“All in all, I think that went very well. Sticks won’t be ready for mating until long after Mia has exited this world, but he will protect her,” Nordin said.
“But he has no family. It’s the families who keep the other demons from taking advantage,” Wyatt said.
“You’ll be her family. There is great respect for you.”
“Nordin, you’re a kind man, but I know that a fallen who has spent a hundred years hiding in the body of a nasty greedy old man isn’t thought of highly.”
“I have always prided myself on being able to judge a man, sir, and I have the utmost respect for you. It isn’t easy being the second to fall.”
“I fell because I considered Lucifer my friend. I didn’t exactly agree with his politics. Nor did I agree with tossing him out of Heaven.”
“Mia reminds me of you, Mr. Wayne. She’s a fence-sitter who’d rather just live a peaceful life, but she’s also a fighter. If she doesn’t find the candle in time, she’s going to have a hard road ahead of her.”
“Excuse me,” Orion’s voice came out of the darkness. “Mr. Wayne, may we have a moment of your time?” he asked, dropping down in front of the demon. Orion tucked his wings back behind him.
To either side of the small birdman dropped Nicholai and Angelo. They kept their mighty wings on display.
Wyatt prepared himself mentally to lose his host’s skin to battle the birdmen.
Nordin put a restraining hand on his master’s arm as he said, “Sirs, could you not have made an appointment? This is hardly the place for a meeting. There are children about,” he scolded.
“You call these drunken college kids children?” Nicholai questioned.
There was a rustling overhead, and before anyone could move, Sticks dropped down in front of Wyatt. “Leave the old one alone. If you have to fight someone, fight me,” he said with the bravado of a young warrior. He flexed his hands, and his fingers grew to sharp lethal thorns.
“Please!” Orion pleaded. “I’m not here to fight. We just need some answers to a few questions, and in exchange, we will share information you may not have. I believe you’re acting on my granddaughter’s behalf.”
“So, you finally got that far.” Wyatt rolled his eyes.
“What right do you have to act as her protector?” Angelo spat.
“Enough!” Orion ordered. “I’m asking the questions.”
“Mia came to me after finding herself in an intolerable position,” Wyatt hedged. “She asked for my help. I gave it.”
“Is she here? May I speak with her?” Orion asked.
“I don’t think that information is safe to give. You see, there are Other exterminators about.”
“I feared as much,” Orion said. “I have a horrible story to share but not here.”
“I will welcome you into my home, but your goons…”
“I’m sorry for the youthful exuberance of Angelo. Nicholai knows his manners and will keep Angelo in line. I think it’s important for you to hear Angelo’s story too.”
“Mr. Wayne, I will come with you to even the numbers,” Sticks volunteered.
“Nordin, what do you think?” Wyatt asked.
“I think I better put the pot on to boil. It’s going to be a long night.”
~
“I know everyone wants to go now, but I must insist you spend the night here,” Glenda said. “We can’t be navigating the woods in the dark. That’s what stupid kids do in the horror flicks. We all know what happens to those stupid kids. We’ll get an early start. If anyone has parents to call, now would be a good time.”
Ted rolled his eyes and walked into the kitchen to make a call.
“Mia, you can call before me,” Cid offered.
“I don’t know how to get in touch with them. We don’t have an answering machine,” Mia said. “Anyway, I’m supposed to be at chess camp.”
“Wouldn’t they want to hear from you?” Glenda asked.
“They’re too distracted. I think they care, but you couldn’t prove it by the last twelve years.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. With Mike, I tend to be a little firm. I want to know where he’s going, who he’s going to be with, and what time he’s going to be home. Being both parents is hard, but I think he turned out alright.”
“He’s a special person,” Mia said.
Ted came back and stopped Cid before he called. “Remember, I’m staying with you, and you’re to tell Candy you’re staying with me. If she notices the car gone, tell her your mother had the dealership pick it up for a tune-up before the warm weather.”
Glenda leaned in. “I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that. As far as I’m concerned, the parents know what’s going on.”
Ted came back in and sat down next to Mia. “I was working out the math on the range of the rock salt. If I cut down the barrels, the spray will be wider, but there will be less chance of the weapon locking up.”
“It’s a sound theory, but it’s not our shotgun.”
“Hell, I haven’t fired that since 65. We were overrun by deer. I didn’t shoot a deer, but the noise kept them out of my cornfields.”
“Murphy has a problem with deer eating his little trees in the future. Cid made him some covered mangers so he could feed the deer and they wouldn’t eat his seedlings.”
“Ugh, feeding deer just increases the problem,” she said. “Mr. Murphy!”
Murphy appeared.
“Let’s you and I talk about deer control.”
Murphy looked over at Mia and gave her a look of “Why me?” before he followed Glenda into the kitchen.
Ted slid his arm around Mia’s shoulders.
Mike walked over and took Ted’s hand off Mia’s shoulder. “Not in my house, lover boy.”
“We’re married.”
“Twenty years from now. Right
