Shadows of the Redwood

The last sleepy bits of the tree’s song lingered as Keelie sat up, screaming. Her ankle bled from two long furrows cut deeply into her skin.

Knot licked his toes delicately, claws out, watching her.

“Thanks, Freddy Krueger Cat. I’ll let you know if I need stitches.” Keelie stood up. “I’m going to have to buy a whole emergency kit.”

“You shook away the tree’s blessing.” Grandmother’s mouth turned down.

Keelie grinned. “Don’t want to miss the big tree meeting. Are you ready to go?” She held back a yawn and limped toward Sariela, who was holding out a wet washcloth.

Kalix frowned, looking at Knot. “The cat takes his role as guardian too far.”

“He is dedicated,” Grandmother agreed.

Fifteen minutes later, the group was gathered at the base of their tree, Wena, the glow of the sap travel fading. Wena’s spirit form stood to one side, watching them but not coming close. The tree’s roots were large and went deep into the ground.

Keelie felt the other trees of the forest pressing in and around her, seeking entrance into her mind. A thrum of deep magic surged under her feet, the energy of the Earth. She touched the rose quartz at her belt, using Earth magic to give herself the extra power she needed to block out the redwoods. She shrugged, feeling a little more in control. She was getting better at balancing the magic. But Keelie’s head was still reeling from the trip down the tree. She hoped someone would teach her how to travel the sap herself—she couldn’t rely on Kalix to be her elevator operator every time she wanted to come or go.

Norzan smiled at her. “Exhilarating, isn’t it?”

She swallowed. “If you say so.”

Knot was trotting beside Keelie. He seemed to be in a jovial mood, ready for a jaunt in the woods, probably searching for some poor unsuspecting feithid daoine as a midnight snack. No such luck. There weren’t any here.

The motley crew of elves started walking. Keelie realized she was turned around—she’d thought the highway was in the other direction, but within moments they were in the festival parking lot and Keelie could hear the sea, its waves pounding against the rocky shore on the other side of the highway. The soothing sounds of the waves calmed her unease, and she smiled when she remembered the huge sea lions sunning themselves like sunbathers on the beach.

As they followed the path leading into the festival grounds, the fog thickened and the sounds of the ocean faded. Keelie thought about the water sparkling in the daytime, the tide pools filled with different marine life. The beaches here in Northern California were different from the L.A. beaches, with their swimmers and surfers in the golden California sun. Here, in Juliet City, driftwood was scattered everywhere and huge rocky outcroppings sprouted out of the water.

In the distance, Keelie heard thunder rumbling. A storm was blowing in. She wished she had an umbrella, but Grandmother seemed oblivious to the fact that it might rain. She was acting like this was a field trip, walking fast like a giddy school girl. Around them, sounds of the festival at night rose and fell. The smell of cooking wafted on the sea breeze, along with the faint rhythmic pounding of a drum circle.

The Globe Theater stood alone on the edge of the festival grounds, near the town of Juliet City. The long-ago actors had started performing here when the highway was just a dirt path, and the festival had grown up around it. As the elves walked toward it, more and more tree spirits drifted down to join them. Surrounded by the ghostly figures, Keelie felt uneasy. Once again she could hear the waves crashing on the beach, and she saw a flash of red and green in the distance. Probably some player, still in costume. Some of these guys were in character day and night.

Norzan, with staff in hand, strode with a determined gait and observed all that was going on. Keelie liked him; he reminded her of a wise shaman. Seeing Norzan looking so sage and powerful, she couldn’t help but wonder about the missing Redwood Tree Shepherd. How strong was his magic? He must be powerful to deal with these super trees.

The thunder rumbled again. Whatever this meeting was about tonight, Keelie hoped they finished before the storm let loose and they all were soaked to the bone.

They climbed up a tall hill to the Juliet City Globe Theater. It was a circular, two-story, half-timbered building, and looked just like the pictures Keelie had seen of the original Globe Theater in England. But this one was draped with a banner proclaiming “A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Preview Tomorrow!” You could see it from the road.

Keelie felt like she was living her own version of Shakespeare’s play tonight, except hers would be called “A Midnight Promenade of the Redwoods.”

