by Alexie Aaron
“Okay, your homework is to contact Angelo, Victor, and Nicholai and tell them the complete truth. Do it soon. Quentin is getting angsty.”
“Is he staying there because he’s afraid of the birdmen?”
“No, he’s staying there because he doesn’t want his existence to sour your relationship with Nicholai and Angelo.”
“He is so sweet,” Mia said, tears forming in her eyes.
Baxter wanted to hug her but knew that he couldn’t do that and be her therapist. The more he worked with Mia, the more protective of her he became. He understood why she had problems with the world of the supernatural. Mia was so vulnerable that you forgot how powerful she was and how dangerous she could be. On the other hand, she was so powerful and dangerous, he sometimes forgot how fragile she was.
“Let’s finish our coffee and then go down into the lab and practice protecting yourself without using a sword.”
Mia nodded.
Ted waited outside with the other parents and caregivers entrusted to pick up the preschoolers exiting the small building. Bear Buddy Preschool’s yard was filled with color. The color came from the all-weather room where the students spent part of their day, regardless of the elements, to take in fresh air and play imaginative games with each other. Also, the padded playground was designed carefully to help with the somewhat tricky balance of the small children. The place was impressive. The Martins had a few meetings with the head teachers about Brian before enrolling him. The school welcomed the genius child and appreciated the daily packets of extra work Rand Templeton designed for Brian. The goal was to socialize and teach Brian without him becoming bored and disrupting the growth and esteem of the other children.
Mia brought him to school every morning and Ted, Lazar, or Susan Braverman picked him up on Monday and Thursdays when Mia was downtown having therapy with Baxter. Otherwise, it was she who would be waiting for Brian and her ear he would bend with complaints or questions, depending on the day. Brian was learning to blend in, and Mia rewarded each milestone of compassion or revelation with either a trip to the art store or extra time in the park.
Today, Ted watched as the little boy ran out of the building. He launched himself into Ted’s arms.
“Hello, Dad!”
“Hello, Brian, how was your day?”
“It was pretty good. I learned all about color. We stood at the easels and mixed colors and painted. Noah painted himself green and brown.”
“Maybe he’s looking into developing a new camouflage?”
Brian giggled. He handed his semi-dry masterpiece to Ted. Ted held it up and marveled at the content. “I see a lot of trees here. I’m going to have to fight Murphy for this picture.”
“Uncle Murphy loves his trees,” Brian agreed. He stopped and frowned.
“What’s the matter?” Ted asked. He squatted down so he could be on the same level as his son.
“I heard one of the mothers at this morning’s drop-off call Mom Crazy Cooper.”
“That wasn’t kind,” Ted said.
“Mom didn’t even say anything to her. I wanted to punch the lady in the nose.”
“But, Brian, what good would that have done? They would just start calling your mother Crazy Cooper with the son with a great right hook.”
“What do you do when they say bad things about Mom when you’re around?” Brian asked.
“I feel sorry for them. They have no idea what a wonderful person they are missing out on meeting. They only remember when your mom didn’t understand why everyone else couldn’t see the ghosts she could see. You see, your Cooper grandparents didn’t know the troubles your mother went through adjusting.”
“Did you have problems in school?”
“Yes, I did. I was very smart but didn’t understand when to use my smarts and when to let others try to answer the questions first. You could say that your mom and I learned the hard way how to fit in.”
“Do I have to fit in?”
“No, but it’s easier and sometimes more fun. When I made friends with Cid, school became a lot more fun. I had someone to challenge me.”
“Challenge, like in a fight?”
“No, challenge me scholastically. I was the head of my class in elementary school, but when I came to middle school, there was Cid. He was good at things I wasn’t. I was good at things he wasn’t. We both worked so that we excelled in most everything. Except girls, we didn’t have many girlfriends.”
“Yuck! Who needs girls?”
“Your mother is a girl.”
“No, she’s a lady,” Brian said proudly. “She told me a secret.”
