Warrior Demoness - TI6 Read online

  "We've got three wounded and three dead!" he yelled.

  "Get the helicopter here, ASAP!" The demoness yelled back and then grimaced as another pain tore through her. Sometimes she wondered why she put herself though this type of thing, but knew it was the only thing that made her existence bearable.

  It's getting pretty old, though, she thought. A hand touching her shoulder startled her. The villager Squirrel had been talking to was trying to get her attention.

  "Amerkin, okay you?" he asked.

  Sabnock nodded and motioned toward her men. Nodding his understanding, he signaled to the villagers to help the wounded. Samson, Willie and Chip were carried to a clearing for the helicopter. Jennie's body, along with the other two dead soldiers, was removed and covered with blankets provided by the women.

  * * *

  It took forty five minutes for the helicopters to arrive. The wounded and dead were loaded into one while fresh backups jumped out of the second. Sabnock refused to leave her remaining troops, knowing they still had to explain to the villagers about what had happened. A medic put a compression bandage on her wound.

  "You better get that taken care of when you get back to base. There's some nasty shit you can catch if you're not careful."

  "Thanks, Crappy. I'll be fine."

  "Yeah, yeah. Well, let me put it another way. If you don't get it taken care of, I'll put you on report."

  "Okay! Can't you go bug someone else?"

  Snickering, the medic walked away. He loved picking on the infamous Corporal Sabnock, especially knowing he could irritate her so well.

  * * *

  Two hours later, jeeps arrived to take the remaining soldiers back to base. After explaining to the Afghani leader about the insurgents, the weapons and explosives stashed in the house, the villagers returned to their homes satisfied they hadn't been attacked.

  On the return trip to camp no one spoke. Each knew it could have been any one of them in those body bags. Losing members from their squadron was painful.

  "You going to get looked at, Sabby?" Squirrel asked.

  "I want to check on the guys first. Then I'll get patched up."

  "I just don't understand any of this. All this hatred and killing. Why are we even here? It's not like we're going to solve anything."

  "Probably not, but humans having been fighting useless wars for a long time. It's their nature."

  Squirrel picked up a stone and angrily flung it at a nearby Hummer.

  "Yeah, I guess, but this..." he said, sweeping his arms out to indicate the land around them. "This land isn't worth dying for."

  "Maybe not to you, but apparently it is to the locals and some political groups."

  "Well, I don't want to die here defending people who won't even stand up for themselves. Hell, while I'm sitting here talking, someone could put a bullet through my head."

  Sabnock looked at the young man but refused to look into his future. She didn't want to know when Death would call on him. Looking off into the distance, she grimaced.

  "I know what you mean. Death is like an assassin or sniper hiding in the darkness or shadows. It sees its target and patiently waits for the right moment to take the shot — and we never know when that will be."

  "Yeah!" Squirrel sighed, tossing another stone at the vehicle. "Aren't you even a little bit afraid you might be the next target?"

  Sabnock shrugged, knowing death wasn't an option for her.

  "It's not something I think about. What's the use? No one knows when Death will come. The best we can do is live each moment as if it were our last and hope this life is enough. Only after we are dead will we know the truth."

  "Truth?"

  "Never mind, Squirrel. Now isn't the time for philosophy. I need to call Jennie's mom. I hate this part. How do I tell her that her daughter is dead when I promised to take care of her?"

  "It wasn't your fault," Squirrel said quietly, knowing his leader always took their losses hard.

  Sabnock gave him an odd look and walked away.

  If only you knew, she thought. Sabnock could have prevented the fatal outcome if she had used her powers to find the missing insurgents. It would have been so easy to discover their hiding place. That was the dilemma. The demoness knew her men depended on her to guide them and make the right decisions. Without using her powers, she tried to keep that trust, knowing it was the only way to keep from seriously altering future events. She was not willing to do that although she knew everything she did had its own affect on the future. Sabnock believed that her actions as a human caused only minor changes — if even that. After all, there were many soldiers capable of doing her job almost as well.

  CHAPTER 7

  THE BODIES OF the dead soldiers were shipped back to the states two days later. The other three were transported to a hospital in Bitburg, Germany. They had sustained serious injuries but would survive. Unfortunately, two would be severely crippled.

  Sabnock's injury took twenty-three stitches after a small piece of shrapnel was removed. The angle of its entry had left a large gash across her right shoulder blade. Although painful, the demoness considered it more a nuisance than anything else. She had wanted to remain with the rest of her unit but received new orders to report back to the States after taking time off for her injury. Because she had accumulated leave time, Sabnock decided to combine her medical leave with her time off and take a trip.

