Risen (Haunted Series Book 22)

be a better mother to her boys than she could be to the girls.”
“I don’t know what to say?” Sabine said.  She sat down with a thump.  “She shouldn’t have been there.  Angelo should have sent someone else if he couldn’t lower himself to go.”
“That puzzles me too,” Cid admitted.  “I thought he’d jump at the chance of rescuing a damsel in distress.”
Sabine laughed.  “He’s really not like that.  He just rescues Mia.  Otherwise, his head is in a book or managing his warriors.  He does have a soft spot for children, which is why he’s in the warrior wing of the Brotherhood and not a researcher like Orion.”
“How long have you known him?” Cid asked.
“Since I could remember.  He hasn’t changed physically.  Although, he has changed emotionally.  That’s Mia’s fault.  She got under his feathers.”
“I don’t think it was on purpose,” Cid said.  “She hates and loves him at the same time.”
“That must be hard to do,” Sabine said.  “When my Brian came along, it was the first time I felt love.  As a sensitive, I could identify love in others, but I had never felt any love for myself.  It was wonderful.  He’s gone, but I still feel him in my heart.  Love never dies.”
“Mia says that.”
“Oh, Mia has such a large heart.  I think, if she could divide herself into seven beings, it wouldn’t be enough to satisfy all whom she loves.”
“Do you admire her for this or pity her?” Cid probed.
“A little bit of both.  She loves Ted without question, but she can’t let go of Murphy.”
“I don’t think Murphy will let that happen,” Cid said.
“Do you think so?”
“In my experience, which is slim, I assure you, when you break up with someone, you leave them be.  This way, the other person can move on.  Part of Mia would be lost without Murphy, and although he has survived before, he would be lost without Mia.  I think that, if he wasn’t a ghost, Ted would have never stood a chance,” Cid admitted.
“No, you’re wrong.  You see, I can see inside of Mia, particularly her emotions.  She was lost until Ted, and she made a commitment.  Then she was consumed by him.  She can see all his faults, but they don’t bother her.  Okay, maybe his insecurity does, but what can she do?  She knows she’s surrounded by men who want her.  She doesn’t want to hurt them.  I think that’s why, occasionally, she hauls off and punches Murphy and Mike.  It’s to say, ‘stay away from me.’  She gravitates to the males who are immune to her, such as Altair, Tom, Lazar, and you.  The others she pisses off whenever she can, whether she knows she’s doing it or not.”
“You should be a psychiatrist,” Cid said.  “I dabble in psychology.  I must deal with what I see, the person’s behavior, and what they tell me.  You can see inside them.  You would be amazing.”
Sabine blushed.  “I’m not smart enough.”
“You underestimate yourself,” Cid insisted.  “Let me loan you a few of my books.  Just for a look-see.”
“I’d appreciate it.  Can I call you if I have questions?”
Cid smiled.  “Of course.  I’d enjoy having someone to converse with about human psychology.”
Sabine smiled.
The monitor flashed, and Jake announced, “Hurricane Kelly has been downgraded to a tropical storm.”
~
Captain Billard walked into the suite and addressed the men, “The hurricane has been downgraded to a tropical storm and is expected to leave the area soon.  I have negotiated with a few fishing trawlers for fuel.  I would like to head into St. Kitts as soon as possible.  I’m also aware you are missing one of your party.  I can have this boat prepped for a return to the island area for a search.  Although, Agent Martin says that the Coast Guard will be heading there after he joins them at St. Kitts.
“Ted?” Patrick asked.
“I’m going to hire a smaller boat and return to what’s left of the island.  Captain, thank you for your heroic efforts on our behalf.  I won’t inconvenience you or your crew further.”
Billard left, and Burt said, “I’ll stay with you.”
“No, I think you should go with the Callens, rendezvous with Sabine, and film and find that treasure.  There is no guarantee Mia is going to show up here.  All I know is that she would expect me to search for Murphy, and I’m not going to disappoint her.”
Kevin looked at Ted and then at Fergus.  He manifested.  “I’ll stay with Ted.”
“Are you sure?” Patrick asked.  “We could use your help.”
“I think Fergus will go on with you, but I can’t speak for him,” Kevin said.  “My place is here, looking for Mia and my son.”
“Patrick, I’d like to stay too,” Mason said.  “I’m just not comfortable moving on until I know Mia and Murphy are in the clear.”
Ted looked at the young man.  “I appreciate that, Mason, but Mia wouldn’t want you to miss out on the adventure of a lifetime.”
“Are you kidding?  A fishing boat in the Caribbean?  Waiting on a broad who decided to sacrifice her freedom to save humanity?  Searching for a ghost that destroyed an island to save the rest of us?  Seems to me, a treasure hunt is tame in comparison.”
Patrick bristled.  “I need you, Mason.”
“Burt’s got the research covered.  I’ll meet up with you guys as soon as I find my friends,” Mason said.
Fergus looked over at Kevin.  There was no way he was going to leave his friend.  He manifested long enough to say, “I’m staying with Ted.”
“Well, that’s decided then.  I’m not going to lie and say that I’m not pleased to have such remarkable friends,” Ted said.  “I owe all of you.”
“Hey, my first favor,” Mason said, rubbing his hands together, laughing, “Bwahaha.”
~
The gate rose, and Mia