Azazeal sat in his library, the walls packed with dusty old books that were possibly older then him, but he wasn't looking at those books, he wasn't looking at any book. In his hands was a silver framed photo, the picture inside of the picture was Cassie. Her blond hair was blowing away from her face as she stood under a tree; her blue eyes gazed into the camera as she smiled sweetly. It was a sunny morning and the early sun highlighted her dimples. He sighed and stoked the outline of her jaw, he missed her terribly…
Malachi was now 17 years old and knew the truth of how his mother died; he had just as much hate for Ella Dean as Azazeal did the memory of the night when that infuriating child had stabbed Cassie still fresh and painful in Azazeal's mind.
Someone in the doorway cleared their throat and Azazeal looked up at them momentarily – Tobias, his informant stood at the door. Tobias had long black hair that reached his elbows and almost golden eyes, his Middle Eastern accent strong as he talked.
"You may enter, Tobias," said Azazeal calmly, looking back at his picture of Cassie, why had he lost her? She was the only one he had ever loved since Herath, and now she left, and unlike Herath, she left a gaping hole in his heart. It didn't help that Malachi was so like Cassie, he had her kind heart and drawing skills, but also her lips and eyes… and her smile.
Tobias entered and sat down in the leather chair opposite Azazeal, awaiting him to put the photo of Cassie down before talking to him, Tobias respected the fact that Azazeal had loved Cassie and he gave Azazeal space to mourn her. With a sigh, Azazeal put the picture down on the table next to him and looked up at Tobias, who was all too anxious to get started.
"How are the researchers going on finding a way to get Cassie back?" Azazeal asked, it was one of the main jobs he had put his Nephelim on, and Azazeal required regular updates.
"Steady progress," Tobias answered, it was always his answer and it was beginning to get on Azazeal's nerves. But Tobias quickly moved on. "But there are many other groups working towards getting your witch back!" he said, Azazeal furrowed his brow.
"What would they gain from getting me my love back?" Azazeal asked and Tobias smiled, he was very pleased to be able to give his boss quick answers.
"They know she is your only weakness! They'll bring her back and use her as bait to get negotiations with you," Tobias replied. "One of my sources have even caught wind that Ella is helping another student from Mednemham to get Cassie back!"
Azazeal laughed bitterly. "She would never do that; getting Cassie back would be starting an emotional warfare! Ella doesn't work that way."
"If you say so," Tobias said, scribbling something down on a piece of parchment.
"How are the other groups' progresses on bringing Cassie back?" Azazeal asked and Tobias stalled answering but as soon as Azazeal fixed him a hard stare the truth came tumbling out.
"They're quite close sir…" he replied an Azazeal looked away quickly, his mind quickly trying to form a plan.
"Well heighten surveillance on those groups," came a voice from the door, they both looked up and saw Malachi leaning against the frame, his voice showing the intensity that Azazeal's usually expressed. "That's got to be obvious, then when they finally do achieve in bringing my mother back, break in and steal her!" Tobias looked down shamefully scribbled down a few more words.
"Well, I best be off," he said then scurried toward the door. Malachi stepped into the room and fell down into the chair that Tobias had once sat.
"I don't know why you keep such useless twats, like him, around," Malachi said with a shrug. Azazeal just gave him a half smile.
There was a long silence as Azazeal closed his eyes and lay back in his chair, still wondering if the rumors of Ella were true… Finally, Malachi spoke.
"Dad, do you think any will ever get mum back?" he asked, Azazeal's eyes shot open and he saw that Malachi was gazing sadly at the picture of Cassie.
"We can only hope son, and try," he said. Malachi was unsatisfied by the answer so he just rolled his eyes. "I miss her too, don't ever think I don't." added Azazeal, Malachi looked up at him and nodded.