  "Got any idea where you'll be going, Sabby?" Squirrel asked. She had told her unit about her orders. No one was happy about it. Many believed her calm approach to tough situations had saved them from serious injuries or even death.

  "Yeah, Fort Benning in Georgia."

  "Bugs are horrible there. They have roaches as big as skateboards." Squirrel shuddered thinking of the two years of hell he had spent there. Hot summers, mosquitoes, no-see-ums... and just about every type of snake you could think of. He hated creepy crawlies and biting bugs.

  "So I've heard."

  "At least you'll have a few weeks of leave before you have to report. What are you going to do with yourself?"

  "Travel. I've had an urge to visit the Carpathian Mountains. Maybe do a little sightseeing around Transylvania."

  "Geez, Sabby. I hear they have werewolves and vampires in that place. You think that's a good idea?"

  Sabnock laughed. If Squirrel knew the truth about her, he'd realize that those creatures weren't much of a threat to a demoness.

  "Don't worry," she replied. "I'll make sure I carry a wooden stake or two."

  "And a cross. Don't forget that!"

  Realizing Squirrel was serious, she sobered slightly. He had good reason to fear the unknown.

  "Alright, I'll pick some up," she promised, wanting to alleviate his worries.

  * * *

  Two days later she was packed and on her way to Moldova and the Carpathian Mountains. She had told Squirrel she had an urge to visit the place but in reality it had been an almost overwhelming compulsion. Something demanded her presence.

  Normally, she would use the available military transports. Those could take several days, though, and for some reason she felt it was imperative she get there as quickly as possible. Sabnock caught a red-eye special to Cahul and then rented a car and raced toward the town of Teraclia. It was essential that she arrive in time. The question was, in time for what?

  After checking into a hotel, the demoness spent several hours walking around the downtown area, trying to discover what had drawn her to the town. Finding nothing, she stopped at a restaurant and ate a light meal before heading back to her room. It was then that she spotted the old woman shuffling down the sidewalk, her body pressing slightly forward against the cold gusts of wind blowing from the nearby mountains. Only her determination gave her the strength to win the battle.

  Gray-haired, slightly stooped and frail looking, it was obvious her health was failing, but it made her no less beautiful. Sabnock leaned against the building, unconsciously flicking a cigarette lighter on and off as
she thought about her next move. The small lighter fascinated her. She could stare into its flames and see the fires of home; a small comfort for someone who refused to return to the land of her origin.

  "It can't be her," the demoness reasoned. "She would have to be over two-thousand human years old."

  That argument alone should have settled the issue. Still, Sabnock shook her head. Her demon senses knew the truth.

  Two people passing by looked at her nervously. The demoness gave them an evil grin and they scurried off. Chuckling, she pushed away from the wall and walked across the street. Entering the motel, she saw the woman talking with the hotel clerk. Sabnock waited at the entrance for the woman to turn around, curious to see if she would be recognized.

  * * *

  Constance was tired. Actually, she was beyond tired. The centuries had taken their toll and her days were numbered, which was why she had returned to Teraclia. The manuscripts of her people and her life needed to be given to Dakota. The young journalist was the perfect guardian for them, even though she didn't have long to live by the historian's standards. Her people, the Gebians, were long lived. Human life spans were short but nonetheless just as important in the greater scheme of life.

  Turning away from the clerk, she leaned heavily on her cane. The elevator seemed so far. The next thing she knew, her elbow was gently grasped, helping to support her while she gathered her strength.

  "Thank you, young woman," she gasped, trying to catch her breath.

  "My pleasure, ma'am," Sabnock replied, not sure what to do.

  The two women moved slowly to the elevator. Constance leaned heavily on the arm that was helping her. Once inside, she pushed the second floor button and then sighed.

  "Getting old can be hell," she quipped, glancing up at the face of the woman in uniform. The light in the elevator was behind the tall figure, shading her face.

  "I can only imagine."

  Chuckling, Constance patted the hand holding her arm.

  "All in good time, deary."

  Sabnock didn't know what to say so she remained quiet. The opening of the door prevented any further conversation.

  "I can make it from here. Thank you for your help," Constance said, her breathing less labored.

  "I've come this far, ma'am, a few more feet won't hurt."

  Secretly the historian was relieved. Even short distances were difficult for her, and there was something comforting about the young woman's presence. It had been a long time since she had experienced that feeling.

  Reaching the door, she fished in her handbag for her key. Hand shaking, she started to put it in the slot when it was taken from her and inserted into the lock. Pushing the door open, Sabnock helped Constance into the room and removed her worn overcoat. Folding it neatly, she placed it on the table and then pulled out the chair for the old woman to sit.

  "Have you eaten?"

  The historian looked up at the woman and again found her face hidden by the shadows.

