The Old House

by Alexie Aaron

  “What happens if the Cynosura become too strong?”

  “War. The guardians of the human race will declare war on them and the demon race who support them. The Cynosura must be destroyed.”

  “Well, I wish you luck.”

  “Thank you. I am hoping to find a way to stop them before this happens. Because if war is declared, the sky will burn with death. This too will not help the human species to survive.”

  Orion sat down and opened the book and consulted the section devoted to animus quercus.

  ~

  Angelo was not in good humor. Father Paolo Santos looked at his friend. His heart ached for the birdman, but his mind had accepted the situation that had brought Angelo into such a black mood. Mia had chosen her teacher, and it wasn’t Angelo.

  “All that I have done for her, the times I have saved her life, protected her friends, put up with her dalliance with the farmer… All for naught.”

  “Conceivably, you have taught, Mia.”

  Angelo looked over at the priest with interest. “Go on.”

  “You have shown her, through your actions, that she has to think of herself and hers first.”

  “That is not fair.”

  “Angelo, we have been friends for a long time. Together we have faced evil and have won and have lost. The losses may have scarred you, but you will recover. When you lose a game as a child, you strive to learn the rules and win the next one. We learn so much from our failures. I don’t see Mia’s aligning herself with Sariel as a negative.”

  “I’m surprised. He’s an archangel whose name has been banned by your church.”

  “We don’t always get it right, my friend,” Paolo acknowledged and explained, “Sariel has worked without recognition in the defense of the human race since he was formed. Although, he himself would admit that he lacks the understanding of the beings he has been entrusted to watch over. This is where Mia comes along. He needs to see them through her eyes.”

  “Not in her bed?”

  “Angelo Michaels, shame on you!” Paolo scolded. “Your human side has made you focus on things that are better not spoken of.”

  “She’s a quarter birdman, Paolo. Her grandfather is our scribe Orion.”

  “Ah, this is why you yearn for her. But she is married. Twice married.”

  “Twice?” Angelo questioned.

  “One a civil ceremony and another under the stars while the Council of Women looked on. She… well, it’s better for you to see it. Here, take my hand.”

  Angelo stood beside Paolo in the darkness. He felt the Council beside him and above him circled an angel.

  Mia took off her necklace and slid off the ring. She held it tightly as she got on her knees. She looked up at Ted. “Theodore Martin, would you take me as your wife, to have and to hold regardless of feathers, bitchy days, and interference from all of our friends and enemies?”

  “Yes, Mia.”

  She stood up and took Ted’s hand, turning it over first, and traced the lifeline of his hand, promising, “I, Mia Cooper Martin, promise my love, my soul and my body, as long as we both shall live –and if you play your cards right - into eternity.” She slid the ring back on his finger.

  Angelo dropped Paolo’s hand.

  “Roumain couldn’t tear them apart. What makes you so sure you can?”

  “He isn’t worthy of her. He is weak.”

  “He is smart,” Paolo insisted. “The Council feels that he may just be the deciding factor in tipping the scales our way.”

  “The scientist who’s really a magician but does not know it,” Angelo mused.

  “So cheer up, Angelo. Mia is in the best hands possible, and she has moved emotionally away from Stephen which pleases me very much.”

  “I think that is all smoke and mirrors, my friend, smoke and mirrors.”

  ~

  Mia rose out of the claw foot tub. The hot water eased her muscles. She had enjoyed her afternoon with her husband, who was presently roaming around the inside of the cottage with a silly smile on his face. Mia dressed in comfortable clothes. Gone was the need to be prepared to fly. She was on vacation with her family. The world would have to fend for itself as far as she was concerned.

  Brian had been fed, and Mia was pondering Cid’s instructions on reheating the gumbo he put together for them when she heard a light tap on the screen door.

  “Come in, it’s open,” Ted called out as he wrangled Brian into a clean onesie.

  Sam White walked into the cottage and nodded his head towards Mia. “I’m Edie’s husband Sam. She sent me to acquaint you with the fishing boat.”

