“Took you long enough.” Said Death with a smile as soon as Azrael landed on the platform in front of the Heaven's Pearly gates. The gate was so tall that they could not see the top of it. With two large pillars acting like a frame to the gate with two large marble statues of angels with spreaded wings and hands covering their faces.
“Well some of us have to fly and it is quite a trip back here so my apologies.” Laughed Azrael and stood next to her. They were standing right next to a line of people that were waiting to be processed by st. Peter, who had a large table in front of the gate with a book that added a new page to it everytime a new arrival approached the table.
“You really should improve your displacement. I hear that Raphael can blink across the Earth with it easily.”
“Yeah, I heard that too.” Laughed Azrael. “I think that I can only improve my flying speed.”
“It’s getting quite big today. Must have been a battle somewhere.” Said Death and looked at the line in front. She noticed that it was mostly soldiers but saw a couple of children in the crowd. New arrivals were coming in as they spoke one by one accompanied by Reapers. Figures dressed in modest, white and black robes that covered their whole body. When they saw Death standing there they bowed and greeted her. “Ma´am…Lady Death…Death…”
Death smiled and bowed her head slightly. “Have to say, this must be one of Sariel´s greatest ideas. Remember when I had to take them in groups? It was a real pain to calm them all together, especially the young ones. Now look at them, those who were lost now helping those who need to find a way. I just hope that their numbers will be enough as humanity grows.”
Suddenly an excited and sweet voice made a sound from the stairs that led to the Heavens gate.
“It truly is a sight to behold, at least this side of the process.” Said a young male in partial armor that had an X symbol from swords on his chest and a sword with a golden hilt at his waist. His hair is of a chocolate dark, curly and wide green eyes. “The part down below, not that nice.” He said with laughter while closing in on Death and Azrael.
“Gabriele. Long time no see, sir. How was the mission? Success as always?” Said Azrael.
“Gabriele. Good to see you.” Said Death and smiled.
“Well you know how it is in the East. Deals were made and the situation should calm down a bit. I was gone for so long that I almost forgot how it looks here.” Said Gabriele, put both hands to his waist and looked around. He always enjoyed the sight, even though he did not enjoy the look at the people coming in, especially those who were not of the “right” age as he always said. He had his own looks on how the Earth and Heaven should function, but learned that it is best to keep for himself.
“Weren't you gone for like a week?” Asked Azrael with confusion.
“Exactly! Such a long time!” Laughed Gabriele and both of them smiled.
Gabriele was always cheerful, happy but one of the bigger critiques of how some things are done in heaven. “Guy with a heart and soul on his sleeve!” As was described by Sariel all the time.
“We should go. I want to know what Michael wants before he starts complaining that he is waiting.” Said Death and smiled at Gabriele.
“Michael, called you?” Said Gabriele with confusion in his voice and face. “Now that is something. Both of you?”
“I have been recently assigned to Michael´s Raiders support unit sir, he sent me for her. I thought that you approved that?” Said Azrael.
“Never. Consider yourself back under my Heralds.” Gabriels face changed. Straight look that tried very hard to hide the fear and anger he felt at that moment. This was way out of line, even for Michael. “If you want to challenge me, do it properly, foolish brother.”
“Thank you, sir.” Azrael bowed and felt the stone that fell from his heart. “Good thing I did not move to the Raiders barracks.” He thought.
“Then I guess you don't have to accompany me to him, don´t you? Go with Gabriele, I can manage.” Said Death
“Are you sure, my lady?” Azrael protested a bit in his voice. He did not want to leave her side, even though this is heaven, it was still Michael who she went to meet. “If he will be rude, arrogant or even raise his voice…”
“I can remind him myself, don´t you worry about me Azrael.” Said Death and Azrael´s eyes widened in surprise. He smiled. Hell, this is still Death he was talking about. THE Death. But still…
Before he even could protest again, Death bowed and walked the stairs up, through the gate and entered heaven.
“You are a good friend, Azrael. Come on, accompany me. She will be fine.” Said Gabriele and smacked his shoulder.