  "No. I rarely feel hungry at my age," she replied, squinting at the light shining in her eyes. "Sit, please."

  Waving her toward the other chair, she leaned back and watched as the soldier moved gracefully away and sat. Crossing her long legs, Sabnock reached up and removed her cap, placing it on her lap. Constance frowned when she saw the short, red hair.

  "What's your name, young woman?"

  "Sabnock, ma'am."

  "Well, Sabnock, stop with the ma'am. I feel old enough already without having to listen to that word."

  "Yes ma'am," the demoness replied and smiled, knowing it would aggravate the historian.

  "You young people show no respect nowadays," Constance responded, grumpily.

  "No, ma'am. What would you like me to call you?"

  "Constance, and don't you dare call me Connie. I detest that name."

  Even though Sabnock had known this was her Constance, it still shocked her when it was confirmed.

  "Well, Miss Constance, I..."

  "Cut out the Miss too. I'm plain, ordinary Constance."

  "Okay, well, plain, ordinary Constance, since you haven't eaten and neither have I, perhaps you would allow me to buy you dinner. I'm sure the hotel has room service."

  "Now why would you want to do that?"

  "You remind me of someone I knew a long time ago and I'm hungry."

  The historian laughed.

  "My dear, you can't be more than thirty, so it can't be that long ago."

  "Time is sometimes irrelevant, don't you think?" Sabnock asked.

  Constance leaned forward in her chair to get a better look at her young companion. There was definitely something familiar about her.

  "Do I know you?"

  "Have you been to Afghanistan, recently?"

  "No. I was there a long time ago but it was long before you were born, child."

  "Then I'd have to say not in this life," Sabnock replied, making a joke out of what she knew was the truth. "So, can I buy dinner?"

  "Why not?" Constance said, not wanting to be alone. She would soon be more alone than any other time in her life. Tonight, accepting this woman's company felt right.

  "Good. Let me guess, you like steak, extremely rare or a beef or lamb stew."

  "You're quite intuitive, but I can't eat something that heavy anymore. It doesn't sit well on the stomach."

  "Okay, how about some French Onion soup and fresh bread."

  Nodding, Constance leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes. Something about the young soldier seemed very familiar. Her voice, her red hair and her demeanor made her think of her warrior, but she knew it wasn't possible. Fate was just being cruel to remind her of the one person she had truly loved.

  Sabnock called room service and ordered their meals. Then she waited patiently for the historian to say something. When she didn't, the demoness grew worried. It was obvious Constance had only a short time left in this life. Although saddened, Sabnock also felt hope, knowing she could search for her in the Underworld. Contrary to human belief, it wasn't just a place for the condemned, but also a place for the flawed; and most humans were flawed. Few were able to lead the exemplary life that permitted their passage into the Twin's realm.

  Everyone knew Dis' sibling ran an orderly realm and hated any sort of disruption. Those that fit best in the Overworld were the gentle and passive, or those willing to sacrifice their existence and lives trying to help the needy. His world was a place filled with eclectic souls contented to quietly go about their business being creative and unnoticed. Of course, the Twin also allowed the real heroes entry for he needed to keep his legions filled with souls brave enough to defend the realm. It kept the Underworld and Overworld armies balanced. Sabnock knew that balance was a necessity in all things.

  As for Constance, from the short time they had spent together long ago, Sabnock knew she was no angel. Filled with fire and passion, the historian knew how to enjoy life and had the appetite for all that it could offer. The demoness was confused about how Constance could still be alive. Humans were lucky if they made it to a hundred.

  "Are you okay?" she asked, her acute hearing picking up the slowed heartbeat.

  "I'm just a little tired."

  A knock interrupted them. Sabnock opened the door and took the tray from the hotel attendant. Handing him his money, she shouldered the door shut and put the tray on the table. Placing the soup and a glass of water near Constance, she grabbed her own bowl and sat down. Both women ate in silence.

  "Ah, that was good," the historian said, pushing her bowl aside.

  "Yes. It's certainly better than Army chow."

  "I can imagine. So how long have you been a soldier?"

  "All my life."

  "A born soldier, huh?" the historian teased.

  "You might say that. What do you do?"

  "Me? I'm a historian."

  "Do you teach?"

  "No, I record history. At least I used to. I'm too old and tired for that now."

  "Have you always been a hi
storian?"

  "All my life."

  "A born historian," Sabnock said, unable to resist teasing her.

  Constance chuckled.

  "Enough about me. What brings you to Teraclia? You're obviously an American and this place isn't exactly a tourist trap."

  "Curiosity. I had some leave coming and decided to check out the land of vampires and werewolves. I've always been curious about the dark side of humanity."