Once Angel's training session with Lord Alexander had at last ended. Just like he did every day after training, Angel took a nice refreshing shower. He started to scrub the ravishing strands of his hair with shampoo. The water droplets continued to pour down his hair to his haled chest further down to his chiseled abs. As he cleansed himself, his mind continued to think about Patience. There was still no sign of her or Brandon for that matter. This supply run, it’s taking much longer than usual. Something’s not right.

“Where could they have gone?” Angel turned the knobs of the shower stopping the flow of the water. He stepped out of the shower grabbing a towel to dry off his soaked skin. He started to wrap the towel around his waist but as he did, the door to his bedroom opened.

“Blaire,” Angel groaned as Lord Alexander’s daughter walked over to him. Her lips began to tease his tender neck. Her hands trailing down his chest heading toward the towel. “You rarely come to my room, is there something you need?” She started to remove the towel, Angel gripped it keeping it on.

“I just wanted to tell you that,” Blaire placed her hands on his chest. “Brandon has returned from his mission.” -Mission?!- “It’s not important right at this moment, we can deal with it after you remove this towel.” Angel jerked away as she reached for the towel. She tried to touch him, he moved her hands aside.

“We’ll discuss this now,” Angel glared at her. “You sent Brandon on a mission without telling me,” He raised his voice at her. “I’m the commander and that is my team you’re sending out. You have the nerve to send them out without so much as telling me first.” He opened his drawer taking out a pair of black boxer briefs. “I can’t believe you’d do that.” He slammed his drawer in anger.

“Your team,” Blaire laughed. “They belong to me,” She placed her hand on her chest. “You are nothing but a figure head.” She glared at him. “Don’t forget your place dear, I’d hate to remind you who’s in charge.” She started to reach for the towel, he smacked her hands. “I thought we had this discussion already.”

“Yeah, well,” Angel walked over to his closet. “Think again,” He searched through his clothes for something to wear. “You dare call them yours.” He threw a black muscle shirt on the bed. “I’m the one looking out of them.” He took out a black jacket with a grey skull on the back placing it on his bed. “Selene’s the one training them.” He grabbed a pair of distressed blue jeans setting them on the bed. “The only thing you seem to do,” Angel grabbed his memento necklace off his dresser. “Is, sit your fancy ass down on a throne while we do all the work.” He put his necklace around his neck.

“You don’t have a right to send my team on a mission without telling me.” Angel pointed at his chest. “I don’t give a damn who your father is,” He shouted. “I will protect my friends.” Blaire punched him in the jaw, he endured the strike. He turned his head to face her with a defiant glare in his eyes. “Hit me all you want,” He wiped the blood from his lip. “I’m still not going to give you what you want.” Blaire punched him in the jaw once more. He wiped his lip walking toward his bed.

“Since when did you get the balls to stand up to me.” Blaire raised her voice. “Perhaps I should tell my father just how disobedient you are.” She blocked his path keeping him from getting dressed. “Take off that towel.” She ordered. “You are mine, if I say have sex with me then you have sex with me. Do you understand or, do I need to remind you?” Blaire balled her hand into a fist. She went to hit Angel, he caught her fist gripping it tightly. “You son of a,” Angel gripped tighter, hurting her.

“I normally don’t like hurting women but,” Angel replied. “If you ever send my team out again without telling me.” He gripped tighter. “I will not hesitate to use my training on you. Woman or not, you will not endanger the lives of those I care about.” He released her hand. “Now get the hell out of my room.” He pointed towards the door.

“My father will hear of this,” Blaire opened the door taking her leave. He removed the towel from around his waist getting dressed. Once dressed, Angel made his way to the throne room where Brandon would be making his report.

“Commander,” Lord Alexander spoke as Angel walked through the doors. Blaire sat there on her throne next to him. His teammate Brandon stood there at the center ready to give his report. His argument with Blaire caused him to be late. “It’s good of you to finally join us.” Blaire moved out of her throne making a spot for Angel to sit.

“My apologies Lord Alexander,” Angel kneeled before him. “I got sidetracked.” He explained. The king motioned toward Blaire’s throne. He walked over to it taking a seat, Blaire took a seat on his lap. He started to feel the anxious hand of Blaire reaching toward his spiked belt. “Are you serious?” He whispered in her ear. “Your father is sitting right next to us.” She unfastened his belt.

“Shut up and enjoy it,” Blaire advised. “I could have you removed from the room and you won’t get to hear Brandon’s report.” Angel let out a sigh of defeat. Blaire began to shove her hand down his jeans caressing his jewels. He continued to allow her to play as Brandon started to give his report from the mission.

