Sticks and Stones

by Alexie Aaron

  Baxter, who had seen things through Mia’s eyes, knew she was playing down the danger she was in. But she was telling the truth about the events.

  “Mia, until things change, I would like to take you under my protection,” Angelo said.

  “What would that entail?” Ted asked.

  “A contract of marriage for after Ted passes on. It’s called a post-spousal contract. It’s not uncommon in the Brotherhood.”

  “No, isn’t that what we’re trying to stop?” Mia asked. “There has to be another way. I can’t give you children. It’s the same situation as if I agreed to wed Victor. Angelo, you are the most unselfish caring birdman I’ve ever come across. I’ll not bind you to a contract where you get nothing out of it.”

  “You wouldn’t have to keep it. It would just be to protect Genevieve and Maeve,” he said.

  “No, no, no,” Mia said and got up. “Victor says things have to change. They must change now. Out with the old ways, and let’s bring a new leader in. You’re that leader, Angelo. I’ll not have your possible leadership of the birdmen questioned by your being bound to a creature who could sprout Nephilim claws at any moment. I’m human and there is an angel in my gene pool. My wings have yet to be fully realized. I have scales for cripes’sake.”

  “This is what you meant when you said you had Angelo’s back,” Ted said. “It makes sense. Angelo, you would be the ultimate leader. Most of your flock are hybrids. Mia, Brian is already his ward.”

  “Before you reject the idea, Mia. It wouldn’t be unselfish on my end. I see what you bring to your and Ted’s marriage. There isn’t a creature who meets the two of you that doesn’t envy what you have.”

  Mia turned away.

  Baxter walked over and put a hand on her shoulder. “Tell them. They have to know.”

  Mia sniffed. “I’m not sure I’ll survive you, Ted. You’re part of every fiber of my body. Angelo, I’m not surprised you want to take on a very difficult situation. If I could see an hour past Ted’s death, I would be honored.”

  “You’ll survive, Mia,” Ted said. “You have to. Let’s talk to Orion. He knows the birdman law inside and out. Maybe it’s possible he can take on guardianship of the girls.”

  “If it’s legal, it may work,” Angelo said. “I’ll look through my books at my aerie. Thank you for not rejecting me out of hand, Mia.”

  “Pumpkin, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, especially after you’ve poured out your heart like this, but you better go and report to Michael before Sariel fetches you.”

  “Mia, try to keep him on your side,” Angelo counseled. “We may need his help.”

  “Well then, I better go and clean up.” Mia walked out into the grand foyer and pulled the dress out of her pack. “Baxter, I need some Febreze and an iron. Ted, I need some of your special coffee.”

  Angelo watched as Mia ran up the stairs rehearsing what she was going to say to Michael.

  “Funny thing happened in Michigan. I ran into your brother… Speaking of coincidences, guess who entered my yurt… No, that sounds filthy…” Mia’s voice faded away as she entered a suite.

  ~

  Mia sat waiting in Michael’s observation room. He entered with Sariel.

  Michael stopped and took in the care Mia took with her appearance. He mourned the loss of the hoyden but appreciated that she took the time to dress appropriately. It showed respect for him and maybe maturity on Mia’s part. The primal demon gene may have been a good move. A Mia in balance was a thinking individual.

  “To what do I owe the pleasure of your company?” Michael asked.

  Mia stood up. “I have been involved in a birdman rescue. I thought I better report in and tell you about it firsthand.”

  “Extraordinary, it only took you eight hours,” Michael said. “A new record.”

  “I had a breakdown in between,” Mia explained.

  “Well, tell me. I can’t read you.”

  “You can if I let you,” Mia said.

  Michael looked surprised. “Why would you do this?”

  “Because I want no misunderstanding between us. I only ask that you see it all the way through before reacting.”

  “What did you do?” Sariel asked.

  Mia looked at Michael. He waved her over. Mia walked to him. Michael bent his head and touched her forehead with his.

  Sariel watched the mighty archangel and the tiny hybrid connect. He saw Michael tighten his fists at one point but relaxed. He pulled away and kept Mia in a state of suspended time while he paced.

