Keelie reached for the iPhone and tapped in a number.

“Hello.” Zabrina’s chirpy voice warmed Keelie up like a ray of sunshine. She missed her friend and her home in the Dread Forest—and she never used to think that was possible. Keelie even sort of missed her lore lessons with Elianard. She thought of the Compendium, which she’d left at Heartwood. She’d go get it this afternoon and study. The lore lessons were proving to be very useful.

At least in the Dread Forest, she’d had her routine. She had a rhythm to her days and knew her place. Here, everything had changed. California was no longer the home she’d held precious. The memories of growing up would always be with her, but L.A. wasn’t home anymore. Her childhood home was in her heart.

“Hey. It’s Keelie.”

“Hey, Keelie. How are the redwoods? Are they full of good energy vibes?”

“Well, they’re sending vibes. Their tree shepherd is missing. They’re a different sort, these trees.”

“How different?” Zabrina’s voice held concern. “What kind of trouble are you in? Missing tree shepherd—it sounds like you’re starring in one of those detective shows where the detective goes to a different location to solve a mystery. Except in your case, it’s with trees.”

“I need your help.”

“See, you’re the detective calling the friend to check on some evidence for her,” Zabrina said.

“You need to stop watching cable television.” Keelie filled a tea ball with catnip leaves. Knot appeared on the counter, nostrils flared.

“Hey, I just got that satellite dish and I’m catching up. So, what do you need help with?”

“I have this piece of vellum-looking paper that was in my mom’s house, and it looks like it came from a lore book. But Mom wouldn’t have owned anything like that. Anyway, I thought about your glasses. Maybe if you looked at it, you could tell me more about it.”

Zabrina had a pair of enchanted glasses that allowed the user to see through glamour. Useful when dealing with fairies. Keelie dipped the tea ball into a mug and poured boiling water over it while Knot flopped over onto the baggie of catnip and writhed. She yanked the bag out from under his furry bottom and put it back in the cupboard.

Zabrina hummed a bit. “Yes, I can. But there’s a problem.”

“What?”

“I can’t see over the phone.”

“Oh!” Keelie felt her cheeks get hot. She should have thought of that.

“Mail it to me, and I’ll let you know. Or wait until you get back and show it to me.”

“Would it work if I emailed you a picture of it?” Keelie didn’t want to wait for the mail.

“No. Then I would just be looking at an image, not the real thing. Can you send it by overnight express?”

“I can. Be on the lookout for it.”

“Bye, kiddo.” Zabrina hung up.

Keelie really missed her. It felt like clouds had come back, and a chill permeated the air. She wondered if her watcher tree was hanging around nearby. She was going to have to corner it and get some information.

Knot licked up hot tea while surveying the parking lot. His ears twitched like little furry radar antennae.

“I’m going to Heartwood to grab the Compendium. Want to come?”

Knot looked interested. Keelie glanced at Laurie, who was still snoozing, and let herself out quietly. The Compendium was just where she had left it. She’d taken a chance leaving it like that, because it was one of the elves’ treasures and she’d put it under the counter where anyone could have snatched it.

Keelie opened it up randomly on top of the counter, and glanced down at the chapter titled “Goblins.” Interesting, since she’d encountered a Red Cap. She read,

Goblins are an Under-the-Hill species that live in urban areas, although they are also known to live in forests. Large populations live in Seattle, Washington; London, England; the Northwest Territories; and Moscow, Russia.

Unusual locations. At least L.A. wasn’t polluted with them.

Goblins are practitioners of dark magic, and using their blood in spells and charms guarantees a grim outcome. A strong charm must be used to deter these foes of elves.

Suggested charms:

Air charm—Harnessing the powers of the wind can create a thunderstorm; thus, an elf can call lightning down upon the goblin.

Spirit Charm—Binding the goblin’s spirit to a place, object, or sometimes a live container will keep him locked in this place until he is freed. One must be careful to remember where one has bound the goblin. A goblin’s spirit can taint a location, an object, or its living container the longer it stays in that location. A goblin’s death can taint a locale even more strongly.

Hay-fever Charm—Goblins suffer from hay fever, and recreating the conditions of newly mown grass will immobilize your enemy as they sneeze their way to defeat.

Hay fever? So Mr. Heidelman was keeping the goblins away all that time with his midnight mowing. Who knew?

Knot placed his paw on Keelie’s leg and meowed.

“Okay, buddy, let’s see if that calm charm will help you.”

