They stepped into a dingy bar. The paint peeled off the walls. The wooden furniture dark. She kept close to the angel, not wanting to catch the eye of any of the patrons. This didn’t seem like a very upmarket place and it certainly wasn’t the type of bar she’d ever imagine Az going into. He stuck out like a sore thumb. He wore a navy suit like the first time they’d met. Az always looked immaculate and put together.
“Why are we here?” she whispered.
“The vampire bar we went to isn’t open yet. This is where the animals amongst us like to frequent.”
“You mean like werewolves?”
“Yes, but many of them change into different creatures.”
The bartender, a man with sandy brown hair, looked them up and down with a frown. Standing next to him was a blonde girl. She was looking over at a red-haired man sitting on a stool on the other side of the bar.
“Well, that’s different,” Azrael said.
“What is?”
“That girl. Bitten, not born, and pregnant.”
Alice looked at the girl intently. She was most definitely pregnant. Her t-shirt, with the words ‘The Werehouse’ in stark white writing, stretched over her stomach.
“What is she?”
“A panther. Her child will be one too.”
She wasn’t about to ask how he knew that. As an angel, he could see things humans couldn’t. He hadn’t exactly told her all about his full capabilities, but perhaps he’d explain things more now they were together.
Sort of. Are we together? Is this a thing? What do I even call us? I mean he’s an angel. Do they even have relationships like humans amongst themselves?
Azrael took her hand, entwining their fingers together and tugged her over to the bar. She couldn’t help wondering if he’d heard her or not.
“Hello, what can I get you?” the girl said, smiling.
She was very pretty. Alice couldn’t imagine this girl turning into a panther.
“I am looking for information,” Azrael replied.
“Oh. Um, Gareth, do you want to handle this?”
The sandy-haired man’s eyes narrowed.
“What exactly do you want?”
Azrael rolled his eyes, leaning towards Alice. His lips brushed against her ear sending a tingle down her spine.
“Not sure we’re welcome here.”
“There’s no harm asking. Though, you didn’t even tell me who you want to find.”
He turned back to the bartender and the girl.
“I’m looking for two people who are half angel and half demon.”
The sandy-haired man’s eyebrows shot up. The red-haired man looked at them in surprise.
“Half angel, half demon? I didn’t know that was possible. Are you sure?”
“Would I be asking otherwise?”
She could see the frustration in Azrael’s expression. She didn’t think he liked having to ask for help. Why was he looking for these people?
“Does this have something to do with your meeting with you know who last night?” she asked.
“Yes,” he replied.
“Look, I don’t know anyone like that,” the sandy-haired man the girl had called Gareth said.
“I know someone we can ask,” the girl piped up.
Gareth glared at the girl for a moment.
“Izzy, we don’t even know who this is.”
“Fine, who are you two?” she said, directing her gaze at Alice and Azrael.
“My name is Azrael, but she is none of your concern.”
The red-haired man coughed loudly, spluttering.
“What? You can’t be serious,” he said.
“What’s up with you, Evan?” Izzy asked.
“You’re an Archangel.”
Izzy and Gareth turned back to them, eyes wide.
“An angel?”
Azrael rolled his eyes. Alice hid a smile behind her hand. He really didn’t like anyone recognising him.
I bet you regret telling them who you are.
He scowled at her.
“Mortals,” he muttered.
“Yes, that’s correct,” Alice said. “You said you know someone.”
“Yes,” Izzy said, slowly. “My friend. Hang on.”
She turned away, pulling out her phone. Gareth put a hand on her arm.
“Are you sure about this?”
“I’m sick of our communities being so secretive. You know all that shit wouldn’t have happened to me if we just shared information. I’m sure.”
She moved away further down the bar. Alice wondered what the girl had meant by that. Did it have something to do with her being bitten? Having an Archangel around had its perks. He could tell her things about people no one else would know. She wasn’t going to think about the other reasons she wanted Azrael around.
No. Can’t think about kissing him and his hands on my body. No. Not helping.
She glanced at him, but he wasn’t paying attention to her.
“Why are you with a human?” Gareth asked, turning back to them.
Azrael narrowed his eyes. Alice put a hand on his arm. She could understand their reluctance to help two people they didn’t know. She felt him relax under her touch.
“He’s protecting me.”
“You didn’t have to answer for me.”
