The Leader

The Leader: Chapter Twenty Nine

Chapter Twenty Nine: Caleb

Maya goes limp in my arms, and I send a loud cry out to the one person who may be able to help her. I know that Andy is coming when I lightly brush his mind. I use all of my strength holding death back from Maya, and yet I feel my strength waning with each passing second. It feels like hours go by each minute, and yet I hold on for her sake. I will not lose her. I refuse to let her go. Selene appears and gives me her strength without another thought, and I smile at my sister. She always knows when I need her. I feel my shield over Maya slipping slightly, so I just grip on tighter. I grit my teeth, and yet I know Maya's soul longs to be free from the darkness of half death. My vision blurs, and I feel death's grip on Maya's soul just as Andy runs into the room. He opens her mouth and leans over her, breathing into her. I find the last reserve of strength that remains inside me, and I shove death away from Maya. Her soul returns to her body, and Andy's breath causes her to take in a lungful of oxygen, and her heart to beat. I release my hold on death, and then I go unconscious. When I wake, I'm lying next to Maya, and her eyes open as she stares at me in wonder.

"Cal, I-" I cut her off as I embrace her and kiss her. I let all of my pain and my passion out, and she kisses me back just as fiercely. I pull away, and she's sobbing. "I thought I'd never see you again. I thought you were gone."

"I thought I'd lost you."

"Thank you."

"I'm sorry."

"Wait, Caleb, how come you only had an hour left to kill Ian?"

"When you challenge someone who has Marked a person, the marked will die after twenty four hours if one of the two fighters does not die. Can I see your mark? Normally I would have killed Ian and it would say my name there in silver." She pulls down her shirt, and I laugh.

"What is it?" she asks, straining to look at it.

"Nothing. There is literally nothing there. You belong to yourself, because you killed him." She grins, and I kiss her again.

"Oh. Uh, Caleb, back at the hall where special announcements are made, every single half angel awaits your appearance. They want you to be their new leader."

"You know I won't accept." She gives me a stern look.

"You're the best suited for the job. You won't get power hungry, and you would be perfect."

"But I'd have to live in England, and your family is in Australia."

"Cal, I'm eighteen now. I'll just tell them I got knocked up by my boyfriend and am going to get married or something. They won't believe me, but oh well."

"Fine, I'll accept. If..." Maya rolls her eyes. "If you come and live with me and my family. We'll spend every minute of every day together, and no one will pull us apart."

"Done."

I go to the place Maya spoke of, in the underground city. I accept the role of leader, then announce that I am taking a two month holiday with Maya. Everyone understands, and they will be able to cope without me for a while. I hope.