Chapter 40
Avelyn didn't wait for Castiel and Demina to catch up with her. She booked it down the dirt tunnel, heart pounding, not stopping, until she was standing in front of him. After all this time. After all these hours, she had finally found him. Tears streamed down her face as brushed fingers down his cheek.
"Oh Jaxon. What did he do to you?" She whispered.
His hands were crossed over each other. Blood dripped down his wrists and arms from the chains that bound them. His head was slumped and his body slack, signaling that he was unconscious. Or dead. But she couldn't afford to think like that. At least he wasn't feeling any pain right now. There was more blood dripping to the floor and making a small puddle at his feet. She wondered where it was from. She feared how much he must have lost. His face was ashen, eyes closed. Jaxon's hands were bound together and his wrists were caked with dried blood as they lay on his stomach. He must have rubbed them raw, trying get free. There was a large bruise on his cheek and Avelyn gently brushed her finger against it. She clenched her fist, angry at how still he was. Jaxon was never still. His body was motionless, his chest barely rising and falling. Her heart sputtered with pain at the faintness of his heartbeat. His eyes flickered open and he stared at her, eyes hazy and disoriented, filled with pain.
"A-Avy?"
"Yes. It's me. We're going to get you out of here. You're going to be okay," she started pulling on the chains.
"No, Avy, no. You have to go."
Avelyn frowned, kneeling beside him and unsheathing her sword.
"I will, Jax. But there is no way, I am leaving without you."
Jaxon groaned.
"Cas, please get her to leave."
Castiel shook his head, kneeling in the other side with a smirk.
"I tried to stop her from coming in the first place Jax. I don't think I'm going to convince her to leave you here."
Demi laughed too, quickly untying him.
"You know what Ava's like when she gets stubborn."
Avelyn blushed but remained set. She helped him stand. He leaned heavily on her as they made their way to the tunnel.
"Now isn't this sweet? And predictable. Unfortunately, none of you are going anywhere."
The tunnel slammed shut and the voice took on a body. Jaxon closed his eyes and hung his head. Demi walked out from behind Castiel, disbelieving. This couldn't be true but even after all this time, she would recognize him anywhere. He strode towards her.
"C-Chase?"
"Hello, Demi...have you missed me?"
He pulled her close to him and pressed his lips to hers.
