Page 45 of Signs and Wonders

“My brother Parker has a friend who’s really into caving,” Evan said. “He showed Parker how to access archives of old cave maps and geologic surveys and some new software that makes an educated guess about where caves are located based on topological maps. Here’s what he came up with for the area around Summit.”

Evan turned his laptop around so they could see. “There’s an old map from before the original Mountain Laurel Lodge opened. Back then, the cave itself was the attraction. They even gave tours. Later, when the lodge and spa were built, they closed off public access to the rest of the caves.”

The map indicated the part of the cave that became the spa and showed more chambers and tunnels beyond the big room.

“Here’s another map, still from the original resort, that has a little more detail and a few more rooms.” Evan changed the image. “I don’t think Swain is going to go too far, just far enough that people in the spa won’t be disturbed by the screaming.”

“There is that,” Travis remarked.

“Parker warned that the software map isn’t human-verified, so it’s an approximation, but it also shows a larger cave,” Evan continued. “I imagine the truth is a mix of the three maps, leaving room for changes over time, or errors—but it’s better than nothing, and it verifies the existence of the most likely place for Swain’s ritual.”

“Nice,” Brent said. “Your brother does good work.” He passed around a bag of cookies, and everyone helped themselves. “I’ll let him know. He loves helping, and I’m glad he stays a nice, safe distance away from the dangerous stuff,” Evan replied.

“Teag and I have been looking at how to partition the servers at the Hub so we can isolate the blackmail and coven information and not damage the files for legitimate companies.” Seth showed his screen as Evan closed his computer.

“We don’t want to destroy the data because turning it over to authorities could come in handy if we can find someone who isn’t compromised,” Seth went on. “And we don’t want to interrupt the honest businesses’ use. Plus, it would be better if we didn’t cause any permanent damage, legality-wise.”

“Which is why we’re planning a denial-of-service attack that shuts down the servers, and then we launch a bot that sections off the coven’s files. When the computers come back up, the hardware is fine and so is the non-witchy data. Swain’s people are locked out of the bad stuff until we remove the malware,” Seth continued.

“I’m glad you and Teag are the good guys because you’d be really scary otherwise,” Brent said.

“There’s still the issue of confronting Swain,” Travis pointed out. “I can rally the ghosts, but I can’t—or rather, won’t—force them into a confrontation. The ‘deflect magic’ amulets won’t withstand a head-on attack, and while the hex bags my witch friend made are good for defense and distraction, they aren’t weapons of mass destruction.”

“In the past we’ve caught the warlock we were hunting during the ritual when he was vulnerable,” Seth said. “If we’re lucky enough to avoid the ritual, we’re going to have to come up with something else.”

“He’s immortal in that he doesn’t age, but guns and explosives work just fine,” Evan clarified.

Brent pinched the bridge of his nose. “All right, then. Full nuclear.”

“He can’t complete the ritual without his anchor. So if we destroy it and his sacrifice space, he won’t be able to get future power-ups from Gremory’s spirit. He might do a Dorian Gray if he’s cut off from his power and have his true age catch up to him,” Seth said.

Evan got up and walked over to grab a soda, pausing to stretch. Distant odd banging noises from the parking lot made him wonder if racoons had gotten into the dumpsters.

“I wish it were as easy as finding a secret magic painting,” Evan said when he came back to his seat. “If we can’t destroy Swain, he’ll still have the blackmail materials and enough magic to cause us a heap of trouble with the authorities. And we don’t know for certain that he couldn’t create another anchor or find a different way to access Gremory.”

“We’ll figure it out once we see the lodge,” Brent said. “And we will do everything humanly possible to get in and out without being noticed.”

Seth sighed. “Yeah. Because that always works so well for us.”

9

EVAN

Evan had puton a brave face for Seth, but the butterflies in his stomach had turned to lead by the time the shuttle bus arrived. He felt relieved to have Brent as backup, although he preferred to partner with Seth. He and Seth knew each other’s moves and anticipated one another’s reactions. Evan didn’t doubt Brent’s skill, but that lack of familiarity could cost them precious seconds in a pinch.

“Nice shuttle.” Brent nudged Evan with his elbow to get him out of his thoughts.

“Summit is a classy place.” Evan appreciated the gesture.

The transport looked new, a white van with the Summit logo on the side. All fifteen seats were filled, two of them by Jennifer and Josh, their “guides” from the luncheon.

Colorful posters showcased the lodge in the advertising above the windows on both sides of the shuttle, with pictures of the buildings, spa pool, and serene visitors in Yoga classes or a meditation circle. Calming music played over the speakers, and conversation remained quiet between seatmates.

Evan guessed he was the youngest person in the van. Most appeared to be closer to Brent’s age—early thirties—while a few were older. All looked prosperous enough to afford Summit’s fees.

Evan didn’t realize how hard he gripped his deflection charm until his hand cramped and forced him to let go. Brent wore a similar amulet. Their bags held salt, iron, protective hex bags, and a sack with magic-dampening properties to hold the anchor if they were able to steal it. Evan’s pockets held his chalk and plenty of his rune coins.

“I hope the food is as awesome as they promised.” Brent kept up their cover and distracted Evan. “I think the road to personal enlightenment starts with good meals.”

---