Death gets a clue from Michael

The wheezing was slowing down. It was nearly time. Carl Rozario was taking his last breathe and he was making no effort to stay alive. He was happy to go. After all the hard work on earth, it was time to move on. He slowly turned to see the figure lazing on the sofa with a glass of vodka in his hands. Carl Rozario coughed loudly and yet the figure did not stir at all. Carl Rozario coughed again.

Death could feel her next to him. Her sweet pheromones embracing him, blending into one. He could still feel her soft skin on him. Her lips. Gosh, they were killing him. The taste was still on him. It has been days and yet it felt as if he had just kissed her. He muscles tightened when he saw the scene of Inglis disappearing replayed in front of him. It was too much for him to bear. He opened his eyes to jazz.

"Bobby Darin, I guess I'm good for nothing but the blues" coughed a voice.

Death turned to face the figure on the bed. It took a while for his eyes to adjust to the poorly lit room. As his vision cleared, he realised that the figure was no ordinary being. " Michael?"

Michael was sitting near Carl Rozario with a glass of vodka on his hand. He turned to face the lifeless body.

"Carl Rozario. Hmm, poor chap was wondering why there were two death angels in his room. Told him that it was none of his business and led him over."

Death was staring straight at Michael.

" Ratel Maya, are you alright dude?"

Death looked at Michael. It has been a while since someone actually called him by his real name. Michael was really worried. He had known Ratel since he started out as a beginning death angel. Ratel had shown him the ropes despite being his boss. He was patient and kind and fierce when he needed to. But what was more important was that he respected everyone and appreciated what they were doing. He was strong and tough but today he was very much troubled.  

"It's her right.... Inglis?"

Death  closed his eyes and threw his head back. It was tearing Michael apart watching him in this state.

"You know, you could get her if you wanted..."

"No... not by force... not in that way" he replied without opening his eyes. The jazz was so soothing and he just wanted to lose himself in the music.

"Well... there is a way..."

Death peered open his right eye and saw Michael walk towards him. Death realised that Michael, though not as experienced as him, looked much older than Him. He looked old enough to be his elder brother, which he once had as a mortal. Michael sat himself opposite Death and his lovely semi-gray eyes stared right into Death's eyes.  A stare that Death knew meant business and also a crazy one.

"Ratel, come on, all you need to do is to select the next Death and you can step down... be a mortal again"

Death took a sip from his vodka glass. "You know that is a huge risk I am taking. You saw the candidates, you honestly think they qualify?"

Michael did not reply. He was staring intensively at Death. Suddenly, his pupils dilated.

"You are afraid of letting go, aren't you?" he grinned.

Death, got up. He did not want Michael to see his face. He did not want him to have the satisfaction that he was right.  Death did not want anyone to see his vulnerability.

Michael continued. " Ratel, you need to let go of your fears. You have lost every single loved one in your five births. I know it hurts terribly. You accepted the job because you have become immune to pain or at least learn to accept it. But today after centuries, you have started falling for this girl. And you know your contract is coming to an end. You can't deprive yourself of such an opportunity."

Death knew he was making sense and yet he could not accept the reality. He turned to face Michael. "Mike tell me, what is so special about this girl? I mean I have had my fun with many girls, demons, name it, look she will go away soon. You want me to risk my current vocation for this girl, who may leave?"

"What if she was no ordinary girl? What if she is the daughter of ...." Michael bit his lips. Gosh, he had given too much information. Michael needed to keep the information confidential before he get his head literally severed by his Big Bosses.

"Daughter of? Michael, who is Inglis???" With one stride, he was standing infront of Michael and grabbed his collar. His eyes pierced into Michael's. Michael could feel his fury burning him. Michael cried in agony. 

"Please Ratel. It hurts" he cried

"Then tell me,who she is?" he bellowed. Death was shaking all over. Something in Him clicked. All this while he has been thinking that Inglis was another special case. Another reincarnate death angel who had to finish her job on earth, or at least that was what he was told by the rest in the council. He was to watch over her. But no matter what, it is impossible for a mere angel to be able to call upon Death and control demons the way she had done over the past few years. There was more to her. And He was desperate to know.  

"Ratel, I can't tell you everything. I will be executed in a horrible manner. But all I have to say is that , she is as powerful as you are. She is no mere small fry in the hierarchy. She is bloody powerful and she is slowly learning it. She is the daughter of a very powerful figure. That is all I can say." Michael was on his knees and tears were streaking down his face. That was all Death needed from Michael to confirm his long grown suspicions which were hidden deep down inside.  

Death had no idea what he was feeling. But all he knew was he needed to find out her real identity. That was his driving force. With that thought, he disappeared in search of Inglis in the mortal world. 

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