Chapter 2 - Impatient

Michael:

“You cannot keep doing this to yourself, frère,” I tell my brother Gabriel.

Gabriel sneers as he pulls his fighting tapes off his hands. “I don’t know why it matters when I’m winning.”

I run my fingers through my russet curls as I gaze into my brother’s ebony eyes. “You know this is not what I’m speaking of, Gabriel.”

Gabriel reaches for a towel and wipes the blood from his face and neck without a reply.

“Don’t you think we’re suffering too, frère? After all, we’ve suffered, we now find that our mates died in that tomb. Every day, I awaken with this thought that my mate would be alive if I had done things differently. I feel this douleur profonde inside of me.” deep pain. I point to my chest.

Gabriel slams his fist against one of the lockers, his jaw ticking with anger, “It’s impossible, Michael. We lost them before we had a chance.”

I look down at my feet, trying not to let my desolation overwhelm me.

Many millennia ago, Le Créateur introduced me to Lucifer’s mate, Apolliana. Unfortunately, Lucifer had already fallen and had no knowledge of her existence. Because of this, Apolliana became insensée, and I had to kill her. Or at least I thought I did until I discovered that Le Créateur had actually turned her human and sent her to be born on Earth to become a pawn in his nefarious plans to end all existence. Once Apolliana was reawakened, we discovered that Le Créateur had also created other female archangel females who would have been our mates. However, to further his plans, Le Créateur chose to imprison our mates in human shells until he needed them to rise and become the four horsemen.

Apolliana set forth the world’s end and awakened her sisters, but regretted her actions and sacrificed herself to save the world. Unfortunately, her sisters’ disappeared, leaving us searching with very little knowledge about them.

For months, we explored several means to find them with no results. Then, a couple of months Kell Cross’s mate, Amara, performed a modified blood ritual that hunters used to find demons using our blood and Lana’s. Unfortunately, we found that the lines ended at the seal, which indicated that our mates were no longer living. Gabriel has taken it harder than we have. Not to say that it hasn’t been difficult for us. But Gabriel was always highly emotional and the most burdened by what Le Créateur did since he was so loyal to him. On the other hand, Lucifer, Rafael and I had no illusions because we had already suffered through Le Créateur’s betrayal. He betrayed me when he made me kill Lana after he let her suffer years of madness.

Gabriel joined my underground fighting ring and moved up quickly through the ranks to become my most powerful fighter. Unfortunately, the fighting has hardened Gabriel and made him take dangerous risks, which has worried my brothers and me.

I move around the smelly locker room with its souillé gray walls, old wooden benches and rusted storage bins and blow out a deep breath before I face my younger brother again.

“You have to reste fort, Gabriel.” Stay strong. “You cannot keep doing this.”

He shakes his head, his golden curls fluttering as he slumps down on the bench and rests his elbows on his knees. “Why shouldn’t I when all of the information we’ve gathered indicates that our mates vanished with the Creator? They’re gone, Michael. They’re gone, and we will never see them again.”

I place my hand on his broad shoulder comfortingly and shake my head, “You cannot live this way, Gabriel.”

Gabriel does not respond as he gazes forward.

The fight coordinator, Louis, walks in a moment later and hands Gabriel an envelope with money, “Look like l’ange de la mort,” The angel of death, “did very well tonight. You were almost as good as L’ange Vengeur,” he points to me.

Gabriel takes the money, “Was my brother truly that amazing of a fighter?”

Louis gives Gabriel a crooked smile, “Oui, many fighters would quake in fear when they’d see him stroll into the ring. For years, I begged him to return, but he’d rather sit in front of a classroom and teach supernatural children.”

Gabriel’s eyes fly to mine, “You teach supernatural children?”

I roll my eyes, “Let me correct Louis’s ignorance. I am a professor at Saint Ermitage - DeRoche college for supernaturals. It’s one of the few institutes that exist for non - humans. It’s a safe place for supernatural beings to learn about their powers without worrying about hurting others.”

Gabriel gives me a curious smile, “I did not know that.”

I shrug, “It’s not something that I speak of. Lucifer était amuse,” was amused, “when he learned about it.”

Gabriel nods, “I can see that. It’s not every day that the owner of an illegal underground fighting ring is revealed to be a professor at a Supernatural college.”

My lip quirks with amusement, “Exactement, frère. I am quite the puzzle.”

Gabriel snickers, “I guess you’re not as one - dimensional as I thought you were.”

I don’t reply as I rise from my seat and mutter, “Non, I am not. Do not ever underestimate me, brother. Thankfully, it’s summer break, and I do not have to worry about teaching, so I can help train you.”

Gabriel scoffs, “I do not need training, Michael. But anytime you want to test me out, I’m open.”

I smile, seeing my brother’s confidence return, “Oui, I would like that. Perhaps we can do some matches now?”

I challenge him, hoping that his mood will lighten.

Michael waves his arms challengingly, “Let’s do it,”

I smile as I move to one of the lockers, “I will see you at the ring in a couple of minutes.”

Slipping out of my clothing, I slide on a pair of old sweats and tape my knuckles. Angels heal quickly, but I like the idea of looking like a fighter.

Gabriel is already inside the ring, practicing some of his fighting moves.

For nearly two hours, we spar, and I have to say, I’m impressed by my brother’s ability to keep up with me.

“You are doing well, frère,” I mutter as I wipe my chest with a towel.

Michael gives me an arrogant nod, “I’m doing better than well, Michael. Even if all of you abandoned me in heaven, I did not slack off on my training.”

My eyes narrow on my brother’s face. Though Gabriel, Lucifer and Rafael are my brothers, we physically look nothing alike. Lucifer has ebony hair, pale skin and dark eyes, Gabriel has golden hair, ebony eyes and olive skin, and Rafael has toffee - colored skin and whiskey - colored eyes. As for me, I have russet - colored hair and emerald green eyes. We all are over six feet in height and fit from our life as Le créateur’s enforcers, and to Lana’s consternation, we are considered exceptionally attractive. I say this because Lana hates all of the attention that Lucifer receives from other females. She even threatened to put a bag over our heads when we’re out in public. Lucifer is quite amused by his lovely mate.

“Are you going to fight tonight?”

Gabriel nods his head, “Yes, of course. I’m looking forward to wiping the floor with the new fighters.”

I nod with understanding, “I look forward to seeing that too. Will I see you at Lucifer’s home next month?” I ask as we stride to the gym’s showers.

It’s a bit amusing when Gabriel’s eyes widen with trepidation, “I have to. The last time I was late, Lana showed up at my apartment and admonished me. She can be quite terrifying for someone so small.”

A chuckle escapes my lips at the thought of our diminutive sister - in - law terrorizing one of my formidable brothers. But, of course, I shouldn’t be surprised, considering she’s Lucifer’s mate.

“Très bien. Just be aware that Lucifer might be coming here tonight?”

Gabriel nods, “I’m sure he will.”

Once I’ve showered, I head back to my home, still feeling concerned for my brother’s state of mind. However, I know things will come to pass soon. I can feel it.