by Alexie Aaron
“Sure, come on in to the kitchen. We don’t have a maid, basically, because of the whole birdman thing,” Audrey explained. “I don’t know why we need such a big house, but Orion is into investments.”
Sabine appreciated that Audrey was babbling. The two had worked together before, but this was the first time they were together for something other than work. Sabine knew she was acting oddly. She must be freaking Audrey out. But, then again, Sabine was freaking out. “I’m sorry to just drop in, but Mia’s not handy; Tauni is on vacation; and I can’t call my mother, she’d laughed her head off.”
Audrey patted Sabine’s arm in understanding. “Sit over there where I can keep an eye on you.”
“Thank you,” Sabine said. She looked around at the kitchen from her spot in the breakfast nook. Audrey had gone for bright colors that complimented the Tuscan crockery that she and Orion had collected on their honeymoon. “It’s very pretty in here. So European,” Sabine said.
“That’s what we were going for. The paint may be a bit bright, but Orion insisted since this is a north-facing room.”
Sabine watched Audrey quickly prepare the tea. Audrey reached in the pantry, brought out a small ladder, set it against the refrigerator, climbed it, and opened a high cupboard. “This is where I hide the company cookies,” she explained.
“I’m sure Orion could just fly up there.”
“Oh, I don’t hide them from Orion. It’s Mia.”
This caused Sabine to laugh. “Why?”
“Well, actually, it’s rather devious. If Mia sees that we have no decent cookies, she’ll bake a few batches and bring them over.”
“You could just ask her,” Sabine said, giggling. “She’s not that scary.”
“Have you seen her after a practice session with Nicholai?” Audrey asked.
“No. But I get your point.”
Audrey brought over the tea things on a tray. She sat down and waited until Sabine had a sip before asking, “What makes you think you’re a slut?”
Sabine explained Cid’s dinner invitation, the Patrick thing, and her attraction to Tom. “I may be dating three men,” Sabine said, horrified.
“Now, I think you’ve come to the right person,” Audrey said. “First, Cid’s just making you a meal. He’s a real slow mover, but I think he’s being nice more than making the moves on you. Patrick is very interested. Tom is surprising me. His mother has been trying to make the two of you a pair for some time. Maybe now that he’s not living at home, he’s starting to see you as a woman and not his mother’s dream daughter-in-law.”
“Am I doing something wrong? Should I break up with Patrick before I go out with Tom?”
“No. Patrick doesn’t own you. He’s the bad boy in your life. Time to date a good boy, and see which you prefer. Remember, this isn’t forever, until you make it forever,” Audrey said sagely.
“Audrey, I like Cid.”
“What’s not to like? Cid’s honest and handsome. He’s as excited about the paranormal as Ted is. He’s smart and committed.”
“Committed?” Sabine asked. “I didn’t know he had a girlfriend.”
“He doesn’t, but he’s got this plan that he’s committed to. He wants to build his dream house and his future before getting married.”
“But all good intentions fall to the wayside when love happens,” Orion said, walking in, carrying Luke. He walked over and kissed Sabine’s cheek. “It’s so good to see you.”
Sabine blushed. “Audrey, I’m not looking for a husband, just someone to talk to and have dinner and be a woman with.”
“Well then, you’re back to three. What a slut,” Audrey said.
Sabine laughed at herself. “May I hold him?” she asked Orion.
He put Luke in her arms.
“You’re a strong little boy,” Sabine said. Her eyes opened wide, but she held her tongue. Mia had schooled her at not blurting out things she discovered hilly-nilly.
Orion picked up on this. “Sabine, we pretty much know he’s a birdman.”
Sabine nodded. “Your son is so special and sweet,” she said. Sabine wanted to tell them more, but to do so, she felt would not be appreciated. She was almost positive that Luke was listening to a very special song in his head. Soon, he would be singing along.
If she was right, then she was holding on to the impossible. A one hundred percent angel born from a human mother and a birdman/demon hybrid. She would ask Mark Leighton what he thought. She wondered if he had seen the baby yet. If so, why hadn’t he told anyone that Luke Stavros was an angel?
