Page 2 of Cursed (Witchbane #8)

Vernon made his base in Savannah. Seth and Evan were currently in Charleston, less than two hours away, to confer with friends who knew a lot about stopping monsters and high-powered supernatural beings.

They had worked together several months ago to take down the disciple headquartered there and stayed in touch as Seth and Evan pursued warlocks in other cities.

“It’s good to see you boys again,” Alicia said. “Maybe someday you’ll drop by when the world isn’t ending.”

Seth felt his cheeks heat. “Sorry about that. We’ve been running at top speed trying not to get killed. But I’m really hoping it won’t always be like that.” He stole a glance at Evan, who squeezed his hand beneath the table.

“I know, and there’s no shame in that. But sometimes we all get so tied up with saving the world that we can’t just take a couple of evenings off to have a good time,” Alicia replied. “That’s important too,” she reminded them.

Seth’s gaze drifted back to the empty space where the ghost had been. “Do you think our friend is going to be a problem?” he asked, clearly meaning the spirit.

Alicia frowned. “He’s been dead for a while and gathering power, but he hasn’t tried to hurt anyone.

Now that he knows someone is taking his death seriously and planning to stop his killer, I think that will keep him from getting involved.

He didn’t seem unreasonable, the way ghosts are when they’re losing what’s left of their humanity. ”

Once they were sure Alicia wasn’t too drained from the séance, they took their leave, promising to keep her in the loop on the hunt for the next witch-disciple.

Seth and Evan stepped out into the bright, clear day. “That was intense.” Seth bumped shoulders with Evan. Charleston still wasn’t a comfortable place for two men to hold hands in public.

“I can’t blame the ghost for being angry,” Evan replied. “And I’m squicked out over the possibilities of what Vernon might be doing with monster bits.”

“Nothing good, that’s for sure. But the quantity seems off for spell components. Maybe he’s running a processing plant for hellhound food?” Seth quipped, but as he spoke, something clicked into place in his brain. He and Evan shared a look.

“Oh, my God. What if he’s feeding them to something?” Evan looked like he might be sick.

“Just when you think things can’t get any weirder,” Seth said.

They weren’t due to meet with their friends for about an hour, so they took the opportunity for some much-needed downtime. Seth felt like they had been running at full speed since he had rescued Evan, because that was mostly true.

Heroes in movies never need naps, Seth thought. The pace was grueling, and he knew that they needed to slow down so they would be at their best.

Groggy monster hunters don’t last long.

Now that they knew about the witch-disciples and their sacrifices, taking time off seemed selfish and indulgent unless they were healing, because lives were on the line.

It hadn’t helped that some of the witches had moved their sacrifices ahead of schedule to power up in case they were the next to be targeted.

“Hey, where’d you go?” Evan joked to bring him back to the moment.

“Just thinking that we need a vacation,” Seth admitted.

“Well, how about a mini vacay? We can take an extra day or so, and Charleston is a top destination,” Evan said.

“Besides, if it makes your conscience feel better, we’ll be researching, so we won’t be ignoring the job.

There’s a lot I’ve always wanted to see—and photograph—in this town. ” Evan loved taking photos.

“Oh yeah? Like what?” Seth felt his mood lift at Evan’s suggestion.

“For starters, there’s Magnolia Plantation—big old house and fantastic garden,” Evan rattled off, and Seth had the feeling Evan had already researched the city.

“There are some other cool mansions and an art museum. Plus the Charleston City Market, it’s got all kinds of interesting shops and awesome food.

Evan’s enthusiasm made Seth smile. So much of their time together so far had been steeped in danger and blood. Through it all Evan had been brave and loyal, always having Seth’s back. It warmed his heart to hear Evan sound happy and excited about normal things like tourist attractions.

“I’m always up for good food,” Seth agreed. “Anything else?”

“History museums and an aquarium, and probably more sites than you could see in a year,” Evan replied. “King Street has lots of fun stores, but we’re already heading there to see Cassidy and Teag.”

They stopped for lunch at a restaurant that specialized in biscuits and gravy, washed down with house-made sweet tea. Charleston leaned into a relaxed pace, perfect for vacationers. Seth suspected the less frantic rhythm was good for the people who lived there as well.

