Sticks and Stones

by Alexie Aaron

  Brian took off running.

  Mia saw Enos smile with amusement and quickly hide it when Brian returned.

  “Brian, I am honored to be here and represent Warrior Flock. Flock Excelsior is the most honored flock of the birdmen. They have more mentions of valor in the Book of Birdmen than any other flock. You have been chosen because of your genes, your intelligence, and your honor. Most leaders rise from this flock. Be worthy of your family, your heritage as a birdman, and Angelo who has watched over you since your birth.”

  Mia was stunned. Brian seemed to stand taller.

  Angelo walked over and presented a chalice. “Drink all of this. If you feel you must scream, do so. Do not be surprised by what you feel, see, and do. You are the son of Mia who led the half million and defeated the frost giants. You are the grandson of Orion who has honored himself in keeping the history of all flocks. I take you as my ward. Together, we will defend all children and aid the other squadrons as we are called.”

  Brian drank all the liquid, and Enos pulled Mia gently back as her son started to feel the pain of transformation. Angelo stood and studied the child as his chest took on the muscles he would need to support the wings. His back filled with silver lines which became tattooed wings before his spine opened and silver wings emerged.

  “It’s the second sign,” Enos hissed in Mia’s ear. “You call yourself a machine, yet you gave birth to the Chosen One, the birdman sage who will lead us into the next millennia.”

  Brian shrieked as he bore the weight of the wings for the first time. They opened, and black plated armor dropped down.

  “They said Victor’s wings came the same way,” Enos told Mia, holding tightly to her arm. “Look at his hands.”

  Mia did so, and she saw the familiar claws.

  Brian kicked off his shoes as the talons started to emerge. He looked up at Angelo.

  “Turn and honor the woman who has not only bore you but protected you all your life.”

  Brian turned around, and Mia saw the creature who was her son. Ted’s genes had produced a nose that so suited the young fierce bird who took a knee and bowed his head.

  Mia bowed hers.

  “Rise Brian Martin of Flock Excelsior,” Angelo commanded.

  Brian stood up and turned to his commander. Angelo leaned down and must have whispered instructions before the two of them rocketed upwards.

  Mia followed them with her eyes until she could see them no more.

  Enos released her. “I’m sorry for the strong hand.”

  “You were right. My instinct was to make the pain go away,” Mia said. She sat down and then lay on her back and watched the sky. “I’m sorry that Ted could not be here.”

  “He has no birdman blood. It’s our way. It’s not meant to be an insult. Don’t read anything negative in this action.”

  “Enos, I’m glad you’re with me. I fought so hard to not be what I eventually allowed my children to embrace. I’m not sure how to reconcile this within myself.”

  “If you would have joined Angelo all those years ago, there would not have been a Chosen One, nor a Varden who took the lessons from an archangel of all things and saved twenty-five children. Between you and I, how close were you to Angelo?”

  “A lady never tells.”

  Enos laughed. “They are coming back.” He gave a hand to Mia, and she rose, brushing the crushed flowers off her clothing.

  Angelo landed, and to give him credit, Brian landed but then fell backwards, forgetting about the weight of the wings. He laughed.

  Mia was worried he would be embarrassed, but it was a good sign that he laughed.

  Angelo helped him up and explained how to retract the wings. Brian did so. He shook Angelo’s hand.

  “Enos, if you could make yourself available until Brian has the basics down, I would be appreciative.”

  “It would be an honor.”

  “Brian, don’t try to take off or land from the third-floor deck or the top of the aerie until Enos clears you. Enos will give you rules. You will follow them, or I’ll take your ability to fly away for five years,” Angelo warned.

  “Five years?”

  “Yes.”

  “I understand.”

  “Do you also understand that your wings are secret? Not even Noah gets to know about them until I give you permission.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Mia raised her hand.

  Angelo’s eyebrow twitched. “Mia?”

  “Acalan has the ability to see the wings even when they are hidden.”

