Page 20 of The Lamb and the Llama
“We should leave now. The same thing happened to us last night. I didn’t mention it because I assumed it was from something, uh, else,” said Richard, placing a hand on the back of his neck.
“Agreed,” said Stan.
The five placed several bills on the table before getting up to leave. Before they made it to the entrance, the bartender walked up to them and blocked the exit.
“Don’t leave just yet,” he said as the server turned off the neon “open” sign and locked the door before heading into the kitchen.
Stan now feeling the full effects of whatever was in his drink shook his head to think clearer. Realization came to him. The bartender and server were guys he’d collared before. They both worked for Zagan!
“We’ve got some unfinished business,” said a voice from behind them.
The five turned toward the voice, and it was Zagan.
“Fancy meeting you all here. Especially you, Stan. I’ll admit I planned to infiltrate FUC Academy to capture you, but since you’re here now, why bother with the extra mess? Sam, tie them all up!”
The distinct clacking of cowboy boots rang through the bar as Sam came towards them.
“What makes you think we’ll give up so easily?” Stan said in a low growl.
“You won’t have a choice in the matter because your drinks were all laced with a potion, and if you want the antidote, you will all do as I say.”
Amira’s breathing became shallow as her head clouded. She must have had a lot of the potion because she’d downed almost two glasses of water before they tried to leave.
“What did you give us, Zagan?” Her snowy owl was barking her statements at this point.
Zagan’s steely gaze locked onto her.
“Amira! It’s always a pleasure, and it will be so nice to have you back for my experiments. Have you seen Quinn lately? If not, you needn’t worry. He’ll come back to the fold sometime soon.”
He grabbed her by the wrists and forced her into a chair. She looked toward Richard for help, but he was bracing himself against the wall, his eyes closed as whatever drug was coursing through his system took hold. Seeing him in that state sent a primal urge through her system. Almost as if she was sobering up, she shook her head to rid herself of remaining bits of whatever they gave her. She couldn’t let that come between her and saving Richard! Because seriously?How dare you incapacitate my man like that!
The dread at seeing Zagan again and the fear for herself paled in comparison to the protective instinct that rose in her. Zagan was tying the last knot on her restraints when Amira shifted. But instead of her fluffy lamb emerging, her other side finally made its appearance. It was happening! It was finally happening! Her snowy owl—the predator within her and the one that could overcome the lingering effects of that stupid potion, emerged.
Her arms transformed into silky white-feathered silver-tipped wings, and she quickly slipped out of the rope. Zagan was prepared for it, though, and clasped a hand around her neck.
“Don’t touch her, asshole!” Richard had come finally around after shaking his head, fighting off the drug, and he now transformed into his llama. Quicker than Amira could comprehend, Richard’s llama kicked Zagan in the back with his front legs.
Amira’s mouth was the last to transform, becoming her beak. Everything about her now was larger than life. She was a bird, yes, but as large as her lamb! As soon as she could, she clamped down on Zagan’s hand. Zagan screamed and recoiled, shifting into his bull-griffon. He drove a horn into Amira’s shoulder and flung her across the room.
Zagan then turned toward Harriet and lunged for her. The former king turned into his sea turtle and stood in front of Harriet, in an attempt to block her from any blow that Zagan might try.
“You really think your turtle has land legs?” Zagan cackled as he took flight and made a beeline to Harriet.
“Fuck you, Zagan!”
Stan shifted into his grizzly bear and swiped at Zagan’s horns. Between their exchange, Stan managed to knock Zagan unconscious.
Ash smiled and lunged toward Gregor and Harriet as he shifted in mid-air, but Richard thrust his legs and kicked the snake across the room. Both Ash and Sam were now out cold.
Seeing that his backup was down and fearing capture again, Zagan took flight once more. The crashing sound of breaking glass filled the room as he flew out of the bar through the window.
Amira didn’t look to see what the others were doing. She spun around and went after her prey: Zagan. She was about to fly through the window when Sam grabbed hold of her furry-clawed feet.
“Oh no, pretty thing! You aren’t sending the boss back to jail!”
Richard was still in llama form and head-butted Sam, forcing the man to let go of Amira. As the llama reared back to stomp Sam, the man shifted into a snake and slithered away, attempting to escape through the window Zagan had busted through. But before Sam could reach the outside, Amira swooped down and had him in her claws. The snake wriggled and squirmed and made every effort to break free of her grasp, but it was no use. Finally, he transformed back into his human form, becoming too heavy for her to hold.
She dropped him, but freedom eluded him, since Stan was ready with cuffs. “These should hold you till we book you.”
