That battle in front of the church raged. Caught by surprise, the Mexican Army soldiers were being cut down as they tried to find cover and return fire. Ximena walked into the middle of the street picking up two pistols from dead soldiers on the ground. With rounds passing through and around her she took a spot in the middle of the action. With arms stretched to both sides she practiced her aim at the roof tops and then brought both arms in front of her.
“One. Two. Three. Four. Five,” she counted her targets.
She brought her arms out again taking aim at different rooftops with each gun and began to fire.
“One. Two. Three. Four. Five,” she counted as each gun brought down a different target on each rooftop.
She continued firing, bringing down the rest of the shooters. Then the street fell silent. The soldiers dared to come out of their cover to see what happened. The short silence was broken by a heavy engine. The cartel's armored truck plowed through some of the army vehicles with the gunner on top of firing at whoever he saw moving. The truck turned around to make another pass and Ximena ran at it, head on. The gunner fired through her as she jumped onto the truck. She pulled the gunner out of the open hatch, threw him to the street, and then climbed in. El Monstruo stopped. The driver’s door opened and the driver fell out. Ximena climbed out and made a quick solute to the soldiers.
“Carry on,” she told them.
She walked up to El Monstruo’s former driver as he tried to crawl away. She stepped on his back, pinning him down and then touched his head. She got a flash of Lozano's home and saw Señora Ecsed.
“Kill the ranger and get into town. I want your men set up before the Army gets there. When they’re almost done you finish them off,” she told the driver.
Ximena ended the vision.
“Thanks for making that easy,” she said.
Ximena patted him on the back and walked away. In the church, Father Suarez was cleaning up the bed. He heard a noise from the chapel and went to investigate. Ojo was there with two men.
“Both of them are gone. You’ll have to look elsewhere,” said Father Suarez.
“Is okay Padre. You will do just fine. Get him,” Ojo Commanded.
The men tried to grab the priest by his arms. He dodged and grabbed each by their wrists, twisted and brought both men to their knees.
“This isn't necessary. If you really want me to go with you, all you have to do is ask,” he said.
“Well then, Father, after you,” said Ojo.
Father Suarez released the men and they fell to the floor in pain. He walked out of the church with Ojo behind. In the basement of Lozano’s home, Ranger Paulson woke gasping for air. He was laying on his side still tied to the broken chair. The Ranger managed to free his right arm and reached into his shirt to pull out his badge. There was a bullet lodged in it. Paulson made his way out of the restraints and got to his feet. He sighed before making his way up the stairs. Opening the door, Paulson surprised a guard walking by. He smashed the guard into the wall and threw him down into the basement. The man’s gun had fallen to the floor so the Ranger took it and cautiously walked down the hall. He ambushed three more men in a dining room, shooting them.
“Don't move, gringo!” someone shouted from behind him.
“Dam,” he said to himself.
When Paulson turned around, three armed men were behind the Ranger.
“Come on guys, we can talk about this,” he said.
They took aim just as the armored truck crashed through the doors, crushing the gunmen. Ximena stepped out and looked surprised.
“Did I miss anyone?” she asked.
“No, I think that was everybody,” said Paulson.
“Crap. I needed a live one,” she said.
Paulson pointed down the hall.
“I think I left a live one back there,” he said.
“Show me,” she said.
Paulson lead her to the unconscious guard on the basement floor. Ximena touched his head and saw the Black Mission.
“Okay, let’s go,” said Ximena.
Below ground, in the mission basement, Father Suarez walked into the throne room followed by Ojo.
“Greetings my dear priest,” said Señora Ecsed.
Father Suarez stood in front of La Muerte, with Ojo behind him.
“It is so nice to finally meet you,” she said.
“The pleasure is all yours, I assure you,” replied the priest.
She laughed.
“Was he much trouble, my Ojo?” she asked.
“No, my Lady. He came willingly,” said Ojo.
She got up from her throne and slowly walked around the priest.
“I'm not surprised. He knows when and when not to fight. Don't you Father?” she said.
“I suppose so,” was the reply.
“Don't sell yourself short,” she said.
“You need better men. What makes you think I could take them out so easily?” he asked.
“Experience has given me a way of reading people. I know an old soldier when I see one. Boys, make him comfortable,” said Señora Ecsed.
Two of her men showed the Priest to a chair at the side of the room. He sat without struggle and Ojo tied him down.
“And I know an old devil when I meet one. Your kind always pick forms pleasing to the eye,” said the priest.
“Why thank you,” said Señora Ecsed, with a gracious smile.
She walked over to the priest and sat on his lap.
“Life is so much more enjoyable making things as I want them,” she said.
On the dark road to the mission, Ximena drove the armored truck at high speed. Paulson was in the passenger's seat.
“How did you get this thing?” the Ranger asked.
“Keys were in the ignition,” she said.
“Right. Were you always…” he began to say.
“Dark and mysterious?” she asked.
“I was going for killing machine, but okay,” he replied.
“Oh, well to answer both, I guess this happened when I was rebooted,” she said.
For a moment there was an awkward silence. They bounced in the truck when it hit a bump causing the Ranger to wince. The bumps were not great for all his injuries.
“So you know where this the witch's hideout is because you read the guy's mind?” asked the Ranger.
“Pretty much,” Ximena replied.
“So are you psychic then?” he asked.
“Well, yeah. Sort of. I have to touch someone or something to do it. And before you ask, it came with the life after death package,” she said.
Another bump and Paulson hit his head on the roof.
“Could you please try to avoid those,” he asked, rubbing the top of his sore skull.
