by Alexie Aaron
“Audrey, can we get ice cream?” Brian asked. “I was a good boy.”
“Yes, you were, and I’m so proud of you. I think some ice cream would be really nice right now.”
“Can we eat it in the park?”
“Oh dear. Brian, I can’t manage two strollers.”
“What if I walk?”
“Would you stay real close to me and do what I say without… without further discussion?”
“Yes.”
“Well then, sir, you and I have a deal.”
Audrey pulled into the lot and, with surprisingly few problems, managed to get Luke and Varden established safely in the Martins’ two-kid stroller. Brian held on to the seam of her culottes as they made their way to the Dairy Bear.
Dieter and Mark passed the Dairy Bear. Mark stopped. “Isn’t that the Stavroses’ car?”
Dieter looked over and nodded. “Hey, maybe I can get a ride home.”
The teens jogged across the street and investigated the car. It was empty except for three car seats in the back.
“They must be at the park. Let’s go and surprise them,” Mark said.
Mia walked out of the lair barefoot in borrowed clothing.
Sariel was waiting for her. “Have you tried out your new wings yet?” he asked.
“I was afraid to do it inside. There are all those angels staring. What is that place anyway?”
“It’s our equivalent to a corporate office,” Sariel said. “That’s why I wanted you to dress for the occasion.”
“Good to know. I was looking around for my two helpers to thank them, but they weren’t around. One dude I didn’t even get his name. Come to think of it, he looked familiar, but with his helmet on, I wasn’t sure. The other snotty one was Gabe somebody.”
“Oh, Misfit, you really have to pick up a Who’s Who in Heaven directory.”
“Is there one?”
“No,” he said, lifting an eyebrow.
“I swear, if I didn’t love you, I’d hate you,” Mia complained.
“Gabe as in Gabriel.”
“Oh, the other big cheese. I hear he doesn’t like me.”
“You heard right.”
“Who was the other one?”
“Azrael.”
“Son of a bitch!”
“Mia!” Sariel warned, looking around.
“So when Raphael said he called in a favor, the royals came running.”
“I don’t know how to answer that. Come on, stop stalling. I want to see the wings.”
Mia produced the wings.
Sariel’s eyes opened very wide for a moment, but he didn’t say anything.
Mia, who could only see them in bits as she craned her neck, nodded. “Pretty snazzy. I don’t think they will make demons quake in their boots, but I like them.”
“Mia, those are archangel wings,” Sariel said. “There is going to be a little learning curve. But let’s take the lesson to the between. Follow me.”
“Are you sure you’re up for this?” Mia asked.
“My injuries weren’t as grievous as Michael’s. Besides, I’m flying with my healer. Come on, Misfit, let’s go.”
Sariel took off and Mia followed him. He waited for her and taught her a few things she didn’t know about archangel wings. “Long swords are kept in the feathers close to the body.”
“I don’t have a long sword,” Mia said.
“I’ll put it on Santa’s list,” Sariel said dryly. “But you have to promise not to accidently cut Angelo with it.”
“Damn, you saw right through me. You wouldn’t know if Raphael was able to get Angelo’s card out of my mind, would you?”
“I honestly don’t know.”
“Roumain couldn’t help me.”
“Mia, what exactly is Roumain to you?” Sariel asked as they flew.
“It’s complicated. Counselor, troublemaker, judge, and friend. I admire, fear, love, and hate him. Right now, he’s looking into getting me an audience with the whole Council of Women. He’s handy to have on one’s side, hell if he opposes you.”
“How did you meet?”
“My aunt sold me to Angelo on the condition he raise Guillaume, her Cooper-cursed lover, from the dead. Guillaume was in Purgatory – he’s still there. The Judge showed up and in his clever way saved me.”
“But then he regained an interest in you.”
“Yes. He wasn’t the first fallen to do that.”
“You’re so popular.”
“I’d rather be anonymous.”
“I know. How do the wings feel?”
“Lighter and yet so strong.”
“There is a small problem with having these wings.”
“Yes, no gift comes from your crew without strings attached.”
“Don’t be glib. Raphael can call upon you for favors.”
“I expected that.”
“And Michael will know if you enter Hell.”
“That’s not a problem,” Mia said. “I hope to have seen the last of that place.”
“Well, looks like you’re used to the wings. I’ll leave you here.”
“Where’s here?” Mia asked, looking around.
“Keep going that way,” Sariel said, turning her. “Things will start to look familiar in a few minutes.”
“Next time, I’m going to get me a pair of wings with GPS,” Mia said to empty air. Sariel had already gone.
Dieter followed the trail of ice cream drips to where Audrey was sitting with the kids.
“You’re a sight for sore eyes and sticky hands,” Audrey said. “Whatcha got there?” she asked, pointing to the stack of books and bags Dieter was carrying.
“Homework. I stopped at the art store. Have you been in there?”
“No, not yet.”
“There’s a very interesting portrait in the studio upstairs,” Dieter said in an odd voice.
“I don’t like the sound of that,” Audrey said.
