Tricked

the stored heat vented upward like a furnace blast, I channeled the material into the outer walls of cellulose in the log, essentially petrifying it and upping its strength considerably. There wasn’t nearly enough silica in the rock to petrify the whole log, so I concentrated it in a two-foot area and made it about four inches deep. The skinwalkers would have a much tougher time punching through that, even with their unnaturally strong muscles and bones—and if they did manage it, they would probably injure themselves in the process. Once I’d used all the silica, I divided my focus and let Granuaile know she could lower the shovel.
    I didn’t know how much of that the Navajos caught, but I figured I wouldn’t have to worry about explaining the effectiveness of magic to this particular group. They might wonder what I’d done and how, but they’d never doubt the possibility of it. Their faith, after all, combined with Frank’s singing and sandpainting, was constructing a far more effective ward against the skinwalkers than anything I could come up with.
    » Need another rock? « Granuaile asked.
    » No, let’s wait and see if this works first. « I placed myself directly behind the petrified portion of the log and raised my voice to taunt the skinwalkers. » Here, kitty, kitty! « I made kissy noises. » Come and get me over here! «
    One of them obliged. One second I saw nothing but darkness to the north, and then in the next fraction of a second there was a sickening thud , of a distinctly duller and lower tenor than from previous impacts, and then a skinwalker fell gracelessly to the ground—directly on top of the ward surrounding the building. The bobcat screamed and scrambled away from it, but it was literally burned by the contact. It held still for a moment to assess the damage, and that allowed me to check it out as well. There were white lines seared across its fur now, in the weblike pattern I’d seen before in the ward. It was only a narrow strip, as if he’d been thrown on the grill for a few seconds, but his awkward, slower movements proved he had been crippled by it—by that, or by crashing headlong into petrified wood. He wouldn’t be jumping at the hogan with nearly the strength or ferocity he’d had up to that point, if at all. Allowing myself a tiny smile, I checked the log; it was fine.
    » Yeah, get me another rock, « I said. » That worked out well. «
    Granuaile moved to comply, but Frank shook his head urgently and Sophie spoke for him. » No more rocks, « she said. » We need what’s left for the ceremony. « They were still burning herbs on top of the rocks, and apparently they were more important to the process than I thought.
    My apprentice looked at me helplessly. » It’s okay, « I said. » I’ll make do. The odds have evened out a bit in any case. « With only one skinwalker attacking the hogan, I could keep up with the damage being dealt to the structure. It would be a long night of work, but it was manageable. I sighed with relief; we would get through this.
    I sighed too soon.
    The crunch of gravel under tires and the rumble of a V8 reminded us that Darren Yazzie had gone to Kayenta for a few goodies, and now he was returning at a spectacularly unfortunate time.
    Eyes widened around the hogan and voices faltered, but Frank Chischilly sang on. Failing to complete the ceremony properly might offend the Holy People—and that would rather defeat the purpose of having a ceremony in the first place.
    » It’s Darren! « Sophie said, putting a hand up to her mouth in worry. » I asked him to go to town for me—I didn’t think we’d be dealing with them so soon! « She moved toward the door, and one of the crew members—I’d never been introduced—slid over to intercept her.
    » Ain’t nothin’ we can do for Darren except hope he figures it out and turns around, « he said. » Anyone who goes out that door will die. Ain’t nothin’ faster than a skinwalker. «
    He was right. Those things were faster than Leif and therefore faster than anything I could manage with the aid of magic. Moralltach or no, I couldn’t keep them from taking me down. They were so alien to the magic I was familiar with that I wondered if even the Tuatha Dé Danann could handle them.
    › Stay, boy, ‹ Oberon commanded.
    Don’t worry, I’m not going anywhere .
    Granuaile fished her cell phone out of her jeans and hope bloomed on her face. » There’s actually a signal here! « she