Hexed

was targeted at the same time as the rest of your coven, it means we’re dealing with two dozen witches plus eight demons. «
    » Correct—well, the demons may not still be around. But I’m sure they left something of themselves behind. « Her eyes grew round significantly, and I began to wonder how much wine she had already consumed.
    » Oh, no. Let me guess. Eight of those witches are eating for two now. «
    » Very good, Mr. O’Sullivan. That’s generally how these things work. In nine months, eight demon babies will be born—and more soon after, if the witches care to try again. There’s only one coven large enough and soulless enough to try this, and we have run into them before: They call themselves die Töchter des dritten Hauses. «
    » The Daughters of the Third House? «
    » Yes. They are the bitches I was referring to on the phone. « Her face twisted and she looked as if she was going to scream a curse or five, but she mastered her temper in time and instead observed calmly, » I see you speak German. «
    » Ja , several versions of it. Why did you survive when Waclawa did not? «
    Malina shrugged. » She was outside when it happened; the rest of us were at home. Here on our floor we are very well protected, as I am sure you are protected somehow. Had we all been outside at the time of the attack, we’d all be dead. «
    » If that’s so, then you would think that they would have timed the attack better, to ensure more of you were vulnerable. «
    » You are assuming they’re aware of our defenses. They have no conception of the wards the Zoryas provide us. Their magic is as different from ours as it is from yours. To their way of thinking, they have cast a hex no one can survive. They will be surprised to learn otherwise. «
    » Why was I targeted? Why were you targeted, for that matter? «
    » They targeted us partially to settle an old score, « she replied, tapping her chest with the bottle and then remembering it held a rather tasty vintage. She took another drink before continuing, and moved into the living area. » But mostly, we—and I include you in that we —are all that’s left protecting the East Valley territory, whether you realize it or not. «
    » I didn’t sign up for that. «
    » It’s not the sort of thing one signs up for. « She put her fist up to her mouth briefly to mask a delicate belch. » They perceive you to be a guardian of this area, therefore you are. Perception is reality, Mr. O’Sullivan. «
    » Why not go after the werewolves? Or Leif? «
    » They represent entirely different spheres of influence. The werewolves care only about other lycanthropes; since magic doesn’t touch them, they couldn’t care less who rules the territory. The vampires care only about other undead. We, on the other hand, must worry about all magic-casters. «
    » Must we? «
    » Look at places with high crime. The West Valley as opposed to the East Valley, for example. The west-side cities, including Phoenix, have higher rates of crime, poverty, and auto accidents than the east. Why do you suppose that is? «
    » Socioeconomic status and poor civil engineering. «
    » No, it’s because the West Valley is not under our aegis like the East is. «
    » You are suggesting that your coven is solely responsible for the East Valley’s relative peace and prosperity? «
    » Not solely responsible, just largely responsible. The Zoryas are protective goddesses, not the vengeful sort that wants blood and sacrifice. «
    » That’s fascinating, « I said, » but hardly germane to the point, which is where can I find this German coven and how do I kill them? «
    » Kill them the way you killed my sisters, « Malina said coldly. She didn’t know I hadn’t really killed any of them—five had been werewolf snacks, and the sixth had fallen prey to another witch, one who was on my side. » As for where they are, I imagine they are in town somewhere. I cannot give you a precise location, because I do not know myself. We will attempt to divine their location after midnight. «
    » Excellent. I will try to divine their location also. Would you say this coven is more powerful than yours? «
    » Certainly they are at the moment, outnumbered as we are. They left us alone while we were at full strength. But now they know we are depleted, the East Valley is a lovely place to live, and they think they can win. «
    » Can they? «
    » In a sense they already have. We cannot leave this floor of the building