Free Divine Misfortune (2010) by A. Lee Martinez

still wasn’t enough. A harpy and her lizard-creature boyfriend
     eyed Teri and Phil hungrily.
    A blue djinn in an equally blue leisure suit defused the problem. Teri wished for more food, and he snapped his fingers, creating
     a magical tablecloth that produced as many beers, fruits, and cheese crackers as the gods could consume. The harpy and her
     boyfriend pounced on the table. Teri thought about reaching for a cracker, but figured it was a good way to lose an arm.
    “Normally, I don’t do this without throwing in a little curse, too,” said the djinn, “but what the hell? You guys throw a
     helluva party.” He slipped off to flirt with a woman with horns growing out of her forehead.
    Teri scanned the party. So far, it was a casual affair. The gods and demigods were all behaving themselves. She’d been worried
     about the guy with the smoking head, but once they removed the batteries from the smoke detectors, he wasn’t any trouble.
     The snail god wasn’t nearly as slimy as she’d first expected, and he’d given her a voucher for a free carpet shampooing. Phil
     was having a good time. He’d arranged an impromptu video game tournament, and was currently beating down Hades in a round
     of Death Ninja 3. The lord of the underworld snarled as Phil’s digital samurai executed his finishing move.
    Janet called out to Teri from across the crowded room. Teri motioned for Janet to follow her into the backyard so they could
     talk.
    “Wow,” said Janet. “I didn’t know you were throwing a party! Why didn’t you tell me about this?”
    “It was spur-of-the-moment.”
    “I am so glad I brought my camera. How do I look?”
    Teri had known Janet was attractive, but she’d never realized just how attractive. With her hair down and in a form-fitting
     red dress, she was beautiful. It wasn’t made-up beauty either, that sort of prettiness that comes from having the right clothes
     and the right hair and makeup. It was just a natural appeal. The low neckline emphasizing her breasts didn’t hurt either.
    “You look fabulous,” said Teri, feeling a little self-conscious about her own appearance.
    Lucky and a large serpent with sparkling rainbow scales and feathered wings stepped into the backyard. The serpent held a
     beer in the clawed fingertips at the end of his wings.
    “There you are, Teri,” said Lucky. “Been looking all over for you. I’d like to introduce you to my good buddy Quetzalcoatl.”
    “Call me Quick.” The serpent tipped his party hat, letting the elastic snap back into place. “Everyone does.”
    Janet elbowed Teri and cleared her throat.
    Lucky smiled. “And who might this lovely mortal be?”
    Before Teri could introduce her, Janet pushed her way forward, knelt down, and introduced herself. Lucky took her hand in
     his paw and mimed a kiss.
    “Any friend of Teri’s is a friend of mine. Care for a beer?”
    “I’d love one.”
    “If you’ll excuse us, gang. Watch out for this guy, Teri.” Lucky poked Quick. “If you’re not careful, he might get you drunk
     and strap you to his altar.”
    Lucky and Janet went back inside.
    “So…” Quick ran his long tongue around a fang.”… Cool party.”
    “Thanks.”
    Awkward silence passed between them.
    “How long have you known Lucky?” she asked to make conversation.
    “A while now,” replied Quick. “He helped me out when I was going through a rough time.” He flapped his wings. “I mean, I only
     turned my back for a second. Who’d have thought a few conquistadors could cause so much trouble?”
    “Yeah, that was a helluva thing,” she agreed.
    “Y’know, he was only joking about the altar thing,” said Quick. “I was never into human sacrifice, even when it was legal.”
    “Oh, I know. Conquistador propaganda.”
    “Damn straight.”
    They tapped their beers together and shared a swig.
    A dryad stuck her head out the door. “Excuse me, but where are your facilities?”
    Teri excused herself to give directions.