She shook her head, and when they got to the challenge grounds, she found a spot to stand and said, “Wake me when they get here.”
Abel-ur stared.“What?”
“I am taking a power nap.Translate that as you will.”She stood in place and wrapped herself in power, taking energy from the surrounding orcs.That was what shamans did.They used the power of the clan to defend and protect.Never used it for whatever the hell she wanted.
The XIA vehicles drove onto the challenge ground, and an ambulance approached and stood at the ready.
She grinned as she came out of her meditation.“Ah, good.I am still going to have time to hit the taco truck tonight.”
The father came out, moving carefully.He waited as his daughter was extracted, and she was talking fast about it being a human and she had no right.
Never grinned and walked over to the agents, who had possession of the criminal.“I will take it from here, and this little bitch and I are going to have a chat.”Never grabbed the woman by the hair, bent her over, and hauled her to the challenge ground.
The woman flailed and stumbled as Never hauled her into the centre of the challenge ground.
“Now, you twisted little cunt, we are going to have a chat.”She casually pulled the woman upright and dismissed the cuffs.They fell to the ground.
She grabbed the jaw of the woman and lifted until they were eye to eye.The woman gasped.“You’re a shaman.”
“A shaman without a clan is a hunter.My bond-sister was shot today.No warning.Her assailant stalked her without notice or even encounter.Four shots struck her body, though six were fired.I am...upset.”
The woman started screaming.She babbled apologies, begged for forgiveness.She fought to get loose, but Never’s borrowed energy bound her.
“Well, now.It seems you are panicked.I will give you a chance that you did not offer my family.You can fight back.Hand to hand.If you win, you will simply be returned to the XIA and do your time.If I win, you will be mutilated and scarred for the rest of your life.”
She twisted her head, and her orc aspect became more apparent.Her tusks came out, and her ears grew.Swirls appeared under her mint green skin.Dark swirls of green moved across her.Her clothing changed to a leather band across her breasts and a hip wrap with draped leather to cover her lack of a thigh gap.The leather boots were comfy and good for running in.
Never turned her to look.“Across the field are a whole bunch of weapons.You can run for them and try and use them, but you are not leaving the challenge field until this is done.I will wait.”
She let her go, and the girl staggered back.
Never watched her straighten, looking around at the gathering at the edge of the field.“Help me!”
Never laughed and shrugged.“If you don’t want to go for the weapons, fine.”She lifted her hand, and the first spike went into the ribs.
There was an agonized shriek, and the medics tensed.The second bolt hit her waist.The third her thigh, and the final bolt hit her forearm, breaking the bone.More screaming.
Never tutted and walked up to the whimpering and bleeding would-be assassin.“You will lose the use of the hand used to shoot an unarmed, unaware woman.She went with your chief for a night, and that would have been it, but now, you have tied them together.Good job.”
She took the right hand and held it, feeling it curl up at her touch.
There was more screaming and sobbing.
“Now, she was on her own for twelve minutes, slowly bleeding, but we have medical assistance for you as soon as I let them in.Now, you may regain the use of your hand, but you will have to serve your time and beg your victim for forgiveness, and this time, she had better see you coming.”
Never stood straight in her ritual clothing and the swirls in her skin, and she let the medics and the others in.
She stood over the woman as she screamed and whimpered.“Cora didn’t make a sound, you know.She just calmly told emergency services where to find her and stayed alert to show the XIA your face.Then, she passed out.No whining, crying, or bitching.That is a woman of power, strength, and the kind of woman clan leaders of all races try to lure into bed.”
The younger woman looked at her with wild eyes.“You’re a shaman.”
“Well, I could have been.Now, I am just a hunter, and you were my prey.Pathetic prey, really.I am going to leave that tattoo on your father’s head.For encouraging you this long, he deserves it.”
She stretched and resumed her hunter leathers.She looked around and found Abel-ur.“I am heading back to the hospital.”
Tam-or nodded.“I will walk you back to your bike.”
“Thank you.Some folks are unsettled by my appearance.”