As Death passed the gate and entered the white city, she traveled through the streets that boomed with people. She took the main road that led to the west, passed a garden filled with playing kids, angels patrolling and bowing their heads when they saw her, temples filled with praying people, dressed all alike in white robes and females with their hair covered in white scarfs. She saw from a far a huge white and red castle that belonged to Michael and stopped for a second as she entered a square where all the streets led to. From this square led only one main street with walls on the sides and towers. There was a huge line of people that were coming into the castle with offerings and prayers while being guided and instructed by angels wearing red and white armor and lances that had tips shaped into three blades, on their backs. “I know that the line is long but there is nothing we can do about it, you have to be patient.” Said one angel to a young female kid that probably complained that she was waiting for a way too long to give her wooden horse to Michael, or rather place it on the stairs of the castle. “If only he cared and tried to do something about this. These people see him almost as a demigod. What does he think, letting them bring offerings and pray at the bottom of his castle like he is a…”
“Ma’am.” Her thoughts were interrupted by a young, muscular, female angel in full armor just like the rest, with the exception of a cape with flaming sword insignia and helmet with wings on the side that she held at her waist. Her long hair in the color of the sun waved in the wind like grass in the fields. “I’m here to escort you through the crowd, if you could accompany me.”
“Rosa. Good to see you. You look well.” Death bowed and gave the angel a look of appreciation and respect. She knew her. Young angel always dreamed of joining the Raiders, chasing around Michael as his squire, carrying the huge lance for him even when it was too heavy for her. “I see that you have finally reached the goal! Congratulations!” Rosa blushed and bowed before Death.
“Thank you, Ma’am. It is truly an honor to now be a part of the most renowned and respected unit in all of the Heavens. I do hope to fulfill my duties and bring fame to my name by serving by Michael’s side!” Said Rosa with pride in her voice and noticed how all the kids looked at her. She noticed the small girl with the wooden horse watching her in awe and excused herself from Death. As she approached her the girl could not take her eyes off her. Rosa kneeled down, looked at the horse and smiled. “He’s gonna love this, don’t you worry.” The girl raised her hands and offered the wooden horse to Rosa which got her off guard.
“You should take it. I don’t think that this young one ever saw someone who she could look up to in her life. Change that.” Whispered Death from behind.
“I thought that you wanted to give this to Michael, young one.” Said Rosa and held her hands.
“Mmm, I did. But, but, now I want to give it to you, so that one day I can look as majestic as you miss!” Said the girl and jumped from her feet.
Rosa smiled. “Miss. I could get used to that..”
“What is your name?” She asked as she grabbed the wooden horse into her hands.
“Shionara, but everyone calls me Shio!”
“Shio, I will remember that. I’m Rosa, the Michal’s Raider. Remember me and work hard and when I feel like I deserve you, I will find you and make you my squire if you would like that.” Said Rosa and stood up.
The girl looked up at her and got carried away by the way Rosa towered over her. As the red hair moved in the wind and the armor shined to her face she blinked twice to fix her sight to imprint this moment into her memory. She could not say anything, just nodded with her head and jumped in excitement. The angel that stood next to her, who tried to calm her down before, approached her again, bowed before Rosa and moved her back in line.
“Better than any promotion isn’t it?” Said Death as Rosa turned around. “Now that girl has something she can dream about, even in the afterlife.”
Rosa smiled and looked down at the wooden horse the girl gave her. “Hopefully. I will work hard to earn her by my side.” She smiled. “Anyway, we should get going.” Said Rosa and pointed towards the castle. She moved in front of Death and as they made their way through the crowd the people in front of them moved to sides as they heard and saw Rosa walking towards them. Death followed her closely. They traveled for about an hour until they finally reached the bottom of the castle and moved up the stairs. They were stopped by four guards at the gate, in full armor with lances and shields in their hands. Swiftly they moved their lances from their way as they recognized Rosa and Death and let them pass. Inside of the castle was more like a barracks. Pillars across the entire hall were decorated with flags and shields that all bore the Flaming sword insignias, furnaces and anvils where smiths worked on armors and weapons. Angels sparring and competing against each other in combat and throwing precision. They looked at Death with side eyes and started whispering to each other as she passed them with Rosa in the lead. She led Death up the main stairs to a circular room just above the main hall. Rosa knocked on a large marble door that had a shield with flaming sword insignia on it but one actually was a live flame, crackling and heating the local air.
“Come on in.” Answered a deep male voice.
Rosa pushed on the door and they opened inwards. The room was filled with weapon and armor stands, a large window that was in the direction of the stairs of the castle where they could see the crowds with the pearly gate of Heaven in the back and it had a large marble table with maps with small statues on it. Next to him with his back facing them stood a tall male figure. Blonde, long hair, wide shoulders and back, dressed in a white and red robe. Rosa straightened herself and saluted by slamming her fist to her chest and in one motion swinged it in front of her towards the ground. Then she stepped aside to let Death pass around her.
