by Tina Folsom
She took a steadying breath and nodded. Then Logan walked into the darkness and pulled her inside. When she looked over her shoulder, she could still see the stacks of books, but a moment later, everything went dark.
“Hold on to me. Don’t let go,” Logan said.
Winter put both arms around his torso and held on for dear life.
Logan put one arm around her waist and brought his mouth to her ear. “It might get a little bumpy.”
“Okay.”
Then she lost the ground beneath her feet and gasped in shock.
16
San Francisco was its usual foggy self, particularly in the Corona Heights neighborhood where Logan had brought Winter after arriving in a portal inside a station of the Bay Area’s public transport system. He’d cased the house until he was sure that only one person was inside, the person he needed to see.
Clasping Winter’s hand and giving her a reassuring nod, Logan rang the doorbell. He didn’t have to wait long. The door was opened within seconds.
A stunned Wesley greeted him, “Logan?”
“Hey, Wes.”
“What a surprise. Come on in.”
Wesley motioned them inside, and Logan was glad for it. He didn’t like standing outside where he and Winter could be seen. “Thanks.”
“You just missed Virginia. She didn’t mention that you were coming. I’ll call her.”
Logan put his hand on Wesley’s forearm. “Don’t. We came to see you. In fact, I’d appreciate it if this visit remained between us. No need to involve Virginia.”
Now Wesley’s eyebrows rose. It was evident that he didn’t like keeping secrets from his Stealth Guardian wife. His shoulders lifted a fraction. “Okay?”
Logan turned to Winter. “Winter, this is Wesley Montgomery. He’s a witch. A very good one.”
Winter spun her head to Wesley, staring at him open-mouthed. “A witch?”
Wesley rolled his eyes at Logan. “You do have a way with words,” he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm, before he extended his hand to Winter. “He’s right about one thing, I am indeed very good.”
“Yeah, and very humble,” Logan added, while they shook hands. “Wes, Winter is a psychic. A true one.”
Now Wesley’s eyes widened, and he held on to Winter’s hand, looking her up and down. “I’ll be damned!” He grinned. “I’m honored. I’ve never met a psychic.”
“I’ve never met a witch,” Winter said.
Finally, Wesley released Winter’s hand and waved toward the back of the house. “I was just finishing breakfast. Come on back to the kitchen.” He was already turning and walking down the hallway. “Are you guys hungry?”
Logan took Winter’s hand. “We’ve had breakfast already. We came from the East Coast.”
“That explains it.”
Logan entered the large kitchen behind Wesley, Winter by his side. He motioned to one of the barstools, and Winter took a seat, while he set down the bag next to her and leaned against the bar. Wesley busied himself at the stove.
“So, what’s up? You said you came to see me, not Virginia?”
“We need your help,” Logan said.
“Sure, what do you need?” Wesley pointed to the coffee pot then to Winter, who nodded. He took a mug from a cupboard and poured the coffee.
“Thanks,” she said and took it.
“Winter needs help controlling her visions. And since psychics are extremely rare, we can’t exactly ask another one for help. I figured you’re the next best person,” Logan explained.
Wesley grimaced. “Ah, so I’m your second choice. You do have a way of making me feel special.”
“This is serious, Wes.”
“Gee, you’re tense, can’t even take a joke these days?”
“Demons attacked me,” Winter suddenly said, drawing Wesley’s gaze to her. Fear had returned to her eyes. “It was horrible. Their eyes…” Winter shuddered visibly. “There was green blood everywhere.”
To his credit, Wesley gave Winter a kind smile, all joking forgotten. “Oh, I’ve been there, believe me. I met those bastards. They’re no joke. But you’ve got a good protector by your side. One of the best. Right, Logan?”
Logan nodded. “We have to lay low for a while, until Winter can get her visions under control. Will you help us?”
“Sure. But when you say get the visions under control, what exactly do you mean?”
Logan put his hand on Winter’s and squeezed it. “Winter found out only yesterday that she’s a psychic. She thought the visions she was having were nightmares, her psychiatrist thought she had PTSD.”
“Some psychiatrist!” Wes commented.
“Well, he didn’t know any better. Anyway, Winter’s been fighting the visions, because they were too horrible to face. But now we need to help her control her psychic powers.”
Wesley poured another cup and set it in front of Logan. Logan nodded thanks and took a sip.
“Hmm,” Wes said, “this reminds me of how I started.” He looked at Winter. “I was in a similar situation as you. I didn’t know I was a witch. I really had no powers to speak of. But I studied, I practiced, and then practiced some more. It’s a hard road. But once you have your powers under control, it’s very rewarding. Not to mention useful.”
“I wish I could just extinguish these powers, then the demons wouldn’t be after me,” Winter said with a sad smile.
“I’m afraid that’s not possible,” Wes replied. “A psychic’s powers are hereditary, passed down from generation to generation.”
“You mean I could have inherited this from my parents?”
“Most likely, though it can skip a generation, sometimes even two, and not every sibling inherits the powers. Do your parents exhibit any signs of being psychics?”
“They died when I was nine. In a car crash.”
“I’m sorry,” Wesley said. “Any siblings?”
