The Candle (Haunted Series Book 23)

by Alexie Aaron

  “Well, Quazar, it appears you have gotten yourself in another jam,” Ameen said.

  “It’s just business, nothing personal,” Quazar said.

  “Killing my son is personal,” Orion said.

  “I just handled the contract,” Quazar said. “I leave politics to others.”

  “Quazar is well known to this council. He has many outstanding warrants. Our bounty hunters have been looking for him for generations. We appreciate your bringing him in.”

  “I brought him in to testify to the other names on the contract of death,” Orion explained. “I felt that my word may not have been enough because one of the people on the list is well known to me in an earlier life.”

  “Looking through Mia Cooper’s lineage, your name does come up,” Ameen said. “But you’re not speaking of Mia Cooper, are you?”

  “No, Fredericka Cooper signed the death contract, as did Quazar and two others.”

  “I was only acting as an agent,” Quazar protested. “I have no ill will against Orion or his family.”

  Ameen glared at the gargoyle. “Who are the other two names?”

  “Piers Savatier and…”

  “Me,” the eldest member of the governing council stood up.

  “Tung-Mei, I don’t understand. Maybe you’re confused,” Ameen said gently.

  “I am not confused. I’m enraged. You’re treating this halfling birdman abomination with the respect due a prince. Fredericka must have vomited every time she mated with him. Piers, Fredericka, and I worked hard on developing Mia. She disappointed us. But this is the first that I heard of the contract taken out on her. I thought dropping her back in time would have done the job. A twofer. Make Orion’s child disappear and bring back the demon inside her.”

  “Wait, are you telling me you also bred Mia?”

  “Oh yes, I and a few other wise women. We took such pains to steer her course. But the chit had her own ideas.”

  “I caution you to hold your tongue,” Ameen said. “There will be an investigation.”

  “I’m too old to care.”

  “Why did you want to eliminate my son Luke?” Orion asked.

  “I didn’t per se, but our partners, the ones Quazar hides, insisted. They plan on culling the human population. And as long as it’s the poor, I don’t see any reason to object. There was a big problem with their plan though. The angels love the poor. They lift them up, guide them, watch over their children. And when I heard a you-know-what was born, I couldn’t have it. We had to act before we are overrun with them again.”

  “You risked our charter with the universe for a twisted group of power hungry men…”

  “And women. Who’s to say a woman couldn’t rise in their ranks and rule the world?” Tung-Mei challenged.

  “I want to be clear,” Orion said. “You are talking about the Cynosura?”

  “Most definitely. They are the future. I have seen their rise and have helped charter their course. Little did I know that one of our own inventions would find them out before they could take hold.”

  “So you weren’t acting to bring about the rise of good?” Orion asked. “You didn’t create and groom Mia to kill Abigor, thus weakening Lucifer’s kingdom?”

  “Abigor is the one general that we can’t influence. He is very clever and loyal to Lucifer who, like Michael, believes in the balance of good and evil.”

  “But the Cynosura are evil,” Orion protested.

  “In your perspective. Just think of their vision: a few families ruling the Earth, keeping the riffraff under their thumbs economically, mining the planet off all it has, and then leaving it to fester while they move on to a new world. We wouldn’t have to deal with conflicts between countries under their rule.”

  “Mother Nature will not let this happen,” Ameen said.

  “But hasn’t she? She looks upon the Cynosura as a minor infestation. She’s misjudged them,” Tung-Mei said with a smirk and added, “She’s misjudged me.”

  “Apparently, we all have,” Ameen said. “Tonya, call the celestial guard to come and take these prisoners. Orion, we are sorry that our eyes and ears have been occupied elsewhere. We will purge our council of the infected and then meet with the others to see what we can do to rid the Earth of this virus. The last thing we need is for it to spread to the new worlds. When I was a young woman in Nepal, I thought the enemy was the English. I thought their empire was going to be the end of this planet. But they fell, as did the empires before them. We have to educate our children to look with two eyes. One eye remembering the past, the other on the present. Only then can we secure a future for the human race.”

  Altair turned to Mia. “Aren’t you glad you came?”

  “I’m sorry to be part of opening this wound, but now maybe it can heal. We really do need their help. How do I get home?”

  “I’ll take you home,” Altair offered.

