Hammered

the world survives, Atticus. Do you hear me? The world is at stake—this world. Killing Aenghus brought you to the attention of these Hammers of God. Who knows whom else you’ve attracted by killing the Norns? «
    » I’ll bet you have a pretty good idea, « I said.
    » Well, yes, I do, and that’s why I’m here to warn you. Things are already looking grim for you, my friend. You’ve unleashed a significant aspect of Fate, and it rarely chooses a more peaceful and orderly path when given the opportunity to pursue its own course. Please do not make it worse. Killing Thor will set in motion forces you cannot comprehend. The pain you feel now will be a sensual massage compared to what awaits you should you continue. «
    I signaled that I understood with the barest of nods. It hurt to breathe. It hurt to sit. It hurt to be conscious.
    » Lesson learned? « he asked me.
    » Yes, « I whispered.
    » Right. You won’t be needing that anymore, then. « Jesus stood up from his patio chair and leaned over me, yanking the knife from my back.
    » Gaaaaah! «
    » Wah, wah, wah, you’re such a crybaby, « he said. » It’s just a flesh wound, as the Black Knight would say. Stand up. «
    » Wait. Did you just quote the Holy Grail ? «
    » Why not? It was an inspired piece of filmmaking. « He winked at me. » Now stand up. «
    » You don’t mean divinely inspired, do you? «
    Jesus rolled his eyes. » One needs the patience of Job when speaking with you. Come on, I’m trying to help. « He hauled me to my feet by my left arm, eliciting another howl of misery. » Remember this the next time you think it would be macho to face down a god. «
    » Why not let me die if I’m so dangerous? « I asked, leaning heavily against him for support.
    » Because you’re also the only one with a hope of preventing the worst cataclysms from happening. «
    » What cataclysms? «
    » I can’t tell you. That would be cheating. Now be silent. «
    » You’re awful bossy all of a sudden. «
    » Doesn’t do me much good, does it? You’re still talking. Hold still. «
    Jesus put his hand over my mangled left ear, and a pleasant warmth filled my body. The pain melted away and I felt my muscles knitting back together without a fuss. My kidney healed up and the toxins broke down in my blood. He even fixed the holes in my jacket. And, to top it off, my left ear was good as new again.
    » Wow, that was so much easier than the way the Morrigan fixed my other one, « I said. » Thank you. Seriously. «
    He beamed and gave me a hug, more sincerely than the man hug we’d traded on our first greeting. » You are welcome. Thank you for the lunch and the drinks, « he said pointedly, bobbing his head toward Rúla Búla and my unpaid tab. » And thank you in advance for making wise decisions in the future. «
    I began to laugh, and Jesus cocked his head sideways at me. » What’s so funny? «
    » The next time someone asks me if I’ve been saved by Jesus, I can tell them truthfully I have. I can tell ’em you’re my savior. And they will misinterpret that so deliciously. «
    Jesus sighed and shook his head with one of those boys-will-be-boys expressions. » Druids, « he said. Then he pointed over my shoulder. » Hey, here come the cops. « I looked behind me and saw no one there. When I turned around, Jesus was gone.
    » All right, you got me, « I said, looking up. » That was a good one. «
    But Jesus hadn’t been kidding. A moment later, two officers came through the short outdoor hallway that led to Rúla Búla, and they saw me standing in the middle of the courtyard.
    » Sir? We need to talk to you, « the first one said.
    There are some grassy spots in the Mission Palms courtyard. It’s where the palms grow. I stepped onto one and smiled at the police as I drew power from the earth, replenishing my bear charm. Before they could entrap me into what might possibly be hours of questioning, I cast camouflage on myself and scooted out of there, leaving them bewildered and examining their sunglasses for dirt.
    Mindful of my obligations, I crept back into Rúla Búla briefly to settle my bill with Flanagan and leave a generous tip. I figured I needed all the good karma I could get.

Chapter 12
    There are certain encounters that one knows will never be repeated so long as one lives. The firstborn child can’t be born twice; one’s virginity, once lost, can never be found again; the sheer awe one feels when laying hands on a giant sequoia cannot