"I certainly understand that. Imagination can be a great thing but it brings with it its own demons."
Sabnock couldn't help but laugh at the irony of the comment.
"I suppose so," she agreed, smiling. "I take it you don't believe in those things."
"Oh, I believe alright. I've seen many things in my life and would have to say those would be some of the least strange."
"Now that sounds rather ominous."
Constance leaned forward to get a better look at her guest.
"You look like you don't scare easily," she commented and then shifted the table lamp to improve the lighting. Frowning, she rubbed her tired eyes and tried again to focus on the woman's face.
Everything seems so blurry tonight, she thought.
"Maybe I should go now," Sabnock offered.
"No, no. It's just that you remind me of someone I knew long ago."
"Someone important?"
"Yes. Very."
"Would you tell me about her?"
"You don't want to waste your time listening to an old woman rambling," Constance replied, patting Sabnock's hand. "Don't you have someone to meet? A handsome woman like you can't be here alone."
"I'm pretty much a loner. There's no one, and I really want to know about her, if you don't mind. You loved her, didn't you?"
The historian hesitated, not sure if she wanted to expose her deepest feelings to a stranger. Still, it was the happiest moment of her life and she wanted someone to know, really know, how special Lynara was. Maybe talking about her would give her short existence more meaning.
"She was a warrior, like you," the historian began.
"Warrior. It's a word not very often used anymore."
"Yes, but it's the appropriate word for her. Lynara was a lieutenant, young and handsome. You remind me of her. Her hair was red, like yours, but long and flowing. No matter, to me she was more than just handsome. She was brave, honest and true to herself."
"She sounds almost too perfect," Sabnock teased.
"No, she wasn't perfect, but she was good. I've never met anyone like her since."
"Good? How?"
Constance shrugged.
"It's hard to explain."
"So what happened to her?"
"She died! She could have stayed with me and lived. I believe she would have if I had only asked her to. Our love was strong."
"But you didn't ask her."
"No. I think it would have killed our love. She was a warrior first. Duty, to her, was the most important thing."
"Are you so sure?" Sabnock asked, remembering back to when she had chosen to live, but too late.
"Yes. Besides, there were other factors that would have made staying together impossible."
"If you really loved each other, nothing should have stopped you."
"You are young and idealistic. There are some things that are insurmountable even with love."
"Like what?"
"Death."
"You don't believe in an afterlife?"
"Well, yes."
"Then there's hope."
Constance chuckled.
"Where were you when I was a lot younger?"
The question gave Sabnock the opening she needed but she wasn't sure if she wanted to take it. Would it really serve any purpose to let Constance know who she really was? Then again, was there any harm in letting her know the truth?
"Now don't go taking me so seriously, young woman. I'm way too old to jump your bones."
"Oh, I think you still have it in you," Sabnock teased, "and I consider it a compliment that you still want to."
Constance was about to comment when she caught the word still.
Just a figure of speech, she thought, and the wishful thinking of an old woman.
"I have to say, you do remind me so much of her, Sabnock. That is such an unusual name. I don't think I've ever met anyone with it, although I know it has a meaning. I just can't remember now."
"I doubt if you'll find many people who want to name their children that. Sabnock was a female demon. She commanded the legions of Satan. At least, that's what the legends say."
"And your parents named you after her? Were they devil worshippers?"
Sabnock grinned.
"No. Actually, I never knew my parents. As for the name, well, I'm not sure how I came about it."
"Well, someone had to give it to you. Children just don't choose their own names. Maybe you were a rambunctious child and your foster parents started calling you that."
"I never had parents of any kind. I pretty much have been on my own all my life."
"How sad! Everyone should have someone to love."
"Constance, do you mind if I ask you a personal question?"
"You can ask. It doesn't mean I'll answer."
Sabnock smirked.
"If you could live those moments over again... with Lynara... would you choose differently?"
"Knowing what I know now? I'm not sure. I'd like to think I would be brave enough to let her go. Then again, I think we could have made it work. Maybe I should have let her make the choice. Those two weeks, well, I'm being selfish now, but I would have sold my soul to have her with me for as long as possible if I thought I could make her happy."
"Then why didn't you call out to her?"
"I almost did. I wanted to. I..."
Constance stopped. Call out to her? How did she know? Shaking her head, the historian hesitated.
"How did you know?"
