The Return (Haunted Series Book 21)

by Alexie Aaron

  He walked back into the garage and related what just happened to him to his father.

  “I guess I knew this day was coming. Tom, you really do need to have a place of your own. I’m going to have to side with your mother here.”

  “Am I a disappointment to you, Dad?”

  “No, I’m very proud of what you’ve done with your career. You’re going to be sheriff soon. Think how it’s going to look, Sheriff Tom Braverman living at home with his parents.”

  “It’s never bothered you before, and I don’t think it’s bothering you now. I suspect you’re just taking the easy way out. You hate confronting Mom with anything.”

  “Now, Tom,” Don warned.

  “You’ve let her run roughshod over you your entire marriage,” Tom said and immediately regretted it. “Dad, I didn’t mean that.”

  “I know, son. Why don’t you find a temporary place until all of this can cool down? I’ll take tomorrow off and help you move your things.”

  Tom knew he could just show up at Mia’s and move into the guesthouse, but he didn’t want to put any more pressure on his friend or give the gossips fuel. He called Ethan about the possibility of him renting out one of the cottage’s bedrooms from him. The more they talked it over, the better this plan started to look. He could help to stabilize the young man while his very living there should act as a deterrent to Blair Summerfield.

  Mia sat on the floor and stretched inside the barn. She noticed the holes in the concrete floor. “Did I do that?” she asked herself aloud.

  “I heard you did,” Murphy said, appearing beside her. “So, when are you going to show off your wings to all and sundry?”

  “I’m not going to show off anything. But if you have to have wings, these are magnificent.”

  “I never got to tell you that I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you when you needed me,” Murphy said.

  “I was just going to the library. Although, I’ve had a few problems with the centers for learning before,” Mia said, her hand on her chin.

  “What happened to your hair?”

  “Victor said it had to be shorter than shoulder length, so I cut it off.”

  “You could have waited and had Ralph’s friend do it. He owes you.”

  “I wanted to show Victor I was a woman of action.”

  Murph tried to hide the smile that was forming.

  Mia changed the subject. “How did it go with Brian?”

  “I had to follow through with my threat. He’s not speaking to me right now. But I’m his godfather not his friend.”

  “Ted wasn’t upset that I left it with you.”

  “Good. I don’t want him to think that I don’t respect his views.”

  “But you don’t.”

  “I was raised different, but I can see room for compromise.”

  “That’s very big of you,” Mia said wryly. “About you flying…”

  “I don’t fly. I just move,” Murphy explained.

  “So how high can you exist away from Mother Earth?”

  “Lee, the emissary from Mother Nature, told me that when I think of Mother Nature and Earth, I should also consider the twelve dimensions within and above the land as being her domain, so I could gain power in all of them.”

  “Twelve?”

  Murphy nodded.

  “Don’t tell Ted. This will put him in an academic coma.”

  Murphy knelt and whispered, “I had to ask Cid what a dimension was.”

  “He’s the one to ask if you want a short answer, otherwise Ted’s the man.”

  “Mark Leighton wants to be like Ted.”

  “He could do worse,” Mia said, happy with the information. “Back to the flying… sorry… existing above the ground. Can you tell me how Altair ended up with a Victor-size bruise around his throat?”

  “Altair was asking him private questions, and Victor wanted him to stop. Altair also had his sword ready to bisect Victor.”

  “So maybe today I don’t have Altair come to my lesson?”

  “I’ll watch them. Why Altair was so ready to kill Victor bothers me.”

  “I may have an explanation. Evidently, all the angels are afraid of Victor. Ted says Sariel admitted as much when he notified Ted of my situation.”

  “How can you be so accepting of Victor if the angels don’t like him?”

