Hexed

pleasantly until the sun went down, when I suggested I should be getting home to Oberon. I rode my bike and Granuaile trailed behind in her blue Chevy Aveo. I let Granuaile keep Oberon happy on the front porch with a belly rub while I put in a call to Leif.
    He didn’t spend time on niceties like saying hello. He answered the phone with, » Have you changed your mind about Thor? «
    » Um … no, « I said, and he promptly hung up on me. My disappointment must have shown on my face, because Granuaile asked me what was wrong.
    » It seems my lawyer’s feeling unusually bloodsucky, « I replied. » Our cordial relationship may be over. «
    » No way to patch it up, huh? «
    » Well, no, it’s not like I can send him a box of chocolates. I have scruples about sending him people for dinner. And I can’t possibly do what he wants me to do. «
    » What’s that? «
    » Kill a thunder god. « Before Granuaile could reply, my phone started ringing in my hand. It was an unknown number.
    » I’m back in town, Atticus, « Laksha Kulasekaran said on the other end of the line. » Pick me up on the north side of Terminal Four. «
    She and I were going to hunt some Bacchants. I slung Fragarach across my back before Granuaile and I jumped back into her car, because while it would do me no good against them unsheathed, I could simply brain them with the scabbard if necessary—and I can’t count how many times I’ve wished I had it with me when I left it at home.

Chapter 11
    The tendency of modern American women to exclaim » Hiiiiiiiiiiiii! « in soprano octaves and hug each other upon sight can be disconcerting to those unfamiliar with it. Laksha was definitely unfamiliar with it, judging by the widening of her eyes and the stiffness of her limbs when Granuaile assaulted her with effusive greetings.
    At least, I assumed it was Laksha: Granuaile was hugging a young olive-skinned woman in a black salwar kameez with a gold brocade border at the neckline and sleeves. I recognized the magnificent necklace of rubies set in gold that circled her throat; it was a magical focus she claimed was demon-crafted. There was a black chiffon duppatta, also with brocade on the borders, that Laksha had wrapped around herself intricately and in which Granuaile managed to tangle her arms. I have seen more-awkward hugs in my life, but few so amusing and so clearly perplexing to the person being hugged.
    Granuaile finally realized that Laksha probably didn’t know what the hell she was doing, and she switched from ecstasy to embarrassment at about Mach Five.
    » Oh, I am so sorry, « she apologized, trying and failing to return Laksha’s duppatta to its former graceful sweep. » I keep forgetting you’re not used to American customs yet. Women here always get excited when they haven’t seen each other for a while. «
    » But I saw you just last week, « Laksha said.
    » Well, yes, but you’ve been so far away, « Granuaile explained.
    » So distance must be taken into account when deciding whether to greet someone like this? «
    » Um, well, I never thought about it quite that way before, but I guess that must be true, yes, « Granuaile said uncertainly.
    I popped the trunk of Granuaile’s car and grinned at Laksha as I picked up her bags. » Welcome back, Laksha. You look fabulous. «
    » Thank you, Mr. O’Sullivan. « She smiled primly at me. Her lips were the color of wine in a heart-shaped face, which was framed with a cascade of glossy black hair. She had a dimple on the left side of her mouth, a diamond stud glinting on the right side of her nose, and her eyebrows were expertly tweezed or waxed or whatever the proper beauty exercise is called. Her dark eyes shone with amusement, and one didn’t get the sense at all that she was used to making deals with rakshasas and transferring her soul from body to body. » I am rather fond of this particular form. « She held up her left hand, adorned with golden bangles on the wrist, and admired it with proprietary pride. » I am thinking I would like to keep it for a while, especially since the previous owner of it yielded it to me so willingly. I have not possessed a body free of karmic debt since the one I was born in, and I confess it holds much attraction for me. «
    » There are no problems with it, no scars from the auto accident the young lady was in? «
    Laksha gave a small shake of her head. » Nothing on the surface. She suffered some broken bones, but they are all healed. She lost