Part 9 (2/2)
Martins frowned. ”Those d.a.m.ned sons of b.i.t.c.hes just don't know when to give up. But most of them end of disappearing without a trace. You wouldn't happen to know where they go, would you?” He winked at Killian and then turned his attention to the rest of us. ”Who are your friends? And are they wanting to join? I could use giants on my squad.”
Killian stifled a laugh and pointed to each of us. ”Commander, these are new friends of mine. Jared, Alek, Mikjall, Garrett, Travis, and Eira.”
”Nice to meet you all. Be sure and do let me know if you are ever in need of a job. North was a heck of a soldier, and any friend of his is a friend of mine.” The old soldier let his eyes rest on me last and remain for a few seconds, like he was contemplating saying something, but couldn't decide.
”You're the gal he lost. Her name was Eira.”
I nodded yes.
”But aren't you... I don't mean offense, but aren't you a vampire?”
”I am now,” I answered.
”North told stories of the Viking woman he loved and lost when we got him drunk. I remembered your name, but I knew he said you were human.”
”You're aware how old Killian and I am?” I asked, my eyes widening with surprise.
”Yep. There's not much in the way of history taught anymore. People like you who've lived it are the only real windows to the past. Even the black market doesn't have a lot to offer. Most of the good books that survived the fires were snapped up by people with deep pockets.”
It was true. Though I didn't share that most people left in the US with deep pockets were Others. Those of us who were really old had money and a.s.sets stashed all over the world. Just because the US lost its grip with reality didn't mean the rest of the world went crazy, too.
”I'd love to stay and chat, Martins,” Killian spoke up, his words reminding the group of the purpose we'd been distracted from.
”No, no. I understand. What is it I can help you with?”
”We need pa.s.sage in and out of the Vicksburg border gate. Some friends of ours are being held in Savannah, and we aim to go pull them out,” Garrett said, stepping up next to Killian and I. ”Being able to drive in and out would really help us move faster.”
”You know the SECR executes Others they've captured. I hate to tell you, but your friends are probably already dead,” the commander said with a grim sigh.
He could be right, but I refused to believe it. I hoped instead that Xerxes and Manda were hanging onto them, waiting for me to come for them. I needed to believe they were still alive. That I hadn't lost one of my best friends.
”We have to be sure,” Travis said, moving up next to his brother. ”Leaving them is not an option.”
The older soldier nodded. ”Using the gate isn't a problem. I'll radio ahead and let them know to keep an eye out for you.”
”When we return, we'll be coming fast,” I said, catching the Commander's gaze.
”Yes, ma'am. I'll be sure everyone is looking out for you. Good luck. I hope you find your friends alive.”
”Thank you,” I said. ”Killian is lucky to have such loyal friends.”
A smile spread across the Commander's face. ”I'm the one who was lucky to have North. He saved my life at least twice. He's something with that sword of his. You know he taught his entire unit how to handle a sword. Even to this day, we still have basic sword training included in boot camp now. Of course, it would be better with someone like North running it,” he said, glancing to Killian.
”That is something to talk about over a large bottle of whiskey,” Killian said. ”Thank you for the help.”
”I'll have a medical team on standby just inside the gate in case you need help. Good luck and G.o.d bless.” Martins shook Killian's hand again before we all filed out of the building.
The highway flew past, mile after mile of brown gra.s.s and ice blue sky. The winter air held a chill, but nothing had fallen yet. The blue-grey expanse above us was clear and cloudless. The farther east we drove, the more the landscape changed from prairie to pine trees. I watched the wind dip and bend the tops of the evergreen forests as we traveled down the narrow two-lane highway.
It was close to sunset when we reached the TR border gate at the Vicksburg bridge. Emotions flooded through me, and I nearly wrenched the door off the hinge trying to exit the SUV. I could smell them. The bodies were still there.
So much had changed since the attack.
I'd found Killian. Agreed to become a Protector in Sanctuary. Made an ally in the TR army. What hadn't changed was that my friends were still dead.
”Eira,” Killian called. ”Wait.” He touched my shoulder, and I melted into him. His lips pressed against my temple. ”Let me talk to them first and make sure Martins' message went through.”
I nodded and gave his hand a quick squeeze before he left my side.
The guys were climbing out of the vehicles, and several soldiers were coming toward us. Killian walked quickly to meet them, and I watched as he shook hands with one of them. They made gestures to the gate and the bridge. I could've listened to the conversation, but I was so distracted.
My friends' bodies lay exposed where those SECR b.a.s.t.a.r.ds had killed them. They deserved a burial. Charlie wouldn't want me to leave them like this. It wasn't right.
Travis and Garrett stepped up next to me. ”Most of the soldiers are curious who we are. But those two Killian is talking to, they know. They spoke with the commander and will remain at this post until we return with our friends,” Garrett said slowly.
”I never thought I'd see the day I was grateful to a human again,” Travis added. ”But if they really are going to let us use the gate, it was definitely worth the stop. Moving a group of people over the fences or under them is hard, especially if we have anyone with injuries.”
”I can't believe he was so close all this time. For years, he's lived only hours away from me.” The words fell from my lips without thought. My soul had cried for so long, and now we were together. However, we were about to go to a place that might steal him away from me. I couldn't lose him again. I'd die first.
An unfamiliar hand rested lightly on my shoulder. ”It's good that you have Killian. So many of us wander through life with no one,” Alek's deep rolling voice gave him away. The slight lilt he had to his words reminded me of my travels in the middle east.
I'd heard stories of Gryphons. They were described as lion-footed eagles with a beak that could snap a man in half, wings made of razor sharp feathers, and talons that could tear through steel. From what Diana, Calliope, and Bailey had shared with me, Sanctuary never had more than the occasional backyard brawl because not a single person dared to think they could take on Alek Melos.
Rose might be older than dirt and a hard-a.s.s, but she was smart and knew how to forge alliances with the right people. Alek was definitely one you wanted on your side.
”You don't have anyone, do you?” I asked, turning my head to catch his steel-blue gaze.
”Not for a very long time,” Alek whispered. His voice was even, but laced with just a hint of sorrow.
”I'm sorry.”
He shrugged his ma.s.sive shoulders and let his hand fall from where his fingers had rested on my arm. ”Life has a way of surprising us. I can be patient. Taking care of the citizens of Sanctuary has been very fulfilling.”
Killian turned away from the soldier he was speaking to and started back toward us and the SUVs.
”They've offered to send over five men with us to help bury the dead,” he said, as he reached me. His blue eyes were filled compa.s.sion, but I couldn't stop the tears threatening to spill from my eyes.
Trails of fire rolled down my cheeks and I nodded. ”Thank you, but tell them we can manage alone.” How he'd known I needed to stop and make sure the dead were taken care of, I didn't know. But he had. And I loved him all the more for it. I could bury them all faster by myself and make sure each one was lovingly laid to rest. They were family.
”Of course. I'll let them know,” Killian said before leaving my side.
”We have enough light left if we go now,” I said.
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