Risen (Haunted Series Book 22)

“Sorry, this kiss happened.  It’s done.  Your relationship blew up, and Mia rebounded to…  I guess the Fed, who may or may not survive the storm out there.  And String Bean took her from him.  Is that Agent Whitney Martin?” Patrick clarified.
“Yes,” Ted answered.
“Did Mia just marry you for the surname?” Patrick asked.  “It can’t be for that nose.”
“Yours is going to match mine in a moment,” Ted growled.
Mason laughed.
Patrick touched his nose briefly before continuing, “Back to you, Burt.  There’s still a friendship between you and Mia, isn’t there?  At least on her part.  Be happy for that.  Stephen may have upset the applecart, but I really feel that she was destined to be with Ted.  She’s married, so she’s off the market.  Till death they do part.  Even in this modern age, she’s never leaving Ted.  She didn’t make the commitment without thinking things through.  Plus, they’re good together.”
“Thank you,” Ted said.  “And for the record, I don’t own Mia.  I know she never quite lets go of those she loves, but she is a loyal wife, and I trust her.  I also know that she would be sad to know that the three of us were at odds with each other over her.  She is risking it all to save us.  Whitney too, I guess,” Ted added.  “I’ve been at a loss without Cid to talk me out of my craziness, so I thank you Callens for stepping up.  Burt, I’m sorry. I didn’t know how deep the hurt went, but I don’t think it was personal when Murphy acted.  I think it just happened.  I know that he still loves her, but I bear him no ill will.  I count on him to keep her safe.  If Murphy wanted Mia that bad, he would not have saved her life time and time again.  In the equation that is Mia and me, the only thing that I fear is me screwing it up.”
Burt turned to Murphy, “I’m sorry. I had no idea of your feelings when I met Mia.”
“I apologize for my ungentlemanly behavior,” Murphy said, extending his hand.
Burt took it and shook it.
“So, we can be done with this malarkey then,” Mason commented.  “I don’t know about you, but if I had to hear this argument again, I was going to puke.”
“I better go and check on my father,” Murphy said and disappeared.
Ted pulled out his whiteboard and began running some numbers.
Burt joined the Callens, interjecting his thoughts about where a treasure could possibly stay hidden on an island which saw as many as 15,000 tourists a day in the summer months.
Burt stopped a moment and asked Patrick, “Did you really say, Mia would be working two jobs and raising nine children while you drank beers in front of the television?”
“Just stating the facts as I see them,” Patrick answered.

Chapter Twelve
Mia scratched the moss off the slab before she started to draw a rectangle using the green chalk.  She chanted the well-remembered words, using her name in place of the demon.  She stopped just shy of finishing the rectangle.  Mia would wait to close it when she had the demon aboard.
“That’s an unusual portal,” the demon said walking back to her.  “Aren’t most portals vertical?”
“Yes.  But you do want to leave the island, don’t you?”
“Yes.  What is the origin of this portal?”
“The origin is here, and the destination…”
“No, you misunderstood me.  How did you learn how to do this?”
“I’ve watched it done and then successfully performed it a few times.  Why?”
“I’ve never heard of it.”
“It’s not that you would, unless you’ve digested a priest from this century and from New Orleans?”
“Can’t say I have,” he responded.  “So, am I welcome aboard, Capt’n?”
“What happens to Anders?” Mia asked.
“I suppose he either rises to the occasion or he dies of starvation inside the cavern.”
“That seems a little harsh,” she said.  “Can’t you pull him out of where you have locked him?” she asked.
“Is this a trick?  I assure you I will not put up with tricks.  Vessel or no vessel, I will kill you and enjoy eating your brain.”
“Are you threatening me?” Mia feigned indignation.  “I withdraw my offer.”
“Wait,” the demon said.  “I’ll do what I can.  I promise.”
“Fine.  I know the promise of a demon is a promise kept.”
He looked at her, his orange eyes searching her face.  “You’ve been in the company of demons before.”
“I’ve been in demon court before.  I know what you must have gone through even if you don’t remember.”
“Tell me.”
“I’ve been broken with the whip.  If it weren’t for the care and magic of others, I would not have survived.  But I learned that there is an honor amongst demons.  I don’t know if this is universal throughout the community, but I paid dearly to get my honor back.”
“I see the truth in your face, Mia.  Open your mind. It’s time I left this place.  I do hope you’ll survive the journey.”
Mia stood still as the demon filled her from toe to just below her heart.  His consciousness swirled in and out of the open areas of her mind house.  Mia knelt, closed the rectangle, and repeated the rite.
The trap opened, and Mia marveled at how much the tentacles of the searching pit minders resembled Lamia’s arms.  As she stepped into the opening, she reached out and caught the edge, smudging it just enough to close the trap after her.
~
Whit encouraged his team to seek out refuge in the large shallow cave behind the falls until the eye passed over.  Then they would, hopefully, make their way to the Azure before it tried to cross the reef.  There was no point in staying on the island.  They had a small chance, if any, to kill the