  “Has he kept your secret?”

  “Yes.”

  “Brian, this will be the exception outside of the family. Your family includes your birdman family, Cid, and Lazar.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Enos, fly him home. I’d like to go over some things with Mia before dinner.”

  Mia watched as, once again, Brian produced his wings and followed Enos’s instruction for a slower assent. They flew towards home.

  “Thank you,” Mia and Angelo said at the same time.

  “What are you thanking me for?” Mia asked.

  “You have given me a ward, a son if you will.”

  “Ted and I are sharing him with you. It wasn’t me you contacted and who agreed to this; it was Ted. Victor could have been consulted, but Ted said he had no business in this, and I know he was right.”

  “You’re different,” Angelo said.

  “Stronger.”

  Angelo put his hand on her arm and tried to read her and couldn’t. “Mia, what have you done?” Angelo asked.

  “I swam in the Second Day Sea. I embraced primal demon genes. I will no longer be the broodmare of the Brotherhood of the Wing. I have given you my firstborn son. You will have to be content with this.”

  Angelo stood there a moment, and the anger left his face. A look of realization came slowly upon him. “You knew Soren would never give you to me because I was a half-breed. You have taken your future back. I’m proud of you. I too would love to swim in the Second Day Sea one day.”

  “Maybe after you’ve sired a dozen children,” Mia said.

  “But not with you.”

  “Not with me,” Mia said firmly. “When I told you that you had my allegiance, I meant it. I have regained my balance. Mbengar has restored the demon in me, and it’s old and revered. The fallen have no choice but to leave me be.”

  “They will still try. The fallen have no honor, but the demons will bend a knee when you are near. You not only showed your might in battle but, genetically, you have renewed a bond. Thank you for sharing this with me.”

  “For the record, I didn’t do this to hurt you. I gathered every word Soren said to me regarding taking a birdman mate after Ted dies. I feared that Soren wouldn’t wait for Ted to die naturally. I did this to save Ted.”

  “Soren isn’t a murderer, Mia, but he is a politician. He would have found a way to separate you from Ted and breed you with the strongest of the birdmen, which in his mind is Victor.”

  “If I have assumed wrong, then I am sorry, but I have had my children. I don’t care if I live a thousand years; I will not want to give birth to any more.”

  “This is your choice, and I will honor it.”

  Mia smiled. “So how did the kid do up there?”

  “He doesn’t stop very well. He ran smack into me.”

  “I remember doing that.”

  “But you did it on purpose.”

  “You knew?”

  “Mia, I knew.”

  Chapter Six

  Both Enos and Mia were a little sluggish during practice. They had indulged in the wonderful meal Cid had made and the wine Angelo had brought. There was an ease in the room that wouldn’t have been there between Ted and Angelo on prior occasions. The wine eased the stress Mia had been carrying all day, but it also left a residual ache between her eyes that Enos’s constant onslaught with the sword was making worse. Still, she
battled on and managed to distinguish herself.

  “Do you have to report to Victor like Sariel reports to Michael?” Mia asked as they cooled their bodies down in the lake.

  “No. He will ask after you and, particularly, Varden when we do cross paths. But I’m not charged with spying on you, if that makes you feel any better.”

  Mia frowned. “I’m sorry, Enos. I’m just suspicious of the gift Victor has given me.”

  “Gift?”

  “You.”

  Enos’s face took on one of mirth. “Mia, I’m not a chattel.”

  Mia laughed. “Oh, I didn’t mean that. I meant the gift of your time, your counsel, and your laughter.”

  “Thank you, Mia, that means a lot to me.”

  “Do the birdmen direct your life like they wanted to direct mine?”

  “I’m enlisted and have responsibilities. Just like you do with Michael. You also have responsibilities with Nicholai, but he doesn’t press them. You’re a special case.”

  “Me?”

