"Stav, come out here."
"Now?"
"Now. I want you to see something."
The door to the house opened and Stavros came out feeling his way with a cane. Zoe stood up and offered him her seat while she leaned against the wall. Stavros’ "war injury" provided cover for his activities in the Resistance.
"Who is that?" Zoe asked. She decided to sit down on the wooden floor and watch the hooded person.
"Muller’s daughter."
"Who?"
"Clean your ears out. I said Muller’s daughter," Stavros replied. "Her name is Eva Muller; she’s 22 and a cripple."
"What’s her dress size?" Zoe teased Stavros.
"I’m not partial to German whores so I don’t know," Stavros joked under his breath, making Zoe giggle. "Kiria Despina told me."
"Despina’s nice although she is always trying to marry me off. Too bad she is forced to work there for those pigs. Why would you bring a woman into a war zone?"
"You’re a woman," Stavros reminded Zoe as he glanced down and smiled at her.
"I live here."
"I don’t know why the Nazi brought her here. Maybe Despina is wrong and she’s his wife."
"She doesn’t look like a cripple," Zoe muttered, but moments later rethought her assessment. One of the soldiers held out a cane which Eva took. "Well, look at that, she is a cripple," Zoe said a little louder than normal. She was more than a little surprised when her comment caused Eva to momentarily stop at the top step. The guards didn’t pay any attention to Zoe but Muller’s daughter did react. Zoe saw it and smiled.
"Zoe! Lower your voice."
"They’re Germans, Stav, they can’t speak Greek," she whispered.
"If they can’t speak Greek, why are you whispering?"
Zoe grinned and watched Eva laboriously coming down the four steps. "Her shadows can’t, but the cripple can speak Greek," she said quietly.
Stavros glanced at Eva in confusion and then back at Zoe. "Zo, the sun’s getting to you."
"No. My head is fine." Zoe absentmindedly tapped her head with her hand. "She understood what I said."
"Are you sure?"
"Oh, yes, I’m sure." Zoe nodded and watched as Eva finally got down the steps. She spoke to the guards for a moment before they backed away from her and stood behind her. Zoe was intrigued by this new arrival. The new commander had only been in the village for a few days and Zoe had not seen his daughter at all in that time.
"Come inside."
"No, I want to watch the show," Zoe mumbled as she helped Stavros get up and go inside. She resumed her seat on the overturned crate and saw that Eva had only taken a few steps. She sat up straighter when she saw a gust of wind rip the hood off Eva’s head.
"So now you have a face," Zoe muttered.
Eva’s long hair disappeared into her cloak. Zoe was mesmerized by the color. She was expecting Eva to be blonde, but she wasn’t. Her hair was midnight black with the barest hint of blue as the sun hit it. The artist in Zoe was amazed; the Resistance fighter was intrigued. Eva stopped as the guard put her hood back on and they resumed their slow journey.
Zoe followed Eva’s tortuous slow walk to where the house ended and the intersection began. "I wonder what color your eyes are," Zoe mused. "Not bad for a cripple."
Eva stopped and took a breath. She said something to her guard and for a moment Zoe thought it was about her. It wasn’t. A few minutes later they resumed their journey. Just as Zoe got up to go into Stavros’ house, Major Hans Muller appeared at the entrance. Zoe stopped and sat back down.
Muller was a tall, stocky man in his late forties. Zoe looked into his face as he stood on the landing, waiting for his daughter to come to him. She sure doesn’t look like her papa, Zoe mused. There was a coldness to him, even for a Nazi. He didn’t try to help Eva up the stairs but stood there watching her.
"What an ass," Zoe muttered.
Eva stopped and looked up at Muller. They exchanged a few words which Zoe couldn’t quite decipher. Muller did an about face and went back inside the house leaving Eva to walk up the stairs and follow him.
Zoe sneered as Eva’s journey up the stairs was taking an extraordinary amount of time. "I’m going to turn fourteen by the time that woman reaches the top step," she muttered and got up and went inside the house.
