Chapter 46
Jaxon opened his eyes to see Drax diving for Avelyn.
“Ava!”
He forced himself up, ignoring the rush of pain that he felt. A brilliant flash of white appeared and he had to shield his eyes. When he opened them again, Drax lay on the ground, Avelyn nowhere in sight. He limped over to her as fast as he could, falling to knees beside the fallen dragon. Avelyn lay pinned underneath, eyes closed. She looked dead.
“Avy...no.”
Jaxon moved beside her, trying to pull her out. Jaxon tried as hard as he could but he was at the end of his strength. He glanced over to where Castiel was waking up.
“Cas, help me! Help me get her out!”
Castiel nodded and they slid her out. Avelyn remained motionless.
“Ava, wake up,” Jaxon pleaded, “Please, wake up.”
Avelyn moaned, coughing up dust and grime. Jaxon sucked in a breath.
“Yes, that’s right. Breathe, just open your eyes.”
And just like he commanded, her eyes opened. She looked into his hazel eyes, trying not to cry.
“Oh, Jax. You’re alive.”
“Yes and so are you. We’re alright. We’re alright, Avy.”
Chase opened his eyes, looking around confusedly. He spotted Drax lying on the other side of the cave. Had he done it? Had he slain the dragon? Pushing himself up on unsteady legs, Chase started to walk towards him but something caught his eyes instead. His stomach tightened as he switched directions and walked toward it.
"Demi...?"
Castiel turned at the whimper. Chase knelt over Demina's body, cradling her in his arms.
"Demina! Wake up. Come on Demi. Don't do this to me."
An anguished sob shook the man's body and his shoulders shook as he received no reply. Avelyn's heart was stirred with compassion. This....this was the Chase that she knew. The Chase that Demina had loved. Castiel stood up, eyes burning with rage. He tore Chase away from her, pinning him against the wall of the cave.
"Don't. Touch. Her," he growled, "she's dead. Because of you!!!!"
Chase's widened.
"I killed her? I-I killed Demina? I would never...I loved her."
Castiel growled, nailing him in the gut.
"Castiel!"
Chase groaned and bent over double, clutching his stomach. Castiel didn't let up.
"You loved her?!!!" He roared. He grabbed Chase's head, forcing him to look at Demina, "is that how you love someone?! Is it?!"
"Please! I didn't know! I didn't."
Castiel let him go, drawing a fist, and smashing it against Chase's face. The crack echoed, bouncing against the walls.
"Castiel, that's enough! You're going to kill him!"
Avelyn spun him around the middle of a swing. His fist connected with her cheek and she stumbled backwards. Castiel deflated, watching in horror as she blinked back tears and clutched her cheek. It was already starting to bruise.
"Ava...I..."
"Avelyn!"
Avelyn took a shaky breath, looking at Jaxon. Her brow knitted in concern as she studied him. He held his arm at his side and his other arm bent at an unnatural angle. Broken. He looked like he was going to pass out at any moment, swaying on his feet, face pale. As much as she wanted to collapse into his arms right now and cry a bucket of tears, she knew that she needed to be strong. For all of them. Besides, she had just slain a dragon. She could take a little punch.
"I'm fine, Jax," she answered, "We have to get out of here. The walls are coming down.
