“Damn it, I really liked that gun.”
Shay sprinted along the base of the hill, and the squawking chicken rushed after her.
“I’m going to put a ton of herbs and spices on you after we’re done, you feathered freak.”
Shay tossed a frag grenade behind her and kept running. When she glanced back after the loud pop of the explosion, she saw the chicken still chasing her without a scratch on it.
This is such bullshit. I’m being run off by a fucking chicken.
She yanked one of her adamantine knives from its sheath, spun, and threw it directly at the chicken.
The blade slammed into the thigh of the chicken, summoning a loud screeching squawk. Red blood trailed down the wound, and the bird flapped its wings. The demonic chicken made it off the ground a couple of feet before dropping back down.
Guess giant demonic chickens can’t fly. Good to know.
Shay pulled out the other two knives and took a deep breath. She could plant a blade in the heart of a human with ease, but she didn’t trust that strategy against a giant glowing demonic chicken.
The beast took several steps forward and flapped its wings a few times.
“Come on, you stupid pile of nuggets. Let’s end this shit.”
Her foe took a few more steps forward and clucked.
Shay rushed the chicken, her knives up. She stabbed for the monster’s eyes. A powerful swipe of its leg knocked her back several feet. She cried out as her shoulder slammed into the ground and dropped the knife, a shockwave of pain blasting from the point of impact.
The tomb raider rolled aside just in time to avoid a deadly peck that kicked up dirt and grass. She hissed in pain when the rough movement jostled her burning shoulder. A few yards later she bounced to her feet, ready with one arm and one knife.
“I wish I had a flamethrower, so I could fry your ass.” Shay threw her remaining knife, and it impacted the chicken’s upper breast with a loud thud.
Blood spurted from the wound as the chicken thrashed.
Shay pulled the tachi out of its sheath. She might not be able to swing the sword well using only one hand, but now that her enemy was wounded, she had a different strategy in mind.
“Wish I had a chance to see what a giant chicken looks like with its head cut off, but this will have to do, bird brain.”
The tomb raider kept her sword low as she charged the giant, glowing, squawking chicken. Each step jostled her injured arm and shoulder sent a new jolt of pain through her body.
Shay’s blade impaled the chicken and passed through its body. She let go and yanked out the knife, stabbing the wounded bird as it thrashed and pecked at her. Another blast of pain shot through her wounded arm when the bird’s beak tore through her jacket and shirt and ripped into her arm.
The bird, now bleeding from dozens of wounds and with a sword through its body, stumbled backward. With a final loud squawk, it collapsed to the ground, twitching.
Shay dropped her knife and fell to her knees, gritting her teeth in pain.
Okay. This hurts, but it doesn’t feel broken. Think it’s just dislocated. I can do this. Shay grabbed the forearm of her wounded limb with her good hand. “One…two…three.” She slowly pulled until lightning shot through her body.
Shay fell forward, bracing herself with her good arm and taking deep breaths until the pain faded. Her wounded arm still burned from the laceration and a dull ache remained, but the agony at every movement had ceased.
At least I didn’t have to use a healing potion. That damned chicken fucked me up more than the last dozen or so guys I fought.
The tomb raider was unsteady when she rose to her feet. Shay watched the chicken for a minute, waiting for it to stop twitching and thrashing. Not willing to take a chance, she used the tachi to decapitate the thing. She wasn’t taking any chances with this one.
Shay shook her head and collected her knives and sword, wiping them off on its feathers. She cleaned her bloody hands off on her coat. She’d have to sneak back into her hotel room without being seen. “I murdered a giant demonic chicken” might not be a believable explanation for some people.
With her weapons collected, the tomb raider advanced on the small wooden door. It was far too small for her to enter. A brass knocker served as the only means of opening it.
“No more angry demonic nugget piles,” she muttered. She reached down and yanked on the knocker. The door popped open releasing a cloud of dust and a fetid stench. “Ugh.”
Three small leather pouches lay inside. They were covered with dust, but otherwise in decent shape. Shay opened the first one and found a golden egg that gleamed in the moonlight. She picked it up and squeezed slightly. It felt solid and heavy.
The other two pouches were filled with small jewels and a few gold coins. Even if they weren’t magical, it was a good secondary haul.
Shay tied them to her belt, spared a final glance for the dead chicken, and shook out her sore arm and shoulder.
“You were a good opponent. Don’t feel too bad in Hell if the Devil yells at you.” Shay took a few steps and chuckled.
Does a demonic chicken get fried down in Hell?
Chapter Nine
Peyton smiled into the rearview mirror of his rented pickup truck, loving the gray cowboy hat, bolo tie, and black cowboy boots. It wasn’t an outfit he’d typically wear, but he’d have to change that going forward.
“I am so rocking this look.” He nodded and stepped out of the truck.
Peyton strutted across the parking lot toward Lonestar Pawn and Jewelry, one of the many pawn shops in the city of Georgetown, Texas, and one that had a specific
