CHAPTER 21

 

 

KENNY STOOD amongst the crowd, listening and waiting. Not sure what to do, he realized his attempts to kill his ex had been ruined. Now he needed to figure out what to do with the bomb. If the FBI got a hold of the components, it was possible they could be traced to the militants — and from there to him. Nervously fingering the cell phone in his pocket, he pushed his way through the crowd and moved to stand by a building further away but with a better view. Several times he pulled the cell phone out and dialed the number but then closed the cover before pushing the enter button. Hopefully, the bomb expert would screw up and detonate it. It would solve all of his problems. Better a policeman got killed than he go to prison.

When someone yelled, he looked up to see what had happened. On the front steps of the school stood the officer holding the bomb. Watching her moving slowly toward the steps, he realized he had no choice. Quickly dialing the number, he glanced back at the policeman and then down at the phone. With his finger poised over the send button, he hesitated.

Sabnock felt every muscle in her body aching from the stress of carrying the bomb, not to mention the weight and awkwardness of the suit. She had almost reached the first step when she heard a cell phone ring. The sound of the explosion was deafening but the power behind it surprised her even more. The demoness felt herself being hurled through the air and slammed against the brick wall of the school. Unimaginable pain screamed through every cell in her body. Barely able to open her eyes, she saw several people bending over her, some frantically trying to remove her bomb suit. Mac was talking to her but she couldn't hear him. She could tell he was screaming, trying to tell her to hang on.

Karen was stunned by how loud the explosion was. Had any of her kids been in the room with her or the rooms around hers, all of them would have been killed or seriously injured. Now, a brave officer was at the very best seriously injured and perhaps even dying. Glancing around the crowd, she knew Kenny had to be nearby. The timing was too good. It took her several minutes to locate him. When she did, she saw he was looking at her angrily. Calling to a policeman, she quickly pointed him out as he was walking rapidly away from the scene. The officer radioed the dispatcher, giving her a description of the man and what he was wearing. Within minutes, several undercover and uniformed cops were in hot pursuit, guns drawn.

Minutes later, three gunshots were heard. The crowd looked around, trying to see what was happening but unable to locate the source. Shrugging, they turned their attention back to the paramedics and officers working to save their comrade.

Sabnock knew she was dying. She could feel the coldness creeping up her arms and legs. The pain slowly subsided, leaving her lethargic.

"Hang on!" a voice yelled, breaking through the deafening silence. Focusing on the voice, she blinked several times trying to clear away the fog. Mac's face was only inches from hers, his eyes pleading for her to fight.

How many more times am I going to go through this?

"So, we meet again," the voice said. "How many more times do you want to?"

"I don't," Sabnock sighed. "I'm tired of these games. I'm tired of the living."

"You would give up so much for eternal darkness?" Death asked.

"Yes."

"You understand that as a demon, you can never return to the Underworld if you take this path and there is no place for you in the Overworld? You will simply cease to exist."

"If that is my fate, sobeit," Sabnock said, wearily. She no longer cared.

"And Constance? You would give up your chance to be reunited? You would break your promise to her?"

Sabnock hesitated.

"Why did you have to mention her?" she screamed. "She will be better off without me. Maybe then she will find someone else."

"She will die a thousand deaths for every one you have experienced. Is your love so weak you would condemn her to such an existence?"

"No! Never!"

"Then choose, demoness. Will you accept life or the final darkness?"

Sabnock had known all along, this would happen. Death had always given her the choice and she had repeatedly lacked the courage to make it final.

"It doesn't take courage to die when life has grown too unbearable to live," Death whispered. "Courage comes from choosing pain over the freedom that I offer. One day, you will be reunited with your love. Now, it is time to go."

"Wait!" the demoness yelled as the darkness crept closer. "Why now? You never mentioned Constance before."

"Because now, you were making the biggest mistake of your life and would never have known it."

Sabnock knew it was true. Gathering her strength, she invited the darkness in, wondering what she would do next.

*  *  *

Dis was furious. One of his most valuable demons was missing. He had felt the moment her essence had disappeared and knew she was gone forever.

"Where is she?" he demanded of the shrouded figure standing in front of him.

"She is where she belongs," it answered, not in the least intimidated by the Underlord's behavior.

"Sabnock was one of my best commanders. I may have need of her."

"Then you will have to do without her. She is no longer yours."

"How dare you take what isn't yours," Dis roared, banging his fist on the table.

Death laughed and then turned to stare at a spot to his right.

"It would seem you have a guest," it said.

Rolling his eyes, the Underlord knew immediately about whom he was talking.

"I thought we had an agreement," he bellowed.

Saira laughed.

"I said I would try but this tug was too strong and came too quickly for me to give you a warning. I have never met Death before."

"Pray that you never do," Dis replied, turning back to his first guest. "In case you don't know her, this is Saira. She is a traveler."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Saira. I've known about you for a long time."

"Then we have something in common," she replied smiling. "And you have lost Sabnock," she said to Dis.

"Lost? Stolen, you mean. She should have been returned to me, but Death decided to interfere in my business."

"You are growing old, my friend. Have you forgotten? Sabnock was freed by you a long time ago. You no longer had a claim on her."

"Her freedom was revocable at any time. She was mine to command."

"No, she wasn't."

Saira listened to the two entities arguing. These were two of the most powerful beings in existence and perhaps the only time she would ever see them together, particularly as Death was so elusive.

"Couldn't you have waited?" Dis asked. "Trouble is brewing and I need her to command my legions. Bring her back!"

"I am many things, Dis, but a magician I'm not. Sabnock is beyond my reach now. She chose her fate and has fulfilled her destiny. Besides, even if I could, I wouldn't. I have a great fondness for her and she's earned her reward."

Saira stared at Death, surprised that he had just lied to the Underlord. When the shrouded figure turned to look at her, she had the impression it was smiling.

Dropping into his chair, Dis uttered a few curse words and then sighed.

"I suppose you're right."

"I'm always right, but thank you. It's not often you admit to being wrong."

"I didn't say that," he growled. "I said you were right. Obviously I had no say in the matter."

Smirking, Death had to agree, although it did seem to be a technicality.

"Well, I really must go. The mortal world keeps me quite busy these days. Oh, by the way. You might take a particular interest in the newest addition to your coiffures."

"Why? I have demons and minions for that. I have guests waiting for me."

"Hmmm. Perhaps I was mistaken. I thought for sure you'd like to meet the human who killed Sabnock. Oh well...."

"Wait!" Dis ordered jumping to his feet. "Tell me his name."

"Kenny Rothman."

"It seems my guests will have to wait a while longer. I very much want to meet this soul. He deserves a special welcome."

Death knew what such a welcome would be, but felt little compassion for the soul. It deserved everything the Underlord had planned.

Bidding Dis farewell, the dark figure disappeared. Dis rubbed his hands together, anxious to visit Soulkeeper.

"Well, this has been interesting," the apparition said, enjoying the demon's frustration. "I suppose I should leave you to your business."

"At last! And would you give me war..."

Before he could finish Saira had vanished.

"Females!" he growled. "Males are so much easier to deal with."

Calling to his minions, he strolled from the room, his shiny hooves clicking on the polished floor. Already, he was thinking about what he would do with Kenny Rothman.