by Alexie Aaron
“I will, Mia. I’m sorry it took so long. Elizabeth insisted. Orion and he had a wonderful time together. I think the Gray Ladies, however, are looking forward to the peace and quiet of the aerie returning.”
Mia took Angelo’s hands a moment, looked into his eyes, and opened her mind. She then returned to the nursery.
“Well, let’s see what trouble we can get into,” Orion said. “I sense a certain bouncy redhead on the premises.”
Angelo took all the information Mia sent him in stride. He was alarmed but glad that she opened up to him. He would speak to her alone soon and see if he could help her with her sorrow.
Ted helped to diaper and clothe Brian. Gone was the birthmark. The child was a bit plump, but he liked that the denizens of the aerie had spoiled his son. Brian spoke in partial sentences now. He mixed languages, so he was difficult to follow. Ted’s knowledge of Italian helped somewhat. Brian looked over at his mother and said, “Aham is uccellino.”
“Did he just call me…” Mia started.
“Little bird,” Ted confirmed. “Hmm, I wonder who taught him that.”
Mia shook her head. “I give up. Hand the returning prince to his uccellino.”
The PEEPs were several beers into the celebration by the time the Martins walked downstairs. Cid had a banquet of food available. Brian was passed around and hugged. Orion and Audrey were sharing secrets outside on the porch swing. Murphy moved around listening to snippets of conversation. There was an overwhelming feeling of joy from the PEEPs. So much had happened since Brian had been christened, and yet it had only been a little over a week.
Brian yawned, and Mia walked upstairs with her son. She held him tenderly to her and whispered how much she had missed him. He kissed her and smiled before she laid him down. She stood watch over him, too afraid that, if she blinked, he would disappear.
Ted found her there. He put his arm around her and let her stand there. He understood, without her speaking, what she was feeling.
“Inside a game?” Orion asked for clarification.
Cid was happy to fill in.
“That astounds me. I don’t think, no, I’m certain that’s never been done. Another page in Mia’s book. So explain it to me again…”
Murphy drew the large birdman aside. “Angelo, we need to speak. Will you walk with me?”
He nodded and followed Murphy outside. They climbed the hillside. Angelo observed the woods in transition around him.
“I’m worried,” Murphy said.
“About Mia, I assume.”
“Yes, did she tell you about what happened to her when she was a girl?”
“She opened her mind to me. I’m more worried about what she has already set in motion.”
“Mia fears for her husband and son. She does not fear for herself,” Murphy reminded him. “She does not see what those beings are. She is set on seeing if restitution needs to be made.”
“Mia is an honorable being, Murphy. Does Sariel know her plans?”
“No, Angelo, she chose to share it with you. It seems that you are trusted more than the being she fought a dragon with.”
“I can’t hide my ego and say that this doesn’t please me. I’ve had to let go of her in one way, but I have received so much more in trade.”
“She is special that way,” Murphy said. “But she is headstrong and reckless too.”
“Oh, yes. Her son is amazing and must be protected, Stephen. I think I will stay close by until Mia settles her debts.”
“Thank you,” Murphy said, reaching out his hand.
Angelo grasped it and smiled. “It is an honor to know you. I know we were both adversaries, and we both lost the prize.”
“Yes, we did, but we didn’t really lose her, just an aspect of her,” Murphy reminded him.
Tauni and Laran enjoyed the family atmosphere of the farm. The PEEPs seemed comfortable with each other, and they were smart. Cid seemed to know Laran’s work and cited several other studies for him to consider. They talked about the device Cid and Ted had developed to help Mark Leighton and his locked-in father communicate. Laran offered some suggestions. Cid brought Ted over, and the three wandered back into the barn.
Mia was eating her third sloppy joe. Mike watched her in amazement. How could she consume so much food?
Mia looked up and her eyes twinkled. She finished chewing and asked, “Just whose idea was the Mithril bikini?”
“Before I answer this, Cid said I was supposed to put you in the most expensive skin that could be bought. Evidently, the more protective, the less the clothing.”
“I had to navigate a mostly male world with my tits and ass showing, Dupree. Even Murphy was sporting a hard-on.”
“Don’t hit me,” Mike said, holding a hand over his nose.
Mia motioned for him to come closer. “I’m not going to hurt you,” she promised.
He walked over, and Mia pulled him down and whispered in his ear, “Just remember, that firm ass and those large swaying breasts are never going to be yours.” She released him and went back to eating.
“You’re a cruel woman, Cooper.”
“I know, Dupree.”
Burt walked in and took a look at the two and asked, “I can’t tell. Did you bitch-slap him or not?”
“I physically didn’t touch him,” Mia said.
“But she hurt me just the same,” Mike said with a twinkle.
“Pay the man, Dupree. I didn’t break skin.”
Burt smiled. “I’ll give Audrey her cut when I can pry her out of your grandfather’s clutches.”
“I’m so not going there,” Mia said.
“So what did the food taste like in the game?”
