“You’ve discussed impregnating me with the wife?”
“She’s dead. Till death do you part. You remember, you killed her.”
“Oy, what a soap opera this would make.”
“We’ll sort something out when Ted passes on, naturally of course.”
“No, we won’t.”
“One wave and you’re off me again,” Roumain pouted.
“Can I touch your back without you getting the wrong idea?” Mia asked.
“Why?”
“I could heal your scars. I sense you don’t want anyone else to know you’re a fallen because cover your scent with jasmine.”
“How do you know about the scent of a fallen? That bastard Abigor! Did he take you?”
“No! Just that he and pre-winged Altair smelled similar.”
“What about Lucifer?”
Mia dropped open her mouth.
“Come on, words out that the two of you’ve hugged.”
“I don’t remember. I was pissing myself at the time.”
“He scares you?”
“Yup.”
“Good. And the scars are fine the way they are.”
“Why did I come here?” Mia asked, getting up and looking for her sweatshirt.
“I don’t know, some question?” Roumain offered.
“Oh yes. Can you send me to the Council of Women?”
“Yes, but I won’t.”
“I’ll give you my wings. They would look wonderful on you. You think you get the girls now…”
“I don’t want your wings.”
“My body. You can have my body.”
“Mia, stop!” Roumain said. “What the hell are you doing?”
“I want my own back!” Mia cried. “How am I going to sleep at night knowing they are constantly plotting to kill me. Actually, killing me would have been understandable. They could take my children away. I can’t let that happen.”
“So you’re going to kill the Council of Women?”
“I’m going to warn them off. They leave me, my family, and my friends alone, or I’ll wipe them from the heavens.”
“Can you back up the threat?” Roumain asked, concerned.
“I have forty legions of demons promised to me. Plus, I think I could get Abigor on board because, after all, it was him I was supposed to kill. That’s 100 legions of demons. I think that will be enough.”
Roumain stood up. “Mia, what proof do you have?”
“Enter my mind house. I give you full access. Look for the contract. You’ll find it on the bloody chest of an Other.”
Roumain reached down and put his forehead to Mia’s.
Each mind-reading entity had their own way of viewing the information. The process was sometimes uncomfortable, but with Roumain it was a caress. He was there for a considerable amount of time. She supposed things were a little different after Raphael had helped her.
When Roumain left, Mia felt a deep loss and started to cry.
Confused he asked, “Did I hurt you?”
“No, I’m fine,” she said.
“Mia, from what I can see of your adventure and what I know about the politics at hand, it’s not the whole council. Your grandmother and maybe a few others. Also, someone on the outside.”
“Quazar?”
“No, I don’t think so. It’s possible it’s Gerald.”
“No,” Mia groaned.
“I’m not sure. It could also be someone you’ve yet to meet. It could be a demon thinking he’s doing Abigor a favor. From the evidence you have, I have decided I will help you.”
Mia’s face lit up. “We will be a mighty force, you and I.”
“Stop it,” Roumain said between his teeth. “I’m not going to let you slaughter anyone. No revenge for you. We’re going to present the facts and let the council govern themselves. You’re not to bring a weapon with you, that includes Romeo and Juliet.”
“What? Aren’t they lost to the other timeline?”
“Call them,” he ordered.
Mia walked away from Roumain and called, “Romeo and Juliet!” The knives appeared in her hands. “Holy smokes and mirrors! I could have injured someone. Dieter is studying Shakespeare!”
Roumain thought this was funny and laughed with that beautiful rich voice of his. “Those are assassin knives, Mia.”
“Yes, I know.” Mia set them on the sand. “Take them.”
“I saw you fighting. If someone thought you were vulnerable because you didn’t have your wings or telekinesis, then they drastically underestimated you. You were physically twelve, but you had the teachings of Nicholai firmly entrenched.”
“Do you think the volo candle was put into play on purpose?”
“I can’t see any strong evidence of that, but a professional saboteur would make sure it looked that way.”
“I thought if it was all accidental, the council’s action may just be a case of taking advantage of an opportunity.”
“Speaking of taking advantage, Angelo… I should have killed him when I had the chance.”
“He means nothing to me,” Mia said quickly.
“I know you don’t see him as a mate, Mia, but you still would sacrifice yourself to save him. As you did with Altair. Angelo doesn’t need saving. He shouldn’t be saved.”
“You need saving,” Mia said.
Roumain ignored her last comment. “Oh, and, Mia, you brought the demon back with you,” Roumain said.
Mia groaned. “It explains the bloodlust for vengeance.”
“I noticed right away when you looked at me. There was something familiar in the way you undressed me with your eyes.”
Mia frowned. “Hey… You’re lying to me. It’s not possible.”
Roumain smiled.
“Why you little… big… Shit!” she said, stomping off.
Roumain swept her up and tossed her in the water to cool off.
Mia surfaced to find herself soaking wet, standing on the landing of the aerie.
“Great,” she said and sloshed to the bathroom for a towel. She decided she had better wash the saltwater off. She dropped her clothes in the sink and started the shower. It was a massive shower built with the visiting birdmen in mind.
Mia stepped in and let the hot water ease the tension out of her shoulders. She opened her eyes to see Roumain standing in the shower studying her.
