Chapter Five #3
“You will do no such thing,” Owain said, grabbing me by the arm and spinning me around. We were halfway down the alley before a second passed.
I tried to look over my shoulder, but Owain’s legs were longer than mine, and I almost had to trot to keep up with him. “I didn’t really want to pepper spray her,” I explained.
“I know you didn’t, but it’s exactly what we needed to escape.
” We emerged onto a busy street, Owain quickly surveying the situation, while I looked back.
Badb was standing over her sister, who was still kneeling, rocking back and forth.
“I’m not sure it will be safe to return to my flat, since my mother knows where I live.
We will have to find accommodations elsewhere—who are you calling now? ”
An unfortunate desire to giggle rose at the outrage in his voice, but I quelled it even as I tucked away the restaurant’s business card, which I’d grabbed for future visits.
“Calling the dragon people to have them help your mom and aunt. Hi, there are two pepper-sprayed ... er ... druids?” I hesitated, eyeing Owain as he decided on a direction, and more or less hauled me down the sidewalk.
“Celtic gods,” Owain corrected.
I blinked a couple of times, having figured the part of Wikipedia I’d read about the Morrigan was referring to mythology, not real life, but duly repeated, “There are two Celtic gods in the alley behind your garden who need medical aid.”
“Ah,” the man who answered the phone said. “Do they? We will attend to them. Who is this? I ask merely so I may inform them of the name of their Good Samaritan.”
“Yeah, I’m not really that,” I admitted. “I’m the one who pepper sprayed them. Thanks so much!”
I hung up to the sound of the man sputtering.
“She will be fine in a few minutes,” Owain said, lifting his hand when he spotted a taxi. “Gods, Celtic and otherwise, tend not to be overly affected by such things. Do you reside in London?”
“In the suburbs, yes,” I answered, still feeling bad about inadvertently spraying Owain’s mom and aunt. “Are you sure they’ll be OK?”
“Yes. Does Jerry have your address?”
“I think so. Why? Do you think she’ll come after me for attacking her?” I fretted with that thought, adding it to the woes that beset me.
“No, but if she knows where you live, it will not be safe for us to stay there. We’ll find a hotel.”
“I’m not going to a hotel with you,” I said, refusing to get into the cab when it pulled up before us. “Your lower lip and jaw and hair aside, I don’t go to hotels with men I’ve just met.”
“You are in danger from my mother,” Owain argued. “I can protect you from her taking vengeance upon you.”
“A vengeance that is justified, although again, I feel compelled to say I truly did not intend to spray her. I wanted to threaten her so we could get away.”
“Which is why you will come with me. I know you did not mean to harm her, but she will believe you have turned on her. She does not tolerate those she deems as traitors. Get in the cab so that we can find somewhere safe.”
“I’m very good at apologies,” I protested, refusing again to be pushed into the taxi.
“Goddess knows I’ve had enough experience offering them.
You go find a safe place where she can’t find you, and I’ll go back and apologize.
And stop making that face. She can’t hurt me, not really. I’m a knocker. I’m immortal.”
He leaned close, his breath touching my cheek. “You may be immortal, but I assure you that you can be killed.”
“Well, yes, strictly speaking, I guess that’s true, but it would take someone of exceptional power. ...” My words slowed and came to an abrupt stop when I realized what I was saying.
Owain nodded. “Like a Celtic god. I don’t wish to frighten you, but if she regains the boon she gave my brothers and me, I guarantee she’d not only be able to destroy you; she’d happily do so. She’s a very vengeful person. Just ask any number of ancient kings of Ireland.”
“Oy,” I said, glancing worriedly toward the alley.
“Know this, Berengaria—”
“Berry, please,” I interrupted. “Only my mom calls me by my full name.”
“I assure you, Berry, if the Morrigna gets me alone, I don’t know if I could hold out against them. Singularly, I can cope, but together, bound as the Morrigna ...” He shook his head. “Even my mother’s boon wouldn’t be enough to protect me.”
I was about to protest when an enraged screech sounded behind us.
We spun around to see Jerry stumbling down the block, long black lines of mascara dripping down her face, making her resemble something out of a horror movie.
“You’ll die for this outrage!” she swore, one hand beginning to draw the symbols of a spell.
“I’ve changed my mind,” I said, and leaped into the taxi, pulling Owain in after me before instructing the driver, “Go!”
“Where?” he asked.
“Anywhere,” Owain answered, watching through the window as the taxi headed into traffic. “Make it quick.”
I thought hard for a minute, sent a text, and leaned forward to give the driver an address.
“If that’s your flat—” Owain started to say.
“Not mine.” I held my phone and sent a prayer that my plea would not reach a closed mind. “It’s my cousin’s house. We should be safe from your mom there. My cousin’s wife is a dragon.”
Owain said nothing as I sat back, but I swore I could feeling him thinking a good many things.