  “Don’t you have to report all of this immediately to Michael?”

  “Mia, if I don’t have time to take care of a friend, then why do I exist? He’ll get his report. Prepare to be summoned. He’ll want your perspective.”

  “Oh joy,” Mia said.

  “What are you going to do about them?” Altair asked as Victor and Nicholai passed their box heading for Angelo.

  “Nothing.”

  “He’s still in your head, isn’t he?” Altair asked.

  “Which one?” Mia asked.

  “Very well played.”

  “Was it?” Mia asked. “Can we leave now? I want to go home, hug my babies, mend a few wobbly bridges, and sleep for a week.”

  Altair stood up and took her hand. There was a flash of light, and Mia found herself standing alone on the hillside in front of the aerie.

  The aroma of coffee drifted up to her. She looked down at the new barn and saw Ted standing with a mug in hand, listening to Murphy. Murphy was waving his arms, probably complaining about the deer that he feeds every winter.

  Ted looked up, sensing Mia, and smiled. He tapped the ghost’s shoulder and pointed to Mia, probably excusing himself.

  Mia met him halfway down the hill.

  “I was waiting for you,” Ted said, setting down his mug and taking her hand. “You look beautiful in this light.”

  Mia blushed.

  “Mia, each time I see you, there is something new about you. Whether it’s the new Victor haircut or that tremendous weight that has been lifted from your shoulders, but yet again, I’m meeting you for the first time.”

  “I’m at a loss for words. You move me so, Teddy Bear. Thank you for waiting for me, for seeing things in me no one else sees. Thank you for giving me the gift of your love.”

  “You could have anyone, yet you keep choosing me, Minnie Mouse. This is the one mystery of the universe I will never solve.”

  “Did you try algebra? Sometimes the hardest answers are solved using the easiest means. For example…”

  Ted stopped Mia’s words with a kiss. He lifted her up and spun around with her before the two heard the small feet running up the hill. They turned to see Brian making his way to his parents. Dieter followed him carrying Varden.

  “Tell me, is there anything better than this?” Ted asked, holding her close to him.

  “I wouldn’t change a thing,” Mia said.

  ***

  Glossary

  PEEPS: Paranormal Entity Exposure Partners.

  Dupree, Mike: Founding partner of PEEPs and on-camera personality.

  Garrett, Cid: Contractor, investigator, cameraman, and technician.

  Hicks, Burt: Founding partner of PEEPs, lead investigator, and cameraman.

  Jake: Ghost, research and computers.

  Martin, Mia Cooper: Sensitive, lead investigator, and security. Ted’s wife and Brian, Varden, and Dieter Martin’s mother. Healer of angels.

  Martin, Ted: Lead technician, computers, and communications. Mia’s husband and Brian, Varden, and Dieter Martin’s father. Technical genius.

  Stavros, Audrey: Re
searcher and investigator, married to Orion Stavros, mother of Luke Stavros.

  Murphy, Stephen: Ghost, translator, and head of PEEPs security.

  Recurring Characters:

  Abigor, Duke of Hades: Fallen angel, commander of 60 legions of demons.

  Aldridge, Ethan: Teenage paintball-gang member who was sentenced to a juvenile detention facility for his part in coercing Rory Kline and the deaths of Jason Jones and Keith Summerfield. Aided in bring Blair Summerfield to justice.

  Altair: Fallen archangel. Also known as Wyatt Wayne.

  Aosoth: Evil female force in the pantheon of the Order of the Nine Angels. Enjoys participation in passion and death.

  April: Former owner of Murphy’s farmhouse. She called PEEPs to help her with the ghost of Charity Murphy and brought Mia together with the group.

  Babcia Sophia: Crone. Lazar Popov’s Polish grandmother.

  Bouché, Guillaume: Magician spending eternity in Purgatory. Lover of Beverly Cooper, father of Sabine.

  Braverman, Don: Tom’s father and Susan’s husband.

  Braverman, Susan: Mega Chicago Bears fan, housewife, Tom Braverman’s mother and Brian Martin’s babysitter.

  Braverman, Tom: Acting Sheriff, school friend of Mia. Murphy brought him back to life, inadvertently giving him the sight.

  Caswell, Nordin: Butler for Wyatt Wayne.

