by Alexie Aaron
Inside the room were men and women of mysticism, religion, and science. John Ryan who had been consulting with the FBI brought a folder that could have easily weighed fifty pounds. Each brought a different perspective, and all were chosen because they were respected by Charles Cooper.
Each person presented their case, backed up with either scientific facts or historical evidence. Charles took notes and asked questions. He looked over at Ted and asked, “You’re a man of science and math. Don’t you find this all a little unbelievable?”
“There is math to support multidimensions. There are stories passed down that speak of the end of the world and there has been a lot of money spent by the Cynosura to make it happen. You and I have met a man who would be a god except for a smudge of yellow paint. Charles, you found the doorway. Leave it closed.”
Charles nodded. “I can see wisdom in what you’ve presented.”
“There is one more proof of what is coming if you open the door,” Bernard said. He lifted the illuminated manuscript and put it on a viewer. He set up the machine so that it would show the book on all the monitors in the room. He explained the origin of the book. “This is the daughter of Nyx,” he said, turning the page to where Mia stood between Nicholai and Sticks. “When I first looked at the page, her escorts were different. The book adapts to the present.”
He flipped the page, and it displayed a scene of Mia speaking with Odin, Vili, Ve, and the 1000 promised Norsemen. They were raising their weapons in support. “This wasn’t here when I looked. There is more to study. But, Charles, if you keep the door closed and we move it to a safe venue, then your daughter will not have to risk her life defending the planet.”
“There are fifteen other books,” Angelo said. “All concur.”
“The FBI have already rounded up twenty of your donors as being Cynosura,” John Ryan said. “This is just one big plot to destroy the earth.”
“Thank you, Bernard, for gathering these experts in their fields. I agree it is a door, and it will not be opened by me.”
“Would you stay and help us to find a better resting place for it?” Bernard asked.
“Yes. Thank you, I would like to do just that.”
~
Sticks took Moonlight to the island. Nicholai asked Mia if she would have a meal with him. They changed at his house. Mia adapted her clothing to look more like workout gear by tossing one of Nicholai’s t-shirts over it. They sat overlooking the water. Mia enjoyed the attention the two of them were getting.
“I think we’re being gossiped about. Is this where you take all your dates?” she asked.
“No. Just me. I think they are trying to figure out how I managed to trick you into dining with me.”
“I think it’s the other way around,” Mia said. “I’m having such a good time.”
“It’s nice to find a moment of peace before any battle.”
“I wish your wisdom could be heard by Victor. He is hypervigilant,” Mia worried.
“Victor is a strange bird.”
“But he’s an honorable one.”
“I’m surprised you didn’t take his virginity while you were in Hell.”
“No. I couldn’t do that.”
“Why not? He is a fit male and could give you much pleasure.”
“But not without complication.” Mia explained, “It has to do with virginity. I took Ted’s and that’s a real responsibility. It’s not just a roll in the hay. You have to be aware that it means something.”
“You’re old fashioned,” Nicholai realized.
“Am I?”
“Yes, we have birdwomen warriors who think nothing of sampling the males around them. I don’t find fault as long as it doesn’t cause hurt feelings amongst the squadron.”
“That’s very forward thinking,” Mia commented. “I’m surprised, not that you’re forward thinking, but I imagined that you were old fashioned too.”
“That’s because you see me as old.”
“I don’t. I was thinking of old fashioned as in wanting me to mind my manners, dress accordingly, and being respectful.”
“Sometimes I forget you’re a woman and not a girl.”
“I know I’m immature. I really don’t mind the way you scold me. It shows you care.”
“Victor showed us pictures of the results from your spiral attempt. What puzzles me is how the two of you took a courtship dance and made it successful.”
“He and I are competitive and have short tempers. We traded love for zeal. We pushed the other to do better. Also, we riled each other up with insults. I believe I told him his feathers were molting.”
Nicholai laughed. “He is very proud of his wings. How could you?”
“My husband and Ed think that there would be a better partner for me if the doomsday spiral had to be performed.”
“Who?”
“You.”
“Me?”
“Hear me out. I have such a high regard for you and your teaching that I listen and react immediately to your instructions. You have experience, strength, and you care about me.”
“I’m too old.”
“I disagree. I will do your laundry for a year if I’m wrong.”
“My laundry and clean my house twice a month for a year,” Nicholai added.
Mia didn’t waver. If Ted said Nicholai was the best birdman in his eyes he was. “Deal!”
Nicholai tossed money on the table, grabbed Mia by the arm, and walked out of the restaurant.
“You sure you want to do this? You know the consequences if you or I go primal.”
“I think you’re not too old, just chicken,” Mia said and took off running.
He caught up to her, picked her up, and took her to the island Victor used for training. He pulled off his clothes, and she did the same. Mia activated her wings, and she turned to see Nicholai staring down at her. He looked different, almost scary.
“Listen. We are going up there and coming at each other hard. I will pull you towards me, and you use your wings to pull away. This will start the spiral. Trust me, I will release us at the end. Not you. Do you understand?”
