Page 4 of Cursed (Witchbane #8)

“Rowan is working with her coven on countering storm magic and creating protective amulets to help neutralize the danger—think of the necklaces as a supernatural lightning rod,” Cassidy replied.

“And you don’t have to take on any of the witch-disciples that seem too powerful.

No one expects you to be martyrs or to do this all on your own.

There’s always another way to tackle the problem. ”

“These witches have been doing what they do for a century,” Teag pointed out. “I understand that you don’t want anyone else to get killed, but if the difference between taking them on successfully or not is the time to build a team, then it’s worth the wait.”

Seth and Evan had discussed that point many times, and they had learned to rely on allies instead of trying to handle situations themselves. Even so, there had been some close calls.

He thought about their conversation earlier that day, about getting ‘out of the life’ as friends in monster-hunting circles called it.

When Seth first started on his quest, it had been steeped in the need for absolution, atoning for Jesse dying in his place.

Then he fell in love with Evan and had a reason to live after the last of the witch-disciples was gone.

He had no intention of giving up that future, no matter how strong the impulse was for revenge.

“I know.” Seth gave a side glance at Evan. “And this isn’t a suicide pact. We have plans for a happily-ever-after, but it would be nice for that to be in a world where the witch-disciples aren’t still taking sacrifices.”

“That’s totally understandable,” Cassidy said.

“It’s just that this whole thing about stopping supernatural threats—it never ends.

And it’s easy to lose perspective, especially when there’s a personal loss behind it.

Good friends remind each other to step back and breathe from time to time,” she added with a smile.

“Thanks,” Seth said and meant it. Finding Evan was more than he ever dreamed possible, and he definitely wanted a long life together. But it would be satisfying—and safer—not to leave unfinished business behind.

“Why don’t you two go enjoy the city, and maybe by the time we have dinner this evening, I’ll know more from Rowan,” Cassidy said. “Make sure you go to the market, even if you’ve been there before. The merchandise changes all the time.”

Seth thanked them, and Cassidy promised to text him if anything urgent came up. Back on the street, he looked at Evan.

“You’re the one with the list. I’m following you.”

They started with the City Market and, on their second pass, found a remarkable number of vendors and cool items that they had overlooked the first time.

Living in an RV cut down on the space for decorative items, but they still found a set of kitchen towels as a souvenir and some seasoning blends that leaned into Charleston’s foodie reputation.

With just an afternoon to wander, they meandered around The Battery, stopping to enjoy the fountain, and commented on the vivid colors of Rainbow Row’s houses. A brisk walk brought them to the aquarium and the Fort Sumter visitor center, where they easily whiled away the time before dinner.

Evan had a great time getting photos as the light changed, giddily indulging his passion. Their trips often either weren’t as photogenic or didn’t allow time for taking pictures, so Seth enjoyed seeing Evan getting a chance to have fun.

“I’m always surprised by something at an aquarium,” Evan admitted. “Some of those fish look like they came out of a sci-fi movie.”

“That was fun,” Seth agreed. “The museum was interesting…and sobering. I remember reading about Fort Sumter when I was in school, but the museum makes it real.”

They had barely begun to explore the historic district before it was time to head to meet the others. Tucked away down a side street, the locally-owned seafood restaurant looked like it might live up to its reputation.

“It’s got to be hard running a restaurant in a city like Charleston,” Evan said as they waited for the others to show up. “Attracting tourists is good for business. But get too touristy and the locals don’t come, and the people who live here year-round keep a place in business.”

“The good ones seem to manage,” Seth said. “And Cassidy would definitely know.”

The others showed up minutes later, talking and laughing. Seth and Evan shook hands with Kell and Anthony, whom they had met the last time they were in Charleston to deal with the city’s own witch-disciple.

Kell Winston, Cassidy’s partner, a paranormal investigator and filmographer, was tall and lean with light brown hair and blue eyes.

Anthony Benton, a lawyer, was Teag’s husband, with blond hair and blue-eyed boy-next-door good looks.

By unspoken agreement, they kept the conversation light, veering away from the case or the supernatural.

Cassidy and the others filled them in on new things to do in town and urged them to plan on spending time now or later to explore and take time off.

Seth and Evan caught them up on places they had stopped as they traveled, with the others adding their favorite tourist traps and historic locations.

“The epic road trip part is pretty awesome,” Evan admitted. “Even if dealing with the problem when we arrive isn’t.”

“Once you take care of business in Savannah, there are some fantastic restaurants and museums,” Anthony said. “Assuming you’re not in a hurry to leave.”

“Won’t know about that until we get to that point,” Seth replied. They usually beat a hasty retreat after defeating the local witch-disciple since loyalists were likely to hold a grudge even if they lacked similar magic mojo.

