Broken Butterflies by Shadow Stephens

he screamed. I have a contract to fill!” He then disappeared.
    “Why did he call him Azriel?” Ilisha wondered aloud to herself.
    Bram’s imaginary room turned back into white nothingness. He opened his eyes and sat up in bed, almost knocking Ilisha over.
    “What’s happening?” she asked frantically.
    “Just had a conversation with Damon.”
    “What?” Ilisha’s head furrowed in forced confusion.
    “He came into my dreams again and this time it got physical.”
    “I saw your nose slide to the side of your face.” Ilisha’s eyes were worried.
    Bram turned his head to the specks of silver blood in the pillow.
    “Fun, isn’t he?” Bram stuck his finger in his mouth and winced as he yanked a blood-stained tooth out.
    Ilisha ran down the stairs and got an ice pack. By the time she got back, he stood in the bathroom in front of the mirror. He spit the rest of the blood out and threw cold water unto his face. Ilisha handed him the ice, but his face already looked normal, and beautiful.
    She ran her fingers over his cheek and said, “If he can inflict pain in a dream, can he kill you?”
    “No. That’s why he chooses to confront me there. A Death Maker has no power to kill me in the subconscious.” His eyes met hers. “He’s just tormenting me.”
    “But he’ll kill me,” she whispered.
    “I told you, I won’t let him have you.”
    Bram extended his massive, white wings. They furrowed and twitched at the relief. Ilisha wrapped her arms around his waist, burying her head in his chest. The wings wrapped around, surrounding her in velvet. She looked up and kissed Bram’s chin.
    “I think it’s time to get with Father John,” Bram said.
    “Why?”
    “Because he can help me.”
    Ilisha kissed him again before stripping down and jumping in the shower. As she looked back through the shower glass, Bram’s eyes scanned her fondly, taking a few seconds to admire her before climbing in.
    He ran his fingers down her back, and her skin erupted in goose bumps. A feeling of euphoria filled her. Bram turned her around, bringing her close to him. He buried his head in her wet hair and hummed softly, swaying.
    “You’re everything I never knew I wanted,” she replied.
    “I have to admit your outlook on relationships was pretty grim.”
    “What does that mean?” She stepped back a little.
    “You just assumed every guy will step out on you. You gave way to compliance, accepting it for fact that relationships can’t work the traditional way.”
    “I was never proven otherwise.”
    “And now?”
    “I would have never told you I love you if I thought you would be the same. I feel alive around you, almost like I can feel every nerve in my body firing when you touch me.”
    She wrapped herself around him, her lips meeting his. As he brought her up to his hips their bodies combined. Ilisha inhaled deep, loving the feel of him. Her lips ran over his, parting them with her tongue. Bram turned off the water and walked her to the bed. As she hit the mattress he whispered, “My heart only beats for you.”
    Ilisha kissed him, frantic for more, tears pooling in her eyes. Bram cupped her breasts, moving his mouth to take them in. In response Ilisha arched her back and laid her head back. He took his time with her, stopping when necessary to ensure her pleasure. Afterwards, they showered again and left to see Father John.
    Behind a vale of trees sat a cobblestone church. It was tiny in comparison to modern churches. The front doors took up most of the front of the building. Bram shoved them open and they creaked eerily. Just inside the door was a fount of Holy Water. Five rows of pews separated by an aisle ran to the front of the room. Two small confessional booths sat to the side. The wood looked as though it would crumble under the slightest touch. There were carvings of angels on top of each door, laden with red velvet in the windows. Along the ceiling were carvings of gargoyles. They each had a different face, but