by Alexie Aaron
“Is her husband with her?”
“Yes.”
“Then she wouldn’t like me there…”
“Abigor, is there something I should know about you and Mia? You’re not lovers, are you?”
Abigor looked at the elder birdman and shook his head. “You’re a man of letters; you would know our history, so I won’t bore us with the details. Do you think Mia came to Hell to kill me?”
“No, I think she was saving Ted from having his big brain eaten, nothing more.”
Abigor paced the room. “You see, I used to have a lock on her. I’m the one that gave her early sight, and it gave me the ability to monitor her all her life. I did this because I was supposed to kill her before she killed me, but…”
“You couldn’t do it.”
“No. I won’t tell you why.”
“I’m not asking.”
“But after Shane took her to the time before the fall, I can’t keep track of her. She worried me, popping up in Hell uninvited.”
“I spoke with her last night,” Orion started. “No one was as surprised as she by her sudden incapacitation, and it angered her that people would think that it was because she was heartbroken over Stephen Murphy.”
“I don’t think it would be the stress of killing Ruax.”
“No. She’s a trained warrior and a quick healer. Maybe it’s your rejection of her?” Orion said mischievously. He waited to see if Abigor’s ego would bite on the bait.
“Me? I had offered to put a baby in her belly, but then she pointed out that the baby would be not only a Nephilim but one with crone ability. A witch lizard is not the child I wanted to give her. Do you think I made her feel dirty and rebuffed?”
“You could just have…”
“I could have, but I was afraid she’d slice my throat. So, it’s my rejection of her that broke her heart. It all makes sense now. You should have seen her. She was dressed like…. No, you don’t need to hear that. Respectfully, since you’re her kin, I will take the time to tell you that I would take her as my 109th concubine, but she has too much baggage. It is not a rejection of her love for me. You should make her understand this or I’ll be facing a woman scorned. One who could kill me.”
Orion looked at the demon and asked, “When did you fall in love with her?”
Caught up in the memory, Abigor spoke without thinking, “The moment I picked her up in my arms just after she was born. She looked up at me and saw me. Not the demon or the fallen, but the archangel I used to be. I felt such love radiate out of that tiny baby.”
“You were her first love. Could it be that we have it all wrong? You’re the object of the Cooper curse?” Orion asked.
“I don’t know about this curse. If there was one, it would have been broken when Shane stole her and took her into the past,” Abigor said.
“That would stop you from the effects, but not Mia,” Orion warned. “To me, her illness has been explained. You broke her heart. You put her in the hospital. Intentionally or not, I fear that you’re more than inextricably interrelated.”
Orion saw that Abigor was glowing with vigor and pride. He knew he had him with his words.
“What do I do?” Abigor asked. “I don’t want to kill her, but I don’t want an assassin in my bed either.”
“I think she’s feeling better. Leave her alone. She may not even know how deep her love for you goes,” Orion lied. “Ted will take care of her. We all will. You just continue to do what you do, just leave her alone. If you want, I can take the memories of you out of her head.”
“No!” Abigor said a bit too quickly. “Let me just be a dream unrealized.”
“Fine. Now if you would excuse me, I have to find something for her to wear home from the hospital.”
“These aren’t her clothes?”
“No, she didn’t plan on staying here any longer than to rescue Sabine. The hurricane and the demon-with-no-name put a monkey wrench into that.”
“I had it all wrong. But we were in a bit of turmoil when she dropped into the pit with Ruax. And it didn’t stop when she killed him. We’re missing a demon ship, one of Leviathan’s. They thought it was Mia’s doing, but I was with her when it happened. It’s kismet that I decided to visit her at the exact time it disappeared. Orion, you’re my alibi that I didn’t sink the ship.”
“Do I need to sign something?” Orion asked as he finished packing Sabine’s clothes.
“No. I don’t think so. Of course, it could have been a natural thing that destroyed The Risen. Maybe a waterspout? That’s what I’d use if I were going to destroy a ship,” he said, glancing sideways at Orion.
