(written the morning that Hawk Mask begins.)

Oberon… Oberon… Oberon…

What the hell am I supposed to do about Oberon?

First of all, I’m grateful. He saved my baby. He told me what had happened to me on Wednesday and Thursday. He seems to genuinely want to help us – up to a point. I saw that point when I accidentally went to see him last night.

And second, I really do believe him. The first time we met, he made a bad impression (threatening and emotionally abusing Cass), but I think it wasn’t the whole story. I’m pretty sure Oberon is a bastard, but I think for now I can trust him.

But third. OMSMFG third. I can’t tell Cass about Oberon. Not right now. Maybe later, but it wasn’t all that long ago that he threatened her mortal existence (which seemed over the top to me). She’d freak. And I’m ensorcled now, so I see Changelings as they truly are. Sooner or later, that’s going to come up in conversation.

And of course, fourth, the “Get Out Of DOOM Free” card. I’m carrying around one of the most powerful weapons in the city. A perfect gun with only one bullet. I have to keep it safe somehow. I have to figure out where and when to use it. And I can’t really talk to anyone about it until I somehow figure out how to broach the subject of Oberon.

Beware of Faerie Gifts, because they’ll give you gray hair. (Not a problem for me, personally, though)

Then there’s the other issue. He tells me he can bring Cassie back to life. He also tells me she wasn’t planning to sell me to her Keeper. Maybe she really loved me. It’s like a weight taken off my shoulders. If I could have known either way, that would have been enough, but to know she was truly my friend restores so much faith in myself.

But he wants her back. And so do I, a little bit. But I can’t just make that decision for Cass. And like I said, I can’t ask Cass about it. So what am I going to do? “Say No” is the obvious choice, but I don’t think it’s that simple. Cassie’s influence is what infected Oberon with a little empathy, and his desire to have her back is probably a big part of why he’s willing to help us.

I could try to string him along, but that also doesn’t sound like a good idea, when you think about it. The all-powerful godling is probably better at cutting through bullshit than I am at spreading it. (I almost got Richard, though. Just pushed him a little too far too fast)

So I think I have to give him something, soon. Something that gives him genuine hope, but respects Cass’s right to uniqueness in her own life. This stuff makes my head hurt. And Cassie is one of the least of my problems, really.