Page 3 of Dead Evil
“Shit, Ronan. I’m sorry to hear that you aren’t getting any, but can we cool it and get down to business?” Fitz asked, sounding a bit harried, as he set a box of muffins in the center of the table. “I’ve got a meeting with Cisco in an hour.”
“What’s that about?” Ronan asked.
“Not sure,” Fitz said, plunging his straw into his iced coffee. “I thought maybe it had to do with security for the Paranormal Phantasmagoria convention, but I can’t imagine why he’d need my help with that. Not only does he want to see me, but the two of you as well.” He pointed to Ronan and Jude.
The convention was a New Orleans mainstay. This was the first year it was being held outside of the Big Easy. Ten was thrilled for the number of tourists the con would bring to town, along with mediums and other paranormally gifted people who were coming to speak or work the convention floor. He was hoping Everly would meet and make friends with other psychic kids. As much as he wanted to help his daughter grow and develop her skills, Ten knew that having peers dealing with the same struggles and growing pains was something Everly needed as much, if not more, than his own guidance.
“Do you think we’re in trouble with Cisco?” Jude frowned as he reached for a muffin. He split it in half and took a big bite, sending crumbs falling to the table.
“We’re always in trouble,” Fitz said, flipping open his notebook and grabbing a pen. “But I haven’t heard anything through the grapevine to indicate I’m about to get my ass handed to me on your behalf.”
Ten took a deep breath and focused on Fitz and Cisco. His mind was completely blank. “I’m not getting anything either.”
“Same,” Cope agreed.
“We’ll deal with Cisco later, but for now, let’s talk about the convention. What kind of support do you need from us?” Fitz uncapped his pen and focused on Carson.
“West Side Magick rented a booth at Paranormal Phantasmagoria,” Carson began. “The four of us will rotate in and out of the booth during the three days of the con. We’ll be doing ten minute readings, as well as delivering quick messages from loved ones on the other side.”
“Carson and I will be part of a panel discussion on the effects of Christianity on the occult, which takes place Sunday morning,” Cole said. “Ten and Cope also have a group reading scheduled for Saturday afternoon. The last time I checked, it was sold out, with attendees clamoring for a second session on Sunday. What do you two think about that?”
Ten turned to Cope who was smiling. “Works for me. It would be great if we could schedule it for Friday night.” The con officially opened at noon on Friday with a vendor meet and greet luncheon. It was a chance for the psychics to check out the latest cauldrons, tarot decks, crystal balls, books, and the like. Carson and Cole planned on working the floor looking for new items to stock in the magick shop. Ten planned to bring Everly around to get the lay of the land and speak to some of the other talent before everyone was bombarded by eager attendees.
“Works for me too,” Cope said. “Wolf and Lizzy B are having a sleepover at Fitz’s house on Friday night. Jace will stay with the kids while the detectives keep their eyes out for trouble.”
“I’ll get back with the con organizers and let them know you two are available for a second session.” Carson scribbled a note on the yellow legal pad he’d brought with him. “As for the three of you,” Carson pointed to Ronan, Jude, and Fitz, “we’re hoping you’ll keep your eyes open for trouble. I’m not sensing that there will be any, but we all know how grabby and demanding attendees can be.”
“One of us will work the booth at all times,” Ronan said. “I’m going to be with Ten in the group readings as well as within earshot for the private readings. Jude’s going to do the same for Cope.”
“We’re hoping you guys can help with time calls. You know how people love to go over the time they’ve paid for,” Cope said.
“You got it!” Jude waggled his eyebrows. “I love me some Karen drama.”
“Let’s hope there’s not a lot of that.” Ten knew for a fact there was always drama, especially when people thought someone else got something they didn’t.
“Where are we with bringing the kids?” Fitz asked, tapping his pen against his pad.
“I’m bringing Everly to the vendor lunch. I know a lot of the psychics are bringing their kids with them to the convention. I’m hoping she will be able to make friends with other gifted kids,” Ten said.
Ronan shook his head. “I’m still not sure that’s the best idea.”
“Why?” Fitz asked. “Explain your reasoning to me.”
Ten could kiss Fitz. He and Ronan had this conversation twice over the last few weeks and Ronan didn’t want Everly interacting with the other kids and he didn’t want to explain why. All he’d say was that he didn’t think it was a good idea. Now, with Fitz asking, maybe Ten would get the real answer.
“I’m worried the other kids will try to take advantage of Everly. She’s so powerful. What if the other kids want her to give them winning lottery numbers or the combination to their local bank safes?”
“First of all, we’ve raised our daughter better than that. Everly isn’t going to do anything illegal.” Ten took a moment to study his husband. There was more to Ronan’s objection. It wasn’t a matter of Everly giving away confidential information, it was something else. Something that was scaring Ronan. “What’s the real reason?”
Ronan sighed. “The truth of the matter is that I’m worried someone will hurt Everly. Like I said, she’s powerful and has so many different types of gifts. There are a lot of jealous, crazy people out there. People who would use our daughter for their own ends. Desperate people who might want to scoop her up and shove her into a van.”
“You’re scared something will happen to her?” Ten asked, already knowing the answer.
“I am. I absolutely understand that you want Everly to have a strong support network around her. You didn’t have any psychically gifted friends when you were a kid and you want Everly to have what you didn’t, but at what cost?” Ronan asked.
“I wasn’t expecting that answer,” Ten said softly. Meeting all these similarly gifted kids would have been Ten’s dream when he was Everly’s age. It never once crossed his mind that other kids might want to hurt her, rather than befriend her.
“I’ll stick with her,” Jude offered. “I agree with Ten that Everly should have friends her own age who have her gifts, but, I also agree with Ronan. There are people who’d want to take advantage of her. So, I’ll walk around with her. Give her enough space to talk and get to know the other kids, but I’ll be close enough to intervene if things start to go sideways.”
