Risen (Haunted Series Book 22)

I couldn’t be prouder, but now I’m frightened for her.”
“Why?”
“Do you ever watch Westerns?” Nicholai asked.
“Yes.”
“She’s the gunman who shot the fastest shot in the west.  If it gets around that she bested Ruax, then she will be challenged.”
“Maybe Lucifer will keep it on the down low.  He wouldn’t want to advertise what happened.”
“You said Altair was there.  He may tell Michael.”
“According to Mia, they aren’t speaking.”
“Can Ted be encouraged to not talk?”
“If it protects his wife, he can keep a secret,” Cid assured Nicholai.
“That eases my conscience some.”
“What else is bothering you?” Cid asked, putting the roast in the oven.
“I went to report to Angelo what was happening down at that island and to ask why he didn’t send a birdmen attack force down.  The answer was surprising, and I’m not sure why he insisted Mia go instead.”
Cid watched Nicholai’s face as he fought with his emotions.  Rage, confusion, and compliance all moved across the birdman’s features.
“First I need to explain some things.  When birdmen fly, especially long distances, they fly in what we have nicknamed the between.”
“Mia has mentioned this before.  It keeps the ordinary world from seeing you and airplanes from colliding with a flock.”
“Yes, we share the airspace with dragons, Nephilim, flying horses…”
“Flying horses?” Cid asked.
“Demons and wizards use them.  There are quite a few of the old stock left,” Nicholai said.  “Anyway, it’s the between over land, but over water, it’s the GSD, which stands for the Ghost Ship Dimension.  This is where the ships of the dead sail the oceans unseen by the world of the living.”
“The Flying Dutchman?” Cid asked.
“I’m not sure that’s around anymore, but yes, you get the idea.”
“So, it’s the GSD that is bothering you?”
“I didn’t think anything of it.  Mia and I used part of it to get to Sabine quickly.  But, according to Angelo, it has become a very dangerous place, especially the Caribbean.  The birdmen have to fly lower there because of the volatile weather patterns in the upper atmosphere.”
“How so?”
“There is a ship there that hunts birdmen.  We’ve lost three couriers in the last two weeks.  The Brotherhood has shut down the Caribbean and the south Atlantic routes until further notice.  This is why Angelo would not act on Sabine’s behalf.  I am ashamed to say my compatriots are cowards.”
“No, not cowards, cautious,” Cid said.  “I am surprised that he pushed Mia to go.”
“Mia ordinarily would not use the between because she prefers short hops and other modes of travel aside from her wings.  He also sent me along.  I’m very experienced. I have dodged a harpoon or two in my day.”
“But he did know there were strong odds that you wouldn’t return?”
“Yes, but there is always a chance we won’t return.  However, it has increased since the demon ship The Risen has been offering a bounty on birdmen, dead or alive.”
“Why didn’t Angelo tell Mia his concerns?”
“I don’t know.  Angelo was angry that Mia didn’t appreciate him at the trial.”
“But he doesn’t wish her dead, does he?” Cid asked.
“No.  But it may be political.  If he ignores the wishes of the Brotherhood’s Counsel, it could compound suspicion about his loyalty, which was raised when Victor was accused.”
“And this is the suspicion that Angelo wants to take over the Wing?”
“Yes.”
“Does he?”
“No.  Neither did Victor, but in Victor’s case, he could.  Angelo’s too cerebral.  Victor is all might.  I taught both.  Victor is a general, Angelo is a librarian – not that librarians aren’t generals in their own right.  I didn’t used to like Angelo much at all.  I think, since he’s been enamored with Mia, he’s changed, become complex.  He seems to see the full picture, not just the end product.”
“I think we all would feel better if he would lesson his fixation on Mia,” Cid said.
“Ah, that’s your loyalty talking.  Think of the bigger picture.  Who has made sure that she has been protected until she could come into her own?”
“Angelo.  Although, the archangel crowd seems to be on call,” Cid pointed out.
“The angels may just be protecting their healer,” Nicholai said.
“No, I think it’s something else.  Speaking of Michael, he’s going to be pissed Mia went to Hell without his permission.”
“But she survived,” Nicholai pointed out.
“No, with Michael, it’s all about control.”
“Angelo hates Michael.”
“Is it because he’s an archangel?” Cid asked.
“No, because Mia listens to him.”
“Does she really?” Cid said.  “I think Mia hears everyone, but she only listens to a few.  Off hand, she listens to you, Altair, and Ted when he’s not an ass.”
“I’m flattered.  This is praise indeed.  But I’ve worked with Mia for months now, and I have found she also listens to you.”
“Me? Not in the kitchen.  I’ve despaired over how someone so vital can be a horrorfest when frying meats.”
“Have we forgotten anyone?” Nicholai asked.
“Not Roumain, he burned that bridge.  She does listen to Ed some.  Now Murphy…”
“Stephen Murphy has been her friend for a long time, but I don’t think she will take instruction from him,” Nicholai said.  “Yet, there is no better person to have her back.”
~
Ted and Mia decided, after they had a hard time keeping their hands off of each other while dressing, to meet at the restaurant.  Mason had called.  Ted suggested he meet them at the restaurant, and yes, Ted would be picking up the tab.
Mason arrived with a clean, pressed shirt on.  His pants were wrinkled, but so were most of the tourists who had got caught traveling when Hurricane Kelly arrived.
Ted waved him down to the table he had secured near the dance floor.
Mason bobbed his head to the island music as he walked over.  Ted stood up, shook his hand,