  “What did she do?” Sariel asked.

  “She’s open, read her,” Michael said and walked over to compose himself.

  Sariel connected. He groaned when Lucifer walked in. It took everything he had not to pull away, afraid of what he was going to see next. After he stepped away.

  “What’s Lucifer playing at?” Michael asked.

  “I think he’s lazy, and Mia offered him a solution. It cost the tree-bark demons some copper, and twenty families still have a reason to get up in the morning. Not to mention these teachers. If you would have shown up, she would have asked you. But you would have been tempted to destroy the demons instead. Roumain would have found a way to profit from the situation. She’s not a fan of Lucifer. You felt her revulsion.”

  “Yes. But I also sensed a softening.”

  “That can’t be helped. He did predict what is happening to her now. But she is here and not in Hell asking for his help.”

  “Good point. What’s Angelo up to?”

  “He wants her, be it this moment or in a hundred years. We can use this.”

  “Sariel, I don’t want to use it. I want her to be free and not bound to physical beings.”

  “She is a physical being, Michael. She, also, is an evolving being. We need to help her to find a purpose for her life beyond Ted’s lifetime. I have an idea, but it’s going to involve Altair and maybe Angelo. Also, she has to think it’s her idea not mine.”

  “She’s too clever. She will sense she’s being played. Take her to see Nyx. Nyx will distract her.”

  “I’m not sure that I should continue to be under the influence of Nyx. I don’t want to be tempted.”

  “We’re all tempted. You’re strong enough.”

  “What tempts you?” Sariel asked.

  “Using her to hurt Lucifer. He’s becoming attached. He will think about her more and more. He’ll err and visit his little torture chamber…”

  Sariel frowned. “You went beyond reading her, didn’t you?”

  “I just started something. Let’s see how it plays out. First, a visit to Nyx and then we’ll see…”

  Chapter Fifteen

  “Mia, direct me,” Sariel asked. “I’m not sure if I’m high enough.”

  Mia flew closer. “Over there. See,” she said pointing.

  The star pulsed. They were bathed in blue luminous light. When it faded, Sariel and Mia found themselves in a chamber.

  Nyx, dressed as a goddess, and her entourage, barely dressed at all, entered. Mia knelt. Sariel stood but bowed his head.

  “Rise, my daughter. Welcome, Sariel. I have enjoyed watching you. Angels are beautiful creatures. Archangels are more complex. Don’t worry, I’m not here to tempt you away. You are day and I am night.” Nyx smiled. “Sariel, it’s time for you to take your place and stand shoulder to shoulder with your peers. Michael may be your general, but he isn’t always right.”

  Sariel nodded.

  “Why have you come to me, daughter?” Nyx asked.

  “I’m seeking your counsel. I’m distraught and confused. I think I’ve been given a test. Why am I tested? Why can’t I just be accepted?”

  “You still have a long road ahead of you. You may never be totally accepted by all creatures. No one ever is. Is it fair, no, but it is what it is?”

  Nyx ran her cool hand over Mia, reading her while trying to calm the chaos that was inherited from Nyx’s fathe
r.

  “Mia, you have had your heart broken. Nicholai is insecure and is jealous of the young. He is not to be counted on. This could change. You put a lot of fear and hate aside to ask Lucifer to help you. He is dangerous, and you should continue to fear him.”

  “Is it wrong that I hate him?”

  “No, nor is it wrong to pity him, but he has and will cause you deep hurt that will never completely go away. He has become too powerful, but he has a fatal flaw…” Nyx looked from Sariel to Mia and back again. “Maybe two… no, three.”

  “How can your son Charon serve him?”

  “Charon doesn’t serve Lucifer. He serves the dead, just as you do. Both of you take the dead beyond the rot of their human remains into the spiritual world. He takes them across the river Styx, you guide them into the light. I am very proud of you, as I am Charon and the rest of my children. You are fallible, but you are honest.”

  Sariel felt the pull of Nyx’s beauty. He turned away, fearing what she had to offer would change him forever.

