A Rose by Any Other Name (Haunted Series Book 18)

by Alexie Aaron

  “Hey, this is anything but fun,” Mia said as she took off her hoodie and shook of the dust and cobwebs.

  Chapter Twelve

  Judy sat down in the Martins’ living room by the fireplace. Stephen Murphy had replenished the woodpile without being asked. Ed and she liked the cozy nature of the farmhouse. The island they shared with Komal was bitterly cold in the winter. The winds blowing off the water seemed to find their way into the castle, making it impossible to keep warm.

  Glenda had called Judy to report on how things were going at the mansion that Glenda wanted to invest in. Judy didn’t like the sound of what Stephen had already told her. She felt bad for the ghost. He was missing Mia. She had sent Ed out to talk to Stephen, hoping that He-who-walks-through-time could help him.

  “She asked you to stay away because of the controlling nature of the entity,” Ed reminded Murphy after hearing his wish to rejoin PEEPs in Chicago.

  “If I could have been stronger, I could have rejected the influence,” Murphy stated.

  “How do you become stronger?” Ed asked, interested. “For me, it is constant workouts, each time pushing myself to near collapse.”

  “I need to draw power from my land.”

  “Does it just have to be your land?” Ed asked. “I have been doing Tai Chi. It is a form of Chinese martial arts done in slow motion – shadow boxing – but what it does for me is to balance my body. But in your case, since you are dead, perhaps it can balance your spirit, enable you to become one with the land you stand upon.”

  “I have taken power when I traveled ley lines. It has fueled me, but it is temporary,” Murphy told him. “My main worry is that this thing in the house took over my mind. I became someone else.”

  “Who do you know that has the most powerful mind?” Ed asked.

  “Judge Roumain,” Murphy answered immediately.

  “I found him a powerful entity, but he fears someone else…”

  “That would be Sariel. He is the archangel whom Mia is a shield maiden to,” Murphy explained.

  “Does Mia also consider him a friend? Does she trust him?” Ed asked.

  “Yes.”

  “Then he is the one to ask.”

  “I’m not sure how to get a hold of him.”

  “Mia will know. I will have Judy call her. Be patient,” Ed advised and trudged through the deep accumulation of snow back towards the farmhouse.

  Mia listened to Judy. “I understand. I’ll see what I can do.”

  Ted looked over, very curious about the call. “Is everything okay at the farm?”

  “Yes. Lots of snow, but Ed is keeping up with it. I told him I could have someone come in and plow, but he insists it’s good exercise. He’s shoveling it by hand.”

  “Is that what has your brows knitted?”

  “No. Murphy wants to talk to Sariel.”

  “Why?”

  “I didn’t ask.”

  Ted laughed. “Mia, if you’re going to fit in with the Martin clan, you have to be more inquisitive.”

  Mia looked over at her husband fondly. “I think you’re right. If you will excuse me for a moment, I’m going to go outside and try to get above this storm to communicate.”

  “Tell the old man I said hi,” Ted teased.

  “I think I’ll pass on calling one of the most powerful archangels old man.”

  Mia took off her hoodie and pulled off the PEEPs tee. The Kevlar vest seemed tight against Mia’s body.

  “Did you put on weight?” Ted asked, surprised.

  “I think it’s muscle weight. When we can get away from here, I promise to tell you all about it.”

  “I’m very inquisitive,” Ted said, winking at her.

  “I bet you are, Martin.”

  Mia walked past Audrey and Cid, who were playing a game of gin rummy, and out the back door.

  Cid put his cards facedown and walked over and looked out the back window. There, he saw Mia walk out into the deep snow. She unleashed her wings and shot upwards. “Wow.”

  “Has Mia gone flying?” Audrey asked.

  “I never get tired of seeing that takeoff. It’s something out of the comic books. Speaking of, how’s your comic book romance going?”

  Audrey blushed before answering, “Actually, I think it’s going quite well. I don’t see him a lot because of each of our schedules, but when I do, we have so much to talk about.”