  “Oh yes. Nicholai is Victor’s commander. Victor is your general of Warrior Flock. Nicholai told Victor that you weren’t to be pigeonholed into any role you were uncomfortable with. Now you’re no longer breeding, you may be called upon to attend the birdman raids. Although, I imagine Victor or Nicholai will talk with you about your options before that.”

  “Good,” Mia said, her face still confused.

  “What’s wrong?” Enos asked.

  “I no sooner figure a way out of one uncomfortable position and end up in another.”

  “Do you want to elaborate?” Enos asked.

  She looked at his young face and shook her head. “It’s not for you to worry about.”

  “Mia, you can talk to me. I’m not a spy,” Enos snapped.

  Instead of taking offense by his tone, Mia reached out within the birdman channel and said, “There is so much for me to sort out. I don’t want Murphy to hear. He may misunderstand, and it would cause deep hurt. Maybe you and I need to find a place where little invisible ears can’t follow.”

  “Forgive me. I thought you were treating me like a spy or, worse, a child.”

  “But you are a baby. My sweet little baby brother.”

  “Ha!”

  Mia dove under the water, and when she reached the bottom, she pushed off like Victor taught her and exploded out of the water soaring upwards.

  “And she calls Sariel a showoff,” Murphy said as Enos waded out.

  “I think she is underlining the fact that I still have a lot to learn.”

  “So does she,” Murphy said, patting Enos on the back. “I could tell you where her weak areas are if you want to get even.”

  “I thought you were her friend.”

  “It’s because I’m her friend that she should be made aware of them. And having them pointed out by a baby bird will drive home that she needs to work on them.”

  “She does like to compete with me,” Enos acknowledged.

  Mia rose and rotated slowly, drying herself in the early morning sun. She reached out with her mind and looked in on her family. Varden was polishing his badge. Brian was trying to look at his back in the mirror. The twins were happy watching Lazar in the kitchen. Nanny walked by carrying laundry. Ted was tinkering on something she couldn’t quite see in his laboratory. She pulled back and was surprised to see a familiar face before her.

  “Hello, Sariel.”

  “Good morning, Mia. I see you’re enjoying the sun.”

  “I was drying off. I’ve been training with Enos.”

  “That explains your lack of clothing.”

  Mia ignored his remark. Instead, she soberly said, “I owe you an apology.”

  “Me? You’re apologizing to me?” Sariel said, acting dumbfounded.

  “I’ve been reminded that I have responsibilities beyond my commitment to Michael. I’ve been naïve thinking that I had complete freedom. It made me think of the crude words I’ve said to you about being obedient. Sariel, I’m ashamed of myself and ask your forgiveness. I’ve been a selfish brat.”

  Sariel looked at Mia sideways and then moved in front of her. “I forgave you the moment you hurt me. You’re young and have much to learn. I appreciate your apology and will take it to heart. I’m rusty with my social skills and have overstepped myself.”

  “I think both of us need to be reminded from time to time that we want the best for the other,” Mia realized. “Before I forget… The lesson you taught Varden took root, and he saved his class yesterday by running and hiding. If not for Altair telling you his concerns and you taking it upon yourself to step in, my son would most likely be hurt, if not dead. I have not been a good example. I’m too reactionary. Connecting with the primal cells is helping me to see myself honestly. I’m ashamed of many of my actions regarding you and Michael. I will be working up the nerve to apologize to him and will do it soon.”

  “Angels are fallible, Mia. We were given too much conceit and not much humility. You have shaken things up with the archangels, as Azrael hoped you would. For my part, I have witnessed the pain of your past, your embracing the present, and I have hopes that we will continue to have a good relationship far into the future.”

  “I’d like that,” Mia said. “I’ve got to get back to training. I can’t have that little twerp best me again.”

  “That little twerp outweighs you and isn’t distracted no matter how you strip down.”

  Mia blushed.

  “To him, you’re just a warrior. He is the best teacher you will ever have.”