Orion just continued to fuss around. “Aha! How about this?” he said, holding up a sundress that was knotted up in the corner of the closet. But Abigor had left. He smoothed out the wrinkles and allowed himself a long held in sigh of relief.
Chapter Twenty-six
Mia got out along with Kevin and kissed the tarmac when they landed. Ted almost wet himself with laughter. It’s wasn’t that the trip was turbulent, but Kevin didn’t travel well and Mia felt bad for him. So once again, she was taking care of an insecure male the entire trip.
Fergus stayed manifested throughout the entire trip, playing cards with Mason, Orion, and Ted. Ted had won three I.O.U.s. He tore up the other two but held onto Mason’s.
“Your husband counts cards,” Mason said, helping Mia into the limo.
“I know. So do you. Orion reads minds, and Fergus kept popping behind all of you. And still, you all lost to Ted,” Mia pointed out.
Mason smiled. “Do you mind if I stay with you, girly-girl, until I figure out what I’m doing next?”
“You’re welcome in my home always,” she said. “It may get a little crowded with everyone thinking they need to be with me because of my freakin’ broken heart.”
“Sorry about that.”
“Mason, as it turns out, I just needed some rest. It takes a lot out of a girl, dueling with demons.”
“Or having sex with Ted.”
“OMG, you did not just say that!”
“I could hear you two across the courtyard, sister.”
“Hear what?” Ted asked, getting in the car after loading the suitcases.
“Nothing, dear,” Mia said.
Orion sat in the corner, waiting until Kevin and Fergus settled down on the side seats after oohing and awing over the accoutrements of riding in the limo.
Orion looked at his messages. “It seems everyone is at your house.”
Mia groaned.
Ted patted her on the knee. “It’s hell being loved, isn’t it?”
“No comment. But really, all I want to do is sleep. Can we stop at the asylum and have me committed for a while?”
Mason snorted.
“Aside from sending in a birdman strike force, there is no way you’re going to get out of this outpouring of love and support,” Orion said.
“Please, call one in,” Mia said.
It was Ted’s turn to snort.
“Let the ladies fawn over and settle you in,” Orion advised. “We’ll try to rush them along.”
“No, you’ll be out in the barn drinking beers with Cid and Tom.”
“Before I forget, Kevin and Fergus,” Mia said. “Ted and I’ve discussed this. We want you to know that the farm is your home as long as you want to haunt it.”
“I appreciate that,” Kevin said. “But Fergus and I have plans. We’ll be heading west just as soon as Patrick gets tired of looking for that G damn pirate treasure.”
“They’re going to trade pirate treasure for abandoned gold mines,” Mia told Orion.
“That isn’t a bad idea. If you don’t find gold, copper is very valuable too,” he said. “I’d be interested enough to sponsor a trip…”
Mia coughed and mouthed, “Audrey.”
“I have my own money, Mia,” Orion defended. “Besides, do you know how many favors Gerald owes me?”
“Lucky you. I think we’re in the
deficit, aren’t we, Teddy Bear?”
Ted looked at her with wide soft eyes.
“But you’re so worth it,” Mia said quickly.
“Ah, gross!” Mason complained.
“They’re coming!” Audrey announced.
Cid walked out of the farmhouse and waited for the limo to slow before he opened the door. Ted got out, and Mia no sooner stood up outside the car before Cid whisked her up in his arms and headed into the house.
“She’s my wife,” Ted called after him.
Mia decided at that moment, it wasn’t going to be too horrible to be surrounded by those who loved her. “Cid, I can walk. I haven’t broken a bone…”
“Shut up and stop squirming,” he ordered.
He passed the stairs and took her through the kitchen.
“Where are we going?”
“Lazar and I thought it would be best to put you in his room, since you wouldn’t have to climb the stairs.”
“And where is he going to sleep?” Mia asked, her eyebrows up.
“He’s going to sleep over at the aerie. Sabine already has your room. Ted will have to sleep on the couch.”