  “Murphy, the angels don’t like a lot of things, so don’t use them as a measuring stick. When I’m faced with an unfamiliar entity, I do my best to find the kindness there. Victor is incredibly kind. Sure, he’s very taciturn about it, but I’ve seen him carry fallen comrades miles when others would have written them off as casualties. Me, I was almost dead. The light was there, and he fought to keep me from it. He is a man of kindness and compassion, unless you’re a foe or a disingenuous friend. His brother, who was a great judge of character and scary at the same time, worshiped Victor. Angelo didn’t think twice when Victor called him. These are men I respect, and so I am honored to be the recipient of Victor’s wings.”

  “Do you feel that you are expected to return a favor?”

  “Now that was well put. You’ve been practicing tact. The only pressure I feel is that he expects me to protect Varden with my life.”

  “You would anyway,” Murphy pointed out. “You did in the library.”

  “Honestly, if Varden hadn’t called for the birds, the story would be different. I couldn’t stop her. All that rage!” Mia got up from the floor and worked on loosening up her shoulders. “I’m still trying to figure out how Brian’s rudeness almost killed us all.”

  “Tell me.”

  “No, because you’re going to misunderstand.”

  “Tell me.”

  “He was rude to the ghost. I tried to apologize, but then he said, ‘According to my uncle Murphy, I don’t suffer idiots.’”

  “So it was because of me and my big mouth,” Murphy worried.

  “I knew you were going to react this way. No, my son has to understand the words he uses. He can’t mimic his hero and…”

  “Hero?”

  “Come on, Murph, the kid idolizes you.”

  “Me?”

  “You wouldn’t have been my first choice of role model for the boy,” Mia teased.

  “Who would you have chosen?” Murphy asked, ignoring the humor in Mia’s voice.

  “Cid.”

  “Not Ted?”

  “Cid thinks before he talks, and then he’s concise in what he says. My dear Teddy Bear is rather…”

  “Talkative,” Murphy filled in. “Go on, tell me more about Saint Cid.”

  “Ah, Dave’s nickname. K. Cid is loyal. He’s well-read, and he doesn’t balk at asking for help when he’s over his head. Ted and I could learn to be better at that. But, Murphy, you’re a wonderful role model too, but maybe a bit antique?”

  “Seems someone else needs a smack on the behind.”

  “Don’t try it, bud, I’m prepared now,” Mia warned.

  Cid, who was upstairs wondering why a set of his sheets were folded differently, heard more than he was comfortable with. He felt an odd tightening in his chest when Mia talked about his attributes. He realized, aside from the acerbic nickname from Dave Hult, the stoner sensitive they worked with in the past, that he had never been praised before. He’d always been second to Ted in most things. He didn’t mind it at all. The chances of finding a friend like Ted was one in a million. To have his best friend’s wife consider him a good role model for her genius son was way over the top. Sure, Ted and Mia took advantage of his good nature, but Cid took advantage of their generosity. It was a good balance.

  Mike walked into the barn wearing PEEPs sweats. Mike was fastidious with his hygiene. Having no fresh clothes with him had driven him into the company’s supply of pants and tees.

  “Okay, I’m here. Let’s see them.”

  “I beg your pardon,” Mia said.

  “The wings, missy,” Mike said, very aware that Murphy was standing guard.

  “Wait for
me,” Cid said from the top of the stairs.

  “Now I’m getting performance anxiety. Mike, hand me one of your little blue pills,” Mia said and felt a smack on her backside. “Ouch, none of that.”

  Lazar pushed the stroller into the barn and closed the door. “The boys heard a rumor that you were going to show off your wings.”

  “What the fuzzy bunny, Mike?”

  He just smiled.

  “K. Stand back. Seriously, Murph. I’ll bisect you and not be sorry.”

  Mia rolled her neck and produced the wings. As they unfolded, she rose high enough so when the armor fell into place it wouldn’t further damage the floor.

  Lazar, who had never seen anything like this aside from the movies, was gobsmacked. The massive wings were one thing, the armor another. Mia touched her new necklace and a suit of like material moved down her body.

  Mia didn’t add the helmet. She didn’t want to scare her boys.

  “Amazing,” Cid said. “Simply amazing.”

