Page 66 of The Devil You Know
“There was one dark warlock—Gremory—whose spirit was trapped beyond that purple light. Sacrificing the descendants of the posse that killed him lets the warlock’s disciples gain power and keeps Gremory trapped, while sending enough energy through to the warlock to sustain him. So—twelve serial killer witches, committing ritual murders for a century.” Evan put it in terms he knew Nelson’s cop side would understand.
Nelson opened his mouth to say something, but just then, Jenna came through the door with an older man right behind her.
“Sorry it took us a bit—Mort lives a little way out of town.” She nodded toward the stranger. “This is Mort Hudson—he’s a retired Army doctor, and he works with the SSS for injuries that don’t need to become public knowledge.”
“Let’s have a look. Agent Anderson has briefed me on the situation,” Mort said, stepping forward.
Jenna turned to Evan. “I’ve put two undercover agents outside the room since you’ll be staying the night.” Her tone left no room for disagreement. “Mort will decide when you’re cleared to leave. I’m claiming jurisdiction as of yesterday.”
“Thank you,” Evan told her. “That saves me the effort of arguing with them.”
Seth glared, and Evan pointedly ignored him. Nelson didn’t look well enough to protest.
Mort started with Nelson. Either the cop’s earlier bluster was an act, or the trauma of the past few days had mellowed him. Evan found himself glad to discover that Nelson wasn’t quite as big a douche as he first thought.
“You’re dehydrated and depleted,” Mort said when he finished his examination and then stitched and treated the cuts on Nelson’s chest and arms. “And you’ve been through a traumatic experience. You need rest, liquids, food, antibiotics for those cuts, and dreamless sleep. Don’t fuck with me. I’m the doctor.”
He turned his attention to Seth, who reluctantly submitted to his examination. “You’re the same—only more so. Are you always anemic? Eat, sleep, take it easy, drink a lot of water, lay off the booze, and go see a trauma therapist—but don’t tell them the whole truth.”
He left them with instructions on Nelson’s dressings, plenty of sleeping pills, painkillers, and antibiotics, with a stern warning to rest.
Jenna walked Mort to the parking lot, leaving Seth, Evan, and Nelson alone.
“Looks like we’re here for the night,” Evan said. “I’ll order pizza delivery and a couple of two-liters. Which you will drink,” he said, mock-sternly with a glare aimed at both men. To his surprise, they didn’t argue.
That told Evan that Seth and Nelson felt even worse than he thought.
They crashed early, not long after eating. Nelson was asleep in minutes. Seth and Evan weren’t awake much longer. Evan made sure Seth took the pills Mort had left for him, then they crawled into bed, exhausted.
Seth rolled next to Evan so that they were touching from shoulders to ankles. “I need the contact,” he murmured. “Need to know you’re really here with me.”
Evan gave him a look at the odd way Seth phrased that, wondering if there was a deeper meaning.
“I’m here. Not going anywhere,” Evan assured him. “Sleep—I’ll keep you safe.”
Seth sighed and closed his eyes. Minutes later, Evan heard his breathing change and knew the pills had done their job.Here’s hoping both of them make it through the night without bad dreams.Evan wished he could guarantee the same for himself.
* * *
In the morning,a knock at the door had Evan reaching for his gun.
“Don’t shoot—I brought donuts,” Jenna called out, and Evan forced himself to relax. He hadn’t slept soundly, hypervigilant for any sound of distress from Seth or Nelson.
Evan let Jenna in and saw that she had large cups of coffee in addition to a bag of donuts. She set the food on the table and took a seat, so Evan guessed breakfast was the bribe to hear what the agent had to say.
“Seth’s in the shower,” Evan fetched a donut and coffee for Nelson, then a coffee for himself, and sat on the end of the bed. “Thanks for this. I thought I’d need to forage.”
Seth sauntered out of the bathroom, looking better after a night’s sleep and a hot shower. Someone who didn’t know him might not have seen the signs of strain Evan saw immediately in the line of his jaw and the darkness in his eyes. He headed straight for the donuts, swiping a Boston Creme and a coffee before sitting next to Evan, pressed together from knee to hip.
“I’m guessing breakfast comes with strings attached,” Seth said, wary.
Evan knew Seth hadn’t met Jenna before the battle and didn’t have Joe’s endorsement to vouch for her.
Jenna smiled. “Not exactly—but I’d appreciate it if you’d hear me out.”
“I’m a cop. You had me at ‘donuts.’” Nelson took a bite that covered his chin with powdered sugar.
“What do you plan to do now?” Jenna asked Nelson. “Before you answer, let me say that Osborn has been watched for a while now by the Supernatural Secret Service for everything from illegal pharmaceuticals to trafficking people with special abilities. He got away with a lot because he had friends in high places and paid off the right cops.”