"So did you enjoy the show?" Stavros said from the window while he continued to watch.
"I thought you said you weren’t interested in German whores?"
"I’m not."
"Why are you watching her? Has she reached the top step yet?"
"Yes."
"We should go outside and give her a gold medal. That’s an Olympic event."
"What is?" Stavros turned away from the window.
"Slow walking." Zoe giggled. "My god, that took forever."
"Do you care?"
"Nope."
"What did Muller say to her?"
"I don’t know." Zoe shrugged and sat down at the table. "I couldn’t hear."
"Why don’t you go home and pretty yourself up a little bit?"
"Huh?" Zoe stared at Stavros. "What did you just say?"
"I said go and wear a nice dress and do that thing you do with your hair. Apostolos is coming tonight."
Zoe continued to stare. "What do I do with my hair?"
"You know, that girl thing you do and it looks all nice and pretty."
Zoe smiled. "You are such a boy. Now why do I have to pretty myself up and do that thing I do with my hair?"
Stavros sat down heavily on the chair and rested his head on the table. "Zoe, can we not play this game all the time?"
"You’re the one who wants me to pretty myself up."
"Can you please go home and get ready?"
Zoe chuckled. "Mama’s going to find this funny."
"Your mama has the patience of a saint."
"I’ll let her know you said that." Zoe came round to where Stavros was seated and ruffled his curly black hair. She smiled at her cousin, who looked up at her. "You have to stop trying to match make."
"Apostolos is sweet on you."
"I’m not sweet on him. He’s too old."
Stavros let his head drop to the table. "Yes, yes, yes, I know. You don’t like how old he is, nor his height, you don’t like his dark hair, and you don’t like his blue eyes."
"He’s not right."
"He can’t help being eight years older than you."
"Not that, silly."
"If it’s not his age, nor his height, his hair color or his eyes, what is it this time?"
"He has an accent."
"What?" Stavros asked incredulously and started to laugh. He slapped his thigh as the giggles overtook him. "He doesn’t have an accent!"
"He’s from Athens."
"So?"
"They have a different accent."
Stavros shook his head slowly, causing his curly hair to swing. "How do you know Athenians have a different accent? You’ve only met one."
"That’s enough."
"Zoe, go home and wear that beautiful dress your mama made for you. We have business to discuss tonight."
"Are we going out?"
"Not tonight, but maybe tomorrow night. There’s a new batch arriving tomorrow. That’s why Apostolos is coming over."
"Can’t he send a messenger with the information?"
Stavros smiled. "He is the messenger. He’s making a special effort to come and see you."
"Oh, joy," Zoe muttered as she raised herself up and kissed Stavros on the cheek before picking up her bag and leaving the house.
Chapter Four
Two Weeks Later
A low rumble thundered across the valley, threatening rain, and dark clouds hovered menacingly over the mountains. The sound of raucous laughing and curse-filled humor hung in the night air as Stavros and Zoe lay hidden in the brush. In front of them was the barracks that housed the officers of the occupying forces, the pride of the Third Reich. A car was parked outside the h
ouse, and a lone soldier leaned against the hood of the car, oblivious to any danger, his rifle slung over his shoulder. The smoke from his cigarette drifted a little as a light breeze rustled the trees nearby.
"What the hell, man, just take a piss and go inside," Stavros muttered quietly as he gazed at the German. His hair was hidden underneath a black beanie. He glanced to his left and winced. "Sorry, Zo," he said. His dark eyes turned back to stare at the soldier as he stretched out his body flat against the ground.
Zoe lifted her head just a little to take a look at the soldier. She had just barely got her eyes above the brushes when Stavros’ hand reached out and pushed her head back down.
"What the hell are you doing?"
"Having a look," Zoe whispered as she swatted away Stavros’ hand.
"If he had been looking this way… Your red hair could be seen from across the valley!"
