Page 3 of Signs and Wonders

“Feeling better?” Evan asked.

“Still sore. C’mon—let me have a look at your arm and that leg.”

Evan set his coffee aside and unbuttoned his shirt. Seth noticed that he’d avoided a T-shirt, which required more arm movement to get into.

“Can you move through the full range of motion?” Seth was worried.

Evan grimaced, but he rotated his arm in a full circle and then raised and lowered it. “Hurts like a mofo, but it moves.”

“All right, let me rub you down, and we’ll get some ice on it. Did you take anything?”

“Yep. The pills haven’t kicked in yet. And you always rub me the right way.” Evan had a mischievous glint in his eyes.

“Trust me—you don’t want sports cream in those places.” Seth shuddered at the thought. “I learned that lesson the hard way back in middle school.”

Evan straddled the chair and stretched out his arm. Seth gently worked the ointment into his skin, starting from the shoulder and moving down his bicep and forearm. He could tell that Evan was doing his best not to react, but from the clench of his jaw, Seth knew it had to hurt.

“I’ll do your hip next, then you can put ice on both places,” Seth assured him. “Maybe have some whiskey—for medicinal purposes.”

“After I do your back,” Evan reminded him.

“When we get to Pittsburgh, I want Matt to look at your shoulder.” Seth gently massaged the sore muscles. “Just to make sure you haven’t fucked up anything in the joint.”

“The only thing I want to fuck is you.”

“Nice to know. Let’s do that when we’re not on pain meds,” Seth replied. “What’s making you limp?”

“I slammed my hip into the marble step when I caught myself,” Evan admitted.

Seth wrapped a towel over Evan’s bare shoulders and steadied him as he stood to drop his jeans. A dark bruise already spread across his hip. “Yeah, that’s gonna hurt for a while,” he commiserated, wincing in sympathy.

Evan returned the favor, working the ointment into Seth’s sore shoulders and back. When he finished, and they washed their hands thoroughly, Seth retrieved the ice, and they retreated to the couch to re-watch favorite action flicks until supper and let the frozen packs work their magic.

Seth’s phone rang halfway through the first movie. “Hey, Milo. Job’s done, and we’re still mostly in one piece,” he greeted his mentor. “You’re on speakerphone.”

“Mostlyin one piece?” Milo sounded concerned.

“That ghost had some serious attitude. I can understand why she ran people off,” Seth replied. “We sent her on, but we’re both going to be black and blue for a while.”

“Thanks for taking care of it,” Milo said. “Just don’t go rushing off to the next witch disciple until you’re both back in fighting shape. No sense taking stupid chances.”

“We’re going to stop in Pittsburgh,” Seth told him. “Travis has some new lore from that secret archive he can access, and Brent’s heard some fresh info on the witch cartel. And before you ask—I’m going to have Matt check us both over before we head out.”

“Damn right you are,” Milo agreed. Seth could hear Toby’s muffled voice in the distance. “He said they’re going to see Travis’s medic. Don’t make me repeat myself, old man.” The fondness in his voice took the sting from his crusty response.

“You hearing anything on the grapevine?” Seth asked Milo.

“Your witch disciple hunt is above the pay grade of most hunters out there,” Milo said. “And most of the ones who could handle something like that you’ve already pulled in. When you get to Buckhannon, get in touch with Drake Carlson. He’s FBSI, but don’t hold that against him. Drake’s one of the good guys, and he can run interference for you if you need it. Tell him he still owes me a bottle of Jack for that card game in Morgantown.”

“Will do,” Seth promised. “And happy birthday. Got any big plans?”

“Going out for a nice steak dinner and a superhero movie,” Milo said. “Figured that stuff like escape rooms and axe throwing was too much like the day job.”

“You got our package?” Seth and Evan had sent a boxed Blu-ray set of one of Milo’s favorite old TV series,The Rockford Files.

“Yeah. Thanks. Great pick. We’re already halfway through watching them.” Milo cleared his throat. “You two be careful, and keep us posted. You hear me?”

“Loud and clear,” Seth replied. He knew Milo’s gruff tone hid how much he cared. “Enjoy your day.”

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