by Alexie Aaron
“It’s all.”
“I can see that even I have underestimated you, but I have never undervalued you.” Roumain picked up Violine in his arms, cradling her to his chest. He looked over at Mia and said, “For my part in your sorrow and pain, I am sorry. Thank you for bringing Violine home.”
Mia turned to go.
“Wait. I have some information for you.”
Mia gave Roumain her full attention.
“The Other was hired by the Cynosura.” He looked at her puzzled expression. “Tell Orion, he will explain it to you.”
Mia nodded.
“You know, Mia, Violine returning doesn’t stifle my feelings for you. Anytime you want to come and swim with me, I wouldn’t leave you to swim off your anger like Mr. Dupree did.”
Mia felt a chill move over her body. “The Native American is your spy, isn’t he?”
“Oh yes. I will remove him pronto. There are no bones to seek, just a trap.”
“The house?”
“Oh, the house is real, and you need to deal with it if you are to save Mark. Removing Violine is just one step of three that will turn Mark forever away from the dark.”
“Thank you for telling me.”
“It won’t make up for my interference, but perhaps these brutal truths have released you to find the real truths, Mia Cooper Martin,” Roumain said and disappeared into the mist. The ground resealed itself.
Mia drew her wings around her and thought about Ted and home.
~
Mia arrived back outside the trailer. Ted looked over and smiled. “I’m still here,” he said in a sexy voice.
Mia nodded, pulling the wings back into herself. She climbed into the trailer and over to the man she loved so much. She smiled down at him, bent over and kissed him tenderly. “Thank you.”
“Baby steps, Minnie Mouse, baby steps,” he said, drawing her onto his lap. “Want to see you in action?”
Mia nodded and lay back against him as he ran the footage of her quick battle with the elemental. She could see a faint shadow next to her. “That’s Timmy,” she pointed out.
“Who was the woman?”
“Violine Roumain. I delivered her to purgatory as Orion requested.”
“How did the judge take it?”
“With gratitude. He told me who sent the Other to collect me.”
Ted wrapped his arms around Mia as if he could form a shell of protection around her. “Who?”
“He said Cynosura. I have no idea who they are, but I got the idea they’re bad.”
“Did the judge say anything else?”
“He apologized and withdrew his spy. We won’t be bothered by the Native American anymore. It was a trap.”
“Why?”
“I’m not exactly sure. Roumain isn’t the most direct of men.”
“Sort of like Father Alessandro.”
“Oh, I have a bone to pick with him.”
“Why?”
“I figured out that he was the deliverer of the Judas Hex to me. If it wasn’t for my weak stomach for fruited wines, we may not be sitting here right now.”
“You know, I was so much in my own pain that I had forgotten that you too were consumed by the hex.”
“It’s over now. We survived. Maybe we are stronger for it.”
“There is no maybe about it,” Ted declared. “I found out just how lucky you are to have me.”
Mia lifted an eyebrow.
“And what a giving man I am to put up with feathers all over the house.”
“Gee, I remember it a little different, but please go on…”
“You have all this,” he said, waving his arms, “at your beck and call. And what do I get in the transaction?”
“Less and less, the more you talk,” Mia said, trying to get up.
Ted held on to her tightly. He turned the chair away from the console and stood up, still holding on to her.
Mia didn’t struggle. She was interested in what was going to happen next.
He turned her around and drew her upwards until they were eye to eye. “I promise on my life that I will always be here for you, that I will talk to you when we have problems, that I will spurn the advances of the masses of hysterical woman that want a piece of this.”
“I appreciate that, Teddy Bear.”
“In turn, I want a promise from you.”
Mia opened her eyes and waited.
“I want you to promise to share the burden you have with me. I may be a mere mortal, but I’m a strong mortal. I have this fabulous brain that can often find a scientific or practical way around problems.”
“I promise, Ted.”
He set her down.
Mia resisted the urge to rub her arms where his hands had dug in, holding her up. She, instead, walked over and hugged him.
“Now, why don’t you go home and bring Brian back?”
“Should we chance it?”
“Is the black ring still there?”
Mia looked out the door. “No, it’s gone.”
“I’m sure that Orion and Glenda may want to be part of the house investigation. This should be a family affair. Why don’t you sit back and watch the others pick up the slack. We three Martins will back them up in here.”
“I think that’s an excellent idea,” Mia said.
“Oh, and Murphy said you dropped this,” he said, handing her the oilskin-wrapped package.
“Did you open it?”
“No, I was waiting for you.”
“I think that I’ll let Audrey and Mark do that. I’ve had enough revelations today to last me a lifetime.”
Ted watched Mia leave the trailer. Murphy nodded to Ted before he trailed Mia, as they had discussed. The two of them had talked and come to the understanding that Mia would never be totally out of danger. One of them would at all times have her back. They may not be able to fly, but they had the ground covered.
Mia waited for Murphy at the street. She didn’t say anything but reached out her hand, and he held it a moment. “So, what did you find in the cellar?” she asked, releasing his hand and walking.
“Tins, lots of tins. And rusted iron.”
“Ouch, I bet that was uncomfortable.”
