Hounded

Orleans. Last year we quietly took care of a Kali death cult. I also know that there is a group of Bacchants in Vegas that would love to expand here, but we have repulsed every foray into our territory. If you would like to deal with these problems in our absence, so be it. «
    » No, I had no idea that you were so active or so territorial. «
    » This is a nice place to live. We would like to keep it that way. «
    » I like it here too, « I admitted. » Very well. Convince me that you mean me no harm. «
    » Are you willing to give us equal assurance? «
    » I suppose that depends on what sort of assurance you seek. «
    » Let us have your lawyer draw up a treaty. We can spend as much time on the wording as you wish. When all parties are satisfied, we will sign in blood and the lawyer will keep it. «
    A nonaggression treaty signed in blood? Something about that struck me as oxymoronic. » I will begin the process with you in good faith, « I said, » and see where negotiations lead us. What I want you to understand—what Emily and Radomila did not understand—is that though I avoid conflict where I can, it should never be misinterpreted as weakness. You expressed disbelief earlier that a member of the Tuatha Dé Danann should be afraid of me. But last night I killed him, and on top of that I took care of a horde of demons and your former sisters. « I left out all the help I had. I didn’t actually kill a single member of her coven, but she didn’t need to know that. » It should be clear to you that Wikipedia knows nothing about what a real Druid can do. «
    » Crystal clear, Mr. O’Sullivan. «
    » Very well. My lawyer will contact you in a week or so. «
    That left me with a wizened witch’s head to dispose of, but I was glad that I wouldn’t need to use it after all. I knew precisely what to do with it. I cast camouflage on it and myself and crossed the street to Mr. Semerdjian’s house. With some patient coaxing, the earth underneath his eucalyptus tree opened up and I tumbled her head into a hole beneath its roots, then closed the earth over it and dispelled the camouflage.
    After that, I sent a courier over to Granuaile’s place with a check for the money I’d promised and wished her a safe journey.
    Perry got an early-morning call asking him to keep the store running, and in return he’d get a week’s paid vacation in a few days. The widow MacDonagh also received a call, reassuring her that her favorite Irish lad was still alive and planned to have that long talk with her soon. And then, finally, I went to take my rest.
    I shucked my clothes and lay down on my right side so that my tattoos got maximum contact with the earth. I sighed in relief as I felt the first comforting wave of energy fill my cells. I must have fallen asleep inside of ten seconds, only to be rudely awakened ten seconds after that. The Morrigan flew into the yard, cawing loudly, and changed into her human form.
    » Now that you are in a position to recharge yourself, Druid, I would like my energy returned to me. «
    Well, hello to you too, Morrigan. Yeesh.
    » Thank you very much for the use of it, « I told her diplomatically, and offered her my left hand. » Please take it back. «
    She grasped my hand, and when she was finished draining what was hers, my arm dropped to my side like a dead fish. I couldn’t move again.
    » You used way too much Cold Fire, « the Morrigan said. » You should plan on being immobile for a couple of days. I hope you put on some of that lotion the mortals are so infatuated with. Can’t have you dying of skin cancer. «
    The Morrigan laughed mockingly and then squawked harshly as she changed into a crow and flew away. And she wondered why she didn’t have any friends.

Epilogue
    The Chiricahua Mountains in southeastern Arizona have a sere beauty to them. One of the things I enjoy about the desert is the hardiness of the plants and animals that live there. Rains are unpredictable and the Arizona sun can be extraordinarily harsh, yet life thrives in the Chiricahuas, albeit without the lush display you find in wetter climes.
    The Chiricahuas are unusual in that there are several » sky islands « —old volcanic ranges that jut nine thousand feet above the desert grasslands—featuring diverse ecosystems.
    Oberon and I hunted mule deer and javelina there, and we also terrorized a couple of coatimundis just to hear them chitter at us. We didn’t find any bighorn sheep but refused to let that