Page 22 of Cursed
Seth blinked back tears. “Yes, it should have. I was the older brother. He took you by mistake. I would have gladly gone in your place if I could have made the choice.”
“Evan would be safer without you. You destroy everyone who loves you.”
“Jesse, please. Don’t say that. Jesse?—”
“Seth! Seth, wake up!” Evan’s worried voice helped Seth shake off the last vestiges of sleep. He sat up in bed, heart pounding, drenched in sweat, with the fog of the dream in his mind and Jesse’s voice ringing in his ears.
“You’re safe. I’m safe. Whatever you dreamed, it’s not real. We’re okay,” Evan told him.
Jesse’s dead. That’s real.
“What did you see?” Evan rubbed Seth’s back and leaned close to him, solid and comforting. He pressed a kiss to Seth’s shoulder.
Seth didn’t want to divulge the awful accusations, but he and Evan had promised to be honest with each other. “I dreamed about Jesse. He blamed me for his death, for Mom and Dad,” Seth replied in a choked voice just above a whisper. “He said I’d get you killed. That it should have been me instead of him. And he’s right—I was the older brother.”
“Seth Tanner, you listen to me,” Evan said in a firm voice. “You saved my life, and we’ve saved so many of the intended victims. We’re going to save Pax. Jesse didn’t say those things; he told you himself that he loved you.
“That’s your own guilt punishing you, but it’s wrong. You didn’t know back then. If you’d been the one who died, then I’d be dead now too, and so would all the other descendants, and there would be no end in sight. No one to stop the witch-disciples. Please, Seth. You’ve got to let this go.”
Evan wrapped his arms around Seth, and Seth held on tight, biting back a sob as he buried his face in Evan’s shoulder. Evan kept gently rubbing his back, kissing his neck, and murmuring reassurance until Seth no longer trembled and the awful dream receded.
“I’m here. We’re together. And for tonight, we’re safe,” Evan repeated as they lay back down together. “Try to let it go. Tomorrow, we’ll pick up the fight. Now, rest.”
Seth didn’t think it would be possible to fall asleep again, and he dreaded having the dream return, but sometime before dawn, his exhausted body gave in and sent him into a mercifully dreamless sleep.
“How are you this morning?”Evan walked into the kitchen after his shower. Seth had gotten up first, though well afterdawn, got cleaned up, and started the coffee maker. Evan hugged him from behind and kissed the nape of his neck.
“Functioning,” Seth replied. “I’m sorry about last night.”
“Given what we do, it’s pretty amazing we’re as functional as we are,” Evan replied. “Every now and then, we get overwhelmed. That’s probably the most normal thing about our lives. It’s okay. I’m here, I believe in you, and I’ve got your back.”
Seth turned toward Evan and kissed him. “You’re amazing. Thank you. Have a seat, the coffee is ready.”
“Do you think that Vernon somehow sent that dream to fuck with your mind?” Evan asked.
Seth thought about it for a moment, then shook his head. “No. At least, he shouldn’t have been able to with all our wards, protections, and charms. I’ll check again, but we should be safe here. If it had been a vision when we were out and about, that would definitely be my first thought.”
“Figured it was worth exploring. Still on to meet Kinsley?” Evan sat at the table.
Seth brought steaming cups of brew for both of them. “Yep. And I’m very interested to see what information she has and how she’s willing to work with us.”
Seth and Evanwere outside the restaurant early, waiting for Kinsley. Seth hadn’t asked for a description, but he recognized her the moment a woman in her early thirties came into view. He sensed that she had power, although it was carefully hidden at the moment.
“Seth and Evan? I’m Kinsley.” She had long dark hair and green eyes that, for just an instant, seemed to glow. They shook hands and went inside. Kinsley spoke a word to the person at thefront podium, and a server escorted them to a private room in the back.
“We hold coven meetings here,” she told them as they settled at a table, and the server returned with coffee. “I hope you don’t mind, but to speed things along—and since I know the best stuff on the menu—I already ordered for us. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed, and I guarantee you won’t leave hungry.”
Seth liked her already, and the nod he got from Evan let him know that his partner felt the same. Like Cassidy and her friends, Kinsley didn’t act like her arcane abilities made her separate or different, although Seth already knew he would bet on her in a fight.
They ate first, a magnificent treat of raspberry-stuffed French toast with a generous dollop of whipped cream on top and a side of crispy bacon.
“You were right about the food.” Seth dug in with gusto.
Evan shook his head fondly, although he ate with no less enthusiasm. Even the bigger breakfasts they cooked on weekends in between cases didn’t compare to the decadence of the restaurant’s specialty.
“I know, right?” Kinsley said with a wink. “I love having an excuse to bring people here because I wouldn’t dare come often and still fit into my clothing. All the other choices are almost as good. This one’s my favorite.”
“Good pick.” Evan licked whipped cream off his lips. He didn’t miss the heat that flashed in Seth’s eyes at the sight.