“I understand.”
He released her. Mia shot into the sky. She turned and beat her mighty wings and flew as hard and fast as she could. Nicholai met her. They locked talons and worked the mating dance until fifteen feet above the water and broke apart. The blast exploded a twelve-foot hole in the rockface above the beach. Mia spun off and retracted her wings and hit the water. She pushed up with her legs and shot out of the water. Nicholai swooped down and caught her.
Nicholai set Mia on the beach. They walked over and examined their work.
“For an old bird, Pops, you really pack a wallop.”
“The only wallop you’re going to get is one on your backside if you continue to call me Pops.”
He continued to survey the damage they did. Mia could have sworn that every one of his feathers seemed to take on a new shine.
He reached over and patted her on the back. “I’m proud of you, Mia. Truly proud.”
“Whoa,” was all Mia could say. She felt odd. She put her hand on her abdomen. It was almost like she ovulated. But that was impossible, wasn’t it?
~
Amanda could not believe her ears. “Tell me again.”
“I’ve decided not to open the vault. I’m going to put it on a ship, take it to the deepest part of Lake Superior, and dump it in.”
“But… but…”
“Listen,” he said, and he told her everything he had learned.
“Aren’t you curious?” she asked.
“Not at all. If you want to see a portal, Mia’s friend Ed can take you into one.”
“As long as you’re sure,” she said. “Is it safe tonight?”
“It’s guarded, and the only one who knows how to open it is Ted.”
“Well, you need to get some rest. You’re going to have a long day tomorrow. I’ll just tidy up.”
Charles kissed his wife and h
eaded up to bed. She picked up the empty Chinese cartons and headed outside to slide them in the trashcan. When she walked back, she noticed an envelope leaning against the doorjamb. She must have passed right by it. She picked it up. It was addressed to her in an unfamiliar scrawl. She opened the envelope and drew out a piece of paper. On it were three words: Open says me!
Charles thought he heard the car start up. He knew it was his because the timing was slightly off, and it made a clicking sound. He walked down stairs and did a quick sweep of the house. He walked outside and saw a discarded piece of paper. He bent to pick it up, and pain exploded in the back of his head. Charles fought to stay conscious. He felt every step as he was dragged up and tossed in the door. The door slammed, and he heard the same clicking sound as Amanda drove away towards the museum.
Mia checked on Sticks, Moonlight, and the boys before she shook out her clothes and slid into a hot bath. She reflected on the day. The fact that Nicholai could control himself after the spiral comforted Mia. It was just a weapon to use. Baxter may have a few words about her reactions, but now was not the time for analysis.
Mia wrapped herself in a towel and walked quickly to her bedroom. She had just put on some pajamas when her phone buzzed.
She looked down and read her father’s number.
“Hello, Father.”
“Mia, this is the super of your parents’ condo. Your father has been attacked, and he wants me to tell you that Amanda is heading for the door. The missus is going to the hospital with him.”
“Thank you.”
Mia dialed Bernard. “Pick up, pick up, pick up.”
“Mia?” Bernard asked, yawning.
“Amanda attacked Charles, and she’s heading for the door. He’s on the way to the hospital. I’m on my way. Have someone sound the alarm.”
“But, Mia, she can’t open the door.”
“My mother can do anything she puts her mind to, even ending the world.”
Cid bounced out of bed. Jake had put an ocular in it and gave him a little jolt.
“What the hell!”
“We are on high alert,” Jake said. “I’ve alerted all the principals.”
“Is the door opened?”
“Mia is racing to stop it. Evidently her mother is hell-bent on opening it.”
“But Charles agreed!”
“Evidently, Amanda disagreed.”
Ted heard his phone ringing. He reached for it and fell on the floor. He had forgotten where he was. He remembered drinking with Baxter and Angelo, celebrating that Charles had changed his mind.
“Hello?”
“Ted, Amanda is heading for the door. I’m en route. I’m not sure if I’ll get there in time. Whatever happens, I need you to know that I love you beyond reason.”
“I love you too, Mia. We’re going to get through this. It’s just another walk in the park for the Mighty Martins.”
He heard Mia laugh.
“About you showing 1000 horny Norsemen my picture…”
“I’m not apologizing for that. I’m damn proud of you. Your beauty and power don’t diminish who I am. It makes me stronger.”
“Your genius, acceptance, and ability to sire amazing children have given me a fuller life than I ever imagined. I will love you forever.”
The connection cut out.
Ted got up and found the light. He was at Angelo’s.
He called Baxter and heard the phone ring in the room he was in.
Baxter was asleep on the other side of the large bed.
“Lord. I hope you didn’t mistake me for a nymph,” Ted said, shaking the wizard awake.
Lazar woke Dieter. “I’m supposed to send you to Quentin’s. Your father has already left for the museum campus. Quentin will take you over. Mia wants you to reconsider going with the Coopersons.”
“No. This is my fight too,” Dieter insisted. “I’m going to run up to the aerie and say goodbye to Altair and Murphy.”
