CHAPTER 17

 

 

THE FUNERAL service was short and simple. Wrapped in a cloak provided by Yemaya, the historian's body was cradled tenderly in the demoness' arms. Several wolves paced nervously at the edge of the forest, watching for anything or anyone that didn't belong.

Yemaya stood several feet away, her arms wrapped around Dakota. The journalist sobbed quietly, her head pressed against her lover's shoulder. Regina lay next to her mistress, her attention focused on the tall demoness. The old queen had never seen a demon before and was curious about her. Like Vyushir, her wolf guardian, she lacked the normal smell and noticeable heartbeat of mortals. Still, there was a difference between the demoness and spirit.

Ekimmu and Sarpe stood a few feet away watching Sabnock kneel beside the grave and lay the body on a bed of straw and herbs. Straightening the cloak, she tucked it under Constance's chin as if to protect her against the cold.

"I will find you, my love," she vowed quietly, not caring who heard. Tears slid down her cheeks. Picking up one hand, she pressed it against her lips and then placed it under the cloak. Reaching down, she tucked the garment around the body as if trying to protect her deceased lover from the cold. Afterward, she stood and turned to look at the other mourners.

"Thank you."

Stepping away from the grave, the demoness passed her hand over the opening. Flames exploded from the earth and soared skyward, temporarily blinding the mortal onlookers. Only Sabnock and Sarpe were able to watch the fire consuming Constance's body, destroying all evidence of her existence.

"It iss done," Sarpe said, nodding her approval.

"Yes," Sabnock agreed sadly and walked into the forest, alone once again.

Dakota wiped her tears away, walked over to the gravesite and peered into the dark hole. Gray ashes covered the bottom. After notifying her and Yemaya of Constance's passing, Sarpe had given them a short explanation of Sabnock's relationship with the librarian. Being an ancient spirit, she kept it short and simple.

"Goodbye," Dakota whispered and then pulled a small bundle from her jacket pocket and dropped it inside the grave.

Yemaya cocked her head slightly, curious, but didn't ask.

"I know it's ridiculous," the journalist said, looking back at her lover for reassurance. "I wanted her to have something to take with her, so I gave her one of my pens and a small notebook. She was a historian. Stupid, huh?"

Yemaya shook her head and pulled Dakota into her arms and held her for a few moments.

"No, she would appreciate the thought."

"Yeah. I hope the pen works better for her than me," Dakota joked, trying unsuccessfully to lighten the mood. "I wish we could do something for Sabnock," she whispered, forcing back the tears.

"I know. Maybe later. For now, though, I think she needs to be by herself."

Dakota nodded her head sadly. Separating, the two headed back to the estate.

Ekimmu and Sarpe followed a short distance behind. Neither spoke. There was nothing Sarpe could say to ease Ekimmu's loss.

*  *  *

Sabnock stood on the edge of the cliff looking at the river several hundred feet below. The moon glistened off the water, making it shine like a silver strand of light. If she had been mortal, the demoness would have thrown herself into the river, ending her misery.

"And we would have never met," a voice whispered.

Spinning around, Sabnock saw an apparition shimmering in the shadows a short distance away holding a small, golden orb in her palm.

"Who are you?" she demanded, angry at the intrusion.

"Just a traveler," Saira replied, walking up to her. "I've brought you someone"

Sabnock looked around suspiciously.

"Who?"

"Hold out your hand."

Confused, the demoness did as she was told. Saira placed the orb on the outstretched palm and stepped back.

"Be gentle with her. Don't squeeze," she ordered and disappeared.

*  *  *

Sabnock stood still, holding the object, not sure what to do.

"It was a nice funeral," a different voice said, almost causing the demoness to drop the orb.

"Constance?"

Heart pounding, she thought she was imagining things.

"Who else?"

"I hunted for you."

"I know. I thought... hoped we would meet in your world. It wasn't meant to be."

"But you're here now. Tell me how to find you and I'll join you."

"No! You can't. You must let me go, Lynara," Constance said, knowing how much those words would hurt.