“Lord Alexander,” Brandon kneeled before him. “I ugh,” His hands were shaken, his eyes were trying to hold back tears. “I have returned from-,” The doors to the throne room opened.

“I heard you were back.” Selene walked into the throne room. “That took quite a while for a supply run.” She leaned against the wall. “Where’s our sister?” She asked. “Let me guess,” She groaned. “She’s still mad at me over our last conversation. She’s such a pain in my ass.” Brandon’s hands continued to shake like he was holding back anger.

“Selene,” Angel spoke. “It appears Brandon wasn’t sent on a supply run like we originally thought.” He answered. “He was sent on a mission.” That still didn’t explain where Patience is. “Lord Alexander, may I ask where Patience is?”

“She was sent on the same mission as Brandon.” Lord Alexander answered. She’s not with Brandon giving the report. If she’s not here then, no, Angel didn’t want to think that. Brandon’s report he had to hear it, just to be sure.

“Wait,” Selene laughed. “You sent her on a mission.” She laughed harder. “I mean sure Brandon’s capable but her.” She put her hands on her hips. “Patience was never cut out for that kind of work. Even Brandon’s not skilled enough to go on a mission with her. Whoever goes with her has to carry her through the mission.” She laughed. “I bet it ended in failure, you should have sent me ins-,” Brandon fist struck the ground shaking it.

“That’s just it,” Brandon screamed. “Selene,” His fist continued to shake. “You could have gone,” His eyes started to build tears. “You could have saved her. You and Patience had a connection. You can sense her in ways I can’t because you’re her twin. You’re faster, you could have got there before she-.” His eyes filled with tears. No, Angel couldn’t accept that there’s just no way. Patience is here at the castle, she’s not. “Lord Alexander,” He forced a swallow. “My sister Patience,” He wiped the tears from his eyes. The tears continued to drip onto the floor. “She’s dead, she died during the mission.”

“No,” Selene shook her head. “You’re lying,” She accused. “There’s no way, there’s just no way. Patience would never,” Her eyes started to build with tears. “She’d never be foolish enough to.” She fell to her knees. “It’s all my fault,” She lowered her head. “Damn it,” Selene struck the ground. “I was so cruel to her, I was just trying to help her, I didn’t mean to.” She rose to her feet. “I can’t be here, I have to go.” She rushed out of the throne room.

“Patience is,” Angel felt a familiar pain in his chest. “I see,” He closed his eyes. “Forgive me Brandon.” He lowered his head. “It was my job to keep her safe. I failed and for that, I’m sorry, If I had known I would have,” Brandon ignored him leaving the throne room. “I’m really sorry.” He gripped the arms of the throne in anger. “Blaire, a word, now.” He pulled her hands out of his pants.

“Are you giving me orders?” Blaire removed herself from his lap. He gripped her arm taking her out the throne room. “You must have a death wish,” She used her ability to wield small amounts of diamond to forge a sword. “I may not be able to strike with my fist but I’m sure I can hurt you with this.” She held the blade to his throat. Angel gripped the blade covering it in a curse that caused rapid aging. The sword started to wither until shattered into tiny shards.

“You don’t get to threaten me.” Angel corrected her, “Because of your actions, someone I care about is dead.” He reminded her. “If you had come to me and told me you were going to send Patience on a mission. I would have told you not to send her.” He approached her. “I would have told you that her mind wasn’t in the right place to send her on a mission.” He explained. “Even if you had sent her and told me after, I could have pulled her from the mission or saved her from that situation. I would have done that even if it cost me my life.”

“I don’t need your permission to send out my team.” Blaire argued. “Here’s a word of advice, stop trying to be some kind of hero.” She glared at him. “This is a war,” She shouted. “People are going to die.” She stressed. “I hate to burst your bubble but,” She crossed her arms. “You can’t save them all.” That doesn’t mean, he couldn’t at least try. “Patience is nothing but another casualty.” She smirked. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to have a word with my father about the replacement.” Blaire walked into the throne room.

Replacement, Angel didn’t like the fact Patience was already going to be replaced. It felt like it was much too soon. However, Lord Alexander told him during training that the war is at a crucial point. If casualties occur, they need to be replaced as soon as possible. Angel couldn’t argue with that logic. It didn’t change the fact that Patience is dead. Her kind heart would no longer be there to listen and guide him through his pain. He had to deal with it on his own before it was an option but now, he had no choice.

