by Alexie Aaron
“My father. He says you must admit you were wrong and ask if you can work off the damages.”
“But you aren’t two yet,” Cato pointed out.
“That’s what I was telling him. But he pointed out, if I’m old enough to work with him on robots, I should be old enough to make restitution to the grocery store.”
“This child’s father is very wise. Is he human?” Cato asked.
Angelo nodded. “Theodore Martin.”
“Then you’re incorrect. This man is a wizard.”
Brian put his hand on his mouth in surprise.
Angelo frowned. “Not to my knowledge and not according to the vaults.”
“Ah, but not everything is written down,” pointed out Cato. “I will get my coat. It’s time we got Brian off the naughty step.”
Chapter Ten
Murphy stood before Dieter with his hat in his hand. “I’ve come as a representative of The Rock miners.”
Dieter nodded in understanding. “I wondered why you chose to have a discussion in my bedroom.”
“They wish to have their brethren returned to them.”
“I collected them in good faith,” Dieter said. “They had fallen in battle.”
“They’re ghosts. They would just regenerate, like me.”
“There is no one like you, Stephen,” Dieter said. “I have twenty-three spirits in this jar. How am I supposed to call just two out?”
“I have their names if it would help.”
“It could.”
“Edgar Pulaski and Short Leg Hardy.”
“Short Leg Hardy, what’s his given name?”
“No one seems to know, but he has a short leg.”
Dieter walked over to the shelf and took the dishtowel off of the jar and asked, “How am I supposed to tell if one of these has a short leg?”
“It’s obvious,” a little old man said from the doorway. “May I?” he asked.
Dieter took the jar from the shelf and lowered it and himself down to the level of the wrinkled old man.
“See how these spirits zip around? This one loops.”
“You are very wise, old father. Tell me, are you an attrpeur-âme?”
“No, but I’ve been around for a long time. I may have learned a few things.”
“Edgar Pulaski, come,” Dieter called.
A light moved to the top of the jar. Dieter released it into the room.
“Short Leg Hardy, come,” Dieter commanded.
The loopy light made its way through the faster lights to the surface of the jar. Dieter released it too into the room.
They watched as the lights slowly manifested into the forms of men. Pulaski had vibrant red hair, torn overalls, and a chambray shirt. Short Leg was as advertised, a young man with a leg two inches shorter than the other. He was quick to take off his hat when he realized he was inside a home. Dirt fell from his blonde hair.
“Come on, lads, I’m going to take you home. It’s quite a walk,” Murphy said.
Dieter watched them leave the room. He replaced the jar.
“What are you going to do with the rest of them?” the sage asked Dieter.
“To be honest, Sir, I don’t know. The light didn’t come. I’m responsible for them until it does.”
The man nodded his head. “I am Cato, a sage of the third order.”
“It’s good to meet you, Cato. I’m Dieter, an attrpeur-âme on sabbatical until I’m thirty years of age. I’m expected to get an education before returning to service. I am from Nigeria.”
“May I ask why you are here?”
“I’m to be a big brother to Brian and the other Martin children to come.”
Cato smiled. “I knew a man from your native land when it was named something else. He had walked a hundred miles to buy his sweetheart a wedding present. I believe his name was Shangor. You see, he didn’t have to walk all that way at all. The ability to make something valuable out of something that wasn’t, was with him all along.”
Dieter sat down on the bed. “Why are you here, Cato?”
“I’ve come to get your brother off the naughty step.”
Dieter laughed. “Brian has been spending a lot of time there recently.”
“He will learn. You will help him?”
“Yes, sir, I will try.”
Cato nodded and walked out of the room. He moved slowly, marveling at the construction of the house. He liked the way the rug of the hall felt under his feet. He slid off his shoes and wiggled his toes.
Angelo, who stood at the entrance to Mia’s bedroom with a firm hand on Brian, waited patiently for Cato.
Brian wanted to run in and be with his mother, but he had spent long enough with Angelo to know that the birdman had his best interest at heart. Angelo’s word was law.
“Are you ready to meet Mia, Cato?”
“Yes, yes, let me put on my shoes first.”
Brian wiggled away from Angelo, ran over, and held the shoe while the old man put his foot in it. Brian didn’t mind when Cato used his head to balance as he put on his second shoe.
Mia heard voices outside her room. She expected to see Ted enter the room, but when Angelo stood there with Brian in hand, she was overwhelmed.
“Don’t cry, Mommy. I’ll behave,” Brian said, climbing into bed and hugging her.
“No, I’m crying tears of joy. I’m happy to see you, all of you. I missed you.”
“I missed us too.”
“Angelo, welcome. Thank you for saving my son.”
“It was my honor. Mia, may I present Cato. He has come to…”
The wrinkled old man held up his hand to silence Angelo. “I’ve come to act on Brian’s behalf with the matter of the mistaken banishment of Mbengar.”
“You, sir, are most welcomed. Forgive me for not rising. I’ve been ordered by Michael to remain in bed.”
“The archangel?”
“Yes.”
“I thought the two of you had a falling out.”
“There was definitely a falling involved,” Mia grumbled.
