Bonus Chapter 10 — Mikhail becomes an orphan

Galena:

I gaze down into my son’s beautiful cherubic face. He looks so much like Samael with his ebony hair and eyes. As I caress his tiny fingers, a smile spreads across my face. “You’re perfect, my little Azrael.”

“Yes, he is, isn’t he?” Samael’s arms wrap around my waist as he pulls me close to his chest, and his lips lay gentle kisses on my naked shoulder as our son continues to suckle on my breast. “He’s as perfect as his mother.”

I angle my head and face my mate. We’ve only been together for a couple of years, but I’ve never been so happy. That night at the warehouse when Samael saved me was the best night of my life. For years, I thought I’d continue to be beneath my brother’s thumb. To continue to deal with his constant abuse and hatred in silence. My brother was good at keeping his evil side hidden from the Council, but I knew the vile creature he hid inside of himself. I knew of his bigotry and disdain of other supernaturals. Of course, his hatred did not stop with other creatures. Sometimes he’d take out his anger on me. I never knew why, but he hated me the most. Our parents died when I was still a young girl, and since Lukan was my only living relative, he was forced to take me in, which he only did to appease the Council. It would not look good if one of their own refused to take in a family member. My brother was all about appearances. From the moment I was brought into his home, he had tutors come in to teach me how to dress, how to speak, and how to properly comport myself. If I acted in a way my brother deemed inappropriate, he’d beat or starve me. Even when I was at my best behavior, he’d find a reason to punish me. Sometimes, when he’d have a bad day at the Council, he’d beat me and keep me tied inside of the closet.

It was a terrorizing time for me, until one night, I left one of my brother’s parties early and met my destiny.

“I love you,” I lean my head back on my mate’s shoulder and release a deep sigh.

Samael kisses my temple contentedly. “I love you, too, and I love you even more now that you’ve given me this beautiful gift.” He places his hand around our son’s tiny frame.

As the sun shines through our bedroom window, I close my eyes and thank my blessings.

“Did you write, Azazel?” I ask.

The only downside to our happiness is that Samael had to leave his best friend Azazel behind. Over the years, Samael had told me of their escapades, and I could sense that there was a genuine brotherhood between both men. I know that if I ever get the opportunity to meet Azazel, I will thank him for always protecting Samael and helping us escape before the Council found out about our mating. Of course, we have taken precautions because we’re never one-hundred percent safe anywhere. Even now, we worry that someone might find out our secret and report us. However, we do not let it overwhelm us. We’ve learned to take our happiness day by day. Anyone would wonder why we take the risk, and they have a right too. All I can say is that love is worth the risk. I would trade a thousand lifetimes for a day with Samael; rather than never experience this deep, soulful love that I carry for this demon—and Samael feels the same way.

“I did. I told him about our beautiful boy and about him being his godfather one day.”

Our son unlatches from my breast at that moment and falls happily into a deep sleep.

Samael takes him from my arms and places him inside of his bassinette. “Come back to bed, Gally; you’ve barely gotten any sleep since Azrael had taken to waking up every hour.”

I take his hand and let him lead him back to the comfort of our bed. Samael slides in beside me. His golden chest gleams within the dawning light, and his hair is sexily tousled. He’s still as beautiful as he was the day I met him, and I love him dearly.

“I worry about him, Sam. He’s never been this restless before, and our kind doesn’t get sick.”

Samael nods. “I know, and I’m worried too, but the witch said he’s well and that it might be that his natures are adjusting. He’s a unique species, luv. The first demon/angel hybrid. I’m sure there are bound to be issues with him as he grows older.”

I nod my head and pull him into my embrace. “I guess you’re right. I’m just so scared lately. What if my brother finds out about him? I can sense that he’s searching for me, Sam.”

Being a Seraphim means we have a connection to any of those who share our blood, which means I can sense my brother’s determination to find me. Samael and I did everything we could to dull our connection, but I can’t help but worry. Lukan was never the kind to give up easily. If he ever found out that I was mated to a demon and bore his child, he’d kill us all without a thought. Even knowing that I could not leave Samael. I love him so much, and I can never regret being with him. Even if our lives are cut short.

Samael tightens his arms around me and hums comfortingly as he rests kisses on my cheeks. “You know what to do if something is to occur, luv.”

Just as I’m going to respond, a loud crashing sound echoes across the room.

Samael stiffly rises from the bed and focuses his hearing.

“What is it?” I ask worriedly.

“It’s coming from downstairs. Gather your things and the baby.”

My heart thunders in my chest as I quickly slip into some clothes and bundle our son into a comfortable blanket.

Throat tight, I watch as Samael takes his sword out of the closet and grips it tightly. Another sound reverberates, followed by the sounds of footsteps.

His claws extend, and his eyes begin to glow like flames as he opens up a nearby bookshelf. Fear, as I’ve never known, consumes me. I knew that one day my brother would find me, but it still shocks me to see that the time has arrived. “It’s Lukan,” I mutter through the constriction in my throat.

Samael shrugs. “I don’t know, Gally. Whoever it is, it is close, and we can’t take the chance. You know what to do, luv. Take our son and keep him safe.”

Tears blurring my eyes, I throw myself into his arms and kiss his lips. “Be safe, Sam. You know that I cannot live without you.”

Samael takes a deep breath and caresses my jaw. “I cannot live without you or our son either, luv. However, we made a vow to protect our son, no matter what the cost. Now go and follow our plan. I’ll meet you at the rendezvous. You know what to do if I don’t show.”

A tear slips down my cheek as I consider the horrible possibilities. However, I nod my head and repeat his words. “No matter what the cost.”