Altair was having a very odd dream about Mia when Dieter ran in. “Mia’s calling the alarm. My selfish grandmother is most likely opening the door now.”
“Dieter, she’s under the control of someone,” Altair said, filling a flask and jamming it into his wing. “I’ve got to summon Hell. Good luck!”
Dieter rang the bell, and Murphy appeared. “Grab your axe. It’s time.”
Murphy took a moment and hugged the teen. “Stay here, be safe.”
“No, my mom’s facing something horrible, and I’m going to do what I can to help.”
“She’d rather have you safe.”
“I know. But I have something I’m supposed to do. I just don’t know what.”
“I’m heading there on the ley lines.”
“I’m headed to Quentin’s via the charm.”
“I’ll see you on the other side,” Murphy said and ran into the woods.
Chapter Twenty-nine
Mia landed on the lake side of the Adler Planetarium and ran to the door. Amanda was up on a ladder and had two of the three locks open. Mia started the video on her phone, so maybe someone could figure out, if a little old lady could open it, maybe some other ordinary human could shut it.
“STOP! FOR GOD’S SAKE, STOP!”
“There you are, dear. Charles said you were going to be here for the grand opening.”
“Where’s father?” Mia asked, trying to distract her.
“I think I killed him.”
“Why?”
“I had to open the door, and he was going to stop me.”
“Why do you have to open the door?”
“Because I will be lauded as the most brilliant scholar of them all. All those people who wouldn’t publish my papers will be sorry. You see, I discovered the new Edda. I found the island. I found the vault. Finally, I will not have to sit in Charles’s shadow. I was at the height of my career when I got pregnant. It was you who ruined my life. YOU!”
“Mother, come down. It’s not too late,” Mia pleaded. “You got it wrong. That’s a door. The Cynosura are using you to open the door so they can end the world. They think they are going to be sent on to their star by the light. They won’t go there. They won’t go to Hell because what’s behind that door will destroy Hell too. This is Midgard. You’re destroying Midgard!”
“I’m really surprised you know about Midgard.”
“Mother, whether you want to admit it or not, I’m your daughter. I loved you even when you had no love for me. We have so much in common. Please come down from the ladder, and let’s explore this world we live in together. Your grandchildren don’t understand why you’re doing this. At least come down so you can explain it to them. Or how about your vlog? If you care not for me and my children, you must care about your public. You have to tell them why you are destroying their world.”
Amanda faltered.
Mia moved closer. “I have a genius husband whom I should be helping to chronical all his achievements, but I don’t know how. You can teach me. Guide me. I’m pleading with you to look upon me not as the cause of your failures but as the start of your conquests. We are Neyers. We save humanity.”
“You could have been great had you gone to school, Mia.”
“I couldn’t face the ghosts. But you could teach me, Mother.”
“And let you sap my energy? You’re naught but a parasite. You sucked me dry from the inside out. I can’t pretend anymore. Mia, you will always be a mistake. An unfortunate event in my life. Look what you’ve become. An object of ridicule. Beth was right. We should have had you committed before you started breeding those large-beaked children.”
“These aren’t your words, Mother,” Mia said softly. “Push away the emails and remember when you saved me from the fire in the living room. Trying in your own way to steer me in the right direction when I was too stubborn to see another way. I know you love me.”
“If I loved you, then why did Charles have to resuscitate you when I smothered you with the pillow?” she asked. “Why didn’t you die? There w
ere no emails then, Mia. There were no instructions. Just me and you. I looked upon you and saw my failures. Why do you think Charles bought all those prepared meals? It was so I couldn’t put any poison in yours without him knowing it. Why do you think you’re so small? It wasn’t emails that forbade vitamins, green vegetables, and red meat. It was me.”
Amanda turned back to the door. Mia flew up to stop her. The door opened with a blast that propelled Mia painfully into the lake. She rebounded and flew back to see the open maw of a much larger doorway. The ladder was crushed under a large piece of ice. Mia lifted the block up, ignoring the burn of the ice through her gloves and onto her hands. She tossed it and knelt beside the lifeless body of Amanda Cooper.
Anger filled Mia. She had all this power to heal but wasn’t given the chance to heal her own mother. She had died without Mia forgiving her. Grief for a woman who couldn’t love, a mother who was plagued by a disease yet to be recognized, filled Mia, along with the worry about her father’s heart breaking. This chaos of emotion was starting to paralyze her. “Oh, Mother,” she said, caressing her cold cheek. “We never had a chance, did we?”
A deep rumble from beyond the door forced Mia to her feet. She pulled two large mourning feathers from each wing and covered Amanda’s crushed body with them.
Mia heard the running footsteps, but she had to focus on the open door. She kicked off her boots, braided her hair, and drew her angel steel and her Hell-forged sword. She stood guard in front of the door, not moving.
The security team, who Amanda had tricked with a phony phone call, lifted the feathers. They confirmed that Amanda was dead and started towards Mia as if she were the cause of the broken woman’s death.
“Please take her away. Be prepared, there are going to be many more bodies tonight,” Mia said in an even voice.