Shadow Seeker (A Crow Haven Series Book 1) Read online

  My internal voice was screaming at me to stop talking to him. But, I was beyond the point of listening to my own reasoning.

  “Because, I know you,” he said.

  “Oh yeah, who am I?” I asked, placing my hand on my hip. He was just messing with me. I had seen the way he bossed around Maylee, he wasn’t going to act that way with me. Ace hadn’t bothered to say more than two words to me before now; he knew nothing about me.

  “You are Lizzie Bufford. Daughter of Sadie Sanders,” he stated, and my blood ran cold.

  I tried to tell myself he only knew that because Maylee possibly told him, but the way he spoke to me, made me believe he knew a truth that I didn’t want exposed.

  “Congratulations, you know my name,” I mocked. “Where is your sister? Doesn’t she need you bossing her around?” I quipped.

  Ace must think he is so cool, like the town’s own Ryan Reynolds or something. But, I wasn’t impressed at all by his large ego or lack of manners.

  Taking a step closer to me, his eyes glowed. They were an alluring blue, like frozen ice on a cloudless day. His blond hair was short and swept to the side. Everything about him was alluring and dangerous.

  “Sadie, I know who you are,” he whispered.

  If I hadn’t been so focused on him, I might not have heard the words correctly. They were soft and gentle like a slight wind brushing up against your cheek.

  “Who am I?” I asked, unsure if I really wanted to press him. My heart began to race as my body filled with dread. Something told me I wasn’t going to like his answer.

  “I know about you and your family. You are not like the others around here,” he announced, this time his voice was strong. No longer was the gentle sound I had just heard. “You need to just leave things be. We have been protecting this area far too long,” Ace stated.

  “Is this some joke? Are you and Maylee trying to mess with me?” I asked, my voice shaking. This wasn’t funny and I wanted nothing more to get out of there.

  “You, Lizzie,” he began, moving now only inches away from me, “Are a Shadow Seeker,” he finished, his crystal-like eyes boring deep into mine.

  Gulping down my own fear, I stood my ground as my legs shook beneath me.

  “What are you talking about? Look, I don’t know who you are or why you are trying to mess with me, but I’m not going to stand here and listen to you any longer,” I said, beginning to turn so that I would somehow get out of this wicked forest.

  “Your mom is a Mediator to the dead. Your aunt had powers, too. You, Lizzie, will develop your powers here, if you haven’t already. But, what you don’t realize is that my kind has been protecting this area for decades. We don’t need you,” he warned.

  Twirling around, I was beyond shocked at the information he had just given me. No one could know that information unless…

  “Are you a Ghost?” I asked. It was the only reasonable explanation. Only the dead would know that information, because it was my mom and aunt who they sought after.

  Laughing, the first glint of a smile spread across his face.

  “I am hardly a Ghost,” he began. “I am part of Crow Haven, and I am a Shifter of sorts. I am a Shielder,” he stated.

  My mind began to race and the world around me became a blur. The last thing I remember seeing was his face shift to dark as the world around me grew into nothing more than a haze of blackness.

  Chapter Seven

  Mad World

  I could hear a voice somewhere above me; but as I struggled to open my eyes, a deep searing pain shot through my body. The air was cooler, much different from how I remembered it last.

  “Are you awake now?” the voice asked again. This time, I recognized the sound. It was darkly familiar and something stirred deep inside of me, telling me to be on high alert.

  Eyes shooting open, I sat up, only adding to my already pounding headache.

  “What are you doing?” I asked, trying to scoot my body away from him.

  I was on the ground of the forest, leaves and dirt muddying my clothes as I lay beside a stranger.

  “Well, until you passed out, I was trying to warn you about being back in Nicholasville,” he said, clearly sounding annoyed.

  “Why would you warn me? Besides, how do you know all of that information about my mom and my family?” I asked, the questions pouring out of me.

  Extending his hand, Ace attempted to help me up. “Maybe we should have this conversation when you aren’t mending from a hard fall,” he chuckled. The sound seemed foreign coming from him.