  “I like the old ones better,” Mike said. “Less threatening.”

  “Burd,” Varden said and clapped his hands.

  “I’m going to have a better pair,” Brian insisted.

  “K, enough of this,” Mia said and withdrew her armor, landed, and pulled the wings behind her, morphing back into the form all were more comfortable with.

  Lazar clapped, which started the children clapping. Mike grinned, and he and Cid joined in.

  Mia took an embarrassed bow. “Come on, they’re only wings.”

  “Bad… Bunny wings,” Mike stammered.

  “Uncle Mike, rabbits don’t have wings,” Brian pointed out.

  “Really? Well, you learn something every day.”

  “Mia, Altair mentioned he’d like to see you at the aerie at the top of the hour,” Lazar told her.

  “Thank you.” Mia looked at the wall clock. “I better hustle. Can you keep an eye on the kids?”

  “Until three,” Lazar said.

  “Cool beans,” Mia said and opened her locker, drawing out the large bag Brian was not allowed to touch. She looked around her a moment, trying to remember if she needed anything else.

  “Can I be of help?” Mike asked.

  “Just trying to get my wits together. Between these wings and the constant chatter of the raven, I’m running in circles. Do we have a PEEPs meeting scheduled?”

  “Not until Monday.”

  “K,” she said and headed out the door.

  Mike watched her. Murphy watched Mike. He almost patted his back in commiseration. Why were they rivals for something that would never happen for either of them? Still, all live tangible beings were a threat to Murphy. It was something he could no longer be.

  “I’m headed back into the city unless I could be of some help?” he asked Lazar.

  “I’ve got the boys, so I think we’re good.”

  “I’ll back him up,” Cid promised.

  “Will you guys do me a favor, please?” Mike asked. “If she starts to show signs of short temper, call me. Mia will work herself into the ground if we let her. Mia’s tells are short temper, taking a swing at Murphy, and not eating.”

  “Funny that you should know these things,” Cid said acidly.

  “Cid, with all due respect, I’ve known Mia longer than you,” Mike said and walked out.

  Altair watched Mia run up the hill. She carried her equipment on her shoulder. Mia was stronger than when the two had first met officially, but he had been watching her since she set her house on fire. He never understood why males were attracted to her physically. Even as a fallen, he thought of Mia more as a daughter. And when she gave up her eternity to reinstate him as an angel, his esteem grew. Sariel’s nickname of Misfit was perfect for the woman. She didn’t fit in anywhere. But yet, she had found loyal friends and a husband who, although insecure, handled the changes she went through with patience and awe. Still, Altair couldn’t help but think that Mia would be better off without any males holding her back. They took too much from her.

  “Hello, Altair, I heard you were wanting to speak to me. I have some time. I brought my equipment with me, just in case this trainer of Victor’s shows up early.”

  “Let’s go inside,” he suggested. “I have the chessboard set up.”

  “That sounds nice,” she said. “But be prepared to lose.”

  Altair laughed. He like the competitive Mia.

  They sat and played for a while before he spoke. “Mia, I’m thinking of trading in my wings.”

  “No. Don’t do that for me. Michael is not going to cancel my contract if you fall again.”

  “Oh, I’m not going to fall. I’m thinking of moving on beyond the light. I just wanted you to know first.”

  “What does it mean to move beyond the light?” she asked, her eyes locking with his.

  “There is a place where civilization is just starting to advance. There, I could counsel the new herd to be better than the human race. I could be a guiding force instead of an enforcer.”

  “I won’t lie and say that I won’t mourn when you’re gone,” Mia said. “Although, I see it as a wonderful thing to do.”

  “You could come with me.”

  “Me? I have too much to do.”

  “When you have raised your children and Ted has passed on. Please consider coming beyond the light. There, you could be at peace and totally normal.”

  “Normal?”

  “Everyone has wings there,” Altair said. “It’s where angels go to retire.”

  “Does this place have a name?” Mia asked.

  “No, not yet. I fancy the name Quill, but I’m sure the herd will name it when they have language.”

