A Rose by Any Other Name (Haunted Series Book 18)

by Alexie Aaron

  “Mia, forgive me for asking this, but can you explain your commitment and why you made it?” Audrey asked.

  Mia looked around her and said, “Cid, you and Dieter might as well come in and listen.”

  “Would you mind terribly if I sat in too?” Father Santos said, coming in from the other door.

  “No, I guess not,” Mia said and pushed out a chair. “I do, however, want all of you off your feet. Relax, life is too short.”

  Mia took her feet off the table and waited for the group to settle down. “After the attack in the slaughterhouse, I was flirting with death. I remember finding myself in a waking dream. It was all white, much the inverse of what you, Father, found yourself in inside the Dark World. I had the feeling that I was being judged. I knew my path was probably not upward since I had just killed two men, so I took the opportunity to speak my mind.”

  Father Santos reached over and took Mia’s hand.

  “I told them - I assumed there was more than one entity listening - that they owed me. So I boldly asked for Altair to receive his wings back. Dieter, Altair’s friendship with Lucifer damned him. He was one of the first fallen. I met him with Orion when we were trying to save Mark Leighton. Altair had been existing in the body of a man named Wyatt Wane. He showed me, through his actions of compassion and kindness, that he was no demon, that he was still the virtuous warrior of the heavens. I made a deal. I offered them my eternity for Altair’s forgiveness and the return of his wings.”

  “You hardly knew him,” Orion stated. “And he wasn’t exactly virtuous when we met him.”

  “True, but I then spent time with him, and he helped me through my restitution with the demon court,” Mia said. “Well, long story short, I survived the attack at the slaugherhouse and went back to the living world. I was given another opportunity to argue my case for forgiving Altair with someone unexpected.”

  “Saint Michael,” Father Santos filled in.

  “I didn’t know that. I just thought he was a lawyer of some kind. He gave me what I asked for in exchange for binding myself to him for an eternity.”

  The room was quiet. Mia heard the faucet drip. She made a mental note to tell Mike about that.

  “I’m allowed my earthly life, but I must always answer Michael’s call.” Mia pulled up her hair and explained her neck tattoo, “The S is Sariel, the A is Altair, and the overwhelming M is Michael. This shows, to those that need to know, that I am bound to Michael and serve as Sariel’s shield maiden.”

  “Why the A?” Dieter asked.

  “This is for our friendship. Altair’s friendship with Lucifer lost him his place in heaven, but it was returned. Everyone can be forgiven; all they have to do is ask,” Mia said simply. “When I told Ted about it, I was seeking out a loophole, but he asked me not to. We are headed into dangerous times, my friends. A time when we’ll all be tested. I chose to fight the approaching evil from above.”

  “Are you an angel then?” Dieter asked.

  “I have learned that you can’t simply make an angel, that’s God’s domain. And angels are finite. There are only so many made. When we lose an angel, there is no replacement. They can’t reproduce with each other. If they break the law and have offspring with humans, the children are something else.”

  “What are you then? You have wings and abilities far beyond a human,” Dieter pointed out.

  “I’m a product of many entities’, throughout history, interactions with humans. Sariel calls me a misfit. I don’t fit into any category. As if I didn’t know that already,” Mia said and winked.

  “This world is full of amazing things,” Dieter said, awestruck. “Here in this room is a birdman, a woman who exudes happiness, a priest, a man with super hearing, a man inside a machine, and a woman with the wings of an angel but the heart of a lion.”

  “Don’t forget to add a young man who can call souls,” Mia said.

  “Yes, that too. And here we are in a magical house. Still, there are shadows to deal with, but the walls have witnessed the comradery of the most interesting sorts. I think the house will choose to shake off the evil and stand and shelter the living again.”

  “I hope so, young man,” Glenda said from behind him.

  The group looked over at the provisional owner of the house.

  “I’ve agreed to cycle the house, come what may. Ted has two weeks before my option runs out.”

  The Paranormal Entity Exposure Partners came into the kitchen. Ted stood, putting a hand on his wife’s shoulder. Burt leaned against the counter. Mike sat down next to Mia. Murphy, who had finished his patrol of the house, appeared in time for the decision to be discussed.

