Risen (Haunted Series Book 22)

be responsible for Lamia.  She has to protect herself.”
“How will I tell them?  How will they know?” Mia voiced her worries.
The demon looked at her.  She was genuinely concerned.  How could this powerful creature care about the knuckle-dragging sperm donors out there.  “I’ll ask her to stay hidden until I can sort this out,” he said.  “See that standing ledge next to the large volcanic vent?”
“Yes.”
“That’s from the original island.”
“Thank you.  I’ll go and set up while you talk to Lamia.”
“Did you just thank me?” the demon asked.
“Yes.”
“I’ve never been thanked before.”
“I’m sorry you have lived without courtesy,” Mia said and started towards the volcanic shelf.
~
The boat rocked, straining against the long chains of the anchors.  The captain had to allow for the rising water of the storm surge lest they snap, and then the yacht would be at the mercy of the waves.  They didn’t have enough fuel to keep battling the waves.  Hurricane Kelly’s outer bands were upon them.  The cove would allow some protection for the craft. Its crescent shape and the island would hold back the mammoth waves that normally accompanied hurricanes of this magnitude.
After the boat was buttoned down, the passengers were requested to ride out the storm in the large cabin.  The crew didn’t need to be running all over the boat looking for them if an emergency arose.
Burt looked over at Ted who hadn’t spoken to anyone beyond a grunt.  He knew Ted was hurting.  Worry and betrayal was a hard meal to dine on, and Mia had served both to her husband in seconds.
Patrick and Mason chose to formulate plans of searching Mackinac Island instead of letting the oppressive atmosphere of the cabin get to them.  Burt hadn’t heard a peep from Murphy, Kevin, or Fergus.  He knew that, like Ted, Murphy was pissed that Mia didn’t consult or take him with her.  Kevin didn’t weather the sea well, and Fergus, he was a mystery.
In Burt’s estimation, Fergus was to Kevin what Cid was to Ted.  Or was it the other way around?  Anyway, the two would continue existing as long as the boat didn’t end up on the seabed.  Saltwater didn’t help the ghosts who had perished on land.  He didn’t know much about what happened to the dead who died at sea.  He would ask Orion these questions when he returned to Big Bear Lake.
Mason looked up and made eye contact with Burt.  He excused himself and walked over.  “How are you feeling?”
“Aside from the ringing in my head?  I’m fine.  I’m glad I didn’t eat anything.  You?” he asked.
“Don’t know why, but sea travel seems to suit me.  Maybe I should look into becoming a gigolo on a cruise ship.”
This caught Burt by surprise.  He had to suppress his laughter behind his hand like a kindergartener at naptime.  When he had recovered, he asked, “Not a sailor, a gigolo?”
“Yes, can’t see wasting these good looks toiling away, tying fancy knots and the like.”
Burt twisted his mouth.
“Go ahead, I won’t pop you if you laugh.”
“I don’t think laughter would be appreciated right now,” Burt warned.
“You mean because knucklehead is upset because girly-girl has done a runner?  Come on, she’s the bravest and smartest of all of us.  She’s not book smart, but she’s street smart.  If she thinks taking that creature to hell with her is the best play, then by golly, I’m going to support her.  She rarely gets it wrong.”
“She’s probably not coming back,” Burt said.
“You don’t know that.  Seems to me, if she’s so disruptive that Saint Michael regularly kicks her out of heaven, then Lucifer isn’t going to want that wily woman causing chaos in his realm.”
“That thing could have already killed her,” Ted said from the corner.
“It speaks,” Mason commented.  “Why don’t you go back to your corner and add up the against-the-odds adventures the lady has already survived.”
“She’s always had help.  Murphy, Angelo, Roumain, Michael, PEEPs, and you two,” Ted pointed out.
Mason snorted.  “Give me a fucking break.  She just brought everyone else along for the ride.  Remember who she is.  Mia’s like a fine sword, well-crafted and beautiful, yet so lethal that it can’t be used without the utmost skill.  She’s a mother protecting her brood.  In this case, she’s protecting us dumb shits.”
“Who are you calling a dumb shit, eejit?” Patrick said taking offense.
“Burt’s already pointed out why I’m a stook. I totally botched the research. Come on, Patrick, a treasure hunt?  Was this the best use of your time?  You could have been ripping off rubes with your deals on wheels.  You can sell the eye out of your head without missing a beat.”
“You weren’t olagonin’ when I was putting food on the table,” Patrick pointed out.  “I should have let the socials raise you.”
Mason didn’t take the bait.  He waited.
“Patrick, Mason is just trying to reassure me,” Ted said.
Mason’s eyes twinkled.
Ted continued, “Mia didn’t want Burt to remind me of the rule of sending a demon places.  So, she shut him down.  If I had voiced my concern, then she would have stayed, because I would have begged her to.  Mia is a lot of things, but she would never intentionally hurt me.  She left Murphy here because she needed someone to fight the beast if it came calling.  With his power and axe, he’s a match for a hundred krakens.”
“Do you really think so?” Murphy asked, manifesting.
“Mia thinks so.  That’s enough for me,” Ted said.  “She knew that I would be very upset and maybe our marriage would suffer because of it.  She also had to deceive her best friend in order to protect us here.  But she had to make these sacrifices.  She didn’t see any other way.  Burt, tell him.  You know her.”
Burt considered