  Chambers, Deputy: Tom Braverman’s right hand deputy.

  Carmichael, Andy: Night watchman for the Big Bear Lake Cemetery.

  Cooper, Amanda: Mia’s mother. Sociologist.

  Cooper, Beverly: Very talented sensitive. Aunt to Mia Martin, mother of Sabine Norwood, sister of Charles Cooper, and associate of Father Santos and Gerald Shem.

  Cooper, Charles: Mia’s father. Archaeologist.

  Countess, The, aka Mary Sue: Malevolent ghost. Rules the Big Bear Lake Cemetery. Thinks of Mia as a daughter.

  Deschamps, Maurice: Ghost, husband of the Countess. (The Long Game)

  Dis Pater: Roman god of the underworld. Protects the graves of the paupers with his horde of di inferi.

  Elizabeth: Head Gray Lady. Healer of the birdmen and Mia.

  Ed, aka He-who-walks-through-time: Superhuman who can visit other timelines via portals, Judy’s partner.

  Gifford, Edwin: ghost in Bea White’s house. Was kidnapped in A Rose by Any Other Name. Great grandson of George Wall the pirate.

  Granger, Lorna: Native American woman possessed by the Deer Woman Demon. Works for the Council of Women.

  Hansen, Neil: Mia’s late common-law husband. Invalid father of her miscarried daughter Hope.

  Jeff the Gargoyle: Inventor gargoyle. Day job: Dark Vault guard.

  Judy, aka Refugia: Birdwoman, former Gray Lady, independent healer, and Ed’s partner.

  Komal: Master of bilocation. Lives in spirit form on a hidden island in Lake Michigan.

  Leighton, Mark: Teenager who can see angels. Son of a veteran with Locked-in Syndrome.

  Lobo: Mia’s first boyfriend. Hacker who perished in Chicago when demons attacked the hideout. (Restitution)

  Maggie Mae: Mixed-breed dog of PEEPs who can see ghosts.

  Malloy, Rose: Childhood tormenter of Mia. As an adult, notorious gossip and blackmailer.

  Martin, Brian: The chosen one. Son of Mia and Ted Martin.

  Martin, Dieter: Teenage attrpeur-âme (a catcher of souls) from Nigeria, adopted son of Mia and Ted Martin.

  Martin, Sherry: Wife of Whitney Martin, killed in the hollow. Sabine took her spirit to the Museum of Modern Art in New York to be with her painting.

  Martin, Varden: Son of Mia and Ted Martin. Carries the soul of dead birdman Varden, Victor’s brother.

  Martin, Whitney: Former Deputy Sheriff, Mia’s high school crush and ex-boyfriend.

  Mendelssohn, Ralph: Musical stage designer, Mia’s godfather, married to Bernard Wesley.

  Michael, aka Saint Michael: Prince of Angels, leader of angel winged army, Mia’s boss.

  Michaels, Angelo: Birdman and associate of Father Santos. Lead warrior and librarian for the Brotherhood of the Wing.

  Misty Mom: Mia’s name for the caregiving ghost of her childhood.

  Murphy, Chastity: Deceased wife of Stephen Murphy.

  Murphy, Kevin: Irish ghost. Father of Stephen Murphy, best friend of Fergus O’Connor, and associate of PEEPS.

  Nicholai: Birdman trainer. Mia’s trainer.

  Norwood, Sabine: Sensitive, clairvoyant, and medium, associate of Father Santos, widow, adopted cousin of Mia, and mother of triplets.

  Norwood, Maisha Violet: Sabine’s daughter one of three triplets. Healer, carries the soul of Hope, Mia’s dead daughter.

  O’Connor, Fergus: Irish ghost, best friends with Kevin Murphy and associate of PEEPs.

  Popov, Lazar: One legged veteran hired on as a farm manager for the Martins.

  Popov, Magda: Lazar Popov’s mother.

  Quivers, Shane (Shivers): Sixty-year old POW, possessed by Abigor, army friend of John Ryan. Appeared first in The Long Game.

  Reynolds, Quentin: Mia’s half-uncle, son of her grandmother Fredericka and a fallen angel, Nephilim.

  Roumain, Judge: Judge of Purgatory.

