Page 31 of Cursed
“It’s cozy, but it’s home,” Evan said.
“My folks bought it to do some retirement sightseeing before they were killed by the witch-disciple who also killed my brother,” Seth replied.
“That’s terrible. I’m so sorry,” Tony said.
“It’s what put all the rest of this in motion,” Seth told him. “Go ahead and set your duffel down by the couch. It has a pull-out bed. I’m afraid that’s all we can offer for sleeping, but I’ve got sheets, extra pillows, and blankets to make it comfortable.”
Tony tucked his bag into a corner and then came to sit at the kitchen table. “Thank you for letting me come with you. I didn’t know what to do.”
Evan got the takeout order from the fridge and set it on the counter. “You’re welcome to share what we brought home. If you prefer a sandwich, I’ve got ham and turkey, two kinds of cheese, condiments, and pickles. What sounds good? Food always helps.”
“Ham. Any kind of cheese. Thanks,” Tony replied, sounding dazed.
Evan made a sandwich, grabbed a bag of chips and a can of soda, then he put the plate in front of Tony before he grabbed a folding chair, and Seth sat across from him with their own plates of takeout. No one talked for a few minutes. Seth figured they were all trying to recalibrate after everything that had happened.
Tony ate, although it didn’t look like he had much appetite. Seth couldn’t blame him, given his worry for Pax. When Tonyfinished, Evan picked up the plate and put it in the dishwasher, then joined the others in the living room.
“You drink whiskey?” Seth asked.
“Huh? Yeah.” Tony sat on the couch with his head in his hands. Seth poured them all a couple of fingers’ worth in mismatched glasses, enough to ease the stress without taking away their fighting edge.
Tony accepted his glass gratefully and knocked it back, then sputtered.
“Go easy.” Evan sipped from his glass.
Seth wondered if Evan’s sudden headache had gone away and guessed from the look in his eyes that it hadn’t. That worried him.
“I’m scared,” Tony admitted. “I’m afraid that they’ll hurt Pax, and I’m ashamed that I didn’t stop them. I’m terrified for him—he’s got to be so afraid. And I don’t know how I can help you get him back.”
Seth and Evan sat down in the other chairs. “Evan and I went to Sterling Vernon’s award ceremony today. Does that name ring a bell?”
Tony frowned. “The restaurant guy? He did a mentorship program for up-and-coming owners, and Pax went to it. Pax said Vernon was really nice to him and very helpful, but I’ve always gotten an uncomfortable feeling around him. Why?”
“Because he’s really a century-old witch who was behind all the deaths in Pax’s family, and he’s the one who arranged the kidnapping.” Once again, Seth wondered if Tony had some latent, unrecognized psychic ability.
Tony blinked, looking stunned. “What? How?”
Seth figured that ripping the band-aid off was the only way to bring Tony up to speed. “A century ago, a dark witch named Rhyfel Gremory had a coven of twelve witch-disciples. He sacrificed people to work an immortality spell for himself andhis coven. When he was hunted down and killed for his crimes, his followers scattered, claiming their own territories and setting up covens to work the spell to their benefit. They require a cycle of human sacrifice to make the magic work. It doesn’t end until the disciple is dead.”
“That’s…pretty crazy.” Tony looked at his glass like he was sorry he had drunk the liquor so quickly. Seth poured about half as much into the glass.
“Go slow. We don’t have time to nurse a hangover,” Seth advised.
“If you…stop…Vernon,” Tony said, as if he couldn’t quite bring himself to say “kill”, “what about the rest of his coven? Do you have to stop them too?”
Evan shook his head. “It depends. If the rescue comes in the middle of the ritual once the magic is activated, the repercussions destroy the witch-disciple and his coven. If we can stop Vernon before he starts the ritual, the rest may scatter, trying to cover their asses.”
“I don’t understand what Vernon gets out of it.” Tony looked very lost. “He’s already rich and well-known. He’s a big player in the local scene. Does he really plan to live forever?”
Evan shrugged. “It’s extended his life to more than a century without normal aging. And he’s been bankrolling his restaurant with smuggling and other illegal activities. He’s got an underground restaurant that caters to a supernatural clientele with some highly illegal menu items.”
Tony swallowed hard. “Bad stuff?”
“You probably don’t want to know,” Evan replied.
“Okay. How can I help you save Pax?” Tony asked. His eyes were red-rimmed, but his resolute gaze told them he wouldn’t be dissuaded.
“I don’t know yet,” Seth said. “I’m going to put out the call to our friends with abilities that Pax has been taken. We’re sure weknow where Vernon’s hiding him. Once they get here, we can go in to save Pax and shut down Vernon’s killing spree for good.”