“I don’t know, like you would imagine. I think that’s the key to everything in that game. If I would have expected everything to be two dimensional, it may have been exactly that. But to me, everything was pretty real. Murphy was all too real for my tastes. I prefer him to be misty. I kept thinking, he needs a haircut. But for the record, I had no better partner to navigate that world with. Nor the men behind us or the woman who gave me her confidence and support.”
“Would you do it again?” Burt asked.
“No. It was very painful going in and coming out. I felt every blow, and I still have a phantom pain in my thigh. Being controlled by others isn’t fun. I have a new sympathy for puppets and robots.”
“Did you have any fun?” Burt asked.
“Oh yes,” she deadpanned. “It was an escape from my problems and concerns.” Mia touched her ear. “I hear Brian stirring, excuse me.”
Mia scooted off her chair and ran up the stairs.
Mike and Burt looked at each other. “She’s just this side of being overwhelmed,” Burt observed. “She’s got the past to reconcile before she can totally be in the present.”
“I’m sorry for my part in it,” Mike said. “I was just getting in her head, and together, we cracked a seal and let out a maelstrom of memories for her to deal with.”
“I thought you said you two didn’t…”
“No. The opportunity was there for both of us, but we didn’t do anything about it. Mia is consumed by her love for Ted, her responsibilities to PEEPs, and her place in the world, real and magical. She has no more love left for me.”
“Don’t kid yourself. Mia loves us all.”
Orion found Mia in the upstairs sitting room staring out at the woods. He gently drew her away and over to the small couch. He sat down next to her and placed his hands on her face before he touched his forehead to hers.
Angelo watched from the doorway. The ancient birdman healing position was not lost on him. Mia’s nightmare years had filled him with sorrow. How she could have endured so much and survived was beyond him. When he first met her, he thought she was a silly little bird playing at being a sensitive. He didn’t realize that, by that time, she had gone through so much and survived. He hated Amanda for forcing Fredericka’s hand. With a little training, Mia would have never… Angelo stoppe
d. No, she had to go through this. She had to see the horrors of the netherworld and be on the victim’s side of a paranormal event. Mia, in her short lifetime, had gained knowledge that the old sages would envy.
Orion released her. Mia felt calmer and sleepy. She didn’t resist when Angelo picked her up and took her into her room. He took off her shoes and covered her up. He returned to the sitting room where Orion was deep in meditation. The little man raised his hand for Angelo to stay.
“She has sought guidance from a friend with an interesting background. I think we have to leave this event in his hands. It will not only serve Mia now, but the world in the future. Mia has set into motion a restitution. On her end, the outcome is doubtful, but on his, it is eventual. Angelo, we may be on the sidelines to view an actual miracle.”
“Wyatt Wayne, the demon…”
“Is one of the first fallen. His name was Altair. I believe they named a videogame character after him. But the Altair that once had wings was a loyal friend of the first fallen. He stayed with him during the unrest and suffered for his loyal friendship.”
“He’s a demon.”
“He’s more, but let’s not judge him. Would you not have traded your ideals in order to secure Mia’s love?”
“Yes.”
“I appreciate your honesty. Have you seen the bonding?”
“Yes, Orion. I have seen the marks. Ted’s and Sariel’s.”
“And where does that put you, you have to be asking yourself.”
“At one time, yes. But Mia trusted me with her child. Her husband has, time and time again, given me his trust. He sees something in me I thought was not there. Honor. I am tired of being self-indulgent. I long to soar. Did you know that Mia took me flying before we left with Brian? She played with me as if I were her brother, more than that, her friend. It doesn’t matter what alliances she has made. I, like Stephen, will always be her knight. Your granddaughter is a queen of light in my eyes. I will serve her and protect her and her family.”
“We need to protect Brian in the coming days. Mia has to face the old ones. This is why she was bonded to Ted. They can’t take her as she belongs to another. They can punish her though and ask for restitution. She wants to do this. She wants her part in an innocent adventure turned bad brought to light, and she hopes to have the souls of the three given to her so she can release them into the light. She feels the shadow of this dishonorable act, although she is innocent, and wishes it to be taken away.”
“I will go in her stead.”
“No, you can’t, neither can Sariel. Mia needs to do this. We need her to do this. The importance of this trial will not go unnoticed.”
Chapter Eighteen
Mia stood on the hillside and waited. Sariel landed with a concerned look on his face.
“When I had taken the honor of being your shield maiden, I did not realize the dishonor I would bring to you. Please take my thoughts. I can barely speak them.”
Sariel moved forward and put his head to hers. He stepped away and took her into his arms. “Oh my poor, poor child, where were your guardians? How could so much horror be unleashed upon an innocent soul?”
“I was cowardly and locked my memories away. I misrepresented myself to you, to Angelo, and to my husband. Do not look upon me in any easier light.”
“Can you not forgive yourself as you have others?” Sariel asked. “Is this not what the gentle one died for?”
“Once again, I am shamed,” Mia said. She released her wings and took Sariel’s feather, unwound her hair, and handed it back to him. “Please, this is too valuable to take in with me.”
He studied her a moment. He unwound his hair from her feather and handed it back to her. Mia felt the pain of the loss of his mark upon her neck. “This isn’t a one-time deal, Mia. I understand why it has to be done, but I will mourn our disconnection.”
