The Candle (Haunted Series Book 23)

by Alexie Aaron

  “Did you receive the angel’s envoy yet?”

  “He arrived the minute I fell asleep at the picnic table,” Mia said.

  “Can you share with me the information?”

  “Yes. Be gentle, my mind has been abused,” Mia warned.

  Roumain slipped into her mind, and Mia sighed.

  “Mom, wake up,” Brian demanded.

  Mia opened her eyes. Brian stood eye level with his mother. “I want to know how the story ended.”

  “What story, honey?” she asked, quietly listening to Ted sleeping beside her.

  “After you rescued me, and Daddy took me home.”

  “Murphy and I sent the hellhounds back to hell. I threw up the poison. Then I helped Orion catch the tall Other. He canceled the contract, and Victor, Seth, and Enos caught Quazar and brought him here.”

  “Seth and Enos!”

  “Oh, I had forgotten you made friends with them. If you promise not to bother them, you can go down and visit them at the barn. They may not talk back to you because they are on duty. A duty they take most seriously. Give me a moment to go to the bathroom, and we’ll go together.”

  Mia crawled out of bed and was pleased to feel refreshed. She took care of her needs without looking in the mirror. She pulled on her boots and walked out to see Brian studying Ted’s large Roman nose.

  “I’m ready,” Mia said, holding out her hand.

  Brian took it and waited until they were on the stairs to speak. “Will my nose be that big?”

  “Yours may not be as large but still impressive. Varden most definitely will have your father’s nose.”

  “Grandma Glenda calls them beaks.”

  “Does she? How charming.”

  Lazar rushed out of the kitchen. “There you are, Brian. I turned around, and he was gone. I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be. I got enough rest. Hello, Lazar, how is life treating you today?” Mia asked.

  “Varden has a new word. But we shouldn’t react to it.”

  “It’s a bad word,” Brian said.

  “It was probably me,” Mia said. “I wasn’t feeling very well and sunk to the lowest of the low.”

  “It’s understandable,” Lazar said. “Mia, come here, your bandage is falling off.”

  Mia walked over obediently.

  He lowered his voice so the kids couldn’t hear, “I know I’m not supposed to see this, but because of our connection, I can see a deep C cut into your cheek. Why are you leaving it here when you could otherwise be rid of it?” he questioned.

  “I think I need it to remember the day I stood up to these…”

  Varden filled in the word which dropped Mia’s jaw. “Varden Martin!”

  She walked over and knelt so her face was even with his and said, “Don’t parrot Mommy. I think your own words are better.”

  “Hero!” he chirped.

  “Yes, that makes Mommy so happy!” she said, lifting him out, and grabbed Brian and danced around the room with both of them. She then lightly tossed Brian to Lazar, and they danced again.

  Brian looked up at his friends and saluted.

  Mia smiled and moved her son quickly past the young birdmen.

  “Argh, it’s him,” Brian said, pointing to Quazar. “He gives me a headache.”

  “Me too. As soon as I get an invitation to the Council of Women, I’ll be taking him with me. Until then he’s our…”

  “Guest,” Brian filled in.

  Cid looked over from the project he was working on while watching Quazar.

  “Hello, Martins.”

  “Hello, Cid,” Mia said. “You can go and get some rest. I’m here to watch Quazar.”

  “Altair is coming soon to do just that,” he said. “He said that he had some explaining to do with Michael.”

  “Well then, we may never see him again,” Mia said wryly.

  Varden kissed Mia’s cheek.

  “Murphy told us about your and Victor’s epic battle.”

  Brian looked up, interested.

  “It was more of a discussion with swords,” Mia explained to her son.

  “Who won?”

  “According to Dis Pater, we both lost and won.”

  “Who’s Dis Pater?” Brian asked.

  “He’s the Roman god of the underworld. He protects the graves of the poor and forgotten. We were making a lot of racket in the graveyard and got told off.”

  “The Countess said we should be respectful of the dead,” Brian said. “She also said that I ask too many questions.”

