Page 33 of Cursed
“Tell us how Evan’s faring,” Kinsley said. “What are the symptoms?”
“I feel like my head is going to explode,” Evan replied. “I think I’m getting a fever. Achy all over. But I felt totally fine before I touched that damn carving.”
“Can you tell us anything more about the carving?” Rowan asked.
“We did our best not to handle it,” Seth replied. “But if you need me to, I can go back out to the truck and use iron tongs to get a better look.”
“I don’t think that will be necessary,” Rowan said quickly. “Just tell us what you remember.”
Seth and Evan chimed in with their impressions from the short glimpse before they slammed the lockbox closed. “It was crudely carved, not as good as what someone who really is good at whittling can do,” Seth said.
“It reminded me of a single figure with a roughed-in face and not very many details,” Evan agreed. “Wooden. There might have been a splash of red or orange on it, but not like someone tried to paint it carefully.”
They heard muffled conversation once more, then Rowan came back on the line. “There’s a long history of using carved figures for hexing and blessing. Giving a blessed figure to someone who was already ill could heal them. Giving a cursed one conveys the curse.”
“What can we do to break it?” Seth looked at Evan and his heart hurt.
“Considering the situation, I’d bet that this was Vernon’s way of throwing down the gauntlet,” Kinsley replied. “You’ve already done all the normal things to make it better: put it in a lockbox made to contain magical items, taken Evan inside a warded space with salt rings, and used protective charms. That’s slowing down the curse, but it isn’t enough to stop it.”
“Should I burn the figure?”
“No!” Both Rowan and Kinsley spoke at once. “At least, not until we’re sure.”
“Then what?” Seth asked.
Evan met his gaze. “I think Vernon’s challenged you to a duel to the death. His or mine.”
Seth caught his breath. He’d considered that possibility when Kinsley used the word “gauntlet,” but quickly cast it aside.
“I think Evan’s right,” Rowan replied.
“So do I, unfortunately,” Kinsley concurred. “You haven’t been in town long enough for him to have time to do much unless he was expecting you sooner or later. That’s my bet. You showed up, he recognized you, and already had a plan.”
“What can we do?” Seth felt completely adrift.We shouldn’t have gone to that presentation. Practically served ourselves up on a platter.
Evan gave him a look as if he could guess Seth’s thoughts. “Stop beating yourself up. If he was expecting us, he would have found a pretext one way or the other. Don’t forget, those two guys came at us around the food trucks, so they already knew about us. If the attack hadn’t been the seminar, it could have been while we were getting gas or buying dinner.”
“Evan’s right,” Rowan said. “But just because he got the jump on you doesn’t mean he’s won the game. Work your plan. When you destroy Vernon, it will break the curse, and Evan should be safe.” She paused. “I’ll stop by and see if there’s anything else I can do to at least make him comfortable.”
“Okay.” Seth felt a little breathless and still had a tight grip on Evan’s hand. “Thank you. Is everyone ready for tomorrow?”
“We’ve got a good team and a solid plan,” Rowan told him. “You’ve defeated the rest of the witch-disciples you’ve fought. You can nail this guy too.”
But it’s always been me and Evan working together since that first time.
Evan gave his hand a squeeze. “I’ll still be helping. Just from here instead of there. We can do this. I believe in us.”
“Thanks,” Seth told the witches. “Then we stick to the timeline. See you then.” The call ended, and he took a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves.
Sterling Vernon made his move. And I’ve got to respond, or Evan dies.
4
EVAN
“Seth?”
Seth stared at the phone like it might bite. He looked like he was fighting down panic and paused to take a deep breath before he replied. He held Evan’s hand in both of his. “I’m going to fix this. I swear by all that’s holy, I’m not going to let that curse take you.”
