Risen (Haunted Series Book 22)

where I can keep an eye on you.”
“Thank you,” Sabine said.  She looked around at the kitchen from her spot in the breakfast nook.  Audrey had gone for bright colors that complimented the Tuscan crockery that she and Orion had collected on their honeymoon.  “It’s very pretty in here.  So European,” Sabine said.
“That’s what we were going for.  The paint may be a bit bright, but Orion insisted since this is a north-facing room.”
Sabine watched Audrey quickly prepare the tea.  Audrey reached in the pantry, brought out a small ladder, set it against the refrigerator, climbed it, and opened a high cupboard.  “This is where I hide the company cookies,” she explained.
“I’m sure Orion could just fly up there.”
“Oh, I don’t hide them from Orion.  It’s Mia.”
This caused Sabine to laugh.  “Why?”
“Well, actually, it’s rather devious.  If Mia sees that we have no decent cookies, she’ll bake a few batches and bring them over.”
“You could just ask her,” Sabine said, giggling.  “She’s not that scary.”
“Have you seen her after a practice session with Nicholai?” Audrey asked.
“No.  But I get your point.”
Audrey brought over the tea things on a tray.  She sat down and waited until Sabine had a sip before asking, “What makes you think you’re a slut?”
Sabine explained Cid’s dinner invitation, the Patrick thing, and her attraction to Tom.  “I may be dating three men,” Sabine said, horrified.
“Now, I think you’ve come to the right person,” Audrey said.  “First, Cid’s just making you a meal.  He’s a real slow mover, but I think he’s being nice more than making the moves on you.  Patrick is very interested.  Tom is surprising me.  His mother has been trying to make the two of you a pair for some time.  Maybe now that he’s not living at home, he’s starting to see you as a woman and not his mother’s dream daughter-in-law.”
“Am I doing something wrong?  Should I break up with Patrick before I go out with Tom?”
“No.  Patrick doesn’t own you.  He’s the bad boy in your life.  Time to date a good boy, and see which you prefer.  Remember, this isn’t forever, until you make it forever,” Audrey said sagely.
“Audrey, I like Cid.”
“What’s not to like?  Cid’s honest and handsome.  He’s as excited about the paranormal as Ted is.  He’s smart and committed.”
“Committed?” Sabine asked.  “I didn’t know he had a girlfriend.”
“He doesn’t, but he’s got this plan that he’s committed to.  He wants to build his dream house and his future before getting married.”
“But all good intentions fall to the wayside when love happens,” Orion said, walking in, carrying Luke.  He walked over and kissed Sabine’s cheek.  “It’s so good to see you.”
Sabine blushed.  “Audrey, I’m not looking for a husband, just someone to talk to and have dinner and be a woman with.”
“Well then, you’re back to three.  What a slut,” Audrey said.
Sabine laughed at herself.  “May I hold him?” she asked Orion.
He put Luke in her arms.
“You’re a strong little boy,” Sabine said.  Her eyes opened wide, but she held her tongue.  Mia had schooled her at not blurting out things she discovered hilly-nilly.
Orion picked up on this.  “Sabine, we pretty much know he’s a birdman.”
Sabine nodded.  “Your son is so special and sweet,” she said.  Sabine wanted to tell them more, but to do so, she felt would not be appreciated.  She was almost positive that Luke was listening to a very special song in his head.  Soon, he would be singing along.
If she was right, then she was holding on to the impossible.  A one hundred percent angel born from a human mother and a birdman/demon hybrid.  She would ask Mark Leighton what he thought.  She wondered if he had seen the baby yet.  If so, why hadn’t he told anyone that Luke Stavros was an angel?

Chapter Nineteen
Nicholai landed at the aerie, walked down the hill, and knocked on the PEEPs office door.
Cid opened it.  “Nicholai!  You don’t have to knock, you’re family,” he said.  “I was just heading over to the house to start supper.  Would you like to join us?  It’s just Sabine and I.  There will be plenty.”
“I will wait until you hear what I have to tell you first, and then I’ll let you decide whether you want this old fool at your table.”
“That sounds ominous,” Cid said.  “Come on, talk to me in the kitchen.  If you haven’t heard, Mia is back from Hell, and aside from Murphy being missing, all is right in the world.”
“That’s a relief.  Why was Mia in Hell?” Nicholai asked.
“Oh, I think she wants to tell you the story herself, but I can tell you that she’s fit and sound thanks to your teachings.”
“Cid, I will listen to Mia’s account with rapture when she tells it, but I would like you to tell me all that you know that has occurred since I left with Sabine.”
“Sure.  Remember, what I have is but bits and pieces from Burt, Patrick, Mason, and Ted, but here goes,” Cid told the story of the demon-with-no-name.  “She faced Ruax, the demon they were all afraid of, and won.  Ted said she didn’t even have a scratch on her.”
Nicholai puffed up.  “I’m very proud of Mia, but she should have never been put in that situation.  I failed her by not returning.”
“No.  Ted said that she seems to have made a breakthrough with the realization that she doesn’t need you, Angelo, or Roumain running interference.  She can protect her family.”
“Victor said she could do it.  I wasn’t too sure when I started training her.  Those wings… It was like giving a toddler a Harley Davidson and being told to ride it up a mountainside.  But our girl worked and worked.  Sure, she cussed me out, but she didn’t stop.