Page 2 of Dead Evil (Cold Case Psychic #37)

August, present day…

Tennyson Grimm sunk into his favorite chair in the West Side Magick conference room and sighed happily.

The rest of the gang would join him shortly.

Ronan and Fitz were grabbing coffee and muffins, while Jude and Cope discussed something in private in Cope’s reading room.

Ten was curious to know what they were talking about, but wouldn’t intrude on their privacy.

If Cope wanted Ten to know what was going on, he’d spill the tea later.

“Here we go!” Ronan strolled into the room with a drink carrier laden with iced coffees. He dealt them around the table much like a blackjack dealer. He kept the final one for himself and took a seat beside his husband. “You know what I’m in the mood for?” Ronan waggled his eyebrows.

Ten snorted. “You’re always in the mood for sex.” He rolled his eyes at his perpetually horny husband. Not that Ten wasn’t similarly in the mood, but they had important business to discuss and the last thing he wanted was the distraction Ronan’s cock would provide.

“What sex?” Jude asked, as he walked into the room. Cope, Cole, and Carson were hot on his heels.

“There’s no sex,” Ronan said, holding up his hands.

“Shit, Ronan. I’m sorry to hear that you aren’t getting any, but can we cool it and get down to business?” Fitz asked, sounding a bit harried, as he set a box of muffins in the center of the table. “I’ve got a meeting with Cisco in an hour.”

“What’s that about?” Ronan asked.

“Not sure,” Fitz said, plunging his straw into his iced coffee. “I thought maybe it had to do with security for the Paranormal Phantasmagoria convention, but I can’t imagine why he’d need my help with that. Not only does he want to see me, but the two of you as well.” He pointed to Ronan and Jude.

The convention was a New Orleans mainstay.

This was the first year it was being held outside of the Big Easy.

Ten was thrilled for the number of tourists the con would bring to town, along with mediums and other paranormally gifted people who were coming to speak or work the convention floor.

He was hoping Everly would meet and make friends with other psychic kids.

As much as he wanted to help his daughter grow and develop her skills, Ten knew that having peers dealing with the same struggles and growing pains was something Everly needed as much, if not more, than his own guidance.

“Do you think we’re in trouble with Cisco?” Jude frowned as he reached for a muffin. He split it in half and took a big bite, sending crumbs falling to the table.

“We’re always in trouble,” Fitz said, flipping open his notebook and grabbing a pen. “But I haven’t heard anything through the grapevine to indicate I’m about to get my ass handed to me on your behalf.”

Ten took a deep breath and focused on Fitz and Cisco. His mind was completely blank. “I’m not getting anything either.”

“Same,” Cope agreed.

“We’ll deal with Cisco later, but for now, let’s talk about the convention. What kind of support do you need from us?” Fitz uncapped his pen and focused on Carson.

“West Side Magick rented a booth at Paranormal Phantasmagoria,” Carson began. “The four of us will rotate in and out of the booth during the three days of the con. We’ll be doing ten minute readings, as well as delivering quick messages from loved ones on the other side.”

“Carson and I will be part of a panel discussion on the effects of Christianity on the occult, which takes place Sunday morning,” Cole said.

“Ten and Cope also have a group reading scheduled for Saturday afternoon. The last time I checked, it was sold out, with attendees clamoring for a second session on Sunday. What do you two think about that?”

Ten turned to Cope who was smiling. “Works for me. It would be great if we could schedule it for Friday night.” The con officially opened at noon on Friday with a vendor meet and greet luncheon.

It was a chance for the psychics to check out the latest cauldrons, tarot decks, crystal balls, books, and the like.

Carson and Cole planned on working the floor looking for new items to stock in the magick shop.

Ten planned to bring Everly around to get the lay of the land and speak to some of the other talent before everyone was bombarded by eager attendees.

“Works for me too,” Cope said. “Wolf and Lizzy B are having a sleepover at Fitz’s house on Friday night. Jace will stay with the kids while the detectives keep their eyes out for trouble.”

“I’ll get back with the con organizers and let them know you two are available for a second session.

” Carson scribbled a note on the yellow legal pad he’d brought with him.

“As for the three of you,” Carson pointed to Ronan, Jude, and Fitz, “we’re hoping you’ll keep your eyes open for trouble.

I’m not sensing that there will be any, but we all know how grabby and demanding attendees can be. ”

“One of us will work the booth at all times,” Ronan said. “I’m going to be with Ten in the group readings as well as within earshot for the private readings. Jude’s going to do the same for Cope.”

“We’re hoping you guys can help with time calls. You know how people love to go over the time they’ve paid for,” Cope said.

“You got it!” Jude waggled his eyebrows. “I love me some Karen drama.”

“Let’s hope there’s not a lot of that.” Ten knew for a fact there was always drama, especially when people thought someone else got something they didn’t.

“Where are we with bringing the kids?” Fitz asked, tapping his pen against his pad.

“I’m bringing Everly to the vendor lunch. I know a lot of the psychics are bringing their kids with them to the convention. I’m hoping she will be able to make friends with other gifted kids,” Ten said.

Ronan shook his head. “I’m still not sure that’s the best idea.”

“Why?” Fitz asked. “Explain your reasoning to me.”

Ten could kiss Fitz. He and Ronan had this conversation twice over the last few weeks and Ronan didn’t want Everly interacting with the other kids and he didn’t want to explain why. All he’d say was that he didn’t think it was a good idea. Now, with Fitz asking, maybe Ten would get the real answer.

“I’m worried the other kids will try to take advantage of Everly. She’s so powerful. What if the other kids want her to give them winning lottery numbers or the combination to their local bank safes?”

“First of all, we’ve raised our daughter better than that.

