My Demons

Chapter Thirty

Silas rushed forward before Tess's body touched the ground. He pulled her in, pressing a hand down to stop the bleeding from her abdomen. Tess's eye flickered up to his, but they were already losing their light. He knew she was going to leave him soon. He wanted to hurl himself off a cliff, he had failed in his job,
"Tessie," He whispered, kissing her forehead. Tess tried to smile, but he knew she was scared,
"We won," She whispered,
"I know we did" Silas said trying to smile from her sake, but he could see his tears wetting her bloody face,
"You saved us," He said. Tess touched his face with sticky fingers, he could see the pain in her eyes. It only hurt Silas deeper, he loved her so much. Silas heard a gasp and he saw Diana turn her head away, burying it in Gabriel's shoulder. They guardian angel looked at Tess somber,
"I love you," Tess whispered. Silas kissed her cheek,
"I love you too," Tess swallowed as her breaths started coming in quick gasps. Silas felt his heart shatter, as he sat there helplessly. She was trying to fight it, but she couldn't stop what was happening,
"Don't forget me," She pleaded, her eyes were wild with panic, as her worst fear was coming true,
"I won't, I promise," Silas cried, pulling her close as she struggled to breath. The demon had been right, Akbar had killed her. Tess's breathing slowed as a sudden peace seemed to settle her. He noticed Gabriel had whispered something and he mentally thanked the angel for easing her pain. She watched him, as if searing his image into her mind one last time. Silas shook, he couldn't lose her, not this way. He waited in silence as Tess drew in a raged breath, her last one. She didn't break his gaze as her eyes dimmed out. The angels teeth ground together as he watched the one person he loved fade away. He pressed his forhead against hers, hot tears streaming down his cheeks, letting out a cry in anguish. Silas closed her eyes silently and kissed her forehead. Rain broke out as the Earth seemed to weep for Tess. Silas stood up. Gabriel came forward,
"I'm truly sorry, Silas," The angel whispered. Silas hung his head. He felt skinny arms wrap around him as Diana hugged him,
"I'm going to miss her so much," Diana whispered, she was shaking too. Silas looked at Gabriel as the angel walked away. The decision was impulsive and unsensible, but Silas would do it all again if he had to,
"Take my essence," He said quietly. Gabriel whirled around, his eyes stretched wide in a mix of horror and shock,
"What?!" He demanded,
"Use my essence to bring her back to life," Silas insisted. Gabriel walked up to Silas,
"Are you insane?! You give away your essence and you're giving away all your rights as an angel. It could kill you just extracting the essence!" Silas glanced at Tess's body, rain poured down her pale lifeless cheeks,
"I love her, Gabriel. I don't care what happens, just bring her back to life," Gabriel scowled, obviously struggling with decision,
"I knew I should have kept you two apart," Gabriel sighed in a regretful tone,
"If this is what you truly want," Gabriel nodded, giving his consent reluctantly. Silas felt like a weight had been lifted off of him,
"Kneel down beside her," Silas kneeled, taking Tess's cold hand in his,
"Silas, do you resign all of your angelic powers to me, to use as I please?"
"I do."
"And do you consent to have all of your powers, including your wings, stripped away. And to be forever condemned by your brethren?" Silas cringed, but he already knew his answer,
"I do," Gabriel nodded,
"Then let the process begin," Gabriel said. He began to mumble a strange language only known between him and God. Silas began to feel a small tug in his gut, then it grew into a sickening pain.  Soon Silas felt like his whole body was on fire. He screamed as the pain raked through his brain. This was killing him, he needed to focus or he would die. Another wave of pain, another scream. Focus. He closed his eyes as the pain traveled to his back, his wings began to dissolve from his body. This was the most pain he had ever felt in his life.
"Gahh!" He cried out loud and bent over, his face almost hitting the ground. He clutched Tess's cold hand in his, focusing on her. He thought of her, of her smile. The touch of her lips, her laugh. The pain continued to spiral through him, but it didn't drain his energy as it did before. He could still live through this. He focused on the moments when Tess had seemed most happy. Silas groaned as the pain began to fade suddenly. He was dizzy when he looked up at Gabriel. The angel held the blue essence in his hands, it glowed, casting a blue shadow on the angels face. He walked over to Tess, and opened her mouth slightly. He blew the essence out of his hands and into her face. Silas watched silently, praying it would work. Nothing happened at first and Silas shook his head in despair. Then Tess's eyelids began to flutter and they flashed open. They were no longer grey, they were a deep blue. She gasped as air rushed back into her lungs,
"Silas," Silas hugged her, holding her close. Tears of joy had replaced his mournful ones,
"I told you not to do anything dumb with your essence," Tess whispered. Silas smiled, sweeping her hair away from her face,
"I never promised," Silas helped her off the ground slowly, even though his body felt as if it would give way any moment. Diana rushed forward and hugged Tess. Tess winced, but smiled,
"I thought you were gone for good," Diana said quietly,
"No, dummy here saved my life," Tess managed. Silas knew he wasn't the only reason Tess was alive. He turned to Gabriel, the angel's face was somber. Silas knew it must be hard for him, to lose another angel, but he was thankful. Gabriel had saved Tess's life,
"Thank you," Silas said. Gabriel nodded, and looked around,
"Let's get off this bloody battlefield. The archers have already gone after the lingering demons. It's over," Silas felt Tess sag against him and he wrapped his arms around her, holding her close,
"It's over," She whispered.