Page 24 of Cursed
Seth glanced at Evan, wondering what his partner picked up from a necromancer in close proximity. Evan had a far-away look on his face, and Tristan turned to regard him thoughtfully, then nodded.
“You see them too,” Tristan said.
“Yes, but not usually in the numbers that are gathered around you,” Evan said. “That’s quite an entourage.”
Tristan laughed. “I’ve never thought of it like that, but I guess that’s one way to look at it. The magic came to me very young, so I’m used to it.” He paused. “I’m happy to help get this sleazebag out of Savannah. Just let Kinsley know when you need me, and I’ll be there.”
Seth and Evan left the restaurant after trading contact information and planned to check back the next day.
“That went pretty well,” Evan said as they got into the truck.
“She didn’t turn us into toads. He didn’t call down the hordes of the dead. That’s a plus.”
Evan sighed and rolled his eyes. “We get a witch and her coven, plus a necromancer and maybe a vampire on our side. They might be able to check out the second restaurant. Beats going in alone.”
“And we have Nash and Caden,” Seth replied. “That’s all important. But first, we’ve got to either get Pax out of danger or figure out how to protect him while shutting down Vernon.”
“We’ve come up with something each time so far,” Evan reminded him. “I believe in us.”
Seth took his hand. “Good. Because I believe in us too.”
They headed over to meet Nash at Mystic. Seth took a deep breath, enjoying the aroma of freshly brewed coffee.
“Come on in and get your caffeine fix,” Nash told them, laughing. “My crew won’t be in for another hour, and they don’t need me for the prep anyhow. We won’t be disturbed since we’re not officially open.”
They got cups of coffee and settled at a table in the back. The bar felt so different without the lights, music, and happy patrons, almost as if it was sleeping, or waiting to come back to life.
Nash lit the fat candle in the middle of the table and held his hands out to Seth and Evan. Seth watched Evan’s face as they touched and saw him register an emotion he couldn’t quite define.
“Spirits…hear us.” Nash closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Evan did the same, leaving Seth on guard to protect them physically, even if his options for magical defenses were more limited. “We need your wisdom and your help.”
Seth felt the temperature drop. The barest hint of a breeze made the hair on his arms stand up, and he knew that the ghosts were present.
“Henry Miller. Paul Miller, if you can hear us, please draw near.” Nash named Pax’s father and grandfather. “Paxton is in danger from the same force that took your life. We’re trying to protect him.”
The air stirred again, this time enough to make the candle flame flicker. Evan’s grip on Seth’s hand grew tighter, and Seth knew from the look of deep concentration on his partner’s face that some kind of connection was happening with the spirits.
“Paul?” Nash named Pax’s grandfather. “Is that you?”
“Not an accident,” Evan answered in a raspy voice that Seth almost didn’t recognize. “Murdered.”
“Did you know your killer?” Nash kept his eyes closed as he spoke.
“Not well. Recognized him,” the ghost replied.
“Do you know his name?” Nash pressed.
“That Vernon guy,” Paul’s spirit said. “From downtown.”
Seth hadn’t been sure whether the two ghosts would have enough energy left to manifest after being drained for Vernon’s ritual.Then again, they’ve had years to recharge.
Nash looked away as if someone had called his name. “Henry? Is that you?”
“I am Henry. It was Sterling Vernon. I tried to stop him.” Nash’s face went blank and his eyes glassy as the spirit answered his question.
“Where did you die?” Seth asked since both Evan and Nash had their full attention fixed on the ghosts.
“Don’t know. Didn’t see,” Henry answered.
