“I saw the truth in his mind. At least, he believes this to be the truth.”
“What’s a demon’s mind like?”
“Like the inside of a castle. Cold, clammy and sad.”
“They used to be angels before they fell,” Orion told her. “But then they evolved. I imagine a few still have the true bloodline, but it would be rare.”
“As rare as birdmen?” Mia asked.
Orion raised an eyebrow. “There are no pureblood birdmen left.”
“It may be the way you choose to procreate?”
Orion roared with laughter. “If you were a tot, I’d turn you over my knee.”
Mia ran towards the command post. She tapped on the side and opened the door. The cool air was a treat, but the welcome-home kiss she received was far better.
“You weren’t gone long,” Ted said. “How’d it go?”
“Surprising. Wyatt Wayne isn’t dead, and he didn’t kill his brother and family.”
“No?”
“The house did. Let’s get anyone who’s inside investigating out of there,” Mia advised.
“Burt, come in, over,” Ted called.
Silence
“Mike, Glenda, come in, over.”
Silence.
“The camera is still moving.” Ted pointed to the video feed. “Maybe the audio is just out.”
The camera moved by the window, and Mia did a quick size calculation. “It’s being held by a child. I’m going in there,” she said, placing a fingertip kiss on Brian’s sleeping head and a full one on Ted’s.
Mia turned around and grabbed a coil of mountaineering rope before leaving the command center.
“Ted, checking my com,” she said.
“Loud and clear.”
Mia waved Cid over. “There’s a problem inside,” she said, tying the rope around her middle. “If I lose communication with Ted, I’m going to want you to pull me out of there.” She handed him the rest of the rope.
“Ted, Mia’s got a bondage thing going on,” Cid said. “Permission to participate, over.”
Mia raised an eyebrow, shook her head and walked towards the house.
“Permission granted. Remember your safe word, Cid, over.”
“Dude, I forgot my safe word.”
Mia walked quickly into the house and located the floating camera. “Hello, Jimmy, what’s going on?” she asked.
“We’re playing hide-and-seek,” he said, handing Mia the camera.
“Have you found anyone yet?” Mia asked, setting the camera outside on the porch.
“No. Timmy hid the grownups, and I can’t find them.”
“Why don’t we find them together?”
“Mee ah’s it!” Jimmy called out and ran up the stairs.
Mia moved to follow but changed her mind. She pushed into the kitchen and found Glenda propped up against the wall holding a chipped tea cup, talking to someone Mia couldn’t see. She carefully took the cup from the woman and guided her back through the great room and out onto the porch.
“Pickup!” she shouted and went back in.
The room wavered, but Mia shook it off. “Ted, the house is trying to fool me. Talk me through it.”
“Mia, you should see an empty room with busted out windows.”
“There’s graffiti on the inner wall. I’ve just now noticed it. It says…”
“No time for reading, sweet pea, get up those stairs!” Ted said sternly. “Cid, be prepared, we may be losing her.”
Cid held on to the line, keeping it taut.
“Mee ah,” Jimmy said from the top of the stairs.
“I’m coming. I already found Glenda. Who have you found?”
Jimmy disappeared.
“Going up the stairs. I need a bit more play in the rope, Cid.”
“You have thirty more feet, then I’m reeling you in,” Cid responded.
“K.” Mia reached the landing and quickly looked into the parents’ room and found it empty. She turned and walked into the empty sitting room, across the floor, and into the boys’ room. There, laying on one of the beds, was Burt. “I’ve found Burt,” Mia said. “Wake up, Burt, it’s time to go to school,” she said, shaking him.
Burt’s eyes opened, and he gave Mia a look she was all too familiar with. She backed up. “Burt, you need to come with me.”
“Bebe, why don’t you come sit down,” he said, indicating his lap.
“That sounds like an invitation, Mia,” Ted said, concerned.
“Burt, I need you to come with me,” Mia tried again.
“I know you need me, bebe,” he said, getting up.
Mia walked quickly towards the stairs. Burt caught her and pinned her up against the wall of the stairwell. He turned her to him before he lifted her up, pushed between her legs, and whispered in her ear, “Let me fill you.”
Mia brought down both hands on either shoulder in a hard, chopping motion, causing him to drop her. While he cursed, she made for the stairs. “Come on, Burt, it’s too hot up there,” she called.
“Mia, I’m going to send Orion and Sam in,” Ted said.
Burt stared down at her and wiggled his fingers for her to come to him.
“No, he’s on the stairs. He’s a big guy. Someone’s going to get seriously hurt. I’ve got this,” she said.
Mia bit her lip and lifted her top, exposing her breasts.
Burt smiled and started down the stairs. She couldn’t risk losing him, so she stood there until his hands were upon her. He was so loving that Mia started crying. She backed into the main room, leading him. He bent down and kissed her. Mia fought the past that was clouding her present situation. She backed him towards the door and out onto the porch, tugging her shirt over his searching fingers. As they crossed the threshold, Mia felt something jar loose inside her. All the emotions Angelo had taken from her rushed in, pushing at the levees of her self-control. She pushed Burt to regain her hold on reality.
“Cid, grab him, and ice the fucker down,” she said as she turned around and adjusted her clothing. Her face awash with tears. She untied the rope.
“Ted, Mike’s not in the house, over,” she said, gulping for air, trying to stop the sobs of hurt from the emotions that had finally been given back to her.
“That means…”
“He’s under the house.”
“Come in, Mia, I can tell you’re upset. I’ve sent the bots to the other side of the house. If he’s there, they will find him.”
Mia turned and looked at Orion, Audrey
