Hounded

« she snapped. » You know us well, and we know you even better. Admit it, Druid: Without your friends being held hostage, there was a significant chance you would have simply fled the confrontation. Brighid did not want that to happen, so I provided Aenghus Óg with a lever to make sure you showed up to be attacked. Thus Brighid got what she wanted—the removal of a rival—and Aenghus got what he deserved. «
    During this conversation, I missed what exactly Flidais did to remove the silver—I wanted to learn the trick, because it could come in handy later—but when I looked back down, the werewolf’s wounds were already beginning to close, and the last thing I wanted was to be in Flidais’s debt. I supposed I would have to find a lever against her.
    I was flabbergasted by the extent to which I had been manipulated by various members of the Tuatha Dé Danann. I had indeed been a pawn for Brighid, Flidais, and the Morrigan—a pawn who took down two very troublesome gods. Still, there were clear blessings to be thankful for: I was still alive, and my worst enemy was in hell instead of angling to become First among the Fae. I could think of nothing else to say to Flidais that would not get me in trouble, so I took refuge in good manners.
    » Thank you for healing the Pack, Flidais. «
    » It was my pleasure, « she said, rising. » And now I get an even greater pleasure. Did you see that one of the large demon rams escaped? «
    » Yes, I saw that. Big lad, he was. «
    » I’m going after him now. « She grinned. » He’s had a decent head start. Rams like him are casters, you know. It’s going to be a fine chase, a finer battle, and he’ll be a choice trophy on the wall of my lodge. «
    » Happy hunting. «
    » Fare you well, Druid, « she said, and then she sprinted toward Haunted Canyon, using who knew what for energy in this wasted land. The Tuatha Dé Danann obviously had access to a power source that I did not—but I could see now that they had labored for millennia to preserve the fiction that they were as limited as Druids were. Perhaps it did not matter anymore to keep it a secret: Who was I going to tell?
    › You know what she’s like, Atticus? ‹
    What’s that, buddy?
    › A piece of steak you get caught in your teeth and you can’t get out. I love me some steak, you know, but sometimes it can be supremely annoying and then I don’t want steak again for a while. ‹
    That’s exactly what I feel too, Oberon .
    He turned his head toward Snorri and pricked up his ears. › Hey, I think your crush from the bar is coming. ‹
    She’s my new apprentice. Well, half of her is, anyway .
    › Wow, really? What’s the other half going to do? ‹
    Not sure about that yet. Let’s go meet her . I waved good-bye to Greta the werewolf, who was out of danger now, and Oberon barked a farewell. We loped over to where Dr. Jodursson was healing—he looked as if he wanted to sleep, but that was doubtless impossible with the pack link overflowing with bloodlust at the moment.
    » Thanks for taking one for the team, Snorri, « I said. Oberon chimed in with a sort of rolling bark— roo-woo-wooof .
    Snorri snorted his acknowledgment but otherwise didn’t move.
    Laksha walked up behind Snorri, holding her nose. » Smells like demons, « she complained.
    » Nice job on Radomila, « I said.
    » Did she have the necklace? «
    » Yes, she did. « I held it up so she could see her bloody treasure. » The rest of the coven is just about finished off, so you won’t need to use its power on them. Here you go, as promised. «
    She took the necklace from me and smiled. » Thank you. It is a pleasure to work with a man who keeps his word. «
    » I am actually going to help you keep the remaining part of your bargain, « I said.
    » Oh? « Her eyes narrowed. » How so? «
    » I’m giving Granuaile thirty thousand dollars to fly back east and find you a suitable host. Once you wake up in your new body, she’ll give you the rest to get yourself set up somewhere, minus her airfare home. «
    » You have this kind of money to give away? «
    I shrugged. » Ten grand just came from the coven. As for the rest, I live simply and I make a killing on long-term investments. Send me a postcard when you get settled; let me know how the karma rehab is going. «
    Laksha chuckled and shoved the bloody necklace into Granuaile’s pocket. » I have no problem with this. Thank you for your consideration. «
    » Thank you for taking care of