Releasing the Demons: Solarian Chronicles II

by Mallory Anderson

  Mickala took his hand. “Thank you, Uncle.”

  He sighed. “I can’t stay long myself. I have a meeting to get to, but I had to fly down and meet the newest member of our family.” He hugged her, then shook Aiden’s hand. “Oh, little Selene’s present is with Ian, and don’t say I shouldn’t have. I didn’t spend a dime to it.”

  She gave a tired laugh. “You know me all too well, Uncle Ari.”

  * * *

  Later that afternoon, after another nap, she was up and walking around, albeit slowly, and she still had an IV in her hand. Aiden was walking beside her, Selene sound asleep in his arms. Afterwards, she sat in her chair, and her friends and family packed the room. Selene snuggled against her mother’s chest, awake and watching, her eyes seeming to follow whoever was speaking. Mickala had turned her back to her human form, and her blonde hair was already long, and her blue were wide as they darted around the room.

  “She’s so beautiful. Thank God she looks like her mother.” Aiden smirked, flipping EJ off, and everyone laughed.

  Around nine, everyone had left, and she fed Selene before changing her again. Aiden placed her in her bassinet, and he stretched out in the chair, lights dimmed low. The TV was on, but almost muted, and Selene only woke twice. The first time, Aiden gave her a bottle, and the second time, Mickala got up and fed her, singing softly. Aiden smiled faintly, his eyes still closed, recognizing the language as Solarian. Slowly, the infant’s eyes closed, and she laid her gently back in her little bed, but it was close enough to Mickala’s so she could hold on to her tiny hand, dropping off to sleep herself.

  Selene’s pediatrician was the same woman who’d taken care of Mickala when she’d been reborn the past four times. She smiled at Mickala after examining the infant early the next morning. “Selene looks fantastic, your Highness. She’s completely healthy, and your doctor says you’re healthy, so I don’t see any reason you can’t go home this afternoon. How do you feel?”

  “Pretty good, actually. Ready to go home,” she said, looking up at Healer Jones.

  He smiled faintly. “Of that, I have no doubt. I’ll get your release papers started.”

  As soon as he left, Aiden called Ian and asked if he and Nehela could bring Selene’s car seat and an outfit. “They’re releasing them today.”

  “Yeah, sure,” Ian said. “Did you want us to grab Mickala a change of clothes as well?”

  “Yeah, that’s be great. Thanks.”

  Ian and Nehela popped into the room as Mickala fed and changed her again, then she got Selene bundled up against the cold outside before changing into her own sweater and jeans. Most babies cried when getting clothes on, but Selene just laid as quiet as she could be. Aiden made sure they had everything together when Healer Jones came in with a wheelchair, and she eyed it. “Do I have to get in?” she asked.

  “Yes,” he said matter-of-factly.

  She rolled her eyes skyward. “Ugh.”

  Healer Jones laughed quietly as she settled in, then Aiden handed her Selene. “It’s amazing how even the most headstrong Princess in the history of Solaris will give in to a Healer.”

  “Oh, haha,” she replied, then looked down at Selene. “Well, little princess. Are you ready to go home?”

  Selene smiled up at her, and her eyes flicked up to the balloons Aiden was tying to the back of the chair, and Ian and Nehela were carrying her flowers and gifts. Once they got to the car, Aiden strapped Selene in her seat, then helped Mickala up into the SUV’s back seat.

  * * *

  Once they got home, they showed Selene her new room, and the baby’s eyes were huge as she took in her new environment. Kita and Ash smelled the baby intently, their intelligent golden eyes keen. Selene was unafraid of the wolves, patting their cold, wet noses, so Mickala and Aiden took her outside long enough to see Adelaide and Titus. Both stallions nuzzled her cheeks gently, mentally welcoming the newest princess, and she actually laughed, touching each of their huge cheeks.

  They went back inside and sat in the living room. Mickala put Selene in a swing which rocked itself, playing several nursery rhymes. She was as content as she could be, and Mickala smiled as Aiden brought her something to eat and drink. “Thanks so much,” she said, then looked around. “Where’s Mom and Travis?”

