Making Midlife Madness: A Paranormal Women's Fiction Novel (Forty Is Fabulous Book 2)

by Heloise Hull

  Aurick put his hands on my shoulders to steady me. I had to bend my head to look up into his eyes. “What would you like me to do?” he asked.

  “Come with me,” I said honestly. Enough of this dancing around each other.

  “Done.” Aurick waited expectantly. “Anything else?”

  “Admit you have blind spots when it comes to the Council.”

  Aurick winced. “Sort of difficult if I’m blind to them.”

  “Well, that’s what I want. For you to see my side when I’m telling you my fears. To not immediately jump to the defensive.”

  “I understand how it may come across. That I’m taking their side or defending them outright. I can’t promise miracles, as I’ve been alone a long time. I haven’t had to change for anyone. But I will try. I promise I will try.”

  “Thank you. And don’t worry. I’ll help you find them,” I said.

  “I’m sure you will. Can I kiss you now?”

  I went up on my tiptoes to beat him to it, draping my arms around his neck. Since Nonna and Luca were steps away, he kept it chaste, but it still lit a fire inside of my belly.

  Only Tiberius making inappropriate noises somewhere near my left ear made me finally pull away.

  “I’m sorry about your stew, Nonna, but it will have to wait.”

  “Go on,” she said. “And remember what we talked about.”

  I gave her knuckles another squeeze and went to change. Luckily, I’d been accidentally dehydrating myself all day by crying and not drinking enough water, so I wouldn’t need too many bathroom breaks when I went to kick some necromancer ass.

  It would be hard to imagine a more stereotypical bar for evil supernaturals. Dark and dingy didn’t begin to cover it. The skulls were an obvious touch and the location uninspired. The secret entrance was located underneath an unmarked tombstone in a graveyard in Siberia.

  Seriously.

  At least this time I didn’t have any more astral jumping problems or visions of past lives. Whatever daemon magic Tiberius did had worked.

  After the frigid temperatures of a frozen tundra in December, the warmth of the bar was overwhelming. Luca had pushed his way in first, setting himself in what I assumed was his usual spot. Aurick and I staggered in at various times over the course of the next hour so as not to raise suspicion. Thankfully, Aurick insisted I went first. He looked positively blue when he stumbled in forty minutes later with icicles hanging from the tips of his hair.

  Luca was nursing a warm beer at the bar while I ordered something inexplicably called the White Russian. It came steaming hot and black with little bubbles on the surface that looked like boiling tar. And it smelled exactly how it looked. I pretended to take a sip and tried not to look too sore thumb. The white fur hat wasn’t helping, so I slid it off and stuffed it in my pocket.

  Aurick grunted and pointed at some tap behind the bar, then went to sit on the other side of the room. Per Luca’s instructions, we had spread out in a triangle formation. He’d given us detailed descriptions of the necromancers, but I quickly realized that they could’ve described almost everyone in here.

  Tall. Check.

  Pale. Check.

  Black hood. Check.

  Literal cloak and daggers. Double check.

  It was only when Luca tapped two fingers against his knee, indicating a trio that had just walked in, that I knew we’d found our marks. My hair bristled and it took everything inside of me not to stride over and rip their faces off with my bare hands.

  They settled on a bench to Aurick’s left and stuck their heads together in conversation. Without being too obvious, I took in their black leather boots and their dusters, which were wet from the snow. They each wore necklaces made of bones in a real subtle gesture to their job description.

  Besides the normal low thrum of a dive bar, everything was quiet. Almost peaceful. Then, the first necromancer ducked so a second could shoot a black death fog at Aurick. Being dead already, Aurick merely blinked in surprise as his face shifted into his mummy linens and absorbed the attack.

  Heads turned as the room fell silent. A chair creaked. Then, everyone jumped to their feet like it was an old-fashioned shoot-out. Tables were flipped for protection, the bartender vacated the premises ASAP, and broken glass shattered across the floor. The only thing missing was screaming. It was as if all the patrons expected a good brawl now and then.

  Except for me. I screamed.

