Page 59 of Hex You

Xena raised her dark, perfect brows. “More important than this?”

“Hunter said it couldn’t wait, and I absolutely trust her,” Mercy said firmly and then her lips tilted up. “Of course her absence means you’ll have to retell your story. Do you mind?”

“It was a magnificent battle and well worth the retelling.” Xena shook back her mane of hair and launched into her tale. “I had tracked a whip-poor-will to that lovely little cluster of weeping willow trees by the creek, and was just about to pounce when…” Xena paused as she studied Khenti. “I have just begun, but you look quite confused, Khenti kitten.”

“I would not wish to interrupt you,” he said quickly.

Xena waved a hand dismissively. “Oh, kitten, you may ask me anything.”

“I was just wondering why you were not hunting your favorite prey, sparrow.”

“Because they are all tucked away in their little nests at night. Whip-poor-wills are nocturnal—like cats—and their song makes them easy to track. Though they are not as delicious as my juicy little sparrows. But, no matter, I tracked the bird to a willow tree and was readying myself to silently scale the trunk and devour my pre-bedtime snack when the snake was suddenly there!” Xena shivered and Mercy tightened her grip on the cat person’s hand. “The horrid snake demon raked its filthy claws across my shoulder. Well, that did not stop me! I pounced!” Xena lifted the hand Mercy was not holding to show that her usually perfectly manicured fingernails were jagged and broken.

“Xena! Your poor nails!” Mercy stroked her familiar’s hands and shook her head. “I just hate that you were attacked, and I’m so glad you got away.”

Xena’s smile was feral. “Not before wounding the snake. I clawed her soft belly over and over as the viper shrieked and above us Amphitrite watched gleefully.”

“You mentioned the goddess’s name last night right before you passed out,” said Mercy. “Are you telling us Hunter’s banishment spell has somehow been undone?”

“No, I do not believe so. The goddess was not in physical form. I could see the sky through her wet body.” The cat paused to shiver delicately again. “I have been going over Hunter’s banishment spell, and I think that the transparency of the goddess’s body proves it worked. Our kitten did, indeed, banish the goddess from this realm—but it only banished her physical presence and not her essence—her spirit.”

“Xena, this is super important.” Mercy spoke quickly. “Right before you saw the goddess did you notice the air getting damper? Or did you maybe smell the sea or rain?”

“Yes, kitten, I do remember thinking how humid the night had become,” said Xena.

“Shit! That’s it! The Nure-Onna hasn’t been messing with the town!” Mercy stood and paced. “It’s Amphitrite! Think about it.We’ve all felt the weird humidity, especially when we watched people fighting downtown the other night. That damn goddess has been poisoning the town against us.”

“I agree. It all makes sense now,” said Khenti.

“Amphitrite is trying to cause Hunter harm,” said Xena. “She and the Nure-Onna are working together. Well, that is not entirely accurate. From what I heard and saw last night, the Nure-Onna is under Amphitrite’s command.”

“So we shall prepare to battle a goddess today as well as a demon snake,” Khenti said darkly. “My khopesh and I are ready!”

“Wait, if Amphitrite doesn’t have a body how can we battle her?” asked Mercy.

“She cannot harm us physically without corporeal form,” said Xena. “Which is why she needs the Nure-Onna.”

“So get rid of the snake and we get rid of the goddess?” said Mercy.

“Perhaps…” Xena said slowly.

“Hey, how did you get away from the Nure-Onna?” Mercy asked.

Xena’s smile was cat-licking-cream satisfaction. “Oh, kitten, the same way I healed myself. You do know I am more than a simple feline, do you not?”

Mercy laughed and leaned forward to hug her familiar. “I totally know you’re magic! Hey, speaking of—now that you’re feeling so much better we could really use your help killing the Nure-Onna.”

Xena’s yellow eyes flashed with anger. “I would love to sink my claws into that snake again!” Then she deflated and her eyes went soft. “But kitten, there are limits to even my powers. Our Khenti kitten must vanquish the horrid snake.”

“Oh, no! I didn’t mean that we want you to fight the Nure-Onna again!” Mercy said.

“No, you must stay well away from its poison fangs,” added Khenti. “I will deliver the killing blow.”

“Then what do you mean, kitten?”

“Well, you know that whole thing about how yowling cats sound like crying babies?” Mercy asked.

“Yes,” said Khenti as Xena answered with a resounding, “No!”