Sanctuary, Texas: My Eternal Soldier Part 9

An hour later, we arrived at Fort Stevens, an Army base just south of the city of Fort Worth. Even though Killian seemed perfectly at ease surrounded by hundreds of heavily armed soldiers, Travis and Garrett were not so calm. Their pulses were speeding up, and sweat beaded on their brows.

"We'll just stay here while you go chat," Travis said, not moving from the driver's seat.

Garrett rolled down his window as I climbed out with Killian.

"Are you sure?" I asked, turning back to Garrett.

The Lycan nodded.

"Okay. Suit yourselves." I wanted to meet the soldiers Killian said would help us. Seeing them face-to-face, hearing their tone of voice, listening to their heartbeat would allow me to trust their intentions. It would've been nice to have Garrett and Travis listening in to their thoughts, but I could understand their hesitation. Both of them had lost family members in the riots, and neither was fond of any type of authority - military or local law enforcement.

Garrett had actually been in the Army before the Instinct drug hit the market in 2046. They'd lived in a neighborhood filled with pack members. A couple of kids used the drug and ran home after transforming in public. No one had been hurt, but the police overreacted and ga.s.sed the entire block. Their parents died that night. Both of them left Chicago, splitting apart and going their separate ways for years.

Travis found his way to Sanctuary first, from what the Pixies had shared with me. And Garrett had arrived in town only in the last year. Both men helped organize the mishmash of Lycans that lived in Sanctuary, but both had refused to step into the shoes of alpha of the pack. It was customary to have a mate before taking on that role. Instead, an election had been held, and a strong alpha pair from Seattle had been given the alpha position for the wolves in town.

Raven said plenty of the single Lycan females had shown interest, but without a magickal connection, no babies. Tradition mandated that an alpha pair had to be able to have kids.

"Will they let us on base?" I asked Killian as the three men from the other SUV fell in step behind us. The gate was only a dozen yards away, but the sound of the guards racing heartbeats and heavy breathing were loud as we approached. They were nervous already, and we needed to be careful.

Killian and I were obviously armed. Each of us wore one of the dragon steel swords. I'd lost the samurai sword I'd carried for years during the skirmish at the bridge. The dragon steel blade was a little heavier and longer, but it didn't affect my ability to use it in the least. In fact, now I had a blade that would cut through almost anything.

"Yes, as long as Commander Martins is on base. If not, I'll ask for someone else."

"You used to live on base?" Jared MacKay asked from behind me.

"Yes. This was home for a long time," Killian answered.

"Why do they all look like they're going to wet their pants?" Alek asked, chuckling under his breath.

"Because you three are giants," I hissed, trying to keep from grinning.

Killian was tall. Maybe six-foot-three-inches, but Mikjall was almost seven feet tall like Miles and Eli. Alek and Jared were only a few inches shorter, both easily measuring in at six-foot-ten or so. Put that kind of height together with the large amount of musculature they displayed and the three of them painted a rather intimidating picture.

Alek stepped up next to me and grinned. "I like being the scary one."

"I bet you do," I answered, finally letting my mouth turn up into a smile.

"We're going to get your friends back," Alek said.

"Thank you."

"I know you think Rose is a hard-a.s.s," Alek started. "But she also treats everyone in the town as if they were family. She would fight to her dying breath to save each and every one of us if that's what it took."

"She is a hard-a.s.s, though," Jared spoke up from where he was walking with Mikjall, still behind Killian.

"She's worth fighting for," Alek said as we came to a stop a few feet from the guards' gate.

Four armed soldiers in green fatigues with the TR emblem on their arms stood at attention, blocking our way. Killian motioned for us to stay where we stood, and he approached alone.

"I'm retired Master Sergeant North. I need to speak to Commander Martins."

"The Master Sergeant North?" One of the soldiers relaxed his stance. "The one that trained the twenty-third regiment?"

"Yes, sir. That would be me."

"And they're all with you?" The soldier pointed to us.

"Yes. Please call the Commander."

"Oh. Of course. Yes, Master Sergeant, sir." He b.u.mbled through his response as he stepped into the guardhouse.

Chapter Sixteen.

EIRA.

I listened to the soldier's brief conversation with someone on the other line, who a.s.sured him that Killian was indeed who he claimed to be and to let all of us on base with him.

The young man stepped out of the booth and saluted Killian. "The Commander is waiting for you at the field office. Private Tilman will escort you there if you will follow him in your vehicles."

"Excellent. Thank you."

The guard saluted again, and Killian turned around. We all walked back to the SUVs and climbed in. Travis and Garrett took the lead, stopping at the gate and rolling down all the windows so the guards could check the vehicles. They also used some sort of wand beneath the carriage of the vehicles, probably checking for explosives. Even though we'd been cleared, they were sticklers about their rules for entering the base.

"I hope this little detour is worth it," Travis growled as he followed behind Private Tilman, who was barely doing fifteen miles per hour in his Jeep.

We rolled through the base, pa.s.sing houses, barracks, and other buildings neatly arranged in rows. Groups of soldiers jogged past us, wearing brightly colored belts. Each group wore a different color. It was strange to think Killian had lived here. It seemed so... controlled.

Finally, the Jeep ahead of us pulled to a stop in front of a one-story tan stucco building. Shots sounded from behind the building, varying from timed patterns to random fire.

"It's the gun range," Killian whispered, laying a soothing hand on my tense shoulder.

"I guess we all should go in," Garrett said, unbuckling his seat belt.

"It would be rude if you didn't. Plus, the better they know you, the easier and more helpful they will be if they come across any of you again."

"Well, I guess introducing ourselves is a must then. A body never knows when it might need to haul a.s.s across a border," Travis added, jumping down from his seat and closing the driver's side door. Alek had parked on our left, and he, Jared, and Mikjall were already standing with Tilman, waiting for us.

The seven of us followed Private Tilman through two gla.s.s double doors. An older soldier glanced our way. He left the two men he was talking to and headed straight toward Killian.

"North! It's been a long time. Wright said he b.u.mped into you a few days ago on patrol." The soldier extended his hand, and Killian took it.

"It's good to see you, too, Commander. Thank you for allowing us to interrupt your day."

"Lucky for us, it's been quiet lately."

"Except for the SECR squads sneaking around."

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.