  “Hello, Sam, I’m Mia. Ted’s in with Brian. Can I offer you a beverage?”

  “A beer would be nice. It was a hot day out there on the roof.”

  Mia offered Sam a glass. “No sense in dirtying a glass,” he said, accepting the opened bottle.

  “Did you finish the repair?”

  “All except the steeple. I’m going to see if we can get one of those bucket jobs the electric company uses. Otherwise, it’s a hell of a climb.”

  Mia nodded.

  Ted came out of the small bedroom with Brian. He extended his hand to Sam.

  “You’re a tall feller. I’m sure that doorway’s just aching to give you a bump or two.”

  “So far, I’ve managed to avoid it,” Ted said proudly.

  “Would you like a beer?” Mia asked, taking Brian from Ted.

  “No, I think I better have my wits about me,” he said, winking at Mia.

  Sam led the way down to the water’s edge where an aluminum boat was flipped over. He righted it with Ted’s help. “Mary’s got a small trolling motor in the boathouse, but I find, on this lake, the oars are just fine.” He unlocked the boathouse and handed Ted a set of keys. “Make sure you lock it at night. The summer is full of visitors, and some may not have the best of intentions if they find it unlocked when you’re not around.”

  Ted nodded. He ducked down, and inside, he found a treasure trove of odds and ends.

  “Mary’s got a lot of junk in here,” Sam grumbled.

  “One man’s junk is another’s treasure,” Ted said, picking up an old electric generator.

  “Wow,” Mia said from the doorway. “It’s just chock full of stuff, isn’t it? Sam, your wife called. She wanted me to remind you that your daughter will be calling in fifteen minutes.”

  “Thanks,” he said. “Okay, here’s the trolling engine, here are the life vests, and lordy-loo, I see a baby’s vest still in the box. You see, Mary and Edie go to all the jumble sales.” He handed the life vest to Ted. “Always wear one. It don’t matter if you look like a geek or not. If you get knocked on the head, you will appreciate the second chance the vest will give you.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Mia left the two to finish the tour. She walked to the edge of the dock and sat down with Brian on her lap. Mia dangled her feet in the water. It was warm, which wasn’t unusual since it was late summer. Smaller spring-filled lakes tended to be warmer than Lake Michigan.

  “Look, Brian, there’s a mommy duck and her babies. They are almost her size right now. Birds grow up fast.”

  Brian babbled and laughed. Mia enjoyed his delight with every new thing he saw. He cooed and burbled. His eyes danced with joy. Rarely was he in a bad mood. Sure a wet diaper could send anyone to tears, but aside from creature comforts, the boy was very good natured.

  “I wonder, if I was more like you, maybe my mother would have loved me,” she pondered.

  “Ooh ooh,” Brian said, pointing.

  Mia looked and saw a lone Native American paddling a canoe through the water. The late afternoon sun shimmered along the disturbed water. “He’s moving water, Brian. He’s an active haunt. I wonder if he can see us.”

  “Who can see you?” Ted asked, approaching them.

  “There’s a Native American paddling a canoe fifty feet off shore. Can you see the water displacement?” Mia asked.

  “Yes. If you hadn
’t told me, I would have assumed that a large fish was moving just under the surface,” Ted admitted.

  The canoeist passed by them without a second glance.

  “I think he is focused on something we can’t see,” Mia said. She looked at Ted and felt something. “What’s wrong?”

  “Sam told me of the family’s situation. It’s sad, Mia. I don’t want to talk about it right now. Let’s enjoy Brian and talk later.”

  She smiled and swiped her foot across the water to splash Ted.

  “Oh, you’re going to get it.”

  “I have Brian,” Mia said, holding Brian close. Brian was giggling.

  “You wait, Cooper. You can’t hold on to Brian forever, and when you let go, you’re going in head first.”

  “You wouldn’t dare.”

  “I would and will.”