"I can't. My life has no meaning now without you."

"Then give it meaning. This isn't forever. We've been apart before."

The demoness sighed. Once again she had found her one love and once again she was losing her.

"I've grown weary of my life, of this loneliness," she confessed, sadly.

"I know, my love, but true death comes only when the time is right."

"Demons don't die. They may go elsewhere but they don't die."

Constance could feel her lover's pain. It matched her own, knowing she too would have to let go once again.

"Are you happy where you are, Constance?" Sabnock asked, interrupting the librarian's thoughts.

"As happy as I could be without you."

"What's it like there?"

Constance laughed. Her voice seemed young and vibrant now, like when they had been lovers.

"Not much different than the mortal world. Maybe a little more peaceful and everyone gets along rather well, although we still have our squabbles."

"Do you still feel love or loneliness or all those human emotions?"

"Human emotions? You know better than that. You're not human and yet you love me. You feel sadness and pain."

"Now I do, but when I was leading Dis' Legions, I don't remember feeling anything. I think I learned them from you."

"They were always there. You only had to find the right incentive... and yes, all of the emotions exist where I'm at, even the darker ones. Sometimes I think they are stronger than ever in the Beyond."

Sabnock was surprised. She had suspected Constance's soul had gone to the Great Beyond. It was rumored to be a place for those souls too special to go to the Overworld or the Underworld.

"But I thought..."

"That it was Paradise? Far from it. Paradise would be hell for people like me. Too homogenous. No, this place is better than the mortal world, but it's far from perfect."

"Can you touch and feel? Do people make love or hold each other?"

"Yes. What you see here is only my essence. The orb keeps it together outside the barrier."

Sabnock slowly sank to her knees. Holding the small vessel close to her face, she tried to see what Constance looked like but failed.

"What do you look like?"

"I'm just like you remember. Nothing has changed, nothing will change."

"Then you're still alone."

"No."

Surprised, Sabnock didn't know whether to be happy or hurt.

"You have someone?" she whispered, swallowing the lump in her throat.

"I have many friends there, but no, no lovers. I waited thousands of years to join you in death. I can wait a while longer."

"If I could kill myself now, I would," Sabnock declared.

"And if you did, we would never be together."

"We'll never be together. I will go on, forever the warrior. It's better you find someone to love and who will love you."

"You give up too easily, Lynara. Where is that warrior spirit now?"

"Gone, I'm afraid. I'm tired, Constance. I've spent my whole life fighting battles that weren't mine to fight, trying to be something I was never meant to be. I should have known better."

Invisible hands cupped her face as tears slid down her cheek. To feel Constance's touch was almost as painful as not feeling it at all. Bowing her head, she cried softly, not caring anymore that true warriors never cried.

"True warriors feel pain, my love. They cry and hurt like everyone else. You've seen more death than I can ever imagine possible."

Sabnock couldn't think of anything to say. Her sorrow and loneliness were so great, she couldn't imagine going on but knew she had no choice. Straightening her shoulders, she stared into the orb and grimaced.

"Death. I've known its touch so many times and yet never really understood its meaning. Finding you, I long for it, but know it will never really happen... and even if it did, we'd still be worlds apart. Do you think I'll ever see you again?"

"It's inevitable. Nothing can keep us apart forever. I would never allow it."

Sabnock smiled. She could almost believe it possible.

"What's a few hundred or thousand more years?" Constance continued.

"Forever," Sabnock replied, wistfully.

The historian realized there wasn't anything more she could do or say to comfort the demoness. Feeling a tug from her new world, she realized their time together was almost over. Sabnock sensed it also and released her grip on the orb.

"I guess this is it."

"For now, my love, but not forever, I promise you. When the time is right, we will be together again. It's our destiny. If you believe it is so, it will happen."

"Then I have no choice but to believe, but..."

"No! There is no ‘but' between you and I, only when."

The orb shimmered brightly and then disappeared. Looking at her empty hands, Sabnock shook her head, wanting desperately to believe.

"When..." she whispered to the emptiness she was feeling inside.