Page 6 of Cursed
“Yikes,” Evan said. “I’d rather not get hit by lightning if we can avoid it.”
“Rowan is working with her coven on countering storm magic and creating protective amulets to help neutralize the danger—think of the necklaces as a supernatural lightning rod,” Cassidy replied. “And you don’t have to take on any of the witch-disciples that seem too powerful. No one expects you to be martyrs or to do this all on your own. There’s always another way to tackle the problem.”
“These witches have been doing what they do for a century,” Teag pointed out. “I understand that you don’t want anyone else to get killed, but if the difference between taking them on successfully or not is the time to build a team, then it’s worth the wait.”
Seth and Evan had discussed that point many times, and they had learned to rely on allies instead of trying to handle situations themselves. Even so, there had been some close calls.
He thought about their conversation earlier that day, about getting ‘out of the life’ as friends in monster-hunting circles called it. When Seth first started on his quest, it had been steeped in the need for absolution, atoning for Jesse dying in his place. Then he fell in love with Evan and had a reason to live after the last of the witch-disciples was gone. He had no intention of giving up that future, no matter how strong the impulse was for revenge.
“I know.” Seth gave a side glance at Evan. “And this isn’t a suicide pact. We have plans for a happily-ever-after, but it would be nice for that to be in a world where the witch-disciples aren’t still taking sacrifices.”
“That’s totally understandable,” Cassidy said. “It’s just that this whole thing about stopping supernatural threats—it never ends. And it’s easy to lose perspective, especially when there’s a personal loss behind it. Good friends remind each other to step back and breathe from time to time,” she added with a smile.
“Thanks,” Seth said and meant it. Finding Evan was more than he ever dreamed possible, and he definitely wanted a long life together. But it would be satisfying—and safer—not to leave unfinished business behind.
“Why don’t you two go enjoy the city, and maybe by the time we have dinner this evening, I’ll know more from Rowan,” Cassidy said. “Make sure you go to the market, even if you’ve been there before. The merchandise changes all the time.”
Seth thanked them, and Cassidy promised to text him if anything urgent came up. Back on the street, he looked at Evan.
“You’re the one with the list. I’m following you.”
They startedwith the City Market and, on their second pass, found a remarkable number of vendors and cool items that they had overlooked the first time. Living in an RV cut down on the space for decorative items, but they still found a set of kitchen towels as a souvenir and some seasoning blends that leaned into Charleston’s foodie reputation.
With just an afternoon to wander, they meandered around The Battery, stopping to enjoy the fountain, and commented on the vivid colors of Rainbow Row’s houses. A brisk walk brought them to the aquarium and the Fort Sumter visitor center, where they easily whiled away the time before dinner.
Evan had a great time getting photos as the light changed, giddily indulging his passion. Their trips often either weren’t as photogenic or didn’t allow time for taking pictures, so Seth enjoyed seeing Evan getting a chance to have fun.
“I’m always surprised by something at an aquarium,” Evan admitted. “Some of those fish look like they came out of a sci-fi movie.”
“That was fun,” Seth agreed. “The museum was interesting…and sobering. I remember reading about Fort Sumter when I was in school, but the museum makes it real.”
They had barely begun to explore the historic district before it was time to head to meet the others. Tucked away down a side street, the locally-owned seafood restaurant looked like it might live up to its reputation.
“It’s got to be hard running a restaurant in a city like Charleston,” Evan said as they waited for the others to show up. “Attracting tourists is good for business. But get too touristy and the locals don’t come, and the people who live here year-round keep a place in business.”
“The good ones seem to manage,” Seth said. “And Cassidy would definitely know.”
The others showed up minutes later, talking and laughing. Seth and Evan shook hands with Kell and Anthony, whom they had met the last time they were in Charleston to deal with the city’s own witch-disciple.
Kell Winston, Cassidy’s partner, a paranormal investigator and filmographer, was tall and lean with light brown hair and blue eyes. Anthony Benton, a lawyer, was Teag’s husband, with blond hair and blue-eyed boy-next-door good looks. By unspoken agreement, they kept the conversation light, veering away from the case or the supernatural. Cassidy and the others filled them in on new things to do in town and urged them to plan on spending time now or later to explore and take time off.
Seth and Evan caught them up on places they had stopped as they traveled, with the others adding their favorite tourist traps and historic locations.
“The epic road trip part is pretty awesome,” Evan admitted. “Even if dealing with the problem when we arrive isn’t.”
“Once you take care of business in Savannah, there are some fantastic restaurants and museums,” Anthony said. “Assuming you’re not in a hurry to leave.”
“Won’t know about that until we get to that point,” Seth replied. They usually beat a hasty retreat after defeating the local witch-disciple since loyalists were likely to hold a grudge even if they lacked similar magic mojo.
“I completely understand,” Kell said. “Then come back to Charleston and we’ll give you the grand tour. My group visits all kinds of really interesting old places, but I’m not always in a hurry to go back, depending on how the evening went.”
Kell ran the Southern Paranormal Outlook and Outreach Klub, also known as SPOOK, a local ghost-hunting group that explored the many haunted places in Charleston and surrounding areas. Seth had heard some of Kell’s stories about encounters with ghosts, and they weren’t for the faint of heart.
Evan and I go looking for trouble to settle old murders. I can’t imagine doing it for fun, but it seems to work for Kell.
Teag’s husband, Anthony, was a lawyer with one of the city’s long-established firms. “I never have the right kind of stories to tell,” Anthony said. “Courtroom drama isn’t usually nearly as fascinating as they make it look on TV, and the ‘good stuff’ is all privileged.”
When Seth first started hunting with Evan and acknowledged the attraction between them that bloomed into love, he feared that their chosen quest of stopping deadly witches didn’t lend itself to a long-term relationship. Seth had started out hell-bent to avenge his brother, and at the beginning, he hadn’t worried about what might come afterward.
