Page 71 of The Devil You Know
“You’ve gotan apartment and a job to tide you over, and you’ve signed up for classes next term. Looks like you’re all set.” Evan slapped Parker on the back. They stood outside the building where, with the help of Joe’s network of friends, Parker had found an affordable place in a neighborhood Joe assured them was safe.
Seth and Johnny had warded the apartment and as much of the common space as they could, leaving Parker with enough protective hex bags to keep him safe against routine magical threats. Evan could sleep easier now that he knew Joe, Johnny, and their friends were watching over his little brother. They understood he would be in danger until the last disciple was gone.
“I appreciate everything you’ve done,” Parker said. “I promised Johnny I’ll be the best bar back he’s ever had. And you heard them; they won’t let me slack off on college either.”
“Just steer clear of the Laveccia family business, like Johnny usually does,” Evan warned.
Parker nodded. “You have my word on it.” He pulled Evan in for a hug.
Evan hugged him back. “And I promise to be better about staying in touch. In between monster hunts.”
“You’ve got a gadget guy now, remember? Let me know what you need, and I’ll figure out how to keep you safer.”
“The gadgets could become a whole side business for you,” Evan said. “There are a lot of hunters out there who don’t have a knack for tech. You might be surprised at the possibilities.”
“I just want to help, even from a distance,” Parker told him. “Make sure you keep me in the loop.”
“Be careful what you wish for,” Evan told him, then headed for the truck where Seth was waiting and waved again as they drove away.
Neither of them said anything until they were outside of Cleveland. Evan was wrapped up in his thoughts, wishing Parker well and still worried about the aftereffects of Osborn’s magic on Seth.
“I think your brother’s an okay guy,” Seth said finally. “He’ll be better off in Cleveland than anywhere else since Joe will keep an eye on him.”
Evan nodded. “I know, and I’m grateful. I just hoped we could settle all this without Parker ever needing to know about witches or magic or the things we hunt.”
“He’s safer this way.”
Evan sighed. “And he’ll never be able to look at the world the same way again.” He shook his head. “I guess I can’t quit being a big brother.”
Seth’s expression grew wistful. “Neither can I.”
Evan sobered quickly, “I’m sorry—”
“Don’t be.” Seth reached for Evan’s hand and laced their fingers together. “I’ve been thinking about the illusion…spending time with Jesse and my parents. I know Osborn meant it to keep me docile. I know it wasn’t real. But…in a strange way, it filled a big hole.”
Seth was quiet for a moment, and Evan guessed he was gathering his thoughts. “I never got to say goodbye to them,” he said finally. “Not in the real world. Jesse and I were goofing around, and then all of a sudden, he was gone. We didn’t get much time together after I came home from the Army. I could have had six more years with him if I hadn’t been stupid and enlisted to run away from my mistakes.”
He let out a long breath and swallowed hard. “My parents died in a car wreck while I was in the hospital. I didn’t get to say goodbye to them, either. And then, for so long, I focused on the pain and the anger, and I forgot the good memories.”
Evan stayed silent, waiting for Seth to find his words. “In a really weird way, Osborn gave that back to me. The memories from the illusion might not be ‘real,’ but they were ‘true’ because my brain invented them from things that might have happened. I have those ‘memories’ now, and they’re good. While I’m sad Jesse and the others are gone, I feel like I got something I never dared to hope for—closure.”
Silent tears rolled down Evan’s face, and he swiped at them with his free hand. “I’m glad that you found a way to make something good out of all this.”
“We’re alive and together. Everything else can be fixed.” Seth squeezed Evan’s hand.
“Let’s take some time off before we go to Savannah,” Evan said suddenly. “I think we both need time to recover, not just throw ourselves into the next hunt.”
Evan looked apprehensive until Seth smiled in response. “I think you’re right,” he said, relieved when Evan relaxed at his words. “We need a break. I think we’ve earned it.”
“Where do you want to go?”
Evan shrugged. “Someplace quiet with a nice view.”
Seth’s phone rang. “That’s Toby—we’ve been texting about Milo,” he told Evan. Seth read the newest text and let out the breath he’d been holding. “Milo’s doing better,” he read aloud for Evan’s sake. “Should be released tomorrow. Still grumpy as always.”
“I’m glad he’s okay,” Evan replied.
“Me, too.”