“Don’t you know that cuddling is very therapeutic?”
“Not the way you two do it,” Cid growled.
“I’m sorry to be all this trouble. I’m honestly feeling great.”
Cid laid her down on the bed and walked over and shut the door. It was just the two of them. “Listen and listen good, I know the pressure you’ve been under. I have ears. I know what Murphy has put you through the last few months. For him to do this to you is inexcusable. Mike and I know that you’re committed to Ted, but there’s this whole curse thing…”
“Whoa, hold on. I was talking with Orion at the hospital, and evidently, it’s quite possible the curse didn’t latch onto Murphy at all. He won’t say how, but he says that, by me going back in time, it should have severed any ties that would bind this curse. I’ve simply overexerted myself. I’m not dying of a broken heart.”
“But to treat you so poorly after all you went through to rescue him…”
“Murphy is under the influence of the Ghost Ship Dimension. It changes the emotional balance of the ghosts existing in it, but all it does is mute the high and low feelings. I assure you, he meant what he said. He wants to stay in a dimension where he can feel alive again. I’ve brought back his axe. I would appreciate it if you would ask Kevin to put it in the stump by the woodpile.”
“See, you’re still holding on to him.”
“As I will you, when you leave us. I even miss that jerk Mike. I hear he frightened my kids and family with his theories. Still, all of you have a place in my heart. I don’t think I deserve it, but I don’t take it for granted. Now, where’s Dieter?”
“He was at the aerie when you arrived. I assume he’s running back and should be here about…”
There was a pounding on the outside door.
“Now,” Cid said and opened it.
Dieter came in like a flash and stopped in front of Mia and stared. He angled his head and stared again. “She’s fine,” he pronounced.
“I’ve been trying to tell Cid,” Mia said.
“The others think you’re ill. Act ill,” Dieter advised before he hugged her soundly.
“See,” Mia said, looking up at Cid.
He narrowed his eyes, suspicious that Mia somehow put Dieter up to lying to him.
The door opened and Audrey and Sabine came in. “Out, males,” Audrey said. “Time to get Mia in some comfortable clothes.”
Cid walked out and stopped. “Remember, I’m in charge of sick Mia,” he said.
“We know,” Sabine said. “But sick Mia doesn’t want you seeing her in her unmentionables and neither do we.” She pushed him and Dieter out the door and slammed it.
“I found these pink jammies at Nordstrom and thought of you,” Sabine said. “They have a matching robe.”
“You’re lucky you can wear pink,” Audrey said. “With my red hair, I would look atrocious.”
Mia gritted her teeth and allowed them to fuss over her. Once she was under the covers and had her pillows fluffed, they brushed her hair before pulling it back behind a pink ribbon headband.
“There. Now, if you’re up to it, you have a few guests.”
Mia opened her mouth to protest, but they had already opened the door.
Tom walked in and stifled his laughter until Sabine and Audrey walked out, shutting the door behind them.
“You look like hell, Mia. Do they know just how much you hate pink, especially wearing it?”
“Obviously not. How’d you get on my guest list?” Mia asked.
“I asked Sabine out and…”
“Good for you.”
“But my date was canceled because of you.”
“I cock-blocked you from the Caribbean? I’m one powerful broad.”
Tom pulled over a chair. “Seriously, what’s going on?”
Mia leaned over. “Ask John Ryan.”
“Shit, I knew it. So, is Murphy laying low?”
“No, he’s decided to become a sailor,” Mia said with a voice devoid of emotion.
“Damn, you’ve had a falling out.”
“For the record, there is no broken heart. Mason started speculating about it, and Cid and Mike ran with it. But it did give me a hell of an alibi. I can’t speak further. Talk to John Ryan.”
“How was Whit?”
“Whit? He looks and acts the same. We saved his ass, but I’m sure that’s not what’s in his report.”
“Where’s Patrick? I understand he’s my competition.”
