“Those absolute assholes!” Morrigan declared.

  “What kind of Jackassery are they up to?” Asked Hecate sitting cross legged behind her.

  Morrigan turned to look down. “I have no idea, Mab barely got me in at the end and they ran. I think I made a mistake letting them know I was there. One of them is bad enough. I suppose Coyote isn’t too bad, he would likely just make her the punchline of some joke. Knowing him it would be a pun. Anansi is hit or miss, he might make her a star or a tragic hero or a warning to other children. Or get her to do something stupid for a laugh. Loki worries me. Rarely does he do something not self serving. If he talked the other two into this it’ll likely be big and loud and possibly bloody.”

  “Maybe Coyote is playing them? He’d love to see both of them look foolish.”

  “Maybe he is. I know they’re truly friends though, same as us. Perhaps Loki owes one of them and is helping for fun but I doubt it. If that’s the case why do the genderswap to Thokk? I I’m aware Loki is about as gender fluid as a person can be, but that specific version doesn’t normally come out for anything well intentioned. They could have been a horse and it would have been less suspicious.”

  Hecate stood up and stretched, “Think it’s a trust thing? Like they think Marie won’t listen to dudes or something so they show up as a literal coyote, a giant spider and a woman in a shawl? That is weird, you’re right. Also I don’t think Marie thinks like that? I know she came off as secretive and stuff to you but she clearly wanted to trust you from the start. She trusts me but I’m kind of tapped until she gets her species upgrade. I have dream adjacent powers but I’m locked down right now due to the whole making her my disciple and giving her my Earthly divine realm thing. Normally that would make it easier to dream walk but I’m pretty sure the System is still punishing me for revealing the archive so early.”

  “I’m still baffled you got away with that tent business, no matter how restricted it is. Being able to heal in there is close to cheating. Regardless we’re getting far afield here. We need options.”

  Hecate began to pace. “K. Mab can help you get in the dream if it’s already open, right?”

  Morrignan nodded, “Yeah she can facilitate. She can send messages, kind of. She got me in the dream on the waves made by Coyote. The issue is what they did from there. With just Coyote he could maybe direct the dream to show her something, no actual communication.”

  “You said they were definitely talking to her though, right?”

  Morrigan nodded again, more fervently. “Yes,” she said, “Which means they did something to make them acknowledge them before she even knew they were there. Not being a trickster god I’m not even going to hazard a guess at what that might have been.”

  “So Coyote, we think, gets them in the door and then what? Anansi makes them part of the story but that requires some level of participation. Maybe Loki tricks her into participating? I think we’re wasting our time here. I mean maybe it matters who’s driving but let’s just take it for granted that they’ve got her caught up in whatever scheme. We have got to figure out what they’re doing.”

  “You’re right. It irks me not knowing how they got in though. I owe Mab a favor now, which isn’t overly burdensome but I would have liked to have gotten more out of it. Oh, curse my impetuous spirit, had I not cawed immediately they might have let slip their plan. I was just so angry at seeing little Marie surrounded by those, those, hooligans!”

  Hecate stopped pacing and turned “Ok Boomer, we’ll get the kids off your lawn. Seriously though don’t beat yourself up. She didn’t exactly give you much to work with right? What was it she said when she popped up?”

  “Quickly sister some with me, I have something of great interest to show you. The last time she said that there was a toad the size of a cow giving birth under fluorescent mushrooms that towered like trees. Admittedly it was interesting but I wasn’t expecting something so… ”

  “Real?”

  “Impactful. I rationalized your attachment to Marie to the details of your meeting. For myself I thought, well everyone loves an under dog. But seeing her there surrounded by three trickster gods, after what she’s already been through, that was a road too far. My reaction was visceral. I suppose I truly have decided that she is my goddaughter in more than just name. We really must figure out a way to warn her.”

  “Do we have a list somewhere of the gods that actually helped with this integration? I know I ran into Nidra around the 3rd century. “

  “She left already. Mamu is still mad at me over that thing in Assyria. Morpheus is still here but I’m not sure how to contact him on purpose.”

  “Thing in Assyria?”

  “I might have convinced the king she was male, as a joke. In response to her naming a pet dog after me.”

  “Was it like a wolf hound or some-”

  “It was not.”

  “Ok, moving on. Not sure how to get ahold of Morpheus outside of dreaming, but I never seem to remember what I’m doing when I dream. Oh, ugh. I know who we can get, you’re not going to like it though.”

  “Absolutely not.”

  “You don’t even know who I’m going to say.”

  “You’re going to say Melinoe and Marie has enough issues without a goddess of literal madness giving her nightmares.”

