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Lauren realized she was awake when a rumble of thunder shook the room. Darkness blanketed the void around her, but the lights on the street below caused the rain drops on the window to sparkle and cast shadows on the opposite wall. Lightning flashed and she could see it was coming down in sheets beyond the arched windows. She lay in boneless rapture, comfortable beyond all measure; happily drowsy. It was the first morning in weeks that she hadn’t launched herself from her nest to race to the lavatory.
She wasn’t sure what was different today, but she was content to drink it in and savor the moment. She reached over and picked up her phone, and it nearly blinded her when the clock came up on the lock screen. It wasn’t quite three. She didn’t have to be up for five more hours. She lay her phone down, tucking it beneath her pillow and contented herself to watching the rain until sleep returned.
“Momma,” Henry’s voice filled her ears. A small hand patted the bed, reaching for her. She didn’t think twice about it.
“Yes, baby?”
“I miss you, Momma,” he said. She rolled over and lifted her blanket, inviting him in. The little boy climbed up and tucked himself into the warmth of his mother’s arms and Lauren sighed in welcome. She was just as happy to have him snuggle with her as he was. She could feel the firm swell of her stomach against his back, and it made her smile.
“I have missed you, too.” She sighed. She could smell the baby shampoo’s perfume in his hair. Abruptly, her eyes opened. “What are you doing here?”
“Don’t worry. Dad’s asleep on the sofa,” Henry said. “I just wanted to check on you, Momma. Are you still sick? Do you feel better?”
Lauren’s brow narrowed. “Yes,” she said, hesitantly. “I do feel better.”
“Are you gonna have another baby?” he asked.
“How did you know? Did your dad tell you?”
“No, Momma,” Henry said. “I just know. I knew when you had John Carter in your tummy, too.”
“Oh, you did, did you?” Suddenly her head hurt, and she tried to convince herself she was dreaming.
“Do you want me to take you home, Momma?” Henry rolled over, his hand found her cheek, as if he could sense her distress. “I can take you home.”
“Oh, baby. I have work to do,” she said. “I have to solve a puzzle.”
“I understand,” he said. “Don’t worry. Daddy’s doing a good job taking care of me and John Carter. We’re gonna stay with Shemi today.”
“Just be sure you behave,” Lauren said.
“I solemnly swear I am up to no good,” he quoted from Harry Potter like an oath.
“Henry?” Her tone raised in caution.
“Don’t worry, Momma. I’m just kidding. We’re being good.”
“That’s better.”
“Go back to sleep. I’ll check on you again later. Oh, and don’t be mad at Daddy. He started reading me Heinlein last night. Maybe we’ll have it finished when you get home.”
“Oh? That’s nice, son.” Lauren yawned and sleep came over her. She sighed as she surrendered back to the dark.
* * *
Lauren was sitting in the hotel lobby sipping a cup of Lady Gray tea the following morning. There was no chai on the menu, but the light bergamot flavor of the tea was comforting and so far, the polish pancakes she’d had for breakfast were staying with her. She woke early and thought for sure she’d talked to Henry in the night, but of course, that should have been impossible. Henry was in Cairo. Lauren was in Prague. A ten-and-a-half-hour flight and the Mediterranean Sea separated them. Henry’s powers, however, made it extremely likely that it hadn’t been a dream, even though he knew he wasn’t supposed to do things like that.
They’d had numerous talks about what he could do, and what he should and shouldn’t do. Lauren now understood how she’d ended up in Mexico when Rowan was in trouble. Henry’s powers were sure to be strong if he could do something like that, even before birth. He’d been responsible for the incident in Hilo, and the black sand beach with the sea turtles. He’d disappeared a few times on his own. It had terrified Lauren, but before her heart could leap out of her chest, he returned. The scolding he’d taken from his frantic mother had been enough to discourage any blatant violation of their no magic rule; most of the time.
“Madame.” Lauren glanced up when the valet found her. “Your car has arrived.”
“Děkuju,” she said in thanks.
His brow lifted. It was only then that she realized he’d spoken to her in English. “You speak Czech?” he asked in his own tongue.
“Only polite phrases,” she replied in English.
