Sticks and Stones

by Alexie Aaron

  Mia got up. “I think we’re digressing. I accept your apology. I’ll work on trying to heal what you did to my son. Working with you is going to be hard, but I’m not going to destroy PEEPs.”

  “SHUT UP!” Mike grabbed Mia. “Why did you stop coming to me?”

  Mia took off her glove and said, “Could you deal with this?” Mia took her hand and blasted the sick images of what Lucifer did to her in his thought game. “Or this?” She assaulted Mike with Nicholai’s abandonment. “And then you called me a freak. My son hears it, and part of him now believes it because his beloved Uncle Mike believes it. Tell me, Mike, are you qualified to be my father confessor? My problems go far beyond your petty ego. I had to ‘buck up little soldier’ and save the fucking world after my mother told me she unsuccessfully killed me when I was an infant. I had to bare my soul and desire to Angelo in order to navigate the Death Spiral. Did you want me to bring this to your door?”

  Mike sunk to his knees.

  “Ted has had to deal with all of this and so much more. How long would you have lasted in his shoes? Could you sleep with me now knowing that, mentally, I was debased by Lucifer? And all the changes. Do you want to try and attempt to pull back the covers for this?” Mia said, exposing the scales behind her ears. “Or we could deal with my human side. Do you want to walk beside me as the people in my village give me the cold shoulder or, worse, call me names? They don’t even stop when my kids are with me.

  “Ted has his own problems. Stop being envious and start a life of your own. I sincerely thank you for listening and pretending to be my friend for as long as you did. You did make a difference. But my life needs a villain, a bad boy, a controlling cousin, and a heroic ghost to help me. But above all, I need Ted.”

  Mia walked out the door, sprouted her white wings, and took off.

  Mike sat there on the floor as the horror Mia showed him faded. He knew soon he wouldn’t even remember anything she had shown him. It wasn’t her way to leave lasting hurt. She had shown him compassion at the height of her anger. He had to let his fixation with hurting Ted go. It was immature. Gates didn’t understand why he had even taken issue with Mia. Gates told him that, at any time, she felt Mia could have put her on her backside and explained the art of skating to her, but instead Mia listened, and Gates felt that Mia was honest and genuine.

  Mike picked up the phone. It went to Gate’s voicemail. “Gates, it’s me Mike. We need to get together because I need to explain a few things and to apologize. Call me when you get this.”

  Chapter Thirty-three

  Mia landed in the shadows of Northerly Island and ran a while until she warmed up. She felt him before she saw him approach her.

  “Gerald, thank you for coming. I won’t take long.”

  “Come with me out of the wind,” Gerald coaxed.

  Mia walked over to him. He took her arm, and in a blink, she found herself inside an apartment overlooking the lake.

  “Sticks came to see me today,” Mia began and told Gerald everything. “He gave me this information, just in case he disappears.”

  Gerald sighed. “And you came to me because you feel I’m in danger.”

  “Yes, was I foolish to think so?” Mia worried.

  “No,” he said, running his hand on her cheek. “As long as I stay out of Hell, I’m safe. The same goes for you. Abigor won’t make a move until he knows where Lucifer’s heart resides. It’s not in a box, it’s in a being. It wouldn’t last long without nourishment. Come and sit down for a moment. You look like you’ve lost your best friend,” Gerald said, taking advantage of Mia’s shift in focus to read her mind.

  “Evidently he never was a best friend. More hard truths to deal with. Speaking of deals, how’s business?”

  “With all the corruption going on, there are deals to be made. I could use a good thug if you’re interested.”

  “I don’t really have the time. Besides, you don’t need me fawning over you.”

  Gerald shook his head. “I would call you a liar, but there is truth in your statement. Except, your love is strange, not sexual or familial. Mia, you may have created a new kind of love.”

  “According to Baxter, I have too much love and not enough common sense.”

  “You wouldn’t be here otherwise. How deep are you in with Baxter?”

  “I trust him.”

  “You know what he is.”

  “Yes.”

