by Alexie Aaron
“Mom, what would you choose?” Brian asked.
“I’d like to be human.”
“I’d be a bird,” Brian said.
“Burd,” Varden agreed.
“It couldn’t have been too much of a hardship if they were both birds or both human,” Cid reasoned.
“But they were given the choice independently of the company of the other,” Nicholai said. “Hero was certain that Anat would become a bird, and she would have, except…”
“She was pregnant with Hero’s child,” Mia guessed.
Nicholai nodded. “Anat, had she become a bird, would have lost the child. This was something she couldn’t do. So Hero became a raven, and Anat a human woman. She gave birth to your father, Victor.”
“What?” Victor asked, surprised.
“Anat gave birth to Vance,” Nicholai continued. “Hero stayed with Anat and watched as Vance became a great birdman. Anat died in her eightieth year. Hero wanted to die too. He stood upon her grave and sang the mourning song. He didn’t eat. He just sat there willing the light to take him. It didn’t come. Instead, the muse Erato visited him. ‘Hero,’ she said. ‘Your duty is to chronicle your love of Anat for all to know what true love is.’ And I understand he still does.”
Victor got up. “The raven that flew in the face of the ghost and saved the children…”
“Was Hero,” Mia answered. “He’s your grandfather, Victor. He heard Varden’s cry and relayed it to you.”
“I must find him,” Victor said.
“He’s in the aerie making a nest out of my old worn jeans,” Dieter said.
“Excuse me,” he said and rushed out of the open door held by Murphy.
“Hero never stopped being heroic,” Brian said proudly. “He is what to us?”
“He’s now in my and Varden’s spirit tree. A grandfather, I believe.”
“Varden is your son,” Cid pointed out.
“But his soul is Victor’s brother.”
“Yikes, this is sounding like something better explained when Brian is older,” Ted cautioned.
“It’s not as confusing as it sounds,” Lazar said. “We live two lives. A life of the flesh and another life of the spirit.”
“Very well put,” Nicholai said. He looked Lazar over and said, “I sense a fellow military man in you.”
“I was. Now I’m…”
“He’s family,” Mia said. “We still pay him to take care of us, but he’s family.”
“Mia, I understand this tall lad is also your son?”
“He’s our adopted son.”
“My parents perished in war,” Dieter said. “I wandered the world until I met the Martins. They took me in and adopted me.”
“He’s my big brother,” Brian said. “But he’s not a birdman.”
“How sure are you that you’re a birdman?”
“My uncle Angelo says so.”
Nicholai looked at him. “Maybe in spirit, but you have no wings.”
Brian was stunned.
“My first set of wings didn’t show up until a few years ago,” Mia said gently.
“No, you’re not a fighter. You’re a thinker. Maybe you’re a sage?” Nicholai said, looking him over. “Or a wizard like your father.”
“I’m not a wizard,” Ted said quickly.
“Only because you fight it,” Nicholai countered. “I’ve been in this world a very long time. Brian, you’re a wizard and a sage. Your father is a wizard, and your mother is a…”
“Misfit, we need you,” Sariel said from the open door.
Mia got up and kissed Varden’s head, handing him to Ted whom she kissed too. She scooped up Brian. “I promise we’ll talk about this when I come home. Mind the men,” she said and walked out the door.
Sariel pulled Mia off her feet, and he shot upward.
Victor, who was coming back with Hero on his shoulder, said, “That doesn’t look good.”
Hero bobbed his head in agreement.
Mia arrived just shy of where a battle was taking place. Mia knelt by the first angel she came across and started to heal him. More and more angels were brought and laid down. She worked quickly, triaging to see who needed her first. Mia didn’t have time to ask what was going on. What was this battle that the angels seemed to be losing?
Sariel carried another weakened one to her.
“Can I be of some help?”
“You are helping.”
“I have Altair’s sword. I can fight.”
“We need you to heal. You have bolstered the ranks. They are surging forward, confident with the knowledge that their wounds will be healed by you, Misfit.”
“What’s happened?”
“A few minor demons have gone against the treaty and have taken over a mountainous region. We are trying to free the people.”
“Do you need the birdmen?”
“No, we have this in hand. I must go. Be strong,” Sariel said and flew off.
A hand grasped hers. Mia looked down to see her next patient looking at her. The angel’s navy-blue pupils and light blue irises sought hers for reassurance.
“You’re going to be just fine. What is your name?”
“Raziel.”
“Well, Raziel, I have mended your wing, but your fingers are stained black. I’m not sure I can…”
“They are always this way. It’s a not a mystery. It’s because I read so much. Sometimes, I don’t wait for the ink to dry.”
Mia laughed. “Raziel, the angel of mysteries.”
“Yes,” he said and sat up. He tested his wings and nodded to Mia before he left to resume the battle.
Mia continued to use her talents until the last angel was healed. She got up and, for the first time, looked around her. She saw a smoky valley beneath the mountainside where she stood. The terrain was unfamiliar. She felt the humid heat of the place and tried to guess where she was. “I give up,” she mumbled.
“Why?” Michael said behind her.