  “Is this herd human?”

  “No. They’re an upgrade.”

  “So, God did leave us.”

  “No, God is so big that he extends beyond the light, Mia. Here we have conflict. The humans advanced too fast. The angels fought and forgot what we were here for in the first place. I feel, everyday, torn between Michael and Lucifer. I know you do too.”

  “I’m just scared of both of them,” Mia admitted.

  “Do you look upon me as a quitter?” Altair asked, searching for the answer in her eyes.

  “No, I can feel your torture. Maybe I should have left you alone. Did I cause this?”

  Altair reached over and took both her hands. “You brought me back. Wings gave me the freedom to choose the next course of action. I would never be accepted in Quill as a demon.”

  “I wish you well. When do you leave?”

  “I’m going to leave now. I want you to have something of mine to remember.”

  “How could I ever forget you?” Mia said honestly. “You gave me all this to remember you by. Each book brings memories of you and your library by the lake.”

  Altair smiled. He produced his wings, and from inside one, he drew out his sword. He handed it to Mia. “Time you had a real sword, not just Sariel’s dagger.”

  “I’ll never be able to lift it,” Mia said, fearing the long sword.

  “I’m going to bond it to you. It will be just an extension of your battle self. As with all angel steel, you need to keep from slicing Murphy or those flea-ridden birdmen you hang out with. Also, Mia, if need be, you can kill Lucifer, Roumain, and Michael with it. It will give an advantage, especially since you still carry my demon blade.”

  “It’s too much responsibility,” Mia said.

  “No, it’s the right amount. I’ve been looking for someone to pass them on to for two hundred years. I never imagined it would be a soot-covered teenager, but life tends to surprise us.”

  Altair took Mia’s hand in his. He placed the hilt of the sword across them and spoke what Mia assumed was Angel. She saw the sword glow and move away from Altair and towards Mia.

  “Repeat after me,” Altair said. “I accept this sword of might.”

  “I accept this sword of might.”

  “To wield in a fair fight.”

  “To w
ield in a fair fight.” Mia’s face screwed up, thinking that Dr. Seuss would be proud.

  “I will never let it fall into the light.”

  “I will never let it fall into the light,” Mia said.

  “I will pass it on before I go into the night.”

  “I will pass it on before I go into the night,” Mia repeated and asked, “How will I do that?”

  “It will tell you,” Altair said. “This sword is a living entity. It was forged by angels, but it fell with me. When I woke up damaged and heartbroken, it was all I had left of Heaven’s grace.”

  “I will take good care of it until you return,” Mia said.

  “I’m not coming back.” Altair took the sword and laid it flat against Mia’s chest. The sword moved into her body and disappeared.

  “Come fly with me as far as the light,” he requested.

  Mia walked outside and extended her wings but not her armor. She followed Altair upwards to where the light from the sun crossed the light of eternity. Altair stopped and motioned for Mia to come closer. “I’ll leave it to you to tell Michael what I have done. He may be a little upset at first.”

  “I’m headed for the doghouse anyway,” Mia said.

  Altair caressed her face. “I want to remember you this way. You’re strong, proud, and funny. Until you join me,” Altair said, placing a kiss upon her forehead.

  Mia watched as Altair moved beyond the light. She floated there a moment before she tapped her neck. “Take me to Michael.” There was no tattoo showing, but Mia knew it was there just the same.

  She appeared in a crystal outer chamber. She waited for the angel guarding the door to approach her. “I’ve come to bring news to Michael. I’ll wait…”

  The doors opened and Michael strode out. “Mia?” He looked at her and knew all that had happened. “He gave you his sword.”

  “Yes. I’m going to miss him,” Mia said, tears falling from her eyes.

  Michael looked uncomfortable. He ushered her inside and closed the door. “How can I yell at you when you’re in pieces.”

  Mia sniffed. “Give me a moment. I was fine and then you looked at me. I’m sorry, I didn’t talk him out of it.”