Page 34 of Signs and Wonders

Seth set his bag down at a table that let him watch the room, then insisted on making the rounds with Cameron to check the back door, lend a hand, and be a protective presence as they brought in deliveries.

He came back to the table and set up his laptop, tying into the feeds that were running back at the trailer. Those windows were too small for anyone to see important information if they happened to glance at his screen but kept Seth clued into the progress.

A rap on the door made Seth look up. Cameron was busy in the back, and Seth remembered his warning. Seth drew his gun but kept it low by his leg and went to look out the front window.

The man who had been watching Cameron on the previous day waited impatiently outside.

“Not open yet,” Seth called through the window.

“Then why are you inside?” the man yelled back.

“I’m Security,” Seth said with a shit-eating grin.

The man’s expression made it clear he didn’t like being denied entry, or maybe he was pissed off that Cameron wasn’t a sitting duck working alone before the kitchen crew showed up. His scowl didn’t faze Seth, and when the guy figured out he couldn’t intimidate his way inside he flipped Seth off and retreated to his car.

“What’s up?” Cameron came out of the kitchen with a tray of muffins for the glass domes on the bar to feed the early birds. The smell of coffee and bacon filled the bar.

“Stalker-guy is annoyed that I won’t let him in early.”

“Good for him,” Cameron replied. “The kitchen crew showed up. I told them that we had some sketchy types hanging around, so they’re both packing heat.”

“Probably wouldn’t hurt to get medallions for them too,” Seth mused.

“Beat you to it. Kenny saw mine and asked about it, then he and Bobby showed me the ones their mamas got them. Real silver. I didn’t give them the whole story, but they’ve got protection,” Cameron said.

“Thanks for checking.” Seth glanced at his phone. Evan’s meeting at the library wasn’t until lunch, so he had some time before he needed to listen in.

Seth knew that Evan had come a long way since their early days together. Back then, Seth had been fully responsible for protecting his new partner as Evan learned about weapons and rote magic and delved deep into the supernatural. But Evan was smart and diligent, a quick learner. He could take care of himself in most circumstances. Now, he and Evan watched out for each other, equals on the hunt as well as in the other aspects of their relationship.

That’s how it should be.

Much as Seth believed in the concept, his protective streak balked at letting Evan take risks, especially if he wasn’t right there to back him up.

Falling in love had surprised Seth with the intensity of his feelings. He had looked out for his army comrades while they were deployed. Seth had tried to protect his brother Jesse and would never forgive himself for failing. He knew that the powerful need to keep Evan safe sprang from that failure, and he tried to keep his impulses in check. And yet…

Seth couldn’t shake his discomfort. The plan to attend the meeting made sense. Evan had Travis to back him up, and Seth would be listening the whole time. But they were up against old and powerful witches, and while they had learned ways to defend themselves, neither they nor their friends could face down Swain head-on.

When we’re done, none of the deputies’ descendants ever have to worry again. It will all be over.

But I’d walk away today without completing the mission if it was the only way to save Evan.

Nothing, not even avenging Jesse, is worth losing him.

While he was in Lacey’s, Seth kept his online searches to publicly available data—still a treasure trove of information for someone who knew where to look and how to piece a picture together. He started with the deeds and licenses for the Mountain Laurel Lodge, compiling a list of local and state officials whose favor had to be curried to get the permissions necessary to renovate the old resort into Summit. Other record searches yielded names of people involved as speakers or supporters. Seth suspected that once they parsed through the Hub data, he’d be able to follow the money and see who was paid for their influence.

He went through the information Parker had already supplied on Swain’s Renou-Vous wellness seminars, frustrated that what he found was suspicious, but not illegal. Seth knew they would have to pay a visit to the resort, but he wanted to have good intel before taking that risk.

He didn’t let himself get too engrossed since he was still on guard duty for Cameron. By now, Seth recognized the regulars. Some came for breakfast and stayed all day, while others drifted in just before lunch or mid-afternoon and played late into the evening. They acknowledged each other with a tip of the head or a one-word greeting, but the nature of gambling made them competitors instead of colleagues, and so they remained solitary.

The guy who seemed to be keeping an eye on Cameron came back shortly after the bar opened, and now apparently included Seth in his surveillance. He left late in the morning, but Seth suspected he hadn’t gone far.

Cameron served them all with an easy smile and natural charm that made even the gruffest patron soften a little. Whether he was slinging coffee or mixing drinks, he managed to be efficient while not seeming too busy to interact with customers. That was a real gift, and Seth hoped Cameron could do better for himself once he and Tyler got out of Buckhannon.

His phone rang, and Seth recognized Brent’s number. “Hey, I can listen more than I can talk,” he said quietly, adjusting his earbuds. “What’s up?”

“Drake got in and out,” Brent reported. “He can give you the whole story himself when we get back together. What he saw corroborates our theories, and so does what’s coming up on my ‘search.’”

Given his responsibility to protect Cameron and monitor Evan’s covert activity, Seth had only been watching the screen feeds to make sure nothing got hung up, not reading the data. “I’ll have to look closely when I get home, but mine’s still running.”

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