Hammered

wonder filling his face.
    » I’m sure it does. It’s a land of opportunity, « I said. He hooked me up with a couple of extra fulgurites for Granuaile and Oberon before he left, and I made sure to dispel the camouflage on his fur cloak outside. » Meeting you was a pleasure, « I told him. » It’s one of the few things about the trip I can say was one hundred percent positive, in fact. As gods go, you’re one of the best I’ve ever met. «
    » You are only Druid I ever met, « he said, » but I think best also. « He tried to leave by pounding me manfully on the back a couple of times, but then decided that was inadequate and crushed me with a companionable hug. It was like getting squeezed between large hairy rocks. As he exited out the back of the Huddle, I tried not to laugh out loud at the collective sigh of relief from the locals. I covered my amusement by taking a long draught of my drink.
    The extra alcohol gave me the courage I needed to dial the next number. I punched it in and steeled myself for an unpleasant conversation.
    » Hal, it’s me. I’m back. And I have bad news. «
    » Yes, I’ve been waiting for your call, « the new alpha of the Tempe Pack said, his voice tight with tension. » I already know it’s bad, but how bad? Are they both gone, or just my alpha? «
    » It’s uncertain. Better that I show and tell, « I replied. » I brought them back, Hal. I did everything I could. « I told him where to find me and to bring the new IDs I’d ordered for both Granuaile and myself. » And come in a work van, or maybe borrow Antoine’s wheels, « I added, referring to the local ghoul who collected and hauled bodies around in a refrigerated truck.
    » Tell me this much before I drive out there, « Hal said. » Did they at least get their revenge? «
    » Yes. They got their revenge. But I never got to ask them if it was worth it. «
    » I don’t think it was, « Hal said.
    » No. No, it wasn’t. «

Epilogue
    All my old haunts were possible traps now, and the Morrigan’s vision of my death had me practically loony with paranoia. Granuaile was already teasing me about my constantly swiveling head, half in jest and half in annoyance; I was making her nervous. Despite her impatient sigh and the rolling of her eyes, I had her park out of sight of the widow’s house so that I could call to Oberon through our mental link from up the street.
    Oberon, can you hear me?
    
    He sounded alarmed at my arrival rather than welcoming. That wasn’t right. What? Why not?
    
    Is the widow all right?
    
    Yes . I was sitting with Granuaile in her car, near University Drive.
    
    His question jangled alarm bells in my head. What if I wasn’t talking to Oberon? That scene from Terminator 2 where Schwarzenegger imitated the voice of John Connor and the T-1000 imitated the foster mother replayed in my head. I wasn’t sure if such a switch could be accomplished magically, but I didn’t want to take the chance. Instead of answering him, I asked a question of my own. Oberon, can you get out of the house?
    
    Jump over the fence and come to the front. By yourself. Right now .
    
    » Start the car, « I told Granuaile. She nodded and turned the key in the ignition. Oberon appeared alone at the edge of the widow’s property in a few seconds, looking south down Roosevelt first and then north to where we were parked.
    See the blue car? That’s us .
     He went from dead stop to full speed in about three seconds.
    What are you talking about? I got out of the car and opened the back door for him to jump in. He didn’t stop to be petted or anything. He leapt in and immediately started barking at Granuaile before I could close the door.
    
    Oberon, what on earth? Stop that racket . I ducked back into the car and told Granuaile to get us off Roosevelt Street as I closed my door. Oberon’s behavior needed an explanation, but if matters were truly as urgent as he suggested, it would be unwise to demand one before leaving. We could always return if it was a misunderstanding. Granuaile made a U-turn and turned