  Mike cleared his voice and spoke, “We have a few things to clear up before we chance this undertaking. Audrey, are you still available to handle the coroner’s people next week?”

  “Yes, I’ve scheduled them in.”

  “We need to remove the remains of Renee’s victims, and even though their souls have moved on, we will give them a burial according to their beliefs. My mother would like to have a bone-free house. Ted and Cid are going to program the robots they built to handle the safe cycling of Roustan Rose. Is there anything else?”

  “Father Alessandro’s memorial luncheon will be a week from today,” Father Santos announced. “He asked to be quietly interred, but his friends would like to get together and celebrate his life. All of you are welcome.”

  Mia’s eyes opened wide, and she sent a request to Father Santos mentally.

  “Rose Malloy?” he thought back to her.

  “I need to know where her remains were taken.”

  “Why, Mia?”

  “I have some forgiving of my own to do,” she said.

  “Let me handle Father Alessandro’s requests first, and then we’ll search for Rose together,” he promised.

  Ted felt a chill go through Mia. He took off his hoodie and wrapped it around her shoulders.

  “Thank you, Teddy Bear,” she said.

  “My pleasure, Minnie Mouse.”

  Chapter Thirty-two

  Cid hovered nervously in the kitchen, watching Mia prepare the meal.

  “I have cooked before,” Mia commented, picking up on his stress.

  “But not for rich people.”

  “Do they have different tongues?” Mia asked. “As far as I know, Quentin Reynolds and Baxter eat the same foods we eat. Quentin does eat a lot. But they aren’t coming for the food. They’re coming to meet Brian. If you want to help, make sure Ted leaves the barn in time to clean up and greet our guests.”

  “I’ll get him here. Mia, please let me help,” Cid begged.

  Mia lifted an eyebrow. “Alright, you watch the fort while I get dressed. Mia sniffed her pits. “I think I’ll grab a quick shower. Brian will be up from his nap soon.”

  Baxter navigated the roads with ease. The temperatures had moderated, and they hadn’t received any appreciable snowfall since the blizzard week. Mia said that Quentin could fly in if he wanted to, but he and Quentin had discussed having an air of normalcy when dealing with a young mind. “Let’s not overwhelm Brian with another set of wings,” Baxter suggested.

  Quentin sat quietly looking out the window for most of the trip to Big Bear Lake.

  Baxter broke the silence by saying, “I’m looking forward to meeting Brian.”

  “I hear he is a bright boy. His father is a genius. Mia chose right,” Quentin stated.

  “Do people still choose their mates or does love do that, Quentin?” Baxter asked.

  “I don’t know. I’ve not thought about that aspect to procreation. I don’t think my father loved my mother, but Mia said that my mother did love my father and mourned my loss. So she must have loved me too.”

  Baxter looked over at Quentin, sensing that he was nervous. “Quentin, I’m happy that you asked if I could come too. I’m very interested in how the Martins manage to live with Ted’s best friend, a ghost in their computer, and Stephen Murphy. It seems to be a bizarre way to live.�
��

  “Surrounded by friends is Mia’s kind of bizarre, Baxter.”

  Baxter pulled in and slowly headed up the drive. Quentin remembered the bell where he had left Mia when he became overwhelmed by her injuries. Ahead was a friendly farmhouse and the large lot where the PEEPs parked during their meetings. Baxter saw how nicely they had melded the old homestead with the new additions. On the hilltop, there was a new building with an aerie on top of it.

  Ted strode out of the office, walking to the expensive sedan. “I see you found us alright,” he said to the men exiting the vehicle. He reached forward and grasped Quentin’s hand firmly in his. “Welcome to our home, Quentin.”

  “I’m very pleased to be here.”

  “You have quite an establishment here,” Baxter said, reaching into the trunk and handing Quentin the smallest of the gift bags they had filled together.

  “It just kind of grew. The front part of the house and this barn are original to Stephen Murphy’s farm. He knew how to build them to last.”

  “The area is quite unpopulated for the quality of the roads,” Baxter commented.