  I hated that he thought this was funny. Knowing secrets about my family could be deadly and dangerous-- for us all.

  Hesitantly, I placed my hand in his, feeling the coolness of his touch. He helped me up and as I stood, I almost fell back down.

  Steadying me, he placed his hands around my waist, helping me stand. Our eyes locked briefly as I placed my hands on his shoulders, righting myself.

  A shock seared through my body as our gazes locked. There was one thing for sure; Ace was different. Far different from any other human I had ever met, which told me, he wasn’t human.

  “Ok, I’m standing, now spill,” I demanded, pushing his hands off of me and standing by myself.

  “You are very much like your aunt described,” Ace mused, watching me with great interest.

  “Hey, what does that mean?” I cried out. Was he mocking me?

  Wait, did he just say he knew my aunt?

  “Your aunt Morgan had told me you and your mother were very stubborn and sassy girls. Guess she was right,” he added, narrowing his eyes at me.

  “How do you know all of this? What are you?” I whispered.

  I was tired of the games. Ace knew information about me and my family that no one living was meant to know. Like a tidal wave, our conversation before I passed out came back to me, hitting me full on.

  Mediator.

  Shielder.

  Shadow Seeker.

  Crow Haven.

  “As I told you, I am a Shielder. My role here on earth is to protect the heavenly spirits and humans from the Demons and evil spirits who attempt to take over. Myself, along with others here, shift into Crows to watch over the town. Crows, as I am sure you know from ancient mythology, can sense evil, danger, and unwanted spirits. Your Aunt Morgan had an ability to converse with the lost souls, those who sought out your mom and others like her,” he stated.

  No longer was he laughing or playing silly games. He was talking to me with confidence and strength and I knew he was being honest.

  “Ok, so are you like the only one of your kind?” I asked, already feeling like I had the answer.

  Shaking his head, Ace confirmed what I predicted was true. “Not even close. There are hundreds like me. We began moving to this small town after several Ghost sightings began to make the news. Shielders and Mediators have been in this area since the early 1700’s. Maylee included.”

  “Wait, you are a Shielder? What does that even mean?” I ask.

  “I protect humans and other heavenly souls. When an evil spirit or Demon attempts to wreak havoc on a town or person, we interfere,” he says, clearly annoyed by my level of questioning. “Mainly, our presence alone keeps the unwanted paranormal activity out of town.”

  “How is that possible?” I question.

  Laughing, he cocks his head to the side. “You can see evil shadows, your mom is a Mediator to the dead, but it surprises you that I am a Shielder?” he mocks.

  When he puts it like that, it is hard to argue with his logic. Up until now, I had never met anyone else who had powers like the women in my family possess. I wasn’t sure what to think of this.

  “Wait, I’ve never been told that I am a Shadow Seeker. How do you know that is what I am?” I question.

  “Because the prophecy says this. The supernatural community has waited for your arrival for decades. Your mom possessed the powers of a Mediator and your aunt was a Seeker, too. It would be the offspring of your mom who wo
uld take on the role of Shadow Seeker. You see dark shadows that others don’t see, right?” he asked, arrogantly.

  Sighing, I had to clench my fists at my sides to restrain myself. Anger and confusion was boiling over inside of me.

  “So, you know about my family. Are you trying to threaten me or something?” I argued.

  “Look, if I wanted to threaten you, I would,” Ace said, stepping so close to me that I could feel his warm breaths against my cheek. “I’ve been warned about your arrival for a long time. I honestly never thought you or your family would come here. But, now that you are, I have an obligation to protect you.”

  “Ok, but I still don’t know what all of this means,” I said, feeling lost. Shaking my head, I turned away from Ace for a second. “You hate me, I get it. I’ve been looked at like I am crazy most of my life. Now, I learn that there’s this insane truth to the madness of my fears,” I cried out.