A fog seemed to be drifting in. As Keelie watched, a thick patch of ground-level clouds floated in from the sea, merging with the ghostly trees around the Globe. Keelie now knew how the trees were able to camouflage their spirit-walking when among humans. Fog could hide a lot of secrets. She remembered when she’d first seen her Uncle Dariel in the Dread Forest. He’d been a vampire then, and had been able to turn into fog. She shivered and hurried to walk next to Grandmother, who was strolling serenely, as if they were in a parade.

The Globe was full of humans rehearsing the play. The elves stood by the theater doors, watching Master Oswald in the middle of the action, surrounded by people holding pages in their hands. A woman with glasses resting on top her head was reading something out loud. Keelie picked up on the “thee’s” and “thou’s.” What would they think of the elves showing up to chat with a bunch of tree spirits? She wasn’t sure the actors could even see anything, and if they did, they’d probably think it was the mist coming in from the ocean.

Bella Matera appeared, spiraling out of the mist until she was in her pseudo-human form. Her branches looked like real arms, and her hair seemed to be made of leaves.

Other tree spirits appeared and swirled around them. Bella waved her arms in greeting, like a goddess welcoming worshipers. The trees’ powerful energy pressed on Keelie’s mind, making her head pound. She felt for her rose quartz and pulled on more Earth energy to block them. Grandmother stood close to Keelie, protectively.

Norzan joined them. “This is strange indeed. Even in the lore of tree shepherds, this has never been seen.” His voice was cautious but held undertones of wonder.

Surprised, Keelie turned to the Northwoods tree shepherd. “I thought you, of all elves, would know about this.”

He shook his head. “Each forest has its own culture and secrets.” He pointed his staff toward the tree spirits. “Keelie, now I am certain that all is not as it should be in the Redwood Forest.”

“I agree.” Grandmother tilted her head upwards and then to the side as a face formed in one of the ephemeral tree shapes.

Greetings, Shepherds.

Goose bumps dotted Keelie’s arms as a menacing premonition prickled her mind.

As if on cue, the creepy jester wearing the red and green harlequin suit stepped onto center stage. Was he the flash of red and green she’d seen near the beach? Keelie wondered how he’d gotten back here so quickly, if so. With his jangly hat perched at an angle on his head, the jester looked like something you’d see at a medieval circus. He was engaging in a dangerous, Tony Soprano kind of way. All eyes in the theater were riveted on him as he spoke Puck’s lines in a hypnotic voice.

“That’s Peascod.”

Keelie looked up. It was Bella, who was floating above them and pointing toward the stage. “We enjoy his performances and find them inspiring, but sadly we must end tonight’s entertainment to prepare for our Lord Bloodroot.”

Norzan cut his eyes over to Keelie. Something in his expression told her to be careful.

Bella must have sensed the tension in the air. “Come now, tree shepherds, our shifting can’t be that alien to you. Why, Keelie alone is strong enough.”

“Milady, I have to be honest. I find it disconcerting.” Norzan leaned on his staff. “Viran never revealed this particular talent you possess.”

Bella gave a gossamer laugh, light and airy. “My dear Northwoods Shepherd, we’d hoped you’d find our way enlightening. Although our beloved shepherd is missing, something good has come from our misfortunes. We have met you, and the Ladies Keliatiel and Keliel. We look forward to an exchange of culture and magic.”

Norzan nodded, but his bright blue eyes were shadowed. “What do you hope to gain in such an exchange?”

“It may be your gain. I’m sure your trees in the Northwoods can’t do this.” She gestured. “Nor this.” Bella waved her hand once more and the air around them grew heavy, as if green condensation hovered, thickening the atmosphere. Then the air lightened and the wetness evaporated.

All of the actors became silent, their faces vacant. The directors and crew also stood there, motionless and quiet.

Master Oswald suddenly stood up, jerkily. Keelie thought he’d shaken off the spell, but then he waved his paper, his hand flapping like a puppet’s. “Good gentles and ladies, our play is over. Now.” He left the stage, staggering a little as he went down the stairs to the open pit of the dirt floor.

The other actors began to follow him, silently lining up without jostling, like zombies leaving a baseball game.

Keelie walked down the ramp, toward the stage, looking into the players’ faces as they passed her. They were all somewhere else. She tried standing in front of one of the women, but the woman just stepped sideways and continued on as if Keelie had been a wall or a piece of furniture. No eye contact, no focus, no life. It horrified Keelie that trees could do this. But according to Bella Matera, they did it all the time.