  “Ah, that’s from the failed subdivision. Not many people want to live out here.” Ted was about to add, so close to the hollow, but refrained, thinking it wasn’t a problem anymore.

  Mia walked out onto the porch holding Brian’s hand. Quentin saw the small boy and melted as the tyke waved at him. He waved back. Brian smiled. He had his mother’s smile, Quentin noticed. The child had a prominent nose, he thought gave the child character. He walked over.

  Brian took off his hat. “Hello, Uncle Quentin.”

  Quentin squatted down and presented his hand to the tot. “It’s nice to meet you, Brian. Your parents have told me so much about you.”

  Brian shook the man’s hand which held his in a gentle grasp. “I’m going to be one.”

  “I know. I brought you a present,” Quentin said, holding out a small-boy-sized bag.

  Brian’s eyes lit up, and he looked up at his mother.

  “Go ahead,” she said.

  “Thank you,” Brian said, taking the bag. He looked in the bag and his face lit up. “Oh, Mommy, a book!” He showed her The Tale of Peter Rabbit.

  Quentin rose. “It was my book when I was a lad. I hope it’s alright.”

  Brian hugged the book to his chest.

  “I think that answers your question. Come on inside and enjoy the fire,” Mia said. “Brian, show Uncle Quentin into the living room.”

  “Yes, Mommy.” Brian raised his hand.

  Quentin took it, bending his knees slightly to hold it. The two made their way into the house.

  Mia waited for her husband and Baxter. Baxter handed her the other two bags. “Just a few things Quentin wanted you to have. Open them later,” he suggested.

  Mia nodded. “Come on in out of the cold.”

  Baxter walked into the fragrant house. The aroma of beef cooking had filled the home. Cid stood at the end of the hall.

  Baxter nodded to the man and followed Mia to the living room where Brian had taken Quentin. The two of them stood contemplating the fire.

  “Mommy says I’m not to touch it, but it wants me to touch it.”

  “Fires are tricky things. I wouldn’t listen to them. Listen to your mommy instead,” Quentin suggested.

  “What happens when Amanda tells him about your little incident?” Ted whispered, causing Mia to jump.

  “I’m hoping he’ll be old enough to understand to do as I say and not as I do,” she said. “Gentlemen, may I get you something to drink?”

  Brian looked up.

  “Yes, you’re included in the gentlemen.”

  “Juice.”

  “One juice.” Mia looked at Quentin.

  “I’ll have what he’s having.”

  “Two juices.” She turned to Baxter.

  “A beer, bottle’s fine.”

  “Make that two,” Ted said.

  Mia left them to retrieve their drinks.

  Quentin chose a big chair, and Brian crawled into his lap, much to the surprise of the big man.

  Baxter kept an eye on Quentin. He watched for any sign that his charge would be overwhelmed by all of this.

  “What sports do you play, Brian?” Quentin asked, searching for something to say.

  “Mommy says my brain is growing faster than my body, and I have to be patient,” he explained. “Susan says I’m going to be a Chicago Bear, but she doesn’t know what position yet.”

  “My body grew faster than my brain,” Quentin said with sympathy. “People thought I was older than I was upstairs,” he said, touching his head.

  “Do you read books?” Brian asked.

  “All the time, you?”

  “I don’t know enough words yet. I’m learning though.”

  “Ted, when did you start reading?” Baxter asked.

  “Early, but I wasn’t as interested in books as I was in comic books. Books seemed too real to me. I read to escape my sisters.”

  “I have a lot of aunts,” Brian gushed. “They kiss a lot.”

  Mia returned with the drinks, a sippy cup for Brian, a crystal glass for Quentin, and two domestic beers for Ted and Baxter. “Dinner will be ready in ten minutes, or so Cid tells me. He’s barricaded the kitchen and won’t let me back in.”

  “Cid’s a bit territorial,” Ted said.

  “Burnt one meal, and I lost his confidence forever,” Mia said, wrinkling her face.

  “He’s been teaching Mia to cook. She bakes like a dream, but frying and roasting are concepts yet to be mastered.”

  Mia glared at him.