“Crybaby,” she replied.
Paulson glared and continued to rub his head.
“So what happens when you kill her?” he asked.
“You mean what happens to me?” she asked in reply.
“Yeah,” said Paulson.
“I go away. Back to the grave. It's the only way I get to rest in peace apparently,” said Ximena.
“Not much of a second chance is it?” he asked.
Ximena just stared forward.
“Yeah, well, sometimes you just have to do what you have to weather you like it or not,” she said.
At the mission, the Priest and the witch continued their conversation.
“May I ask what you want from me?” asked Father Suarez.
“Nothing from you. You are bait,” she said tapping his nose with her finger.
He looked annoyed.
“But if you live through this, you may have the honor of being my servant,” she said.
The priest laughed.
“What makes you think I will follow you?” he asked.
“I have ways of influencing people's minds,” she replied.
Señora Ecsed leaned in and spoke into the priest's ear.
“You will be harder to crack, but in the end you will fall in line like all the others,” she said.
“I have but one God. And by his grace you will never break my will,” he told the witch.
She slid off his lap and stood in front of him.
“I've broken stronger. And if your god were so inclined to stop me, he hasn't done a very good job thus far. Not that he hasn't come close a few times. But as you see, I am still here,” she said.
The armored truck stopped within view of the formerly abandoned mission in the middle of nowhere.
“So what's the plan?” asked Paulson.
“Kill the witch,” said Ximena.
“I was hoping for something more detailed than that,” he said.
“Look, I admit that I'm going on instinct for a change, but I need to go it alone,” said the dead woman.
“No. You're not…” he began to say.
She cut him off.
“Yes. I am. No arguments,” said Ximena.
She got out of the truck.
“You go find those army guys and lead them here,” she told Paulson.
“Not gonna let me help are you?” he asked.
“Even if I have to kill you myself. Now be useful and bring the cavalry,” she said.
Inside the mission, Señora Ecsed paced in front of the priest.
“Father, do you know what I am?” she asked.
“You are not a witch. At least not in the traditional sense,” he said.
“Very perceptive of you,” she said.
“So what are you then?” he asked.
“A traveler of sorts,” she said.
“Let’s not play games. Speak plainly,” he said.
“Fair enough. A long time ago I learned how to extend my life with the power of blood,” said Señora Ecsed as she walked back to her throne.
She took her seat with regal posture.
“Please don't tell me you’re a vampire,” said Father Suarez.
“Oh, no. I'd end my own life were I restricted with such a pitiful existence,” she said.
“But you are an immortal, of some kind. And youth is a part of the deal?” he asked.
“What's the purpose in living forever if you can't look good doing it? But it's not the only fringe benefit,” she replied.
“What else is there?” asked the priest.
“I keep the souls of my prey, giving me their knowledge and skills. I can also take their forms whenever I like,” she said.
Señora Ecsed snapped her fingers and a man walked up with a wine glass full of blood.
“Why take this path?” asked Father Suarez.
“At first the vanity of eternal youth was draw enough. But gallivanting through the ages just being pretty gets a tad boring after a while,” she said.
Señora Ecsed took the glass and drank.
“Ummm,” she said with a smile. “I prefer my drinks fresh and warm from the source, but this one… she was so sweet that her blood is delicious even when chilled.”
Father Suarez shook his head in disgust.
“You didn’t used to be so vile, did you? There is more to your story,” said Father Suarez.
“Very good, priest,” she said. “No, I did not seek this existence. Not initially. I was once a Countess a very long time ago. A rival to my house desired my family’s lands and holdings so he conspired with the church to paint me as a monster. They started rumors of me killing young girls and using their blood to extend my life.”
“And rumor became truth?” he asked.
“I call it poetic justice. As my revenge I embraced their lies. I took the daughters of my enemies before they captured me. They nearly killed me too, but I escaped. One day, after I build a kingdom here, I will go back and retake my homeland.” she said.
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Outside the mission, Ximena snuck through the shadows and snapped a guards neck. She lowered him to the ground slowly. She silently moved into the mission.
“So you embraced the story to get revenge?” asked Father Suarez.
“I know, vengeance is an ever so common and basic motivation. But I was young and foolish back then. Call it a demon, or maybe it was even the Morning Star, himself. I was offered the power to vanquish my enemies and rule eternally.” she said.
“So what happened?” asked the priest.
“Youthful foolishness. I moved to fast and confirmed my monstrous nature before I could build an army of my own. I was captured again and put to death. Or so they thought.” she said.
“So what is your purpose here then?” asked Father Suarez.
“I have come to realize that this world has suffered enough from an uncaring dead god. I will give them a living one. One they can see and touch.” she said.
“You can do that anywhere. Why did you come here?” he asked.
Señora Ecsed finished her drink and lifted the glass in the air. The servant returned and took the glass away.
“Again, not by choice. My body was spirited away by loyal servants. I presume they came to this new world and somewhere along the line, I was lost. I woke again not far from here. So it's partially a matter of convenience.” she said.
“Partially?” he asked.
“As fate would have it, this culture provides an easy mythology to exploit.” she said.
“What are your plans for the people here? Do you want them as slaves?” he asked.
A laugh from Señora Ecsed.
“Don't be so simplistic. If they would be my willing and loyal servants then they may stand behind me proudly. Those who are loyal will be greatly rewarded.” she said.
“And if they are not willing?” he asked.
“Those who chose to reject my authority will live on their knees begging for my mercy.” she said.
“Until you kill them.” he said.
“Of course.” she said with a smile. “A ruler needs to eat.”15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0qMfoZSFC