Angel placed his hand on the door to Patience’s room. He shut his eyes as a curse started to form marking the door with an elegant black rose. This curse had no special traits, it only marked the graves of those he cared about. He opened the door to her room taking one final glance at her bedroom. Her room, this was the place she would hold her counseling sessions, he never went to them. He only had one session with her and it served as the day they met. Scythe wasn’t the only one who saved him that day…

The sunlight, the burns, he could still feel them tormenting his skin. The harsh rays tearing at his skin leaving nothing but bone. The flames, the horrid flames, he thought he was ready to die but he found a reason to live. He had to live for…her.

“No,” He jumped up feeling at his skin. The burns from the sun, they were gone. He’s alive, he let out a sigh of relief. He checked his hands remembering that they were once burned until they were nothing but bone. His hands were back normal, how could that be possible?

“You’re finally awake,” His eyes shifted over to the woman’s voice. This woman was a vampire just like him. Her beautiful blonde hair was tied up into a ponytail held by a pink hair tie. She dressed in a pink long-sleeved shirt and faded blue jeans with a butterfly design on them. She sat in a pink chair with a clipboard in her lap.

“Where-,” He stared at his hands once more. The burns, how could they be gone? The sun had nearly killed him but, he was here, alive. It was like it never happened. “I don’t-,” He stammered on his words. “Wha-,” She placed her hand on his.

“It’s okay,” She assured him. “You’re safe now.” She smiled at him. “You see the sun does burn us but once we return to the shadows. The damage disappears after a couple of minutes.” She explained. “Lucky you huh,” She laughed, he replied with a nod. “Where are my manners,” She chuckled. “I’m Patience,” She placed her hand on her chest. “I would like to ask you a couple of questions if that’s okay.”

“Ugh,” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Sure,” He positioned his body to sit on the side of the bed. “Is this your room?” His eyes wandered around the pink walls of the bedroom. She replied with a nod.

“Could you tell me why Lord Alexander insisted I take you on as my patient?” Patience tapped her pen against her clipboard. He knew the answer, he tried to kill himself. If Scythe hadn’t have gotten there when he did, he would have succeeded. He counted three taps before she spoke again. “Perhaps we should start simple,” She offered. “Could you tell me your name?” His name, the person he once was had died in the flames. He had a new purpose now, a new reason to live. That name would no longer serve him.

He sat there in silence thinking about his new purpose. He lived to see his best friend again. She left him behind long ago. He could still remember every moment they spent together. The feelings he had for her remained there in his chest after all this time. His lips could still taste hers. That farewell kiss, the effects of it never faded. He continued to search his memories of her for the answer to Patience’s question. What is his name? The title to his new purpose. -Of course?!-

His name, he placed his hand on the edges of the angel wing tattoo on his back. The wings were spread in for protection. This tattoo was a drawing made for him by her. He told her to draw something that made her think of him. This was her answer, angel wings. Why? She told him it was the only thing he was missing. In her mind he could do no wrong, he was perfection yet that rang false.

He was no angel, he had done unforgivable things in order to survive as a vampire. These wings, they could symbolize his new reason. He got the tattoo so when she saw it, she would know that he had returned to her. He would once again be her side, protect her, shield her, and cherish her just like he had done in the past. His answer…

“My name,” He placed his hand on the tattoo on his back. This would be more than a name, more than a title for his purpose. It was what he would aspire to be like from here on out. Despite the darkness, he would search for light, the light left by her for him. He would search forever and face whatever pain this life would offer. He would be her, “Angel,” He whispered to himself.

“What was that?” Patience leaned in to hear his answer. “Would you mind repeat-,” He cut her words. His pale hazel eyes glanced up at her filled with hope. He had given up before but no more. His story was far from over, Blaire tried to break him but she failed. He found his strength and she wouldn’t take it away this time.

“My name, that is what you asked for,” He reminded her. “It’s Angel,” His lips from a confident smirk. “You can call me Angel.”

“Patience,” Angel took a seat on her bed. That was his last and only session with her. She helped him discover who he is and what he wanted to be. She was there to pull him out of a dark place. It’s a shame that he couldn’t do the same for her. “I’m sorry that I failed you.” The door to her room opened. “Selene,” He put Patience’s pillow on her bed. “I was just leaving.” He started to walk out of the room.

“It’s okay for you to hurt,” Selene spoke. “Sometimes it’s better to feel sadness than it is to keep it bottled inside.” She closed her eyes. “Not like, I should be one giving that lecture.” She walked toward the bed.

“I’d rather not feel anything.” Angel replied. “It makes it easier when people I care about start to die.” He left the room shutting the door behind him. He headed toward the throne room to join in on the discussion about the replacement.