  Cid smiled and sat back down. He picked up his cards, moved a few around, laid his cards down on the table, and said, “Gin. That will give you something else to talk about,” he said smugly.

  Mia pushed through the cloud layer and into the starlit sky. She reached for Sariel’s feather, and as the heat of her fingers came in contact with the feather, Sariel appeared in front of her.

  He floated a moment observing her. “Misfit, you’ve changed. Once more, I see something different inside of you.”

  Mia moved toward him and allowed Sariel to put his forehead on hers. It just took seconds for him to see all that had befallen his friend since the last time they were together. He continued to hold her close. He ran a hand to her vest and opened it. He looked at the scar. He then moved his hands to her arm, untied the leather strap, and looked at the healing cut on her arm.

  “Mia, I find your new brother rather interesting.”

  “He’s not everyone’s cup of tea.”

  “So what are we going to do about Stephen?”

  “He has asked to see you.”

  “Really. Do you know why?”

  “No, I didn’t think it was my business to know.”

  Sariel smiled.

  “Why didn’t you call me when you were in peril, Misfit?”

  “I handled the situation.”

  “Yes, I believe you did,” Sariel said, zipping up her vest. “You’ve gained some muscle mass. I can feel the difference in your weight. The superhuman gene is actively changing you.”

  “I feel more confident. The loss of the demon made me weak.”

  “Sometimes we have to let go of what we’ve become dependent on in order to grow. The demon genes may have allowed you to fight back and intimidate others with your overt sexuality, but now you have strength rarely found in humans. I wonder how Michael will exploit the power that comes with it.”

  “Time travel?”

  “Yes, but I was thinking of the ability to open a vortex. Take the time and work with your new brother. Learn as much as you can. His knowledge has all but died out in this world. I hope he will be an ally of ours.”

  “I can’t speak for him, Sariel.”

  “You have spent time with Quentin.”

  “Yes.”

  “You were seen. Michael isn’t pleased.”

  “Quentin is my family. Michael can release me at any time.”

  Sariel’s eyes flashed. “Do not tempt him. Michael can send you to hell, Mia. What about your husband and child? Temper your words,” he warned her.

  “Yes, Sariel, I’m sorry. Forgive my newfound boldness.”

  “Misfit, you are learning. I will seek out Stephen. Mia, if I find him still dangerous, I will dispatch him. I can’t have your love for him get in the way of doing the right thing. That scar you bear upon your chest is a warning.”

  Mia bit her lip. She didn’t want to beg him to leave Murphy be. Sariel was a just being, so she would trust him.

  “I am honored by your trust, Misfit,” he said and released her. “Be careful with Quentin. He will turn on you. It’s in his nature.”

  Mia nodded. She cast her eyes downward.

  Sariel didn’t like to see her compliant, but he also appreciated her listening to his wisdom. He moved to her. “Mia, look at me.”

  Mia raised her beautiful, soft green eyes.

  “You and I will be together for a long time. Longer because of the gift your newfound brother has given you. Let us find a balance. Let me teach you, and I, in turn, will learn from you. Go now. Your husband will be worried. The snow will soon imprison you within t
he walls of that building. If you need help, just call.”

  Sariel disappeared.

  Mia dropped slowly through the clouds. She landed where she had taken off from. She was so deep in thought that she didn’t notice the snow coating her wings until Cid’s voice broke through her ruminations. “Mia.”

  She turned, shook off the snow and smiled at her friend. “Sorry, Cid, I was daydreaming,” she said, walking over.

  He looked at her wings with admiration.

  She plucked a feather and handed it to him. “My wings are nothing but feathers held together by grace and power.”

  He watched as the large feather changed in his hand. It became small enough to fit in his palm but hard enough to penetrate steel.

  “Keep it. May it aid you when you need it most,” Mia said and walked by him into the warm kitchen. There, she found Audrey setting out the sandwich fixings, Burt had the forethought to bring in.