“A secret?”
“Yes.”
“Care to tell me?” Ted asked, curious.
“I don’t know,” Brian said, looking around. “We better get into the car first.”
Ted refrained from picking up Brian and measured his steps so Brian didn’t have to run after him. When they got to the car, Brian climbed in and sat in the booster seat. Ted buckled him in and asked, “Now can I hear the secret?”
“Mom says that you are the best thing that ever happened to her. She says that you make her happy every time she thinks about you. She told me once, she was thinking about you and not paying attention to where she was, and she walked right into the wall,” Brian said, giggling.
Ted laughed. “Don’t worry, I won’t tell her you told me.”
Cid was busy installing the pavers from the edge of the Martin parking lot to his house on the neighboring property. Originally, he was just going to use crushed stone but changed his mind when he found out that the price was quite similar, and Mia pointed out that Lazar and the Martin boys’ strollers and bikes would not be able to navigate very easily on the crushed stone.
“Maybe that’s a good thing,” Cid had said, not meaning it.
“Liar,” Mia said. “If you wanted free of the Martin boys, you should have moved across town. Even then, when Varden starts flying…”
Cid reached over and hugged his friend. “You know I don’t mean it. It’s going to be so hard when I do move in. I’m going to be lonesome.”
“Ted’s and your cord will stretch,” Mia teased. “Besides, now we can have noisy sex without you bursting in on us.”
“Sorry about that. I really thought you were in peril,” Cid said, blushing.
Mia patted him on the back. “I appreciate the thought though. Nice to have so many heroes around.”
Cid checked the level of the last paver. He heard the PEEPs van coming down the street. He stood up to see it pass his property and make its way to the farmhouse drive. He dusted off his hands and headed over to the farmhouse where he had promised to make pizzas for men’s night. Mia would be coming home late, and Ted decided that the males should do something Mia wasn’t fond of. They were going to play video games. Lazar would be squaring off with Burt while he and Ted faced off. Dieter was getting paid to watch his brothers. Mike declined. Rumor had it, he had a date with a Chicago model.
When Mia heard about Mike’s date, she snapped her fingers and said, “Damn, there goes the spare.”
Mike and her friendship was an odd one. There was more than mutual regard going on, but neither would venture beyond flirting. Mia was stuck on Ted, and that was that. Not even the temptation of the handsome ghost in residence, Stephen Murphy, interfered with Mia’s love for her husband.
Murphy arrived in time to see Brian proudly showing his masterpiece to Lazar, the Martin’s farm manager. The veteran stood securely, even though his prosthesis was giving him trouble. Having only one leg and taking care of the Martin children was a challenge. One that Lazar loved doing.
“I’m very impressed,” Lazar said. “You managed to give us eight different colors of trees.”
“This one is an oak,” Brian said, pointing out a red-brown tree. “This little red one is Murphy’s Japanese maple and…”
“Did someone call me?” Murphy asked.
“We were just studying Brian’s tree picture,”
Lazar said.
“Trees!” Murphy exclaimed. “I love trees.”
“We know,” Brian said.
“Brian and I decided we would hang it in the big barn so everyone could enjoy it,” Ted said.
Murphy nodded. “Sounds like a good compromise; although, it would look nice in my little red barn too.”
Ted loved the way Murphy played along. “We’re going to play video games tonight since Mia is going to be coming home late. You’re welcome to join us.”
“I appreciate the offer, but I’m going to see if I can encourage that new skunk family to move down the road a bit. Mia was not pleased when Maggie came in smelling to high heaven.”
Lazar and Ted laughed, remembering Cid and Mia’s tug of war over the last can of tomato juice. He wanted it for a sauce. Mia wanted to wash the stink of skunk out of the dog. Mia won.
Lazar touched his earpiece. “Varden is up. If you gentlemen will excuse me,” he said, turned, and walked towards the house.
Brian handed Ted the painting and rushed to catch up with Lazar.
“Gee, what are we, chopped liver?” Cid asked.