The weird jester dude who played Puck was coming toward her. Again, he made Keelie feel uneasy. As he passed, his eyes flicked toward her and she caught a sinister glint in his gaze. This guy was pretending. He was not under the tree spell, but Keelie didn’t want to give him away. What would the trees do if they found out? And what was different about him? If there was anything to be cautious about in the festival, it was this guy. And of course the trees.

“He comes,” Bella said in a whispery, scratchy voice.

“Who?” Keelie pulled her gaze away from Peascod.

“Our Lord Bloodroot.”

Bella drifted down to center stage and stood with the other tree spirits.

Norzan stepped closer to Keelie. He smiled. “I think we’re about to be allowed to see an ancient ritual.”

Keelie felt a tingle shimmy up her spine at the thought of seeing an ancient tree ritual. Excitement warred with apprehension at the thought of what she would see. She wondered if Dad had ever witnessed anything like this.

Norzan leaned closer. “We must be careful. I’m very concerned about Viran, but until we find the answers, trust no one, not even the trees and the redwood elves. I think it wise to keep our counsel among ourselves.”

Surprised, Keelie nodded. Good advice. She liked Norzan, and she trusted him.

Grandmother joined them, her face transfixed with wonder. “It’s not like the real Globe, but it’s a very good replica.” Keelie knew Grandmother was old, but put in this context … holy cow!

The air suddenly became chilled, and the wind kicked up. Keelie had to push her curls out of her face. Floating toward center stage was a large, dark cloud. All was quiet, as if everyone and every tree was holding their breath, expecting something big to happen.

And it did. A green bolt of lightning flashed in the sky.

Thunder boomed over the Globe, rattling the stage. It was kind of like the special effects at a rock n’ roll concert.

A giant tree spirit materialized out of the mist. He was human-looking except for his eyes, which were vertically slitted, like a cat’s, and emerald green. He surveyed the stage and the surroundings as if memorizing everything. His trunk and roots, even in the dim light of the lanterns hanging in the Globe, were red like blood. Hence the name, Keelie figured.

And talk about a dramatic entrance. Keelie couldn’t help but be mesmerized by Bloodroot’s presence. There was something about him that drew her to him.

“Gentle trees, and shepherds who have gathered among us, I bid thee welcome to our forest. May you find peace in our soil.” His voice was deep and loamy.

Bloodroot fixed his intimidating gaze on Keelie. Her blood grew cold. He was looking into the core of her essence, and the tree magic within her would soon reveal all her secrets to him. Keelie dug the rose quartz from her pocket and pulled on a strong filament of Earth magic while visualizing a shield. She definitely agreed with Norzan. They were going to have to be careful around such powerful trees.

Grandmother had an enraptured look on her face, as if she’d found tree nirvana. Water droplets sprinkled on Keelie’s arms. It was going to rain very soon. She hoped the trees performed their ritual quickly.

“Tonight, we come together to find our shepherd.”

There was a deep “om” from the gathered tree spirits.

Bloodroot gestured with his branches toward the sky, and then, as if he’d caught a firefly, he clasped them close together.

There was a unified gasp of awe from the tree spirits.

“We send out an air spirit to seek him.” Bloodroot lifted his branches. His twiggy fingers glowed with glacial blue light.

The tree spirits swirled and cheered.

Keelie could barely make out a shape within the glimmering light. It looked like a small humanoid, shimmering like an image on bad TV reception.

“Air spirit, go out in the world, seek the one we have lost,” Bloodroot intoned.

Norzan grabbed the back of a chair to help steady himself. “It is impossible for a tree to capture an elemental spirit.”

The wind blew again. Lightning blazed like an angry streak of fire in the sky. Thunder roared like a hundred giant lions.

Knot hissed and arched his back.

The trees twirled up into the sky and spun like ethereal whirling dervishes around Bloodroot and the captured air elemental.

Then a green arc of lightning touched the tips of Bloodroot’s branches. Thunder exploded. Keelie covered her head. This was too close for comfort. Bloodroot was a weird evangelist, with a twist of tree wizard. Maybe watching a tree ritual wasn’t the safest experience in the world. The tree shepherds could be electrocuted and become elf barbeque.

Then the trees swirled back down to the stage and surrounded Bloodroot. “Go and seek our shepherd,” he commanded them. “Do not return until you do.”

The air spirit, released, ascended to the sky like a spectral comet.

Keelie followed its trajectory, forgetting to breathe.

More lightning flashed in the sky, and more thunder followed, and the skies released the rain.