“The artist is painting my mother, with wings,” Dieter said.
“I knew that before you did,” Brian bragged. “I was there when he drew her picture.”
“Did you, and you didn’t tell me?” Dieter acted hurt.
“Mom said it was best I didn’t mention it.”
“Little dude, it’s brothers before mothers.”
Audrey shook her head. She bent down and looked at Varden. “Don’t you listen to that hogwash. You either, Luke.”
“I got to go to the zoo. I saw all sorts of stuff you didn’t get to see,” Brian said, showing off.
“Did you see any angels? We saw an angel walking down the street,” Mark told Brian.
“Where?” Brian asked.
“She was walking past the art store,” Mark said.
“I saw a gargoyle sitting on a building in Chicago,” Brian boasted.
“That’s so cool. What did he look like?”
“Like that guy,” Brian pointed.
Audrey turned and just saw an elegant gentleman walking across the street.
Dieter looked. “That’s a cat-faced gargoyle.”
“Boys, I have a bad feeling about this,” Audrey said.
“We’ll run interference. You get the boys to the car and get to the farm,” Dieter said.
Acalan was looking over at the park, drawing inspiration, when he saw the teens drop their stuff and run to confront a man at the entrance to the park. The woman, he had seen with Brian Martin and the double stroller earlier, pushed the stroller quickly away, heading for the other park entrance.
A very tall man with a beige duster stepped in front of her. Another stouter man dressed similarly was walking up behind her.
“Grandma Z, something’s going on at the park. I’m going to check it out,” he called, running down the stairs, and picking up her old steel-shaft umbrella as he pushed out the front door.
“Excuse me,” Audrey said. “Would you mind stepping aside? I have to get the kiddies home.”
“Audrey Stavros.”
“Yes
.”
“I’m here to collect your son. Which one is Luke?”
“Who are you?’
“Here, this will explain who I am and the contract I have taken,” the Other started, reaching for the contract.
“You’re an Other?” Audrey barely got the words out.
“Yes. And if you are familiar with me, you should know I travel with an associate,” the tall Other motioned behind her.
Audrey turned around and confirmed that her last escape route was blocked. “Where is the contract?” Audrey asked, stalling. She speed-dialed Orion while the man pulled the contract out.
“Audrey?”
“Dear, there is a pair of Others here in the village park to collect our son.”
“I’m on the way,” he said.
Audrey shook her head when the contract was produced. I’m sorry, you will have to wait for Luke’s father. In this town, you must present contracts to the patriarch of the family,” she lied.
Quazar looked at the tall black youth and repeated, “Get out of my way.”
“I’m sorry, but it’s not often I get to see a gargoyle in Big Bear Lake.”
Quazar tried not to look surprised. “I have business here.”
“What is your business?” Mark asked.
“Collecting valuable things. My associates and I are fulfilling a contract while retrieving quite a collectible.”
Acalan rushed across the street, which caught the attention of his guardian angel Esther. She followed on his heels.
“Missus, you left your umbrella in the store,” he called to Audrey.
Audrey was a bit confused but sensed that the tall man brandishing an umbrella was coming to her aid. “Thank you! My children are defenseless against the elements.”
Acalan looked at the babies in the stroller, and he thought at first that they had wings. One had white wings, and the other had black wings. He shook it off as he did most of his visions.
“Hello, it’s about time we caught up,” Esther said, preparing herself to fight the Others. She was alone, but she would give it her all.
Both of the Others turned around when the angel arrived already brandishing a sword.
Audrey used this opportunity to turn the stroller around. She bent down, put Brian’s hands on the stroller, and hissed, “Run and hide the babies.” She waited until the boys were a few yards away before she launched herself on the back of the tall Other.
Momentarily surprised, he staggered under her weight. He threw her off, but she came back at him. Baffled, he tried to remember if killing the mother of the child was in the contract.
“Leave that woman alone! Someone call the cops!” Acalan shouted.
Dieter turned around and ran to help. He dialed home at the same time.
Mark stared down the man in front of him and growled, “Is that your mess over there?”
Quazar wasn’t exactly sure what he was dealing with. Was this an American teenager or was it a demon? They behaved similarly. Both were volatile. Either way, he had better be careful.
Brian pushed the cart as fast as he could. He screamed, “MURPHY!”
Varden screeched and Luke cried. Brian pushed the stroller down the hill towards the park’s entrance to the graveyard. He thought that would be a good place to hide the babies. With all the tall headstones and crypts, three little kids should be able to disappear.
Murphy dropped the bale of straw he was storing. He felt something was wrong. He moved to the farmyard.
“MURPHY!”
Brian was calling for him. Where was he?
Mia landed and looked at him. He held up his hand to stop her from talking.
“MURPHY!”
“Brian is in trouble.”
“Where?”
Cid ran out of the farmhouse shouting, “The Others are trying to take Luke in the village park.”
Mia picked up Murphy and took off.
The guardian angel faced off with the stout Other. Audrey and Acalan took turns assaulting the tall one.
Dieter arrived. He caught Audrey as she was thrown off. He set the exhausted woman down and took her place in the fight.