“Sir, I bring Death, as you requested.” Said Rosa.
“Where is Azrael?” Asked the man with a low voice that had a slight anger in it.
“I don’t know sir, he was not present.” Answered Rosa.
“I wasn’t asking you.” Said the man and turned around. His face was fair as first snow and his eyes shined in yellow color.
“He has other business to attend to, Michael. Gabriele called him back to his unit I believe.” Said Death and moved forward. “Don’t push it.” She thought strategically in her mind. “The last thing I want to deal with today is his ego.”
“I see.” Said Michael. “Very well. Rosa, you are free to go. Stop by Ezenor and let him know that I will be riding out today, so he better have my armor and lance ready.”
“Yes sir, as you wish.” Said Rosa and bowed. Death turned around to say her goodbyes and Rosa just nodded her head and left.
“She is no longer your squire, you egocentric…” Thought Death and tried to hold the disgust in her face. She took a deep breath which Michael noticed and turned his attention to her.
“So, you are here.” He said.
“Well, you have called me, haven’t you.” She answered.
“That I did, I hope that it did not offend you. You must know that I didn't mean it like an order. Can I offer you something?” Asked Michael.
“A seat would be nice.” Said Death.
Michael moved to grab a chair. He approached Death and placed the chair right next to the table. Death approached and let him hold the chair and then move it under her. As she sat down, Michael grabbed her shoulders for a second. Death felt the disgust and alert rushing up her spine but held it together. “Now, I wanted to discuss one matter with you. As you know, the situation with the Reapers and collecting the souls bothered me for some time.”
“Again? What is your plan to get involved in this?” She thought.
“As humanity grows and dies because of battles and diseases, the Reapers will not be enough to be collecting all of them. I believe that someone as smart as you has already predicted something like that, haven't you?” Asked Michael and sat partially on the table closely to her.
“I have, yes.” Said Death.
“I would like to offer you the services of some of my Raiders so that they could help. I know that they will need to be trained in how to actually calm the souls and deliver them properly, but I think that I might have just the right angel for that.” Michael got up, spread out his hands and started throwing them in the air. “I can see the benefit. We are the heavens after all and we need to help each other. We are here for humanity and my Raiders can help with this task, no problem. I will create a special division of angels that will be trained either by you or someone you will assign to it and they can serve as Reapers. What do you think?”
“You have enough to spare? I thought that your Raiders are only deployed to battle or skirmishes with Hell?” Asked Death
Michael smiled. At least he tried as Death noticed the twitch in his left eye. “That they are, but as you know at this moment the situation with Hell is calm and according to my predictions and recon there will be no fight between us in quite some time. Plus my Raiders are the elite. I can win any battle with just the core, so I can spare quite a few, especially the new recruits.”
You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.
“But wouldn’t that mean that the new recruits won’t get the experience from the veterans? Do you really think that this is the best idea? We wouldn’t want Heaven's best fighters to miss any possible experience.” Death kept a straight face. She knew Michael well and knew that he was unpredictable. “Did you discuss this with other Archangels? With the Almighty?”
Michael’s eyes closed for a moment and his face went cold. He took a breath and with a smile opened them again.
“The Almighty is not present at the moment and when it comes to my brothers, there is nothing to discuss. They both have their assignments and are mostly occupied by them, I don’t want to bother them with this task. Plus my Raiders are the biggest and most prestigious unit here and gathering souls is a difficult job that requires discipline and honor. Someone like you will surely agree with this.” He said in a cold, commanding voice and moved his hand in a gesture that tried to suggest Death to agree with him.
Death smiled. “That might be true for the souls that go to hell. But for those that go to Heaven it mostly requires patience, empathy and calmness. I cannot imagine that some poor farmer child will die and the first thing that they see in the afterlife is an angel in full armor with a lance at his or her side.” She answered in a warm tone. “What are you planning? Why are you trying to get involved in my business?” She thought.
