Page 33 of The Devil You Know
“Chill,” Adrian said. “I want to hear him out.”
Evan figured that Jenna and Adrian were in their mid-thirties. He knew they looked at him and couldn’t see past his age. Seth had a way of commanding respect despite his relative youth, but he wasn’t here, and if Evan didn’t pull off a rescue, Seth was never coming back.
He straightened his back and squared his shoulders. “Willis Osborn was a member of a coven devoted to Rhyfel Gremory, a dark warlock who died one hundred years ago. When a sheriff and his posse killed the warlock, the coven scattered and swore vengeance on the descendants of the lawmen. One of those witches killed Seth’s brother Jesse, and Seth vowed he’d wipe them all out. I’m also a descendant of one of the deputies, and Seth saved my life.
“We’ve dealt with four members of the coven so far—permanently. Seth and I came to Cleveland to stop the fifth, but Osborn figured out we were coming, and he’s been trying to get to us first. He grabbed Seth. The next descendant here in Cleveland is a cop who thinks we’re the bad guys. I could sure use some help going after Osborn, but with or without you, I’m going to save my partner.” Evan waited to see their reaction.
“He’s got spirit,” Adrian said, with a glance toward Joe. Adrian wore an immaculate white suit over a dark blue silk shirt. An expensive watch graced one wrist. The large diamond stud in his ear looked real. Evan wondered if Adrian was an actor or musician. He carried himself like someone used to being in the spotlight.
“You’ve come mighty close to admitting to a string of felonies,” Jenna advised.
“I never liked Osborn,” Johnny remarked with a bored expression.
Joe rolled his eyes. “Jenna—lighten up. Adrian—don’t toy with someone who’s got nothing left to lose. Johnny, pay attention. I asked you to meet Evan because you’ve got a common foe—Osborn.”
Evan stared at Jenna and Adrian. “You’re descendants too?”
Joe shook his head. “No. But Jenna’s people have been watching Osborn closely for a while on all kinds of interesting possible charges.” He gave Jenna a look, and she reluctantly nodded.
“Osborn started out as an apothecary, and once he gained quasi-immortality, he expanded his pharmacy,” she said. “Started compounding drugs for supernatural creatures’ metabolisms. When his customers are strung out, they’re even more dangerous. Osborn’s a user himself, augmented with magic. Lately, his cronies added a take-out food menu to their options.”
Evan felt sick to his stomach. “People?”
She nodded. “They grab ride-share fares, and before the person knows what’s going on, they’re delivered to an address where they’re the guest of honor for dinner—as the entree.”
“So, if you had all this on him, why is he still free?” Evan challenged.
Jenna met his gaze. “Knowing something and being able to prove it in court are two different things—especially when most people don’t believe anything paranormal is real. Not to mention the crooked cops and judges Osborn has in his pocket. We can petition to try him before a Tribunal, a special court for supernatural creatures and crimes, but that’s a complex process.”
“And you didn’t know he’s been killing people for a century from the deputies’ families?”
“Believe it or not—no,” Jenna replied, looking a little embarrassed. “No one dug up the connections—no pun intended—between one cycle of murders and the next.”
“How about you show us what you’ve got so far, and we can figure out where to go from there,” Joe said, clearly trying to stave off a fight.
Evan took a deep breath to get hold of his temper and nodded. “Once the witch disciples realized Seth and I were on their trail, they sped up their rituals, taking their victims early to power up. They’re most vulnerable in the middle of the ritual, but that doesn’t leave any margin for error.”
“We’ve had friends helping us scour records for Osborn’s aliases, assets, addresses, holding companies, and associates,” Evan continued. “Including his Darke Web activity. We didn’t come into this blind.”
“Friends?” Jenna asked.
“They fought the last witch disciple in Charleston—with Sorren and his allies,” Joe said with a tone of warning in his voice. Jenna’s eyebrows rose, and Evan thought he saw a glint of new respect in her eyes.
“Okay,” she said, drawing out the syllables. “You’re just full of surprises.”
Adrian looked amused.
Evan walked them through the information Teag and Travis had supplied, as well as what he and Seth put together and the latest notes from the library.
“We’re pretty sure we know where the anchor is, and we’ve got friends with extra abilities working on deciphering the inscription so we can open the vault. To stop Osborn, we’ll need to destroy his anchor, take his amulet, and prevent or interrupt his ritual. Since he’s a powerful witch, that’s even harder than it sounds.”
“How did you do it before?” Adrian looked sincerely interested.
“Skin of our teeth,” Evan replied. “Seth and I both nearly died escaping the disciple in Richmond. We had help from Travis and Brent for the Pittsburgh warlock.”
“Travis Dominick?” Jenna asked, surprised again. “You do run with an interesting crowd.”
“Seth’s mentors helped out in Boone. And as Joe said, Sorren’s friends worked with us in Charleston. Which is why I’d like to have your help, but one way or another, I’m going after Seth,” Evan said, bracing for an argument.
