“What if I walk?”
“Would you stay real close to me and do what I say without… without further discussion?”
“Yes.”
“Well then, sir, you and I have a deal.”
Audrey pulled into the lot and, with surprisingly few problems, managed to get Luke and Varden established safely in the Martins’ two-kid stroller. Brian held on to the seam of her culottes as they made their way to the Dairy Bear.
Dieter and Mark passed the Dairy Bear. Mark stopped. “Isn’t that the Stavroses’ car?”
Dieter looked over and nodded. “Hey, maybe I can get a ride home.”
The teens jogged across the street and investigated the car. It was empty except for three car seats in the back.
“They must be at the park. Let’s go and surprise them,” Mark said.
Mia walked out of the lair barefoot in borrowed clothing.
Sariel was waiting for her. “Have you tried out your new wings yet?” he asked.
“I was afraid to do it inside. There are all those angels staring. What is that place anyway?”
“It’s our equivalent to a corporate office,” Sariel said. “That’s why I wanted you to dress for the occasion.”
“Good to know. I was looking around for my two helpers to thank them, but they weren’t around. One dude I didn’t even get his name. Come to think of it, he looked familiar, but with his helmet on, I wasn’t sure. The other snotty one was Gabe somebody.”
“Oh, Misfit, you really have to pick up a Who’s Who in Heaven directory.”
“Is there one?”
“No,” he said, lifting an eyebrow.
“I swear, if I didn’t love you, I’d hate you,” Mia complained.
“Gabe as in Gabriel.”
“Oh, the other big cheese. I hear he doesn’t like me.”
“You heard right.”
“Who was the other one?”
“Azrael.”
“Son of a bitch!”
“Mia!” Sariel warned, looking around.
“So when Raphael said he called in a favor, the royals came running.”
“I don’t know how to answer that. Come on, stop stalling. I want to see the wings.”
Mia produced the wings.
Sariel’s eyes opened very wide for a moment, but he didn’t say anything.
Mia, who could only see them in bits as she craned her neck, nodded. “Pretty snazzy. I don’t think they will make demons quake in their boots, but I like them.”
“Mia, those are archangel wings,” Sariel said. “There is going to be a little learning curve. But let’s take the lesson to the between. Follow me.”
“Are you sure you’re up for this?” Mia asked.
“My injuries weren’t as grievous as Michael’s. Besides, I’m flying with my healer. Come on, Misfit, let’s go.”
Sariel took off and Mia followed him. He waited for her and taught her a few things she didn’t know about archangel wings. “Long swords are kept in the feathers close to the body.”
“I don’t have a long sword,” Mia said.
“I’ll put it on Santa’s list,” Sariel said dryly. “But you have to promise not to accidently cut Angelo with it.”
“Damn, you saw right through me. You wouldn’t know if Raphael was able to get Angelo’s card out of my mind, would you?”
“I honestly don’t know.”
“Roumain couldn’t help me.”
“Mia, what exactly is Roumain to you?” Sariel asked as they flew.
“It’s complicated. Counselor, troublemaker, judge, and friend. I admire, fear, love, and hate him. Right now, he’s looking into getting me an audience with the whole Council of Women. He’s handy to have on one’s side, hell if he opposes you.”
“How did you meet?”
“My aunt sold me to Angelo on the condition he raise Guillaume, her Cooper-cursed lover, from the dead. Guillaume was in Purgatory – he’s still there. The Judge showed up and in his clever way saved me.”
“But then he regained an interest in you.”
“Yes. He wasn’t the first fallen to do that.”
“You’re so popular.”
“I’d rather be anonymous.”
“I know. How do the wings feel?”
“Lighter and yet so strong.”
“There is a small problem with having these wings.”
“Yes, no gift comes from your crew without strings attached.”
“Don’t be glib. Raphael can call upon you for favors.”
“I expected that.”
“And Michael will know if you enter Hell.”
“That’s not a problem,” Mia said. “I hope to have seen the last of that place.”
“Well, looks like you’re used to the wings. I’ll leave you here.”
“Where’s here?” Mia asked, looking around.
“Keep going that way,” Sariel said, turning her. “Things will start to look familiar in a few minutes.”
“Next time, I’m going to get me a pair of wings with GPS,” Mia said to empty air. Sariel had already gone.
Dieter followed the trail of ice cream drips to where Audrey was sitting with the kids.
“You’re a sight for sore eyes and sticky hands,” Audrey said. “Whatcha got there?” she asked, pointing to the stack of books and bags Dieter was carrying.
“Homework. I stopped at the art store. Have you been in there?”
“No, not yet.”
“There’s a very interesting portrait in the studio upstairs,” Dieter said in an odd voice.
“I don’t like the sound of that,” Audrey said.
“The artist is painting my mother, with wings,” Dieter said.
“I knew that before you did,” Brian bragged. “I was there when he drew her picture.”
“Did you, and you didn’t tell me?” Dieter acted hurt.
“Mom said it was best I didn’t mention it.”
“Little dude, it’s brothers before mothers.”
Audrey shook her head. She bent down and looked at Varden. “Don’t you listen to that hogwash. You either, Luke.”
“I got to go to the zoo. I saw all sorts of stuff you didn’t get to see,” Brian said, showing off.
“Did you see any angels? We saw an angel walking down the street,” Mark told Brian.
“Where?” Brian asked.
“She was walking past the art store,” Mark said.
“I saw a gargoyle sitting on a building in Chicago,” Brian boasted.
“That’s so
