Chapter 23
The Mistress of the Copper Mountain
Having just volunteered to hunt in an unfamiliar forest in complete darkness without the basics, I was plenty nervous.
It was one thing to go into the woods in Zorya, which I knew like the back of my hand, where every tree, every stem, and every stalk were familiar, and quite another to hunt in Virginia, where even the birches looked different.
Time was of essence, for I had to get back quickly to make us dinner. So much depended on it. I needed to show Lisa that I could be useful, that I could provide for her.
“Why don’t you go check on Harry,” I suggested, keeping my voice steady. Having surveyed the options inside the shed, I settled on making a slingshot. It was the easiest, quickest tool, and I’d located just the right stick in the corner.
“Oh, yes, good idea. I’ll go check on him now. Call me if you need anything.” Lisa hastily left.
It took me a few attempts to build the slingshot.
I cursed myself for not having had the foresight to have prepared better and wished for the leather back in Zorya.
But I had to make do with the materials on hand.
A clew of rope sat on one of the shelves, and I tried using it, but it ripped too easily.
Rummaging through the shed, I found rubber bands and tied them together.
Rubber, I’d learned from Lisa earlier, was a miraculous invention, flexible and durable, that I would have to bring to Zorya.
I left the shed a few minutes later, stuffing the newly made slingshot into my pocket, and headed for the forest, on the lookout for a hare that, I hoped, was lurking nearby.
I entered the wooded area right next to the path that led to the seven birches, where Lisa and I had almost kissed earlier that day.
So much had happened since that morning.
It was as if Lisa had become a different person.
The second Quinn appeared, she’d completely changed.
It made little sense. And not even the needle that we’d found in the Fabergé egg, the soul of Kashchey—or Quinn—that was now in my pocket, snapped into two pieces, had turned her attitude toward me back to what it had been earlier.
Burying the needle had to happen quickly. I took out the two broken pieces and squatted near a birch tree, pushing one piece into the ground, then took a few steps forward, and did the same thing with the other one.
Done. I brushed my hands off and continued walking ahead.
As I contemplated the events of the day, I got so lost in thought, I nearly tripped on a root that stuck out of the ground. I checked my surroundings. I could hear the water splashing now and hoped that whatever wildlife lived in these woods would also gravitate to the area near the river.
A few seconds later, I was proven right when I heard a rustling noise.
It sounded like a bigger animal, and I froze in place, trying to understand what it was.
Maybe a boar, I gripped the slingshot tightly.
This weapon was no match for a wild boar.
At least there are no wolves in these woods, I thought, remembering Harry and his face, wide-eyed with fear.
But something was off. Whatever that beast was, it wasn’t afraid but walked in the woods as if it owned the place.
Could it be a bear? My hopes of capturing a tiny hare were fading, as no hare would be seen in the woods with a bear around.
The rustling grew louder.
My heart rate accelerated. If this were truly a bear, it would have smelled me and retreated by now. But whatever this animal was, it was fearless and was approaching fast. Could it be an unknown beast? My mind pictured a dangerous half wolf, half bear, sharp fangs piercing my skin.
It would be finished before I even had a chance to win Vasilisa over.
I remembered what Papa had taught me about animals smelling fear and puffed up my chest, straightened my shoulders, and let out a roar so loud, the branches above me shook. I expected to hear the sound of the animal’s steps retreating, but what I heard shocked me to my very core.
Laughter.
A woman stepped out of the shadows. Seeing her, I stumbled back, hitting my head on the branch right above.
“Well, hello there,” she said, looking straight at me.
Her eyes were bright green, just like the eyes of the forest witch in Zorya, and her dark-brown hair was braided.
She flicked on a flashlight and shone it first into my face, blinding me temporarily, then pointed it to the ground between us, illuminating a circular spot.
A tiny lizard sat right in the middle of it, moving its head, then slithered into the darkness, disappearing from view.
“Mistress of the Copper Mountain!” I exclaimed. “Forest witch.”
The woman chuckled, revealing very even, white teeth. “Who are you and what are you doing here?”
“I’m Ivan,” I responded, omitting my nickname.
“And where do you come from?”
“From Fernwood.” This wasn’t exactly lying, and yet I could avoid mentioning Zorya to this stranger.
“I see,” she sighed. “Now, tell me, did Lisa bring you over here?”
“Wait, you know Lisa?” I said, adjusting the slingshot in my hands. As the woman’s eyes settled on it, she rolled her eyes.
“A slingshot? That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve seen in the forest. Let me take that.” I handed her the weapon, which she examined briefly, then put it in her pocket. “Of course I know Lisa.”
“We came here together,” I said, not sure why I was so eager to share this information.
“So, she’s back?” the woman asked. “How’s Lisa doing?”
“She’s doing well.”
This stranger was speaking casually with me, as if it were perfectly normal to run into each other in the woods at night. I was starting to doubt whether she was the Mistress of the Copper Mountain, for that woman was a witch known for her trickery.