On the way home, Knot hissed every time a water droplet fell on his fur, which was wet and sticking out in weird points.

��Shut up. You’re not the only one getting wet.”

A waterlogged Grandmother, Keelie, and Norzan slogged on behind the other elves, each lost in thought.

Keelie heard whispers from smaller trees, which were soon silenced by a green power. But Keelie sensed dark spots in the greenness, and she didn’t like it. That same prickly premonition feeling scratched at her brain. She shivered—not from the cold, but from that feeling. When they reached Wena, Grandmother touched her shoulder and she felt the green glow surround them. Keelie rode the sap without comment, thinking about what she’d seen tonight.



When she woke up the next morning, with a ray of sun shining through the little round window in the guest bedroom of Kalix’s treetop condo, something was kneading her hair. A loud purr started up in her ear. Keelie reached out and swatted at Knot.

He purred even louder. She rolled over, quickly rising to her knees, and pulled the pillow out from underneath him.

Knot landed with a thud on the ground, purring even louder. Of all the guardians available in the world of fairy, she’d wound up with the feline version of Puck. That thought reminded her of Peascod, and how he’d been unaffected by Bloodroot’s powerful magic last night. Keelie wondered where he worked by day. Probably at one of the festival shops or stages. Maybe he had a charm against the tree magic. If so, she wanted to look at it.

Knot gazed at her, his dilated eyes as black as small hematite stones and ringed in green.

She pointed to the door. He narrowed his eyes.

“Out. It’s time to dress, and you have to use the kitty box.”

Knot started to wash his tail. Keelie walked over to him, about to throw him out on his rear end, but he hissed and reached out to swat her, missing her bandaged ankle by an inch.

“Missed me.”

“Keelie, you’re up?” Grandmother asked from the doorway.

Knot shot out of the bedroom like a furry missile on four legs. Grandmother quickly stepped back; otherwise, Knot would’ve crashed into her. A moment later, the cat came crashing back in, his kitty paws sliding on the polished wood floor. He skidded under the bed and didn’t come back out.

Something was different about Grandmother this morning. Normally she would’ve said something negative by now, but she hadn’t even said anything about Knot.

“Do something about your hair. We have company for breakfast.”

Okay, that was more like the grandmother she knew.

Then Grandmother frowned, and her lips moved as if she was rehearsing to herself. After a moment her eyes met Keelie’s. “It won’t be for long, but we’ll have to make the best of it.” She turned and left, her cryptic words floating in the air between them.

Keelie threw on some jeans and a tank top, pulled a baggy sweater over that and walked out, barefoot. Sariela was at the stove, tending a batch of fragrant pancakes.

The table was set for four. Norzan was eating delicately, as if he’d never seen pancakes before and one might leap up and bite him. Next to him sat Risa, a tidy stack of small round pancakes cooling on her plate. She smiled tightly at Keelie.

“Good morning, Keliel, “ she said politely. Her eyes glittered.

“Risa, what a surprise.” Keelie looked around, hoping and not hoping to see Sean. He wasn’t in the tiny house.

“I’ve invited Risa to stay with us for a few days,” Sariela said. “It’s not right for an elven girl to be alone with all the humans.”

Unlike a half-elven girl, who had lived among humans for years with no harm done.

“Isn’t this a treat for you girls?” Sariela seemed to expect a happy response.

“Oh, joy.” Keelie wondered where the elf girl would sleep.

Sariela answered her unspoken question. “Keliel, you and Risa may share that big bed. Lady Keliatiel will have to make do with the little room.”

The little private room. The one with no Risa in it. So this was what grandmother had meant when she said it would only be for a little while. Right.

Risa let out a squeal and pointed. Keelie jumped, wondering if Bloodroot had appeared in the kitchen. Knot’s head ducked back into the bedroom.

“It’s Knotsie! Oh, I’d hoped he was here.” Risa jumped up, almost knocking over her chair, and dashed around the end of the table. Norzan watched with his mouth hanging open as she ran into the bedroom in hot pursuit of Knot.

“Love potion gone wrong,” Keelie explained. “She and Knot got mixed up.”

“Oh, my sweet woods and dales,” the tree shepherd said. “How unfortunate.”

“Tell me about it.” But now it was Knot’s problem. Keelie pulled Risa’s pancakes toward her and drowned them in syrup. It was going to be another long day and she may as well fuel up.

