The Chupacabra spun to face me.
“Surprise. You’re not the only monster in town.” I circled the creature.
“You killed my mate.”
Well, color me surprised. It was a girl and intelligent. “Your mate killed my people and had to be put down like the rabid animal it was.”
“We are Testavorr! Your kind are prey to be hunted.”
I vaulted on top of the Rambler “Newsflash. Your killing spree ends today.”
The Testavorr rushed me.
At the last moment, I jumped to the hogan’s roof.
The monster slammed into the Rambler, reducing it to scrap metal.
“Gotta be faster than that, bitch.” Launching myself off the roof, I landed on the Testavorr’s back and sank my fangs into her neck.
With a shriek of rage, she tried to dislodge me.
I dug my claws in and hung on.
The Testavorr fell into the creek and rolled, trapping me beneath her. I bucked and thrashed in a desperate attempt to free myself.
“You, I will eat slowly,” the Testavorr gloated.
A tendril of fear crawled along my gut as my lungs began to burn, and black spots danced in my vision. Holding on to consciousness with a grim determination, I reverted to my human form and managed to slip away. My head broke free of the water and I sucked in a lungful of air.
“What are you?” The Testavorr lunged at me.
I dove to one side and her lethal teeth missed my right foot by an inch. “A shaman.” I hurled a lightning bolt at the gaping wound on her neck.
The creature screeched in agony.
Poof! Jake materialized in the water, grabbed me, and teleported. We appeared on the ledge above the Chee’s hogan.
Crack! A blinding red energy bolt incinerated the Testavorr.
I mentally scanned the area. “God, I hope that was the last one.”
“Me too. We need to get you some battle armor and proper weapons,” Jake said.
“Armor like yours?”
“Yep, only the best for my partner.”
I eyed him suspiciously. “You have battle armor in my size?”
“We do. After you’re outfitted, we can check on your father.” He opened his arms. “Let’s go, buttercup, we have a murdering bastard to catch.”
The need to see my father outweighed my reluctance to visit a Coletti warbird. I stepped into his arms.
Chapter Four
There was a flash of black and we were standing in the Coletti version of a conference room. One wall was covered with instruments of death. Swords, knives, laser pistols, rifles, war hammers and what looked like a variety of thermite grenades. The opposite wall held a huge view screen and an assortment of scanners.
My skin prickled as tremendous power crawled over me. Two men occupied the long platinum conference table. My gaze fell on a menacing looking Coletti warrior sitting next to General Jones. Man, he gave Jake a run for his money in the sexy as hell department. He also looked like someone you never wanted to piss off. His black battle suit emphasized his massive frame, and, on his right arm, he wore a large gold warrior’s bracelet with an elaborate design. An etched gold headband held back his gray warriors’ braids. Holy hell! That was Zarek, the Coletti Overlord! For a split second, I was tempted to zap him with a lightning bolt.
Zarek smiled at me.
It was as if he could read my mind.
Zarek’s smile got bigger.
Shit! He could. “Thank you for helping my father,” I said diplomatically.
“The Coletti Empire takes care of its people.” Zarek’s gaze roved over me. “Take your partner to sick bay, Jake, and have Shrek check her over.”
Jake did the fist-to-chest salute. “Yes, my lord.”
“Will I be able to see my father?”
Zarek nodded. “You will. After you have been cleared by Shrek, we need to talk about your bloodline.”
Fuck. “Not much to tell.”
The General snorted.
Poof! One second we were in the conference room, the next we were in sick bay. “Whoa! Can you give me a little warning next time?”
“Never argue with or contradict the Overlord,” Jake countered.
“But…”
“He knows everything,” Jake stated emphatically.
“Seriously?”
“He knows your birth father is Aldo Dragos and all about your unique talents.”
“But he’s never met me,” I protested, then it hit me. “He was either in my father’s head or you snitched on me.”
“Both. Navajo shamans fascinate Zarek.”
“So, he took a peek?”
Jake shrugged. “I would have.”
If Jake wasn’t so tall, I’d punch him in the face. I looked around the spotless room. Six top-of-the-line regen tubes lined the back wall. There were four examining tables with all sorts of gadgets to ensure a sterile operating field and enhanced diagnostics. I could sense my father’s essence in the first tube, but all I could see was a thick white fog. “Do you know how’s he doing?”
“Elder Tsosie will make a complete recovery,” a gentle voice said.
My shoulders sagged in relief.
“I told you Shrek’s the best medic in the galaxy.”
“You did.” I turned and my jaw dropped. Shrek had green skin, tubular ears and exotic features.
Shrek smiled. “I know. I look like the ogre in that vid.”
“That you do.”
“I sent you CeeCee’s scans,” Jake said.
Shrek checked his scanner. “A badly bruised sternum, a concussion and a cut on her forehead. How much of your blood did your mate drink?”
“I’m not his mate. I’m his partner,” I growled.
Shrek turned a surprised gaze on Jake.
“CeeCee’s my partner. We’re investigating a series of murders,” Jake stated.
“I see.” The medic scanned me. “Your injuries are completely healed.”
“Good. When will I be able to talk with my father?”
“In eight hours,” Shrek replied.
“That long?” To say I was disappointed would be an understatement. I really needed my father’s advice.
“I placed a change of clothing for your partner next to the decontamination shower,” Shrek added.
“Decontamination shower? Do I have alien cooties?”
“No, it’s just convenient.” Jake urged me toward the door. “It’s just down the hallway. You’ll feel better once you get a shower, clean clothes and food.”
A shower did sound