  Walking over to Morrigan Hecate grabbed her shoulders. “You already said Marie was a little mad, Melinoe is our friend and wouldn’t hurt someone we care about, and the System is less restrictive with nightmares because it doesn’t see them as a net benefit.”

  Hecate mockingly grabbed Hecate back, “I said she was a little mad, Melinoe very nearly worships you, and she never means to make people insane.”

  “Do you have a better idea?”

  Morrigan threw back her head, “No, just summon her. You know your personality becomes excessive in prolonged bouts as the maiden.”

  “You love me.”

  “In spite of everything. And I suppose her as well, just get her.”

  *****

  “Aunt Hecate and Auntie Morrigan!” Exclaimed the young woman in yellow orange robes. Her long black hair cascaded over pale, almost bluish skin. She pushed her hair out of her face into a ponytail before pouncing on the two and bringing them into a hug.

  Despite earlier admonishment Morrigan greets her warmly, “Hello Melinoe, I trust you’ve been well?”

  Pulling out of the hug she responds, “Bored out of my mind for most of this. Remind me not to come to any more integrations of technological worlds. I don’t know why they had to invent Tik-Tok right before the integration and not, I don’t know, three millennia ago when I got here?”

  “I admit,” said Morrigan, “to being somewhat spoiled in Fae at the time. You know you were welcome to visit I hope?”

  “I forgot how to get in. I’m sorry Auntie, I got so spoiled by being able to just pop over I completely forgot all the old forms you showed me. It’s been a really long time since I needed them. I promise if you teach me again I won’t forget.”

  “Regrettable, had I realized I would have summoned you. Sorry for your boredom but I’m sure you got a few good stories out of it?”

  “Oh yes, some of the people in this world go mad in very exciting ways. Did you ever meet Vincent van Gogh? That man knew how to make a portrait of my true essence. Aunt Hecate, you’re being too quiet, what’s up?”

  “I’m happy to see you. I’m glad you’re doing well,” Hecate said.

  Melinoe looked down her nose, “What do you need? Come on out with it, I want fun Aunt, and you’re only shy when you don’t want to seem like you only summoned me for a favor. It’s ok, really, what do you need?”

  This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  “Let me tell you about Marie.”

  *****

  "You can breathe out Auntie Morrigan, I don't have to make her crazy, that kind of trauma leaves its own scars. She's as safe from me as you are."

  The three are sitting in a circle, or triangle, holding hands. Melinoe's eyes closed and her skin slightly glowing a calm blue.

  Morrigan breathed out, “Can you get me in, or send a message, or anything?”

  “No, kind of, yes. Whatever I do will turn into a nightmare and I think Anansi left something behind. I’m trying to talk to her but there’s something in the way. I try to get her attention but she can’t see me. It would help if I knew what Anansi was up to. I’m tempted to ask him, we’ve always been on friendly terms but I’m not sure how to do that and act like I have no idea what’s going on. I’m sorry but I'm not great at acting.”

  “It’s fine honey,” said Hecate. “Hopefully we’ll figure something out. We all saw that snake, it has to have something to do with this.”

  “An Ouroboros snake is dangerous,” Morrigan said. “Same kind a Jormungandr, but it’s poor quality. I guess it could upgrade to a better version if left alone. Honestly we might not need to do anything, Marie looked like she was ready to behead it right there.”

  “And that doesn’t worry you? She finds something related to Loki and we’re not worried that killing it isn’t part of their plan?” Hecate looked concerned, almost manic. “We still have no idea what they said to her, no plan that lets us talk to her, and even nightmares are being blocked.”

  “I just can’t think why Loki would want an Ouroboros dead? How does that serve him?” Morrigan said. “I’m not going to say calm down, I’m worried too. But they all think long term, that snake is too strong for her right now, we have time to try other options. And don’t forget about our lovely Melinoe, she can help us think too.”

  “Of course Auntie. Can we get her help from Fae?”

  “Unfortunately not,” Morrigan replied. “I gave her the task of bringing Fae back to the world.”

  “What about other humans?”

  “None are near.”

  “Nature spirits?”

  Hecate and Morrigan share a look. “Five months until the event. They should be able to come through then right?” Hecate asked.

  Morrigan just nods. “We may be able to do something then but we should keep trying to think of ways to help her now. She’ll be strong enough to take the snake before then I hope, and I don’t know what happens after that.”

  Melinoe opened both eyes, “What about ghosts?”

  Hecate paled, “I know she seems very grown up, with how she’s been doing but the only people I know for sure have died there are her family. Remember, I told you about the accident?”