  “The Countess isn’t used to children,” Mia said.

  “I liked her and Maurice. They helped Aunt Audrey to not to feel afraid.”

  “I’m glad.”

  Altair walked in. Mia locked eyes with him.

  “I’m in one piece,” he said, revealing his wings.

  “Those are like your new ones, Mom,” Brian said.

  “Yes, we’re twins,” Altair said. “But I’m prettier.”

  “Well, I’ll let you girls battle it out,” Cid said. “I’m going to get some sleep.”

  Varden watched Cid climb all the stairs. Mia was pleased that her children had so many good role models.

  Altair walked by Mia, stopped, and backed up. He picked up Varden and smelled his pants.

  “Lazar just changed him,” Brian said.

  Altair set Varden on the ground, pointed to him, and told Brian, “Watch him.”

  He then pulled Mia to him and sniffed her. “It’s your mother. She stinks.”

  “I do?”

  Altair whispered. “You smell like a fallen. Abigor?”

  “No. Roumain sent me to the mages to heal.”

  “Uh huh,” Altair said, shaking his head. “Careful. Does he know how you objectified the Nephilim?”

  “Why are you here?”

  “I’m Heaven’s emissary for the big meeting.”

  “Who’s normally the emissary?”

  “My sister, but I convinced her she had a headache.”

  “When is the meeting? Roumain didn’t tell me.”

  “Sometime today. Once they heard that you have a witness that may expire at any moment, they made an effort.”

  “Excuse me, I better get cleaned up,” Mia said. “Come on, Brian, let’s go in and throw clothes around mommy’s closet.”

  “Wear something high necked,” Altair advised.

  “Why?”

  “So they can’t smell fallen on you.”

  Chapter Thirty-five

  Mia peeled the bandage off her cheek and looked at herself in the mirror. The woman who looked back at her was fearful. She practiced a look of confidence a few times before she left the room.

  “You look beautiful,” Ted said. “New dress?”

  “Actually, it’s one of the dresses Ralph bought me that I refused to wear.”

  “It looks very nice.”

  “You should wear a suit.”

  “I’m not coming,” he said.

  “Why?” Mia asked.

  “Orion said that some things may be said that I might find objectionable. He’s worried I’ll wig out and spoil the whole event.”

  “He’s wrong,” Mia said. “I want you there.”

  “No, you don’t,” Ted said. “Mighty Mouse, I know my strengths, and seeing you with Angelo…”

  “Whoa, what?”

  Ted blinked twice. “You knew Angelo was going, didn’t you? He’s the emissary for the Brotherhood. Evidently, when a full meeting is called, all allies are encouraged to send at least one emissary.”

  “I didn’t know.”

  “I believe you.”

  “Please reconsider,” Mia asked.

  Ted’s eyes softened. “Why, because I make you feel brave?”

  “Yes, and you’re part of what I’m fighting for. I’m trying to live a life filled with love, and you’re a primary player.”

  Ted raised an eyebrow.

  Mia moved over to him and said, “All the good that I’ve become has been b
ecause of you, my love for you, your love for me, and our friendship. Yes, you make me brave. But more importantly, you bring me joy and children.”

  “With beaks, according to Brian,” Ted said.

  Mia kissed the top of his nose.

  “Mia, I trust you to come home to me. I’ll stay with the children. Take Murphy with you.”

  “No.”

  “You have to. He’s a witness, as is Burt.”

  “Whoa, I forgot. I better call Burt.”

  Ted looked at her oddly. “I called him. Your eggs are still a bit scrambled, aren’t they?”

  Mia touched his face. “Why do I feel that you’re not going to be here when I come home?”

  “Because you’re being hypervigilant, not that I blame you. A lot of shit has happened since that damn birthday cake. Cid, Mike, Audrey, Glenda, and I will be here waiting for you three to come back with a positive result. We were all involved, but only the three of you, along with Altair, remember it. Orion is going because he is petitioning the council to take action on the members who issued the contract on Luke.”

