Page 56 of Hex You

“It has to be more than just him, though,” said Hunter. “It has to be the Nure-Onna. Rational adults don’t blame sixteen-year-olds for murders unless there’s other stuff going on.”

“I totally agree,” said Mercy. “So, now that we found its skin…” Mercy paused and the twins shivered in unison. “We know it’s definitely a Nure-Onna. Do we know how to kill it?” She and Hunter turned to look expectantly at Khenti.

The demi-god smiled. “Yes, I believe we do. It is rather simple, really. It is a snake. We kill it as we would any other snake. We cut off its head.”

“And you’re sure that’ll work?” Hunter asked.

“I feel confident it will kill the demon,” said Khenti. “I have dealt with many demons in my world, and when they manifest in a form that is tied to the earth—like a viper—they always have some of the same weaknesses as the mundane forms they mimic. As your familiar pointed out so accurately when we researched earlier today—vipers are easily killed by removing their heads—and my khopesh is an excellent weapon for that.”

“H, I think it’s gonna work. Plus, we get to go all Buffy on the demon!” Mercy grinned at her twin.

Hunter smiled back at her and quoted, “‘First lesson—stick ’em with the pointy end,’ said Buffy.”

“Yaaasss!” laughed Mercy.

“What is a buffy?” asked Khenti.

Utterly speechless, Hunter and Mercy stared at him.

Khenti looked carefully at each of them. “What have I said?”

Instead of answering him, Mercy turned to Hunter. “That cat had him watching those garbage reality shows instead of educating him on Buffy Summers!”

“That’s a serious fail on Xena’s part. Serious.” Hunter shook her head.

“We’re gonna have a talk with that cat when she gets back,” said Mercy. “The Bacheloretteinstead ofBuffy? No. Bloody hell no.”

“A Buffy is a person? On the television?” Khenti asked.

“Buffy is more than a person,” said Mercy. “She’s iconic. She kicked ass—vampire ass, demon ass—didn’t matter what it was as long as it was a big bad. We’re gonna make like Buffy and kick that viper’s ass.” She paused and her gaze returned to her twin. “Ohmygoddess, H! You were going all Dark Willow!”

“That’s ridiculous,” said Hunter.

Khenti rubbed his brow. “Is Dark Willow another name for Buffy?”

“No!” said the twins together.

“Hey, Mag.” Hunter’s eyes glittered mischievously. “Maybe I was kinda Dark Willow, but you weredefinitelyCordelia.”

Mercy narrowed her eyes at her sister. “Before season three Cordelia or Cordelia inAngel?”

Hunter grinned. “Prior to season three Cordy. Definitely.”

Khenti sighed. “I am very confused.”

“Tonight you start watchingBuffy,” Mercy said solemnly. “You can’t go back to your world without knowledge of the Scooby Gang.”

“We have the entire DVD collection,” said Hunter smugly. “You’ve got some bingeing to do.”

“Oooh! And we already have popcorn! Plus,Buffyis a perfect antidote to the awfulness at school,” said Mercy, sitting straight up and bouncing a little on the couch cushions. It was so great to feelnormalfor a little while—so great to be with her sister and Khenti and laugh, eat popcorn, and talk about something as ordinary as Buffy.

Then Mercy deflated. “But first we have to figure out how to catch the Nure-Onna. I wish that damn cat would come home.” She looked at Khenti. “Did you two have any ideas about that?”

Khenti shrugged his broad shoulders. “I assume that we would simply wait at the Japanese tree for the creature to emerge.”

“That sounds like too much defense and not enough offense, plus that means we’d basically have to stake out the site,” said Hunter. “That could draw the attention of people, and the town is already hating on us. We don’t need them asking questions and watching us.” Hunter picked at her thumbnail.

“And we don’t know if the Nure-Onna returned to the Japanese Underworld, or if it’s still in this world,” said Mercy. She turned to Khenti. “Do you have any idea how long it can stay in this world before it dies?”