“My mommy lost her wings. But she can run real fast!” Brian said, taking his mother’s hand in his.
“Mia, what happened?” Angelo asked.
“That’s right, you were already gone. Basically, I defeated Aosoth, but her sea snake had already bitten my ankle and the poison was moving. I had to save my baby, so I bound off my leg with my hair and started to cut off my leg. I could see that this method was too slow so I took my sword and…”
“I stopped her,” a familiar voice said from behind them. “I believe this is yours, misfit.” Michael set Mia’s sheathed sword down on her dresser.
Cato looked at the archangel and bowed his head. Angelo gave a curt nod. Brian rushed over and jumped into the surprised arms of Michael.
“You saved my mother!”
“No, your mother saved herself. I just helped heal her. She is still very weak, so you must be a good boy,” Michael said and set Brian down.
“I promise.”
“I’ll leave you to your guests. We will speak again,” Michael said and disappeared.
Angelo’s face relaxed.
Mia tried not to smile. “Brian, could you introduce me to your friend?”
“Cato, this is my mother Mia. Mom, this is Cato. His people aren’t wrinkly; he is just very old.”
“Cato is a sage, Mia,” Angelo informed her.
“It’s an honor to have you in my home. Please sit down.” Mia indicated the chair by her bedside.
“I don’t mind if I do. You have a lovely home.”
“Thank you. You mentioned you can help with Mbengar?” Mia asked.
At the sound of his name, the room trembled. The walls seemed to move away from Mia’s bedside.
Brian rushed over to Angelo as the floor opened up and Mbengar rose.
“Welcome to my home,” Mia said, staring at the demon. “I’m sorry for the misunderstanding.”
Mbengar, who was unused to the light of day, squinte
d as it looked around and spotted the culprit. “Brian.”
Cato studied the fabled demon guardian. The ten-foot humanoid entity was covered with shiny scales. Its large black eyes had an inner lid that blinked as it got used to the air of the room. It had large lips and gills instead of ears. The long arms were strong, as were the massive muscular legs. “Mbengar, I’m Cato. I wish to act as arbitrator between you and Brian.”
Mbengar rolled his head and studied the ancient human before him. “Can’t the boy speak for himself?”
“He can,” Mia interrupted. “Brian, do you have something to say to Mbengar?”
“Yes, Mom.” Brian nervously walked out of Angelo’s protective grasp. “I’m sorry I sent you to hell. I misunderstood my mother. I hope you didn’t get hurt.”
The demon sighed. “I’m sorry, you didn’t know I was there to protect you.”
“You were?”
“Yes. The birdmen are not the only beings that are interested in the safety of children.”
“They aren’t?” Brian asked, but this question was echoed in the minds of Angelo, Mia, and Cato.
“No, I was sent so Aosoth didn’t simply take you away.”
“Oh.”
“You see, she couldn’t hurt me; no one can. So imagine my surprise when you sent me to hell. Lucifer’s barbs were particularly hurtful when he pulled me from the pit of despair.”
“I’m sorry. I will pay for the damages with what’s left of my allowance.”
Mbengar shook his head slowly.
“I could work for you after I work off the mess I made in the produce section,” Brian suggested.
Mbengar shook his head, although Mia thought she saw a bit of a smile pull at the large lips.
“Have you been to hell?” he asked Brian.
“No. My mother has, three times.”
Mbengar turned his head and looked at Mia, impressed. He turned back to Brian. “Hell is a place where they punish people, beings, and whatnot.”
“Oh.”
“Be very careful, and think it through before you send someone there.”
“I will.”
“Can we consider the matter resolved, or should I prepare the boy for the demon court?” Cato asked.
Mbengar winced. “No, I would not subject the boy to the court. I think he understands what he did. But I would like to address how he knew how to perform the spell.”
Mia raised her hand.
“How is it, you know how to do this?” Cato asked.
“I spent some time in New Orleans, and although I wasn’t trained, I picked up a few things. May I explain?”
Cato looked at Mbengar. It nodded.
“When it became apparent that we were going to be facing a virgin-eating entity, I told Brian, if he was taken from me, to perform the rite in hopes that he would be saved, and the entity would not be harmed, just sent momentarily to hell. I had no idea about the pit of despair. I sent my fiancé there!”
Angelo laughed at the memory.
Cato nodded. “That’s right, you mistakenly got engaged to Sticks.”
“He’s a child!” Mbengar said, outraged.
“And I was married,” Mia confessed. “It was a mistake. He undid the engagement.”
“Dropped her out of a tree on her head,” Angelo said. “I caught her.”
“There is a strange bond between the two of you,” Mbengar observed.
“He is my mother’s oldest friend besides Murphy,” Brian said proudly. “I’m going to be a birdman one day.”
Cato closed his eyes a moment. “Can we get back to the matter at hand?”
“Oh yes. I took my knowledge of the rite and used it once on a very annoying demon and then on a violent ghost. Judge Roumain chastised me for my actions. I will be spending a very long time in purgatory.”
“At least it isn’t the pit of despair,” Mbengar said.
“Mbengar, I feel that this is my fault. If you would wait until I deliver my child, I will go freely and make restitution,” Mia said.
