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As the plot continues to thicken.  Let’s see what happens to Jali in this penultimate part.

“Mortal Wounds” Part 1

“Mortal Wounds” Part 2

“Mortal Wounds” Part 3

“Mortal Wounds” Part 4

Knife still poised, Jali stared in disbelief.

The orne huddled on its haunches, grasping its wrist.  Dark blood oozed from the creature’s hand, the same wound Jali now bore.

“Heal,” the creature wailed, clawing its fingers over the cut.  “Why will it not heal?”  He turned to glare at Jali with reddened eyes and shrieked.  “What have you done?”

“You healed me.”  Her lips trembled.  “Magic does strange things when mixed.”

The orne bared its teeth, and snarled.  “Then I take it back.”

Jali winced at the burn in her left foot, but seconds later the orne howled in panic, and the pain faded.  The creature clutched its own foot, naked terror in its eyes.  It hobbled backward, away from Jali.

I scare him now.

The thought gave Jali little comfort, but something must have shown in her eyes.  Perhaps the smallest flicker of amusement.

The orne bared his teeth at her.  “Laugh, will you?  Foolish, human child, do you think you’ve won.  I will go to your precious village, and devour them all.  You will return home to empty shells where your friends and family once stood.”  He smiled, though his eyes held only rage, none of his manic glee.  Rage and fear.

Jali’s throat tightened, and tears stung her eyes.  She held the knife to her wrist.  “I will stop you once and for all.”

“No!” the creature leapt forward, hand reaching out to grab the knife.  Jali danced out of the way, and sliced two of her fingers in the process.

The orne gazed helplessly at his bleeding hands, then at Jali.  He took another step toward her.

She pressed the tip of the knife into her stomach.

He stopped, and dropped to his knees.  “What do you want?”

“For you to leave my village alone.”  She swallowed to steady her voice, wavering at the sting of the knife tip digging into her belly.  “Come near us again, and I will end you.”

The creature gave her a sidelong glance, still engrossed in his wounds.  “You would kill yourself.”

“I am mortal, and accepting of my own death.”

****

One more part left and we’ll see how Jali gets out of this mess.  Join me on Monday for the final installment.