Hounded

for dead. I’ll help you once she’s gone. «
    » That makes me feel so much better. Hey, « I said, suddenly remembering, » were you aware that Flidais came to see me and warn me about Aenghus Óg as well? «
    » No. « The Morrigan frowned. » When was this? «
    » The same day you came to warn me here. When I went home, she was waiting for me there. «
    » I do not know why she would suddenly be interested in your welfare. «
    » I was thinking the same thing. Especially since she got me and my hound into some trouble with the local authorities. «
    » What sort of trouble? «
    » My wolfhound is wanted for murder. He killed a park ranger who surprised us during a hunt. And this ranger was wearing an earring enchanted with Fae stealth spells. «
    The Morrigan’s eyes flashed even redder. » There are clearly machinations going on in Tír na nÓg of which I am unaware. I dislike being left out; it gives me the feeling that I may be a target. « She huffed and shook her head. » I must investigate. I will linger on this plane awhile to see what Brighid does—but after that, I am going back to Tír na nÓg to get some answers. «
    Her eyes cooled down abruptly and she turned toward the door. » She comes, « the Morrigan said. » It would not do for her to see me here. Farewell for now, Siodhachan Ó Suileabháin. «
    She melted back into a crow and flapped her wings toward the door, which unlocked and opened for her as she flew through, leaving me alone with Oberon, who was enjoying all the comings and goings from his position behind the counter.
    › You know, Atticus, that turning-into-a-crow business is pretty slick, but that’s not her best godlike power by a long shot. She can sense when specific people are approaching in time to avoid them! Wouldn’t it be cool if you could automatically avoid assholes for the rest of your life? ‹
    » Hush, Oberon, « I said. » Brighid is coming. You need to be polite. Keep yourself still back there and don’t come out unless I give you express permission. She can fry us to bacon as easily as breathing. «
    I’d no sooner finished speaking than a ball of flame blew through my door, breaking the glass and melting my door chimes. It extinguished itself in front of me, leaving a tall, majestic, fully armored goddess in its place. It was Brighid, goddess of poetry, fire, and the forge.
    » Old Druid, « she said in a voice of music and dread, » I must speak with you about the death of my husband. «

Chapter 14
    Brighid was a vision. I don’t think there’s ever been a hotter widow in history. Even though she was in full armor and all I could see of her actual person were her eyes and her lips, well, I felt like a horny teenager again. I really, really wanted to flirt, but seeing as I was the guy who widowed her, I thought perhaps there was a line somewhere I shouldn’t cross.
    I cleared my throat and licked my lips nervously. » You’d just like to speak about his death? « I asked. » No summary incinerations or anything like that? «
    » We will speak first, « she said severely. » What comes afterward depends on what you say. Tell me of his death. «
    I told her everything. One doesn’t even attempt to lie to Brighid. I sort of left out precisely how I had seen Bres pull his sword on me—I was rather hoping she wouldn’t notice my necklace or how much power it held—but I told no untruths.
    » The Morrigan told me the same story, « she said.
    » It was purely self-defense, Brighid, « I said.
    » I realize that. « Her manner softened. » And in truth, Druid, I owe you my thanks. You have relieved me of an odious task. «
    Gadzooks! Brighid just said she owed me. That was a huge admission, and not what I had expected at all. » I beg your pardon? I do not understand. «
    Brighid removed her helmet, and her red hair spilled out across her pauldrons like one of those self-inflating life rafts. It wasn’t sweaty or tangled from being confined in a helmet across miles of desert. It was glorious, shining, Age of Aquarius hair that would make Malina Sokolowski envious, a full-blown movie star ’do that a team of stylists would spend three hours teasing before the cameras rolled. It smelled of lavender and holly. I remembered to breathe only with some effort.
    » I will explain, « Brighid said. » But might you have any tea? It has been a long journey from Tír na nÓg. «
    I leapt to my feet and hurried behind the counter where Oberon waited patiently. »