Archangel

Chapter Thirty-Seven

"Because... I'm going to marry him." As predicted, Michael immediately stopped, in fact it seemed that time itself stopped. Michael removed his sword from Gabriel's chest, the tip covered with blood. He turned towards me, sheer horror on his face.
"What did you just say?" It came out a whisper. I looked towards Gabriel.
"Give us a minute."
"I'll be back in an hour. That's all you get. Make it count. Nice seeing you brother, as always." Without another word Gabriel left and flew off.
"How could you?....How could you?.... How could you?!" Michael was no longer shocked but angry.
"How could you possibly betray me like this?! After everything we've been through together! After...after last night...And with my brother!! The devil himself!"
"Michael please stop yelling at me and let me explain."
"There is nothing to explain! You're out of you're mind! You're a...a whore." As soon as he said that I smacked him across the face.
"Screw you Michael. How dare you insult me when you don't even know why I'm doing this. I'm doing this for the city, I'm doing it for you."
"For me? How could you possibly be doing this for me? Or for the city?"
"I told your brother that I will marry him as long as he puts an end to the war and does not harm you. And he agreed." It took a moment for Michael to fully comprehend what I just told him. When he did, he dropped both his swords and fell to his knees, looking more defeated than I have ever seen him. I quickly walked over to him and grabbed him by the shoulders.
"Michael?"
"No, no, no. It is not your job to protect me or the people of this city. That's my job, my responsibility."
"Michael, do you think I don't see what this war is doing to you? It's killing you a little more each day. And I won't let that happen. You need to learn to accept help once in a while."
"No! Not when it means you sacrificing your life."
"Gabriel is not going to kill me."
"Scarlett don't you realize? You're already dead."
"What is one soul, compared to millions?"
"No, no. Not you. Not again. Why would he even agree to that?"
"Because I used what I learned about him. Because...I remind him of Anastasia." Michael look shocked once again.
"He told you...about...her?"
"Yes, he told me quite a lot. Michael, Gabriel didn't kill Anastasia because he thought that your love for her was making you weak. He killed her because he was madly in love with her. Still is in love with her."
"What? No...He..." Michael was at a loss for words.
"Come on, let's sit down and I'll tell you everything."