“Avery, I don’t blame you for still having feelings for him,” he said, his voice strong. “Heck, until a few months ago I thought I would be attending your wedding someday. But I do know that you love me, too. I see it in your eyes and felt it in your arms last night. We will do this together.” I reached up and kissed him, trying to make him feel my love for him in that kiss. He closed his eyes and we snuggled for a few minutes together.
We walked back into the hospital a little stronger than we had before. This time we used each other as strength. It was my turn to see Dallas, but I wasn’t quite ready to make Ianni leave his bedside. I looked in to see him lying there with her head on his chest. Each labored breath he took, her head rose and fell along with it. The machines that were helping him breathe looked monstrous. I hated to see him like this, so I backed out and let Ianni have her moment with him.
As I went to the coffee machine it dawned on me that she really might love him. Who was I to deny anyone of a love like that? So many people wanted Landon and me to not be together. Why would I want the same for her? She deserved to be happy, that was for sure. She laid her life on the line for me. I couldn’t deny her happiness for a future. For goodness sake, she wasn’t going to be able to move on after her life ended here. Ianni didn’t have a soul. Once she died she ceased to exist. Maybe if Dallas made her life that much more worth it, they belonged together.
I poured the stagnant smelling coffee into a cup and added as much sugar as I could. Once it was a little more bearable, I drank it down. The drive had me so exhausted, among other things, that I was desperate to get caffeine.
“Ugh, that coffee is terrible.” I turned around and Dallas stood before me in his white hospital gown. I dropped the coffee and ran to him. He scooped me up in his arms and stumbled backwards. We almost fell; he was too weak to hold me. I steadied us and looked at him. His face was bandaged, but he was walking and here. He made it!
“How is this possible? You were just unconscious in the other room?” I asked him. He smiled quizzically.
“What are you talking about, Avery? I feel fine,” he assured me. Once he looked himself over he noticed the hospital gown he was wearing and the road rash on his body. His smile faltered at his current state.
“Oh, I guess I’m not okay.”
“It’s okay, you’re just still confused. Let’s find your nurse,” I suggested and we walked back down the hallway. I couldn’t find anyone; the hospital was like a ghost town. He shuffled slowly behind me and I turned to make sure he was keeping up okay.
“Where is Ianni? She was just with you, so how did you get out of your room unnoticed?” I asked. It didn’t make sense how he could get up without her seeing him.
“I don’t know. I just remember riding my bike with her and waking up here,” he said as he leaned on a wall for support. “I suppose you know about Ianni and I now.” I nodded. “I don’t want to hurt you, but I think I love her.” I let him talk even though it injured me a little. I swallowed hard, fighting the tears back.
“If you love her then I am happy for you,” I told him honestly.
“Nothing ever happened while you and I were together. I just want you to know that,” he said as he wiped sweat from his head. “It just sort of happened.”
“We have to find your doctor or a nurse,” I mumbled. “You sit here and I will find someone.”
“Okay.”
I ran through the halls and back towards his room. He was wandering around the hospital and no one cared or noticed. Once I found his room I saw Landon waiting outside. He looked pale and tired, but he snapped up when I came closer.
“Hey, no one cares that Dallas is walking around alone?” I said with conviction. He looked up at me confused.
“What?”
“I went to get coffee and Dallas is wandering around the halls.” He shook his head and opened the door to Dallas’ room; there he was in his bed still. The same machines hooked up to his body. The same deadly look he had only minutes before. The lively Dallas I encountered in the hall wasn’t here in this room.
“Do you feel okay?” Landon asked me as he supported my unsteady body.
“You don’t understand. I saw him just now in the hallway. We talked,” I stammered. “He told me he loved Ianni.”
Landon led me to a chair in the room where Ianni sat now looking up at me confused. They all thought I was crazy. I could see it on their faces. I sat down and Landon got me a glass of water. I knew what I saw; it was Dallas.
“You don’t believe me, do you?” I asked Landon.
He shrugged and handed me the water. “I do believe you’re tired and you need sleep. We all do,” he answered.
“Well I believe her,” Lillith said as she burst into the room. Feathers flew everywhere. She was like a woman on a mission and that mission was to let everyone know she was present and accounted for. Landon covered his eyes in shame. He had been lying to his guide for so long he knew what was coming.
“You do?” I asked her. She nodded as she flowed into the room, her feathers now hidden behind her cloak.