She looked up at him, startled. Since when had he started talking to her in her head? She’d ask him about it later.
“Protecting a human? Aren’t you responsible for death?” the red-haired man who recognised Azrael’s name asked.
“Do you think I kill everyone I come into contact with?” Azrael replied, his muscles tensing again.
“Whoa, no… I was just curious. Heck, I never thought I’d meet an actual angel.”
“I can quite easily make you forget you ever saw me.”
Az, cut it out. We didn’t come here to fight with these men.
“They’re not just men, Alice. They’re werewolves.”
“Wait a second, how did you know that?” Gareth asked.
“Nothing escapes my notice, wolf.”
Alice squeezed his arm. They all needed to calm down. Riling up the werewolves wouldn’t get them anywhere.
Enough of the pissing match. If you don’t cut it out, there’ll be no kissing later.
He turned to her slowly, a sneer forming on his lips. Threatening him with that was definitely not her brightest idea.
“I think you’ll find I will be deciding when you get kissed again. I’m in two minds about taking you outside right now.”
She swallowed, unsure if she’d enjoy what he had in mind or not.
“So, my friend knows who you’re talking about,” Izzy said.
Both of them turned to the pregnant werepanther.
“He said your best bet is to go to Fright Night and ask Neave about Ella and Lukas. That’s what Alistair said their names are.”
“Thank you,” Alice said. “Um, congratulations by the way. When is your baby due?”
“In a couple of months,” Izzy replied, smiling.
“So, uh, Az said it’ll be like you, in case you were wondering.”
“Oh. She will?”
“Yes,” Azrael said. “Her father is full-blooded, is he not?”
Izzy’s eyes widened.
“Yes… Wow. You really are an angel.”
“Yeah, he is, but you know, we probably should leave now. Thanks again,” Alice said before Azrael had a chance to lay into any of them further.
She tugged on his arm, waving at the three shifters. Azrael let her lead him out of the bar.
A little way down the street, he pulled her into an alley.
“Az…”
His eyes glittered in the sunlight.
“I’m going to punish you for that threat.”
“Punish me? What? Why?”
He didn’t reply, merely capturing her up in his arms and catapulting them both into the sky, wings fluttering in the wind.
She didn’t know whether to be nervous, terrified or excited by the prospect of punishment.
§
She’d spent the rest of the day on tenterhooks, wondering when he would exact this so-called punishment. By the time they were outside Fright Night again after evening had fallen, she was all but sure he hadn’t meant it.
They walked down the steps together and into the bar. It was relatively busy with it being Saturday night. Azrael wrapped an arm around her waist, keeping her pinned to his side.
“Wouldn’t want you getting lost,” he whispered in her ear.
It sent shivers down her spine. He’d barely touched her when they got back to the penthouse. She most definitely wanted his hands on her. All she could think about was what he’d done to her in the bath last night.
“As if you’d allow me out of your sight again after yesterday.”
“You’re right. You called yourself my prisoner. I wonder if you feel the same way now.”
She didn’t reply. He knew the answer to that. He muscled in between a few people at the bar, tucking her under his arm. She wrapped her arms around him. His eyes met hers, heat burning in those green depths.
Why, Az… do you perhaps find it distracting having me pressed up against you?
“Strike two, Alice.”
“What? What did I do?”
“Threatening, teasing… You’ll see what happens soon enough.”
“Oh, it’s you two again.”
Both of them turned at the sound of the newcomer’s voice. It was the same woman who’d served them last time. The one Azrael had said was a vampire. She was half glad her conversation with Az had been interrupted. She dreaded to think what would happen on strike three. Did he have a three strike rule?
“You remember us?” Alice asked.
“Yes, the girl whose boyfriend cheated on her and you’re… well, I don’t really know what you are other than not being human, that much I can tell.”
“Are you Neave?” Azrael asked.
“Yes, I own the bar. What can I do for you?”
“May we speak in private? I have some questions.”
Neave looked them over for a moment. She rolled her eyes before calling out to the other two bartenders.
“Back in a bit, business to attend to.”
She nodded to the door in the far corner.
“We’ll go somewhere quieter.”
Azrael tugged Alice along, diving through the crowd. They met Neave at the door marked ‘Staff Only’ and followed her through it. She led them into the Manager’s office. She sat down in a chair behind a large desk, waving a hand at the seats.
“What can I do for you?” she asked.