“Of course, I completely agree with you. Very good points as expected from someone like you. But I can assure you that my Raiders can be very calm and quick witted. After all, it wouldn’t be the first time we saw a killing machine learning how to show empathy to those who need it, wouldn’t we?” He pierced Death with a smile. “If I remember correctly it was you who had the most influence on that. I know that you are cautious when it comes to souls and I completely understand why.” He got up and moved up the stairs to the glass window that overlooked the whole front of his castle. “These poor souls have been through a lot and they need a guiding, warm hand that will lead them to paradise. All I want is to be a part of that hand, to do my part in the most difficult and yet the most important job in all of the Heavens. I’m asking you, please, give us a chance. I will get personally involved in this and will lead as an example to my Raiders. But only if you teach me the ropes and tell me what are the necessary steps so that I won’t screw up.” His voice deepened and got more emotional. Death followed him with her eyes and studied his movement. It was firm and yet calm, as expected. Whatever he is planning he knows how to hide it and when he is unsure he will hide his face.
Death got up from her seat. Michael turned around as he heard the creacking of the chair on the marble floor. He looked at Death who stood there smiling.
“Michael, please arrange a meeting with your brothers where we can all discuss this topic and come to a conclusion. If the Almighty is not present I wouldn’t want to keep anything that involves this serious matter from them. I’m willing to accept your help and the help of your brother in any form. Maybe together, we will figure out a better solution.” Said Death and bowed as she meant to leave.
“I really don’t believe that something like that is necessary. Since my Father is not here then I’m the second in command so this is something that I can…”
“You are second in command in all the Heavenly decisions, except for this one. Souls and dying is my domain and mine only.” Death interrupted him before he could finish. This caught Michael off guard and Death saw once more the twitch in his eyes. “As I said, I’m willing to accept the help of you and your brothers and would like to hear your proposals.”
“As you wish.” He answered. Death bowed and turned around, ready to leave. “There is one more thing I would like to discuss with you.”
Death turned around and he approached closer to her. She noticed that his movement changed, it was less refined and more aggressive.
“What is it?” She asked.
“Purgatory.”
Death got stunned for a second. She moved her head to the side and frowned. “What about purgatory?”
“I heard a rumor that it is still operational. I must have missed the memo but did something change? Are you now in charge of the traitor’s place?” He asked and Death noticed that his eyes got just a tiny bit closer to closing. He was way too focused on how she would answer.
“Of course the purgatory is still operational. You simply cannot move all those souls that are in there to a different place and since we have no permission from its creator to manipulate or move the souls we simply cannot do anything about it.” She answered very calmly, trying to hide the truth.
Michael took two more steps towards her. He was now so close that she could almost smell his odor in the air.
“So, you have not met the traitor? You are not in contact?” He asked.
Death folded her arms together. She knew that he was trying his hardest to get any information from her because he would not dare to track her. Her position in Heavens was way too high, even for him. “Why would I? There is simply nothing I would need or want from him. Are you suggesting that we should contact him regarding the purgatory?”
Michael shook his head. “Not at all. I just thought that with your empathy and carefulness when it comes to souls you would want to get them out, for safety reasons. We never know what the maniac could do with them. If he finds a way to get to purgatory he could manipulate them, create an army or even worse, torture them. You know how he was, you of all people…” He turned around and took several steps around the table. He allowed himself a tiny smile on his face as he thought that this would anger Death. “Better be safe than sorry, wouldn’t you agree?”
Death smiled. “I think that those souls are as safe as they could be. Sariel has no way to get to the purgatory and I don’t believe that he would ever do something like that.”
Michael turned around with a surprised look on his face. “Just how can you be so sure?”
Death took a deep breath and rolled her eyes. “Look, Michael, if you are suggesting something, you are more than welcome to do so. I couldn't care less.” Death felt a tickling feeling on the back of her neck. “Summoning?”
“Something wrong?” Michael asked with a curious look. He noticed how she turned her head and stopped talking suddenly.
“Nothing. Anyway, I should go. I have work to do. If there is anything that you wish to discuss, please, save it for the meeting with your brothers. I will be expecting a message from you about the time of our meeting.” Death bowed and turned around.
“You know, one day I will find him and I will show him what Wrath of Heavens means.” Said Michael and when Death turned around to respond she noticed that he was not where he stood before but stood close to her. If she raised her arm she could touch him.
“If you say so, Michael.” She answered.
“And all those that betrayed Havens with him will end up the same.” He said and the yellow in his eyes flashed like a fire. The air around them got more hot and Death felt the presence of his anger rising in front of her like a flaming phoenix.
She looked up at him with a cold stare and a smile. “Are you the one that gets to decide who betrayed and who did not, Michael?” The sound of his name echoed from the walls of this place with such intensity that it almost shattered his ears. She responded with a voice so resonating and soul freezing that it struck Michael like an ice arrow to the heart. He could not move, frightened by the look of pure coldness and void that came from the figure in front of him. Something touched the flame within him and turned it into ice. “Take care of yourself.” Death turned around and left the room.