Chapter Nineteen
Nicholai landed at the aerie, walked down the hill, and knocked on the PEEPs office door.
Cid opened it. “Nicholai! You don’t have to knock, you’re family,” he said. “I was just heading over to the house to start supper. Would you like to join us? It’s just Sabine and I. There will be plenty.”
“I will wait until you hear what I have to tell you first, and then I’ll let you decide whether you want this old fool at your table.”
“That sounds ominous,” Cid said. “Come on, talk to me in the kitchen. If you haven’t heard, Mia is back from Hell, and aside from Murphy being missing, all is right in the world.”
“That’s a relief. Why was Mia in Hell?” Nicholai asked.
“Oh, I think she wants to tell you the story herself, but I can tell you that she’s fit and sound thanks to your teachings.”
“Cid, I will listen to Mia’s account with rapture when she tells it, but I would like you to tell me all that you know that has occurred since I left with Sabine.”
“Sure. Remember, what I have is but bits and pieces from Burt, Patrick, Mason, and Ted, but here goes,” Cid told the story of the demon-with-no-name. “She faced Ruax, the demon they were all afraid of, and won. Ted said she didn’t even have a scratch on her.”
Nicholai puffed up. “I’m very proud of Mia, but she should have never been put in that situation. I failed her by not returning.”
“No. Ted said that she seems to have made a breakthrough with the realization that she doesn’t need you, Angelo, or Roumain running interference. She can protect her family.”
“Victor said she could do it. I wasn’t too sure when I started training her. Those wings… It was like giving a toddler a Harley Davidson and being told to ride it up a mountainside. But our girl worked and worked. Sure, she cussed me out, but she didn’t stop. I couldn’t be prouder, but now I’m frightened for her.”
“Why?”
“Do you ever watch Westerns?” Nicholai asked.
“Yes.”
“She’s the gunman who shot the fastest shot in the west. If it gets around that she bested Ruax, then she will be challenged.”
“Maybe Lucifer will keep it on the down low. He wouldn’t want to advertise what happened.”
“You said Altair was there. He may tell Michael.”
“According to Mia, they aren’t speaking.”
“Can Ted be encouraged to not talk?”
“If it protects his wife, he can keep a secret,” Cid assured Nicholai.
“That eases my conscience some.”
“What else is bothering you?” Cid asked, putting the roast in the oven.
“I went to report to Angelo what was happening down at that island and to ask why he didn’t send a birdmen attack force down. The answer was surprising, and I’m not sure why he insisted Mia go instead.”
Cid watched Nicholai’s face as he fought with his emotions. Rage, confusion, and compliance all moved across the birdman’s features.
“First I need to explain some things. When birdmen fly, especially long distances, they fly in what we have nicknamed the between.”
“Mia has mentioned this before. It keeps the ordinary world from seeing you and airplanes from colliding with a flock.”
“Yes, we share the airspace with dragons, Nephilim, flying horses…”
“Flying horses?” Cid asked.
“Demons and wizar
ds use them. There are quite a few of the old stock left,” Nicholai said. “Anyway, it’s the between over land, but over water, it’s the GSD, which stands for the Ghost Ship Dimension. This is where the ships of the dead sail the oceans unseen by the world of the living.”
“The Flying Dutchman?” Cid asked.
“I’m not sure that’s around anymore, but yes, you get the idea.”
“So, it’s the GSD that is bothering you?”
“I didn’t think anything of it. Mia and I used part of it to get to Sabine quickly. But, according to Angelo, it has become a very dangerous place, especially the Caribbean. The birdmen have to fly lower there because of the volatile weather patterns in the upper atmosphere.”
“How so?”
“There is a ship there that hunts birdmen. We’ve lost three couriers in the last two weeks. The Brotherhood has shut down the Caribbean and the south Atlantic routes until further notice. This is why Angelo would not act on Sabine’s behalf. I am ashamed to say my compatriots are cowards.”
