Page 50 of Living with Death

“Love?” He narrows his eyes as if what I’m saying is outlandish. “None of the females you take to your bed every night suffice?”

“They bore me.” I run a hand over my thigh. The doctors whisper amongst themselves, trying everything to stop the bleeding.

The woman has fallen into a coma.

I run a hand down my face.

“So you’d prefer what? A mortal?”

I look over at him, the galaxy in his eyes glimmering. “I want a connection. If that means falling for a mortal, then so be it. I need a change from this dull existence.

“You perform miracles and fight battles for these humans. You’ve had several wives. Hypnos has found Morgan, and he creates dreams. Lucifer, well, he’s doing as he wishes. Every day is the same for me. It has been for centuries.”

Michael looks at his perfect nails. “Your duties are vital, Azrael.”

Blood soaks the bed sheets, and the woman is turning blue. I walk over, touching the dying woman’s arm. A swirl of white separates from her body. Glitter and mist spin until her soul is standing beside me. She looks down at herself before walking over to the baby.

His eyes grow wide and dance over her face. She touches his little finger, running her hand down his cheek. “I will watch over you always. Know that I love you.” She isn’t sad. When the good ones pass, a heavy sense of calmness and peace washes over them.

She looks to the door, knowing that’s where her husband stands. “Go to him,” Michael says.

Michael can talk to whomever he wishes.

She walks through the door, and I hear the man choking on a sob.

“He’ll never be right again, seeing his dead wife’s ghost.”

“It will bring him comfort,” Michael says. “Sometimes we must let these mortals see so they can believe.”

The doctor announces the time of death, and they cover the woman's body. Michael walks over to me.

“I can’t find what I’m looking for in the Shadow realm. Allow me to walk among the humans.”

“There are rules for a reason, Azrael. If the humans discover the Angel of Death isn’t just a mythical creature they created, chaos will occur.”

“I will do what Hypnos did.”

He narrows his eyes at me. “You and Hypnos are not the same. You are far more beautiful and frightening.”

“I can tone it down.”

He lifts a brow. “Are you asking to use your pass?”

“Yes.”

“You only get one chance at this, Azrael.”

“I’m aware. If Hypnos can do it, then I can as well.”

“Hypnos already meet Morgan in her dreams. She’d fallen in love before he even stepped into the Living Realm. Look at what happened with Lucifer.”

My eyes dart to the floor. “I’m aware, but I need to try.”

He sighs. “And what happens if you are not successful? How will you feel then?”

“Disappointed, but I’ll get past it.”

He slips his hands into his pockets, gazing out the window, contemplating this.

---