Michael stood there in a shock for a minute and did not move a muscle. “What was that? What in the hell was that?! A trick? Must have been..That fucking bitch!” As his anger boiled in him he grabbed one of the chairs and threw it at the wall, smashing it into million pieces. He went to sit on the stairs in front of the window and tried to calm down. “Very well. I will arrange a meeting with my brothers. Let’s see how that will play out.”
There was a knock on the door. “What is it?” Answered Michael. Rosa entered the room and saluted Michael.
“Sir, I just wanted to inform you that Ezenor will have everything ready in just a moment and will be awaiting your arrival.”
Michael raised his head and looked at her. “Rosa. Yes, very good.” He got up. “Close the door and come in.”
Rosa closed the door as he requested and moved back into her previous position. Michael sat on the table in front of her and studied her posture from her feet to her head while moving his head from one side to the other. Like a predator. “She got strong. What a magical thing motivation is.”
“Rosa, tell me, what do you make of Death? Do you find her trustworthy?”
Rosa looked at him in slight confusion. “Of course sir, it’s THE Death. Why wouldn’t I trust her?”
Michael smiled. “See? That is something that I would expect. Why shouldn’t we trust her right?” He slammed both hands together. “Death was always here, never meddling in any arguments, always minding her own business right?” Rosa nodded her head. “But that’s what is most suspicious. Someone like her, powerful and old. You see, with great power comes lust for more, wouldn’t you agree?”
“I’m not really sure what you mean, sir.” Rosa was really confused, but excited at the same time. This was the first time Michael discussed anything like this with her! “But I guess you do have a point there, yes sir.”
“You guess?” Said Michael. He jumped off the table and leaned against it. Once again he looked at Rosa, her hips and breasts, the long hair and the physique. “How are you enjoying your post as a Raider, Rosa? It has been, what now, four months?”
“Six months sir and I do have to say, it is a privilege and honor to serve under you.” Said Rosa with excitement and visible pride. She really meant it, this was everything she ever dreamed of. “Serving as a Raider to the Hero of Many. In the most prestigious and honorable unit in all of Heaven, I could not dream of a better post, sir.”
“Good to know. I hear that you have got really strong now and I can even see that. You have worked on yourself. I heard that you even got Rubiel a nice ass kicking on the training grounds?” Rosa nodded. “Come closer. Let me look at you.”
Rosa did as he commanded and stood right in front of him. Michael did not move a muscle and stayed leaning against the table. He looked at her once again. The sheer devotion that he felt from her gave him utmost pleasure. “If I asked her to stab herself right now, she would do it.” He thought for himself. Michael straightened, raised his hands and placed it on the shoulder plates of her armor, he checked if it was fitting and if it was strapped well.
“You are truly the pinnacle of Raider, Rosa. I’m proud of you.”
Rosa got into a shock. Hearing these words from her hero and role model was like a miracle. She pinched herself behind her back to be sure that she was not dreaming. But it was true, she was awake.
“T-thank you, sir.” She immediately fell to one knee and bowed her head. “This means everything to me.” She was shaking, the tears were holding by a thread of her will.
“Good, very good.” Thought Michael and smiled. “Now, Rosa, I do have a very important mission for you.”
As soon as she heard those words the training and instinct kicked into Rosa. Her muscles got firm and her mind got focused on what she was about to hear. She raised her head and looked at Michael who was watching her with a serious, yet somehow worrying look.
“I need you to find someone for me. The person you will be looking for is merciless and if he spots you he could really, really harm you. I can point you to people to follow but it won’t be easy and it will be dangerous. No one can know that this is happening and that you are following them. Do you understand? Can you be very discreet?”
“Of course, sir.”
“Good, now I need you to prepare. With your physique you are easily spotted so, stop by Marafel to get some of the old magic. I will need you ready tomorrow. Understood?”
“Yes sir, but, who am I looking for?” Asked Rosa, confused but curious at the same time.
“The former leader of Wraiths.” He said with a smile that pierced Rosa’s heart.
“I have to hurry.” Death moved from the room and down the stairs back to the great hall. “Act natural otherwise it might get suspicious. Why is he calling me? Something with Eliana or that house he went into? I just need to get past the Pearly gate and…”
“Ma’am? Leaving already?” Someone disrupted her thoughts from the right.