“I don’t know. He’s either up at Mackinac Island or preparing to go there. Burt should be with him. They’re still hunting down the Wall treasure.”
“I noticed you brought Mason back with you.”
“Yes. I’m not sure it was a good idea. If he becomes a problem, could you put him up at Ethan’s…”
“Sure, he might as well get used to seeing a cop when he wakes up, walks the yard…”
“Honestly,” Mia scolded.
“Mom’s at training camp. She says she will cancel if you need her.”
“Tell her, the boys will be with my parents a little longer. She’s to have a good time, and if she sees a jersey number worth wearing, to buy me one.”
“I will.” Tom got up, leaned over, and kissed Mia’s forehead. “You look like Doris Day.”
“Thanks, go to hell, and I love you,” Mia said and waved at him sideways like the Queen of England does.
Tom opened the door and yelled, “Next victim.”
Mia laughed.
Time slowed to a stop. Mia pushed back against the headboard. She glanced at the outside door and planned to make a break for it, but she no sooner got a foot out of bed, when it landed on a sandy beach.
She moaned, “I just left here.”
“Have you tired of the beach?” Roumain asked, dressed more casually than Mia had seen him before. He wore a light-colored linen suit with a white shirt that was open. His massive chest was dark under the gold chains he wore. One chain looked very familiar. Mia averted her gaze to his face.
“That is not your color,” he said, waving his hand, and her clothing disappeared.
“Honestly,” Mia said, not knowing what to cover with her hands, or if it would help at all.
He smiled, took off his jacket, and wrapped it around her.
It smelled of jasmine and something else. Mia took a moment and smelled the collar, trying to figure out what the jasmine was covering up.
“I’m sorry I was less than helpful last time,” he apologized.
“You shouldn’t have been afraid, but you were right. I ended up killing Ruax.”
“So I heard. What else did you do?”
“You seem to have the inside track, why don’t you tell me?” she sassed.
“I see your patience has dwindled again,” Roumain said. He reached out and pulled her to him. “I had to watch you
flirt with Crocker for what?”
“To save three birdmen. I just put a fantasy in his mind, Roumain. I was a good girl. Fortunately, the Peacock arrived out of the blue, and I didn’t have to touch the man, much.”
“Do you know how hard it was to make that so?” he asked.
“You? Why didn’t you save the birdmen then?”
“I can’t directly interfere.”
“But you make an exception for my virtue?” Mia squeaked as he moved his hands.
“Mia, this is Abigor’s chain that you gave to Crocker. Since I can’t see into Hell, tell me, do I have to have Abigor’s seconds too?”
“Admittedly, I had to dance around that one, but no, I didn’t make love to Abigor. He’s much too narcissistic to have a child of his turn out to be a Nephilim witch. I just pointed that out to him. I did what I had to do. I’m not exactly an army. Just a woman alone in Hell. You figure it out. Just like here. I’m not going to lie to you and tell you I’m not feeling vulnerable. I’m desperately trying to be an honorable woman, but damn, you make it so hard.”
Roumain laughed and released her.
Mia knew that, if she acted like she wanted him, he would leave her be. Roumain loved to seduce but knew better than to follow through.
“How did you get the chain?” Mia asked.
“Let’s say, there is one very happy quartermaster who was just promoted. You won’t ask, but Stephen’s still on the ship.”
Mia didn’t say anything.
“You need him to have your back,” Roumain said.
“No, I don’t. I killed Ruax all by myself. I didn’t need you slowing time or Angelo coming to the rescue or Victor picking up the pieces. I did it myself.”
“And earned the name of Assassin. Is this what you wanted?”
“Of course not! But no matter how I fought it, it happened anyway. No matter how many babies you had Ted put in my body, steered me on a different course, or made my husband an insecure jerk, it still happened!”
“Tell me, what did killing Ruax for Lucifer get you?”
“One act of impunity.”
“And you used it already.”
“Yes.”
“I think Abigor suspects, no matter what garbage Orion fed him. He knows you were involved in sinking The Risen.”
