Chapter 1

Raphael

The stethoscope’sicy bell bites into the kid’s chest as I listen to her steady heartbeat. One Mississippi, two Mississippi... I can’t help smiling when her vitals check out solid.

“Strong as an ox!” I say, ruffling her silky blonde hair. Her mom beams, gratefully shaking my hand. Another day keeping LA’s kiddos alive and well. But as I watch mother and child leave, an aching longing burns in my gut. I’m jonesing for more juice from this human life, not just hookups. I’d like something real—even if my immortal bod can’t seal that deal.

I kick back at my desk, tossing the stethoscope aside with a sigh. Charting used to be my jam, but now it’s just a snoozefest of repetition. An endless cycle of scrapes, sniffles, and shots. Don’t get me wrong, I love the kiddos. But lately, my mind keeps wandering, craving a new adventure.

If only I could have gone with Michael to Ibiza last month. Sun-kissed beaches, cool cocktails, wild nights... But no, he just had to jet off with his new witchy squeeze Amanda instead. I get it. Mikey deserves a vacay after battling the forces of darkness for eons. But that doesn’t make me hate his happiness any less right now.

A sharp rap interrupts my daydreaming. “Raphael,” a spirited voice calls before I can react. The door swings open and Uriel barges in, arms loaded with a teetering stack of files. He doesn’t even pause, making a beeline for my desk to unload his burden.

“I urgently require your assistance reviewing these case reports,” he states, slapping the piles down and nearly toppling my coffee.

I quirk a brow at his all-business tone. “Yo, broseph. Park it and relax,” I say, leaning back casually in my chair.

As Uriel grumbles and settles into the seat across from me, I notice his fancy designer suit looking uncharacteristically rumpled today. Major stress vibes seem to hover over him like a stormcloud.

“Lighten up, man. When’s your next vacay?” I ask. Maybe I can live vicariously through his travels, if nothing else.

Uriel rubs his temples, wincing. “The hospital expansion must be completed forthwith. With Michael gone, our trauma unit is grossly overburdened.”

I lace my fingers behind my head, giving him a knowing look. “Ever the busy bossman. But you’ll fry our staff at this pace, bro. Chillax—it’ll all pan out.”

His eyes soften a tad as he lets out a breath, the tension in his shoulders easing just slightly. “You know Raphael, I envy your carefree flow sometimes. Though we share these eternal days, you always manage to keep it light as a feather.”

I just shrug. “We each ride the wave we’re meant to ride, ya dig?” I’ve never been one for rules or long-term planning. After a thoughtful pause, I add, “Speaking of flow... heard from our AWOL big bro lately?”

At the mention of Michael, Uriel’s face sours like he’s bitten into an extra tart lemon. “They’re back from Spain. Amanda summoned him to her cottage for, well, some pagan playtime.” He gives me a pointed look. “I’m sure he’ll reappear soon enough, drunk on love... and absinthe, perhaps.”

My eyes fly open wide in surprise. I let out a low whistle. “Fucking hell, Uri...” I have to laugh at my brother’s completely scandalized reaction. As the angel of chastity, I’m sure this whole situation boggles his mind.

“Let Mikey enjoy his vacay,” I say with an easy grin. “Battling the forces of darkness for all eternity ain’t easy. Our bro deserves a little furlough, don’t you think?”

I purse my lips, holding back from speaking my full mind. Because in truth, I don’t think Uriel actually thought this whole “human life” experiment through when he suggested it to Michael. Adding in the dating element too? Total recipe for celestial disaster. But hey, that’s Uri for you—always playing with fire.

My patience for the paperwork between us is quickly waning. I try and fail to mute my dramatic groan, all but melting into my desk chair as I plead, “Can’t we get just a little divine intervention from above with these?” My gaze turns skyward, hands clasped in mock prayer. Maybe Dad is listening after all.

But Uriel is having none of it. With a huff, he grabs a short stack of papers and settles it firmly in front of himself. Back ramrod straight, he fixes the page on top with a stern no-nonsense gaze.

“We needn’t bother the Almighty with such trivial mortal matters, brother,” he says severely.

“Right, right,” I mumble with a roll of my eyes heavenward. Begrudgingly, I reach out to claim a stack of my own.

We work then in dead silence, save for the hypnotic scratch of pens on paper and the buzzing fluorescent lights above. My vision starts to blur from squinting at the fine print details until a sharp knock offers a heavenly reprieve.

“Come in!” I call out eagerly, maybe a bit too gleefully. But hey, I’ll take any distraction I can get right now.

The door creaks open, and the young mom and daughter I’d treated earlier poke their heads into the office.

“Sorry to bug you again Dr. Raphael,” the mom says, looking embarrassed. She smooths down her hair and glances at her daughter who is peering around the door frame shyly.

“But my daughter insisted that I, um...” She bites at her lower lip anxiously before continuing. “...that I tell you, you should totally check out the café where I bartend.”

She rummages quickly in her purse before pulling out a slightly crumpled business card pinched between two fingers. “It’s a really cool scene there, trust me.”

I take the card from her and put on a polite, only mildly intrigued smile. But inside, curiosity burns through me like wildfire. I turn the card over in my hands eagerly.

In an elegant script, it reads “DeLux Café”—none other than Lucifer’s forbidden playground itself. I can’t stop a wicked grin from curling my lips. Oh, my angelic brothers would shriek in horror at the thought of me entering that den of iniquity. But its flashing neon sign has been tempting me for years now. An irresistible bit of forbidden fruit.

“Sounds awesome. Thanks for the invite,” I reply, ultra-casual. I slip the card into my coat pocket and stand to usher them out. “I’ll definitely have to check out this DeLux place sometime...”

As soon as the door shuts behind them, I slump back into my desk chair with a dreamy sigh. Lucifer and I go way back—eons ago, we were tight as can be. And knowing Luci, he still owes me a favor or three after all this time.

My mind starts racing with possibilities. Because I just recalled Michael mentioning the DeLux hosts a Speed Dating extravaganza every… Friday night, I think? My palms tingle with excitement at the thought. A night on the edge of danger and sin? Oh, hell yes. Sign me up.

I probably shouldn’t though. Honestly, if Michael caught me within a ten-mile radius of Luci’s club, I’d catch a first-class angelic ass-kicking for sure. But Michael’s off on his crazy romantic witch retreat, isn’t he? And today is Friday, so…

I chew my lip, tempted beyond reason by the idea. I’ve been craving a little spice to break up this monotonous eternity lately. And one taste of excitement couldn’t hurt, right? Just one night to get the thrill back. To feel something real again.

A mischievous grin tugs at my lips as I make up my mind. It’s decided then—tonight is the night. Ready or not, L.A…. Here comes Raphael.

“What was that all about, brother?”

Uriel’s flat voice cuts through my daydreaming. I jump. Lost in thought, I’d forgotten he was even there. His gaze stays locked on the paperwork in front of him, pen scratching diligently away.

“Oh, uh... It was nothing,” I say evasively with a shrug. “Just some mortal thanking me for patching up her kid earlier.”

I lean back in my chair, fingers laced behind my head, and turn my eyes skyward. Tonight is going to be a night to remember. I can just feel it. One way or another, my endless days are about to get a whole lot more interesting around here