  “That means she’ll trust them though right?” Melinoe asked.

  “Sweety,” Morrigan replied, “What usually happens when you have the ghosts of people’s recently deceased visit them?”

  “Oh,” Melinoe said, “Right, that wouldn’t help. I’ll keep thinking.”

  *****

  “I’ll kill all of them, Aunt Hecate, I’ll murder them. Strangle their little wasp children in their cribs. I’ll crawl inside the shell of a big one and become their queen. Then I’ll eat them one by one. How dare they go around stabbing little girls? What kind of self respecting monster goes, hey there little girl, would you like a stabbing?”

  “She’ll be ok, honey, calm down,” said Hecate.

  “Calm down? Calm down!? Why don’t you calm up! Come on, me and you and Morrigan. We can blow up all the wasps on earth with one ritual.”

  “It’s still being integrated honey, we can't use that kind of power,” Hecate said evenly.

  “Fuck the integration. Fuck the system. Fuck wasps. And fuck the police.”

  “Melinoe..”

  “FUCK EM.”

  “Melinoe I know you want to help, but I think you have to stick with the dreams for now.

  Morrigan just looked at her knowing and sighed. “Melinoe, Hecate can set up the circle again for us. Why don’t we take a break from watching and have some cookies?”

  “Dammit don’t patronize me Auntie. I’m not stupid. And also I’m right, fuck the wasps.”

  “It’s actually a fungus that took over the wasp though.”

  “Fuck the fungus too.”

  Morrigan sighed again. “I know it’s frustrating. We want to help too. If you don’t want cookies-”

  “I didn’t say that.”

  “Ok then let’s sit down for a minute and get into a headspace for magic. We can’t let getting upset mess up our chances, right?”

  Melinoe took a deep breath. “OK, ok I’m calm. I mean fuck those wasps, but I’m cool. Actually you know what, I’m not cool. But that gives me an idea. I bet I can catch her if I try. She seems pretty fearless right? Maybe I can run up to her as, like, a nuckelavee and just ask her what’s up?”

  Morrigan just shook her head while retrieving a tin of cookies from her recliner., “Honestly, at this point I’m not turning down any considerations. Perhaps ask her why she didn’t finish checking the area for other dangers before she decided to fight the chipmunk.”

  Hecate laughed causing both the girls to glare at her. “She’s ok, she made it back in the tent so she’ll be fine in a while. She’ll learn from this and get stronger, I believe in my disciple. Also, that sentence was ridiculous out of context.” The glaring continued. “One of us has to stay positive here and it’s not gonna be Grumpy Bear or Ms. Ice Cube. Circle’s finished, bring me a cookie and let’s try chasing her down.

  *****

  “Yeah Marie, Killem all!” Melinoe hollared.

  “Honestly she really is doing quite well,” Morrigan added.

  “See, I told you she’d be ok,” said Hecate smugly. “Although I wasn’t expecting that skunk to explode. Melinoe, you think we can use this?”

  “Yeah, actually this might be perfect. Smell is really good at making people remember specific things. I know what skunk smells like so maybe I can use it to talk to her? I feel like Anansi has been keeping me from contacting her but honestly I didn’t have anything directly connected to her.”

  Morrigan looked thoughtful, “I could contact Mab again and owe her another favor. Perhaps the two of you could push through whatever barrier Anansi set up?”

  Melinoe shook her head, “Sorry Auntie, our powers aren’t close enough to synergize. Mabs good at delivering things to dreams, inserting things that don’t belong there. The problem is that it’s up to the dreamer to figure out what it is mostly. I affect the whole thing, and I have better control of how things go but I’m limited to what’s already there. Honestly I couldn’t have been a nucklavee if she hadn’t already read about them. Kind of maddening, right?” She said with a grin.

  “I still believe we should be able to empower you,” Morrigan said.

  “You can pour a million billion volts into a key, it won’t make it open a lock it isn’t made for,” Hecate retorted. “Let’s come back to this later though, she’s going to the other entrance and I want to pay attention to how she handles this. I think this is the first fight she’s been in where nothing went wrong.”

  “Well don’t jinx her!” Exclaimed Melinoe.

  *****

  “Guys, we can’t try again for a while.” Melinoe said solemnly.

  “What do you mean, whyever not?” Asked Morrigan.

  Hecate put a hand on her shoulder, “Look at her Morrigan, I don’t think she can take any nightmares right now. We’re just going to have to think of something else. Maybe we can figure out a way to get some nature spirits over sooner rather than later.”