  “Good. How about me?”

  “Forneus is your fallen name, but Gerald Shem is more of a mystery to me.”

  “If I asked you to go back and save your aunt?”

  “I would do it.”

  Gerald’s eyes filled with tears. “I’m never going to ask you to do that, but knowing you would do this, touches me.”

  “You saved me,” Mia said. “But I know I still have to be careful with you.”

  Gerald smiled. “Then you’re not under my spell.”

  “No, Gerald, but I hope we can find our way back into being friends. We have a lot of hurt to sort through or we could just cancel clear it.”

  “You’re a very wise woman,” Gerald said.

  “I’d love to stay for more flattery, but I left Ted in charge of the twins. He’s probably dressed them in pink and is reading comic books to them.” Mia extended her wings.

  “Don’t fly, I’ll send you back,” Gerald said. “I’m going to send you back prior to Mike’s confession so you don’t lose a nice evening with Altair. He left his last knight in a precarious position.”

  Mia wasn’t surprised that Gerald knew what had occurred in Mike’s condo. She felt him slip into her mind house. Mia would later ponder why she let him in. She asked, “Are you saying when Mike texts me, I shouldn’t go?”

  “No. Knowing what he told you is enough. Just be polite and tell him all is forgiven.”

  “But…”

  “Trust me. He needs more time. He’ll be forced to do some soul searching. He will be a better man for it.”

  “But…”

  “Trust me, this is what I do best.”

  “Thank you. Please don’t go after Lucifer alone,” Mia said. “I have a feeling we have to do this together.”

  Gerald sent her home. He thought about how easy it was to let Beverly lead him into intrigues that ended up hurting Mia, her family, and her friends. Even with all the evidence stacked against him, Mia refused to see the horrible creature he was. On the island when he exposed his true nature, she didn’t flinch. Her acceptance of all beings regardless of what side of the fence they stood on was not only a weakness but also a weapon. Being around Mia made you want to be a better being. If he felt this way with only the short exposures he had with her, he could only imagine what it was doing to a creature like Baxter. She had pulled Altair up from the pit and got Heaven to reinstate him as an archangel. Someone or something very powerful must be helping her. But who?

  ~

  Mia took Altair’s knight just as her phone vibrated. She picked it up and read the message:

  You’ve surrounded yourself in a castle made up of dangerous males. I can’t even explain myself. Mike

  She typed:

  All is forgiven. Mia

  Brian looked up from his book. Mia blew him a kiss.

  Altair took Mia’s queen. “Checkmate.”

  “I’ve been set up,” Mia growled.

  “Yes, by me. Now you have to pay up.”

  Mia walked upstairs and brought down his dirty laundry. “I swear, how does an archangel get so dirty? It’s not like you do anything.” Mia dropped the basket as Altair started tossing chess pieces at her. Mia retaliated by half-veiling the laundry over Altair’s head and dropping it on him.

  Brian laughed so hard he jumped up, grabbed himself, and ran to the bathroom.

  “More laundry…” Mia said watching him. She turned around and helped untangle Altair from his underclothes. Then they hunted for the missing chess pieces. Brian came out wea
ring a towel like a sarong. He put his pajama pants in the basket.

  “My dear, you’ve gone Hawaiian,” Mia said in her snooty accent.

  “Only the best people do it,” Brian answered, no longer embarrassed.

  ~

  Mia moved through the house picking up toys and settling books on shelves. Ted wanted to work on a project, and since he had been on baby duty all evening, Mia couldn’t say no. She rarely had time to herself and the energy with which to appreciate it. She headed towards the kitchen.

  Dieter walked into the house from the front door. “You’re still up.”

  “Yes, your Dad’s working, and I thought I’d do a little housework. Would you like a snack?”

  “Yes, I would love a snack. Maybe one of your famous sandwiches?” he said.

  “One cleaning-out-the-refrigerator special,” Mia said and disengaged her hug.

  Dieter followed her into the kitchen. He sat at the counter and told her about school, Mark, everything except his girlfriend.

