Page 117 of Mystery in the Mountains

“What does that even mean? Is he a shifter?” Abe asked.

“I asked him. He said no. He said he’s from a world that looks like ours in some ways but is also very different. I think he even said that there were creatures of all different kinds there but that, one night, he got trapped here by accident.”

Asher looked around the table.

The looks of perplexity and disbelief were evident. But Bridget was something else altogether. Her brows were scrunched, and the chaotic glint in her eye he’d come to expect were gone. What was she thinking?

“Speaking of the accident!” Sunny said. “My visions were right! He saw the accident that night! He says the coal company trucks ran their car off the road. They were poised to get the mountain, but my dad figured it out. That’s what this is.” She pointed to a manilla folder on the table.

Asher picked it up and pulled out the paper. There were pictures of the car crash, along with two damaged VenDeer vehicles and a cease-and-desist letter.

“I think he was still looking for a smoking gun to bring them down, but all he was able to do was get them off our back.”

“That’s all anyone can do with massive corporations,” Esther said darkly.

“Mothman, ye say?” Bridget asked again.

Sunny gave her head a little shake. “Yeah, that’s what he said.”

Bridget chewed on her bottom lip, still lost in thought, as Asher put the paper down on the table and Abe picked them up to look for himself.

“I think, when they thought I was gone, they thought they could get the house. And with them buying the land on the back half of the mountain . . .”

“Yeah, it’s not looking good. But it does look like good ol’ VenDeer isn’t able to get their hands on the mountain with this,” Abe said, pushing the papers back on the table.

“I don’t know . . .” Esther said. “I’m not sure what’s worse, having the coal company breathing down our neck or this church.”

“Both aren’t great,” Julie said.

Asher and Abe’s eyes connected over the table. He knew what Abe was thinking because it was the same thing he was thinking.

They had gotten too relaxed. They’d forgotten this mountain wasn’t only their home but their responsibility. They had squandered its magic. The evil they were supposed to guard against was on the doorstep because they’d forgotten what their mission was.

“Mothman?” Bridget said again, perplexed.

“That’s what he said—and that he gives the witch moonshine to give him the elixir.”

Bridget nodded with a furrowed brow.

“Fuck,” said Asher as he ran his hand through his hair. “How the fuck did I let this happen?”

“We all let this happen. Sunny and I left you guys here to deal with this alone. That’s on us. You can only outrun your problems so long,” Esther said darkly.

“Okay,” Sunny said. “Let’s look at it this way. For now, the coal company is out. And while I would love nothing more than to bring them down for good, we have all we need to keep them out with this,” she said, waving around the manilla envelope. “And we have an eyewitness to add to it.” She settled in closer to Asher, and he slid his arm around her shoulders. “We still have each other. And we have the magic of this mountain. I mean, I know you all protect it, but it seems to do a good job of protecting you right back.”

“Mothman . . .” Bridget mumbled.

“Yes. Bridget, mothman.”

“I apologize. It’s just that I’ve never heard of such a creature. I’ve been around for a long time. Longer than any of ye know. When I got my power years and years ago, I got them from the Fae realm. That’s why their magic blockers didn’t work on me. The magic I wield is much different and more powerful than earth magic.”

Everyone looked at her, nodding.

“And I know ye’ve been trying to figure out what it is ye’re all protecting, and I’m wondering . . .” She bit her lip, mulling over her words.

“Wondering what?” Abe prompted.

“If perhaps . . . there is a portal.”

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