Angelo’s hands fisted. Cato saw this but thought it would be better if he dealt with Angelo at a later time. Cato spoke up, “Mbengar, is this satisfactory?”
“Mia, you invited me into your home, knowing I could destroy everything and everyone here.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“We meant well, but we were in the wrong. There is so much that we don’t understand about the world in which you inhabit. To me, a rose is a flower; to you it may be a weed. I have so much to learn.”
“I would like you and Brian to come to my home when the child is ten. I would like him to learn about my culture and my history. I will consider this his and your restitution.”
Cato looked at Mia.
“Brian, I think this is fair. What do you think?” she asked her son.
Mbengar looked at the child while he thought it through. “I think it would be the responsible thing to do. I accept the punishment.”
“No, Brian, this isn’t a punishment,” Mia said quickly. “It is an opportunity to learn.”
Mbengar seemed to finally see these two people with new eyes.
“Yes. I will be there. I hope to be flying by then,” he said, looking up at Angelo.
Mbengar laughed.
Cato was shocked but held his tongue.
“I’ll take Brian downstairs for a snack,” Angelo said. “Cato, would you like to join us?”
“Yes, I have only seen this palace’s second floor. I would like to see the rest.”
Mbengar waited until the door shut before asking, “Why are you bedridden?”
“I tried to cut off my leg with a birdman’s knife when I was bitten by the sea snake head of Aosoth’s whip.”
“May I see?”
Mia nodded and flipped the covers off her leg. She displayed the festering circle. “I got as far as the bone, and then I knew I was running out of time, so I raised my sword, and well, that’s when Michael stepped in and stopped me.”
“The poison?”
“Gone. But the damaged part of the leg couldn’t be healed because…”
“You’re part birdman and you harmed yourself with a birdman’s knife.”
“That’s what I’ve been told.”
“Tell me, Mia, how can you be this old and not know the intricacies of your heritage?”
“It’s a very long story. Tell me, can’t you just read my memories?”
“You would let a demon in your head?”
“It wouldn’t be the first time.”
“Dear me, you’re a disaster waiting to happen,” Mbengar said.
“I promise not to read your mind,” Mia said.
“I didn’t think of that,” Mbengar said. “You can do that?”
“You’ve lived this long and…”
“Touché.”
Chapter Eleven
Ted breezed into the kitchen to find Brian sitting there with a very old man. Angelo had his head in the refrigerator.
Ted walked out and in again. They were still there. “Brian!” he said, scooping up his son and swinging him around.
“Dad, put me down. You’re embarrassing me,” Brian said, trying to act mature.
Ted did just that. “Angelo, making yourself at home I see. Hello, I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Ted,” he said, reaching out his hand to the wrinkled old man.
Cato gripped Ted’s hand firmly and read everything in Ted’s body right down to his double helix.
“Who was your father, young man?” Cato asked.
“Reginhard Martin.”
“Thought so.”
“Have you met my father?” Ted asked, intrigued.
“No. Just trying to figure out how you ended up on his branch of the family tree.”
Ted looked over at Angelo, who was scowling.
“You and I need to talk in private,” Cato said.
“How long are you staying?” Ted asked.
“It depends on my ride,” Cato said, no
dding Angelo’s way.
“Dad, Cato lives in the mountains where I was having a timeout.”
“I wondered where you were. I wasn’t worried because you were with Angelo,” Ted said honestly. “Thank you for saving my son and taking good care of my family.”
“It is my honor to do so,” Angelo said stiffly.
Ted turned to Cato. “Would you like to see my workshop? I think Cid has some snacks in the office refrigerator.”
“Can I come?” Brian asked.
“Have you talked to the grocery store manager yet?”
“No…”
“Sorry, bud, but even a demon attack shouldn’t get in the way of doing the right thing.”
“Yes, Dad.”
“I’ll feed him some lunch,” Angelo offered. “Brian, how about an omelet Angelo style?”
“Please.”
Ted escorted Cato out the back door. The last thing both heard was Brian ask Angelo, “How can you, a birdman, eat eggs?”
“I’m not a chicken, Brian!”
Mbengar lifted its hand from her forehead. “The lake nymphs did a nice job repairing you. Tell me, how can you still be kind to that beast that tore off your wings?”
“I’m trying to understand the pressure he was under, and I admit to being responsible for not keeping him informed of my activities. I only miss my wings when I have to fight something bigger than me. Actually, I hated them,” Mia confided. “I’ve always been a freak. Wings didn’t help.”
“You’ve been used horribly.”
“Stuff happens.”
“Your daughter taken from you…”
“Her soul’s inone of Sabine’s daughters. Sabine could not be a better mother.”
“You seem to find the good side to almost everything.”
“I try, but it doesn’t always work. I love what I do now. I really love saving lost souls and helping people with paranormal problems. It’s something I think I’m good at. Tell me, is your world bothered by the dead too?”
“What an unusual question. We have the ability to control the dead, so I’d say no.”
“You’ve given me quite an education.”
“Mia, your leg will soon heal, and you’ll be up and around soon.”
“Thank you for understanding about Brian.”
“I’m not a monster. I’m a demon.”
