Angels & Demons 4: Inner Demons by Auburnimp

Heat Rating: Fire

Content Warnings: GLBT-homoerotica, Happy for Now Ending (eight book series).

How will Uriel's defection affect the angels and the demons?

Nathaniel waited for Samael to appear from the bedroom, knowing Daniel would give the Angel of Death his request for a talk. He didn't have long to wait. Samael appeared looking almost as haggard as Daniel.

Nathaniel forgot all about their past differences and ran forward to hug his brother Legend. "How is Raphael?"

Samael gave him a questioning look. "He's still sleeping but he keeps having nightmares, which is why I've left Daniel with him. He needs one or both of us there all the time." He broke away from the embrace and stared coldly at Nathaniel. "Why should you care?"

Nathaniel sighed and broached the trickiest subject between them. "Samael, are you ever going to forgive me for agreeing to Raphael's trial?"

Samael crossed the room to the coffee table, picked up a pack of cigarettes that was lying there, lit one and sat down. "It's hard to forgive because you wanted to kill him, but I can understand why you were angry enough to feel that way. I wanted to kill Luke as I know he would have been the one to instigate what happened between them."

Nathaniel sighed and nodded. He'd come to that same conclusion after a while and had the added burden of knowing it had been his own stupid fault. "I can't believe just how twisted I became while listening to Arioch. Raphael is the one Archangel I love like a brother. We shared so much for so long."

Samael pulled on his cigarette and blew out three perfect smoke rings. "Yes, we did, but you were different then. I suppose we all were." He smiled suddenly. "But you're showing signs of becoming your old self again so let's move beyond that. I want my brother back."

Nathaniel smiled but it soon died. "I imagine Raphael does too. And that brings me to why I wanted to talk to you. Uriel has locked the doors to Hades and won't let anyone in. Gabriel and Michael tried to talk to him but he sent them away."

Samael glowered at the end of his cigarette. "Did he tell them they weren't his brothers?"

Nathaniel nodded. "Yes, he did. His mind has obviously been twisted though we don't yet know by whom. While he won't let any one of us near him, we can't repair the damage or find out who caused it. I think he was targeted for a deliberate purpose."

Samael frowned at him but it was concentration Nathaniel was picking up, not hostility. "I assumed he was first on the list as he was alone at the time."

Nathaniel shook his head. "I think Luke believes that to be the case too. But stop a moment and think, Sam. Where do we hold our meetings?"

Samael stared at him blankly for a moment, and then cursed fluently in several different languages. "Of course, we hold them in Hades as the place is neutral ground where both angels and demons can feel comfortable and at ease. Why didn't I see it before this? Whoever turned Uriel against us is trying to stop our meetings, or at least those involving any demons."

Nathaniel smiled at his brother though his eyes remained sad. "I imagine you've had enough to worry about with Raphael's pain without thinking about what it all means."

Samael smirked. "Well, we can solve the meeting place problem easily enough. I'll be happy to hold the meetings here. I'm sure Daniel and Raphael will agree."

Nathaniel felt a weight lift from his overburdened ‘things I must think about' list. "Thank you, Sam. I feel certain that will be a satisfactory compromise for all concerned."

Samael chuckled. "There is a condition."

Nathaniel eyed his brother cautiously as he wondered what he was going to demand. "Which is?"

Samael ground out his cigarette. "Next time you and Luke go off to create something, Raph and I come with you."

Nathaniel jumped out of his chair, almost flew over the coffee table and hugged his brother. "Condition granted, silly!"