From above, Mia saw her son enter the graveyard pushing the stroller. She told Murphy, “Take the boys to the Countess. She’ll protect them until we can settle this. Come back and help me. I don’t have a weapon.”
Murphy dropped down to help the boys. Brian hugged the ghost. “We gotta get out of here!”
Mia flew into the melee, knocking the stout Other down. She nodded to the angel who tossed Mia her sword. Mia drove it through the heart of the entity. She pulled it out and turned and recognized the tall Other. “Not you again.” She called over to the angel. “They have come with six henchmen. This is an extermination squad,” she said, returning the sword to the angel. “You must protect your charge.”
“Mia?” Acalan said, stunned.
Mia ignored him, addressing Dieter, “Take Audrey inside the art store. Contact your father.” She turned to Acalan and stressed, “This isn’t your fight.”
“The hell it isn’t.”
Dieter left with Audrey.
Mia reached out with her mind to the angel, “I’m Mia.”
“Esther,” the guardian angel said.
“Take Acalan inside, he’s a seer. Too valuable to have out with a collecting gargoyle around.”
“Yes.”
The angel opened her wings, wrapped them around the protesting artist, and disappeared.
Mia was left staring at the tall Other. “I don’t suppose you would show me that contract, would you?”
“Why should I?” he said, watching the oily substance – who was once his partner - seep into the ground at his feet. “Did you have to do that?”
“I wanted to get your attention.”
“You’re unarmed.”
“It doesn’t mean I’m not dangerous.”
“I’m just a soul trying to complete a contract.”
“Show me your contract.”
“No.”
Mia saw movement in the shadows of the park. She had to keep the attention on her until she knew the children were safe.
The sounds of sirens pierced the air. “Company’s coming. How do you guys handle bullets these days?” Mia asked. “The sheriff is used to fighting your kind. He’s got something special for you,” she lied.
Quazar decided to take his chances and pushed by the teen and followed the trail left by the fleeing children.
Mark ran at the man, and when he tried to tackle him, the gargoyle turned to stone. Mark bounced off and crumpled to the ground. Quazar resumed his persona and walked quickly down the hill towards the graveyard.
Brian’s eyes were wide and his mouth was gaping when Murphy insisted that he stay with the Countess. “But, but, she’s dead.”
“So am I. I must go and help your mother. She didn’t have her sword with her.”
“Child, come and help me to settle the babies. This one won’t stop screeching.”
“He’s calling for help.”
“I am help,” the Countess sighed. “I have an army of the dead and nothing better to do,” she said.
Brian squinted his eyes until the Countess looked more like Grandma Glenda and less like one of his nightmares.
“What’s all the fuss about?” Maurice Deschamps asked, crawling out of the coffin in the wall.
“Mia’s asked us to babysit the children.”
“Okay, it’s been a while. Hello, what’s your name? Mine is Maurice.”
“Brian. The large baby is my brother Varden, and the small one is Luke. The Others are trying to take him. I’m supposed to hide us.”
“Well, you’ve come to the right place.”
Mia felt the ground vibrate as two henchmen ran at her from either side. She jumped up. They crashed into each other. Mia took the opportunity to lead the fight away from the village street deeper into the park where she wouldn’t have to deal with protecting the gawkers. She ran down the hil
l and met Murphy coming up.
“The kids are safe,” he said. “How many goons?”
“I killed one Other. There is another one holding the contract. I think it’s the same squad we fought in Kansas. He will call for more. We just have to hold out for help to arrive.”
“Who?”
“Varden has been calling for a bird strike.”
“I’m feeling like this has all happened before,” Murphy said as they were rushed by a giant.
Murphy launched himself upwards, catching the giant between the eyes with his axe. He jumped and hit the ground the same time as the dead thug. Murphy and Mia moved down the hill, putting their backs to each other, and allowed the five remaining henchmen to encircle them. The plan was to keep them away from the graveyard.
“I think the gargoyle has slipped past us,” Mia said.
“We have to trust the Countess to come up with something,” Murphy said.
Murphy started trading blows with the attacking henchmen.
Mia dodged the weapons and used her wings to unsettle the stances of her attackers. She was still unused to her wings and didn’t understand the stiffness she had felt at her side until a flash of sunlight on metal almost blinded her. She reached inside her left wing and pulled out an angel sword. She reached into the right and pulled out a dagger. She advanced forward, slashing mercilessly.
Murphy swung his axe and downed the attacker. He thought of them as dead wood that needed to be rid of. He looked for the Other when they were finished. If they could get the contract and kill the Other, they could stop him from calling for backup. Unfortunately, this was already in progress.
“Mia, we have to get to the kids before the new Other and his henchmen arrive,” he said.
She nodded, and the two ran into the graveyard.
Chapter Thirty-two
Tom Braverman arrived to find the village park deadly quiet. Most of the citizens had run for cover. The brave ones stood across the street as if the width of the pavement could save them from whatever produced such screams of pain. Dieter ran out of the art store and over to Tom.