“I love babies. There is so much you can learn from them. If I had a child, I would never leave it. I’d quit my job so I could watch it grow.”
“So, you wouldn’t trade your child for worldly gains or maybe this book?”
“What kind of animal do you think I am?”
“Birdmen’s parents have sold their children to the Brotherhood for centuries, why not you? Who would you sell out in order to get a cushy job like yours?” Wyatt pushed.
“Mr. Wayne, I appreciate that birdmen aren’t your favorite race, but please judge us individually.”
“I will endeavor to do so. But it’s difficult.”
“Mr. Wayne, I think that I can authenticate this book. Your asking price can be met. Are you sure you want to sell it?”
“Yes, I’ve read it. Time to move on,” Wyatt said.
“Let me talk with my associate and have the gold brought to you. I’m sure it won’t take long,” Orion said, walking out the door.
Wyatt looked at the beloved book and frowned. He then remembered that if Mia was successful, he would own the book again. If not, it was just a book…
Orion walked back in. “My associate, Nicholai, has contacted a local representative, and he’ll be bringing the gold. He’s says it should take about twenty minutes.”
“In the meanwhile, do you play?” Wyatt asked, indicating the chessboard.
“Yes, I do. But I see a game is already in progress…”
“I am teaching Mia. She’s leaving for chess camp tomorrow. I don’t think she’s gifted, but she remembers everything I teach her.”
“That’s an advantage. Her parents must be… Where are her parents?” Orion asked.
“Getting ready to dig in the earth somewhere. Charles is an archeologist. The mother writes his papers for him. This Émile must be disappointed to have such a dour daughter.”
“I don’t know. I only know of them. I saw their pictures when I was researching the province of France in which they reside.”
“Where is that?”
“Alsace. They are notorious fence-sitters there. There is a strong angel gene that runs through the family on the mother’s side. You should know that Mia’s part of that family.”
“How do you know Mia?”
“I just met her here, but I remember that Charles and Amanda had a child. Mia looks like her grandmother Adele Neyer.”
“How?”
“They both have the white hair. Big eyes.”
“What color would you say Mia’s eyes are?” Wyatt asked.
“They’re light. To be honest, I don’t remember the exact color.”
Wyatt had all the proof he needed that Orion didn’t have a clue that Mia was his granddaughter. No one who had spent any quality time with Mia would ever forget that her eyes were moss green.
Mia sat on the steps waiting. She knew she couldn’t enter the library without it looking odd, so she perched herself on the stairs. Murphy couldn’t sit beside her without being discovered, so he stayed in the shadows of the upper hall. Birdmen could all see spirits, Nicholai was no exception.
The doorbell rang, and Nordin went to the door.
“I’m here to see Nicholai or Orion Stavros,” a familiar accented voice asked.
Mia stood up. Part of her wanted to run and hide, but the other part wanted to see him younger.
Nordin let Angelo Michaels in. He was carrying a large heavy satchel. Nicholai took the bag and nodded his head in the direction of the stairs. “You stay here and keep an eye on my little admirer.”
Angelo looked up at Mia. “Come down here, little girl, yes?”
“No. I’ll stay up here.”
“Are you frightened that I’m going to eat you?” Angelo teased.
“I’m not a little girl.”
“I can see that. I have to warn you not to lose your heart to Nicholai. He is an old soldier, and they have bad manners.”
“Who are you?” Mia asked, blocking his entrance to her mind house.
“I’m Angelo Michaels. And you are?” he asked, trying to push his way in.
“Annoyed. Most mind readers ask permission. Go away,” Mia said, turning around, and started to climb the stairs.
Angelo flew up the stairs and was upon her immediately. He scooped her up and pressed his forehead to hers.
Mia kicked him hard in the testicles. “Leave me alone or you’ll regret it.”
Angelo let her go and sat down hard on the steps.
“Sir, I must insist that you wait for your people outside,” Nordin said, holding open the door.
Angelo got up and looked back at Mia, whom he expected to have a triumphant look on her face. Instead, she looked scared. “I didn’t mean to frighten you. I just want to know who you are.”
“Sir, I really must insist.”
Nicholai walked out of the library to see what the commotion was. “Angelo, what are you doing up there?”
“This child isn’t a child,” Angelo said.
“Of course not, she’s a young lady.”
“With a hell of a kick.”
“We will speak of this outside. I’m sorry, Mia Cooper, my associate is young and sees evil everywhere.”
“It’s alright. He just surprised me that’s all.”
Murphy followed Nicholai out the door, sticking to the shadows so he wouldn’t be seen.
Nicholai walked up. “Angelo, I’m appalled by your behavior. True, we’re in the house of a demon, but you don’t have to act the barbarian.”
“You don’t understand. The minute I saw her, I sensed a connection. I probed her mind, and the door shut quickly, but not quickly enough. I saw that I had already been there.”
“How is that possible? She is but a slip of a girl.”
“She is not who you think she is. Her mind is that of a woman. She’s some kind of demon spy or a soul jumper.”
“I don’t understand. If you were denied entrance to her mind, how can you know she is not a child?”
“I told
