Industrial Magic
Page 62

A druid deity, I said. Esus, god of woodland and water.
I like the witch, Esus said. Ill talk to the witch.
And well talk to Everett Weber, Lucas said.
No, you willnae. I gave you a chance to speak to Everett and what did you do? Nearly got the poor bastard shot by a bunch of Cabal cowboys. But did I interfere? Nae. I stood down and let my acolyte be taken into custody, because I trusted you to get him out of there. The corpse threw up its hands. But, och, hes out of there now. After hes dead!
Thats true. I sidled as close to the reanimated corpse as I dared. But, being all-knowing, you also know that wasnt our fault. We did our best with the information we had.
Esuss sigh blew bits of withered flesh out the corpses torn neck. I know. But I still cannae let you talk to Everett. Hes a wee bit traumatized right now, being suddenly dead and all.
Understandable, I said. But we really do need to speak to him, and now is the best time.
Nae can do, lassie. Ask all you want, but Im nae changing my mind. Of course, whatever Everett knows, I know, so you could ask me. Itll cost you, thocht.
Nuh-uh, Jaime said. No deals with the devil. Ive learned my lesson on that one.
The corpse glowered at her. I am nae the devil. Or a demon. Or some skittering spook. I am Esus crossed his arms. A god.
Very well, then, Lucas said. What would you like?
What do you think Id like? What do all gods like? Sacrifice, of course.
Ill give up booze for a week, Jaime said.
Ha-ha. You could use a wee bit of that humor in your show. Far too much of that touchy-feely stuff for me. A good corpse joke now and then would liven things up. As a druid god, I demand true sacrifice. Human sacrifice. He looked at Lucas. Youd do.
Im sure I would. No human sacrifices.
A goat, then. Ill take a goat.
Jaime looked around. Would you settle for a gator?
No live sacrifices, Lucas said. Of any kind. In return for clear and comprehensible answers to our questions, I will offer you a half-pint of blood.
Yours?
Of course.
Esus pursed his lips. A full pint.
Half before and half after.
Agreed.
Esus dictated instructions for setting up the sacrificial circle. Then I helped Lucas draw the blood. Not for the squeamish. Id put in plenty of volunteer hours at blood donor clinics, but ourmethods that night were, shall we say, a tad more primitive, involving a penknife and a bra. As a tourniquet, theres no better suited item of clothing, nor one that is less likely to be missed. And if it got bloodstained, well, I never turn down an opportunity to freshen my lingerie wardrobe.
Once the blood was drawn, I untied the makeshift tourniquet and repositioned it over the wound. Lucas held his arm up to slow the flow, then turned to Esus.
Sufficient? Lucas said.
Red silk, Esus said. Bonny. Dare I assume there are matching panties? His gaze slid down me, grin turning to a leer, which, considering he was in the shriveled corpse of an old woman, was less than flattering. Maybe I asked for the wrong sacrifice.
Sorry, no virgins here, I said.
Neer been that keen on virgins myself. And Ill take red silk over white lace any day. Tell you what, dump sorcerer-laddie here, and you and I
Lucas cleared his throat. What can you tell us about the killer?
Afraid of a wee competition, seor?
Lucas raked a pointed look over Esuss current corporeal form. No, not really.
Och, Ill find a better body, of course. Esus turned to me. Blond or brunette?
I kinda like what Ive got, I said. Sorry.
Oh, I can do that, too. Dinnae see the attraction, but
We had a deal, Lucas said. Now, we found records of Cabal children on Everetts computer and a program that selected potential victims. What we want to know is
Who bought the data, Esus said. He closed his eyes and intoned a low hum, dragging the note out for a few seconds. That which you seek can be found in a land inhabited by neither the dead nor the ever-living. Like you, yet nae like you. A hunter, a stalker, an animal heart in a
Lucas cleared his throat. Perhaps we should define clear and comprehensible.
Perhaps we should define dull and boring. When Lucas only stared at him, Esus sighed. Have it your way. Hes earthbound. Human. Now thats information that Everett himself couldnae give you because he neer saw the man. I caught a glimpse of him at the courthouse, when he killed that bairn. Damned Cabal shamans put up a barrier to keep me outside, so I couldnae help Everett. I was trying to find a kink in the armor when the dobber grabbed the bairn. Didnae get a good look at him, thocht.
Why not? Jaime said. I thought you were all-seeing.
All-knowing, nae all-seeing, he snapped. Im a god, nae Santa Claus.