Bonus Chapter 8 — Samael (Mikhail’s father) and Azazel

Azazel:

“What do you think?” My best mate, Samael, gestures to what I’m sure was once a magnificent muscle car. However, as I look at the vehicle’s unfinished exterior, vent frame, and empty trunk, I can see that its glory days are long gone.

“I think you should get all of your quid back, mate. This…thing is not meant to be taken on the road.”

Samael’s lip quirks with bemusement. His dark hair brushes his shoulders, and his obsidian eyes gleam with excitement. “Bloody hell, Azazel, have some vision. After we’re done fixing it, this vehicle will purr like a kitten.”

I give him a skeptical look. “I have perfect bloody vision, Mael, but not even that can make me view this as something other than scrap metal.”

Mael places his hand on my shoulder and smirks. “Oh, I can’t wait to prove you wrong, you git.”

I roll my eyes. “You know, you have enough money to buy a new one. Why are you wasting your time rebuilding this one?”

Samael chuckles. “It’s not about buying one, Azazel. It’s about using your bare hands to create something. Have you become so old and jaded that you don’t realize how rewarding it is to work with your hands?”

I shake my head and release an exasperated sigh. “Very well, I’ll help you build the bloody thing, but don’t come weeping when you realize that it’s a pile of rubbish.”

Samael’s smile widens. “You’ll see. I’m going to get you so addicted to building these that you’ll become addicted and start a collection. And one day, my son will inherit it.”

I give him a horrified scowl and shudder for dramatic effect. “As long as I don’t have to teach any of your buggering brats how to drive.”

Samael tosses me a tool and begins to work.

I would never admit it out loud to him, but he was right about feeling rewarded. After living for thousands of years, I’ve had dark moments where I’ve had to stave off my ennui. I think the only reason I haven’t retreated from the world is because of Samael. He’s the pillar that keeps me standing, and I can’t imagine life without him.

“I can work with you for the next couple of hours, but then I have to go to the club. Bradford and Lynn took the night off to see that new movie, and I have to finish booking the performers for the end of the year fest.”

Samael hums in agreement. “What movie are they going to see?”

I shrug. “Some movie about a cannibal serial killer.”

“Do you remember the last movie we saw at the Cinema?”

I shudder. “That was a very long time ago, but I’ll never forget. It was the one with the little girl who disappears into the television screen? Those humans should have known better than to buy a home built over Indian burial grounds.”

Samael nods. “You have to admit it was quite amusing to see how frightened the humans were. Imagine if they knew that demons, vampires, and other creatures from their nightmares exist. They’d probably piss their knickers.”

I laugh at the thought. However, I’m intrigued by the thought that humans can create movies about aliens, vampires that are interviewed by humans, and demonic possessions, yet they’d probably soil themselves if they met demons like us in real life. I’ve owned club Glow for nearly ten years and have seen some rather odd humans who actually worship our kind.

“Humans are strange creatures.”

Samael nods. “Yeah, but you have to admit, the stories were entertaining. Perhaps we can go see that new one about the woman who is possessed by a demon?” He wiggles his eyebrows. “That pretty human I met at the club last night also asked me to go with her and her friend to the mall. We can go to see the movie afterward.”

“Sorry, mate. I’ll have to decline your invitation. I’m not interested in going on a date with a human.”

For as long as I’ve known Samael, he has shown a preference for human women. I find it odd, but I don’t comment on it. It’s not because I don’t find human women beautiful; it’s just that they’re so fragile.

“Come on, mate, it’ll be fun. Don’t you want to meet someone and have fun?”

I shake my head. “To be honest, going out with humans has lost its luster. I’d rather work at the club.”

His expression falls. I know that Samael is only trying to be a good mate. Over the centuries that we’ve been friends, he has noticed my emotional decline. All supernatural beings have mates, and mine has yet to make an appearance, which is quite disheartening. It doesn’t affect Samael because he’s only four-hundred years old. However, when you’ve hit as many millennia as I have, you begin to lose hope.

Samael stops his tinkering and faces me. “Don’t despair, Azazel. One day, when you least expect it, you’ll meet your fated mate, and you’ll finally be at peace. For now, I say enjoy yourself with all the beauties you can. You don’t see me complaining that I haven’t found my true love.”