“He’s going to tell Varden all about his day,” Ted said. “We don’t ooh and aah like his little brother does.”
“He’s Varden’s hero,” Murphy said.
“One of the mothers at preschool called Mia Crazy Cooper when she dropped Brian off this morning.”
“People can be so mean. What did Mia do?” Murphy asked.
“Nothing. She’s probably internalized it. Brian and I talked about it.”
Murphy walked over to the woodpile and took out his anger on chopping wood.
Cid and Ted watched him a moment. Ted walked into the office, and Cid walked over to the ghost. He waited until a cord of wood was quartered before he cleared his voice.
Murphy looked over at him.
“I know how frustrating it is when we can’t protect her.”
“I wonder how this ‘lady’ would like it if her house was haunted?” Murphy said, setting his jaw, before he set another piece of wood up to be quartered.
“Would you really do that?” Cid asked.
“Mia would be mad at me, but yes, I would do that. Make sure I don’t know who it is.”
“Deal,” Cid said. “How did Mia get to Chicago? I see her truck here.”
“She used the charm Baxter made. It allows her to arrive on the doorstep of Quentin’s mansion. This saves her a lot of time, and Mia doesn’t like driving on the expressway. Tonight, she’ll fly home through the between. She said, once she’s allowed, Baxter is going to help her make a two-way charm so she can just appear here.”
“Do you trust Baxter?” Cid asked.
“He’s a hard one to read. I have made a point to observe him many times when he wasn’t aware I was around, and he seems to take his job seriously. He isn’t sweet on Mia, but I’m sensing he has become very protective of her. He was Quentin’s therapist, doctor, and friend for years. He kept Quentin from going crazy.”
“Can you tell me why Mia is seeing him without breaking a confidence?”
Murphy looked over at Cid and appreciated that he asked. “Mia has become aware that she is losing her connection with her body. Father Santos says this is common with sensitives. Mia is worried because it is very easy for her to see her body as a tool and not part of her. For example, my axe. I could reason that the axe is responsible for cutting down the dead trees when it is I and the axe who have cut them down. Mia confided to me that she could almost reason using her body in a marital way and not feel she had dishonored her marriage. It was just a tool and not part of her.”
“I think this is the kind of dissociation that spies use. She is smart to catch it before it becomes a problem,” Cid said.
“I wish that I knew that this was happening and didn’t misunderstand her actions in the GSD. It would have saved a lot of heartache.”
Chapter Two
Angelo Michaels opened the door. “Little Bird,” he said fondly. “I’m so glad you called.”
Mia handed the handsome, tall Italian the bottle of wine Baxter helped her choose. Angelo looked at the label and said, “This is an excellent year.”
“I hope so. I know nothing about wine,” Mia admitted. “Forgive me for not dressing up, I was in Chicago on another matter when I called.”
Angelo knew better than to try to read her mind and, instead, guided her into his living room where he had a nice fire burning in the grate. “Since the evening has a bit of a chill to it, I think it would be enjoyable to all if we sit here. Nicholai and Victor will be along within the hour. I thought maybe you and I could enjoy each other’s company until then.”
Mia nodded and slipped off her blazer and let the fire warm her arms. “I had a message from Father Santos. I think he wants to meet.”
“He’s worried about how things were left between the two of you. Paolo was being influenced by Gerald when he decided to bring up the problems in your marriage with Ted,” he explained.
Mia sat down and sighed. “I wonder when everyone will learn that stabbing at wounds that have already healed isn’t productive. Ted’s made his peace with Beth, and that’s that.”
“Paolo would like your help determining whether a woman is possessed or not. He thinks your insight is most valuable.”
“Why me? You’re so much more powerful.”
“He says that I’m not sensitive enough and the situation needs a delicate hand.”
Mia looked up at Angelo. She patted the couch next to her.
He sat down. Mia took his hands in hers. “Angelo, he doesn’t know you like I know you. You’re so much more than you let on.”