Zoe stuck out her tongue at the impertinent way she was being treated. She also wore a black beanie, but it was insufficient to hide the unruly curly hair that peaked out.
"I’m going to shoot the bastard if he doesn’t move."
"Can I?"
Stavros glared at Zoe and shook his head. He parted some brush so they could have a look at the soldier. They watched the soldier stub out his cigarette into the ground and for a moment he stood there looking out into the valley. Zoe resisted the urge to groan in frustration as the soldier hefted his rifle across his back and went back inside the house.
Stavros dragged his rucksack through the dirt and sat up, being extremely careful not to be seen from the windows of the officer’s quarters. He glanced at the house before turning his attention to the reason they were there. He took out four dynamite sticks with a timer attached. He shook his head and Zoe looked at him with concern.
"What’s the matter?"
"The car is too low; I can’t get under," Stavros whispered and pointed to the car, which would not be able to hide his almost six-foot frame.
Zoe lifted her head and focused on the car. "I bet I can go under that."
"This is dynamite—you could blow yourself up."
"Now why would I do a stupid thing like that?" Zoe hissed. "I can be very useful, Stav."
"I know you can but this--"
"Well, I don’t see you getting any shorter or leaner." Zoe glared at Stavros. "We want this to happen, right?"
"Yes."
"Right, tell me what I have to do."
Stavros sighed and glanced down at the time bomb. "Go under the car and position it, and make sure it won’t fall off."
"How will it fall off if I make sure it won’t?"
Stavros shook his head slowly as he set the timer. "I promised Theo I was going to keep you safe."
"Well, that’s a silly thing to promise," Zoe replied. She gave Stavros a kiss on the cheek. "I promise not to blow us up so you won’t have to break a promise to my brother."
"That would be good."
Zoe took the bomb and started to crawl out of the brushes. She was hidden from view of the window for a good portion of the way under the car, except in one area where there was an unobstructed view. She watched the window and waited until the soldier that had his back towards her moved. She quickly crawled under the car, which indeed was just right for her slender frame.
Zoe took the bomb and began to fasten it to the undercarriage. She stopped moving when she saw a flash of light spread across the ground. She froze and tried not to move as several men left the house and congregated just meters from where she was hiding. She closed her eyes and tried to calm her galloping heart from escaping out of her chest.
Zoe felt the long excruciating wait drag on as the men lingered. At one point someone dropped a lighter which landed just near the rear tire, making Zoe’s eyes widen in fear. She tracked the man’s hand that felt along the tire and captured the lighter. His hand was a short span away from her head. She held her breath when the man dropped the lighter again, but this time he didn’t pick it up and kicked it under the car instead. The lighter hit the tire, ricocheted, and came to rest against Zoe’s arm.
Zoe watched the booted feet of the soldiers move off and she exhaled. Her head was pounding from the anxiety. Without wasting any more time, she finished affixing the dynamite and began to crawl out. She flattened herself against the ground and looked up into the window from under the car. Seeing no one at the window, she crawled out and scampered back into the brushes where Stavros was waiting.
"Oh, god, Zo," Stavros whispered and smothered her in an embrace. "Are you alright?"
"I nearly wet my pants." Zoe giggled and glanced up at Stavros with a triumphant grin. "Fumble fingers nearly made my heart stop."
Stavros leaned in and kissed her on the cheek. Before he could say anything else, the door to the house opened and five officers spilled out into the night. The two Resistance operatives watched as the men went into the car.
"Good night, boys," Stavros whispered and tried to glance at his watch in the darkness. He could barely make out the time. He had set the timer for five minutes past midnight. It was now midnight and the officers were on schedule. "One good thing about the Germans—they are punctual."
The car spluttered to life and stayed motionless for a few minutes. Stavros motioned for Zoe to start crawling backwards as the time was counting down and the car was still there. Just as they had gone several meters away, the car began to move.