I shake my head. “You know it’s different for me, mate. It’s been a very long time. Perhaps, I’m not meant to have a mate.”

Samael shakes his head. “Don’t say that. I’m sure she’s out there.”

I don’t reply. It’s pointless, too, because Samael will remain optimistic.

Weeks pass as Samael and I continue to rebuild his vehicle. However, lately, I’ve noticed that he’s been a bit distracted.

Unfortunately, I discover why when there’s a loud knock on my apartment door in the middle of a dark and rainy night.

I blink my eyes and look at the alarm clock on top of my nightstand. Bollocks, it’s three in the morning. The knock resounds again. “Bloody hell!” Throwing the covers back, I rise from my bed and open the door to find a nearly panicked Samael on my doorstep. “Are you alright, mate?” I ask, concerned.

Samael pushes his sodden hair back and faces me. “I need your help, Azazel.”

I nod my head. “You know I’m here for you. What happened?”

Samael gives me a weary smile. His eyes are a bit sunken as if he hasn’t gotten any sleep, and his wet clothes are clinging to his powerful frame. “I…, I found my mate.” He mutters with a note of hopelessness.

“What? That’s wonderful.” I state, even though I’m confused by his tone.

“I know it is, but there’s a problem.”

My brow furrows. “What’s the issue?”

Samael breathes out an exasperated breath and begins to pace in place.

Samael and I are similar in build. We’re both over six feet tall with muscled frames. However, our complexions are different. Where I’m golden-haired, golden-eyed, and olive-toned, Samael has dark hair, dark eyes, and pale skin.

“She…she’s an angel.”

My eyes widen with shock. “What? Is this a jest?” I ask.

You’re probably wondering why I’m alarmed. Well, the issue is that interspecies relationships between angels and demons are punishable by death. If anyone finds out that Samael is mated to an angel, they both will instantly be executed. There will be no trial or discussion.

Samael shakes his head. “I wish it was, mate.”

“Then, you need to leave,” I mutter, resolutely.

Samael’s jaw ticks with emotion. “Yes,” his eyes tear up as he pulls me into his arms. “I’m sorry for abandoning you, Azazel. You know you’re my best mate, and I’d stay if I could.”

I shake my head. “Don’t, Mael. You know I would do anything for you. How much time do you have before you need to go?”

Samael rubs the back of his neck. “As soon as possible. I can’t tell you much because I don’t want to put you in the middle of this, but it’s more than the fact that she’s an angel. Her family is also close to the Council, and they wouldn’t hesitate to make an example of us if they discovered the truth. In fact, her family already suspects that there’s something occurring since she broke off an arranged engagement. Her family is enraged, which is why I have to get her away before they harm her.”

Without another word, I head to my office and open my safe. Samael follows behind me. “You’re going to need enough funds to lay low for a while. And perhaps it’s best if you don’t touch any of your accounts.”

I hand him a bag of money. “There’s two-hundred and fifty thousand dollars here. This should tide you over for several years.”

He pushes the bag back in my arms. “I can’t do that, Azazel.”

I shake my head and hand the bag back. “Just take this and find a safe haven until it’s safe enough for both of you to live freely.”

Samael takes the bag and wraps his arm around me. “I’m going to miss you, brother.”

My lip quirks with a wry smile. I want to tell him that I’ll be fine, but I’m not sure if I will be because I’ll miss him too. He’s the only thing I care about in the world, and I’m going to lose him. However, I know that this is how it should be. He deserves to be happy with his mate, and I would never stand in his way.

“I’ll miss you too, Mael. But we’ll see each other again, in this life or the next. All I ask is that you be happy with your new love, and don’t forget ab me.”

His lip quivers as he tightens his arms around me. “I will come back when I can, brother. And I’m sure that when we meet again, you’ll be with your beautiful mate and flock of brats riding your tailcoats.”

I give him a watery smile. “Not likely, mate. Just remember that Azazel is a lovely name for a demon male.”

He mockingly grimaces. “Not bloody likely, you wanker. But I might consider making you a godfather. I’m sure my son will want to inherit all of those vehicles you’ll buy in the future, and this one...” He hands me the keys to the vehicle we were working on. “…after you finish it, of course.”

I take the key and squeeze it tightly between my fists. “I’ll take care of it until we meet again.”

Our hands connect one last time before my best friend turns around and walks out of my life.