  Cid stood out in the snow and looked at the feather. The Mia he just talked to was a far cry from the clumsy person he and Ted rescued not but an hour ago. He looked at the feather closely. During the transformation, the quill had folded over, making a ring. Cid took off his nerd tags and slid the feather on the chain so it would hang near his heart.

  “Cid, I’m making you a sandwich. Muenster or cheddar with your roast beef?” Mia asked from the open door.

  “Muenster please. Mia…”

  “Yes.”

  “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome. Please come on in before you catch a chill,” she said softly.

  He walked in, and she handed him a towel.

  “You and I are on late-watch with Ted. We need to fuel up before we hit the sack.”

  “Before you say anything,” Ted warned from behind him, “we’re not all hitting the sack together.”

  “Well gee, Ted, won’t you be lonely?” Cid teased.

  Mia started to laugh and the Dr Pepper she was drinking came out her nose. “Man, that burns!”

  Audrey handed her a napkin.

  “That’s what you get for indulging the boy,” Ted said.

  “Actually,” Mike said, “You three are sleeping in front of the fire in the front parlor. Burt and I pulled in the sleeping bags earlier from the truck to warm them up.”

  “Camping PEEPs style,” Mia said. “I call the couch.”

  ~

  Murphy sensed the man standing behind him. He turned around and addressed Sariel in his human form, “Thank you for coming.”

  “Mia’s requests are hard to turn down. I understand you’ve had a crisis.”

  “Yes, and it’s because of this that I am consulting with you.”

  “Why me?”

  “Ed, He-who-walks-through-time, thought you would be the one to consult about my question.”

  “Go on.”

  “We have encountered now and in the past some very powerful entities, ghosts if you will. Without giving myself over to the darkness, how can I compete with these dark entities? I need to protect Mia, and I can’t do it hiding out here on the farm.”

  Sariel looked at Stephen Murphy and saw a man of caliber. He didn’t seek out power for just himself. He sought out the ability to make his friend safe.

  “I was taken over by a ghost,” Murphy explained. “She was able to put her memories in my mind. I should have been able to withstand this trickery. I should have been able to stop myself from attacking my friends.”

  “Who were you trying to kill at first with your axe?” Sariel asked.

  “Burt. Mia threw herself in the way. But, Sariel, I continued to try to kill her. She pleaded with me to come around as she bore my axe blows with the shield you gave her. At any time, she could have ended me with her sword, but instead, she saved me. As soon as I was free of the mansion, I started to come around. I’m horrified by what I could have done. If not for Mia, I would have slayed them all,” Murphy confessed. “Mia stood over me and reminded me of her promise. She promised to take me out if I went specter-crazed.”

  “How does this make you feel, that your best friend would destroy you to protect others?”

  “Honestly, relieved. I know she would be heartbroken, but because of this promise, I can continue on with the knowledge that I won’t hurt anyone.”

  “Back at Dupree’s farm, you would have been justified in killing Beth Bouvier when she was conjuring an elemental, but you didn’t. Why?”

  “I will not kill. Every human life is precious. I was able to stop her another way.”

  Sariel rubbed his chin. “Mia trusts me to make the right call here, Stephen.”

  “So do I.”

  “What do you want from me?”

  “I would like to become stronger so I can withstand the mind control of the most powerful entities. I want to be able to be at Mia’s side. She sent me away because she feared I would turn on them again.”

  “That was wise on her part. I’m also sure that she is at a disadvantage because you’re not with her. Ted and the others can only do so much. You on the other hand…”

  “I’m not very powerful. I have limitations. I have to either recharge here or by drawing energy. The best energy is from the good earth.”

  “You are a farmer. It makes sense you’d have terra-power.”

  “But still I was not strong enough.”

  “We all need to recharge. Mia and I draw power from the sun,” Sariel confided. “She cannot stay long in darkness. Since the demon left her, Stephen, she is vulnerable to the dark.”

  “She does most of her investigating in the dark,” Murphy told Sariel.

  “That’s why you’re so important to her,” Sariel conceded. “Take me to your bones.”

