by Alexie Aaron
“No. He wants to scare me and wants to be respected. I think he would like nothing better than for me to resist him so he could hurt me, but I know better. I’ve been punished in a demon court and barely survived. I know when to challenge an autocrat and when to be compliant. But I haven’t had to do anything wrong. We have very similar thoughts that we have shared. Is that wrong?”
“I don’t know. Whatever keeps your head attached to your body down here is fine in my eyes.”
Mia hugged the demon. “Lucifer said I should kill the first demon who denies me respect. What does he mean?”
“You will have to walk your legion lines. Demons may make disparaging remarks about you. If you want their respect, you need to stop the talk. And be vicious. Don’t worry, these aren’t house demons. They will regenerate, but you do need to be brutal.”
“Thank you.”
Altair nudged Victor when the flying horses landed. Abigor left his steed and walked forward to the observation deck. The legions knelt in respect as he moved by them. Mia followed. A demon got up, stepped in her way, and called her a human whore. Mia called for Romeo and Juliet and dispatched the demon within seconds. Mia recalled her daggers, lifted her skirts, stepped over the corpse, and continued towards the deck. The ranks continue to kneel as she walked by.
“She’s changing,” Murphy hissed.
“She’s leading,” Altair said.
“But at what cost?” he said, worried.
They stood on a platform that stretched a quarter of a mile. There were stairs to bring them higher along the cliff face. Mia climbed until she was high enough to see the legions standing in square formations of a thousand warriors. Each unit had a leader. They stretched backwards for another quarter of a mile. Abigor took her elbow and pointed out, “Those are the legions you gave to me as a tribute. They are standing the tallest. Before, it was an insult to be owned by a human. You showed them you would garner no disrespect. Bold move.”
“Mia, you should identify yourself to the legions,” Victor said. “Let them know why you’re here and what you expect.”
“Will they hear me?”
Sticks walked over and placed what look to be a clamshell on her voice box.
Mia walked forward and looked to the leaders of the front lines, and they called out the equivalent of attention in Demon.
“Do you need a translator?” Abigor asked.
Mia shook her head and began to speak in low demon. “I am Mia, daughter of the goddess Nyx. She has sent me here to join you in combat with the frost giants. Our world is in danger, and we have been called to save it. Soon, we will go into battle with a foe that only the great Mbengar remembers. A foe so great that the angels fled. But we aren’t angels, are we? You and our new allies, the birdmen, will be written into history as the bravest of the brave. History will show how we stood up for the innocents of the world and kept their children from dying. We will not flee. We will not hide, covering our heads with wings made of glass. We will challenge the giants, and we will kill them. We will kill them until Odin, Vili, and Ve show up to fight and see in amazement there is only the carnage of our invaders left at our feet.”
Mia slid off her boots, unleased her wings, and dropped her armor. She rose up slowly and moved over the legions. A roar of appreciation rumbled through the valley. “If anyone wants to dispute my place in fighting beside you, I invite you to challenge me now.” Mia’s feet formed into talons. Her eyes glowed with power.
The legions stomped the ground with their approval. When they had finished, Mia moved back to the platform. She took off the clamshell and handed it back to Sticks who knelt at her feet before rising to take it from her.
“Good girl,” Altair said, offering her a chair. “Trashed my kin, but I’ll forgive you after I spank your ass.”
Mia smirked. “You and what army?”
“You’re on,” he said.
Abigor addressed the ranks and then handed the training over to his sergeants. He sat down and took Mia’s hand in his. “I would love to get a look at that illuminated manuscript now.”
“I pray I made a difference. I didn’t realize until I saw them all what I was asking them to do for me.”
“Nothing you wouldn’t do for them,” Murphy reminded her.
“Speaking of… Mia, I want you to fly to the south inland sea with me,” Victor said. “We need to train.”
“The doomsday spiral?” she asked.
“An abbreviated one. We don’t have the height here. We need to be able to direct the shock wave.”
Abigor felt the briefest tremor in one of Mia’s hands. She stood up, turned, and knelt in front of Abigor. “I beg your leave, sire.”
“You have it. I want you two back before the inland sun sets.”
“Yes, sire,” Mia said and stood. She started to walk away.
“Mia,” Abigor called.
“Yes?”
“Don’t kill yourself.”
“I’ll do my best not to,” she said.
He watched Victor and Mia take off, Mia following Victor’s lead. He turned to Altair. “Watch her. Lucifer is playing with her mind.”
“How?”
“He does what the devil does best; he’s testing her.”
“I heard you tried to include her in an orgy with two of your concubines.”
“True. But that was only her body I was playing with. Believe me, I just would give her pleasure, not try to jail her mind.”
Chapter Twenty-three
Mia stripped out of her finery. She stood in the foundation garments supplied by Lucifer’s servants. Victor kept his shorts on. He understood her need to not be fully exposed in Hell.