  “She went to the store,” EJ replied, sitting cross-legged on the floor beside his niece. “I think she’s planning on buying out the place. She took the truck, then had Chad and Philip go with her in their truck, and she was still talking about not having enough room.”

  She laughed. “That sounds like my mother. She’s waited three thousand years for this. I promise you, no one will have to cook anything the entire time she’s here. And probably not for a month afterwards.”

  When Michelle got back with Chad and Philip almost two hours later, she squealed when she saw Mickala, Aiden, and Selene home. She hugged them tightly. “I told the others I wanted to make sure you didn’t have anything to worry about.”

  Fortunately, they all had otherworld speed and strength, or it would have taken all night to bring the mountain of groceries in. Bags covered every available surface in the kitchen, sometimes even two layers deep. Mickala tried to help, but they attempted to banish her from the kitchen. “Can I at least sit at the table?” she asked with a laugh.

  Aiden grinned. “Sure. As long as you keep your hands where we can see them.”

  “Can I at least use my powers, then? You all know me. I can’t stand not doing anything.”

  Michelle rolled her eyes, and Travis laughed, laying a hand on her shoulder. “She comes by it honestly, Michelle,” he reminded her.

  * * *

  By the time they finished, the cabinets, refrigerator, freezer, and even the deep freezer had been filled to bursting. They gave Mickala a bottle of water, then sent her back into the living room. Selene was sound asleep, and Mickala leaned back on the couch after turning the swing back on. Kita curled up on the floor in front of the baby, and Ash jumped up on the couch, his head in Mickala’s lap. Before she realized it, she’d gone to sleep herself.

  Michelle laughed, nudging Aiden’s arm, and he grinned. “Well, Healer Jones said to sleep when Selene slept.” The doorbell rang, and he jumped to get it before it woke Mickala up. He laughed, hugging his adoptive mother hard. “Michelle said you were flying in, but why didn’t you call me? I would’ve picked you up from the airport.”

  “I wanted to surprise you,” Alex said with a laugh, and he noticed grey shooting through the rich brown hair which hadn’t been there just a few short years ago. “It’s so good to see you, Aiden,” she smiled, then hugged him again. “Now, where’s my grandbaby and my daughter-in-law? How are they?”

  Aiden laughed. “They’re both just fine, and passed out in the living room.”

  “Oh, okay. I won’t wake them,” she said, pitching her voice soft.

  Michelle came in and hugged Alex. “I’m glad you could make it.”

  Aiden took her bag firmly. “I know you weren’t planning on staying in some hotel. You know we’ve got plenty of room.”

  Alex laughed. “Somehow, I knew you were going to say that. Where’s Ian, EJ, and the others at?”

  “We’re in the kitchen, Ms. Miller,” Ian replied.

  “Let me guess, you aren’t letting Mickala do anything?” Alex asked with a laugh, being quiet so she wouldn’t wake her or the baby up.

  Michelle grinned at her. “Not a bit, and she can’t stand it.”

  Thirty One

  Song of Sorrows

  When Mickala woke up, she saw the swing was empty, then she heard Michelle and Alex talking in the kitchen. She stretched and yawned, then joined them. “Hey, Alex.”

  Her mother-in-law looked up and grinned, holding Selene while she greedily sucked down a bottle. “Hey, sweetheart. How are you feeling?”

  “Much better,” she replied. “They won’t let me do anything.”

  Alex laughed. “Trust me, you’ll thank us later.”

  “U
s?” Mickala repeated. “You mean, you’re in league with them?”

  “Afraid so. At least for a day or two,” she said.

  Dinner that night was long, loud, delicious and full of laughter, then they all sent Mickala up to take a long bath. Aiden already had the water ran, and she sank into the steaming tub with a sigh, her eyes closed. Once the water grew cold, she got dressed and went into the living room with a hot cup of tea. The women were all upstairs, and she heard the men playing pool downstairs.

