Hexed

to my human form. Oberon was very happy to see me.
    › Mr. Semerdjian’s back from the hospital, ‹ he said. › We can stick it to him again when he’s feeling up to it. I hope he feels better soon. ‹
    I cooked dinner for us, then gave Hal a call from my home phone to suggest he pick up the silver knife to aid in the investigation of Father Gregory and Rabbi Yosef. I left it on the front porch for him, the blade carefully wrapped in oilskin for his protection, then immediately began to work on shielding my house from Kabbalists. Once I finished, hours later, I felt mentally drained from the exertions of the day, but I crashed gratefully on my bed and counted myself lucky that I didn’t need to spend another night healing outside.

Chapter 17
    The Morrigan tried to wake me up gently this time, but she still managed to startle me into a waking nightmare.
    » Gah! Please tell me you’re not horny, « I begged, clutching the sheets and trying to hide behind a pillow.
    » No, « she replied, smirking, even though she was sitting naked on the edge of my bed, raven hair falling on alabaster skin. » I have returned with the amulets. « Four black droplets of cold iron shifted with the percussive clack of rocks in the palm of her hand. » Goibhniu was quick. «
    » Ah, that’s great. « I lowered the pillow and sighed in relief. » Very good. Because I don’t think I could take another day like yesterday. «
    The Morrigan laughed, genuinely amused, and it did not sound remotely malicious to me. » You look well, Siodhachan. You are completely recovered. «
    » Physically, yes. But you left me in an awkward position with Brighid, and you know you did. «
    The goddess of death snorted. » I saw that she redecorated your kitchen. «
    » She tried to kill me, Morrigan. She could have killed my hound. «
    » I felt no danger for you at any time. « Her head shook slowly and a tiny smile stretched across her face.
    » Will you ever feel that danger again, now that you’ve agreed not to take me? «
    » Oh, yes, I know I will, because I already have. It’s coming. «
    » It is? When? «
    » Very soon. Today or tomorrow. You battle with shadowy figures. «
    I was bemused. » That … kind of sounds like a horoscope. «
    The Morrigan laughed again. She was in an extraordinarily good mood. » I suggest you perform your own divination. Soon. But for now I come bearing gifts. These three extra amulets are yours to dispose of as you wish. And there is a package of fresh sausage in the kitchen. «
    » Thank you, Morrigan, « I said, taking the three amulets from her. They were teardrop shaped, with a loop at the top to string on a necklace. » Oberon’s going to love the sausage. Shall I cook breakfast for us? Are you hungry? «
    » Yes, I’m rather famished. And you make such excellent omelets. «
    » Okay, « I said, whipping off the bedspread and padding barefoot toward the kitchen. I had to go to the bathroom, but I was putting that off until I had the Morrigan settled. I didn’t want a repeat of what happened the last time.
    Some watchdog you are , I told Oberon, who was sitting meekly by the refrigerator.
    › She scares me. ‹
    What? I’ve never seen her in such a good mood . I gave him an affectionate scratch under the chin and got out the makings for coffee.
    › That’s what scares me. She’s never even petted me, and now she’s bringing me sausage? She wants to fatten me up for something terrible, I just know it. ‹
    I don’t think that’s it, buddy. I think she’s happy because she feels she’s beaten Brighid somehow .
    › Well, it’s disconcerting. Wait, discombobulating. I should get a snack for that. It’s discombobulating because now I don’t know what to expect, except a snack. ‹
    You must proceed on the expectation of good manners, both yours and hers. That is the essence of hospitality .
    The Morrigan walked into the kitchen and took a seat at the table. » Good morning, Oberon, « she said with a smile.
    › Three kinds of cat shit, Atticus, she’s talking to me! ‹
    So go over there and wag your tail. She won’t hurt you, I promise .
    Oberon got to his feet, kept his head low, and wagged his tail slowly, half expecting to die.
    » Oh, you’re actually coming to see me? I’m honored, « the Morrigan said. Oberon’s tail wagged a bit faster. » This is quite a feather in my cap, to be acknowledged by the great Druid’s hound, « she added. Oberon bumped his snout under her arm,