Rushing through the tunnel, I look behind my shoulder one last time as the door closes, and the darkness enfolds us.

Thankfully, Azrael has not awoken, which makes the trek to the safehouse easier. Once I reach a safe area, I release my wings and fly off. However, as I grow closer to our destination, I sense a presence behind me. A moment later, sharp pain courses across my wings, making me nearly fall.

The pain burns through me, nearly debilitating me. Looking back, I see a dark form following behind me. When something slices in the air and misses my face within inches, I realize that the creature is there for me. Using all of my strength, I maneuver my body through trees and buildings until I’m sure that I temporarily lost him. However, I can feel that there are other creatures searching for me nearby. Not seeing any choice, I continue to fly until I see a familiar area. It’s the same warehouse that Samael saved me from. As gently as I can, I land in the warehouse. My body stumbles, and I fall to the ground. Wrapping my arms protectively around my son, I somehow manage to stagger inside. I search around until I find a box on top of a dusty surface and place my son inside. Reaching back to feel my wing, I pull back a bloody hand. Blood drips to the ground, and I can feel my strength quickly waning. I realize then that the wound is grievous and that I have to leave my son. I need to lead the creatures away before they discover him.

My vision blurs as I gaze down into my son’s slumbering form. Leaning forward, I caress his silky cheek and kiss his temple. “I’m sorry, my son, but I have to leave you. I know you can’t hear me, but your daddy and I love you and hope that one day you’ll find happiness. We will meet again, my Azrael. Even if it’s in the next life.”

At that moment, the whooshing sounds of wings reach me. Bundling my son, I tuck his blankets around him and move the box into a dark corner before I give my son one last longing look and fly away.

My head pounds, and my wound pains me greatly, but I ignore it as I fly up in the air and show myself to the creatures searching for me. Growls erupt around me as the creatures take flight and follow.

I’m about a mile away when my body gives up, and I plummet to the ground. My body is jarred, and my bones shatter once I hit the hard surface. As painful as it is, I know it won’t kill me. No, the pain is yet to come.

As I blink through my painful haze, I hear the thumps of bodies landing around me. “Didn’t get very far, did you, little angel.” An unfamiliar voice mutters in my ear. Arms wrap around me, making me cry out with pain as my wounded body is lifted from the ground.

My arm falls at an odd angle, and a searing pain shoots through my ribs. I’m sure that I broke a few of them after my fall.

It’s only when my body is tossed into a cell that I finally give in to the dark abyss of unconsciousness.

As I awaken, my body screams in agony. Blinking my eyes, I swallow down my pain until my vision becomes clearer. To my horror, Lukan is standing in front of me. I haven’t seen my brother in years, but he has changed very little. His golden hair and eyes gleam with hatred as he gazes into mine. All angels are beautiful, and my brother is no exception. Unfortunately, his beauty is matched by the ugliness inside of him.

He tilts his golden head to the side as he observes my discomfort. “Hello, Galena. Did you think I’d never find you?”

I tighten my lips, unwilling to say a word, which makes rage color his features.

Wincing in pain, I bite my lower lip as he wraps his hand around my bruised chin and forces me to face him. “Answer me, you fucking whore! Did you think I wouldn’t know about that filthy demon you’ve been fucking?”

I gulp loudly as I face my death. Because I know that Lukan is not going to let me leave here alive.

His lip quirks into a cruel smile. “We caught him, you know? You’re lover, Samael.”

A cry escapes my lips. No, it’s not possible. Not my Samael.

Lukan’s hand rises until it’s hovering across my cheek. At first, I think he’s going to slap me, but to my surprise, he caresses my cheek. “Don’t you want to know how I found you?” He asks.

My chest expands with terror. Closing my eyes tightly, I run through the possibilities in my head. We were so careful. How is it possible that he found us?

As if sensing my thoughts, Lukan snickers. “You probably thought you were careful, but you weren’t careful enough. I heard you bore a son and that he was ill…” He drifts off with a sly grin as he waits for me to make the connection.

That’s when it hit me. The witch! The witch that Samael brought to ensure Azrael was not ill. She seemed extremely interested in Samael. In fact, she even flirted with him in front of me. I ignored it because I knew Samael wasn’t interested, but she seemed upset when he gently rebuffed her. I was so desperate to make sure Azrael was well that I ignored her cold attitude. After all, witches were temperamental creatures. But now that I think about it, she probably took Samael’s rebuff personally.

“Ahh…” Lukan jeers. “So, it’s finally clicking in place. Poor Samael made a mistake refusing the witch and was twice the fool for not checking to see if she was not on my payroll. As soon as she was done with your son, she reported right back to me.” He waves his arms around the room. “And here we are, little sister. Now, where is the abomination?”

I shake my head. “I don’t know what you’re—” My cheek stings as the impact of his solid slap.

“Where is he? Where’s the abomination?” He yells out, enraged.

“Where’s my mate?” I counter. Where is Samael?”

Lukan’s smile widens. “I’m sorry to say, little sister, but your mate is dead. He put up a good fight, but even he couldn’t fight the effects of the seraphim blood we injected him with.”

A sob breaks through my lips. Seraphim blood is deadly to demons. The right dose would kill him instantly.

My body is instantly wracked with tears. Samael is dead!

Another slap lands on my other cheeks, followed by a couple more, but I’m too deep in my despair to care.

Samael is dead.

As Lukan continues his torture, my body begins to fade. It’s only when he waves his sacred sword in front of my face that I gaze into his eyes and speak.

“Go ahead, and kill me, Lukan. You know I will never tell you where my child is. I die proudly knowing that you will never find him.”

As the sword descends, I close my eyes and let death take me to my beloved.