“Grandmother, I have some questions about last night. First of all, why did Bella Matera try to put me to sleep last night? Didn’t she want me at the ceremony?”

“Nonsense, child. She was being kind.”

Keelie remembered the tree touching her face, and then the beautiful music and the dreams about the stars. She’d had her mental guards up to protect herself from the tree probing her thoughts, but a tree using magic to put her to sleep was something new. Although it didn’t seem like magic, just beautiful images. She wondered if the zombie humans had seen something like that.

“What kind of magic would bespell a crowd of humans?” Keelie needed to know more. Even though Grandmother said that Bella Matera’s motives were kind ones, Keelie was guarded. “It seems like a dangerous kind of magic.”

“No elf magic would do such a thing,” Grandmother admitted. “Perhaps Viran had access to fae glamour. He’s left a lot of mysteries behind.”

The back door opened by itself and an orange streak ran out, followed by Risa.

“Gee, I hope she doesn’t fall out of the tree,” Keelie said. Not.

After a while Knot returned alone, mumbling in a low meow. He looked like a furry porcupine, his fur sticking out in demonic cowlicks, and he smelled like lotion.

“What happened to him?” Grandmother watched as Knot trotted on through to the living room.

Keelie ran a hand through her own tangled hair. “Whatever happened, serves him right.” She spoke super loud so the cat could hear her. A loud purr answered her.

“Bloodroot.” Keelie contemplated the sound of the name for a few seconds. “Sounds like a tree starring in a horror movie.” Looked like one, too.

“Keelie, you must always treat the redwoods with the greatest of honor,” Grandmother said, her voice low and her expression shocked. “They’re like the ancient sages of the woodland world. They deserve the utmost respect.”

“You must be cautious, as well. They are very powerful.” Norzan looked at Grandmother as if he would say more, but glanced at Sariela and turned his attention back to his pancakes.

“Finish your breakfast. We need to be at the festival. The Lord Mayor is going to introduce us to the festival players.” Grandmother sniffed. “Although I don’t know why he feels it is necessary for us to associate with them.” Grandmother was sounding more like herself. Keelie didn’t know whether to be relieved or to run.

At the shop, the rest of the furniture had been unpacked and the elven jousters were loitering around. Sean was looking very handsome and commanding in a braided leather jerkin that was trimmed in the silver and blue of his jousting troop. He also sported snug leather breeches and tall boots, and looked very much the elven knight.

Keelie thought again of how much Sean had changed since his father had been punished for using dark magic in the Dread Forest. He was more confident in his role with the Silver Bough Jousting Company, whose leadership he’d now assumed. He’d trained hard and long with the other jousters over the winter, while she’d had her head crammed with elven lore from Elianard. They’d had no time for each other—until now.

Sean smiled at her, crossing his arms over his chest as she walked up to him. The other jousters stood behind him as if waiting for her command. They all looked at her with respect. Maybe they were following Sean’s lead. Since restoring the Dread in the Dread forest, Keelie’s status as the half-elf daughter of Zekeliel Heartwood had been accepted.

“Lord Sean.” Keelie arched an eyebrow, hoping she looked calm and collected. Just looking at him reminded her of the kiss they’d shared, and she was glad she’d remembered to apply deodorant; otherwise, sweat stains would be popping out on the armpits of the white poet’s blouse she’d tossed on over her tank top. Keelie knew she looked Ren Faire chic.

A current of energy arced between them as they stared at one another. It was growing stronger, that something they felt for one another. She didn’t want to name it with that word, that word that started with an “L,” but it shone from Sean’s eyes. She wanted Sean to take her away from here, to be somewhere far away, just the two of them, Sean and Keelie, without roles and responsibilities clinging to them. Keelie could only dream of what would happen then.

A loud purr floated up from her feet, and then Knot rubbed up against her leg. Next would be the sinking of claws into the leather of her boots. She lifted him up with the toe of her boot. His purring increased. She tossed him off her foot. He landed on all fours and gave her his kitty smile.

How did Knot do it? He always showed up at the moments he was least wanted. Moodbuster.

Sean didn’t look down at Knot, but the cat’s purring indicated the moment of simply Sean and Keelie was over. He was leader of the Silver Bough Jousting Company and she was the tree shepherdess, daughter of the leader of the Dread Forest elves.

“Milady, your realm is ready for final inspection.” Sean waved toward the shop. “My men unpacked the rest of your boxes.”

“Thank you, Lord Sean.” She was touched.