  “I’m not going to tell him that. His head is already humongous.”

  “Left wing. He leaves his side open to attack by raising his left wing when he turns,” Sariel advised.

  Mia’s face lit up.

  “And no, you can’t kiss me for that. Honestly, the things Baxter doesn’t know go through your head.”

  “I did… not,” Mia lied.

  Sariel left her, laughing.

  Mia dropped down and picked up her sword. “Come on, baby, it’s time for me to teach you a few things.”

  Enos grinned.

  Ted scratched his head when Mia finally arrived home. She was covered with little scratches and barely made it to their room before she face-planted into the mattress.

  “I though Murphy was going to stop you two if you guys got too rough.”

  Mia mumbled something into the mattress.

  Ted lifted her head up.

  “You should see Enos.”

  Ted dropped her head. He walked into the bathroom and started a hot bath.

  “You do know you have a PEEPs meeting tonight?”

  Mia rolled onto her back.

  “Yes.”

  “Judy’s not here to heal you.”

  “I know.”

  Ted walked back in and scooped Mia up and carried her to the bathroom. She stood long enough to shed her clothes before her legs started shaking. Ted picked her up and put her in the tub.

  There was a discreet knock on the bathroom door. Ted walked over to see Lazar standing there with a tray of foul-smelling salves. “This one for her scratches. This one for…”

  “I’m not going to remember all of this. Tell her.”

  “She’s in the bath.”

  “I put bubbles in,” Ted said. “Mia, your nurse is here. I’m going to take the boys to town. Cid has quite a grocery list. I’m going to need all the help I can get at the store.”

  A hand rose above the bubbles. Ted didn’t know if Mia was waving or giving him the finger. Either way, he exited quickly.

  Lazar walked in and stopped the water just in time. Mia was under a mass of white bubbles. He didn’t know where her head was and didn’t want to clear the bubbles to find out. “Mia, are you awake?”

  “Yes.”

  “Why did Dieter have to bring a bucket of ice and a bag of frozen peas to the aerie?”

  “He pulled my hair, and I knee
d his nuts,” Mia said.

  “He as in Enos?”

  “Yes.”

  “He wasn’t coming on to you, was he?”

  “Of course not. He was pulling my hair and wouldn’t let go. My head hurts,” Mia whined.

  “Where was Murphy during this?”

  “Laughing. I’m going to salt him into the corner when I get enough energy,” Mia vowed. “I think he told Enos all my weaknesses because the moment I returned from talking to Sariel, the kid was all over me. Good thing Sariel told me about Enos’s weak spot.”

  “I’m beginning to get the idea that both of you learned a few lessons today. Okay, listen to me. The salve with the red stripe on the cap is for your scratches. The one with the blue stripe is for the bruises. I’ll do your back once you’re dressed. I also brewed you Babcia’s special tea. You’ll pee a lot, but it should keep the inflammation under control.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Mia, you know you don’t have to attack a man’s nuts to get him off you.”

  “I’m listening.”

  Lazar went over a few techniques he learned in the military. “Or you could say uncle.”

  “Then he wins.”

  “He’s going to win regardless,” Lazar said. “He’s younger and stronger than you, and you’re afraid of hurting him because he’s a baby.”

  “He’s your age, and I’d flatten you if I wasn’t afraid of your mother.”

  Lazar laughed. “Thank God for that.”

  “Sariel pointed out the problem. Enos doesn’t see me as sexual. If anything, I’ve been picking up a sibling vibe. Evidently, I’ve been using my, er, attributes to best my enemies. To which I call foul. Those ice giants were not interested in my body when I battled them.”

  Lazar sighed.

  Mia popped her head above the bubbles. “Any more advice?”

  “Everyone who has watched you knows that you’re a fighter. You fight at one level, and when you’re trapped, you up the energy and fight at a higher level. What if you got real calm? I mean creepy calm and then burst into a scratching and biting feline. I’m talking finger and toenails.”