“We are going to fly up with full wings and talons. You to the south, me to the north. We will turn and fly at each other, catching hold of the other with our talons. We will then use our wings to rotate as we fall. The faster the rotation, the bigger the effect. Ten feet from the water, pull away at a forty-five-degree angle. Full wings, full throttle, and this should create the shock wave. If we fail, we will just end up in the sea.”
“What’s in this sea?” Mia asked.
“It’s too heavily salted to sustain life. I was told nothing lives in it. We will float easily.”
“This is very similar to the mating death spiral,” Mia confirmed.
“Yes, it’s basically that but taken at a greater height and faster rotation.”
“What stops us from going primal?” she asked.
“We don’t start off with the birdman mating ritual of you showing me your wings. This keeps this mechanical. It’s more like the eagles. Mia, we are not eagles.”
“Your core bird is a golden eagle. What stops us from becoming eagles?”
“Presence of mind,” Victor said. “Speaking of minds, you’ve been pretty quiet.”
“I have a lot to deal with here.”
“It must be hard being a female in amongst those who would take or force their advantage.”
“It is. But I knew that going in. I’m not going to cry about it now.”
Victor took off flying. Mia shot upwards and headed south. The sun was different here. It wasn’t really the sun, just the reflection of it. She didn’t feel any warmth from it, nor did she feel cold. She found her mark and turned. She tuned in to Victor in her mind and started.
They flew fast at each other and missed the first time. The second time, Mia arrived too late and the spiral started too low. The third time, they managed the rotation, but it wasn’t fast or frenzied enough. Mia didn’t pull away in time and hit the water. She was stunned but still healthy. She retracted her wings and swam to shore. She waded out and kicked at the sand before dropping down in frustration.
Victor landed. “I think I know what’s wrong.”
“I’m a doofus.”
“No, there is no spark. No courtship.”
Mia laid on her back on the sand. “How important is it that we have this in our arsenal?”
“Persona
lly, I feel it’s very important. We don’t have anything else that can provide this much power. We could bring on a waterspout, and I imagine it would douse Surtr’s fire for a few seconds.”
“That would out us to the demons. If we survived, we would be hunted down for what we did to the Risen.”
“That’s possible. Tell me, what do you want?”
“I think we need to look at what we have in common. Wings, short tempers, spirit of competition…”
“That’s it. We don’t need courtship; we are competitive. But frankly, Mia, I’m so much better at this than you, how are you ever going to keep up?” Victor bragged.
“You? This is a courtship dance. What do you know of courtship, virgin?” Mia spat back.
“Your blood is diluted and your talons are manufactured by a pale-faced archangel.”
Mia shoved him. “Well, at least my feathers don’t molt…” Mia said and took off.
They flew at each other and spun, each trying to outdo the other until they reached the limit of each’s strength. The balance was perfect, and the spiral filled with energy. They continued to challenge the other.
Victor regained a moment of clarity in time to release Mia, and when they broke apart, the energy ripped a hole in Hell and the shock wave parted the dunes for two miles.
Mia tumbled in the air until she pulled her wings in and fell into the sea. The cool water waking her from the exhaustion that followed. She swam to shore and looked at the devastation they caused.
“Bloody hell,” she said.
Mia turned to look for Victor but didn’t see him. She took flight and scanned the water, fearing he was hurt or, worse, dead. She found him back where they had left their clothes.
“Victor, did you see? Did you see what we did?”
He stood up and Mia saw his wing. He had hit the water awkwardly. His wing was damaged. Mia had him sit down, and she acted instinctively. She reached into her feathers and tore out her heart feather. She placed it over the break and held it there while she pleaded with the mages to come to her. She felt their power enter Hell through the tear they made in the ether and fill her with power. She worked feverishly. When she had done all she could, she released the mages. She summoned the last of her power, reached out and mended the rip in Hell. Only then did she let fatigue take her.
“Mia,” Victor said softly. “We did it.”
“I only wish we never had to do it again.”
“I’m not sure if I will be strong enough to do it when we need it. You’ll have to do it with one of the others.”
“Hell no. You’re the best. Why would I even want to waste my time competing with anyone else? Next time I may let you win.”
He reached up and brushed her hair away from her face. “Little Bird, you were so fierce in front of the legions. I was proud.”
“It was your training that gave me the confidence.”
Victor sat up and inspected his wing. “Mia, what’s this?” he questioned when his hand fell upon the heart feather.
“You saved me with yours. I thought I’d return the favor.”
“Um, we may have a problem.”
Mia broke out in a sweat. “Tell me.”
“You just accepted my marriage proposal. For me to give you my heart feather is one thing - birdwomen can decline the invitation - but when you gave me your heart feather, you promised yourself to me.”
“But I’m married. Damn, first Sticks and now you. Ted’s not going to be pleased that I’m engaged again.” Mia got up and pulled her clothes on. She sat with Victor until he let himself sleep. She guarded his vulnerable form as the inland light moved across the ceiling of the massive alternative world.
Victor woke when Mia was examining his wing. “I’ll help you on with your clothes,” she said. “I will fly you back, but I need you awake to tell me which way the encampment is.”