  Ryan, John: Sheriff of Big Bear Lake. On leave fighting the Cynosura.

  Santos, Father (Paolo): Roman Catholic priest, exorcist, mind reader, and leader of a professional group of paranormal investigators.

  Sariel: Archangel, Mia’s guardian angel.

  Shem, Gerald: Associate of Father Santos, businessman who trades in favors, Beverly Cooper’s paramour.

  Stavros, Luke: Son of Audrey and Orion. First angel born.

  Stavros, Orion: Birdman, scribe, researcher, field medic, Mia’s grandfather, Angelo Michaels’s friend, and Audrey’s husband. Father of Luke.

  Sticks: Heroic demon from New Orleans. Mia mistakenly was engaged to him for a short time.

  Toh, Tonya: Bounty hunter. Works for the Council of Women, collecting bad ghosts and demons.

  Varden: Part of Angelo’s birdman guard, brother of Victor, killed in the battle of the witch trees.

  Victor: Angelo’s birdman General, brother of the fallen Varden. On leave fighting Cynosura.

  Villeneuve: Gerald Shem’s assistant.

  Violine: Roumain’s earthly wife. She was a demon inhabiting The Old House when Mia killed her. Mia brought Violine to Roumain.

  Wayne, Wyatt: Demon, also known as Altair.

  Wesley, Dr. Bernard: Director of the Culture Department of Chicago’s Field Museum, friend of Father Santos, Mia’s godfather, and married to Ralph Mendelssohn.

  White, Bertha (Bea): Former landlady of Mia’s. Lottery winner and homeowner of the Gifford house. Backer of Wall treasure hunt.

  Yann: Hacker friend of Mia’s who died when demons attacked their hideout. (Restitution)

  Terms:

  Attrpeur-âme: A catcher of souls.

  Between, The: A dimension between what the human eye can see and navigate.

  Big Bear Lake Cemetery: Graveyard that was built on unconsecrated ground. Evil tends to thrive there, fueled by the corrupted ground.

  Council of Women: A group of spirits and living women who govern ghosts.

  Cynosura: A cult of wealthy people who operate under the guise of bringing enlightenment to all but, in reality, want to enslave all for the benefit of furthering their agendas.

  Dark Vault: Vault where information, relics, and entities of Dark Magic are contained.

  Dark World: An unescapable prison for spirits who interfere physically with the living. They wander alone for an eternity, never coming in contact with anything else.

  Di inferi: demons controlled by Dis Pater. They guard pauper graves.

  Earcom: Communication device worn inside the ear while investigating.

  EMF: Electromagnetic field.

  Flitch: A demonic parasite that slowly takes over the mind of his host, causing the host to act contrary to their natural makeup.

  Gray Lady: Female birdwoman whose vocation
is healing.

  GSD or Ghost Ship Dimension: The between but over water.

  Locked-in Syndrome: a medical condition, usually resulting from a stroke that damages part of the brainstem, in which the body and most of the facial muscles are paralyzed but consciousness remains, and the ability to perform certain eye movements is preserved.

  Mind Palace: A way your mind stores memories. The consciousness invents a place that you’re familiar with. It’s basically how it separates thoughts and stores memories. Each person’s is different.

  Other: Paranormal contract negotiators and enforcers.

  OOB: Out of body. State of bilocation.

  Pocket dimension: An engineered place between dimensions, first mentioned in A Rose by Any Other Name.

  Red shirt: Last PEEP hired. In homage to Star Trek’s red-shirted crewmen and women who were the first sacrificed.

  Alexie Aaron

  After traveling the world, Alexie Aaron, a Midwestern native, returned to her roots where she’s been haunting for years. She now lives at the top of the mitt with her husband and family.

  Her popular Haunted Series was born from her memories of fleeting shapes rushing around doorways, an heirloom chair that rocked itself, cold feelings of mysterious dread, and warm feelings from the traces of loved ones long gone. From the Haunted Series, another series was born. The Cid Garrett P.I. series, which takes the reader on a more conventional paranormal adventure.

  Alexie also writes the Cin Fin-Lathen Mysteries. These mysteries, set in England and south Florida, combine action and intrigue with a liberal dose of humor.

  Want more information? Visit www.alexieaaron.com for updates, blog posts, podcasts, and much, much more.