  “Maybe,” Morrigan said sheepishly. “Are we sure she can’t stand a light nightmare?”

  “Definitely not,” Melinoe said. “She’s going to have nightmares without me, that’s just happening. Which means I would make them infinitely worse. Every dream is going to center on her beating that sow with her bare fists, the piglets or both. Some of those dreams are going to replace the sow with her mother or something equally as terrible. She’s on the edge right now, and what happens next is delicate I think.”

  “You’re the expert I suppose,” Morrigan replied.

  “I’m gonna try and take that at face value Morrigan, because I know you’re upset. I’m upset too and so is Hecate. That didn’t seem random. The problem is I think it might be. If I stick around I’m gonna be seeing patterns where there aren’t any and I’m going to be tempted to insert myself. Which I just told you is a bad idea.”

  Hecate looked alarmed, “you can’t leave now though! You can still help. You can help us think of other ways to communicate to her. Or maybe we can come up with some magic that will make Anansi go away or maybe you can talk to him and get him to stop or something.”

  “Aunt Hecate I love you, but you know what I am. I appreciate that you guys thought enough of me to give me a call but lets not kid ourselves, that was a hail Mary and if you had any good ideas you’d have done them first. I’ll come back after I think she’s had long enough to process and if you haven’t come up with anything else we can try again. Or if I think of a better idea. But I can’t do it here. I can’t sit and watch this and not act, and acting is only gonna hurt.”

  “It’s not fair,” Hecate said. “She’s just a little girl.”

  “You taught me that if you want fairness in the world you have to make it yourself. I think Marie is gonna have to do that too. And she’s more than a little girl now, you too made sure of that. You gave her a fighting chance, so let her fight. I don’t have optimism in me right now, but it’ll come around again eventually. You’re just gonna have to cheer her on and believe in her until an opportunity opens. Now I love, you so give me a hug before I go.”

  They hugged her tightly and this time she had to pull away because they really didn’t want her to leave. Silence hung in the air for a long time after she disappeared as they sat with their situation and tried to think up an answer.

  *****

  “You know with her mood swings she’s kind of a triple goddess herself,” Opined Morrigan. They were sitting at a new addition to their forest, a round table with two stools, both drinking heady beers intermittently from clear glasses.

  “What? Did you actually just say that?” Asked Hecate.

  “The awkward silence was killing me. I had forgotten how useful Melinoe was for making sure those were few and far between. And before you protest I mean that earnestly. I forget how much I adore her inbetween her visits and often only remember her annoying me with incessant questions and inane stories. Or maybe she’s changed. Or I have. Do you think we’re still capable?”

  “I didn’t have sitting around in a tutorial forest watching a child attempt to survive integration by herself on my Bingo card, and it doesn’t seem much like me.”

  “I don’t know dear, you were ever inscrutable to most. Plus you have a couple of soft sides. Now if you were in your indignant octegenarian role, this would be especially strange.”

  “Ok now you’re actively trying to annoy me,” Hecate said. “Just call me a crone and be done with it. I think I’m somewhere between confused and completely appalled to sit here and feel powerless. Helpless even. And while I sit and feel sorry for myself Marie has it a billion times worse.”

  “I’m afraid I have to make it worse,” Morrigan said reluctantly.

  “Now that would be a trick. Go ahead and bring it on I guess,” Hecate replied draining her glass. It refilled itself immediately.

  “We can’t use nature spirits.”

  “What? Why not? That was a really good idea. They’re pretty easy to bribe and they’re naturally able to withstand our presence. I know they won’t all come through until the event but I think I have a work around.”

  “Hecate…”

  “No hear me out, I think we can summon a spirit here and between the two of us, three if you can get Mab or on of the other royals to help, we can open a little gateway for them to slip through.”

  “Being able to do it is not the issue.”

  “So what’s up? Why are you crushing the only idea we have right now?”

  “Pan hasn’t left. You know how he feels about humans, and the nature spirits tell him all.”

  “He likes Fae though, right?”

  “He tolerates us,” Morrigan said with a sigh. “I’m sorry honey but if he finds Marie in what he would consider pristine woods there’s a good chance he would at the very least sabotage her. Best case he figures out a way to get her out of the forest and back to humans, which admittedly would be nice but I don’t trust him to be in a good mood. You saw how these humans treated this planet.”

  “Yeah but she’s just a little girl.”

  “A little human girl,” Morrigan corrected, “That’s enough for him on his bad days.”

  “Well shit,” Hecate said. “Melinoe was right, all we can do for now is cheer for Marie and try to figure out ways to help her I guess. I hope it’s enough.”