  Unfortunately, it brought everyone’s attention to my current hiding spot under a table. Aurick jumped in front of me. “Get outside, Ava, and stay down.”

  What was it with him always trying to protect me? Sure, I was caught off-guard and a little scream might have escaped, but I had magic and I sort of knew how to use it. I flicked my wrists and the pockmarked oaken table burst into curling vines that stretched out for the necromancers like a giant Kraken. Before they could react, the vines encircled them and crawled toward the ceiling, thickening and gnarling. By the time I was done, I was sweating, but I had produced an effective cage.

  Without much style, the necromancers bounced black spells of death and decay against the roots, which began to blacken and rot away.

  “Interrogate them,” I told Luca, as I worked to keep the roots curling tighter, replacing the rot as fast as they could create it.

  The burliest one scoffed as Luca approached, but Luca’s face was set in hard stone and I shivered remembering when that scowl was directed at me. Please don’t let this have been some huge mistake. Please don’t let Aradia have fooled me into trusting him.

  “Who offered the reward for the twins?” Luca asked.

  Not very subtle, but, then again, understated or subtle didn’t quite describe these guys. More like loud and obnoxious. If they laid one hand on my boys’ heads…

  The big one laughed. “Is this where you threaten us, you sad washed-up death wisher?”

  Luca gave them a primitive smile. “No. It’s where they threaten you.” He nodded to us.

  Aurick glanced once at me before shrugging and sending his demonic waistcoat to rattle their cage. It growled like it was going to tear their faces off. Cute, yet terrifying.

  I felt a flush of satisfaction when they all flinched. “What is that thing?” I heard one of them ask another, and they all shrugged.

  I stepped forward. “You want my boys, so I guess you should answer to me. I am the She-Wolf of legend. Cursed by the gods. And do you want to know something interesting about god curses?”

  I had their attention now.

  “It makes you strong and willing to do whatever needs to be done. Do you understand me?”

  They all nodded.

  “Now, tell me what you want with the twins, and I’ll tell you how long you get to live.” I pulled my shoulders back. That felt good. That felt strong. Did I really just threaten three necromancers in a dingy bar under a grave in Siberia? Yes. Yes I did. Okay, cool.

  “It’s not about you,” the big one snarled.

  Okay, not cool. That felt like a snub.

  I nodded to Aurick and allowed a small opening in the roots for his demonic jacket to slip through. It launched at the big one’s face. He screamed as it wrapped around his entire head, suffocating him and strangling his cries into whimpers. One necromancer backed against the root cage in horror while the other tried to rip it off. Her hood fell down to reveal a woman with a scarred face and pinched cheeks.

  She turned desperately to Aurick. “Call it off! Call it off now!”

  Aurick shook his head. “Answer her questions.”

  “We told you. It’s not about her. Please,” she pleaded. “Release him and I’ll tell you more.”

  I nodded to Aurick who summoned his little jacket. It swung upwards to dangle threateningly above their heads. The burly one gasped and massaged his face where two red welts in the shape of tiny arms criss-crossed his cheeks.

  With a look of trepidation, the woman began. “You don’t know what you’re getting yourself into.”
<
br />   “I almost never do.”

  “I’m serious. This order came from on high, someone powerful. It is dangerous for you to know this information.”

  “It is more dangerous for me not to know.”

  She nodded. “We were promised. After we brought your boys to Aradia, we were promi—” she broke off in some sort of gurgling noise.

  “Who? Who promised you?” I demanded, rushing to the roots.

  But all three of them began clutching their throats and gurgling. Rapidly, I began unraveling their cage, but Aurick stopped me with a hand. “It could be a trap,” he warned.

  “They’re dying with information we need.”

  I ripped out of his grip, but by the time my roots receded, only the three bodies, blue from asphyxiation, remained. As if they had drowned from the inside. A dribble of something brown leaked out of the corner of the woman’s mouth, and I turned away, squeezing my eyes closed.

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Nonna took one look at us and made us each eat two bowls of her fregola clam stew before we could discuss what had happened. Sitting in the warmth of her kitchen, I was immediately reminded why I loved Italy, but cold fear from the dying words of the necromancer was like an icicle that had pierced my body and refused to melt.

