Risen (Haunted Series Book 22)

are very close, maybe you should go down.”
“No, she would want me to be with their kids.  Tell Ted what I’m doing.”
“I will.  For what it’s worth, I’m glad you were my second call,” Cid said.
~
Mia opened her eyes and saw Mason sprawled half on the foot of her bed and half in the chair beside it.  She turned her head, and Ted was staring down at her.
“What’s going on?” Mia asked.  “Why do I have Mason growing out of my feet?”
Ted laughed.  “He wasn’t going to leave your side.  What is it with you and strays?”
Mia hunched her shoulders and winced.  “Ouch,” she said.  “My chest hurts.”
“I imagine it does.”
“How are you?” she asked, reaching her hand out, dragging the IV with it.
“Aside from having my world turned upside down, I’m fine.”
“I’m sorry, I don’t know exactly what’s going on, aside from having a few excitable days.”
“You’re going to heal, and then we’re going to see what we can do to make things easier for you.”
“I’m not dying.  Oh wait, am I?” Mia asked.
“No.  But you’re not exactly healthy either.”
“How about a week-long cuddle in bed?” Mia said.
Ted smiled and stroked her cheek.  “That can be arranged.  Speaking of arrangements, I’ve asked Orion to come down,” Ted started.
“He’s not flying,” Mia blurted out.
“In a private jet.  He’ll be here soon.  I want him to check you over before we think about moving you.”
“That was very wise.”
“Also, Mike’s going out to explain things to Brian personally.”
“Mike’s going to the dig?  He’ll die of dust.”
“I think that was a good call.  Once Brian finds out that you’re ill, he will be a holy terror, and aside from… well, you know, he seems to listen to Mike.”
Mia nodded.  Her eyes watered a bit, but she seemed to actually draw back her tears.  “How is Kevin?”
“Fergus has him in hand.  Those two goofs saved you.  For that, I will always be grateful.”
“Me too.  I’m not ready to go anywhere yet.  I have to build up some gate tokens or I’m headed to Purgatory, and Roumain was not happy to see me the last time I was there.”
“What gate tokens?” Mason said, yawning.  “Is it something I can steal?” he asked.
Mia started laughing.  “Leave it to a Callen to steal his way into Heaven.”
“Shit!” Ted exclaimed.  “I didn’t have Cid try to contact Altair or Sariel.”
“Don’t,” Mia said quickly.  “Leave that bunch out of this.  I don’t want to end up with horns or a third eye or worse.”
Ted hugged her.  “I’d like to see you with horns.”
“Liar,” Mia said.  “All I need is a little rest, my Martin men, and Mason back on that treasure hunt.”
“I’m not going,” Mason said stubbornly.  “The ghosties and me are going to stick around until you’re up and ready for another adventure.  We’re thinking of heading west, looking for gold.  The way Fergus figures it, he and Kevin can communicate with the ghosties that are hanging around those ghost towns, picking up some clues…”
“Liar, you just want to be away from the water,” Mia accused.
“You got it in one,” Mason said.  “Ted, old man, you have yourself a smart wife.  I don’t care to see another ocean view, let alone be on it.”
“What about college?” Mia asked.
“Now you’re being a nag, girly-girl,” Mason warned.  “And so, I shall exit and go back and get some sleep.”  He walked over and took her other hand.  “Don’t you be going anywhere without me.”
“Don’t worry, I’m going to be right as rain soon,” Mia promised.  She looked over at Ted. “You should go and get some sleep, Ted.”
“Maybe when Orion gets here.”
Orion looked over at Sabine.  They were riding in the sedan Gerald sent for him.  “I wanted to speak to you privately,” Orion started.  “I know you’re piling all this undeserved guilt on yourself.  It’s simply silly.”
“Silly?” Sabine scoffed.  “Silly?  You call Mia ending up in Hell silly?  Or Murphy being blown into the GSD silly?  I was the impetus.  I was in danger, and here comes Mia, once again, to save my butt.”
“She came because she loves you.”
“Why?  We’re not really related.”
“Because you’re precious to her, as you are to all of us.  You, Patrick, and Mason had no idea there was danger where you dropped anchor.  The birdmen didn’t know, the angels didn’t know, and I bet most of Hell didn’t know.  How could you know?  And Mia performed brilliantly.  She came out of it without a scratch.  And then she rescued three birdmen that the Brotherhood wrote off.  She did what she had to do.”
“She went across to find Stephen.  She didn’t expect to find the birdmen,” Sabine said.
“I think she had to think on her feet.  The pressure must have been immense,” Orion said.  “Mia would have used her strengths to try to control the situation without drawing a sword.  I think the stress of it was too much.  But she’s going to be fine.  I’m just going down because of that damn gargoyle thing.  The hospital can’t get a read on what’s going on beyond the little beeps and blips they receive.  Her mixed blood isn’t helping.  Soon, they may quarantine her for just being Mia.”
“What do you want me to do?”
“What you’re good at, emotions.  Mia is most probably suffering from Stephen’s defection.  It wouldn’t surprise me that it’s a broken heart, but I won’t tell Ted that.  From what I understand from Audrey, Ted and Mia have never been closer.  Mia called her from the island bubbly with joy.  She felt she had made a true connection with Ted.  What I want from you is to lie, and let everyone know that you’ve had a read of the situation and it’s not a heart