  Mia noticed but didn’t say anything. If he needed to talk, he would broach the subject. “Cid thinks my roller derby moniker should be Mac Menace. I’m not in love with it, but I don’t have one better.”

  “What’s the rules?”

  “Since I’m not going to join the roster of a team, I just need to make it punny or rhyme. Some take names and switch them up like Pain Eyre and Hermione Danger.”

  “Let’s list things about you. You’re small but mighty, smart and…” Dieter stopped himself.

  “The word is sexy,” Roumain said, walking in the kitchen. He was dressed in casual attire but impeccably groomed. His midnight skin shown with health, and his long fingers bore rings with massive gems. His long braided hair was drawn back with a gold chain.

  Mia and Dieter’s mouths dropped open.

  “How?” Mia asked.

  “It took me a while, but I figured out how to get in,” Roumain said. “May I have a sandwich?”

  Mia finished Dieter’s and started one for Roumain. “Is there anything you don’t like eating?” she asked, her hands shaking.

  “Not fond of liverwurst,” he said thoughtfully. “I love your home.”

  “Thank you. It’s a work in progress.”

  Mia finished his sandwich. “Would you like a beer or something else to drink?”

  “A beer is fine. Dieter, I have noticed that you’re letting your studies slip. You can have a girlfriend, sports, and keep up your grades; you just need to stay motivated. Too often, we get complacent and then laziness takes root.”

  “Yes, sir,” Dieter said.

  “I think the chaos of the last month hasn’t helped,” Mia said.

  “Yes, I am aware, but let’s not wallow. Your appearance in front of the council has started a movement within the ranks of the Warrior class. They are questioning their leadership.”

  Mia busied herself with putting away the leftovers. She turned around and felt Roumain’s eyes bore into her.

  “How far up?” she asked.

  “Past Victor,” Roumain said. “Nicholai is dancing on hot coals right now. And Soren is fighting to keep his position. He has asked the Royal flock to replace Claudius on the council.”

  “It is pretty silly in this day and age to have royals ruling,” Dieter said.

  “See, this is why your schooling is important,” Roumain said. “I understand Altair has taken it upon himself to teach you, Mia.”

  “Yes, as time allows.”

  “Make the time,” Roumain said. “Dieter, would you give your mother and I some privacy. I promise not to take her. You have my word as a gentleman.”

  Dieter looked at Mia, and she nodded.

  “Let’s go and enjoy that fire in your living room, shall we?” Roumain said. “Your house is a bit chilly. Perhaps it’s not yet prepared for the coming cold snap.”

  “Listening to you talk about the weather is mesmerizing,” Mia said, taking hold of his offered arm.

  “I do have courtly manners.”

  “After all, you’re a king. I hope you didn’t take Dieter’s comment personally.”

  “About the royals? No. I knew what he was talking about.”

  “How is the blue energy settling in?” Mia asked.

  “It took some getting used to, but overall I’m satisfied. How are you?”

  “I wish I could say one-hundred percent wonderful, but I don’t like lying to you. I’m working on adjusting to the primal demon power. I have to be careful and not think too intently on things. It’s very responsive.”

  They sat down. Roumain turned to Mia. “Sticks came to see you.”

  “He warned me about a renewed interest in me. A thought gone astray on Lucifer’s part.”

  “Is Sticks your spy?”

  “Oh no. Although, I think he stills feels a responsibility towards me.”

  Roumain reached over and pulled Mia into his lap. He caressed her face trying to read her mind.

  Mia didn’t give him access. To do so now would be to Forneus’s and her peril. “It’s pretty empty,” Mia said. She watched the fire and felt it slow to a stop. Mia summoned a small amount of blue energy and traced Roumain’s lips with her finger. She could feel him respond like Lucifer did. She stopped it.

  “What are you doing?” he said, his pupils large.

  “Distracting you,” Mia said. “I will let you in my mind house but no further than my heart wall. And then you will let me in to see your heart wall, and then we will go further.”

