Page 7 of Signs and Wonders

The coven had found ways to prosper over the past century. Developing pharmaceuticals and recreational drugs adjusted to the metabolisms and body chemistry of vampires, werewolves, and other paranormal creatures was a thriving side business, one that Seth and Evan and their friends were making inroads into shuttering.

“Trafficking shifters and psychics doesn’t seem to be Fletcher’s deal,” Travis chimed in. “But someone has to run the back office for their businesses, and there’s plenty of money to be made in cybercrime. Everything we’ve found suggests Fletcher’s the kingpin for those operations.”

“We’ve gotten hints that there’s a cybercrime hub operating out of Moundsville—which has the best internet speed in the state if you were wondering,” Brent told them. “Wire fraud, money laundering, phishing, deepfake porn, and identity theft.”

Evan let out a low whistle. “We’re talking RICO territory here.”

Brent gave a wolfish grin. “Yeah, For sure. Only someone needs to make the charges stick, and not have the judge get eaten before the trial.”

“This isn’t the usual boiler room kind of stuff,” Travis added. “For identity theft, Fletcher’s got shifters, wendigos, kitsune, and crocottas working for him. They can mimic voices and appearances to sound and look like anyone. Then you add in artificial intelligence, and it’s a real nightmare.”

“Holy shit.” Seth and Evan exchanged a look. “That’s some operation. You think Swain uses the wellness stuff to launder money?”

“It wouldn’t surprise me,” Brent replied. “And while Swain isn’t in the thick of the drug ring, if that NRQZ area prohibits airplanes and drones, it makes surveillance a lot harder to rule out growing illegal and dangerous plants. After all this time, I don’t think the witch disciples miss a trick.”

“Parker said there’d been disappearances. I guess the local cops just didn’t notice—or care?” Evan said.

“Oh, they notice, but they’re paid not to care.” Brent’s voice had a sharp edge. “The FBSI has an office in Beckley, and I’ve still got a contact there from the old days. He’s a good guy and one of the few who knows the score about things that go bump in the night. I’ll give you his contact info and make sure he knows to look for you. He knows the territory, and he’d come in handy for backup. Just don’t, er, actually kill anyone in front of him.”

“We’ll do our best,” Seth deadpanned.

“Drake Carlson?” Evan asked.

Brent looked surprised, and Seth laughed. “Milo already suggested him—good you can vouch for him too.”

“Let’s say that we get rid of all the witch disciples,” Evan spoke up. “Then what? They’re at the top, but they’re running a crime ring—there’s a whole organization. Sure, we can stop the ritual murder of the posse descendants, but the drugs and fraud and trafficking—what’s to keep someone else from stepping into their shoes?”

“Welcome to law enforcement,” Brent muttered. “Cut off the head of the snake, ten more pop up. This is why it’s so hard to bust the normal drug cartels and slimeballs. There’s always a lieutenant to keep things going while the kingpin does time. Hell, some of these guys still run their empires from inside and have a limo waiting when they get out.”

Travis kicked Brent under the table. “What my gloomy friend meant to say is that you do what you can and pass the ball when it’s someone else’s turn,” he told them. “Stopping the coven is like taking out the bosses of a crime family. The underlings will be in chaos. Usually factions vie for power. They’re vulnerable—sometimes weak enough to shut down operations.”

“Think about how many lives will be saved just by stopping the witch disciples from taking their sacrifices—and their extra ‘power boosts,’” Brent added. “Hundreds of people won’t die, and families won’t lose loved ones. That’s a huge contribution. You don’t have to stop all the bad guys everywhere.”

Seth saw an expression of vindication cross Evan’s face.Is he worried that when we can finally walk away from all this, I won’t want to give up the rush?

Parts of the hunt were an adrenaline high, usually in the midst of a fight to the death. In Seth’s opinion, the aftermath of shakes, nightmares, and PTSD wasn’t worth it.

We risk our lives every time. It’s been close more than once. Why would I take the chance that we’d lose our luck—and each other—for the thrill of the chase?

On the darkest nights, Seth considered walking away without eliminating the rest of the witch disciples.Jesse didn’t ask for vengeance.

Then he remembered that although the warlocks had each “claimed” one of the posse’s families, the ritual could be done with any descendant. That meant that he and Evan would never be safe until all of Gremory’s acolytes were destroyed.

I need to listen more when Evan daydreams about what comes “after.” And maybe we need to have a conversation about priorities. I don’t want him to ever think that he’s not at the top of the list.

Brent slid a folio across the table. “Here’s everything I could find on Swain and his former aliases, as well as land ownership, deeds, and the rest. You’ve probably already got most of it, but sometimes it’s that one odd extra detail that makes the difference.”

“I don’t visit the Duquesne Archive more often than necessary,” Travis said with a look of distaste, “because they keep trying to drag me back into my old life. But I found a couple more banishment and exorcism rituals that don’t require much magic or mediumship. Given how well both of you have done with rote spells, I think they’ll work for you.”

Both Seth and Evan had a small ability with magic, good for things like lighting candles and picking locks. Although they weren’t flashy talents, those small spells had saved their asses more than once.

“I also got these from a friend.” Travis held two small velvet bags.

When Seth turned out the contents—a silver charm in the shape of an ear—onto his palm, he felt a tingle of magic. Evan held an identical amulet.

“It’s anauris,” Travis said. “When you wear it, the charm protects you from liars, manipulators, and charismatic con men. I got thinking about how Swain’s past roles have been clergy, tent revival preachers, televangelists, and now as a wellness mystic. They all hinge on him being able to sway people with his words and charisma. That is probably his flavor of magic, and he uses it as a weapon.”

“Would it work against a used car salesman?” Evan turned the amulet in his fingers.

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