“We’ll wait.”
Orion used the washroom. He cleansed his body and drew on the smallest robe that was offered. He knotted the cord tightly before leaving the room. He walked into the chapel and confessed his sins. He wasn’t sure regret was still considered a sin, but he tossed that in too. He rose, and the gatekeeper led the way into the Dark Vault of the netherworld. Here, the large lead coffins of uncontrollable demons were stacked beside old cauldrons and Exeter torture racks. He ventured deeper, making sure his robe did not trip him, or worse, brush against something most undesirable.
The gatekeeper unlocked the doors to the Great Library. He handed a small pair of gloves to Orion, instructing, “This is for your protection. Words can kill. Please refrain from reading aloud. If you experience any tingling of any kind, step into the decontamination tube as soon as possible. We will come and try to resurrect you as soon as it is convenient.”
“I shall take that under advisement.”
He moved quickly to the horticulture section and picked out the first of many books about trees.
~
“About my latest defection…” Ted said, walking into the office.
Cid looked over from his keyboard and asked, “I’m not sure I know what you’re talking about?”
Ted’s face softened. “What would I do without you, Cid?”
“Walk around on all fours, eating out of garbage cans, I imagine.”
“Cute, but deserved,” Ted said, sitting down. “I still have a chore to do…”
Paul Simon started playing on the speakers.
“No, Jake, don’t, please don’t!” Ted pleaded.
“The problem’s all inside your head…”
Cid started laughing. “Nah, Jake, he doesn’t need ‘50 ways to leave a lover.’ How about one? A phone call. Be honest with the woman. Short, sweet and direct.”
“I’m still a fan of texting it,” Mia said from the doorway, holding Brian. “Tell her, I reminded you that it was your turn to take the trash out.”
“Ouch, fifty points for Slytherin,” Cid announced.
Ted looked very uncomfortable. Mia tried to sympathize, but she never was a good actress. “You really can’t hurt anyone’s feelings, even evil people, can you?”
“It goes against my nature,” he admitted. “But it has to be done.”
“Here, hold Brian. I’ll do it,” Mia said, handing him his son.
“No. I’ll do it.”
The line to the house rang. Jake displayed the caller. It was a new number, but the name was all too familiar, and it cut into Mia like a knife. Mia’s sharp intake of breath surprised Brian. He hugged his mother as if trying to protect her from whatever upset her. “Thank you, darling. Let’s go for a walk. Murphy spotted some baby bunnies. Let’s see if we can spy on them,” she said sweetly. She left the office.
Ted picked up the phone, putting it on speaker. “Hello.”
“Hello, Ted, this is Beth.”
“Yes, Beth?”
“I’ve been trying to get ahold of you. I finally figured out that the rat boy had my old number blocked. Did you know that Mia had the audacity to turn me in to Homeland Security?”
“No, I believe that was Jake.”
“Who the fuck is Jake?”
“He’s a friend. Why are you calling me?” Ted asked.
“To ask you when I should move my stuff into the farmhouse.”
“Why would you do that?”
“Someone has to take care of Brian when you’re working.”
“I think you have your wires crossed, Beth,” Ted said coldly. “I’m no longer under the influence of Roumain or you. I think you should get on with your own life and leave me alone.”
“But I need you, Teddy B…”
“Shut up!” Ted yelled. “No one calls me that but Mia!”
Beth laughed. She knew she had gotten to him.
Cid looked at Ted and could see that his friend was very angry.
“Come on, Ted, loosen up. You don’t need a woman like Mia dragging you down. You’re going to be rich. How is it going to look when you have Crazy Cooper on your arm?”
“I think it’s going to look wonderful. Beth, the moment I saw her, my world was rocked. Here was this tiny thing handling problems bigger than I ever imagined. She had a heart. She cared for the ghosts and the haunted. And she was very kind to you. Don’t you remember that?”
“She stole you from me.”
“Beth, I never was yours to steal. You were a pal, just one of the guys.”
“You liked me. I know you did,” she argued.
“No, I’m sorry you got the wrong idea. I treated you the same as I treated Amber. I never touched you, and I never wanted your attention. You had no claim on me. You owe Mia a giant apology. She never did you any harm. She saved your life in Lucky’s, risking her life to untie you before you were violated.”
“I don’t remember any of that.”
“Ask Burt.”
“He’s a waste.”
“No, he’s not,” Ted defended.
“Why her and not me?” she asked.
“You’ll understand when you meet the one you’re supposed to be with for the rest of your life. It knocks the crap out of you. Mia wasn’t even mine, but I hung on every cuss word she spouted. She didn’t look my way, but I wanted so to walk up to her, turn her face towards me, and tell her that she was going to marry me.”
“Why are you telling me this?” Beth asked, irritated.
“Because contrary to your past actions, you’re not a bad sort. Examine your life. Make some changes, and get back on track…”
“Will you help me?”
“No,” Ted said firmly. “I’m not interested in ever talking to you again. You have no idea of the heartache you have caused. You almost lost me my wife, my child and my life. You planned and schemed. That’s not what a friend does. You’re no friend of mine, Beth. I will not be talking to you further,” Ted said and hung up.
“That was cold, dude,” Cid said, getting up. He walked over and picked Ted up out of his chair and hugged him. “I couldn’t be prouder. How do you feel?”
“Like