Zoe grinned and began to count down. A minute later the car exploded, sending a fireball into the air. "Hope Hell is welcoming," she muttered.
"Amen," Stavros replied and crossed himself. "Come on, Zo, I promised your mama you would be back before midnight."
"You and your promises," Zoe said with a smile as Stavros ruffled her hair. He took her by the hand and they fled away from the explosion.
Chapter Five
Six months later.
Captain Jurgen Reinhardt winced at the expletives that reverberated around the room. It wasn’t the first time he had heard his commander scream, but not at quite that volume. The ambush of the new squad had caught them by surprise, even though they were anticipating trouble from the Resistance. They were always anticipating trouble.
Reinhardt flinched when Major Muller came within inches and screamed. "What happened?" He yelled, waving a flyer in front of the captain’s face. Reinhardt watched as the veins stood out starkly against the redness that enveloped Muller’s face and neck. "Well, are you going to answer me or are you going to stand there mute?"
Muller had already read the flyer that the Greek Partisans had produced. It was indeed the same as the one he had flung through the window moments before in rage. It proudly accepted responsibility for the bombing of the train tracks. The major made a snorting noise and crumpled the flyer in his hand.
"We lost the train tracks again and the train fell down the gorge," Reinhardt stammered.
"How many did we lose?" Muller yelled.
"Fifty men and four officers."
Muller closed his eyes and continued to yell his abuse at the Resistance. He threw the door open, startling the two guards standing outside the office.
"Where do these men think they are? A resort? Why wasn’t there anyone on guard?"
"I don’t think--"
"Make sure that never happens again!"
"Yes, sir."
"Actions speak louder than words, Reinhardt."
"Yes, sir," Reinhardt stammered, and then glanced towards the open door.
"Round them up and I will give the Resistance my answer."
"Round up the men?"
Muller glared at his second in command. "Round up the villagers."
"Where do I take them, sir?"
"The field near the town square. That’s a good place for it."
"Yes, sir. How many?"
"Everyone," Muller said and then left the office and headed to the next room down the small corridor. He knocked on the door and entered.
***
Nurse Edith Rat
sger was seated at her desk in the small room that doubled as a bedroom and her office. She was a petite middle-aged woman with deep-set blue eyes behind wire-framed spectacles. Her long blond hair was up in a tight bun under her white nurse’s hat. She and Muller were dear friends, and when Eva needed a nurse Muller thought of his friend Edith, who he knew was a very good nurse and was able to travel with them to France and then Greece.
"Edith, you wanted to see me?"
"Was that you bellowing a moment ago?" Edith asked with a slight smile.
"Yes, that was me." Muller sat down on Edith’s bed opposite her chair. "Did you hear about our men?"
"I did. Those poor boys. I heard that the Resistance has blown up that line a few times. It has to stop, Hans."
"I know. I’ll make them stop. Can you write to their parents and I will sign the letters?"
"I could but I think you should give that job to Eva; it will help with her recovery."
"How will it help?"
"It will give her something to do other than brooding in her room. Now, how are you going to stop the Resistance?"
"I’m going to send a message to the Greeks. They will be made to listen."
"Hm." Edith took off her glasses. "Would you like me to come with you?"
"Yes, if you want to. It would be good for Eva to see a strong woman standing up to these animals." Muller shook his head. "Now your note said you wanted to see me?"
Edith put her glasses back on and nodded. "It’s about Eva."
"What has my daughter done now?"
"I have been thinking about Eva’s care--"
"What about her care?"
"I think you should hire a maid."
"What’s wrong with Despina?"
"She’s the housekeeper and has enough to do around here without being Eva’s maid as well."
"Hm. She had one in Aiden and in Paris before the bombing. Unfortunately, she died in the blast. Does she really need one?"
"Eva won’t allow me to help bathe her," Edith replied. "She is quite adamant about it but I know she finds it difficult with her condition."
In The Blood Of The Greeks (Intertwined Souls Series Book 1) Page 3