Sabnock stood and then knelt in front of her. Taking the withered hands in her own, she began running her thumbs across the palms.
"You still don't recognize me, do you?" she asked softly.
Constance gently disengaged one hand, touched the demoness' cheek and then her red hair. Green eyes stared unblinkingly back at her.
"Lynara?"
Sabnock nodded and pressed her lover's hand firmly against her cheek.
"But, you're dead! We burned your body."
"Yes, and you're still alive. I think we both have a lot of explaining to do."
"I should say so. You can't be a reincarnation. I've always thought it possible but never really believed in it."
"No, I'm not reincarnated. Listen, I think you should get some rest. We can talk about this tomorrow."
As much as she hated postponing the discussion until later, Constance had to agree. Already, she felt sluggish and unable to think clearly.
"Maybe that's a good idea. Where are you staying?"
Sabnock knew their time together was short. Although she didn't know the exact hour of her lover's death, she didn't want to chance it happening while she was away.
"I have a hotel room a few blocks away but if you don't mind, I'd like to stay here. We've been apart too long."
"You aren't thinking of taking advantage of an old woman?" Constance teased.
"No, but that doesn't mean I'm not thinking of taking advantage of you," Sabnock bantered back. "Now, let's get you ready for bed."
"And just where are you going to sleep, young woman?"
"I'm a soldier, remember? I can fall asleep just about anywhere, so these chairs will be fine."
"You'll do no such thing. I can't rest knowing you're sitting over there in that thing trying to sleep. This bed is big enough for the both of us."
"And you accused me of wanting to take advantage of you?" Sabnock teased.
"Pffft! As if."
"That's too bad. I was looking forward to it."
"Me too. Later, when I've regained some of my energy," the historian said, feeling almost young again. She knew it was an illusion, but enjoyed imagining it would happen. "Let's get some rest."
Helping Constance into bed, Sabnock pulled the quilt up and then lay down beside her. Closing her eyes, she pretended to sleep. Her lover fell asleep instantly. Sabnock waited patiently, making sure Constance was warm and comfortable.
Four hours later, she got up, picked up the phone and ordered a light meal for the two of t
hem knowing it was only a matter of a few minutes before the historian would wake up. When she stirred, her warrior helped her get into the chair. Walking to the door, Sabnock opened it as the waiter was about to knock. Taking the platter, she paid the bill and then closed the door.
"I've never had anyone wait on me like this. It's rather nice."
"I would have done this every day of your life, if I hadn't taken so long to make up my mind," Sabnock said.
"Make up your mind?"
"About us. I wanted to stay with you. I had decided to but Death stopped me."
"I know," Constance said.
"No, Constance, you don't know. What I'm trying to say is I..."
How do I explain this so she doesn't think I'm crazy or give her a heart attack?
"I'm not what you think."
"I don't understand," Constance said, confused.
"I know. This is difficult. When we fell in love, you thought I was human. I'm not! I'm a demon."
The silence was so loud both women wondered why they weren't deafened by it.
"That's pretty incredible."
"Incredible like unbelievable or incredible like you believe me."
"Sabn... Lynara, you've never lied to me and you're here now. How can I not believe you?"
"How could you not?" Lynara chided gently. "Speaking of being here, you have some explaining to do."
"I guess you're not the only one with secrets."
"Apparently not. It looks like you've been keeping one for over two-thousand years."
"More like seven."
"Seven?"
Lynara was stunned. No human could live that long.
"Yes and no, I'm not a demon. I'm Gebian. We're long-lived."
"So it seems. Why haven't I ever heard of Gebians?"
"We tend to keep to ourselves. It would create issues if humans knew about us. It is strange though that you didn't know about us."
"Maybe not. I really wasn't interested in humanity in the beginning. We demons were too busy fighting another war. As for the humans, they certainly would want to study you. They've been searching for my kind for a long time. If they ever proved we were real, it would create havoc."
"Considering their opinions of demons now, I'd say that's putting it mildly."
The two fell into a comfortable silence thinking of things that might have been had they been more honest with each other. Constance finally spoke.
"You said you changed your mind."
"Yes. I was torn between my vow to live and die as a human or spend what little time we would have together. Had I known it could have lasted this long, the choice would have been simple."
"I doubt it," Constance said, although she knew she would have chosen Lynara over two-thousand years of loneliness. "Choices are never that easy, especially when it comes to love and being true to yourself."