  “The Martins moved me to the cellar under the farmhouse.”

  Sariel put his hand on Murphy’s back. The next moment, they were standing over Murphy’s grave. Sariel lifted the marble off the grave as if it were cardboard. He handed Murphy a shovel. “Dig yourself up. I’ll be upstairs conferring with He-who-walks-through-time. Call me when you have uncovered your coffin.”

  Sariel walked up the stairs. Murphy didn’t want to be that near his remains, but Sariel was not one to trifle with. Murphy looked down and started digging.

  Ed heard the cellar door open. He went to investigate and found a man sitting at the kitchen table.

  “I’m Sariel. Mia is my shield maiden.”

  “I am He-who-walks-through-time, Mia’s brother.”

  “Tell me, do you still think you’re a god?” Sariel asked.

  “The time for this land to have more than one god has long passed,” Ed said.

  “Do you know that you may be the last of your kind?”

  “No longer.”

  Sariel smiled. “You took some blood from Mia. Why?”

  “To make her my sister and not my mate.”

  Sariel looked at the giant and nodded. “You have a mate, a bird woman in the body of a Cahokian.”

  “Yes, Refugia. She likes to be called Judy.”

  “She administered to Mia in the the healing of the spectral axe wound.”

  “Yes.”

  “She did a good job.”

  “I will extend your compliments.”

  Sariel smiled. “Why do you feel I am the best one to advise the farmer?”

  “Judge Roumain is a smart entity, yet he is afraid of you. It’s a fear that is born of respect. Also, Mia trusts you. Her forgiveness is freely given, but her trust is near impossible to get.”

  Sariel nodded. “The farmer seeks power.”

  “Yes, but not for himself. He fears that he can be controlled. He doesn’t want to be a puppet. Where is he?” Ed asked.

  “I have him unearthing his grave.”

  “That’s a bit harsh.”

  “A man who can confront his death is a powerful man indeed,” Sariel said. “With every ounce of soil that the farmer lifts, he gains power.”

  Stephen continued to dig. While he did, he thought about how hard Ted ha
d worked to pickaxe his way through the concrete and then dig the four by six by six foot grave. He thought about Mia’s tender questions about the locket holding his and Marie Sarah’s miniature. The sound of the shovel hitting the top of the cedar coffin stopped the memories. He removed as much dirt as he could before he went in search of Sariel.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Audrey accepted the cup of coffee from Mike. She was rereading Albert’s diary, looking for any clues that would point to paranormal activity in the house, or information about the original use of the place where he deposited his kills.

  “We’re going to send Cid and Mia up to run measurements of the upper hallways before we get some sleep.”

  “I think that’s a good idea. How’s the nursey?” Audrey said, referring to the sleeping investigators.

  Mike laughed. “After Mia arm-wrestled the techs for the couch, they settled down. Burt ran tape on their antics. He’s hoping to use some of it as blackmail material.”

  “He didn’t?” Audrey confirmed, scandalized.

  “Burt’s got quite an odd sense of humor,” Mike said.

  “He didn’t when I was with him,” Audrey said sourly.

  “Oh, that’s right, you fell for the flitch-infested Burt.”

  Audrey glared at him.

  “Honey, none of us could tell. We just thought he was turning into an ego-driven, maniacal…”

  “I can hear you,” Burt said in Mike’s com.

  “Is your name Martin?” Mike asked.

  “No.”

  “Then stop eavesdropping. Where was I?” Mike asked Audrey.

  “Maniacal.”

  “Yes. Maniacal, fucked-up loser,” Mike said, his eyes dancing.

  “Remind me to return the favor,” Burt hissed.

  Mia staggered into the room. She followed her nose to the coffee pot. She then turned around, putting her back to the counter, slid down to the floor into a sitting position, and fell back asleep.

  “Now that’s something you don’t see every day,” Mike said, squatting down to check on the sensitive. “Mia, do you want some coffee?”

  Mia opened an eye and nodded.