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“What do you mean?” Esther asked.

“Fae portals can be created with Fae magic, but maybe there are other realms and other portals. When my dear Fergus was still alive, he was a Fae in the human realm. He lived deep in the forest in Scotland. There was a place there where a Faerie Circle would appear. He was the Fae spirit of the forest, protecting the magic deep in it. I can’t help but wonder if this is the same.”

Asher had heard her share many stories about her Fergus over the years, but he didn’t recall her ever mentioning he was Fae. No wonder Bridget was the most powerful magic creature he’d ever known.

Bridget continued. “I’ve met a few shifters in my time, but there seem to be clusters of them. I thought it was a bloodline thing, but what if it is a calling from living near a magical place? Ye been on this mountain for generations, correct?”

Abe nodded. “When my parents died so unexpectedly, we never got to ask them what they were protecting?” He took a deep breath and scratched his beard. “It would make sense.”

“I think I need to talk to this mothman. Maybe we can make this elixir?” she said to Julie.

“If you help me figure it out, I’ll make it for him,” Julie said.

“Well, it looks like I have a meeting coming soon,” Bridget said as she scooted her chair back from the table. “If everyone is okay, maybe we should turn in and reconvene in the morning.”

“But, Asher!” Sunny protested.

“I’m fine, Sunshine,” he said as he rubbed her thigh.

“No! You are bruised and bleeding. There are people here who can fix that.”

“Ock, goodness me, of course,” Bridget said as she stood and went over to Asher. “Give me yer hand. Is this the only place ye are hurt?”

Asher nodded and placed his hand near Bridget’s. Bridget placed her hand over the bruise and cut, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath.

Asher felt a peculiar sensation of warmth emanate from his heart and travel down his arm. It transformed into a cool tingle before leaving his fingertips.

“That’s fucking weird,” he said, looking at his arm, and as the cool tingle left his body, it took all the pain with it. “Ya know, I’m fairly convinced we can beat all of them with Bridget on our side.”

Bridget gave a huff of appreciation and a wink at his words. “It’s a good thing Sunny and her father have dealt with the coal company because I’m afraid I’m not much help there, but warlocks and witch hunters are something I can handle.”

“That’s good because I don’t think we’ve heard the last from them. I think we need to add more patrols of the entire mountain for the foreseeable future,” Abe said to Asher.

“Agreed.”

“Mom, is everything okay?” a small voice said from the top of the stairs.

“Ruby, I thought you were asleep,” Esther said, smiling up at her daughter.

Her eyes were filled with warmth when she looked at Ruby. That always made Asher smile because Esther was known for her cold, calculating gaze, but with Ruby, she was ooey-gooey warmth.

“I was,” she said with a yawn. “But then I heard talking.”

Esther stood and held her hand out for her. “I think we are finishing up here. Are you ready to head home?”

Ruby came down as Esther slid her arm around her and held her to her side. “I’ll see you guys tomorrow.”

They all walked out on the porch, and Esther and Ruby moved down one path and Bridget down another.

“Oh, your van is still broken down on the side of the road, isn’t it?” Asher asked Sunny, peering down at her.

“It is.” She nodded.

“Do you want me to have Abe drive us to your house? My truck is there. Or maybe I could just borrow his truck? Or we could sleep in my cabin.”

Sunny nodded. “Let’s just sleep in your cabin, and we’ll deal with the rest tomorrow.”

“Sounds good,” he said before slipping his hand into hers and leading the way.