Alice sat down, but Azrael stood behind her, a hand resting on her shoulder.
“I’ll get to the point. My name is Azrael. I’m looking for Ella and Lukas. The two who are half angel and half demon.”
Neave eyed him for a moment.
“Why do you want them?”
She didn’t seem suspicious, merely curious.
“I wish to speak to them about their origins. It is important.”
“Well, I do know them, but as for getting in contact with them, I’d have to ask Daisy.”
“And she would be?”
“Oh, the boss’ wife who also happens to be Ella’s best friend.”
“Boss?” Alice asked without thinking.
“Oh, sorry, I always forget to introduce myself properly. I’m second in command of this territory, London. My boss, Gavin, rules the vampires in the area.”
She had no idea vampires were so organised, but Azrael hadn’t exactly told her much about the world of the supernatural. She looked up at him. He nodded at her.
“I’m aware of their hierarchy, but I do not keep tabs on who is who,” he said.
“Can I ask how you knew my name?” Neave said.
“We visited The Werehouse. A panther by the name of Izzy got in touch with someone named Alistair who told her we should speak to you. I grow weary of this little goose chase, but if you would be amenable to contacting your boss’ wife…”
Neave shrugged, pulling out her phone. She dialled a number.
“All right, boss. Daisy with you? Um, well, I have some people who need to speak to her friends. Who? Says his name is Azrael… What, you’ve heard of him?”
The shadows in the corner of the room seemed to shift. The next moment, out stepped a man with brown hair and glasses along with a dark-haired woman in his arms.
Neave ended the call, rolling her eyes and popping the phone on the desk.
The woman stepped towards Alice, a smile appearing on her face. Azrael’s hand tightened on her shoulder.
“Hello, I’m Daisy, it’s nice to meet you.”
She stuck her hand out to Alice who shook it.
“Alice… that’s Az, I mean Azrael.”
The man stared at the two of them, his expression inscrutable. Was this Neave’s boss? Daisy looked back at him, rolling her eyes.
“So, my husband didn’t exactly say why we’re all here.”
“Oh, we’re looking for Ella and Lukas, Neave said you know them.”
“Well, yeah, but what do you need with them?”
Alice looked up at Azrael, expecting him to explain since she didn’t really know herself.
“He is an angel, love. I imagine that’s why he wants to speak to them. Is it not?” Daisy’s husband said.
“An angel? Ella said they weren’t supposed to interfere in her life.”
The room was silent for a long moment. Alice didn’t know if Azrael wanted to reveal his exile from Heaven to these people.
“We just want a conversation with them, nothing more,” Alice said, unable to stand the uncomfortable atmosphere.
Daisy whipped out her phone and fired off a series of messages. She stared down at her phone when she got a response.
“Ella says sure, but tomorrow. Anywhere, in particular, you want to meet them?”
“My penthouse will be adequate. Alice, take her number,” Azrael said.
Alice handed Daisy her phone for a moment.
“Thank you for your time.”
“Hold on,” Gavin said. “Why are you seeking them out?”
“The reason they were created. It is coming. If you know who I am, then you know I bring death to the world.”
“Okay, this shit is getting weird. What is going on?” Daisy asked.
Alice stood, putting a hand on Azrael’s arm.
“He’s the Archangel of Death and there’s something going down with Heaven, Hell and Earth. I guess you could say your friends are involved in it too. Is that right, Az?”
“You could put it that way.”
He smiled at her. She hadn’t been very eloquent, but she was pretty sure Azrael was done with the company of other people now. His reluctance to talk much spoke volumes.
“Thank you for putting us in touch with them.”
“You’re welcome,” Daisy said.
Gavin looked like he wanted to say more, but Alice tugged the angel out of the door and back through the bar. She wasn’t sure what that was all about, but it seemed best she got Azrael home.
He stood, shuffling his feet when they reached the top of the steps.
“Had enough of other people?” she asked.
“Tiresome inane questions from mortals.”
“I hope that’s not directed at me.”
He stepped towards her, cupping her face with one hand.
“No, never you.”
She felt a wave of happiness surge through her. Her heart thumped erratically in her chest.
“So… am I the only exception to your dislike of mortals?”
“Yes.”
“I must be special then.”
His lip curled up at the side.
“I think I need to show you just how special you are to me.”
He tugged her into his arms before she had time to question what that entailed.