Page 75 of The Heart of Moonlight Falls

“No, of course not. It was awful.” Eleanor gave him an understanding look.

“What about the possession?” James asked.

Hazel shook her head. “William tried to say the shade made him do all of it and he wasn’t in his right mind, but no one’s taking his word for it. He can use possession as a defense in court if he wants, but it was pretty obvious when the shade inside him was acting. Parker said his eyes went black and he had the pointy teeth and everything.”

“Yeah, I had the impression he organized the angry mob himself,” Sebastian agreed. “I wonder how long he was possessed.”

James grabbed Sebastian’s arm. “Remember the night we saw William leaving town hall and a shade flew up to him but didn’t bother him?” Sebastian nodded. “What if he was possessed then, and that’s why the shade didn’t attack.”

“Could be. But then he might be able to pin everything from the B&E to the riot on being possessed.”

“I don’t think so,” Eleanor countered. “William had already shown he was willing to turn people against you at the town hall meeting, and regardless of when exactly he became possessed, Hazel is right. It was obvious when the shade was controlling him.”

“You don’t have to worry about him, Sebastian.” Hazel gave him a comforting pat on the arm. “I doubt he’ll ever be back in Moonlight Falls, even if he manages to avoid prison.”

“No one here will be happy to see him again,” Eleanor agreed. “I doubt he’d want to face the scorn of the rest of the people in town. They won’t want anyone bothering you.”

Sebastian repressed a smile. Moonlight Falls had well and truly chosen him. He was home.

27

JAMES

“Where are we going?” Sebastian asked James from the passenger seat of his truck the next day.

James had the entire week off work. He owed Hazel a serious vacation after all this. He just had to find a way to convince her to actually take one. Maybe he could get Eleanor to persuade her.

James threw Sebastian a mischievous look. “Can it be a surprise?”

“Hm. I guess. As long as no one is going to jump out at me screaming ‘Surprise!’”

“It’s not that kind, I promise,” he assured Sebastian.

“Okay.” Sebastian still sounded suspicious, but he settled back in his seat and let James drive him through the east side of town. “I should probably get my expired driver’s license renewed at some point, or you’ll be stuck driving me everywhere, surprise or not.”

“You know I don’t mind, but we can sort it out when we’re in Apple Valley for your follow-up appointment.” James turned down Pine Street.

“Hey, this is where Eli sent his skateboard through the darkness.”

“It is.” James eyed Sebastian as he pulled over.

Sebastian turned away from the window. “This is that plot of land for sale.”

James blushed, even if he wasn’t sure why. “Yeah, a whole acre and a half. I called the realtor this morning and she said the people next door are planning on listing their house in the spring but are happy for us to come check it out today.”

“Next door?” Sebastian spun back to the window. “Oh, it’s a cute house. Look at the front porch. It has a swing.”

James smiled at the excitement in Sebastian’s voice. “I figured the house plus the extra land would give you your hobby farm.”

Sebastian nodded enthusiastically. “Miss Moo will love it, and it’s so close to town. I can even see the neighbors.”

“I’m glad you like it already.”

Sebastian unbuckled his seatbelt. “It might actually be perfect. The forest is just over there, but not too close. I can plant my fruit trees and have a huge garden, though we’ll need that hedged in for privacy.”

“We will?”

Sebastian grinned slyly. “I thought we could have a repeat of our last garden romp.”

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