“I see. I’m glad Lisa decided to restart the whole retreat center thing again,” the woman said, then cleared her throat. “Come on, take me to her. I’m surprised I didn’t hear you guys coming up. Did you drive up this morning?”
“We came this morning, but we didn’t drive,” I said, knowing better than to mention the flying pony.
“So that must have been the reason I didn’t hear you.”
“Excuse me, but what is your name?” I mustered the courage to ask.
“I’m Martha. I live right over there.” The woman casually waved her hand in the direction of the woods.
Lisa had not mentioned anything about any neighbors or any other properties in the area, and I swallowed hard, imagining the worst. What if the woman had been sent by Quinn? What if she was plotting to murder us?
“Come on, what are you waiting for?” Martha turned around and briskly walked down the forest path, leading me out of the woods.
She marched ahead confidently, and I followed. It wasn’t until we were halfway to the yoga center that I remembered the reason I’d been in the forest in the first place: hunting to make dinner for Lisa.
The green-eyed woman had disrupted my plans, had taken away the slingshot, and now I thought of finding an excuse to go back, but first I needed to make sure Martha wasn’t dangerous and wasn’t going to threaten Lisa.
“So, what’s Lisa up to? And why didn’t she drive over here?” Martha asked as she stopped and faced me. Without waiting for an answer, she narrowed her eyes, scanning my face as if she’d suddenly understood something. “Wait a second, I think I’ve met you before!” she exclaimed.
I was about to respond, but at that very moment I saw Lisa emerge from the entrance to the retreat center. She looked calmer, more open, and the expression on her face reminded me of the first time I saw her: It was curious and eager.
“Martha.” Lisa’s mouth hung open. “Wow!”
“It’s so good to see you, sweetheart.”
The forest woman rushed to Lisa, and the two embraced.
“I’m stunned. Where’ve you been?” Lisa asked, her eyes sparkling.
I stood back in awe. Lisa was so genuinely happy to see Martha.
“I could ask you the same thing,” the forest witch shook her finger in mock admonishment. “I’ve been here, same as always. But, you know, I don’t do technology. I was hoping you’d write.”
“I know, I know, I’m so sorry. It was just so hard. With Quinn.”
“Are you all right now?” Martha reached for Lisa’s hand.
“Tell me, please. And none of that ‘I’m fine’ nonsense.
I want to know how you really are. You know, the other day, I was sitting in my living room, and I did a card spread, and there was one card, it was the upside-down Fool, and for some reason I remembered Quinn.
He always reminded me of a fool, that ex of yours. Still an ex, right?”
“Of course. I’d never go back to Quinn. Not after the stalking.”
My heart sank at the understanding that Lisa had suffered from her ex-husband much more than she had led on. At least she’ll be safe from him now.
“You poor thing. What he’d put you through—I’d think he would have gotten over it by now. Don’t tell me he’s still at it?”
“Actually, he showed up here earlier today,” Lisa said. “If it weren’t for Ivan, I don’t even know what would have happened. Quinn rode up on a motorcycle. He must have tracked me down.”
“How?”
“I don’t know. I took every precaution. I even turned off my phone when we were on our way here.”
“Why do you still have that thing? With an ex who’d funded the cell phone towers in the whole county, you should know better.”
“I just thought he was over it.” Lisa’s eyes darted to me. I caught her gaze and was about to intervene, but she raised her eyebrows, which I took to mean I should stay quiet.
“How did you get here, anyway, if you didn’t drive? You’re still teaching at Fernwood, right?” A faint smile crossed Martha’s lips as she winked at me.
“Yes, still there. It’s a long story.”
“Don’t tell me you walked.”
“No, of course not. I sort of, um—” Lisa hesitated before pushing me forward. “Well, you two have met, right?”
I swallowed hard, wondering what Lisa could possibly tell Martha about our magical travels, but Lisa said, “Ivan is really good with horses. So we rode one here.”
“A horse? Now, that must have taken you forever.”
“It wasn’t too bad, actually.” Lisa shrugged. “We have a very fast horse.”
“I see.” Martha smirked. “And I take it Quinn knows about Ivan?”
“There’s nothing to know.” Lisa crossed her arms.
“Come on, Lisa. You can tell me. Why don’t you come over to my place right now? The two of you? You weren’t planning on spending the night at the center, were you?”
“I don’t want to impose.”
“Don’t be silly. I’ve got dinner ready. I was just on my late-night walk when I ran into Ivan here. You should have come by earlier.”
“Sure,” Lisa agreed, blushing slightly. “We just need to check on Harry.”
“Harry’s your horse? Cute name! Maybe you can ride the horse to my place? How about I meet you over there?”
“Thank you so much for the invitation.”
“It’s nothing—don’t worry, Lisa. Remember, I’m your friend. I care about you.” The witch’s eyes sparkled as she said this, and a shiver ran down my spine.
Could we trust this woman? Did Lisa really agree to spend the night there, in the green-eyed witch’s lair?
“Let’s meet at my place then. Dinner will be waiting for you when you arrive.”
Before Lisa could say anything else, Martha blew us a kiss and left.