Page 11 of Stealing Jia

With a startling quick movement, the creature leaped high into the air. The bolt passed under him and cremated the pile of rotting bodies.

“Well, hell. There went the evidence,” CeeCee groused.

A ferocious roar echoed around the chamber and a small black beastie exploded out of the shadows. It was an odd mixture of chihuahua and wolverine. My jaw dropped as the little guy did a great job of mauling the monster’s legs.

“Mean little shit.”Jesse helped CeeCee up. His fur was covered with mustard colored blood.

“Isn’t he,” CeeCee agreed.

I climbed to my feet and shook my head, trying to get rid of the funny black spots dancing in my vision.

The beastie let out a yelp as the monster’s claws raked across its back.

“Enough!” A black rage overwhelmed my survival instincts. I scooped up my sword and with a full-throated banshee scream, beheaded the monster.

“I’ll be damned,” Jesse rumbled.

CeeCee stared at me in amazement. “Yeah, I didn’t think she had it in her.”

“My little hero.”I carefully picked up the beastie. I had just blown it big time, but I was driven to protect innocents of all shapes, sizes and species.

CeeCee walked over to me.“You okay?”

“I’ll live. You said your uncle is a healer. Can he help him?”

The little beastie whimpered.

A golden light spun around Uncle Jesse. When it cleared, he was human again.

“You’re naked,” I exclaimed and squeezed my eyes shut. When you lived with a nun, naked men were frowned on and dating even more so.

“Yes, I am.”

I cracked one eye open and watched Jesse hold his hands over the beastie. “Hozhq sitsiji shivaagi.”The gashes on the beastie’s back vanished. The little guy gratefully licked Jesse’s fingers. “Dii hastoi, small one.”

CeeCee rubbed the beastie’s ears and announced, “Your critter is as good as new.”

Putting on my brainless bimbo act, I gave a yip of relief.“Oh! Wow! He doesn’t have a mark on him.”

“It’s what I do,” Uncle Jesse said modestly.

I went up on my tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “Thank you. I’m sorry I called you an old pervert.”

“I accept your apology.”

I petted the beastie. “Isn’t he beautiful?”

“Ah, yeah. Cute as a button,” CeeCee lied.

“Momma,”the beastie said, snuggling against me.

CeeCee’s eyes widened in disbelief.“Whoa, he can talk. Giovanni has outdone himself.” She switched to mind talk, “What’s your name?”

“Mean little shit,” the beastie answered.

I hugged him. “No. You need a real name. I’m going to call you Pepe after my, ah, grandfather.”

Pepe’s black fur puffed up with pride.“Me Pepe.”

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