  They talked for a while, then she yawned so hard her jaw popped. Michelle reached and took the cup from her. “Go on and get some rest.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” she replied, gently picking Selene up and carrying her to the nursery. Once she was safely in her crib, she smiled down at her, and Ash and Kira curled up in front of the infant’s bed, obviously on guard duty. Aiden, I’m going to bed, love, she said.

  I’ll be up as soon as I finish this game, he promised.

  She gave a mental headshake. Take your time, love. Selene’s in her crib, and I’ve got the baby monitor by the bed. Aiden said okay, and she was asleep as soon as she crawled into her bed. She didn’t even wake when Aiden slid in beside her.

  It was about 2:30 when she heard a faint babble and grunting, and she gave a low groan as she got up, padding silently to the nursery. Selene was hungry, and Mickala sat down with her in a rocker as she fed her, singing softly to her in English and Solarian. After she finished eating, Mickala burped and changed her, and Selene was already almost asleep again as she turned the mobile back on. She laid her gently in the crib before almost crawling back to her own bed.

  It was almost five when she heard Selene wake up again, and she started to get up, but Aiden laid his hand on her hip. “It’s my turn,” he said with a yawn. “Go back to sleep.” She gave a sleepy smile of thanks, her eyes already closing.

  * * *

  When she woke again, it was almost 8:30. Aiden wasn’t in bed, but she heard a soft snoring through the monitor, and she laughed as she got up. Selene was just beginning to wake up, and Aiden was asleep in the rocking chair, his chin on his chest, his long black hair framing his face. She woke him up gently, and he jumped slightly. “I didn’t even realize I’d gone to sleep,” he said. “I was watching her sleep, then the next thing I knew, I’ve got this beautiful angel waking me up.”

  She smiled, then scooped Selene up. “Good morning, little princess,” she said in a soft coo, and Selene giggled. There wasn’t any other word for it. Mickala’s eyes went wide, but she didn’t say anything. She changed her diaper and worked on getting her dressed. They went into the kitchen, and no one else was up yet. Aiden brought Selene’s swing in, setting it on the table, then fastened her in it as Mickala began sneakily cooking breakfast.

  The others began trailing in, drawn by the smell of food and coffee. Michelle tried to take over, but Mickala put her hands on her hips. “I’ve let you lot boss me around enough, but the sooner I can get back to normal, the happier I’ll be.” Michelle laughed, conceding with her hands up in defeat. Chad and Philip were making funny faces at Selene, who grinned back up at them.

  Alex tried to interfere when she came in, but Michelle stopped her. “She won’t be happy if we keep sitting her down. She let us do it yesterday, but that’s about all we’re going to get out of her.”

  “Oh, all right,” Alex said. “Do you at least need something from the store?”

  Michelle laughed. “I think I beat you to that, as well.”

  “‘Think’?” Philip asked, laughing. “You cleaned the store out.”

  Alex made some more coffee, then passed cups out before making another pot for backup. They were just waiting on biscuits, and Mickala leaned against the counter, looking at her family, blood and otherwise, and she smiled, the cup warming her hands.

  “You’ve gotten everything you ever said you wanted,” Michelle said, coming to stand beside her.

  Mickala laid her head on her mother’s shoulder. “Was it like this when I was born? This, feeling of, I don’t know, completion?”

  “Exactly like this,” she said, kissing her head. Despite everything you’ve gone through, in all your lives, with Valez, Xiden, and Trey, you’ve finally got the one thing you always said you wanted.

  Which was?

  Your normal life, Michelle said. Being world celebrities aside, you have your husband and soulmate, your child, and you’re not having to constantly fight for your life. It’s as close to a normal life as we have any right to expect. Is it everything you thought it would be?

  Mickala smiled as Aiden looked up at her and grinned. “And so much more,” she whispered aloud, half to her mother, and half to herself.

  After a week, Alex headed home, but promised to be back in time for Christmas, then a week after Michelle and Travis went home, and they could establish a sort of routine. Mickala and Aiden would take turns getting up with Selene at night, but at two months, the baby was sleeping through the night. Little Selene was growing so fast, and at seven months, she was already trying to walk.