“Sorry,” He walked into the throne room. Blaire was sitting on her throne, her father beside her. “I needed to take a minute to myself.” He searched the shrine of bats for the replacement. “Where is the replacement?”

The door opened, a man with dark blue hair styled in a gothic fashion stepped into the room. “You’re late,” Lord Alexander glared at him. “You were supposed to be here the moment you were summoned.” The man dressed in white muscle shirt with a black dragon designed on the front of it. He wore distressed faded blue jeans and blue converse shoes.

“I was in the middle of a project in the secret medical lab.” He explained. “I didn’t get your summons till just now.” He raised his brow. “Oh great,” His voice filled with sarcasm. “She’s here,” He glared at Blaire. “How’s it going Blaire, still being a crude ass bitch?” He groaned. “I still can’t believe we share the same master.”

“What’s the matter, Fate?” Blaire teased. “Still pissed that you place second to me.” She crossed her legs. “It’s okay, Scythe did train me first. It’s great knowing I’m not only the boss of you but, I’m also your senior in training. That makes me better than you.”

“I’m sorry,” Fate apologized. “I couldn’t hear you over the sound of my dick in your mouth.” He smirked. “Come down here bitch,” Fate gripped his sword. “Let’s see who’s better.” Blaire rose from her throne in anger prepared to fight him.

“Enough,” Lord Alexander spoke. Blaire returned to her seat. “Angel, I would like you to meet Fate,” He turned to face him. He could already tell, his strong dislike for Blaire is going to be the start of a great friendship. “He will be the new healer to your team. He is a first-class healer and an excellent swordsman.”

“Let me just put this out there,” Fate put his hands up. “Under normal circumstances, I would not be replacing anyone’s healer. Normally, I would remain in the castle and let the team deal without a healer. However,” His pale blue eyes shifted to Angel. “Patience wasn’t just a great healer. She was also,” He paused. “My girlfriend.” He turned to face Lord Alexander. “I wouldn’t be doing this for anyone else but her.”

“I understand,” Angel put his hands in his pockets. “I’m glad you are willing to step up and take her place. Also,” He placed his hand on Fate’s shoulder. “I’m sorry for your loss, I won’t make that same mistake again.”

“Patience,” Fate let out a sigh. “I was glad to have her by my side. It wasn’t easy to accept her death but,” He shrugged. “I have seen my fair share of deaths.” He started to leave the throne room. “Commander,” He stopped. “Come with me, there is something I’d like to discuss with you in private.” Angel glanced over at Lord Alexander. He replied with a nod giving him the okay to follow him.

“For future reference,” Angel started to walk down the hall with Fate. “You can just call me Angel.” He put his hands in his pockets. “I don’t like titles of supremacy.” He opened the door to his bedroom. “Let’s talk in here,” Fate walked into his room. “What did you want to talk about?”

“I don’t like having to disclose this but,” Fate took a seat on his bed. “I’m in a relationship with Scythe.” That’s odd, he just said he was Patience’s boyfriend but he’s dating Scythe too. “I’m what you would consider a bisexual.” He laid on Angel’s bed. “I can date both men and women. It’s mostly because I don’t care what gender my spouse is.” He leaned forward. “I only told you this so, you’d know about me and Scythe.” Fate rose to his feet. “Before I join the team, I need to know,” He walked up to him. “Is my relationship with your tactician Scythe going to be a problem for you?”

“That depends,” Angel crossed his arms. “Can you handle it if something were to happen to Scythe?” He asked. “For example,” He leaned against the wall. “If Scythe were killed on the field.” Fate glanced over at him. “How would you react?”

“Scythe has already trained me for that.” Fate put his hand on his hip. “It was one the lessons he taught me early on.” He explained. “Scythe tried to kill me and told me in order to survive I had to kill him. It was hard at first but,” He gripped his blade. “I passed his test.” Fate walked up to him. “Not to worry, you can count on me to keep a clear head. Scythe and I, we have fought alongside each other before. This won’t be any different.”

“Very well,” Angel accepted. “I have no problems with you dating Scythe.” Fate opened the door to his room. “Fate,” He stopped him “Thank you for telling me this ahead of time.” Fate replied with a nod. “I look forward to working with you.”

“Don’t be,” Fate advised. “There is a reason Lord Alexander has chosen to keep me in the castle for as long as he has.” He closed his eyes. “I just hope for your sake.” His pale blue eyes shifted toward him. “You never find out why,” The door shut as Fate walked out of the room.