Shadows of the Redwood - By Gillian Summers Page 0,60

potion?”

“Knot sure does.”

Sean arched an eyebrow. “Do you know I’m jealous of that cat?”

“You’re jealous of Knot?” Keelie couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “Why? He’s an obnoxious fairy cat.”

“Because he’s with you all the time.”

“He’s a pain in the butt.”

“Nevertheless, he’s with you all the time.” Sean threw his hands up. “It’s hard to leave you when I have to lead my men, or you have to go and be a tree shepherd.”

“What are we going to do?” Keelie leaned against him.

“We cherish the moments we do have, and we begin now. Let’s go.” Sean held out his elbow, and Keelie slipped her hand into the crook of his arm.

They ate in town, at the Capulet Café, and afterwards walked along the beach. At first Keelie was reluctant, seeing the large shapes of the sea lions that called this stretch of beach home. Sean assured her that it was safe. He’d cast a charm that made them invisible to the beasts. Keelie should have known, since she’d smelled the cinnamon that signaled elven magic.

She was amazed at how large the sea lions were. They reminded her of Knot when he lounged out in the sun, except the sea lions didn’t have fluffy kitty fur. They had to be anywhere from six to eight feet long, and weighed hundreds of pounds. They brayed and went back to sleep on the beach as Keelie and Sean passed.

As they walked up the hill back toward the outer edge of the forest, Keelie didn’t want to go home. She and Sean had never talked to one another as much as they had today. They had opened up to each other.

As if sensing her thoughts, Sean wrapped his arms around her and lowered his lips to hers. He kissed her softly. When their lips parted, Keelie knew that she wanted it to be like this all the time.

Sean trailed soft kisses along her cheek until his lips rested against her lips again. Then he whispered, “Let’s keep walking. Someone is watching us. Don’t look.”

Behind them, the ocean surged and crashed on the rocks that bordered the beach. She couldn’t hear anyone around them, but didn’t want to ask questions out loud. She sensed the magical dark spots in the forest, the same murky energy she’d felt when she’d arrived here.

They hiked up a path that led to the cliff. A small green energy filled her mind. She recognized it as the hemlock. It was suddenly overpowered by an all-encompassing wave of green magic. The redwoods. The green was streaked with darkness, and fear washed over Keelie. This wasn’t the Dread; this was a cannibalistic entity that overpowered those it came in contact with.

Before the fear could overtake her mind, Keelie immediately thought about the calm charm she’d used on Laurie and Knot. She pulled on a thread of Earth magic and from deep within, her fairy magic. Creating a shield, she pushed the fear out of her mind. She would have to say thank you to Elianard for the Compendium.

Sean steadied her when she stumbled.

“Are you okay?”

“I feel the dark magic. It’s very strong. We need to get out of here.”

A loud, discordant jangle filled the air. Keelie had heard the sound before. Sean pressed his finger against his lips, and they ducked behind the spreading rhododendrons.

Keelie caught a glimpse of shiny red among the tree trunks. Sticks crackled loudly on the ground. Sean motioned for Keelie to get lower in the bushes.

Images from serial killer movies featuring teenagers walking alone in the woods flashed in Keelie’s mind. Suddenly, she didn’t want to be here.

There was a sharp snap as something or someone stepped on a stick.

The tension in the air was thick. They could see Peascod step out into a clearing, his bells jangling horridly.

“I don’t like him,” she whispered to Sean.

Peascod was holding a compass and a book in his hand, searching for something. He mumbled to himself and his hat jangled as he moved east away from the beach.

Keelie was about to rise when Sean put a hand on her shoulder and shook his head. He pointed. Tavyn now stepped into view. He turned and peered about the path, then lifted his head like he was sniffing the air for his prey. He must have found Peascod’s scent because he too turned east, away from the beach.

This was all so weird. Why was Tavyn following Peascod? The redwood elves must be suspicious of the jester. Keelie wondered if he had anything