Death looked in that direction and saw Rosa approaching her.
“Yes. We have finished, discussed what we needed and now I have to go. Duty calls.” Death answered and bowed, trying to hurry the pleasantries and leavy as soon as possible.
“I see. I should arrange someone to accompany you, the crowd in front of the castle is getting bigger and bigger every minute.” Said Rosa and waved at two young males, dressed in robes with Flaming sword pins on them. “Radan, Kuram. Please, escort Death…” She turned back. “Where are you heading ma’am?”
“Just past the crowd will be fine, thank you.” Said Death. “Guess there is no helping it. I will be delayed. Must be morning on Earth already. Hopefully it is nothing serious.”
Those two boys rushed towards them and with shock in their eyes they both bowed before Death at the same time. “Ma’am, it is a great honor.”
“Escort Death behind the crowd and when you return back I want you to practice charging, understand? I saw you two slacking around before and I don’t want to see that again.” Said Rosa and both of those boys quickly apologized and saluted in understanding. “Ma’am, take care.” Rosa bowed to Death and moved up the stairs.
Death returned the pleasantry and turned around to leave. Radan and Kuram moved in front of her and made way for her. She felt the eyes of the surrounding angels on the back of her neck like predators watching their prey. They moved out of the castle and entered the crowd.
“I always wondered why there are no side streets leading to this castle. Why only one route? It’s not very practical I have to say.” Whispered Kuram to Radan as they made sure the people got out of the way.
“It is strategically very smart. If something invaded Heaven it would have to go through one way to get to Michael's castle and he can easily hold position here and have the high ground from the walls and towers on the sides.” Said Death as she followed them.
Both of those boys jumped. “How does she hear us? I mean I can barely hear you because of the crowd!”
“I don’t know!”
“She must have a freaky super hearing or something! Do you think that she is right?!”
“I don’t know, but the fact that she heard what I said before means that she can probably hear this as well so shut up you idiot!”
Death smiled. As they traveled for quite some time through the crowd being greeted several times by some old faces she got nervous as she was thinking. “What if it’s not him? What if something happened to him on the mission and now the girls are summoning me?! It must have been, otherwise he would just call me as usual! Hell, I need to hurry! He might be in danger!” She felt the fear taking control over her, but she knew that he didn’t die. At least not yet. “I would have felt it. He is not dead and none of the girls are, I know that. I would have felt it!” She tried to calm herself, but her thoughts were basically screaming in her mind. She started thinking what if he got captured and is tortured now. “I will freeze the hell to get to you, I promise that!”
“Sorry, ma’am?” Asked Kuram. She did not realize that she said that out loud. She shook her head.
“Nothing. My apologies. Just talking to myself sometimes.”
The boys looked at each other with confusion but eventually shrugged their shoulders and continued onwards.
Eventually they entered the square where the main road divided into side streets and Death said her goodbyes to the boys who accompanied her. She decided to take the longer route to Pearly gates due to the amount of people that occupied the faster routes, thinking that it would be faster not having to intertwine between all those people. She traveled for some time and finally reached the Pearly gates. Death moved along the crowd, greeted some of the Reapers and came to the corner of the platform. She blinked and disappeared.
Death looked at the ground beneath her. Sariel sat on the tree trunk, dressed in his classic robe, with Eva and Arielle sitting on the ground of the training grounds. “Sundial? Now that is a memory, you old softie!” She thought and levitated above them. She quickly checked on everyone and was relieved that nobody was seriously hurt. However, she felt something changing in Sariel and a slight pain that Gabrielle felt, physical and emotional. She studied them for a few minutes and Catherine, who stood behind Sariel, looked like she was studying him. “Eliana is still sleeping, good. But something must have happened on that mission.” She noticed that Sariel raised his head and looked up into the skies. He looked tired and worried, searching for something above. It seemed like he was whispering but no sound came from him. Death recognized him saying her name but not what came after. Then the smell of Nightshade hit her like a punch to a face. “You dumbass, you know how much I hate that!”
She thought as she saw all the girls complaining about the smell. Death smiled devilishly. “My turn.”
She snuck up behind him making sure that she did not even leave a trace of her smell or wind that he could catch. She ran her fingers lightly across his neck and his left ear, forcing him to turn around and give Catherine a confusing look. Catherine gave him one back. Death materialized in front of him so close that he felt her breath on his skin as she spoke: “I hope that you have spare clothes for me because I can’t stand that smell.”