my dad yelled, as he stopped in front of us.
Stepping back, Ace gave us room so that my dad could embrace me. My mom was next as she pulled us all into a family hug.
“Mom, I’m fine. I found the necklace,” I said, showing them the gem.
Releasing a heavy sigh, she smiled as she examined the object. “Lizzie, when that Demon was after you, there was nothing we could do. It was as though we were frozen in time. All the spirits around here were calling out to me, but I couldn’t do anything. I was so frightened.”
“It’s going to be ok now,” I said, smiling at everyone.
As the other Crows shifted back into human form, we all made our way back to my house. Thomas called Levine to tell him that we found the necklace. He made sure to tell the Crow Haven Council and his father-- Ace and Maylee’s uncle, too.
I made a mental note to ask where he was again, but that would have to come at a later time. For tonight, we were going to celebrate my first battle and defeat with a Demon.
I was a Shadow Seeker and I had won the war over the dark shadows.
Chapter Twenty-Five
At Last
With the necklace now safely in my possession, things began to change for me. First, Monday morning arrived with my mom receiving a phone call that local wildlife officials said that the wild animals were starting to retreat back into the woods. The town was still on high-alert, but the news gave everyone the hope they had needed.
With the necklace found, Thomas gave me the day off from training. I wasn’t sure why I needed to continue training, but he felt like I needed the practice. He was still sore, but had recovered swiftly. I guess being a Crow had its perks.
Now, I can’t help but get caught up in the excitement with the coming dance and Jamboree. The town had decorated in vibrant fall colors and trucks were making their way in town with the carnival rides, food trucks, and booths for the festival on Saturday and Sunday.
Twirling my necklace around my finger, I smiled over at Ace as he and Levine trained.
“Where is Maylee?” Nora asked, sounding annoyed as she wiped her face with a clean towel. She had just ran for an hour on the treadmill while I focused on boxing.
“She’s out with Duncan,” I responded.
The guys all grunted while Nora smiled mischievously. I couldn’t wait until I became privy to their knowledge of Duncan.
Finishing up his workout, Ace ran over and pulled me into his sweaty arms. I feigned anger as I laughed and struggled to break out of his strong grip.
“You can’t get away from me,” Ace laughed.
Turning in his arms, I placed my hands on his chest. “I wouldn’t dare run away from you.” Placing a kiss to his cheek, I reveled in this moment. We had come so far since when we had first met. Now, Ace and I were inseparable and I couldn’t be happier.
“Good, because I’m never letting you go,” he promised.
“Gross,” Thomas tsked, shaking his head. “What do you love birds have planned this weekend?” he asked.
“I’m taking Lizzie to the Jamboree,” Ace replied, before I could even think.
“Seriously?” I asked, shock registering on my face.
Ace looked down at me, love lingering in his eyes. “You deserve to enjoy the town you saved. Plus, it sounds like fun,” he said, trying not to smile.
Laughing, I poked his chest. “So, it’s not too juvenile for you?”
“Oh it is, but I would do anything to make you happy,” he gushed.
And, with Ace in my life, I was beyond happy.
Walking through the Jamboree, I felt like a kid on Christmas morning. Main Street was lined with delicious smelling food trucks while the courthouse lawn was littered with craft booths from local vendors. A local radio station played music in the streets as people danced along. It was magical and enchanting and I couldn’t help but get lost in the spell cast by the fun.