“Yes. I listened in on you and Ted.”
“I figured.”
“Roumain is still scary.”
“Oh yes. I think I may have eased some of his burden though. He called off his spy.”
“Good.”
Mark was at the end of his drive pulling weeds when Mia and Murphy came by. “Have you been to the house?” he asked.
“Yes, we had to take care of that nasty thing upstairs. When you have your chores done, head to the old house and help us out.”
“I will,” he said smiling.
Mia walked into the cottage to find the three males sitting with their heads down. Audrey was frying some bacon with an amused expression on her face. “Old McCarthy hangover cure,” she said, pointing to the large selection of greasy meats she had fried.
“Clever girl.” Mia put her bare hand on each man’s forehead. “You’ll live, but I’d avoid the ninety proof stuff without drinking a lot of water,” she said.
“Where did the three of you go so early this morning?” Cid asked.
“I removed the elemental from the house. Now, all we have to deal with is the ghosts,” she said, snagging a slice of crispy bacon. “Oh, this is good,” she said. “Mind if I get some to go for Ted?”
Audrey handed her a greasy box. “I already packed a care package.”
“I’d ask you to marry me, but I already have Ted and Cid,” Mia said.
Audrey laughed.
Mike raised his head. “Brian’s with his grand-pop fishing off the dock. His cheerful little chirps were too much for us,” he explained.
Mia smiled. She left the crew and walked out on the deck. She watched Orion and Brian. The two of them were leaning over the edge of the dock. Orion had a firm hand on Brian so he wouldn’t fall in. Mia moved
quietly towards them and watched as Orion pointed out the fish who were swimming by.
“Strange way to fish,” she said quietly.
“We are studying them,” Orion said.
“Ah am, ish.”
“I can see them. Your daddy wants you to come and work with him in the command center. Do you think you can fit it into your busy schedule?”
“Da De,” Brian said.
Orion lifted up his grandson and smiled at Mia. “I take it that all went well?”
“Yes. I have a big question for you, but it can wait until we have time.”
“I’m not going anywhere.”
“I’m glad,” Mia said. She took Brian from Orion. “I swear he gets bigger every day.”
“That’s the plan,” Orion said. “Your fan club in there, they are each nursing one hell of a hangover. Do you want me to help them out?”
“Maybe, but let Audrey think it’s her hangover cure,” Mia said.
Orion smiled indulgently. “If I were a younger man, I’d give that Matt a run for his money.”
Mia smiled at her grandfather. “You look about forty. Although, I know you have to be older than that.”
“Oh, Mia, you are a treat. I’m five hundred years old.”
“Wow.”
“Pblsst,” Brian remarked.
“Okay, five hundred and two years old.”
“So you were quite a dirty old man when you and Grandma Fred…”
“She didn’t complain, as I recall.”
“If you do make moves on my son’s godmother, be kind,” Mia advised. “She’s had a hard life, and she’s just coming out from under that cloud of mistrust.”
“I’ll be upfront and honest.”
“You do that. And Orion,” Mia added.
“Yes?”
“Don’t get your heartbroken. It sucks.”
“Mia, broken hearts mend,” Orion said from experience.
“How?”
“You surround them with new memories.”
Chapter Thirty
Mark and his grandparents arrived to find a well-oiled machine in place at the old house. Cid had constructed an awning for shade, and it was as far away from the air conditioner’s compressor in the PEEPs command vehicle as was possible. The computers needed a consistent flow of cool air. Mia and Ted had also outfitted a baby-safe zone between them inside.
Right now, the group was enjoying a nice breeze as they waited for Mark.
Cid raised a hand in welcome. “Ted would like to get Mark outfitted with an earcom. Just bang on the side of the trailer before you open the door,” he suggested.
Mark did so, and the door was opened by Mia. She took a step back and made sure Mark could navigate safely in the darkness of the trailer. “The less light, the less heat,” she explained.
Ted assisted Mark with the com and then pointed out the fixed cameras Mia and Cid had set up inside. “We thought that we would film the cellar as we opened it. Burt and Orion are working on clearing the old doors so we can have an easier entrance. Murphy’s already been down there, but you’ll be the first human in a long time.”
“Be careful of where you put your feet,” Mia cautioned. “Walk to the outside of the stair treads,” she suggested.
“You’re not going inside?” he asked.
“Not unless there’s trouble. We would like to air this. Sometimes, what I can see, the camera can’t, and it kind of spoils it for the home viewer. This way, their and your experience is basically the same, but you get to be here in person,” she explained. “If you need me, tap your earcom three times, and I’ll be there, sword raised.”
“Wow!” Mark exclaimed, seeing the scabbard Mia was wearing and the housed sword behind her.
“You have a meeting to go to. If you have any questions, that’s the time to do it.”
“No question is a dumb one,” Ted said.
“Are you going to be there at the meeting?” he asked Mia.
“Yup, all the PEEPs, including Brian, Glenda and Orion, will be there. Burt will lead it. He can be a bit serious, but he’s an alright guy,” Mia said.
“Burt to Ted, over,” Burt’s voice came over the computer loud and clear.
“Ted here.”