She turned towards Landon. “You and I need to talk! But first, Dallas,” she went to his body and stroked his head, “is stuck in between right now.”
“Where?” Landon asked, his mouth falling open. Only one person I knew was there; my mother. She had been there because she made a deal with a Dark Guide. Once my soul and Landon’s returned to Heaven she would then join us. But for now she would remain there. The in-between was a sort of middle of Earth and Heaven. It didn’t make sense to me why Dallas would be there. He didn’t make any deals. He was the target of an insane Dark Guide.
“He is there because he has unfinished business with your world. Once it’s settled he will either heal and stay on Earth, or his wounds will claim him. If that happens, he will come Home.” Ianni sobbed quietly as Lillith spoke. I patted her back gently, unable to stand seeing her cry.
“What business must he finish?” Landon asked curtly.
“Someone must kill Sarafe. Once she is dead he will feel free to move on,” Lillith said as she approached Landon. “How could you do what you did to me?” Her voice rose as she got closer. He backed up, fearful of what she would do.
“You have to understand, Lillith,” he begged.
“Do you know how hard that was for me? Do you?” Her voice grew desperate. “I was lost without you, Landon.” She reached out and he grabbed her, pulling her into a hug.
“I am so sorry.”
I turned towards Ianni, giving Lillith her moment with Landon. Ianni’s face looked drained. I knew what had to be done and she did as well. We had to kill Sarafe. But with us being mortal it would prove to be a lot more difficult than last time.
“Dallas is still wandering the halls of the hospital. We have to talk to him,” I suggested.
She shook her head. “Only you can. Because you’re an Affinity you have strong gifts. His soul is very weak so you can talk to him. Did he really say he loved me?”
I nodded. I had to forgive them both or I wouldn’t have a clear enough head to face Sarafe. “I will make sure you both get a happy ending. Even if it means I don’t get one.” I stood and walked out of the room. I didn’t even say goodbye. I knew what I had to do.
I found Dallas in the hall where I had left him. This time, once I saw him, he knew why he was in the state he was in. It was written on his face. I approached him cautiously. I didn’t want to freak him out with my plan. He stood and met me halfway.
“I know,” he said.
“I suppose you do. You know you’re stuck, right?” He nodded. “I can’t promise my idea will work, but I can promise I will try.” I leaned into him and his arms wrapped around me. It was the last time they ever would. Even if he survived he would never hold me like this again. He would hold Ianni. I was thankful he had someone to be with.
“I am sorry for how it ended,” he said as he kissed my cheek.
“It’s okay. W
e both knew it had to end at some point.” It was the first time I had realized this for myself. We would never have been the couple we each wanted. It had to be Ianni and him, and Landon and me.
Chapter Thirty-One
Ending
I called Kerri to come pick me up. She was tired, but she drove to get me anyway. I grabbed my bags and May, and hopped into her car. On the way I told her everything I could manage to. To my surprise she had nothing to say. She nodded and stared wide eyed at all of it.
We pulled up to my apartment and she still sat silent. I knew she was tired and that was a lot to take in.
“Kerri, it will all work out. I promise.” I hugged her and got out. As I reached the glass entrance she called out to me.
“Avery, be careful.”
“I will.” I could promise I would be careful, but that was all I could promise. I had no idea what the outcome would be. I would make sure Dallas would be okay and I would take Sarafe down. As for me, who knew what would happen. It was the first time that I didn’t care. I knew that everyone loved me. I knew that my Affinity would be fine. He and I would see each other again. Ianni would be well and I would fight to make sure her soul would come Home. No matter what I had to do.
I reached my apartment and opened the door like I hadn’t been gone for months. May ran to her spot on the couch and curled up. I had to get prepared so I steamed a cup of tea to calm my nerves. It was time to get the people that I needed. I didn’t even know if they would come help me. I gulped the tea and felt it work instantly. I would never forget when Ianni had given it to me to sleep. Yulu was a strong tea that would knock me out instantly. I curled up in my bed and fell fast asleep.
Amanda was sitting there waiting for me as soon as I had entered the beach house. She smiled at me like she expected me. It seemed she knew something was up. My plan was working so far.
“Do you know why I am here?” I asked her sternly.
“Yes, I do. You know that I cannot help you, right?” I did know that she couldn’t help me kill Sarafe. If she did she would be in Ianni’s situation.