She turned to see the archangel. He had six wounds to his torso. Mia encouraged him to lie down. “Why have you waited so long to have these seen to?” she asked him.
“I’m the leader of this party. If I’m strong, they’ll be strong. Surely Nicholai has taught you this.”
Mia laid her hands upon each wound and pulled the powers she was gifted with to heal Michael. “He’s not taught me to lead. That’s not my place,” Mia said. “That’s yours.”
“I guess that’s the way I was made. Which brings up your engineering… How are you handling it?”
“The wings…”
“No, the genetic and social manipulation by the Council of Women?”
“I no longer see myself as a runaway train. I have choices. Hard choices.”
“Have you mated with Victor?”
“No.”
“Good. Mia, I’m suspicious of why Elizabeth sent you to me to apply the wings. She is skilled enough to do this.”
“That crossed my mind. Hold still… There is a…” Mia stopped and drew half a broken demon blade out of his side. She turned to Sariel whom she sensed was behind her. “I need a piece of elemental dragon heart.”
“I’ll take Nathaniel with me,” he said and disappeared.
Mia cleaned the wound. “Why did you ask about Victor?” Mia asked while she waited for the heart.
“Mia, there has been a current of unrest in the birdmen, especially the Brotherhood of the Wing. I feel strongly that somehow you’re being used, but I can’t figure out if it is to oust Victor or Angelo?”
“I’d say that’s a job for Raziel, isn’t he the angel of mysteries?”
“You’ve been reading.”
“Yes, I have. I’ve been studying. I think I can read a little Demon now.”
Michael’s face brightened. “Altair’s library?”
“Yes. There are many books in his collection that have proven helpful. When I was carrying my son Varden, I had to be off my feet. So, I kept myself from going crazy, reading and study
ing. Yes, and occasionally indulging myself in some lurid tale.”
“I think there is a bit of a demon still inside of you,” Michael teased.
“Maybe. To answer your question of how I’m handling finding out that I’m nothing more than a tool to be used, this is where my rebellious nature comes in. I was given a hand of cards, but I can reject the cards given and ask for more. But with each new card, there are challenges, and sometimes I’ve traded a good card for a bad one.”
“I think that’s human nature.”
“What is angel nature?” Mia asked.
“I’ve not thought about that for some time. I only can speak for myself. I’m loyal, stubborn, powerful, impatient…”
“Kind,” Mia continued, “loving, parental…”
“Parental?” Michael questioned.
“When you’re around, I feel safe. I think Father Santos expressed that too. It’s as if your Father shines through you.”
“If I make you feel safe, why do you fight me so?” Michael asked.
“Because I’m rebellious. Many times, I do come around to your way of thinking. I have to think it through. It’s not that you haven’t expressed yourself well. It’s all this baggage I have. I don’t trust. That’s what the Council did to me. They took away my blind faith.”
“That’s a shame. Thank you for sharing that with me.”
Sariel arrived a bit burnt, but the angel who was with him was animated and clear of all charring. He triumphantly handed Mia the heart.
Michael’s wound was so large that Mia opened the heart up and laid the flattened piece across the wound. She kept her hand there as she connected with the mages of healing and allowed herself to be a conduit. When she knew the patch had taken, she got up and walked over to Sariel. “Sit down,” she said. “You smell like burnt chicken.”
“Misfit…” Sariel warned.
“How come Nathaniel has come back clean and you’re scorched?”
“He’s the angel of fire,” Sariel said, glad for Mia’s attention on his burns. “A few of these are from him.”
Mia looked over at Nathaniel, and he shrugged.
Michael made movement to get up.
“Stay,” she said. “Excuse me, you stay here. Let me see to the boss, and I’ll be right back.”
Mia helped the archangel to his feet and meticulously went over every inch of his body that she could see. She laid hands on the areas that were covered by armor and smiled. “How do you feel?”
“Tired but fit,” Michael answered and took off.
Nathaniel followed him.
Mia walked back to Sariel. “Thank you for the heart. I know it’s not something you like doing, but you’re so good at it.”
“You were with Altair when he crossed over the light?” Sariel confirmed.
“Yes, I was. Turn please,” Mia said, moving her hands along the back of his right wing.
“Why did he leave?”
“I think he felt torn between Michael and Lucifer. He was in torment. He was sick of the human race and wanted a chance to build a better society.”
“I sense there’s more,” Sariel prodded.
“He wanted me to come with him. I declined.”
“Did it surprise you, him asking you?” Sariel asked.
“No. We seem to get along well. I think I’d be good company for him.”
“Mia, I would agree, but I’m glad you chose to stay. I would miss you.”
“You? You barely visit.”
“I’m pretty busy,” Sariel defended.
“True. I’m sorry. Can you tell me what’s going on down there?”
“Not exactly without getting into trouble.”
“Then don’t. Michael’s doghouse is no fun.”
Sariel smiled. “Thank you for coming.”
“You’re welcome.”
Sariel turned to go.
“Sariel,” Mia said, stopping him. “You said that like I had a choice.”
“You did,” he said and left.