“I’m not so sure. Little Bird, you see a different man than I am.”
“I see an honorable, intelligent, fierce fighter. Is this not who you are?” Mia questioned.
“I’m also a jealous, possessive creature.”
“I think all of us are,” Mia said.
Angelo looked down and sensed Mia was uneasy. “If you were a colt, I’d sense you were about to bolt. Have I overstepped myself again?” he asked.
“No! No, it’s not you. I have some truths to impart, and I fear you’ll be upset with me, maybe even angry. I know Nicholai will be hurt, and Victor… Victor is going to be livid.”
“I must say I’m intrigued. Our friendship has weathered a lot of storms. Have faith it will weather this,” Angelo said and got to his feet. “Can I pour you a drink? A little courage?”
“Please,” Mia said, taking off her gloves.
Angelo was surprised. Mia usually kept her gloves on unless she was reading someone. It made her susceptible. All he had to do was grab her hands, and he was inside her mind. This was a sign that Mia trusted him.
He handed her the bourbon and tried to resist the pull that just touching her fingertips had. “Mia, can I tell you why I call you Little Bird?”
“Please.”
“Because you are so fierce and strong, it’s to remind me that you are also fragile and vulnerable. There were times I wanted to shake you for your misunderstanding of me, but knowing you were a little bird kept me under control.”
“You’ve always been gentle with me. I appreciate it. I have not been as gentle with you. I’m sorry.”
“If things had been different…”
“Then I wouldn’t be here to see Victor and Nicholai,” Mia finished. “But we’re on a different path, and I’m honor bound to walk it.”
A tap on the window preceded the penthouse’s garden door opening.
Mia looked over to see Nicholai retracting his wings and stepping through the door. He pulled his hand through his graying hair and looked at the two of them, slightly worried. He heard something behind him and turned to see Victor land.
Angelo greeted the two birdmen, handing them a drink to fortify them. The light-haired Victor scowled at Mia but held his tongue. Nicholai picked up Mia into a hug. He read her fear and concern and vowed to be understa
nding.
“Just where do you get off, summoning us?” Victor asked.
Mia steeled herself before responding. “I felt that I owed the three of you the truth, and I hope you’ll listen to my explanation before leaving.”
Nicholai walked over to Victor and placed a hand on his mighty shoulder. “I think we owe her our full attention. Sit down and stop seething.”
“I’m not seething.”
“You could have fooled me,” Mia said in a small voice.
The three birdmen sat down, and Mia walked over and stood in front of the hearth. “In Alsace, you asked me to kill the Nephilim Quentin.”
“Mia, we asked you to flush him out,” Nicholai corrected.
“Yes, but the intent was to kill him,” Mia said. “Whether it was you or I, the result was the same.”
Nicholai nodded.
“I killed the beast part of the Nephilim you know as Quentin, but I saved the man and didn’t tell any of you.”
“I don’t understand. Enos saw the carcass of the beast,” Victor said.
“Yes, as I told Nicholai, I killed the beast, but I didn’t kill the human soul who was Quentin Reynolds.”
“Mia, explain,” Nicholai ordered.
“Nephilim are born with two souls. Therefore, they eventually go insane. Baxter had been working with Quentin to keep the human part of him sane, but each time he transformed into the Nephilim, he risked the beast taking control of his mind. Two souls were in constant combat over the mind of Quentin. I was given a gift from a deity named Nyx. She gave me the ability to untangle souls. Initially, I thought it was so I could be of service to Angelo and Father Santos when a demon soul possesses a child or an adult. It wasn’t until I was faced with killing my uncle that I came up with the idea.”
“I knew you were too weak,” Victor said.
“You were right,” Mia admitted. “You gave me some very important advice just prior to me leaving for the château. You said that I needed to be superhuman when I was human, birdman when I needed to be an archangel, and vice versa. I had to choose the right part of me to be when I needed that strength. You were going to work with me in order to pull together all these gifts.”