  * * *

  When Selene was nine months old, The Demons went back into the studio and began working on their next album. Ari was beyond thrilled to have them back in New York, and he was over at the apartment constantly. His ‘little’ present to Selene had been an onyx and ruby dragon statue Mickala knew was worth a fortune, if not priceless, but she also knew it was perfect, and it sat prominently in her nursery.

  By the time they finished the album, Selene was running all over the apartment, and they were constantly chasing her down. She seemed to grow more every day, and she loved it when they played their music loud, dancing to whatever was on. Even her strength was manifesting itself, and it promised to be something incredible. They lost track of the number of times they had to replace toys, even furniture. When their album released, it quickly went double, then triple platinum its first week, and they fell right back into place.

  Shortly before Selene’s first birthday, they began playing with the idea of going back on tour, and Nehela immediately said she would watch the toddler when they were performing. Ari wasted no time in getting a tour planned, and several of their dates sold out the day the tickets went on sale. By the time they completed everything, they had even added on a handful of dates to accommodate the demands.

  They were many who had expected motherhood to dull or blunt Mickala’s edge in their music, but in the end, it seemed to have been anything but. Nehela would be just backstage with Selene, and the child would spend the entire set staring out at her mother, an enormous smile on her face.

  Selene was almost three by the time the tour ended, and she was talking a mile a minute, but her voice was gentle. She was also incredibly smart and learning more and more every day. She loved to sing and dance, whether it was on the tour bus, the apartment, or at home in Georgia. They decorated her rooms in Atlanta and in New York with Skye from Paw Patrol, the little genies of Shimmer and Shine, and she’d developed an obsession with all the old Disney princesses.

  When she was five, they took another year off to return to Roswell to get Selene set up in school. By the time she was seven, she completely understood who and what she was, who and what her parents and family were. Her mother had imprinted most of that information into her mind when her and Mickala’s stars had connected at birth. She could now control her own transformations, and her family never knew which form they’d see her in. She seemed to be particularly fond of her full wolf form, and she, Ash, and Kita were almost unseperable. However, she also understood the need for secrecy.

  When she was almost eight, she transferred to New York City schools so Mickala, Aiden and the others could get back into the studio. The small girl fell in love with the city, her private school, and all her new friends. When it was time for them to tour, Michelle and Travis moved to New York part time so Selene wouldn’t have to miss school.

  It was difficult at first, having never left their daughter for that long before,
but they would video chat with her in the morning, when she got home from school, and every night before she went to bed. They had been gone about two months on their world tour, and they had just kicked off the Asian leg in Tokyo, Japan. It was in the middle of the night on their side of the world, and they’d just gotten into bed and fallen asleep when Mickala’s phone rang.

  * * *

  She answered, her voice thick with sleep, but she was instantly alert at the grief and sorrow in her mother’s voice. “Mom, what’s wrong?”

  Michelle was crying. “We were just getting ready to take Selene to school, but she was late coming out, and you know she’s never late getting ready. So, I went to check on her, thinking maybe she wasn’t feeling well, but, but…” she trailed off into fresh tears.

  Dread and fear clutched cold as death around Mickala’s heart, and Aiden was sitting up beside her, his own face pale, and she knew he could hear Michelle’s end of the conversation. “Mom, where’s Selene?” she asked, unable to speak louder than a whisper.

  Michelle took a deep breath to calm herself down. “When I walked in, her entire room smelled like Kaldiss. I don’t know how, but someone got in and stabbed her.”

  “She’s okay, though. Right?” Mickala asked, but she felt her hands and face going numb.

  The phone slipped from her fingers to drop to the bed, and Aiden picked it up. “Michelle? Selene’s okay, right?”

  “Aiden, Selene…she didn’t make it,” Michelle whispered.

  Mickala heard what she’d suspected from the moment she heard Michelle crying, and she buried her face in her hands. Aiden’s voice was scarcely a whisper. “We’re on the first flight home.”