  “I’m hungry. Let’s see if I can figure out Cid’s chicken-scratching and feed us,” Mia said, getting up. She waded to the shore. She slid on her flip flops and walked up to the cottage beside Ted.

  She heard the canoe as it made the shore. She stopped a moment and watched as the brave stepped out and walked through the yard two houses down before disappearing into the woods.

  Lone Deer moved just inside the tree line, watching the new residents of the large wood house. He was aware that he was being watched by the woman and child. He didn’t perceive them as a threat, but he would be watching them.

  ~

  Murphy roared with laughter. Cid had come out of the master suite covered in plaster dust. He removed his goggles and tried to shake off some of the dust.

  “You look like a ghost with googlie eyes.”

  “Hey, explain googlie,” Cid asked.

  Murphy moved his irises to the opposite corners of his eyes.

  “Stop it. I do not,” he said, sticking his head into the guest bath. He stared at his plaster-white face and tan circles where the goggles had protected his eyes. He lowered the mask, and it made the effect worse. “Alright, have your fun, but you’re going to appreciate the soundproofing when those two get back.”

  Murphy nodded. He moved through the house and out the back where he opened the gate so Maggie could go out and have a run on the hillside. He moved up to the top of the hill and waited for the dog. He sensed he wasn’t alone. He turned and saw the flit of something black moving overhead.

  “She’s not here,” he said and waited for Angelo to land.

  Angelo kept to his bird form and landed on top of Murphy’s axe.

  Murphy shook him off. “Get off, you.”

  Angelo transformed into his human winged form before speaking, “Where is she?”

  “On vacation with Ted and Brian.”

  “Where?”

  “Don’t know. She doesn’t want to be disturbed.”

  “Why?”

  “Things have been tough for her and Ted. She wants to have the time to work on their problems.”

  “Like you?”

  “I’m not a problem. You are,” Murphy countered.

  Angelo looked uncomfortable. “You’re the second being to point that out to me.”

  “She doesn’t want to lie with you.”

  “Nor you.”

  “Yes, we have that in common.” Murphy pushed his hat back on his head. “She has a new teacher.”

  Angelo winced. “Sariel.”

  “I’ve never met him.”

  “I have. I don’t like him.”

  “Why?”

  “He’s an angel, and I don’t like angels. Sneaky creatures. Always butting in where they’re not wanted”

  “They are needed,” Murphy pointed out.

  “So where does this put you with Mia?”

  “I’m her friend.”

  “At least you have that. I have nothing.”

  “Mia cares for you, Angelo. She just doesn’t want to be ruled by you.”

  “I want her to fight beside me.”

  “She might.”

  Angelo looked encouraged.

  “Why all the fighting? Is there going to be a war?”

  “Looks that way. Trouble has been brewing, and the signs are all there. I must recruit as many birdmen as I can.”

  “Then don’t waste your time with Mia. She’ll fight alongside whichever side is right.”

  “She is too compassionate to the demons. This will be her failing. If she chooses their side, I will have to kill her, Murphy. I cannot bear the thought,” he said. “Counsel her. She listens to you.”

  Murphy nodded and watched Angelo become a black bird again and fly off.

  Maggie barked.

  Murphy looked down at her. “Our Mia has another problem on her hands.”

  Maggie whined.

  “Don’t worry, girl. Murphy will look after her.”

  ~

  “They say he’s experiencing locked-in syndrome. He opens his eyes, but he doesn’t move or speak,” Ted said. “He was a captain in the reserves when he was recalled. He was on his third tour when the building he was working in blew up. He was evacuated to the states, but he hasn’t fully come back yet. It’s been a few years. Mark’s mother returned to working full time, so Mark’s alone most of the time.”

  “The poor kid. I saw the man when I touched Mark’s hand. He is very angry with his father. I think he needs help, Teddy Bear.”

  “What can we do?”

  “Listen to him. He’s also being haunted.”

  “If it doesn’t rain, it pours,” Ted said.

  “Sabine or I could try to act as a bridge for the two to communicate,” Mia offered. “I’m not sure if that’s a good idea yet. He may ask his son to kill him.”