She turned to the page and said the magic words, visualizing a calm beach with palm trees as she patted the cat on the head.

Knot eye’s widened, and Keelie definitely smelled the scent of suntan oil. Knot purred and slunk away, kitty muscles relaxed, his lofty tail held high.

Keelie liked the Compendium. The goblin stuff was creepy, though. She wanted to think they didn’t exist. She pushed all thoughts of goblins to the back of her mind. Anyway, she’d just avoid Seattle. No big deal.

Gobblers.

The word came back to her like a wave of cold Arctic air. It chilled her all the way to her bones. The little mall tree had said the gobblers had told him fairies were bad. Could his gobblers be goblins?

And the little tree lived in L.A., not too far from her old house. She shivered.

Keelie grabbed her charm book and the piece of parchment. She was going to have to mail this to Zabrina as soon as possible. She slammed the book shut and ran back to the RV.

“Laurie, wake up!” She shook her friend. “I need you to take me to Juliet City. I need to go the post office.”

“What?” Laurie opened her eyes.

“I need for you to drive me.”

Laurie reached into the pockets of her jeans and placed the BMW keys in Keelie’s hand. “You drive. I was having the best dream. Orlando Bloom was fighting for me.”

“That’s Sir Davey’s TV,” Keelie laughed. The sounds of the elves and the Uruk-hai facing off in battle still came from the bedroom. Keelie went and watched for a second before turning off the TV, wondering what real goblins looked like.

There were no problems driving to and from Juliet City. Keelie enjoyed the sense of freedom driving gave her. With the parchment on its way to Zabrina, Keelie felt satisfied. Back at the festival grounds, she parked next to Sir Davey’s camper.

Sean was leaning against the RV, his hands crossed over his chest. “Where did you go?”

“To Juliet City. Why? What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. I was worried about you,” Sean said. “Laurie said you asked for her car. With Norzan missing, I don’t feel comfortable with you going out by yourself. Did you take Knot?”

“No. I put a calm charm on him.”

“A calm charm?”

“Yeah. He’s stressed out with Risa stalking him all hours.”

Sean snorted. “He’s a big boy; he can handle her. Well, how do you feel about going back to town and having an early dinner with me? I thought you might like to walk along the beach?” He raised an eyebrow. “I mean, we could be alone.”

Keelie smiled. “Are you sure?”

“We might get a whole twenty minutes together. I’m hoping for an hour.”

“Dare we hope we have that long?” Keelie asked with a smile. “We’re always being interrupted.”

Sean nodded “Yeah. Well, I’m in charge of the jousting company, and you’re a tree shepherd—both jobs are twenty-four-hour gigs. We have responsibilities …”

They exchanged understanding looks, and Keelie felt something connect between them liked they’d never experienced before.

“Do you ever get tired and want to run away?” Keelie asked. “Sometimes it’s all so overwhelming, and I need to be alone.”

“We can’t forsake those that depend on us.” Sean took her hand. “We’ve been chosen. Me to lead the jousters and uphold traditions, and you have the forests to help and to heal. What we do makes a difference.” He really understood.

“I know, but sometimes I just want to escape and be normal.”

“I understand. You want to go and hide, and let someone else take care of the problems.” Sean nodded. “I know all too well what you mean. You always have to be there, and sometimes you feel lost in the role assigned to you by our people.”

Keelie’s stomach became light. She leaned her hand against the RV to steady herself. She looked directly at Sean. “You said ‘our people.’”

“Yes. You’re part of the Dread Forest elves. Our people.”

“I don’t think anyone has ever said that to me.” Keelie felt warm but confused. Sean was thinking of her as an elf.

“I thought you knew you were one of us.” He grimaced. “Keelie, I know there have been difficulties, but know this—the jousters and I will do whatever we have to do to protect you. You are one of us.”

She rubbed her round ear. “Sean, what about Risa? The other elves? They don’t think of me as one of them.”

Sean grabbed Keelie’s upper arms and turned her around, tilting her face up with his hand. “What does it matter what other elves or people think? You have to be true to yourself, Keelie, and you are. That’s one of the things I …”

He stopped. She held her breath.

He moved strands of hair behind her pointed ear, then behind her round ear. “Did you know that Etilafael sings your praises at the Council meetings?”

Keelie shook her head. “Still, Risa and some of the other elves will never accept me.”

