Risen (Haunted Series Book 22)

praised the both of us.  Ted’s a nice feller,” Kevin said.  “I’m going to tell my son to stay away from his woman.  I like this man.”
“It’s the Callen in Stephen.  You’re all notorious skirt chasers.  Did you see the tattoo on her chest, matches the one on the boss’s arm?”
“I wasn’t looking at her tattoo…”
“I know.  It’s the Callen in you.  The tattoo moves when they are together.”
“I think it’s dark magic of some kind,” Kevin said suspiciously.  “Mia moves too easily in and out of Hell,” he hissed.
Mia and Ted ran quietly down the stairs.
“Lead the way, gentlemen,” she said.
~
Kai felt her approach the house.  She stood patiently on the porch with a tall man and two spirits that were there earlier.  Maybe she came to complain about him drawing her spirits away.  She was very powerful.  He would have to be careful.
Mia smiled at the people who congregated at the seer’s house.  They were believers of magic.  It was their beliefs that made this man strong.
“What brings you out on this hot night?” a dark-skinned woman asked Mia.
“I’ve come to ask a question.”
“Did you lose someone in the sea?”
“Yes.”
“Kai will help you.  You smell like… like the old ones,” she said, backing away.
“Don’t worry, there aren’t any old ones with me,” Mia said quickly. “I did just come from there. I guess the scent never completely leaves.”
“Kai will call Agwe, and he will cleanse you of the old ones,” the woman said confidently and walked off.
“That was creepy,” Ted said.  “What was she talking about?”
“She basically told me she smelled the fallen.”
“Lucifer did hug you,” Ted said.
“But you and I did a lot more than hugging after.  I took a bath for cripes’ sakes.”
“Maybe you’re going to have to have this Kai call for Agwe.  I have my silver lighter if you need it.”
“How kind,” Mia said and took a step forward as the line moved.
Kai stood up as Mia walked in.  He reached out a hand.  She took his with her gloved one.
“Take off the glove. I can’t see you.”
“With it off, I can read you,” Mia warned.
“Your honesty is valued.  Take off the glove.  I have nothing to hide.”
Mia did after she placed all her thoughts, but her intent on finding Murphy, in the secret places in her mind.
“You’re looking for a ghost?” he asked.
“Yes, he may have been picked up by a tall ship,” Mia said.
“Come sit.  I will call Harley.  Who’s that with you?”
“My husband.”
“He needs protection from the old ones,” Kai said.  “Rosie!”
A young woman, dressed in comfortable shorts and top, rushed in.  “What is it, Grandfather?”
“Tell your mother to make a bag to ward off the old ones for this woman’s man.”
“Yes, Grandfather.  Sir, come with me,” she instructed.
Ted hesitated.
“Go, I’ll be fine. I’m amongst friends,” Mia said.
Ted ducked beneath the doorway and followed the girl.
“So, you’re going to sell my husband a bag of nothing?” Mia asked.
“It will keep him busy while we talk.  Where are the spirits?”
“Beside me.”
“Tell them to follow him.”
“It’s because of one of them I’m here,” Mia insisted.
“Send them with your husband, they will scare the others away,” Kai argued.
Mia turned and addressed Kevin and Fergus, “I’ll be alright.  Go and keep Ted out of trouble.”
Kevin frowned but allowed Fergus to drag him away.
Kai smiled.  “Now tell me why you’re so desperate to have this Stephen returned to you?”
“He was blown into the realm of the ghost ships in an act of courage.  He saved the world from Ruax’s demon lover, Lamia.”
Kai reared back in his seat.  “You’re the assassin.”
“I’m the assassin.  I killed Ruax.”
“That is why the old one lusts for you.”
“Which old one?”
“A woman that asks that kind of question is a very dangerous woman to know,” Kai said.  “I can tell you that your Stephen is on the Devil’s Pride. That is Harley’s, my spirit guide’s, ship.  But I want to warn you of something that happens when the ghosts cross into the realm of the ghost ships.”
“Please.”
“The longer they are there, the more they lose any emotional pull to this world.  They hardly remember their loved ones, and if they do, there is no more love or hate in their hearts.  It’s Nature’s method of easing the way for the dead lost on the sea.  No mooning around or wasting away.  They eat, drink, and become fit sailors.  It’s the way of the sea.”
“Kai, thank you for your information.”
“Do you want Harley to bring a message to Stephen?”
“Tell him, his courage and sacrifice honors his father and, also, the house of Martin.”
“I will send the message.”
“Kai, I can cure your blindness,” Mia offered.
“But then I may lose my sight,” he said.  “I value the offer just the same.  For payment, I’ll take the blonde cousin’s earrings instead.  My daughter has her eye on them.”
Mia took off the earrings and set them on the table.  “Where is my husband?”
“He’s leaning against the wall of the house waiting for you.  Go in peace, Assassin, and watch out for he that fears you. He is the most dangerous of the old ones.”
“Thank you, Kai.  Thank Agwe for me. May his power grow,” Mia said and left the room.
“Harley, you look out for her.  She’s not going to let you keep Stephen.  Nor should you.  He’s needed here to keep the old ones from taking her in the night.”
Mia approached Ted slowly.  His long frame had, in recent years, become more fluid and less awkward.  Every part of him moved in concert with the other.  When he was still, as he was now,