“No, not cowards, cautious,” Cid said. “I am surprised that he pushed Mia to go.”
“Mia ordinarily would not use the between because she prefers short hops and other modes of travel aside from her wings. He also sent me along. I’m very experienced. I have dodged a harpoon or two in my day.”
“But he did know there were strong odds that you wouldn’t return?”
“Yes, but there is always a chance we won’t return. However, it has increased since the demon ship The Risen has been offering a bounty on birdmen, dead or alive.”
“Why didn’t Angelo tell Mia his concerns?”
“I don’t know. Angelo was angry that Mia didn’t appreciate him at the trial.”
“But he doesn’t wish her dead, does he?” Cid asked.
“No. But it may be political. If he ignores the wishes of the Brotherhood’s Counsel, it could compound suspicion about his loyalty, which was raised when Victor was accused.”
“And this is the suspicion that Angelo wants to take over the Wing?”
“Yes.”
“Does he?”
“No. Neither did Victor, but in Victor’s case, he could. Angelo’s too cerebral. Victor is all might. I taught both. Victor is a general, Angelo is a librarian – not that librarians aren’t generals in their own right. I didn’t used to like Angelo much at all. I think, since he’s been enamored with Mia, he’s changed, become complex. He seems to see the full picture, not just the end product.”
“I think we all would feel better if he would lesson his fixation on Mia,” Cid said.
“Ah, that’s your loyalty talking. Think of the bigger picture. Who has made sure that she has been protected until she could come into her own?”
“Angelo. Although, the archangel crowd seems to be on call,” Cid pointed out.
“The angels may just be protecting their healer,” Nicholai said.
“No, I think it’s something else. Speaking of Michael, he’s going to be pissed Mia went to Hell without his permission.”
“But she survived,” Nicholai pointed out.
“No, with Michael, it’s all about control.”
“Angelo hates Michael.”
“Is it because he’s an archangel?” Cid asked.
“No, because Mia listens to him.”
“Does she really?” Cid said. “I think Mia hears everyone, but she only listens to a few. Off hand, she listens to you, Altair, and Ted when he’s not an ass.”
“I’m flattered. This is praise indeed. But I’ve worked with Mia for months now, and I have found she also listens to you.”
“Me? Not in the kitchen. I’ve despaired over how someone so vital can be a horrorfest when frying meats.”
“Have we forgotten anyone?” Nicholai asked.
“Not Roumain, he burned that bridge. She does listen to Ed some. Now Murphy…”
“Stephen Murphy has been her friend for a long time, but I don’t think she will take instruction from him,” Nicholai said. “Yet, there is no better person to have her back.”
~
Ted and Mia decided, after they had a hard time keeping their hands off of each other while dressing, to meet at the restaurant. Mason had called. Ted suggested he meet them at the restaurant, and yes, Ted would be picking up the tab.
Mason arrived with a clean, pressed shirt on. His pants were wrinkled, but so were most of the tourists who had got caught traveling when Hurricane Kelly arrived.
Ted waved him down to the table he had secured near the dance floor.
Mason bobbed his head to the island music as he walked over. Ted stood up, shook his hand, and asked for his drink order.
“I’d never turn down a beer. Where’s Mia?”
“She was still getting dressed when I left. She suggested I go ahead and get a table, since this place doesn’t take reservations,” Ted explained. “We’re celebrating Mia’s first solo fight without getting a scratch.”
“Strange thing to celebrate, but if you’re buying, then I’ll lift my glass to the graceless girly-girl.”
Ted smirked. “Does that look like a graceless girly-girl to you?” he asked, pointing to the golden woman walking through the restaurant.
Mia had found a pale beige slip in Sabine’s things. She pulled the golden chain mail dress over it and pulled up her breasts so they would float securely above the tight high waist of the garment that split at the thigh before it danced at her ankles. Sabine’s expensive sandals fit her. She and her beautiful cousin had the same shoe size - which worried Mia as Sabine was significantly taller. Mia could not recreate the coronet effect with the golden chain and decided to sweep her hair up in a messy bun, wrapping the chain around it, allowing the remainder of the chain to trail down her back in two uneven ends.