“Why is it so important to have elves like Risa accept you? You can’t please every elf in the forest. Anyway, Risa has issues. She’s still working out the fact that we’re not going to be married. Elves don’t handle rejection very well. Remember the love 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 to do with Viran’s disappearance.

Moments later, Coyote trotted into view.

Peascod, Tavyn, then Coyote. What was going on here?

Coyote’s nose was low to the ground. He stopped, then lifted his gaze to Keelie’s. Their eyes locked. He gestured with his head back to the south, back toward a stand of hemlocks. Keelie detected that something wasn’t right in that direction—somebody needed help.

Then Coyote darted after his quarry, Tavyn and Peascod.

“Come on, Sean. We need to go this way.” She started moving in the direction Coyote had signaled.

“No, you need to get back to Sir Davey’s. I’m going to follow them.” Sean’s eyes were glued to the coyote.

Keelie knew just where to go. It was as if there was a homing signal in her brain. “Coyote will follow them, but he signaled that we’re needed over there.” She pointed to the large group of hemlocks and started walking toward them.

Sean kept pace beside her. “I still think we need to call for help. You shouldn’t be out here if the shepherds are in trouble.”

Keelie opened herself to the hemlocks. What is wrong?

A small weak voice answered. Hurry, the shepherd needs you. He tried to help us.

The shepherd! Viran! Keelie broke into a run, leaping over fallen limbs and skidding in the wet soil, Sean at her heels. She saw the body and dropped to her knees. Their search was over.

But when she turned over the still body, she was staring into the unconscious face of Norzan, the Northwoods Shepherd. His skin was the sickly green of chlorophyll poisoning.

“He looks moldy,” Sean said. “Is he sick?”

“No, it’s a spell.We’ve got to get him back to the elven camp.”

Sean lifted Norzan as if he weighed no more than a teacup. Keelie followed, fighting not to look over her shoulder as they hurried out of the forest.

Inside Kalix’s tree house, the unconscious form of Norzan rested on the couch. Grandmother, in her Queen Elizabeth costume, stood in a corner of the room and spoke with Kalix in whispered tones. Keelie sat at the oaken table as Sariela brought them tea. Sean was looking around, taking in every detail.

Keelie was worried about Norzan. The Redwood Forest’s elven healer hadn’t been able to awaken him.

The windows blew open as a cloud rushed into the living room. Sean pushed his chair back, ready to protect Keelie. Somebody’s adrenaline was pumping overtime. Keelie reached out and grabbed him by the wrist. “It’s a tree spirit.”

“A tree?” Then understanding filled Sean’s face. He nodded and sat back down. They watched as Bella Matera materialized in her wraithlike tree form.

“What has happened?” Bella Matera floated over to Kalix and Grandmother.

“We do not know.” Kalix bowed to Bella Matera.

“I will take him with me, and I will have Bloodroot see what he can do to awaken the Northwoods shepherd.”

Fear for Norzan’s well-being and distrust of Bloodroot filled Keelie, but Kalix nodded.

Grandmother stepped forward, her face was as hard as stone as she faced Bella Matera. “He needs to return to his home forest as soon as possible. There, among the trees that know and love him, will he be restored.”

Go Grandmother.

Bella Matera grew until the top of her branchlike “hair” vanished through the ceiling. Her voice deepened into a loud thrum that they could feel in their bones. “Bloodroot will heal him. Norzan goes with me.”

Grandmother lifted her head and glowered, fiery determination flashing in her eyes. “The Northwoods elves and healer are on their way. They will be here in two hours.”

Bella Matera’s eyes darkened. “Who gave you authority? We are the Ancients, and we are the ones who determine what happens and does not happen in our forest.”

“Am I hearing tree speak?” Sean asked Keelie, his voice low and excited.

“No, these trees can actually talk out loud.”

Sean stared at Bella Matera’s ghostly form and a frown slowly settled on his features. He held Keelie’s hand tightly in his.

“I am a tree shepherd, and even the Ancients mind the accords of the Great Sylvus,” Grandmother was saying.

Bella Matera lowered her eyes, away from Grandmother’s blistering gaze. She bowed her airy branches. “Then so be it.”

Relieved that Norzan was going to the Northwoods, Keelie sat back in her chair and picked up her tea, holding it with trembling fingers. It had been so close. She was sure that if Norzan had left with Bella Matera, he would not have returned.

Bella Matera drifted toward the window, but turned suddenly to face Grandmother. “Lady Keliatiel, Norzan’s death will be on your head. The Ancients will ask for blood price.” She vanished in a dramatic swirl.