Ten missed calls? Mostly Michael, but also Grams and Seraphina.
There were only two texts though, both from Michael.
Boring, Bothersome Brother:I’m sorry Gabe. I didn’t know what else to do. This isn’t like you. I’m out of my depths.
Boring, Bothersome Brother:I called Grandfather.
“Shit. Shit, shit, shit, shit, SHIT!” yelled Gabe.
Az stared at him, mouth slightly agape. Gabe would have laughed if he wasn’t so worried.
He frantically typed back to Michael.
Gabe:You meddling asshole. I ASKED you to JUST LEAVE ME ALONE. You couldn’t have waited to talk to me? You had to decide what was best?
Gabe:You have no idea what you’ve done.
Gabe:When did you talk to him? What is he going to do?
Gabe watched as dots appeared, then disappeared, then appeared.
Boring, Bothersome Brother:I’m sorry, but a demon that powerful is dangerous.
Boring, Bothersome Brother:He’s coming.
It took everything in Gabe not to throw his phone across the room.
Az stood up, looking worried. “What is it?” he asked.
“Grandfather is coming,” Gabe fumed, starting to pace.
“Alright, surely we can handle that. I know Grams is gifted, and perhaps your grandfather is more gifted, but they are no match for me.”
Gabe stopped, looking at Az. He realized that Az had no idea about his family. He had never thought to explain things. Now they were going to be having company, probably at any damn moment, and Az hadno cluewhat he was in store for.
“Ah, well, you know my last name?” Gabe asked, but Az only looked puzzled.
“Everyone calls you Mr. C in class. I don’t think I do know your last name,” laughed Az.
“Caelius,” Gabe said. “I am Gabriel Caelius, and he isn’t my grandfather. He is much more distantly related than that.”
Az was starting to look suspicious. A last name that meant ‘heavenly’ was probably pinging his radar quite a bit.
“How much more distantly?” Az asked, one eyebrow raising.
Gabe sighed. “A few centuries, at least. Maybe longer. I don’t really know. But he stops in on occasion; he likes to check in on his family,” he finished, lamely shrugging his shoulders. He just felt so tired. All he wanted was Az. Was it too much to ask for? His own happiness? Was it going to be ripped away already?
“Fuuuuck,” Az drew out.
Gabe smirked at his reply. “Yup. Pretty much.” He leaned back against the cabinet and slid down to the floor, resting his head in his hands.
“Listen, I’m an Infernal King of the Underworld. An angel, which I’m assuming is what we’re talking about, is not beyond my ken,” started Az.
Gabe snorted, picking his head up to watch his sexy demon. “I love your old-fashioned language, you know,” he interrupted. He wanted to let Az know all the things he loved about him while he still could.
Az stood up and was pacing now, almost talking to himself. “I guess I should have realized. You all were immune to my powers. Grams is no lightweight, either. Summoning me like she did, well, that was powerful. Still, I’m not some low level demon. I have a direct line to Lucifer, for demon’s sake. I’m sure we can handle whoever it is.”
Az stopped then, looking at Gabe. “Who is it, by the way?” he asked.