  I pushed away my uneaten soup. There was no way I could stomach it. Seeing a sphinx die was one thing. Humans, even necromancers, was quite another. “We need to talk to the Council. As soon as possible.”

  “What?” Aurick said, practically choking on his fregola.

  “You heard what that woman said. It’s someone powerful. Who is more powerful than a Council member?”

  “Uhh…”

  “Exactly.”

  “Fine. It’s suspicious, but you can’t just march up there and demand an audience with the Council,” Aurick argued. “That’s not how it works.”

  “Well it should. They work for the good of supernaturals. They should face their constituents when we have a problem. I, for one, have a problem. Someone is attacking me and my boys. Plus, I think they have an archon under the Arch. If someone is rogue on the Council, how long before you think they’re going to let it out?”

  Aurick blanched as he considered the possibility.

  I drove my point home. “Even if it’s only a slim possibility, we need to consider that it is a possibility and take precautions. Someone is directing supernaturals to take my sons prisoner because they know about the prophecy. If they also know about the archon and about Thoth, it’s over for the world.”

  “She’s right. Better safe than sorry,” Luca offered.

  “Shut up,” we both told him.

  “I personally don’t think one person on the Council would betray everyone like that. But I will admit prudence is best,” Aurick allowed.

  I took it as a victory, even though I didn’t agree. I had my suspicions. My fingers found the scars on my neck that would never go away. No emotionally, anyway.

  “Good. Let’s get ready to go.”

  “Now?” Aurick said. “I’m just starting to feel my feet again.” He tried to wiggle his toes as proof.

  “It’s your toes or the world.”

  Aurick’s chair scrapped as he pushed it back, stretching and groaning. “How could I possibly say no to that?”

  “Exactly. Nonna, can you astral project to my boys and keep an eye on them? Whatever is happening, I think it is all coming to a head. I’ll feel better if you’re there watching them.”

  “Of course. Come on, Tiberius.” She clucked her tongue and the chipmunk leapt from his nest by the wood-burning stove.

  “There was one Council member who seemed more on my side. Or, at least open to my side.”

  “Mestjet?” Aurick guessed.

  I nodded. “She was definitely interested in the markings on my back, and it wouldn’t surprise me if she’s been researching it ever since.”

  “Sounds like a plan,” Aurick said. “I can get us in, and we’ll have an extremely friendly chat.”

  I winked and clicked my tongue. “Exactly. We’re the friendliest.”

  “Can I come?” Luca asked. “I want to help.”

  “You mean you want revenge on the Council,” Aurick snapped.

  I stepped between them, glaring at each in turn. They quieted down and I held them in uncomfortable silence for a few minutes. “Luca, get on your knees.”

  He hastily obeyed, and I had to admit that I enjoyed the feeling of power and respect. It was heady and altogether different from my office life where I was lucky if anyone acknowledged my presence.

  “Swear an oath to me using whatever higher power you deem worthy,” I commanded.

  “I swear on friendship that I won’t betray you.”

  I narrowed my eyes trying to decide if this guy was seriously swearing an oath on friendship. Luca sensed I was about to throw him in the ocean. He hastily added, “I also swear that this isn’t about revenge. It’s about making amends. I swear on my wife and daughter, on friendship itself, one of the most powerful magics in the universe. If I ever choose myself over you, may I die an infamous death and never reunite with my family.”

  “Okay, that’s a little dramatic, but I’m going to let it stand,” I decided.

  Aurick let out a grunt of disbelief, but I needed all the help I could get, and Luca had just proven himself. The more the merrier, as far as I was concerned. If not, I knew I’d defeated him once. I had perfectly imperfect confidence I could manage it again.

  I put on a form-fitting pair of yoga pants and tennis shoes and slicked my hair back into a tight ponytail. I didn’t know what was going to happen, but it felt better to be prepared. I could sense my magic humming in my veins, excited to finally get some answers. By whatever means necessary.