“Sariel, I have no right to ask this, but please hear me out. If I return…”
“When you return,” he corrected.
“Will you connect me with whomever I need to consult to retrieve Neal’s soul and the soul of my unborn child? They too should ascend.”
“Your child has already been taken in and has been reborn, Mia. Neal, I will have to ask about. Your child was a girl, and her heavenly name was Hope. She gave hope to two broken people. Mia, you did not misrepresent yourself to me. The moment you called for me, I knew almost everything about you. What I had yet to learn was your compassion, your loyalty, your courage, and your love. Misfit isn’t the right name for you, because you do fit. You fit everywhere. May the demons honor your willingness to make restitution. I will watch over your family if you do not return.”
“Thank you.” Mia held on to Sariel, and he took her up through the clouds and showed her, no matter what the day presented her, that there would always be sunshine. She had only to look for it.
~
They walked together down the cold stone hall. Wyatt had left his meat suit and become Altair, the fallen. When Mia saw the stubs of the wings she walked forward and kissed the scars. “You can have my wings. Maybe we can attach them with some dragon heart?”
Altair was visibly moved by Mia’s compassion and offer.
“Alas, that is not for you to do. You are a funny thing. Time to prepare you.”
He had stripped away Mia’s earthly clothing. He handed her a rough, woven piece of cloth to wrap herself with. He took a rusty nail and pierced the fabric to hold it together at the top. He took a golden chain and wound it around her wrists before securing another chain with which he would lead her around.
“You have to follow behind me. Speak only when spoken to. Even if lies are presented, you have to bear them with downcast eyes. I will act as your advocate. The goal is to get you forgiven and back home in one piece. Your petition for the release of Lobo, Billy and Yann, if they have them, will be considered later.
Mia felt the hallway open up. She kept her eyes downcast, so she didn’t know the room was more of a small, enclosed colosseum. Her petition had brought quite an interested crowd. She would never see their faces. She was not meant to.
“Honored ones, I have brought you Mia Cooper Martin, wife of Theodore Martin, mother of Brian Stephen Cid Martin, daughter of Charles Martin, granddaughter of Orion Stavros and Émile Neyer.”
“Half-niece of Quentin Reynolds,” a haughty voice added, which brought with it a multitude of gasps and whispers.
Altair pulled the nail and let the cloth fall away. Mia bore the shame silently.
“I, Altair, represent this bonded woman with permission from her husband.”
“Noted,” said a hissy voice. “Why is she here?”
Altair explained the circumstances: the memory block and Mia’s immediate thought of making restitution for her part in the theft of the treasure.
“I’m under the understanding that all but a few bobbles were returned by this woman,” the demon judge commented.
“Yes, but Mia recognizes that she may still need to make restitution to the owners of what has yet to be returned.”
“Most unusual. Do we have the victims of this theft here?”
There was a shuffling of sandaled feet, and Mia bore the close scrutiny of the clothed demons. They lifted her face. She kept her eyes cast down. There were prying hands but no violation.
“Can you identify her?” the judge asked.
“She has put on weight and her hair is different, but this is the widow of Lobo.”
“Lobo being…”
“The first thief,” the victimized demon filled in.
“Tell us, in your own words, of the incursion.”
Mia listened and let a tear fall when the demon told of feeling violated. Who had hated them so? To not only rob them, but to dishonor their family artifacts in such a way.
Altair moved to Mia and caught a tear. She didn’t know why. She continued to bear the horror of her part in the fear the theft caused these demons.
“Imagine our surprise when
the treasure was returned. All but a few coins. We never knew until now who had returned it.”
“Mia, after hearing the account of your victims, how do you feel?” Altair asked.
“I feel shame and horror at my actions.”
“Explain further,” he instructed.
“The boys thought that they had found a lost treasure. They knew not about your honorable race. I had only encountered one demon before that time and did not make the association. I found all of the treasure that I could and returned it before I destroyed the way into the spur line. I still feel I owe them restitution.”
“Why has it taken you so long?” Altair asked for the benefit of the others.
“I had locked the memory away. The seal broke on the vault, and when I remembered what I had done, I sought out advice on how to proceed.”
“Why?” he asked her.
“It’s the right thing to do.”
“But you got away with it.”
“That is no excuse.”
“You’re right. What is the sum left to be paid?” the demon judge asked.
The amount was given. Mia was surprised by the cost, but she would pay it.
“Mia Cooper Martin, the restitution is this, you will repay the amount owed…”
“I will stand the cost,” the same haughty voice that claimed her as Quentin’s half-niece said.
“What right have you?” the judge asked.
“I have the right of family.”
“That will be permitted. Now for your punishment. You will bear the horror and the pain of fifty lashes.”
“I will take her lashes,” Altair said.
“No, this will not be permitted.”
“She is mostly human. The lashes will kill her. You will owe her husband a wife and her son a mother. Are you prepared to pay this restitution?” Altair asked.
“We will need to discuss this. Prostrate the woman.”
Mia was made to lie face down on the filthy stone floor, her bound hands before her.