“A long-needed conversation,” he said and disappeared. The di inferi dug into the ground and followed their king. The dead went back to their graves just as the morning sun broke over the horizon.
~
Mia landed in the backyard and let herself in through the back door. Dieter, who had just been dropped off by the Leightons, sat nursing a hot chocolate that Lazar made him.
Mia forgot what she must look like to her adopted son and asked, “How is Mark?”
“A possible concussion. He dislocated his shoulder.”
“Ouch, been there. What can I do? Do you want me to call and see if your Aunt Judy can fly down?”
“No, Mom, he’ll heal. What happened to you?”
Mia pushed her hair back. “I think I was poisoned, and Victor and I had a disagreement. I’m headed for the shower after I check in on your brothers.”
“Audrey is sleeping in the guestroom.”
“Orion should be behind me. Everybody is safe, a little battered but, all in all, a good night for the Martin family,” she said and walked out.
She passed Magda Popov in the hall who commented, “Walk of shame, dear?”
“Fuck off,” Mia said and walked up the stairs.
Dieter almost fell off his stool.
Magda walked in and tsk-tsked.
Lazar hid his smile from his mother.
Orion arrived to see the others staring intently at Ted’s invention, trying to see if there was any way Quazar could get out of his temporary prison. The gargoyle had decided it was too much trouble to keep up his human persona. He sat, hugging his knees, staring out at his viewers, his gaze holding a modicum of disgust.
The cage he found himself in was made of lightweight metals, but it was made impossible for the being to use his stone weight to escape by the rubber coating.
Babcia had helped to dip the chains and anything metal in the melted rubber. She also suggested that they let her cast a spell of soundproofing. Quazar’s biggest strength was his voice.
Cid suspended a revolving crystal over the cage to stop the gargoyle from hypnotizing his jailers.
Nicholai insisted Seth and Enos stay, regardless of the prison.
Altair kept to his human form in order to not rile the young birdmen.
Ted spotted Orion. “Have you seen my wife?”
“She left before any of us. I imagine she’s using up all the hot water.”
“How is she?”
“Difficult to put into words,” Orion said. “If you will excuse me, I’m going to go and hold my wife until I pass out.”
Mia looked at her battered body in the mirror. She would be sore for days. She placed a square of gauze over the wound on her cheek and taped it down. She wasn’t sure how she felt about Victor scarring her this way. Right now, she was too tired to care. She walked in the closet and found some clean clothes and dressed quickly. Her feet hurt. She chose a pair of sneakers instead of her normal boots. She combed her hair, noticing the missing locks. This must have happened when Victor was playing with her. He sliced them off when he got close to her head. “I should have cut his balls off,” she said and jammed a slouch beanie on her head.
She tripped down the stairs and eased herself out the front door. She heard the porch swing and turned to see Murphy waiting for her.
He joined her as she walked to the barn. They didn’t talk. He was unsure of her mood.
Mia was moving on automatic. Once she saw that Quazar was safely imprisoned, she would allow herself to get some sleep.
Seth and Enos nodded to Mia and Murphy as they entered the barn. Mia walked up to the cage and cleared her throat.
Babcia lifted the soundproofing spell.
“Yes?” Quazar asked.
“Can I get you anything?” she asked.
Puzzled by her hospitality, he didn’t say anything until she turned to walk away, and then he said, “My freedom.”
“I’m sorry, but I can’t do that. You’ve committed grievous crimes against the universe.”
“And you haven’t?” Quazar challenged.
Ted, Cid, Altair, and Murphy held their breath.
Mia turned around. “Don’t even pretend to be able to stand in the shadow of my crimes. I’ve already been punished. Now’s your turn.” She yawned and smiled at her husband and friends and left the building.
“Go, I’ve got this,” Cid said to Ted.
Ted took off running. He saw Mia sitting on the top of the old picnic table over by the old woodpile. She was just staring off into space. Ted sat down next to her and put his arm around her. He didn’t talk. He just let her fall asleep as she leaned against him. After a few minutes, he scooped her up into his arms and carried her into the house, up the stairs and put her to bed. He took her shoes off her battered feet and covered her up.
He walked down the hall and checked on the children before he came back in and passed out beside his wife, exhausted.
Mia opened her eyes to the sound of gentle waves. She turned her head and saw Roumain staring intently at her. He leaned down, lifted her up, and walked into the water with her. He whispered, “Let go and open your mind.” He stood chest deep while she floated safely in front of him.
She closed her eyes and allowed herself to be transported to a place of healing. She recognized the voices. She knew the mages were with her now. She allowed them to administer to her sick and traumatized body. They touched her cheek. She put her hand over it, indicating she didn’t want them to mess with it. “I need to remember the lesson.”
“Allow us to knit it together
