filled with chaos, it is easy to become invisible. Well, at least right now it is. As Electra orders everyone to their covens, Ace and I snuck out through the back doors. All of the guards were busy getting new orders and didn’t notice our escape.
It was freeing for a moment, running out into the open night, Ace holding my hand, and the wind running through my hair as we ran across the large yard.
The ground was damp with dew from the night air, and there was a chill in the air that felt cold and menacing. I heard howling somewhere off in the distance, but I didn’t allow the unknown sounds to deter me. I was with Ace and we were on a mission. Let’s just hope we survive.
As we are running, I hear a crack and I stumble, almost falling to the ground below. Ace caught me, holding me tight.
“Are you alright?” he asked, his words coming out in sharp, ragged gulps.
“Yes, I just tripped,” I stuttered. “Why can’t I just fly us there?” I ask, annoyed.
“Flying will tip-off someone. At least if we are running, we can easily hide and crouch down,” Ace argues back.
I guess that makes sense. Part of me wants to fly because it is fun.
We both glanced up and realized we were at the entrance to the woods. The large moss trees looked like foreboding giants as they draped across the landscape. Living in Louisiana all my life, I had become accustomed to their thick tree trunks and heavy moss that covered their limbs. As we drew nearer the entrance to the woods, more noises sang out in the night. A splash was heard in the distance as a frog or maybe even a fish jumped in one of the many swamps that were nestled inside the wooded area. While I was still uncertain of the exact coordinates of the Woodsong Academy, I knew we were still in my southern home state.
We stood so small against the large trees, catching our breath. I wasn’t sure what to do next. Did we just stand here, waiting for a sign? Did we dare to enter the forbidden woods? It was all-consuming in my mind, when Ace turned violently and pulled me behind him. He was acting like a shield as he held onto my hand and kept me from moving out of his reach. Had he seen the Trackers?
“Who’s there? Show yourself,” he commanded, his voice echoing like an eerie song.
Fear trapped me and I closed my eyes, not wanting to see who or what could be out here among us. If a Trackers was capable of killing and draining the blood from a skilled Witch, what could it do to me?
I heard feet shuffling and a few whispers and realized we weren’t just dealing with one monster-- there were several here now.
I swear my heart stopped beating in that instant as the realization that we were outnumbered took over.
“If I tell you to run, just do it and don’t look back,” Ace ordered, through clenched teeth.
There was no way I would leave him alone, especially when a Trackers could surely outrun me.
Another footstep sounds from my left and I whipped my head around.
Ace let out a growl and then I watched in amazement as he shifted before my eyes into a wild and raging wolf. His fur was thick and his body was muscular. Turning his head toward me, I saw his eyes were still the Ace that I know. That gave me a sense of security.
“Fly now,” Ace yelled.
“Why?” I asked.
“Because there are Trackers rushing toward us from the woods. I can see them clearly now,” Ace stated. He began to sprint toward me and I quickly jumped into the air, allowing my wings to sprout and fly myself toward the Academy. Ace ran at lightning speeds and I made sure to keep flying high enough that I could dodge anything thrown at me. Not daring to look back, I kept my focus on the Academy ahead.
And, to my surprise, Electra was standing at the Academy gates, waving for us to hurry. She looked angry, but was still helping us to safety. Finn was next to her and the look of hurt and disappointment on his face brought back the guilt I had felt earlier.
We ran as fast as we could and we just slipped through the gates when I heard Ace howl out in pain.
I stopped flying and turned just in time to see a Tracker, in full military-style black combat uniform, grabbing Ace’s back paw. Instincts took over and as I flew down toward him, I called on my magic and watched as tiny sparks flew from my hands. My wings fluttered angrily and as I reached the Tracker, I flew the sparks of fire toward him. He screamed out in pain as he reached for his arms, which were burning from the sparks. He released his hold on Ace and Ace managed to slip through the gates as they closed with a loud clink.
I swooped down and landed next to Ace. We hugged, but it was short lived. A very irritated Electra stood in front of us, arms crossed. And next to her, a very brooding Finn.
“I am glad you are both safe, but that was very dangerous,” she scolded.
Finn just stood there silently. His fangs retracted and his eyes glowed a menacing red, but he didn’t dare look me in the eye.
Her eyes glanced from us to the Tracker who was now retreating back toward the forest.
“There will be more,” Ace said. He had just shifted back to his human form and his clothes were torn and ragged. As he spoke, he rubbed his back leg.
“Yes, we have been watching them set up a camp just beyond the forest line,” Electra spoke. “You both should be reprimanded for your actions tonight, but seeing that we are under attack, there is no time for punishments right now.”
She turned and began heading back inside the Academy. I knew we were in trouble, but the fact that we could have been killed still stung.
I knew we had escaped two types of danger tonight, but I couldn’t worry about a school punishment. It was time to take down the Trackers.
I walked away and left Finn and Electra behind me. I would deal with Finn later.