Page 15 of Arresting the Warlord

“CeeCee,”the harsh voice bellowed in my head.

“Jake?”

“What happened?”

“Someone shot me.”

Jake exclaimed,“Shot you? How badly are you hurt?”

“I’ll live. My vest stopped the bullet.”Where was my father? A stomach clenching jolt of shock hit me when I noticed the Chupacabra standing over his bloody form. Every muscle in my body screamed in protest, “Noooo! Get away from him. Get away.”

“The Chupacabra’s there?”

Ignoring him, I pulled my pistol and emptied an entire clip into it.

The bullets bounced off the Chupacabra’s hide. It let out a deep, guttural growl and padded toward me.

“Bullets won’t kill it,”Jake snapped.

“No shit, Sherlock.”I instinctively drew on the storm’s power and allowed it to rage around me. “C’mon. Get away from my father.” I put another clip in and shot it in the eye.

A hideous, screeching cry broke from it and it shook its head violently.

“Are you trying to get yourself killed?”

The incredulous note in Jake’s voice would have been amusing under different circumstances.“The only one dying is the monster.”

“How do you plan on killing it?”

“Shaman magic.”I broke our link and chanted, “Esse quidam dixerunt.”A sheet of electric flames set the clouds aglow and dozens of lightning bolts struck the monster, incinerating it. Tendrils of smoke rose from the blackened earth.

A wave of exhaustion rolled over me and those funny black spots were back in my vision. I struggled to get to my feet. “Don’t be dead. Please don’t be dead.”

Strong arms wrapped around me. “Easy. He’s still alive.”

A yelp broke from me. Where had Jake come from? Why was he wearing body armor? Had they been spying on us? “My father needs help.”

“Uncle Saul’s checking on him.”

I blinked to clear my vision. Huh? The General was running a healing wand over Father.

A grim look on his face, General Jones instructed, “Take care of the girl’s injuries. Elder Tsosie’s critical.” The General picked Father up and teleported.

“Where’s he taking my father?”

“To our ship. It has a top-notch sick bay,” Jake answered.

I let out a shuddering breath. “I can’t lose him too.”

“You won’t. Shrek’s the best medic in the galaxy.”

Brilliant hues of lightning sizzled around us.

“That’s one hell of a light show.” There was a touch of awe in Jake’s voice.

I quieted the storm. “The weather’s funny out here.”

“Kinda strange it only happens when a shaman’s around.”

---