“As soon as Mark is set, let’s start the meeting, over.”
“On our way,” Ted said and punched a couple of keys. “Team, report to conference table, over.”
Mia picked up Brian. Mark helped her out of the truck, grabbing Brian from her until she climbed down.
Cid watched as Mark handed Brian back to Mia and took her hand. They walked by Cid. Mia winked at him, pretty pleased with herself.
“Cid to Ted, over.”
“Ted.”
“Private line, dude.”
“You’re on private, go ahead.”
“I think the kid’s after your woman, over.”
“If it’s not Angelo, it’s twelve-year-olds,” Ted commented.
“Well, since you’re emotionally thirteen, I think you may have the advantage,” Cid teased.
“No comment. I’ll see you out there, over and out,” Ted said, transferring the com to his iPad.
Mia saved Ted a seat. Normally, she would have Mike at her left, but Mark sat there. Mike looked on with amusement as Mark still had ahold of Mia’s hand. Glenda scooped up Brian and was bouncing him on her experienced hip. Ted sat down on Mia’s right and patted her knee.
Burt looked around and asked Mia, “Murphy?”
“He’s on your left,” she said.
“Okay, now that everyone is present,” Burt began. “We have a very unusual investigation here. We have, by all accounts, four very peaceful ghosts inhabiting the old house, two very active boys and their parents. We are the trespassers here. I suggest that the first team in, stop and knock on the doorframe. Perhaps, if we are invited in, we will get more of a cooperative reception. Think of it this way, how would you feel if four people, a camera, and an axeman came bursting through your front door?”
There were a few murmurs around the table. Burt waited until the team had taken it all in before continuing, “The goal of this investigation is to find a way to save this house. If there is no way to save it, we must seek out a way of preserving whatever we can, be it a forgotten manuscript, a pile of gold or that beautiful wood trim. This house has protected and loved all who have and still are residing there. Let’s give it the dignity it has earned.”
Mia was stunned.
“Audrey, Mia found this.” Burt held up the oilskin-wrapped bundle. “I’m thinking that you and Mark may want to look this over while Mike, Glenda and I finish checking out the first floor. Also, Mark, your hunch about the tins in the cellar was correct. Murphy spotted them, but due to the rusted nature of the exterior of the tins, he could not recover them himself. Cid, I need you and Sam to look over the structure before I can okay any of you going down there. Safety first, team.”
Orion stood staring at the ley line. Murphy walked over and asked him, “Whatcha doing?”
“Trying to figure out was this is.”
“Mia says it’s a blown ley line.”
“But where was it coming from, and where was it going to?” Orion asked. “Most importantly, what power it would have taken… No, wait. Something is taking its power.”
“The house?” Murphy asked.
“Could be? It’s a mystery. You know, ley lines have their own wing in the Dark Library.”
“Why?”
“They were and are used by more than bilocators and ghosts. They were exploited by magicians, and demons travel them.”
“I’ve never seen a demon on one.”
“The line you and Mia travel is aboveground. I assure you, the lines extend hundreds of feet below the surface too.”
Murphy pushed back his hat. “Maybe the line isn’t blown, just the top part.”
“Ah, now I know why Mia values you so much. You speak and think plainly.”
Murphy glared at the birdman.
<
br /> “Sorry, I know that sounded like an insult. It isn’t. Sometimes I get so caught up in the conspiracy, the what ifs of things, that I don’t see what is in front of me. Too many of us are like this. You, sir, see the world for what it is. Very valuable.”
“Hello, what has you two so enthralled?” Mia asked, walking up.
“Murphy has discovered a demon spur line,” Orion said.
“Spur line as in ley line?” Mia asked.
“Yes. This may have been the route the elemental took to get here,” Orion said.
“Correct me if I’m wrong,” Mia started. “In order for the lines to last, they have to been used over and over again. The visitation by the elemental was recent.”
“So something else has been fueling the line,” Orion said, shaking his head. He turned and looked back at the house. “That has something to do with it, I fear.”
~
Glenda knocked on the door before walking into the house. “Yoo hoo,” she called out. “I’m Glenda Dupree, and this is my son Michael and his friend Burt. We’re from Kansas originally. I hope it’s alright if we just drop in on you?”
Mike looked at the devices he was carrying. There was a lot of energy in this room. He nodded to his mother to continue.
“I couldn’t help but admire your mopboard,” she said, running her hand along the hardwood. “They don’t make places like this anymore. They put in cheap pine or that pressed wood. You can’t get this patina with pine.”
“Temperature is dropping,” Mike warned. “Be prepared for visitation.”
“Ooh ooh,” Brian said, pointing to the monitor.
“Be aware, ghosts forming in doorway in front of Glenda,” Ted said on mic. Off mic he said, “Great catch, Brian.”
Mia climbed into the trailer and took Brian from Ted so Ted could use both hands.
“Brian has already spotted a ghost,” he said proudly.
“Whoa, what a team member,” Mia said, hugging her son.
“Where have you been?” Ted asked.
“Checking out a possible hazard that Orion and Murphy found.”
“Anything we need to be worried about?” Ted asked.