  Ten minutes later, we rounded up Thessaly, Coronis, and Rosemary. Marco stayed behind, and I went a little red thinking about asking Mak to help. He was a warrior, but I hadn’t had the talk with him yet. I’d get to it. After we confronted the Council.

  Rosemary lingered over her hug with Marco while he whispered something in her ear that made her giggle. I looked at Coronis out of the corner of my eye to see how she was handling it. To my surprise, she was laughing about something with Thessaly. Of all demons! Thessaly looked stone cold serious, but I knew better. That was her happy face.

  I clapped once. “Okay, team. We’re going to the Council and we’re getting some answers.” They stood there waiting for more, as if I’d given motivational speeches in this kind of setting hundreds of times before. “And it’s going to be awesome,” I added.

  There was some scattered applause, so I quickly asked Aurick to do that thing with his bone dagger—and we were off.

  Now that I didn’t have memories assaulting me throughout my astral journeys, I was left with bone-chilling cold and hyper-fear as my companions. What if something else was stalking my boys right now? Nonna was old and sick. Would she really be able to stop the next attack?

  We tumbled through the vortex as every one of my fears assaulted me. I was unworthy, I was insignificant, I was weak. I was cursed and destined to fail. I’d cursed innocent babies lifetime after lifetime. I was a monster.

  Finally, the view from St. Louis telescoped in and out, depositing us near the base of the Arch. I forced myself to remain calm. This was the head of the snake. I wouldn’t stop until I chopped it off. Someone in there was responsible. I knew it.

  Bruno, watch out. Mamma’s coming for you.

  “What’s the plan?” Coronis asked, alighting softly next to me.

  “Keep it simple,” I told everyone, hiding the fact that I didn’t actually have a plan. “We’re going to stroll in.”

  “Stroll in?” Rosemary repeated.

  “Yeah. Act natural.”

  “We’re a harpy, a crow, a siren, a mummy, and a cursed wolf. There’s nothing natural about us, darling.”

  “Fine. Just don’t look too paranoid. Mestjet loves me. We probably go way back, and I only want
to ask her a few questions.”

  Aurick led us to the metal leg of the Arch, but unlike Manu, he didn’t shove us through one-by-one without warning. Instead, he swirled his fingers across the cold metal, and we watched as the cuneiform, hieroglyphs, and runes reacted to his touch. They moved like lily pads disturbed on a pond, churning and spinning away.

  Coronis stepped through first, and I went after her. I still wasn’t prepared for the frigid temperature whiplash, but at least I didn’t end up in the fetal position this time.

  I caught Thessaly as she entered next, her skin one giant goosebump. For a second, I thought she might turn around and go home, but all she said was, “Any place that stays this cold is clearly a torture chamber run by dangerous psychopaths.”

  “Was that another joke?” I asked.

  Her lips cracked the tiniest bit, and I pulled her sweater tighter around her shoulders. “I’m glad you’re here.” I said.

  Rosemary came next, her hair completely frizzed out. “Dio mio,” she murmured. It took some getting used to, staring at the infinite velvet sky and sensing the magic coursing all around.

  Coronis kept spinning in a circle saying, “This is it? This is the Council?”

  Aurick was last. I could see the warring doubt on his face. He felt like he was betraying his oath by letting us in. Despite our disagreements, I could understand that.

  “Thank you for coming with me,” I said quietly.

  “Of course, Ava.”

  “I know this is difficult for you.”

  Aurick gave me a half-smile, a crooked little grin. Starlight clung to his eyelashes and dotted his eyes. “You are a singularly challenging woman, but I wouldn’t be anywhere else. All of the best things in life are difficult. Like that one time I had to eat plastic pizza to impress a worthwhile woman.”

  “Don’t speak ill of Imo’s in the motherland,” I said in a hushed voice.

  He chuckled and leaned down to brush a kiss on my knuckles. “You are impossible.”

  My body was already warming to his touch. I loved making him laugh. With a hand to my flushed cheeks, I glanced at the team. Coronis and Rosemary were murmuring together as they stared in wonder at the ornate, marble hallway. Luca was also looking at it, but his face held something closer to apprehension. I knew the feeling. We’d both barely gotten out unscathed—but only physically.