  Nyx studied the archangel, felt his desire, but also felt his struggle. She would not tempt him. He was too valuable in the position he was in, as Mia’s counselor and as Michael’s confidant. Mia didn’t fully trust him yet. Nyx thought now was the time to bring that about.

  “Mia, teach Sariel about the half-veil. He will need the weapon soon.”

  “Yes, Mother.”

  “Mia, you have planted the seed of a mighty tree of protection. Gerald is starting to thrive under its branches. Seek him out. Let him teach you.”

  “Baxter is my teacher.”

  “Mia, how can I say this gently, it is better to learn from many wizards than be the pet of just one. Baxter has a perspective. Gerald has another.”

  “Thank you, for your insight, your gifts, and my life.”

  “Practice the calm reason Mbengar has gifted you. You are primal demon, and Lucifer is not your lord. Roumain does not have claim over you. Beware, Abigor no longer sees you as his daughter. Renew your friendship with Dis Pater. He still has honor.”

  Mia was overwhelmed with this information. Sensing this, Sariel put a hand on her shoulder.

  Nyx saw this and was pleased. “Sariel, I give you the dagger of Chaos. This will enable you to cut ties with the earth. Mia, I give you the jewel of Morpheus. Wear it to control your dreams.”

  “Thank you,” Mia said as Nyx’s handmaiden slid the gold chain holding the dark blue crystal over Mia’s head. She stood straight, and the gem nestled between Mia’s breasts.

  “Do you have any more questions that I may be able to answer?”

  “I have been told there is a golden chain that I cannot see around my ankle. Who is it from, and is it a curse or a gift?”

  “It’s from the archangel who has never left you. Death is always near. Death is not a curse but, sometimes, can be a gift. Azrael has claimed you as his. This is why the light comes when you call it. Also, why you are driven to help the lost to find their way. Azrael may have given you to Michael, but Michael cannot claim you. Neither can Lucifer take you from Michael because you were never his in the first place.”

  “Thank you, Nyx.”

  Nyx looked over at Sariel and smiled. “Yes?”

  “I have a problem that I feel you with your infinite wisdom would be the right being to ask. Would you mind advising me on it?” Sariel asked.

  “No, I would not mind.”

  “Ever since Mia brought me back from the edge of existence, I have been having an existential crisis. I’m questioning everything. Where I would simply comply, I ask myself why?”

  “It sounds like free will found its way to your shores. You can embrace it or reject it. Give it some time before you decide. Free will has problems attached but so does blind obedience.”

  “Thank you, Nyx,” Sariel said.

  “Go with my blessings.”

  Sariel held out a hand to Mia, and as the light wrapped around them, they found themselves at the top of the world. Sariel looked down at Mia. “Look how far we have come since I found you upside down in a soul catcher’s bowl.”

  “I always give great first impressions,” Mia said, her eyes twinkling. “I need to return to Ted who is waiting for me at Quentin’s. You’re welcome to join us.”

  “I can sense your fatigue and your need to get to your children. I’ll not let them be taken from you, Mia. As long as I exist, I will watch over them. This I promise you.”

  Sariel wanted to tell Mia to be wary of Michael but still felt it would be betraying his general. He knew he had Michael’s ear. Maybe by staying loyal he could help Mia by anticipating Michael’s next move.

  They drifted slowly down. Mia let go of Sariel’s hand and flew quickly to Quentin’s. She landed on the patio and walked into the mansion through the lakeside door. “Hello?” she called out. “I’m alive, and I have my wings.”

  Ted ran out from the library and picked her up and swung her around. “I would be lying if I said I wasn’t worried.”

  “I’m a bit surprised myself. I was asked to take Sariel to see Nyx.”

  “But how did you get there?”

  “I’m not really sure. She gave me some advice and a honey-do list.”

  “Will the list wait until after you’ve had some sleep? I could pack a lot of stuff in the bags under your eyes.”

  “Ted, you must really learn the art of compliments.”

  “He is rather bad at them,” Quentin said, walking up. “Let go of her, she’s not one of your dolls.”

  “Action figures,” Ted corrected.

  Quentin took Mia’s hands. He looked down and saw the large gemstone. “What’s this?”