She shook her head. “I’m an only child.”
“Any other relatives? Grandparents?”
“All dead.”
Wes exchanged a look with Logan. “At least you won’t have to worry about protecting another psychic apart from Winter.” He turned to the coffee machine and switched it off. “I think I need to hit the books to read up on psychics and see how they channel their visions. That’s what you want, right? To be able to direct your visions so they can be of use.”
“If Winter’s visions can be channeled so she’ll be able to reveal secrets about the demons, we might be able to defeat them.” And Logan might be able to convince the council to let Winter live. But he couldn’t say that, not in front of Winter.
“I figured as much. I might have to confer with another witch in case I don’t have all the information in my library.”
“Just do it on the downlow. The fewer people who know about Winter and where she is, the safer it is for all of us,” Logan cautioned him. “We have to assume that the demons have their spies out listening for any chatter about a psychic.”
“Don’t worry, nobody will find out.”
“In the meantime, Winter and I need a place to stay. Just for a few days.”
Wes made a motion with his arm. “You can stay here. I’m sure Virginia won’t mind.”
Logan had expected Wes to offer his own house, but as soon as Virginia was back and found him and Winter in her house, the gig would be up. “Ahem, do you mind if we have a little chat, Wes? Just you and I.”
When Winter gave him a wary look, he squeezed her hand. “Nothing to worry about.”
“It’s something bad, isn’t it?”
Logan forced a smile. “Nothing bad.” He hesitated, then let the lie roll over his lips like water over a waterfall. “Just some history Virginia and I have.”
“You and her?” she murmured and cast a quick look at Wes. “Oh.”
“Wes? Your office?”
Logan marched out of the kitchen, Wesley on his heels. Moments later they were in Wesley’s home office, the door shut.
/> “History between you and Virginia? What a load of bollocks!” Wesley said. “Why did you lie to her? What are you not telling me?”
Logan swallowed away the knot in his throat. “We’re not just on the run from the demons. I’m a fugitive from my own people.”
Wes visibly jolted. “What?”
“I defied a direct council order. And now I’m on the run with Winter. Virginia can’t find out where I am, or they’ll bring me in.”
Wesley slumped down into his armchair. “Oh for fuck’s sake! What have you done? Are you crazy? And you came to my house? What if Virginia had been home?”
“I waited until she left.”
“Oh, well, that’s just great. That makes it alright.” Wesley shook his head. “She’s my wife, you know. And I’m not one to keep secrets from my wife.”
“You have to keep this one. Or Winter dies.”
Wesley jumped up. “What?”
“The council ordered her execution.”
“Does she know?”
“No, she has no idea. Nor does she know that I was the one supposed to kill her. But I couldn’t do it…”
“Well, she is pretty. I give you that.”
Logan glared at him. “That wasn’t the reason.” He sighed. “At least not at first. When I was at her place, about to kill her, I realized that she would be of more value to the Stealth Guardians if she remained alive and if she could guide her visions. If she could channel them toward the demons and become an asset for us.”
Slowly Wesley shook his head, but in his eyes understanding blossomed. “You mean to make the council members change their votes.”
Logan nodded. “I need to convince only one council member. Only one, and the execution order will be reversed.”
“You’re absolutely crazy. You’re risking being tried for treason.”
“The reward is worth it.”
“What reward are you talking about? The advantage she might represent in your fight against the demons, or your personal reward?”
Wesley’s eyes bored into him.
“How dare—”
“Oh, come on, Logan, I’m married, not blind! And I don’t have to be a witch or a psychic to see what’s going on between you and her.”
“What I want for her has nothing to do with that.” And yet it had everything to do with it.
“But if you can convince the council, you’ll get both. Two birds with one stone. Right?”
“You can be very annoying sometimes. You know that, Wes?”
Wesley shrugged. “Hearing the truth can have that effect on people. But I’m a sucker for a good love story.”
“So you’ll help us?”
“Yeah, and I’m probably gonna get in trouble with Virginia over it.”
Logan smiled. “Way I remember it, you can be very charming when you want to be. I’m sure you have a way of taming that warrior wife of yours.” He slapped Wesley on the shoulder. “Thanks, buddy.”
Wes huffed. “Easy for you to say.” Then, almost casually, he added, “When are you gonna tell Winter that she’s marked for death?”
“And tell her that I was the one who was supposed to kill her? I hope never.”
“I suggest you tell her sooner rather than later. Lies have a way of finding their way to the surface.”
Logan shook his head. “If I tell her now, she might run from me, and I won’t be able to protect her.”
Wesley shrugged. “It’s your funeral.”
17
After a couple of hours at Wesley’s house, their host had found a safe place for Winter and Logan to stay and driven them there in his fancy Mercedes. This was Winter’s first time in San Francisco, and during the drive she’d caught glimpses of some of the sights the city was famous for. But she didn’t really look around. Instead she thought about what Wesley had told her, that a psychic inherited her powers from her parents or grandparents. Could this mean that her grandmother had been a psychic? That she hadn’t been mentally ill? It all made sense now.
