Chapter Twelve

The Rusty Spurs resembled an authentic 1880's saloon right down to the cattle brands seared into the oak bar. An assortment of old wanted posters graced the aged brick walls and an antique wrought-iron chandelier hung from the ceiling. Battered tables and chairs were arranged around the dance floor. On the small stage, a live band played country western music.

I had to admit Vorian and Hothar made mighty fine cowboys. With their black hats, western shirts, jeans, and boots, they were smokin' hot. All they needed were six shooters to complete the picture.

Perched on my shoulder, Hitch proudly wore a miniature black cowboy hat. He watched the dancers doing an energetic Texas two-step. Meow. Meow.

"It's called the Texas two-step."

Meow.

"Yes, it's a lot of fun."

Skye's eyes widened when she spotted my uncle. He was wearing a white cowboy hat, a black T-shirt with Yee-Haw imprinted on the front, and well-worn jeans. "So, the rumors are true. Your uncle does own a cattle ranch."

"Among other things."

Uncle Saul motioned to us and took a seat at a corner table. I walked over to him. "Where's Annie?"

"She's dealing with a problem at Old Tucson," he replied.

A gleam of interest in Skye's eyes, she asked, "Wow, you actually let your mate work?"

"Annie's my equal. I don't dictate to her."

"Huh? Who would have thought an old fogy like you would be so progressive," Sky said.

Uncle Saul bristled. "Old fogy?"

"Annie's a good influence on him," I hurriedly interjected.

"I'll bet. Is it true they call her the Grim Reaper?"

"It is." I yanked out a chair. "Let's order our food."

"An excellent idea," Hothar agreed, taking the chair next to me.

My internal radar went off. "Incoming hostiles."

Uncle Saul, Hothar, and Vorian shot to their feet.

"What's wrong?" Skye wanted to know.

"Them." I pointed at four big warriors with long purple braids and pieced together armor standing at the entrance.

Skye frowned. "Who are they?"

"Those are Bjarkes warriors," Vorian told her.

I watched as they scanned the bar. "They're hunting someone; the big question is who?"

"You. They are hunting you," Hothar answered. He placed his hat on the table.

The older Bjarke warrior's gaze locked on me, and he bellowed his war cry.

Hothar roared his answer.

Hitch yowled.

The dance floor emptied, and the music stopped.

I sighed. Our date night was going belly-up.

Radiating menace, Hothar stepped onto the dance floor.

The older Bjarke warrior pulled his sword and walked toward him. "Give me the female and I will let you live."

I stood next to Hothar. "Leave now and I'll let you live."

Uncle Saul groaned.

"Once we are mated, you will do as I command," the older Bjarke warrior snarled.

I started laughing. "As if."

The old warrior eyed me warily. "Has your mind been broken?"

"Define broken."

Hothar bared his fangs in an evil grin. "Casey belongs to the Jones Clan, and she has defeated many warriors in combat. Are you foolish enough to challenge her?"

"I can easily defeat her."

Skye snickered. "Not too bright, is he?"

"Nope ." I lashed out with my telekinesis. The old warrior flew backward and slammed into his buddies, knocking them down like tenpins.

"Mensura veniunt aliud," Skye chanted.

All four Bjarke warriors vanished.

Vorian inquired, "Did you drop them in a volcano?"

"Nah, I sent them to Antarctica," Skye replied.

I noticed everyone was staring at us. "It's okay folks. They won't be back."

The cowboys and cowgirls hooted and hollered.

"Drinks are on General Jones," I added, grinning as everyone rushed for the bar.

Uncle Saul scowled at me.

My grin died as a glittering blue light formed on the dance floor. "Please don't let it be her. Please."

The light faded away and there stood Aphrodite, wearing red edible underwear and go-go boots. "The party starts now!" She spun in a circle. "Geendung tumlo mensura!" Thousands of butterflies appeared.

"I'm going to kill her," Skye snarled.

"Why? They're just butterflies."

"With teeth."

"What?" That's when I noticed their fangs. "How do we get rid of them?"

"With great difficulty."

I linked mentally with Hothar and Uncle Saul, "Aphrodite just conjured up some vampire butterflies."

"Armor up," Uncle Saul ordered as the little bloodsuckers descended on the crowd.

Batting wildly at the vampire butterflies, Aphrodite ran screaming into the night.

Skye conjured up a shield to protect the horrified patrons.

Uncle Saul came out of the kitchen area with three cans of bug spray. He tossed one to Vorian and Hothar. "This should slow them down.

"I have summoned Bodhi," Hothar advised as he sprayed the bloodthirsty insects.

Using my telekinesis, I herded the little fiends into a storeroom, slammed the door, and heaved a sigh of relief. "Gotta say, this is one date night I'll never forget."

Hothar's ghostly mouth closed over mine and he kissed me hungrily. "You are everything I wished for and more."

"Aw, I love you too."

"Skye said we must find and destroy the butterflies that escaped with Aphrodite," Vorian declared.

"Wonderful. Just wonderful." I stomped outside and looked around.

Aphrodite's shrieks sounded in the distance.

"She is in a park one kilometer to the north," Hothar advised and teleported us.

Aphrodite was running around in circles, trying frantically to brush the butterflies off her edible underwear.

"Lose the underwear," I shouted at Aphrodite. "They're drawn to it."

The crazy witch stripped and threw herself at Hothar. "Save me. Save me."

My gaze darted from the little buggers swarming Aphrodite's underwear to Hothar. Grrr. The witch was wrapped around him like a leech. "Get your hands off my man. Now!"

Vorian pulled his laser pistol and vaporized the butterflies.

"Calm yourself female." Hothar pried Aphrodite loose. "Your mate is coming."

Sure enough. Bodhi zoomed up. "Why is she naked?"

"Long story. Get her out of here before she summons something harder to kill," I snapped.

Bodhi picked her up, and off he went.

"Skye needs to find a cure for Aphrodite's curse before she kills us all," I groused.

Vorian nodded. "Her actions are unpredictable."

We returned to the bar and found Skye healing the furious owner's multiple bites. "Am I gonna turn into a vampire bug now?"

"No, not at all," Skye assured him.

Uncle Saul handed him a business card. "Central Command will cover all the damages."

"You're damn right they will."

Exhaustion rolled over me. "Take me home, Hot Lips."

Hothar scooped me up and teleported.