“What about Crow?” I lean forward, elbows on my knees. “You jumped straight to Void being an asshole.”
Asher's focus shifts to the window behind me, where the mountain stands tall. Something changes in his expression.
“Crow's different.” He runs a hand through his hair, messing it up more than the wind already had. “Legend says he was the most powerful of the bunch. The guardian. While the others bickered about territory and ownership, Crow put up barriers, preparing for danger.”
“Sounds paranoid,” I joke, placing the papers I’ve already scanned back into the box.
“More like strategic.” His jaw clenches. “Mount Crow is the tallest mountain in the world, it’s just most people don’t know it. It’s elevation alone will murder you, but the route?” He shakes his head, focus waning. “Pure ice faces that'll rip you open on contact. Weather that turns on a dime. Crevasses that weren't there yesterday swallow you whole today. It's claimed more bodies than Grim and Void combined.”
I study the mountain's outline through the glass. Lost amongst the clouds, the curves of every flaw scream something menacing. “But people still try?”
Because people are stupid.
“Every year. Most turn back at base camp. The smart ones, anyway.” He leans back, shoulders tense. “Local families won't guide on Crow anymore. Lost too many, even from the halfway.”
“And Grim?”
He grins. “Grim's the tech bro of mountains. All engineered ramps and computer-controlled obstacles. They turned it into some augmented reality playground. Sensors track your speed, project holograms, shit like that. It's impressive if you're into that whole 'future of snowboarding', Cyberpunk thing.”
“You're not?”
His eyes land on me. “I prefer my mountains without Wi-Fi.” He stands, moving to the window. His reflection overlaps with mine in the glass. “Crow doesn't need tricks. It is one. Some call him the villain, but I don't know, I think he protects what's his and he doesn't give a fuck what it looks like to anyone else.”
I can't help the laugh that bubbles up. “That's interesting, but I call bullshit.”
“Right?” He grins, genuine this time. “The locals eat that shit up though. Won't even say his full name during storm season.”
I trace the mountain's silhouette through the window again. Dark. Brooding. Unforgiving.
“Why do I get Mount Crow?” The question slips out before I can stop it. “Why not Grim with all its fancy tech and engineering?”
Asher moves back to the sofa. When he settles into the cushions, his eyes find mine and hold.
“Because it's probably protecting you.”
The words hang between us, weighted with meaning I don't want to unpack.
“You should write a book.” I gesture at him with a dusty photo I've pulled from the box. “Submit it to my publishing company. You've got the imagination for it.”
His grin fades until he stares at me, trying to decode something written in a language he doesn't speak.
“Yeah.” His voice comes out rougher than before. “Maybe.”
I should look away, go back to the box, say something stupid about the house or the weather or anything else. But I don't.
Can't.
There's something happening in the space between us, something that has nothing to do with mountains or legends or—
My phone buzzes against the coffee table, shattering whatever that was.
Status update required.
The text glares up at me. As always, impeccable timing. I flip the phone face-down, but Asher's already noticed the shift in my posture.
“Work?”
“Something like that.” I turn back to the box, pulling out more photos. Most are landscape shots of the island, but a few show people. The woman from the portrait downstairs appears in several, always smiling that sharp smile.
