Page 78 of Demons & Damnation

Folding his arms across his broad chest, Balthazar gave him a curious look. “Please explain to me how you intend to ‘powerfully persuade’ an entire town that they haven’t seen the bat-mobile?”

“Well...it could be that they’re filming a new movie and—”

“No, Azazel.” He lifted a finger to stop Azazel when he opened his mouth to interject. “And if you carry on, I’ll make you dress up like Robin.”

Azazel pouted and let out a big sigh. “Fine. You win. This once. Anyway, back to the task in hand.” Balthazar rolled his eyes. “What’s the point of going after the elemental witch anyway? What are we, or rather you, planning to do once we find her? Or him?”

“We befriend them and figure out why their power is only just coming to life now. Is there something bigger going on here that we don’t know about? Keep your friends close and your enemies closer, Azazel. You should know this.”

“Yep,” Azazel said, popping the p. “That’s why I had you chained to my side for two thousand years.”

Balthazar gave his brother a sideways glance. “You really viewed me as your enemy?”

“Of course I did. How could I not?”

A streak of pain rushed through Balthazar’s dark eyes, followed by sadness and realisation. “I never wanted that, Azazel. I’m sorry. Really, I am.”

Azazel studied his younger brother for a good minute or two before he gave him a simple nod. “I know it wasn’t your intention.” He sucked in a deep breath and then said, “But I can’t help but feel hesitant that if I find my someone again, history will repeat itself.”

An arrow of pain hit Balthazar square in the chest. The truth hurt, he knew that, but it didn’t lessen the pain of hearing it any less. “It can’t if I’ve found mine, can it?”

“And have you? Considering the words you spoke when you brought us here?”

Balthazar nodded. “I’m convinced it’s Sam.”

Azazel raised an eyebrow. “And what makes you think that?”

“Just a feeling,” Balthazar replied, shrugging his shoulders. “I can’t explain it. I just know I’m supposed to be with her.”

“She knows what you are?”

He nodded. “And she’s not entirely human either.”

“What?” Azazel asked, narrowing his eyes. “What is she? Because whatever she is, her pesky jealous brother is one too.”

“Werewolf.”

Azazel closed his eyes and sighed, letting out a stream of curse words. “For fucks fucking sake. Of course he fucking is. Jesus Christ.” Opening his eyes, Azazel said, “Are you prepared to claim her? You know what that means right?”

Balthazar looked down at the floor. “I don’t know,” he whispered. “What if she rejects me?”

Azazel licked his lips and said the words he really didn’t want to. “At least you’ll be out of your misery permanently. Is she worth dying for?”

Balthazar glanced back up at his brother and nodded. “Completely.”

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