“Such a powerful warrior, yet a little bird. Mia, thank you for what you’ve given me. Your trust and your respect. How are you feeling?”
“Strange. I feel like I should apologize for the nasty things I said to you.”
“Did you mean them?”
“Yes,” Mia said. “I can’t wait until we do this again. This time, I’m going to open up and really tell you what I think about you.”
“Don’t insult the wings because when you gave me your heart feather, your wings became my wings. That power you have stored inside you became my power.”
“So maybe next time you’ll be able to keep up. I really do hate carrying you, Victor.”
He started to laugh. “And there I was being kind. Next time, the gloves come off.”
Mia nodded. “I suppose you’re going to make me honor the engagement.”
“After we save the world, I’ll return your feather to you. Right now, I need what you have. No one needs to know. We can even pretend to detest each other if it makes it easier.”
“That would take some acting,” Mia said.
She helped him to his feet and grew in size until she could lift him and fly him to the encampment.
Altair, who was worried and pacing, saw her land, and he organized a stretcher. Mia followed Victor into the tent he was sharing with Altair and Murphy. She settled the birdman before she left the tent to explain what happened. “He must have caught his wing when he hit the water.”
“Did it work?” Altair asked.
“Two miles of split dune isn’t bad considering the altitude,” Mia said. “I need to get him to the aerie if he doesn’t rebound by morning.”
Altair nodded. “Abigor is looking for you.”
“It’s not dark yet.”
“I think he’s concerned. After all, you made quite an impact with the legions.”
“K. Any idea where his tent is?”
“Get airborne and look for the largest one.”
“Thanks a lot, Altair. With my luck, I’ll get the mess tent. But I am hungry, so maybe I’ll start there.’”
“No, go and get cleaned up. You look like something the southern sea coughed up.”
“Thanks for the compliment.”
Altair laughed.
Mia soaked in the portable tub and allowed herself to be rubbed down with fragrant oils. Her hair was drawn back and fell down her back. She wore a gown that pooled at her feet. She had to lift it to walk. She was escorted into the main tent where she ate with the generals. Altair and Murphy were sitting at a table. Victor walked in looking very virile. Mia was surprised. He looked over at her and smiled.
“He heals fast,” Abigor commented, sitting down next to her.
Mia didn’t say anything.
“Sticks and I checked out the site of the shock wave and then the beach. I’m impressed. What did you two do to create such devastation?”
“No comment.”
“You tried to make the doomsday spiral work without the visceral attachment, and it didn’t work. So what did you do?”
“We had to make a few adjustments, but I believe this is going to be a game changer.”
“Sex, you had sex.”
“We did not. Honestly, Abigor, I’m trying to eat here,” Mia complained.
“You really need a camp follower. Someone to release a little of your pent-up aggression.”
“Are you volunteering?”
“I get the idea I’m not your first choice. Lately, I don’t think you like me much.”
“I like you. I just don’t like all that goes with you,” Mia said.
“It’s because I’m prettier than you,” Abigor said. “How about I take you, scales and all.”
“Now you’re talking.”
“I’m not serious. I’m your boss.”
“Abigor, you’re a tease,” Mia said, getting up. She walked out of the tent. Abigor motioned for Sticks to follow her.
Mia stopped. She was lost. She heard fast approaching footsteps. She readied herself for battle.
Sticks appeared out of the darkness.
“I’m lost.”
/> “Come, I put your stuff in here,” he said, leading her to a different tent. “You need to be quiet.”
“K,” Mia said. “I think I snore though.”
“That’s not what I mean. Goodnight, Mia.”
Mia entered the tent and pulled off her gown and wrapped the robe she found there around herself. She had just finished with her nighttime ablutions when the tent flap opened. She expected to see Sticks, but instead, Victor stood there.
“How are you feeling? How is your wing?” she asked.
He opened them, and Mia walked over and ran her hand along the damaged wing and could find no sign of the original break. “Does it hurt?”
He drew his wings around her and said, “Until we leave this place, you’re going to stay with me. Abigor’s orders. I won’t dishonor you if you don’t tempt me.”
“He’s doing this to torture us both. He knows about the doomsday spiral.”
“He’s a smart man. He’s also worried Lucifer has become too fond of you.”
“He’s not harmed me physically.”
“Neither have I, but here we are, engaged.”
“You know my previous fiancé is standing outside that tent flap, and he doesn’t detest me.”
“Detest is such a strong word…”
Altair came into his tent to find Murphy sharpening his axe.
“Where’s Victor?”
“Where do you think?” Murphy growled.
“He’s not going to press his advantage. He’s not that kind of birdman. He isn’t smitten like the rest.”
“At least there’s something. What a handful she is,” Murphy commented.
“Too much for a ghost of a farmer?” Altair inquired.
“I’m used to her. I feel bad I can’t do more to help her, but all of this is too much for me. It’s steeped in lore that I only thought existed in comic books. All I can do is be with her when she needs me. All she has to do is call for me and I’ll be there.”
“You’re smitten.”
“Proudly.”
“Have you and her ever?”