Sipping on iced tea to go when they finished their meal, Seth and Evan made their way slowly down King Street. The historic stretch included trendy shops and restaurants housed in pastel-colored buildings that reinforced the city’s oceanfront vibe.

They took their time, window-shopping and remarking on the handmade and luxury items on display, and checking out the menus posted in the windows. Seth loved seeing Evan happy and relaxed, and made a mental note for them to come back to truly enjoy a vacation once saving the world was done.

Evan had his camera, and everywhere they looked, Charleston was picture-perfect. “This city is a photographer’s dream,” Evan said as he snapped shot after shot.

“Maybe you and your camera need a little ‘alone time’?” Seth teased.

Evan rolled his eyes. “Don’t let him bother you,” he said to the camera. “He’s just jealous.”

“Well, here we are,” Seth said when they reached Trifles and Folly, the store that belonged to their friend and collaborator, Cassidy Kincaide.

“If we lived here, I’d love to be a tour guide,” Evan said.

Seth felt a pang. Their quest to stop the witch-disciples was so dangerous, he rarely let himself daydream about what came afterward since they had to survive first.

“You’d be fantastic at it,” he encouraged.

“How about you? Got any ideas for what you’d do?”

“We’ve been so busy I haven’t spent a lot of time thinking about it.” Seth dodged the more negative aspect.

Evan gave him a look that said he wasn’t fooled. “It never hurts to have something to look forward to. Vacations and time off are good, but having an endgame is even better.”

“I know I want to be with you, whatever I’m doing,” Seth replied with a certainty that went down to his bones.

“The people who are hunting always need researchers. That might be a way to help while staying out of the line of fire.”

They were both far too young to actually retire, but the same caution that had led Seth to leave the military after his stint was over pushed him to consider a less dangerous long-term role hunting monsters.

“We’ve got time to think about it,” Seth said. “Got a few more disciples yet to go.”

A bell on the door jangled when they walked into the shop. Seth sensed that it was protective as well as welcoming.

Trifles and Folly had been in Cassidy’s family for generations. Each new owner took on the responsibility for serving as a nexus of supernatural protection as well as managing a well-regarded shop for antiques and collectibles.

“I wonder if Sorren and Donnelly are around,” Evan mused. “They seem to get called out a lot.”

“Whatever situation needs a centuries-old vampire and a master necromancer is a job I don’t want any part of.

” Seth repressed a shiver. Sorren, the vampire, protected Cassidy as he had generations of her forebears.

Donnelly, the necromancer, had powerful death magic, though he used his power to stop witches with bad intentions.

Their specialized skills and broad networks often took them out of Charleston to deal with problems elsewhere on the East Coast.

“Hi guys! Great to see you again.” Teag Logan looked up from behind the counter. “Come on in.”

Teag was tall and slender with a skater-boy mop of dark hair.

As Trifles and Folly’s assistant manager, he helped keep the busy shop running when pressing supernatural matters took Cassidy away from her duties.

His ability to weave spells into cloth and his background in martial arts proved valuable against bad guys, even if he didn’t have Cassidy’s abilities as a psychometric to read the history of objects by touching them.

“Cassidy wanted me to remind you about dinner tonight with her, Kell, Anthony, and me.” Teag named their respective partners.

“Absolutely. Looking forward to it,” Seth replied.

Cassidy returned just then with a tray of four hot lattes. “Sorry I’m late. I popped down the street to pick up some caffeine. Every planning session goes better with coffee.”

She pushed a lock of strawberry blond hair out of her eyes when she set down the tray. Seth’s eye was drawn to her agate necklace, which complemented her pale complexion. It looked old, and he wondered if it had magic as well as being an heirloom.

“I’ll cover the front. Go do what you need to do.” Maggie, their part-time helper, assured Cassidy as she moved to the register and front counter. She was over sixty, and her silver-gray hair curled in a flattering bob with sassy blue streaks that matched her eyes.

Cassidy thanked Maggie, and they headed to the table near the back of the store where Cassidy did her readings.

“Fill us in,” Cassidy said as soon as they were settled. “I’ve heard a little from Travis and Brent, but that was mainly that you were alive and settled things with another of the disciples in West Virginia.”