He gave her a bemused smile. “It is supposed to rain something awful today. Do you have an umbrella? A rain coat?”
“I’ve just come from Egypt,” she said. “I barely have warm clothing.”
“Please.” He took an umbrella from a receptacle by the door. “Feel free to use this while you are here.”
“Oh, thank you. Děkuju,” she said, grateful for the small gesture of courtesy. He opened the door and led her out beneath the portico where a black sedan waited for her. The driver tipped his hat politely as she buckled her seat belt and sat back for the ride.
* * *
It was just after ten when she arrived at the museum. The morning traffic had been heavy. Rain had surely delayed the journey. Grateful for the borrowed umbrella, she made a dash from the car across the long sidewalk to the entry of the Czech University’s Museum of Antiquity.
Inside, she paused, finding a coat rack where she could leave her umbrella to dry while she met with Dr. Masa. As she moved through the vestibule, the museum felt empty, almost abandoned. The soles of her sneakers squeaked on the marble floors. The sound echoed in the high ceilings as she walked down the long mezzanine. Gothic paintings hung on the walls in gilded frames, tiny brass plaques identified the name of the painting, the artist, and the date. Lauren didn’t recognize any of the names.
She stopped at a painting, in a gilded frame, gazing up at the massive piece. The image knocked the wind out of her. It looked like an angel, bedeviled by tiny demons. One had her by the leg, her skirts ripped, its teeth sunk into her calf. Another hovered over her shoulder, yanking on her long dark hair. Her wings drooped behind her, as another beastie swatted at a broken feather like a cat batting at its favorite toy.
The angel’s face was twisted in agony, the tortured eyes cast down, watching in horror as a third — larger demon — came up under her arm. Its claws dug into her hips. Blood ran from wounds in her side, as well as injuries to the palms of her hands. The stigmata was disturbing enough, but the look in her eyes was heartbreaking; tears of crimson ran down cheeks that were exact replicas of her own. It was like looking into a mirror; a horrifying mirror.
She gasped and took a step back, her vision blurring. Dots danced in her eyes, and her stomach churned. She turned away, staggering towards a blurred form that came towards her. “Dobré ráno,” the man greeted her in Czech. “Mohu vám pomoci?”
“Yes, you can help me,” Lauren said, recovering somewhat. “I’m here to see Dr. Masa. He’s expecting me.”
“Dr. Masa?” The man puzzled. “The name doesn’t sound familiar. Does he work here?”
Lauren’s vision suddenly cleared, but her head was still spinning; still throbbing. “He ...” She swallowed back the contents of her stomach. “He told me he worked here.”
“Come,” he said. “Let’s go to the office and see if anyone knows him. I’m only a volunteer. I just come in a few days a week.”
“I appreciate your help ...” she managed.
“My name is Vincent,” he said. “You are?”
“Dr. Lauren Pierce.” Glancing back at the painting, she hesitated, but decided she’d rather go with him.
* * *
“Rowan, darling,” Tima said as she opened the door. “You’re late,” she added, waving him in. She took a sleepy John Carter – still in his pajamas – from his arms as he went over to the counter and dropped the boys’ backpack on the floor. The Buzz Lightyear toy in the pack started making laser noises inside.
“I know. We overslept,” Rowan said, his voice gruff. It had taken most of the night to write his paper. He was operating on little sleep and no coffee. “I’m so thankful to Shemi for keeping an eye on the boys today.”
“Shemi is waiting for them in the library.” Tima inspected him, setting John Carter down. “Go find her, boys. Take your toys.” Henry hoisted up the bag and followed John Carter to the other room. “Do you have time for a coffee?” Tima asked.
“I’m afraid not. I could use one, but I’m going to be late for class if I don’t hurry.” He turned for the door, but she caught his sleeve and looked down her nose at him dubiously.
“I’ll write you a note. Let me make you one to go,” she said. “It’ll just take a moment.” Rowan couldn’t refuse. “I will be at Uni at 10:00. What time is your first class over?”
“Depends on how long-winded the professor decides to be. Class should be over by 9:45 though. I have another lecture at 3:00 and lab at 4:30.”
“My lecture starts at 11:30, if you care to come,” she said. “Join me for lunch afterwards?”