Everly isn’t going to do anything illegal.

” Ten took a moment to study his husband.

There was more to Ronan’s objection. It wasn’t a matter of Everly giving away confidential information, it was something else.

Something that was scaring Ronan. “What’s the real reason? ”

Ronan sighed. “The truth of the matter is that I’m worried someone will hurt Everly.

Like I said, she’s powerful and has so many different types of gifts.

There are a lot of jealous, crazy people out there.

People who would use our daughter for their own ends.

Desperate people who might want to scoop her up and shove her into a van. ”

“You’re scared something will happen to her?” Ten asked, already knowing the answer.

“I am. I absolutely understand that you want Everly to have a strong support network around her. You didn’t have any psychically gifted friends when you were a kid and you want Everly to have what you didn’t, but at what cost?” Ronan asked.

“I wasn’t expecting that answer,” Ten said softly. Meeting all these similarly gifted kids would have been Ten’s dream when he was Everly’s age. It never once crossed his mind that other kids might want to hurt her, rather than befriend her.

“I’ll stick with her,” Jude offered. “I agree with Ten that Everly should have friends her own age who have her gifts, but, I also agree with Ronan. There are people who’d want to take advantage of her.

So, I’ll walk around with her. Give her enough space to talk and get to know the other kids, but I’ll be close enough to intervene if things start to go sideways. ”

“I can watch my own child,” Ronan said, sounding annoyed.

“I know you can,” Jude agreed easily. “You’d be up her ass the whole time, watching for criminals on the take. Tell me I’m wrong.”

Ten snorted. Jude was right on the money.

“Fine. You’re right. Now what?”

“We’ve talked a lot about you wanting Everly to just be a kid.

This is that opportunity,” Jude said. “I imagine there will be a lot of parents in your same boat, Ronan. Parents who want their gifted kids to be safe. This is a great opportunity for you to make some new friends as well. Right now, all you have to go on is Ten’s sheltered and closeted childhood.

I think it would be great for you to hear how other parents handle their psychically gifted kids. ”

Ten could kiss Jude for his answer. Hell, if this kept up, he’d be kissing the entire store before the day was over. He set a hand on Ronan’s wrist. “I’m with Jude.”

Ronan was silent for a few seconds. “You’re right. I know you’ll keep her safe.”

“I’ll protect her with my life.” Jude set a hand over his heart.

“We’re bringing Wolf on Saturday night. He’s interested in the Dallas Demonologists.

When we got the lineup of people who’d be at the con, I wanted to do some research, so we’d know what we were dealing with.

Wolf wanted to sit with me while I worked.

We watched a bunch of their YouTube videos. They’re badass.”

“So much so that their the marquee attraction on Saturday night,” Fitz chimed in. “I’ve watched a bunch of their videos as well. With all the shouting and praying, I think it’s too much for Aurora’s sensory issues, so we’re going to skip it.”

“That works for us. Ronan?” Jude asked, gently.

“We’ll bring Everly Saturday night too,” Ronan agreed, sounding a little bit wary. “Ezra’s staying home. I’ll ask Kaye if she can watch him.”

“She’s taking Lizzy B for the night,” Cope said. “I’m sure she won’t mind having Ezra too.”

“So we’re all in agreement?” Fitz asked, not waiting for an answer. He got to his feet and headed for the door. “We’re leaving in ten minutes for the meeting with Cisco. Jude, before we go, send me all the research you did on the participants of Paranormal Phantasmagoria.”

“You got it.” Jude hurried out of the room. Carson and Cole were right behind him.

“Why couldn’t you tell me the real reason you didn’t want Everly to meet the other kids?” Ten asked when it was just him and Ronan left in the conference room.

“Because I didn’t want to admit that I was worried for her safety. I’m a cop. I carry a gun for a living. If anyone should be able to protect Everly, it’s me. It breaks me when I think about not being able to keep her safe.”

Ten sighed. “None of us are safe, Ronan. That’s the point of this crazy life. To live in the moment. To be present and engaged. Remember when she was learning to walk?”

“Yeah, I followed behind her with a pillow to cushion her falls, but she fell anyway.”

“She did, but Everly learned to get up, dust herself off, and try again. We need to give her room to fall. She needs to learn to problem solve for herself. Everly needs to stretch her wings and fly, no matter how much that scares us.”

“You’re scared too?” Ronan asked, wearing a shocked look.

“Of course I am.” Ten picked up Ronan’s hand and gave it a squeeze.

He was scared for Everly and her future, just as much as his husband.

Maybe more so. “I know what kids are like. There will be people who want to be her friend for all kinds of nefarious reasons, but I have to believe that there are other kids who will see the kindness and joy in our daughter and will want her light to shine on them.”

“You’re right,” Ronan agreed with a smile. “We’ll let her spread her wings, just so long as Jude is there to catch her if she falls.” Getting out of his seat, he pressed a kiss to Ten’s temple. “Is Cisco going to hand me my ass today?”

Ten snorted. “Not that I can see, but you have this way of setting him off, so if I were going to offer some advice, I’d remind you that your mouth is sometimes your worst enemy. Shut up, Ronan.”

Ronan laughed. “How long have you been waiting to say that to me?”

“Since the day we met!” Ten headed for the door. “Text me later to let me know what’s up with Cisco.”

”You got it.”

Tennyson’s thoughts turned back to his daughter.

He would have given anything to have the opportunity to meet other people with gifts like his own when he was younger.

Everly was over the moon to meet kids like herself.

They’d had a lot of talks about keeping herself safe and how to spot trouble.

All he could do now was hope she put those lessons to good use but if she didn’t, Jude would be there to catch her.

Ten couldn’t ask for more than that.