  “A present from Nyx. Allegedly, it’s the gem of Morpheus. It’s supposed to give me sweet dreams if I wear it to bed.”

  Baxter stuck his head out of his office. “Be careful with that thing,” Baxter advised. “Morpheus is a very powerful dream caster, as are his siblings.”

  “Duly noted,” Mia said.

  “I’m going to buy you a truck,” Quentin said.

  “Why are you buying me a truck?” Mia asked.

  “Because you’ve had a bad day.”

  “A hug is just as good as buying me a truck,” Mia said.

  Ted watched as Quentin hugged Mia. There was a family bond there, even though distant. Quentin was Mia’s grandmother’s son who was taken from her. His loss may have caused Fredricka to sour and seek out a way to tip the balance of good and evil. Her methods were cruel, and she became worse than the entities she sought to destroy. But she had engineered Mia, who now stood in the protective embrace of Fredricka’s lost son.

  “You go home with your hubby and get some sleep. Use that cheap piece of paste if you have to, but have a good dream,” Quentin said.

  “Nyx may claim me as her daughter, but you’re my uncle, my family, and my friend,” Mia said. “You will never be replaced in my heart.”

  Quentin’s eyes twinkled.

  Mia and Ted left via Baxter’s charm.

  Baxter looked at Quentin. “You’re still going to buy her a truck, aren’t you?”

  “Yes. Mia’s not impressed by jewelry, but she is by horsepower.”

  ~

  Cid looked at his phone again. He was in the PEEPs truck monitoring Debra’s house with Audrey.

  “What’s going on?” Audrey asked.

  Quentin is buying Mia a truck, and he doesn’t know anything about trucks. He wants a truck that she can put the kids in.”

  “A crew cab or double cab,” Audrey said.

  “He wants it pretty.”

  “Mia doesn’t like pretty.”

  “Here, you do it,” Cid said, trying to give Audrey his phone.

  “Nope. Quentin likes me and brings me a gift every time he goes to Europe.”

  Cid took his phone back and voiced what he was texting, “Mid-sized because we have my truck if we need to haul heavy, and not red. Mia has a
lead foot, and red attracts cops.”

  “Chevy Silverado 1500, or a Ford F-150, or a Ram 1500,” she said. Audrey resumed watching the camera feed as the poltergeist was now braiding Ms. Carter’s sheer drapes.

  “NO RANGE ROVERS!” Cid shouted, tossing his phone down in frustration.

  “Give me,” Audrey said. She accessed the Dodge website and picked the Ram 1500 Classic Warlock package. With side steps in Maximum Steel Metallic or Patriot blue. No special wheels, she typed. Audrey handed back the phone. “You can handle the motor, can’t you?”

  Cid finished and looked at two pictures Quentin immediately sent him. He chose one. “He bought it. Thanks, Audrey.”

  “Why is Quentin buying Mia a truck?” she finally asked.

  “She had a horrible day,” Cid said.

  “I heard she had a soul-crushing day,” Audrey said. “Angelo was over the house before I left for my shift, and I fear Mia is in for a few more horrible days. Let Quentin give her the truck.”

  ~

  Mia walked out on the porch to wave goodbye to Ted. She felt bad that she couldn’t join him, but together they had decided, until things calmed down, one of them would be home with the kids. Altair had moved back into the aerie, and Murphy was on patrol. Lazar was shown how to turn on the force field, and he moved into the guestroom for the night.

  Nanny walked out, bringing a wool shawl with her that she draped over Mia’s arms. “Don’t spend too long outside. The chill combined with your lack of sleep isn’t good for you.”

  “Yes, Nanny.” Mia turned to her and asked, “Am I causing a difficulty for you?”

  “Whatever do you mean?”

  “I’ve acted without thinking of everyone around me. I didn’t think that by being responsible with my birth control that I would have Enos taken from here and your life made complicated. They are going to try and take my daughters from me.”

  “They can’t, it’s monstrous,” Nanny said. “Don’t worry, calm heads will figure this out. To answer your question, you have brought me joy, love, and adventure. Life is difficult, but I enjoy every day when I can live it nurturing children.”