Rowan smiled as she handed him a paper cup with a lid. Her kitchen smelled like coffee and spices. “I would love that.” Rowan agreed. She reached up for his face and pulled him down. She kissed his cheeks before letting him go. “You know you are my favorite student, yes?”
“I was pretty sure of it after the first semester,” he grinned, with a lift of his cup in thanks. “I wouldn’t miss your lecture for the world.”
“Perfect,” she said. “I’ll see you at Uni. Plan on coming for dinner tonight.”
How could he say no?
* * *
“Henry, John Carter! Come in.” Shemi met them at the door to the library.
“Good morning, Shemi,” Henry said.
“Shemi!” John Carter squealed reaching for her.
She scooped him up and he hugged her fiercely. “I haven’t seen you in three whole days.”
“Our momma went to Prague,” Henry said. “Do you know? Prague is in the Czech Republic.”
“I did know that,” Shemi said. “That’s why you get to spend the day with me. What shall we do first?”
“Pway wockets,” John Carter said. Even for a little boy, he had a deep voice. He looked just like his mother. Henry, on the other hand, looked just like his father. If someone didn’t know they were brothers, they wouldn’t have even thought they might be related.
“You want to play rockets?” Shemi asked. “Sure. They should be in the toy box.”
“Buzz!” He rummaged through his backpack.
“I’ll build a launch pad and mission control with my LEGOs,” Henry announced.
“Every astronaut needs a launch pad,” Shemi said, and came to sit down on the floor with the boys.
“Shemi? You know my Uncle Michael is an astronaut, right?”
“That’s what your mother told me,” she said. “It must be very exciting.”
“We’ve never met our Uncle Michael. He’s been in outer space since before John Carter was born. I was just a baby when he left.” Henry had met Uncle Michael, but he wasn’t supposed to tell anyone. That was their secret and he’d taken an oath not to tell.
“That’s kind of sad,” Shemi said. “Will he be home soon?”
“Momma says he’s doing important work.”
“I’m sure he is.” Shemi changed the subject. “Maybe this afternoon we can go to the park and get a kunafa.”
The boys’ eyes lit up. Only Shemi would take them to get kunafa. The boys loved the local pastries and sweets. Shemi knew she could use the promise of a treat to make them behave. Not that they were ever bad, but they did tend to be rather rambunctious at times — John Carter especially.
The boys scattered the toys across the floor and were happily playing when Tima came in to check on them. “So, what did your father feed you for breakfast?”
“Boiled eggs and toast,” Henry said. “I wanted cinnamon on my toast, but we are out of cinnamon. Do you have cinnamon toast, Shemi?”
“Still hungry?”
“Yes!” John Carter stood and jumped. “Eat!”
“Let’s go see about a snack then,” Tima suggested. John Carter rushed over to her and wrapped his arms around her legs and hugged her fiercely. Tima grabbed the door jamb to prevent him from taking her down. She scooped him up. “Henry? Are you coming?” Tima turned but paused when the older brother sat staring at the floor. His expression had gone distant, and he didn’t seem the least bit interested in food. “Henry?”
Shemi put a hand on his back, and he nearly came out of his skin. “Henry? Are you okay?”
Henry nodded. “I just miss my momma. I want her to come home.”
Shemi looked to her mother, who lifted a knowing brow. Tima put John Carter down but held his hand as she dropped to one knee, running a hand over the older boy’s head and down his cheek. She lifted his chin, his eyes coming to hers. “You know your mother is going to be okay,” she said. “She has a job to do, and so do you.”
“I do?” Henry sniffed.
Tima pulled John Carter into her arms so she could address them both. “Yes,” she said. “Respect for one’s parents is the cornerstone of morality, and the most fundamental duty of the eldest son is to care for your parents,” she addressed Henry directly. “All children must honor their parents, for their behavior reflects on them. A child who is willful or misbehaves shows that his parents are of no worth. We know your mother and father are good parents. Your behavior shows us that. We know you to be good and honorable sons.”
Henry brightened at that thought and nodded. “I am trying.”
“And you are doing well,” she beamed. “Now come, let us find something to eat.”