Hexed Read Online Free PDF Page B

and it was this fundamental aspect of human nature that Leif had seemingly forgotten. It applies to dialects and regional accents as well, which is why I’m obsessed with mimicking those properly whenever I can. Ask any Boston Yankee what happens when they get pulled over by police in the Deep South, and they’ll tell you that accent matters. So I took my time with my reply, as if I had all day to get to the end of a sentence, because that’s the way my visitor spoke. » I surely do, Coyote. Only question is which tribe you’re callin’ from this time. «
    » I’m callin’ from the Diné, « he said, using the proper name for the tribe the United States called Navajo. » Mind if I come up and sit a spell? «
    » Not a’tall, « I said. » But you catch me poorly equipped for comp’ny. Ain’t got any tobacco in the house, ’shamed to say. «
    » Aw, that’s all right. I’ll take a beer if you got one. «
    » That I can handle. Come set on the porch here and I’ll be right back. « I dashed inside and snaked a couple of Stellas from the fridge, while Coyote walked up to the porch. I had the tops popped off and was back outside as he was settling into his chair. I held a bottle out to him and he smiled.
    » Mmm, fancy beer, « he said, taking it from my hand and examining the label. » Thanks, Mr. Druid. «
    » Welcome. « We both took a swig, sighed appreciatively like men are supposed to do, and then he held up the bag in his left hand.
    » Got some sausages here for your hound. Mind if I give ’em to ’im? «
    › Sausages! ‹ Oberon’s tail began to wag madly. › I thought I smelled something yummy! ‹
    » What kind o’ sausages? « I asked.
    Coyote chuckled. » Old paranoid Druid. You never change. Normal sausages, perfectly safe. Chicken–apple flavor. I didn’t want your hound to go hungry while we talk. «
    » That was right nice o’ ya, Coyote. My hound and I both thank ya for it. « If he knew Oberon wanted chicken–apple sausages tonight, that meant he was close by when we first ran into that demon—close enough to help, but he clearly chose not to. It also meant he could hear Oberon’s thoughts. I took the bag from him and opened it up to find eight perfect chicken–apple sausages the size of bratwurst, still warm and smelling delicious. I tore open the bag and laid it down on the porch in front of Oberon so he could get at them easily. He wasted no time inhaling them.
    › These are awesome! Tell him I said so! ‹
    » Good, « Coyote nodded, taking another swig of beer. He seemed unaware that he had replied before I had repeated Oberon’s words. » So, seen any demons ’round here? «
    Oberon stopped chewing and raised his head, ears perked, and I studied Coyote carefully for any signs of suddenly sprouting horns or the stench of brimstone. He threw his head back and laughed at us. His canine teeth shone in the pale yellow light of the streetlamps.
    » Hoo-ee, you oughtta see your faces! I bet ya seen a demon, all right! Lemme guess, a big black bug? «
    » Yeah. But I reckon ya didn’t have to guess, didja? « I asked.
    » Naw, I saw him comin’ this way afore I got here. But he ain’t the only one out there, ya know. «
    » Yeah, I figured, « I said.
    » I ’spect you did, Mr. Druid. And you’re the reason they’re runnin’ ’round here, eatin’ people. «
    » What do you care if a demon makes mischief in town? « I asked.
    » What do I care? If a demon went ’round eatin’ white men like you, you’re right, I wouldn’t care. But I said they’re eatin’ people , an’ by that I mean they’re eatin’ my people, Mr. Druid. My people are feedin’ a demon that’s here because of you. So we have somethin’ to talk about, you an’ I. «
    » I see. « I nodded, and Oberon took this as a signal that it was okay for him to finish off his repast. » Where and when did your people die? «
    » A maiden at Skyline High School was eaten yesterday, when all t’other kids were