  Quentin noticed this good-hearted teasing and smiled. “I understood Dieter was staying with you.”

  “He is. Unfortunately, he’s been called away this evening,” Mia said.

  “Dieter has a job,” Brian said. “I want a job.”

  “You have a job.” Ted reminded him, “You’re to take care of Mommy when I’m working.”

  Brian hit the top of his head. “I forgot.”

  Quentin was enchanted.

  Cid walked into the room. “Good evening,” he said to the gentlemen. “Mia has cooked a prime rib, and I’ve just finished the Yorkshire pudding. We’ll be eating in the dining room tonight.”

  “Me too?” Brian asked, his face full of expectation.

  “Yes, you too,” Cid said laughing. “You have to wash your hands first.”

  “Yes, sir. Excuse me, Uncle Quentin,” Brian said, crawling off his lap, stopping and grabbing the book, and running to the guest bathroom.

  Mia got up and followed him.

  “Is he always so well behaved?” Baxter asked Ted.

  “He has his days. I have to say he is better behaved than our parents have said of us,” he confessed.

  Quentin rose and walked into the dining room quietly.

  “Is he alright?” Ted asked Baxter.

  “This is so new to him. He had a rotten childhood.”

  “I think that’s another thing he and Mia have in common. Why is it that the gifted and the different are put through such trials so young?” Cid mused.

  “Mia’s fine,” Ted said.

  “That’s because of you, Ted. You’ve brought back her childhood,” Cid said.

  Baxter observed the two friends. There was a bond there that was very strong. It was an interesting thing to have the best friend still living with the married man. He didn’t sense anything other than the love of a friend between the two. Would Cid stay once he fell in love?

  Mia and Brian entered from the kitchen. Mia lifted Brian into the highchair. Cid brought out a special meal made for little hands and a very young stomach.

  Cid brought in the roast and carved it at the table. Ted was amused. He knew Cid was showing off. Mia had given up that it was her meal, so she concentrated on keeping the conversation light and happy. She shared tales of their early days of ghost hunting.

  Quentin was amazed by the gangs of ghosts. “Do you think they stil
l ride the roads?”

  “Yes,” Mia said. “I don’t know how much power they have. I hope nothing like they did at Lucky’s.”

  “I’m amazed by the whole thing,” Baxter said.

  “I thought Ted was nuts when he decided to join PEEPs,” Cid said. “He’s so smart; why would he waste his time chasing orbs and recording sighs?”

  “There was so much to be learned. I had hoped to pioneer some equipment to answer the three big questions, like: Is there life after death? What’s in the light? Why do ghost stick around?”

  “Two out of three isn’t bad,” Mia said.

  “We met. It made the hours of listening to Mike and Burt bicker worth it.”

  Mia blushed.

  “What was the biggest blunder you made?” Baxter asked.

  “Me personally…” Mia said, thinking before replying, “Using a spell to bring the dead back to life in a museum. That was a bad call. If it wasn’t for Angelo’s bird army, we’d be toast.”

  “You almost died there,” Ted said.

  “I’ve had a number of close calls,” Mia admitted. “I’ve been fortunate to have Ted, Murphy or Angelo around to help me out. Quentin, it pays to have friends. I was such a loner before. No way to live.”

  Quentin nodded.

  Mia popped up. “I’ve made some dessert. Crème Brûlée anyone?”

  “Me!” Brian sang out.

  “I’ll help you,” Ted said when everyone had answered. “Coffee?” he asked.

  The men nodded.

  “Cid, why do Audrey and Mia call you Superman?” Baxter asked.

  Cid coughed, surprised by the question. “When I came here, I wore glasses with lenses so thick that I resembled Clark Kent in them. I was almost blind. I had a few surgeries and now don’t need the glasses. Being almost blind my whole life, I had developed great hearing to compensate. Super hearing like Superman.”

  “So it has nothing to do with your looks?” Quentin asked dryly.

  “I beg your pardon?”

  Mia walked out carrying the tray of desserts and explained, “Cid doesn’t see what the rest of us see. He sees something different in the mirror. He didn’t see Clark Kent chuck the glasses and become the handsome Superman.”