Her grandmother had always insisted that she saw things, that she knew what was going to happen. And nobody had believed her. Everybody had thought she was losing her mind, when in reality, she hadn’t had anybody to help her with her gift, just like Winter hadn’t had anybody to explain to her what was happening to her. Until now.
The building in front of which Wesley finally stopped was somewhere downtown and looked a little dirty and rather run down.
“Don’t mind the homeless,” Wesley said, when he caught her assessing look. “They’re mostly harmless.”
“If you say so.” She waited for Logan to round the car and take her hand.
Together they followed Wesley to the front door.
“Where are we?” Logan asked.
Wesley unlocked the front door and ushered them into the dark interior. “This building belongs to Amaury. He and Nina live on the top floor, but their boys have their own flat just beneath them. The twins are on a training mission for the next four days, so the flat is empty. You can stay here. Nobody will disturb you.”
Logan said, “And Amaury and Nina. Did you—”
“I didn’t breathe a word to them,” Wesley interrupted just as the elevator doors opened. He ushered them inside, then pressed the button. “They’re gone too. Some dirty weekend or something.” He shrugged and grinned. “You know how these lovebirds are.”
“I do,” Logan said.
“Who are they? You know them well?” Winter asked, looking at Logan. She felt uncomfortable sneaking into a stranger’s home without them knowing or having given permission.
The elevator doors opened and Wesley stepped out, already heading for a door.
Following him, Logan said in response to her earlier question, “I’ve worked with Amaury before. He’s a good man. He’s one of the directors of Scanguards.”
Wesley opened the door to the apartment wide and walked in.
“What’s Scanguards?” Winter asked as she followed Wesley inside.
Behind her, Logan closed the door. “A security company.”
She caught Wesley exchanging a look with Logan and asked, “There’s more. What are you not telling me?”
Wes jerked his thumb toward her. “She’s a psychic, you know. Might as well tell her. She’s gonna find out eventually. All she has to do is open the fridge and see the blood. Besides, she’s seen demons, and I think vampires are way less scary than demons.”
“Vampires?” The word left her throat on a breathless whisper.
Logan glared at Wesley. “Thanks, bro. Way to break the news gently.”
“You’re just way too slow, buddy, beating about the bush all the time.” He pointed to Winter. “She’s survived a demon attack. She can take it.”
Wesley’s encouragement felt good. Winter smiled at him, then shook her head at Logan. “I’m not that fragile, Logan. You don’t have to keep stuff from me because you think you need to protect me from everything. I can handle it.” Though knowing vampires existed was kind of a shock. She put on a brave face. “So, vampires, huh? Amaury and Nina? Friendly vampires? You trust them?”
Logan approached her and took her hands. “With my life, and so can you. And only Amaury is a vampire. Nina, his mate, is human. They are good people.”
“But you don’t want them to know that we’re here,” she stated.
“The less people know about you, the better.”
“I get that.” She looked around the apartment. “I didn’t expect such a nice place in this neighborhood.”
Wes chuckled. “Amaury doesn’t spare any expense when it comes to his precious sons.”
“Vampires can reproduce?” Winter asked in astonishment. Common lore had always suggested otherwise, not that she’d ever given it much thought. She’d never believed in the supernatural. Not until yesterday.
“They can, under the right circumstances,” Wesley said, “but I won’t bore you with the details. I’m sure you guys want to get settled. There shoul
d be food in the freezer.”
“Food?” Confused, Winter gaped at Wesley. “But didn’t you just say they’re vampires?”
“Amaury is, but his sons are hybrids,” Wesley explained. “They are part vampire, part human. They eat regular food, but they also drink blood. Keeps them strong.”
“Oh.” Her head was spinning already. So much to digest. But maybe it was best to get as much information as she could all at once. Then at least she would be prepared for anything.
“Don’t worry, you’ll get the hang of it,” Wesley assured her.
She liked him. He was easy going and charming. Not to mention practical. “Thank you for helping us, Wesley. I hope I can repay your kindness one day.”
“No need. We’re all one big family here, and that’s what family does.”
Logan let go of her hand and offered his hand to Wesley. They shook hands. “I appreciate it.”
Wesley handed the key to Logan. “Oh, before I forget, I think you should go see Gabriel.”
“Gabriel, why?”
“Because of his gift. He might be able to unlock memories of some of Winter’s visions. I mean it’s just a thought. No idea if it even works. But it’s worth a shot. I’m sure he’d be happy to do it.”
Logan’s face lit up. “That’s a brilliant idea. I’ll discuss it with Winter.”
“You do that. Oh and before I forget it…” He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a cell phone. “This is a burner. Only I have the number so I can get in touch with you. My number is programmed in.”
“Thanks, Wes.”
Then he smiled at Winter. “Nice meeting you, Winter. I’ll be in touch soon and let you know what I can find out about psychics.”
She raised her hand to wave goodbye and watched him leave. Silence descended on the apartment when the door shut behind Wesley.
“Are you alright? I know it’s a lot to take in.”
She met Logan’s gaze. “Please stop asking me if I’m alright. You don’t have to walk on eggshells around me. I can handle it.” She lifted one shoulder in a shrug. “I mean, compared to demons, vampires sound like kittycats. And witches are basically just humans doing spells, right?”