“This is wonderful. Thank you so much.” Grandmother had arrived, with Scott close behind her.

“Looks good. You can come work for me anytime.” Scott slowly rotated in place as he studied the shop.

Sean stiffened, and then bowed his head to Grandmother. “I was glad to help, Lady Keliatiel.”

“Thank you.” Grandmother said graciously. Her cheeks were pink with pleasure as she looked around the shop.

Scott stood next to Sean and put a hand on Sean’s shoulder. He nodded with appreciation. “If this jousting gig doesn’t work out for you, I think you have a future in Ren Faire

retail.”

Sean shrugged Scott’s hand away. “If the woodworking doesn’t work out, come to the jousting ring. We always have a need for squires.”

Sean walked away from him and stopped in front of Keelie. He took her hands in his. They were rougher, not as soft as they had been the last time she’d held them. “I’ll be practicing this afternoon. I would be delighted to see you at the ring, if you can make it. Come watch us practice.”

“Keelie is busy today,” Grandmother interjected.

Keelie wanted to kick her grandmother’s shins.

“Then I will see you another time.” Sean released Keelie’s hand.

Her heart panged. She couldn’t let him walk away. “Come to dinner tonight.”

Sean turned and walked backwards, smiling. “I will.”

“Keelie, you didn’t clear that with me.” Grandmother’s tone sounded shocked.

Keelie tore her gaze away from Sean’s retreating figure. “I just felt like it was the right thing to do.”

“What are you having for dinner?” Scott asked. “I really get tired of macaroni and cheese. It’s been a long time since I’ve had a home-cooked meal.”

Grandmother looked at Scott and a smile appeared on her face. “Why don’t you join us? We’re having an early dinner at the Queen’s Alehouse.”

Keelie whirled around to protest.

“Thanks, I will.” Scott grinned. “Not home-cooked, but the company will make up for it.”

Keelie was about to retort, but a sudden darkness filled her. It was like being in the sunlight and then having a storm cloud obliterate the light. She tried to control her breathing, to stop her anxiety as the power filled her. She’d felt this when she’d opened the dark book of fairy magic to heal Ariel. The magic had poured upward, into her.

She stood still and called upon her tree magic, envisioning her feet like roots seeking the nourishing soil of the earth to steady herself. Coolness wrapped her mind, quelling the anxiety.

A loud jangling rent the air. The noise sounded like bells, but horrible, grim bells that made you want to gnash your teeth. She’d heard that noise before. Peascod was somewhere near. What was it with that jester?

The back of her neck itched and she scratched as Grandmother covered her ears, a pained look on her face.

“What a horrible sound,” Grandmother said.

“It’s Peascod the jester.” Keelie put her fingers in her ears. Other shopkeepers were stepping out of their buildings, shaking their heads and looking for the origins of the irritating noise.

Scott scowled. “Not him again. Whatever you do, don’t make him mad, because he loves to annoy. He’s like a leech—once he latches on, he won’t let go.”

Keelie felt cold thread its way down her spine. Peascod sounded more dangerous than annoying.

Scott’s face was serious. “Funny name, Peascod, but that jester is scary-assed.” Scott pointed to his temple.

Grandmother lifted her head as if she was sensing a change in the wind, or possibly picking up a message from the trees. She tilted her face, and suddenly her gaze became riveted on something.

The man in the snug-fitting harlequin outfit and jingly hat was sauntering toward them. The red and green diamonds of his costume seemed to expand and contract with each movement. He looked over at them, and then froze as he and Grandmother locked gazes in an intense stare. Chills coursed through Keelie. The man blinked, and his attention turned to her. She felt as if she was being scanned by an X-Ray machine. Then the jester grinned, revealing small teeth in an oversized mouth. He removed the hat from his head, and bowed gracefully.

He was not attractive. His skin was so pale, it looked as if he had never been out in the sun. His lank hair was pulled back in a ponytail, his nose was hawklike, and for a second, when he blinked, Keelie caught a glimpse of predatory silver in his eyes, as if she had been marked as his prey. He smacked his hat back on his head, setting off another jarring jingle to rip through the air, and jabbed a finger in her direction. Then he whirled around and walked away.

Scott stood behind Keelie. He was so close she could feel the warmth from his body. She felt protected being so near to him.

“Be careful, Keelie. You’ve fallen onto Peascod’s radar.”

Just what she needed—another enemy.