Page 75 of The Angel's Kiss
“He’s dead,” Azazel said as he joined me while I applied pressure to Monique’s wound. Tears clouded my vision, nearly blinding me as I thought about Marcel’s death.
“Fuck, fuck, fuck,” I cursed. Had I been here, Azazel and I could have prevented this, but I didn’t think demons could breach my home. It was protected. My heart felt like it was made of pure iron because it felt so heavy. I shook with panic and sorrow. I felt so lost. I looked up at Azazel. “What do I do?”
All of the happiness I’d experienced less than three minutes ago was gone and replaced with terror and heartbreak. My chest felt tight and I was having trouble breathing. I think I was hyperventilating.
“Save them, Rai. You can do it.”
I shook my head, the tears flowing freely. “I don’t know how!” I yelled in my manic state, I didn’t mean to lash out at Azazel like that.
He grabbed my face. “Look at me, Rai.”
I did, I couldn’t help but look at him.
“I trust you, Rai. You’re more powerful than you know. Take me into you and use my power and together, we can save them,” Azazel said. “Trust in us, baby.”
A calmness washed over me and filled me with a warming and comforting sensation that could only be described as pure bliss. I closed my eyes and opened myself up to receive Azazel and when he flowed into me, it was different than when we bonded the first time. My entire body glowed as it levitated from the ground. Flames swirled around me as if I were in an inferno, but they didn’t burn. I was held captive by the power that was infusing us as wind whipped all around us, sending lightweight items into the whirlwind. Suddenly, I felt an odd sensation happen inside of me like something fitting into place perfectly. Our souls melding into one.
The wind settled, the flames evaporated, and my body stopped glowing as my feet touched the floor again. I had no idea what had just taken place, but I’d never experienced so much power flowing through me.
“Go to Marcel, place your hand on his chest, you’ll know what to do next,” I heard Azazel say, which was a new experience. The last time we merged, he’d been either silent or unable to communicate.
“How can I hear you now?” I asked.
“Don’t know. You couldn’t before?” Azazel asked.
“No.”
“And you still kicked demon ass without my direction,” Azazel praised.
I felt satisfaction in that, but push it aside to save my friend. Quickly, I ran to Marcel. As he was already dead, I had to restore his soul first before it was too late. Azazel’s knowledge was now mine. I pressed my hand to his chest as Azazel had instructed. Instinctually, I knew what to do, and let my power seep into his body, the power to pull a soul from the ether. I touched his soul,then I had to grab it. I heard footsteps—heavy ones—charging at me.
“Behind you, Rai!” Azazel shouted.
I turned to see the demon that had been frozen before coming at me. I had wanted to ask him questions, but I realized I already had the answers. He was no use to me now. I conjured my gun from the power inside of me. It was different from before, black with Hellfire flames on the handle and barrel. I didn’t have time to marvel at it as I shot a flaming bullet right between his eyes. The charred hole emitted smoke as the demon dropped to his knees and turned to ash. I drew the gun back inside of me which made me shiver a little because it felt good.
“You’re so sexy right now,” Azazel said.
I closed my eyes for a second, because it felt weird to have his voice in my head. “Focus,” I said out loud.
“I am. You can save your friend, use my power, baby,” Azazel encouraged.
There he went again, making me feel things. I couldn’t believe I’d been so stubborn before to appreciate his affection. No more. I would no longer deny myself what I wanted... what I needed.
I returned my attention to the soul I had in my hand. It felt familiar and tingled a little. As I lifted my hand from Marcel’s chest, I pulled his soul out of the ether, the place between life and death. A soul was only there so long before it was dispatched to Heaven or Hades. Sure, I was certain Marcel was Heaven-bound, but I also knew he wasn’t ready to die. At the same time, the grotesque wound in his throat started to heal and when he took his first breath, I knew I’d done something amazing. I’d heard of Guardians being able to heal people, thus bringing them back from the brink of death, but I wasn’t sure about them actually doing what I did. I knew it was only possible because of Azazel. Marcel opened his green eyes and looked at me and I feltpure elation. Not only because my friend was back, but because I brought him back. I could save more people now.
“I know you must be confused, but rest for the moment, I have to help Monique,” I told him, then I rushed over to her. She was still alive, but barely. I held my hand over her body and pushed my powers into her, healing her wounds in a matter of seconds. I was that strong now. I knew I’d never need to take that potion again as long as I could merge with Azazel. And the same went for him. We were each other’s greatest strengths, our greatest weapons, and our greatest support. I understood that now.
She sprung up, gasping, and I grabbed her shoulders to keep her from losing control. “It’s okay. You’re safe now,” I told her.
“The demons—”
“I know. We killed them, but one got away.”
“They put something in me then took my blood!” she said, her voice shaking in fear.
“What happened?” I asked to get a clear picture.
“They shot me with a needle that had something black inside, then cut me to take my blood,” she explained.