“You’re a lucky bastard,” Mason said.
“Don’t I know it,” Ted said. “Except, look at all the men I have to fight tonight to get her out of here.”
“She only has eyes for you. Of course, once she sees me, you’re doomed.”
“You really think you can handle that much woman?”
“I’d like to try.”
You’d like to try what?” Mia asked, arriving.
“Lobster, I’ve never had it,” Mason said quickly.
“Ted, you look very sophisticated,” Mia said and kissed him lightly on the mouth.
“I borrowed this from Winnie’s brother. He’s a blackjack dealer at the casino.”
“Mia, once you wear out husband number one, I’d like to suggest you look into taking a younger lover,” Mason said.
“No.”
“But, Mia.”
“No.”
“She shut you down. Live with it,” Ted said.
The waiter rushed over and pulled out a chair for Mia. She sat down.
“What may I get for you?” he asked, doing his best to keep his eyes on her face.
“I’d like something festive… Do you have a suggestion?”
“Do you like rum?”
“I don’t hate it.”
“Then I’ll have Sidney make you an island punch. Sir?”
“Two Coronas.”
“Very good.”
Mia waited until he had walked away before breaking into laughter. “This is so much better than the Taco Bell. I can’t even get an extra sauce there.”
“Try wearing that dress and…” Ted stopped himself. “You look beautiful no matter what you wear, but wow, Minnie Mouse, wow.”
“Before you guys get all goofy, I think we need to talk about a few things I’ve discovered,” Mason said.
Mia and Ted broke their gaze and looked over at Mason.
“Jake sent me all these files full of things he found on ghost ships.” Mason took a drink of the icy water before continuing, “It’s not unusual to see them this time of year. There are a lot of rumors and a lot of falsehoods out there, but Jake did a remarkable job of weeding through all of that. He says that a ship bearing a flag of a
peacock feather had been seen most frequently. The local fishermen call it the slaver of the dead. It could have picked Murphy up and pressed him into service.”
“How big was the blast?” Mia asked.
“Very big. It took out my hearing, caused a disruption in the wave pattern, and knocked Burt on his ass.”
“I think the slaver is a good idea, but I think he may have ended up in a different dimension. Maybe the between? If so, Sabine saw the very ship you’re talking about, but it disappeared just this side of the horizon. She said it didn’t connect with the water here.”
Mason nodded and then patted his pockets looking for his cell phone. “Oh! I just got this from Cid. I forgot all about it when you walked in,” Mason said. He accessed his phone and read, “The birdmen call the between that is over the oceans the GSD which stands for Ghost Ship Dimension. And Nicholai does not want you to fly in. Something about a ship that hunts birdmen.”
“Hunts birdmen? Why?” Ted asked.
“Demon bounty,” Mia said. “I remember reading, last winter, about a tall ship called The Risen. It reportedly can move between dimensions. I thought they meant between dimensions of Hell, like sail down the river Styx and out onto the Sea of Inhumanity. I’m not sure under whose colors the ship sails. I do know it’s not Abigor. His ships are too modern. They would stand out.”
“Remind me, who is Abigor?” Mason asked.
“He’s a Duke of Hell that commands sixty legions of demons.”
“Sixty! That’s impressive,” Mason commented. “I didn’t know there were that many demons. That’s a real appetite killer.”
“Mia was offered forty legions of demons to command,” Ted told Mason.
“Girly-girl, you sure are a surprise. What did you say?”
“I turned them down. I was mad at the time. Not just fifteen minutes before, they had sentenced me to death.”
“They are a fickle lot,” Ted said.
Mason’s eyes were large. “You are going to tell me what happened yourself, aren’t you? I don’t want to hear it after it’s been exaggerated.”
“Who exaggerates?”
“Murphy. He once told me that you tossed an old woman out the window, and Burt burned her.”