  “I can’t say that I don’t enjoy your game of seduction. But this isn’t the place, Mia.”

  “I had a feeling I wasn’t on your heart wall,” Mia pouted. “I blew that position when I threatened you. Poor, silly, angry Mia.”

  Roumain studied the woman before him. He picked her up and breathed in her scent and set her down. “I should shake you, or paddle you, or take you on that rug and leave you broken for your husband to find you. But I can’t bring myself to hurt you. And part of me fears that I can’t.”

  “I don’t want to anger you, Roumain. I’m a different being. I think I’m holding up remarkably well. Last week, I found out Nicholai no longer has any regard for me. Today, Mike was using me to hurt my husband. And now I find out that even though I love you, you don’t love me. I don’t envy Baxter when I slam this down on his therapy desk.”

  “What are you playing at?” Roumain asked. “Don’t try to play games with me, Mia. I have played every game and come out the winner.”

  “I’m not playing a game. I respect you. There is no better entity to rule Purgatory. I think I have, in my ignorance, not shown my reverence, my appreciation, or my esteem. I’m afraid of you. I’m not afraid of what you’ll do to my body but what you will do to my mind, my heart, and my soul. Forgive me for any hurt I have caused you. I look back ashamed of my actions. I let your little game almost destroy my marriage. It took years to rid Ted of Beth’s poison. I didn’t see it for what it was because I’m a child playing dress up in a god’s clothing. How you must have laughed at me. But fear not, I’m not going to let the mistakes of my past interfere with my future.”

  Roumain studied Mia. “The best and the worst thing to happen to you was to have your life extended beyond the mortal realm. I saw you as a momentary distraction, but now…”

  “You see me different. How?”

  “You have been given status by Mbengar. If I destroy you, I will have no support from the primal demons. Nyx has adopted you and given you power to play with, power you could kill immortals with. Baxter is balancing your mind. And there is someone else I can’t sense helping you. The fact that you still seek my counsel astounds me.”

  “Why? Because you lie and use me? I still learn from you. You’re a beautiful seductive creature, and I’m not going to lie and say I am unaffected by your caresses. You’re smart, determined and ambitious. I’m not ambitious. I don’t want to rule the paranormal world, but I won�
��t have the wrong being ruling it. Not as long as my family has to reside in it. You should have thought long and hard before you possessed Ted and brought my first child into being.”

  “You were so young, both of you. You thought that the world was yours to enjoy without responsibility. I had to change that. Did I make an error, maybe, maybe not? True, I didn’t consider your capacity to change and Ted’s ability to accept each change with love and esteem. Nor your wisdom in accepting the sterile life offered to you by Mbengar. You shook up the birdmen with that. Stopped Lucifer’s fantasies of impregnating you. Made you desirable to archangels…”

  Mia’s eyes flickered.

  “You didn’t think of that did you?” Roumain laughed. “Don’t worry, they are used up old males in youthful bodies. Right now, you are protected by Michael who does not desire you. If he ever leaves power, then you will have to make a choice. But that’s speculation and something I really don’t see happening.”

  “It sucks being female,” Mia lied. “I’m not against you ruling the paranormal world, Roumain, as long as you don’t drag me under the wheels of your ambition.”

  Roumain studied Mia’s face. He couldn’t tell if she was lying or not. If she wasn’t lying, then she had made an admission along with a warning. “I would not serve you up to Lucifer, Mia. I saw what he did with his thoughts. I would kill you before letting him debase your flesh that way. He fucked with your mind. He will not do that with your body. This I promise you.”

  She looked into his luminous eyes. His eyes held her for what seemed like an eternity. Mia managed a nod.

  Roumain started time and took his leave. Mia sat there for a while staring into the flames.

  Chapter Thirty-four

  Saturday morning, Mike dropped Gates off at the community center and promised to work on his apology to Mia. He had written a few drafts, all of which Gates had rejected. Gates saw that Mia was already there. She was stretching. Gates set her gear down, walked over, and began to follow Mia’s lead stretching.