  “That would be horrible,” Ted said.

  “Yes. But you can’t blame him. In ancient times, the healers would present the locked-in to the thorn oak, and it would pull the soul from the body so it could move on. It was considered a mercy. That aberration we dealt with in the mall is a genetically modified thorn oak. It digests the souls instead of allowing them to move into the light,” Mia said, frowning.

  “Life is so much simpler when you’re ignorant of the world around you,” Ted commented, handing Mia the next plate to dry. “You said Mark was haunted?”

  “There is an old house that calls to him. I saw a brief glimpse when I handed him the Dr. Pepper. I’ve got to learn to keep my gloves on.”

  “No, Mia, I want you to feel. Talk to me, and let me feel with you,” Ted said.

  Mia looked up at him and didn’t know how to respond. On one hand, she was so overcome with emotion at the love he was pouring forth, but she knew the heavy burden she would be giving him. “I can’t do that to you. One of us must remain sane for Brian’s sake.”

  Ted’s watch buzzed. He tossed down the dishrag and pulled Mia along to the window. “The sun is setting.” He wrapped his arms around her, and the two of them watched the sky paint itself with golds and reds. The water became a looking glass repeating the colors as the waves rippled underneath the sky.

  “It’s so beautiful, Teddy Bear,” Mia said. “I’m so glad we came.”

  “Me too. Brian seems to be settling in like a champ. He’s asleep. I think it’s high time we were too.”

  Mia looked at his watch, and for a couple of paranormal investigators, this was early. Ted leaned down and whispered, “I want you, Mia. I want you in my bed, now.”

  They locked the doors and turned out the lights. Soon Mia was being swept away by Ted’s version of being tucked in.

  Mark saw the lights go out in Sunset Cottage from the window of his room. The Martins must have been very tired after their drive. The phone call with his mother had gone well. She had been able to absorb the material after all these years. She also had a report from the care home, and his father was holding his own. His grandparents were optimistic. He wished he could feel that way. Tomorrow, he wanted to visit the Martins again. Mia seemed to understand what he was feeling without him saying a word. He would show her the picture he found in his gra
ndmother’s bible. It did look just like her, except this angel had real wings.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Mia moved around the cottage, careful of where she put her feet. Ted and Brian were still asleep. She took the cup of hot coffee out on the deck with her. She wore Ted’s jersey and nothing else. She pulled her legs in and tugged the shirt over her bent knees as she sat in the Adirondack chair. She gazed at the still lake and counted her blessings. Her husband was taking his giant-sized strides towards her. Gone were the tentative steps, restrained by the fear of rejection. She had bared herself to Ted, and he had accepted her, adored her, and loved her.

  She sipped her coffee and thought about what she was going to say to Angelo Michaels. She owed him an explanation. He, like Murphy, tended to take on a chauvinistic role when dealing with her. He wasn’t her father, and he would never be her lover. If he wanted her to listen to his counsel, he had to find another role that both of them could live with. Mia took her grandmother’s words seriously when she mentioned Mia working with Angelo. Mia had to make peace with him, and she had to do it soon.

  She pulled off Ted’s shirt and extended her wings before wrapping them around her and disappearing.

  Angelo sat perched above the herb garden and glared at the city full of humans going about their business without a thought about who was keeping them safe.

  “Don’t turn around, Angelo,” Mia said softly. “I’m only here for a moment.”

  He took off his dressing gown and tossed it behind him.

  “Thank you,” Mia said, wrapping the expensive silk around her naked body. “I didn’t think ahead.”

  “You never do. May I turn around now?” he asked.

  “Yes. Sorry.”

  Angelo was wearing the silk pajama bottoms to the wrapper. He looked down at Mia and smiled. “You came here without thinking…”

  “I wanted to explain.” Mia walked up to him and reached out her hand. “But I think I need to show you. Come into my mind, Angelo.”

  “I hesitate to do so. Last time, I fucked things up royally.”