“I completely understand,” Kell said. “Then come back to Charleston and we’ll give you the grand tour. My group visits all kinds of really interesting old places, but I’m not always in a hurry to go back, depending on how the evening went.”

Kell ran the Southern Paranormal Outlook and Outreach Klub, also known as SPOOK, a local ghost-hunting group that explored the many haunted places in Charleston and surrounding areas. Seth had heard some of Kell’s stories about encounters with ghosts, and they weren’t for the faint of heart.

Evan and I go looking for trouble to settle old murders. I can’t imagine doing it for fun, but it seems to work for Kell.

Teag’s husband, Anthony, was a lawyer with one of the city’s long-established firms. “I never have the right kind of stories to tell,” Anthony said. “Courtroom drama isn’t usually nearly as fascinating as they make it look on TV, and the ‘good stuff’ is all privileged.”

When Seth first started hunting with Evan and acknowledged the attraction between them that bloomed into love, he feared that their chosen quest of stopping deadly witches didn’t lend itself to a long-term relationship.

Seth had started out hell-bent to avenge his brother, and at the beginning, he hadn’t worried about what might come afterward.

Falling in love with Evan changed everything, giving Seth a reason to want to survive their quest and plan a future. Sometimes the idea of an “after” still caught him by surprise.

We need to spend more time planning that. Something to build toward, improbable as it might seem.

As if he guessed the drift of Seth’s thoughts, Evan slipped his hand over to squeeze Seth’s leg beneath the table.

After that, Teag and Cassidy kept them entertained with stories of some of the more unusual objects that came into Trifles and Folly.

Although they handled more than their share of cursed, haunted, and supernaturally-tainted objects, most of the pieces were merely old, some more valuable than others.

The evening passed quickly, and Seth’s spirits lightened from the combination of good company and great food.

Before they went their separate ways outside, Cassidy laid a hand on Seth’s arm.

“Come by the shop tomorrow morning. I got a text from Rowan, and I think she’ll have her part of the information pulled together by then.

I also have two people in Savannah that I want to introduce you to: Nash and Caden.

They know the score, and they can be helpful with the ‘project.’”

Seth thanked her, and he and Evan said goodbye as the group broke up for the evening. Since the night was cool, Seth had uncoupled the truck from their RV instead of taking the motorcycle.

“Cat got your tongue? What are you thinking?”

Evan was quiet on the drive back, and Seth’s question pulled his attention from the passing scenery. “I had fun. It’s good to get a chance to just be with friends when we aren’t running for our lives.”

“True.” Seth wondered where Evan’s thoughts had strayed.

“And I love seeing other couples like Teag and Anthony—like us—who’ve been together for a long time and make it work.”

“Yeah, that makes me happy too.” Seth knew something was niggling at Evan, but his partner would share it in his own time.

“I don’t think guys like us, who’ve seen the kind of stuff we’ve seen, can ever go back to a completely normal life,” Evan said.

“But I don’t want to hunt forever. When we’re done with the disciples, I’ll be happy for us to walk away from hunting for good.

Finish the quest, slay the dragon, and live happily ever after.

” He sighed. “I don’t want to push our luck. ”

“I get it.” Seth’s Army training hadn’t completely prepared him for fighting a supernatural foe, but it provided a perspective and a level of experience that a civilian like Evan didn’t have or want. “I don’t want to hunt forever either.”

Their earlier conversation had stayed in Seth’s mind, and he found himself thinking about what life without the quest to stop the witch-disciples might be like. They still had several more adversaries to go, but now, Seth felt like the end was almost in sight.

“That’s all,” Evan said. “I don’t have anything figured out, but the ideas keep circling in my thoughts. What to build toward. What later looks like.”

Seth reached over for his hand in the dark. “I love that. And I want to be with you forever, no matter what we’re doing. As for the details, we’ll figure it out. But I agree, having a later in mind makes the rough parts easier.”

None of Seth’s wards or alarms around the RV had tripped, but even so, he and Evan circled it cautiously, just to be sure. Relieved, Seth unlocked the door and powered down the protections for them to enter.

Evan surprised him by pulling him close as soon as the door was locked behind them and pressing him against the wall. He slipped a hand up Seth’s cheek to draw him into a slow, deep kiss.

After a second or two, Seth caught on and kissed back with quiet passion. He loved the taste and smell of Evan, the feel of his hands, and the weight of his body. Seth had no doubt that Evan was the only one for him, and Evan had made it very clear many times that he felt equally committed.

“How about we skip the movie and popcorn tonight and take this to bed?” Evan rumbled.

“What did you have in mind?” Seth asked, already breathless.

“Anything. Everything. Nothing. I just want to be wrapped up in you,” Evan replied.

“That sounds like the best plan I’ve heard all day.” Seth let Evan lead him by the hand.