Chapter Three
~Claire~
I stood with my hand on the sarcophagus, my fingers tracing the intricate spells carved into its lid as the storm outside seemed to fade away in an instant.
“That’s…different,” Colton said, turning to look at the mouth of the tomb.
It was still dark outside, but the rain had ceased, and I couldn’t hear even a distant rumble of thunder.
“I don’t recognize any of these markings,” I murmured, turning back to the coffin. “They’re clearly spells of some kind, but I’ve never seen anything like this before.” I blew out a frustrated sigh. “I should have brought my bags with me.”
“I can send for them,” Colton offered.
“No,” I said, shaking my head. “It would be safer to research first than to bust inside without knowing who or what may be interred.”
“Forgive my ignorance,” Colton said, walking back to me and staring down at the coffin. “But that is a sarcophagus, isn’t it?”
“I believe so,” I agreed.
“I wasn’t aware mummification was a common practice in Michigan.”
“Mummification was practiced by many cultures,” I said, walking around and continuing to trace the carvings in the wood. “Obviously Egyptian and Aztec are most well-known. But there have been many discoveries of mummies throughout Europe as well. And many different monster cultures adopted the practice as well.”
I rolled my lower lip between my teeth as I crouched down, studying the engraving across the side of the sarcophagus.
“This place doesn’t seem old enough for that, though.” I grabbed a flashlight from my pocket and shone it onto the side of the box. “And this is not spell work here.” I frowned as I moved closer. “I think it’s…French.” I looked up at Colton who had walked around to join me. “I don’t suppose you know French?”
“Unfortunately, I do not,” he admitted. “However, I know witches that may be able to help you with the spells. And I believe my brother-in-law is fluent in several languages. If you’ll agree, I can send for them to come and meet us here.”
“That would be incredibly helpful.” I straightened up and started to wander around the rest of the tomb. It had been carved into the bedrock that was probably original to the island. It was possible that over the years it had sunk into the ground and if it was unearthed by the storms, there was no real way to tell how long the tomb itself had existed without intense scientific study of the stones.
“Would you like to head over to the resort?” Colton asked.
I looked over at him to see that he’d moved back to the entrance, his hands roaming over his arms as if he were chilled.
“Is it freaking you out a little?” I teased.
“Miss DuBois…I am the mayor of a supernatural town. I assure you, I do not getfreaked out.” He swallowed thickly as he stared at the coffin again. “I do, however, need to get back to work.”
“Never dealt with mummies before?” I guessed, following him back out into the woods.
“I have never even considered them,” he admitted. “Outside of episodes of Scooby-Doo with my children.”
The ground was thick with mud from the rain, but the storms had indeed passed, and the sun was shining through the canopy of leaves above us as we headed toward the resort.
“If it makes you feel any better,” I offered. “With everything I’ve seen and read before, I have never once heard a true story of a mummy returning from the dead.”
“I’m slightly ashamed to admit that it does, in fact, make me feel better.” Colton gave me a soft smile. “Mummies on Isle Aux Monstres.” He shook his head. “Not what I was expecting when I called you in.”
“Me, either,” I assured him. “And that’s part of why I don’t like to know the local legends before I visit a site. Because now I have two mysteries. Who or what is buried in that tomb…and what is causing your strange storms?”
“I wish you hadn’t reminded me of that, to be honest.” Colton chuckled. “You’re sure mummies don’t come back to life?”
“There’s a first time for everything,” I said, then laughed when he turned a horrified expression to me. “I’m sorry. But you’re making this incredibly easy for me.”
“You know,” he said, leading me up the steps to the resort and holding the door open for me. “I think you’re going to get along with my family really well.”