"I would have chosen you," Lynara said firmly. The historian didn't doubt her.
Constance sighed. So many years alone, wasted, because neither had spoken what was in her heart, and now it was too late.
"And I you. It seems we both had a lapse in judgment," she said and then laughed. "Just my luck to find out at the end of my life."
"This life."
Before Constance could respond, she felt a sharp pain shoot across her chest and down her arm. Gasping, she bent forward and pressed her hand against her abdomen just below her breasts. Seeing her distress, Lynara stood and picked up the frail woman and placed her gently on the bed. Both knew the end was near.
"Lynara..." she gasped, barely able to catch her breath. "You must... do something... for me."
"Anything."
Constance pointed to a set of manuscripts on a small stand in the corner.
"You must take... take them to Dakota Dev... Devereaux."
"What are they?"
"The his...history of my... people."
"Okay. Where will I find her?"
The historian's breathing became more labored.
"Add... ress inside."
"I'll take care of it. You just rest now."
Lying next to her lover, Lynara gathered the slender body in her arms and held her tight. She could feel the life force slowly slipping away.
"I'll be... doing that s... soon enough. I wish we... had... more time together."
"I could give it to you," Lynara offered. "I could make you well."
As a demon, she had the ability to extend mortal lives. Other demons used the power to manipulate mortals into doing what they wanted.
Shaking her head, Constance knew this wasn't like before. It was one thing for the demoness to choose life. To her, dying wasn't real. For the historian, it was a natural progression even if she was long lived. Changing her destiny wouldn't just impact her but would alter the future for a lot of people. It wasn't something she was willing to do, even if it meant sacrificing her and Lynara's happiness.
"The price... too high."
"It's a risk I'm willing to take if it gives us a little more time."
"But I'm not. This isn't... just about us." Constance took a few quick breaths. "It's about what's... right. What... we decide... to... tonight affects more than just us." Again she hesitated, inhaling deeply. "It's my time.... I will ful... fill my destiny."
"So we do this again," Lynara said sadly.
Constance laughed and then started coughing, her body racked with spasms. Although forbidden to interfere with the death process, the demoness decided there was no reason for her lover to suffer unnecessarily. The pain and shortness of breath subsided.
"You didn't do anything...."
"No, I didn't heal you. I would never go against your wishes."
"Thank you."
They lay quietly together for a few minutes until Lynara remembered the manuscripts.
"Tell me about your people."
Constance chuckled.
"It would take a lifetime."
"Then tell me about the manuscripts. That's why you came here isn't it? To give them to this Devereaux? Why her?"
"I trust her to protect them. To protect the secret of my people."
"Is she one of you?"
"No. She's human, but she's special."
"What will happen to those records when she dies? Humans have such short lives."
"I don't know. I'm hoping she'll find someone to give them to. It'll be out of my control by then."
Lynara knew Constance was worried about the papers and her people's future. If the manuscripts fell in the wrong hands, it would be disastrous for the Gebians.
"I can take them if she doesn't," the demoness offered.
"And what would you do with them?" Constance teased. "They wouldn't last very long where you're from."
"Yeah, I can see where that might be a problem. I promise not to take them to the Underworld, although you'd be surprised at the technology we have there. Some of us even have ice for our drinks."
"Ice! In Hell! I don't believe it."
"Like I said. We're quite advanced."
They both laughed thinking of the old adage about snowballs in hell.
"Seriously. I will make sure they're protected. Your people will be safe."
"I'd appreciate that. Thanks."
Relieved, Constance relaxed in the warm embrace. Although the pain was gone, she felt the cold fingers of death closing in on her. Shivering, she tried to burrow deeper in her lover's arms, remembering the heat and passion of long ago.
Lynara knew Death intimately. She understood its cold touch. Raising her core heat, she increased her skin temperature several degrees.
"Is that better?" she asked.
"Yes, much. Your arms are so warm. Do you still have those tattoos?" The shivering stopped.
"They are a part of me. Dis, himself, bestowed them upon me. Only two others bear the royal symbol of my Lord."
"He still holds your allegiance?" Constance sounded surprised, stiffening slightly.
"He has my respect and my loyalty. He isn't my mas
ter now. I owe my allegiance to no one... but you."
Warrior Demoness - TI6 Page 5