"Fine." I harrumphed and headed into the living room, but then stopped short. It was a comfortable looking room, with two long couches, a recliner, and a wide screen television. What stopped me in my tracks was the goblins sitting on the couches and chairs. Well, goblins and Reynard. The fox.
Recent memory sent a thrill of fear through me at the unfamiliar faces. I stiffened my spine and spoke, making sure my voice didn’t shake.
"Hello again." I nodded at Christian and Harry. They jumped up and smiled, oddly mirroring one another despite being so different in looks.
"Oh, right." Bran rubbed the back of his neck. "I forgot to mention everyone’s already here."
"Try not to forget in the future," I muttered. Rounding on him again, I poked him in the chest again. Was that a hint of a smile on his face when I did it? I nearly growled at him in consternation. "Stop killing things. Even other goblins. Mass murder is the first way to make sure your reputation will never be reset. Even if it can be argued you’re doing it for the right reasons, the law and people’s opinions take a dim view."
As Bran nodded, though his expression was quizzical, I whirled again, unable to be still, I spread my hands. "Drop the illusions, please."
Glances were exchanged, some bemused, others with raised eyebrows, and they did as I asked, one by one revealing their true selves.
Everyone except Reynard. "You too, please." I stayed polite, but there was an edge in my voice I couldn't stop.
"Sorry, Toots." The corners of his eyes crinkled, his amused expression almost pulling a smile from me. Reynard lifted both hands and rose in a fluid movement, turning in a circle. "With me, what you see is what you get. I look human unless I'm shifted into my fox form. All this handsomeness is a hundred percent me."
"You can alter your appearance, though," Bran said matter of factly.
Reynard grimaced, showing a flash of slightly pronounced canine teeth. "It's very uncomfortable. I only do it in extreme need. It's just shy of painful. And deceptive!"
The wide innocent amber eyes that met mine didn’t fool me in the least, but they did make me want to laugh and calmed the few trembles that still wanted to make themselves known.
"Well." I sighed and plopped down on the couch, staring at the horns, claws, and sharp teeth around me. "I never imagined I'd say that goblins are pretty cute, but I think in the right circumstances you guys are." They looked cute now, staring at me with big eyes, no doubt wondering what all I could do for them. "The ones who attacked us at the restaurant, were they goblins like you guys?"
"What?" Christian stood upright. "Who attacked you? I should've been there to defend you."
I wasn't sure why Christian needed to defend Bran, but Bran did his best to calm the large goblin. "I took care of things as best I could, then came straight here."
"After killing a bunch of goblins and leaving them there," I added. "Which will do no goblin any good here on earth."
"Most of those goblins are sick. They have a disease that distorts their appearance and their behavior. Warpsickness brings out the very worst aspects of a person." Bran looked at me, then at Christian. "It's a virus that's been infecting those living in Dream for centuries. There is no cure."
“My cousin killed himself when he caught it,” Reynard said, with sadness in his voice.
Several others nodded.
"You said 'most’,” I prompted.
Bran's jaw tightened. "Some of them are simply monsters."
I considered this, then nodded. "All right. So we need to find a way to get rid of the monsters and help the sick ones."
"Andromeda," Bran began, but I held up my hand.
"No." I shook my head. "You said you would trust me. I can't do this alone, but we can do it together. We'll figure out a way."
He looked at me for a long moment, then nodded. "All right."
I looked around at the others. "Does anyone have any ideas?"
"Well," Reynard said slowly, "there is one thing we could try."
Everyone turned to look at him, and he shrugged. "It's worth a shot."
"What is it?" I asked.
"If anyone could find a virologist or medical researcher who's willing to help us, we might have a chance of finding a cure or a vaccine. Well, them and a lab team, since discoveries like that take lots of hours and work."
