Page 36 of Guardian

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?”