  A wave of sympathy washed over Ace’s face and no longer did he look menacing. He almost seemed sorry for my ignorance on the subject. That fact alone enraged me. Did my mom know about this prophecy? Did my great Aunt Morgan know? If so, why would they withhold this from me? Of all people, they knew how important it was to know about your true abilities.

  “It means, you have the power to see evil. You can will evil shadows and spirits to leave this world,” he said, almost with sadness. “But, you have to learn how to do that.”

  Shaking my head, tears pricked my eyes. “That can’t be possible. I don’t want to see shadows and Demons,” I wailed.

  “So far, we have managed to keep this town safe of unwanted spirits, but since your arrival, we have been notified of a new threat,” Ace stated through clenched teeth. It was as though he was making this my fault. Like I knew all of this already.

  “Wait, are you blaming me for something?” I asked, acutely aware of his accusation.

  “Well, if the shoe fits…” Ace began.

  “Stop!” I cried out. “You haven’t spoken to me or been kind at all since I met you and now you think that you can just share this information with me and expect me to be ok with it?”

  Ace ran his hands through his hair as an exasperated sigh escaped from him.

  “Why would I be kind to you? Your presence here seems to be alerting the paranormal world. You are like a beacon for lost souls. Where your mom can help the dead, you seem to attract them. Now, I have to help train you,” Ace lashed out at me.

  Like a flash of lightning, memories of nightmares came rushing back to the forefront of my mind. I had known all along. There had been warnings-- red flags that I hadn’t considered to be premonitions.

  “I have to get home, I have to talk to my mom,” I stated with anger.

  As I began to run, I felt an arm reach out and grab me. “Wait,” Ace yelled. “You can’t say anything about me, just yet,” he said, his eyes looking down, as if he were ashamed.

  “Why not?” I asked, barely slowing my stride. He had caused my legs to slow, but not stop completely. I was fired up and was about to unleash on my mom.

  “Because, if you do, I can get in a lot of trouble. The Crows only know that you are here, but they don’t know that you are aware of your abilities,” he whispered to me, looking around to ensure we were still alone. “Death will take over.”

  Stopping dead in my tracks, I became frozen in place. His words rocked me like a hurricane as I stood there, unsure of what to do next.

  Chapter Eight

  Lies and Good Times

  W

  hat did you just say?” I asked, my voice low and menacing.

  I refused to turn around and look at him. I just couldn’t.

  I heard him sigh behind me, the type of sigh that came when you felt defeated or saddened by something greatly unnerving.

  “If you will just let me explain,” he began. I could hear him take a step toward me, the ground giving him away.

  “Go ahead and say what you need to say, but make it quick,” I demanded. My body was still reeling from the information he had just given me and I had to see my mom. I had to ask her if this were all true or just some terrible prank being played on me.

  Ace slowly circled me, as if he were trapping me in some invisible barrier. Stopping in front of me, he ran a hand over his short hair. “Spirits, or as you refer to them, Ghosts, have been haunting this town for centuries. Most of them are harmless, just restless souls that refuse to leave this realm. However, the dark shadows are evil souls. Those who were wicked while alive and continue their reign even in death. They left decades ago when Shielders and Mediators began moving into the area. Your powers can destroy them and they know it. But, they have been returning. So many of the supernatural beings have left Nicholasville, that it is now open to the dark shadows to return. If they come back, it will be with a vengeance. It is up to all of us to protect this town and the people who live here,” he stated.

  “Ok, but why can’t I say anything,” I asked.

  “If it becomes known that you, a Shadow Seeker, are here, they will not leave without a fight. People could die. The town could be destroyed,” he finished.

  I went to open my mouth, but no sound came out. This was all too much. First, I had been forced to move away from the only home I had ever known, and now I was expected to accept the idea that I am a Shadow Seeker--whatever that is.

  “Why are you telling me this? Don’t you hate me?” I asked, tearing burning my eyes.

  Ace stared deep into my eyes and a flash of concern filled with his gaze. A sort of softness overcame him and a spark seemed to ignite the air around us.