  “What else is going on, Teddy Bear?”

  “I’m sorry for forcing you to go and see Michael. I’d kill him if I had the chance.”

  “If you’re worried about all that crap that I was spewing when I came back while you were gone, I can explain. My mind was fragmented because of the forced demon extraction.”

  “I thought you were mad at me because of forbidding Burt.”

  “I rather you not forbid Burt. Maybe just suggest strongly.”

  Ted laughed. “Gee, I can hear it now. I sound like a petulant insecure male.”

  “You and I aren’t great with social graces.”

  “I guess I worry because Burt met you first.”

  “Actually, thanks to the candle, I met you before Burt. I released you from your locker. My first memory of us is of you exiting, big feet first, from the locker. As soon as I saw that nose, I fell in love.”

  “That’s not how I remember that day, but had you been there, I hope you weren’t put off by my awkwardness.”

  “One of your best features.”

  “What did you look like?”

  “Flat chested, underweight, bossy.”

  Ted laughed. “So when did the donut habit start?”

  “I’m so going to make you pay for that remark when I get back. Right now, I don’t want to mess up my hair.”

  “What happened to your hair?”

  “Victor.” Mia narrowed her eyes.

  “Ah, the epic battle.”

  “Yup.”

  “He and Nicholai are transporting Quazar.”

  “Please come, if only to stop the next epic battle.”

  “No, you can do this. Come home to me.”

  “I will,” Mia promised.

  ~

  They waited for Roumain in the barn. He arrived dressed to the nines. He opened a portal and ushered them inside. He waited until the birdmen brought Quazar in in chains. He stepped through and closed the portal.

  Mia found herself alone in a vast wilderness of darkness. The only lights she could see came from the stars in the heavens. There was a supernova giving color to the eastern sky. To the west was darkness brought forth by three dead moons. A flicker pierced this darkness. The flicker became a flame, and the flame became a small campfire. Thirteen shadows approached the fire to light their torches. The shadows became women, and the women moved outwards from the circle, lighting torches along the way. Soon Mia could see the vastness of the assembly. There were over a thousand women, living and dead, in attendance. A thousand witnesses to what was going to take place. Mia shivered.

  Tonya Toh walked towards Mia and held out her hand. “Welcome, Mia Cooper Martin, to the full assembly of the Council of Women. Follow me please.”

  Mia followed Tonya to a line of seats arced before the fire. She pointed to one and said, “Sit.”

  Mia sat.

  Mia could hear murmurs behind her, whispers across from her, and sighs around her. This gave her comfort, knowing that there were other beings there. A large dais rose just the other side of the fire. Thirteen spirit women appeared, seated behind a curved desk. Each was very old, having lived a full earthly life. The centermost woman stood. A hush fell over the assembly.

  “Welcome, all, to the special assembly of the Council of Women. I would like to thank our allies, the birdmen and the angels, for sending representatives to take part in this session. For our visitors’ benefit, I am Ameen. I was appointed by the universe to form a council when Heaven gave us a charter to exist. We were given direction to manage the paranormal entities who interact with the living human population. We guide and judge them when we feel they have broken the rules. We ourselves are governed by the same rules. We are not to interfere with the living.”

  She walked behind each of her companions and introduced them. Mia could see that it was a diverse group not only in culture but in the time each wise woman lived.

  Ameen finished and returned to her place and addressed the assembly, “Many of you are asking yourselves, why are we here tonight? It’s not often we join en masse for anything other than a celebration of women. A few of the governing council were approached by Judge Roumain with a serious concern. He is worried that there may have been unauthorized actions taken by members of this council, unbeknownst to the governing authority. We asked him to come and present the evidence to all of us. If you have corroborating evidence or can prove his evidence false, please see one of the thirteen ushers, and we will let you speak. Also, we have added on another request at the last moment. Orion Stavros, recently retired of the Brotherhood of the Wing, has a grave matter to discuss. He has brought in evidence and requests us to take action.”