Mia was puzzled. She ran her hand along her neck. Was she not bound to Michael? She shook it off in time to administer to the next angel brought in.
~
Blair stepped back into the alley as Ethan passed by. He had been following him on foot since Ethan parked the old jeep.
“What are you up to, old boy?” Blair asked to himself. “First the DMV, and now the library?”
Ethan had a list of books Cid recommended. He was walking, studying the list, when he plowed into someone. “I’m sorry,” he said, focusing in on a familiar face. “Blair, what brings you to the library of all places?”
“I was going to ask you the same thing,” Blair said. “Here, let me help you…”
“No thank you. Respectfully, leave the library. I can’t be talking to you,” Ethan said and walked off.
“Did you just tell me to fuck off?” Blair asked loudly. A serious of shushes accompanied the crisp sound of the main-floor librarian’s shoes hitting the wood floor.
“Sir, I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”
“This is a public library. I’m the public,” Blair said, narrowing his eyes at the woman.
“You either act in accordance with the rules of this place of learning or you leave,” the librarian hissed. “This is your last warning.”
“Who the hell are you to tell me what to do!” he shouted.
A strong hand gripped his shoulder. Another hand pulled one of his arms up and behind him. “The lady asked you to leave,” an odd sounding voice said.
Blair turned to see a monstrous face peering down at him. “What the hell are you?”
“A concerned citizen. Come on, son, you don’t have to make this a problem for the police, do you?”
“If you don’t let go of my arm, I’m going to press charges.”
“Are you going to leave quietly?”
“I doubt it. I think I’ve made it my mission to be as noisy as possible. I may even shout a few colorful euphemisms on my way out.”
“Then I’ll have to hurry you along.” With that, he was lifted off his feet and carried out the front door and placed gently on the pavement. “Go home and learn some manners.”
“You need to go home and take off that Halloween mask,” Blair spat and walked quickly to the parking garage.
The librarian was waiting for the veteran at the top of the stairs. “Thank you, Charlie. I thought I was going to have quite a problem on my hands.”
Charlie’s burned side of his face crinkled as he smiled. “It was a pleasure to help a lady in distress.”
The librarian blushed. Ever since they opened the veteran’s facility at the lake, Charlie had become a daily fixture at the library. He had only one working eye, but he used it to devour tome after historic tome. She had asked him if it tired him to read so much.
He answered, “When I was being incinerated, all I could think of was that I wanted to know how I came to be in this oven in the first place. It’s all here, in these books. I’m going to find out why a guy from the Midwest became barbecue 4,000 miles away.”
Chapter Twenty-one
Mia arrived back tired but happy. Whatever battle she was there for had been won by the angels. She declined to be included in the celebration, choosing to come home and be with her family and friends instead.
She landed at the aerie, surprised not to see Hero in his nest. The guesthouse was vacant. She grabbed a Dr. Pepper on her way through the kitchen and walked out the door and down to the farmhouse.
“Mia!” Murphy called.
She turned towards the woods. He motioned her over.
“Is there a problem?” she asked.
“While you were gone, a flock of birdmen arrived and took Victor and Hero. They searched the place looking for you. Ted told them you were on an angelic mission. The majority left, leaving two guards at the house. I’m afraid for Varden. The leader looked at him, asking whose son he was. Ted spoke up.”
“What’s going on?”
“That’s ludicrous. You were there.”
“I’ll go with you if you need a witness. Although, I doubt they’ll take the word of a ghost.”
“No, they won’t. Hitch a ride when they take me, and then go back and get Quentin. He was there. I bet whoever has planned this knows that Altair is gone, and we have no proof of our innocence. I’ll go down and surrender. I don’t want them scaring my children.”
Murphy nodded.
Mia moved quickly down the hillside. She walked up to her home, and two birdmen she hadn’t seen before blocked her way.
“Excuse me, you’re blocking access to my home,” she said boldly.
“Are you Mia Cooper Martin?”
“Yes.”
“We would like you to come with us,” the larger of the two birdmen requested.
“Why?”
“You’re being charged with crimes unbecoming a Brotherhood warrior.”
“I’m not a warrior nor am I part of the Brotherhood of the Wing. I’m a married woman bound to Theodore Martin. Move out of my way. I should warn you, I’m armed with angel steel, and I will use it,” Mia said, extending her wings and drawing her sword.
“Mia!” Angelo said from behind her.
Mia turned and took up a battle stance, very aware the odds of coming out of this situation unscathed were against her.
“Put down your sword. This is just an inquiry. I’ll act as your advocate.”
“I’m not going anywhere before I see my husband and children,” she said stubbornly. “I’m tired but not too tired to teach you and your feathered thugs some Martin manners,” she growled.
Angelo raised his hands. “I see Nicholai has taught you well. Let her go in. I trust you won’t be too long.”
Mia turned and pushed past the guard, purposely raking her armor, shedding a few of the guards’ feathers along the way. She retracted her wings and went inside.
Ted’s arms were around her the minute she crossed the threshold. Mia let herself cry a moment before looking up. “What’s going on?” she asked.
