Page 51 of Living with Death

He then turns to me. “As you wish, brother. I will take over some of your duties. You spend time finding a mate. Once you find her, you will only have two weeks to make her fall in love with you. You know what happens if she doesn’t.”

“And if she does? How will we share a life?”

“She will have to make a choice. To be with you or to continue her life as it is. But understand, most mortals will not give up everything they know and love. They thrive on contentment. Lucifer tried this and failed.”

I nod. “I understand.”

He reaches his hand out and touches my chest. A white light forms between us, taking from me and giving to him. I feel something enter my veins, swirling around my bones and entwining with my soul.

He drops his hand. “I wish you nothing but happiness.” The room brightens, and Michael begins to fade. “But heed my warning, Azrael, Angel of Death. If she doesn’t choose you, the pain will be far worse than the monotony you’re feeling now.” He vanishes.

Chapter Fifteen

Azrael

Two years before

Lover’s Light has withstood many storms, always providing a platform to look upon the beauty of the sunset. I am standing at the weathered lighthouse as waves steady and strong rush over the worn stone below me when I hear something unexpected.

A voice.

My wings stretch behind my back, and I fly. My surroundings change, swirling and twisting until an old Victorian home appears. I land on the sidewalk, peering up at the house. The shutters are fallen, and the roof is full of leaves and limbs.

“There’s nothing left for me to do on this earth. I’m tired, and I want to be with Joan again. Mabel will get the house. She deserves some good in her life.”

My wings flutter behind me as I take the steps into the house. I move through the door, walking into the living room. A man, old and gray, sits in a chair.

He stops talking, looking around the room. “I know you’re here,” he says. “I can feel you.”

I lift my brow.

“It’s my time. I know it. I’m just making sure I got everything in order. I worry about Mabel. She’s a loner. She’ll have Cook, but she’ll also have my daughter. They’ve never seen eye to eye. Lori doesn’t know how to, well, some people aren’t born with the motherly way.” He shakes his head, looking down. “Maybe that’s my fault.” He inhales a shaky breath, running his palm along the arm of the chair. His eyes are glossy, his hands trembling. “Will this hurt?”

I step forward, walking in front of him. “There you are,” he says, his eyes widening. “Wow, what a sight.”

I incline my head. “You can see me?”

“Yes. I can see, feel, and hear you.”

“How?” I ask, intrigued.

He shrugs. “Don’t know how. Been talking with the dead my whole life. Makes sense I’d be able to talk to you, too.”

I look at the couch. “Do you mind?”

“Suit yourself.”

I sit and look around the room curiously. “I’ve never spoken to a human before.” I’m breaking the rules. But I’m too fascinated to care. Not once has a human spoken to me in all my existence.

“Well, I’ve never spoken to Death before.”

I look over at the older man, studying his face. “Are you not afraid?”

He clears his throat. “A little.”

“You don’t need to be.”

A shaky laugh releases from his throat. “That’s a relief.”

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