  Ameen sat down and prepared her papers before nodding to Tonya.

  “Council of Women, I invite Judge Roumain to approach the fire.”

  There were gasps of fear and appreciation when Roumain walked in. He could not have looked more ominous had he been Mr. Rochester, or beautiful and brooding like a Haitian Mr. Darcy. Mia could see that, at least physically, he was appreciated.

  “Hello, thank you for having me. Bear with me, I have a lengthy tale to tell you. It’s important for you to listen to it first before I present my case. Once upon a time, some members of this council came up with a plan to tip the balance and put good on top again. They painstakingly, over two generations, manipulated three couples in order to produce an assassin so talented that she would have no trouble in killing Abigor the duke of Hades.”

  There was a murmur in the assembly.

  “This isn’t a crime. We breed livestock and graft roses to produce stronger lines. But they didn’t stop there. They put this baby in a cold negative environment. Anytime during her formative years when anyone gave this child love and she returned this love, they destroyed them. Why? They felt the child needed to be bred to hate, to kill without caring, and to have such a low moral code as to seduce a fallen and then kill him.”

  The audience mumblings were louder.

  “Quiet!” Ameen said, banging a gavel. “Judge Roumain, this is a fanciful story. Where is your proof?”

  “May I present Mia Cooper Martin. Mia, stand up.”

  Mia stood.

  “She is my proof. I have given you copies of her lineage.”

  Tonya walked forward and whispered to the councilor at the end of the dais.

  “We have a challenge.”

  “Go ahead, challenger,” Ameen said.

  A light lit up an area of the upper tier. A woman stood and asked, “Abigor is alive. This is a lie.”

  “What do you say to this challenge?” Ameen asked.

  “Mia didn’t turn out to be the assassin the conspirators wanted. She didn’t kill Abigor. She’s been in his company many times on Earth and in Hell, but she has never lifted a finger to assassinate the duke of Hades. The conspirators failed. You would think they would lick their wounds and go back to the charter
they were entrusted to do - which has nothing to do with genetic manipulation - but no, they decided to kill Mia Cooper Martin.”

  “But she is before us,” Ameen said.

  “They failed again. Here’s what happened,” Roumain said and told the story of the candle, leaving out the name of the contract holder. “Burt snapped the candle and time resumed.”

  “I take it Mia can corroborate this story?”

  “She is a witness as is Stephen Murphy and Burt Hicks. I have brought them here. They are waiting to be called to testify if need be.”

  “Mia, Roumain said you read the name of the contract holder before you destroyed it and the Other.”

  “Yes.”

  “Who took the contract out?”

  “Fredericka Cooper, my grandmother.”

  There were escalating murmurs behind Mia, stopped only by the bang of Ameen’s gavel.

  “I object to the lies this chit spouts,” Fredericka yelled from somewhere in the upper tier. “I am a loyal member of this council and…”

  “Silence! You’ll get your turn. Bring Fredericka to the antechamber,” Ameen ordered. “Judge Roumain, we only have your word for this. I take it you read Mia’s mind.”

  “There is an angel here who has also read Mia’s mind. Altair.”

  “But you yourself said that Altair is in the story. His testimony is tainted already.”

  Mia shot her hand up and waited.

  “Mia, you have something to say?”

  “Yes. There is another here who recently read my mind.”

  “Who?”

  “Victor, recently of the Brotherhood. He is guarding the hostile witness of Orion’s case.”

  “Bring him,” Ameen told Tonya.

  Victor strode in. He stood in front of the fire and waited to be addressed.

  “Victor, have you been listening to these proceedings?”

  “Yes.”

  “Good. Can you verify the truth of Judge Roumain’s testimony?”

  “Yes, it is incomplete, but it’s accurate.”

  “What did the judge leave out?” Ameen asked.

  “The deer-woman who was sent to kill Mia and the three reapers who were asked to take her soul to the Dark World.”