“Excuse me, I better get cleaned up,” Mia said. “Come on, Brian, let’s go in and throw clothes around mommy’s closet.”
“Wear something high necked,” Altair advised.
“Why?”
“So they can’t smell fallen on you.”
Chapter Thirty-five
Mia peeled the bandage off her cheek and looked at herself in the mirror. The woman who looked back at her was fearful. She practiced a look of confidence a few times before she left the room.
“You look beautiful,” Ted said. “New dress?”
“Actually, it’s one of the dresses Ralph bought me that I refused to wear.”
“It looks very nice.”
“You should wear a suit.”
“I’m not coming,” he said.
“Why?” Mia asked.
“Orion said that some things may be said that I might find objectionable. He’s worried I’ll wig out and spoil the whole event.”
“He’s wrong,” Mia said. “I want you there.”
“No, you don’t,” Ted said. “Mighty Mouse, I know my strengths, and seeing you with Angelo…”
“Whoa, what?”
Ted blinked twice. “You knew Angelo was going, didn’t you? He’s the emissary for the Brotherhood. Evidently, when a full meeting is called, all allies are encouraged to send at least one emissary.”
“I didn’t know.”
“I believe you.”
“Please reconsider,” Mia asked.
Ted’s eyes softened. “Why, because I make you feel brave?”
“Yes, and you’re part of what I’m fighting for. I’m trying to live a life filled with love, and you’re a primary player.”
Ted raised an eyebrow.
Mia moved over to him and said, “All the good that I’ve become has been because of you, my love for you, your love for me, and our friendship. Yes, you make me brave. But more importantly, you bring me joy and children.”
“With beaks, according to Brian,” Ted said.
Mia kissed the top of his nose.
“Mia, I trust you to come home to me. I’ll stay with the children. Take Murphy with you.”
“No.”
“You have to. He’s a witness, as is Burt.”
“Whoa, I forgot. I better call Burt.”
Ted looked at her oddly. “I called him. Your eggs are still a bit scrambled, aren’t they?”
Mia touched his face. “Why do I feel that you’re not going to be here when I come home?”
“Because you’re being hypervigilant, not that I blame you. A lot of shit has happened since that damn birthday cake. Cid, Mike, Audrey, Glenda, and I will be here waiting for you three to come back with a positive result. We were all involved, but only the three of you, along with Altair, remember it. Orion is going because he is petitioning the council to take action on the members who issued the contract on Luke.”
“What else is going on, Teddy Bear?”
“I’m sorry for forcing you to go and see Michael. I’d kill him if I had the chance.”
“If you’re worried about all that crap that I was spewing when I came back while you were gone, I can explain. My mind was fragmented because of the forced demon extraction.”
“I thought you were mad at me because of forbidding Burt.”
“I rather you not forbid Burt. Maybe just suggest strongly.”
Ted laughed. “Gee, I can hear it now. I sound like a petulant insecure male.”
“You and I aren’t great with social graces.”
“I guess I worry because Burt met you first.”
“Actually, thanks to the candle, I met you before Burt. I released you from your locker. My first memory of us is of you exiting, big feet first, from the locker. As soon as I saw that nose, I fell in love.”
“That’s not how I remember that day, but had you been there, I hope you weren’t put off by my awkwardness.”
“One of your best features.”
“What did you look like?”
“Flat chested, underweight, bossy.”
Ted laughed. “So when did the donut habit start?”
“I’m so going to make you pay for that remark when I get back. Right now, I don’t want to mess up my hair.”
“What happened to your hair?”
“Victor.” Mia narrowed her eyes.
“Ah, the epic battle.”
“Yup.”
“He and Nicholai are transporting Quazar.”
“Please come, if only to stop the next epic battle.”
“No, you can do this. Come home to me.”
“I will,” Mia promised.
~
They waited for Roumain in the barn. He arrived dressed to the nines. He opened a portal and ushered them inside. He waited until the birdmen brought Quazar in in chains. He stepped through and closed the portal.
Mia found herself alone in a vast wilderness of darkness. The only lights she could see came from the stars in the heavens. There was a supernova giving color to the eastern sky. To the west was darkness brought forth by three dead moons. A flicker pierced this darkness. The flicker became a flame, and the flame became a small campfire. Thirteen shadows approached the fire to light their torches. The shadows became women, and the women moved outwards from the circle, lighting torches along the way. Soon Mia could see the vastness of the assembly. There were over a thousand women, living and dead, in attendance. A thousand witnesses to what was going to take place. Mia shivered.
Tonya Toh walked towards Mia and held out her hand. “Welcome, Mia Cooper Martin, to the full assembly of the Council of Women. Follow me please.”
Mia followed Tonya to a line of seats arced before the fire. She pointed to one and said, “Sit.”
Mia sat.
Mia could hear murmurs behind her, whispers across from her, and sighs around her. This gave her comfort, knowing that there were other beings there. A large dais rose just the other side of the fire. Thirteen spirit women appeared, seated behind a curved desk. Each was very old, having lived a full earthly life. The centermost woman stood. A hush fell over the assembly.
“Welcome, all, to the special assembly of