  Stepping closer to me, I could smell his woodsy scent as he forced me to look up at him. “Because, I couldn’t pretend anymore. I had to tell you. I don’t understand why or how, but I feel… I don’t know what I feel, but I just couldn’t lie to you any longer,” he said, his dark voice caressing my soul. “Look, part of who I am requires me to help you.”

  The anger that had been bubbling deep inside of me seemed to cool off. Ace was elusive and full of brooding mood swings, but there was also another side to him that beckoned me like the light of a lighthouse. As much as I wanted to tell him this was all a lie and that I didn’t believe him, I just couldn’t.

  “Well, if this is all true, then you are coming with me,” I stated, grabbing his hand and pulling him reluctantly behind me. Stopping, Ace almost ran into me. “Um, how do I get back home?”

  Twenty-minutes later, Ace and I made our way out of the forest and back onto my property. I spotted the small pond and knew where I was instantly. When I was a kid visiting here in the summers, my parents would bring me down to the pond to skip rocks across the water's surface. I loved the way the sun glistened off the top of the water and the splashing sounds of frogs taking giant leaps into the cool water.

  “Ok, you are home now. I will see you later,” Ace began, but I stopped him.

  “I don’t think so,” I said, waving my pointer finger in his face. “You are going with me when I confront my mom,” I stated.

  “I already told you, if anyone finds out that I told you...it could be really bad,” he said, looking a little shaken.

  “Too bad,” I growled out, ignoring his requests to be left out.

  We got back to my house in no time and as I opened the back door, I spotted my mom walking into the kitchen.

  “Mom, I need to talk to you,” I shouted.

  Stunned, she stopped, her eyes wide as she spotted the boy I had taken prisoner.

  “Lizzie, what is going on?” she asked, taking in my frantic state.

  “Sadie, what is all the yelling about?” my dad asked, walking into the kitchen. He looked around at all of our disheveled looking faces and frowned. “Why do I have a feeling I won’t like this,” he sighed.

  “Who is that?” my mom asked, smiling at Ace.

  “Why didn’t you tell me?” I yelled.

  “Tell you what?” mom asked, walking over to me.

  “Why did
n’t you tell me that I was a Shadow Seeker? That supernatural people just like you flock to this tiny town that you brought me to,” I cried out.

  “Lizzie,” my mom scorned.

  “No, mom. He already knows you are a Mediator. He knows about great Aunt Morgan, too. This is Ace, he is Maylee’s brother. I need you to tell me what is going on? Do you know about Crow Haven?” I demanded, tears now streaming down my face.

  Pulling out a chair from the kitchen table, my mom slid down, almost as if her legs had given out on her.

  “It is true,” she mumbled to herself. My dad rushed to mom’s side, taking her hand in his. “Sadie, are you ok?” he asked.

  “What’s true?” I asked, watching them with anger flooding my eyes.

  Taking in a deep breath, my mom looked up at me. “Lizzie, I need you to sit down,” she said, motioning to the chair across from her.

  Slowly, I did as I was told. Ace just stood by the door, looking conflicted and ready to leave.

  “Lizzie, the world that we live in has never been ready to accept people like us,” she began, her lips trembling as she spoke. Rarely did I ever see my mom scared. She fought Ghosts for a living-- nothing ever terrified her, but for some reason, telling me this secret was devastating her. “Your great Aunt Morgan moved to Nicholasville just out of high school. At first, she was unaware of the abilities she had. Once she began to form her powers, she discovered that there were others like her-- including me. I had heard your Aunt Morgan talk about Crow Haven for years. She would tell me stories when I was growing up, but I always locked them away in my head as though they were nothing more than fairy tales. But, I always knew in the back of my mind that Crow Haven must exist. She used her abilities to help ward off evil spirits in this town. Becoming a staple of safety and support to others like her. My mom, your grandma, never possessed this power, it skips generations--until now.”

  “What else is out there, Ace?” I asked, uncertain if I wanted to know the answer to my question.

  “Do you really want me to answer that? I mean, I have unloaded a lot on you already,” he said, his voice uncertain.