“I understand. But I need help from you right now,” I said as I sat with her. “I need John. You have a connection to him that no one else does. I noticed it at my accident.” She blushed. Only a fool would be blind to see that John and Amanda weren’t somewhat involved. The way they were together showed that he was hers and she was his.
“I can get him to help you, but you will need something else. Isn’t this why you’re here?” she asked as she held out her light. It was as beautiful as Ianni’s was. Except it wasn’t burning this time. The light of the angel would kill a human if it was burning bright. I remember this from the last time. That is why I wasn’t sure if I would survive this fight. Once I used it to kill Sarafe its light alone would kill me unless she got me first. I was willing to find out.
She handed it to me and I took it. The light hummed inside of the sword and I held it tightly. I felt its weight and its strength.
“If you mean to use it you must believe you can. If you do not it will not work for you,” she told me as she placed a hand on my shoulder. “You must believe in yourself, Avery.”
I woke up with empty hands. The light was gone. I searched my bed for it, but came up bare. I could only hope that it would come to me when I needed it. I also hoped that John would in fact come as well. Without him I was screwed.
I waited until the moon was highest in the sky to call her to me. I was certain she would come to me once I offered her what I had. Knowing her she would want it. I clutched it tightly in my hand, the shirt from the night Dedrick tried to kill me. The shirt I wore that he tore open with his evil claws. Along with my blood, his stained it as well. I knew she was desperate enough to want something with his dirty, black blood on it. Ianni had tried to hide the shirt from me several times. She thought it would bring only bad memories. It had been the opposite though. It reminded me that I survived something evil once. I could only hope that I could survive such evil again.
I stood on the balcony looking out at the still dark sky. The stars were so bright and the moon so full. It was a perfect night to die. I had once watched every sunrise, each morning, but now it was night I craved. I would sit and watch the stars as they sat staring back at me. I wished countless times for Landon to remember me. Not knowing why, but now I do. I wanted him to remember because I never forgot.
“Avery,” John said behind me. I didn’t turn because I knew he didn’t want me to. He didn’t want to give away his position. It was time.
I picked up the shirt and took a lighter to it, burning only a small edge. Once the fire hit Dedrick’s blood she screamed in the night air. I looked up to see her flying towards me, her black wings flapping angrily. She looked like the devil and I was letting her inside my house. Before I could ask for the light of the angel to appear she knocked me down. I fell back and fought for breath.
“You bitch,” she said as she tried to extinguish the flames. “This is all that’s left of him.” She was too busy to see me close my eyes. I called the light to me. This time holding out hope that it would come. I opened my eyes and she was running toward me, her blue eyes now gone. Black holes took their place. She slapped me hard and I felt blood on my lip.
“You’re usually such a coward, Sarafe. I’m surprised you came here to fight me,” I spat. “You hit me and run. You threaten me and fly off. Then to top it all off you hit Dallas and still run away. I wonder if you ever fight your own battles.” Her face grew angrier as she reached out to wrap her hands around my throat. She pulled me up into the air with her. I struggled to breathe now as we flew out into the night.
“I could drop you and you would die like a bug,” she said, spittle flying out of her mouth.
“Do it then!” I gasped. She only squeezed harder at my challenge. I could feel my body start to go limp. At any point it would have been nice for John to help out.
“You’re going to die and I will not run away. I want to watch you take your last breath.” She spun around and I felt dizzy. Suddenly I saw my past lives flash before me, playing out like a movie on the big screen.
My first life as Claire. I held Henry’s hand as I watched my children; Annabelle, Anastasia, and Henry, Jr. They were all putting on a play, while Claire and Henry clapped loudly. Then they went away and Emily came into my view. She held Cooper close as they wept for the loss of Garrison. They truly felt sorry to see him die. But they knew that what they had done was what was destined.
As soon as they came into view they left with Elsie and Adam taking their place. Elsie was healthy and happy,not stricken with cancer yet. Adam, fresh faced and young, held her as they danced at some sort of event.
Then I saw Landon and I, hiking a mountainside. He turned to help me as I leaned into him, a large pregnant belly hiding under my shirt. He lifted me to a hill and we looked towards the valley below. He leaned down and kissed my stomach.
My eyes flew open and I could feel the light in my hands. I willed it to brighten and it did. I had believed that I could accomplish this task.
The light shone like a beacon in the night, like we were on top of a lighthouse in the pitch-black night sky.
“No!” she screamed as she let go of my neck. I clung to her waist as she tried to pull me off of her. Finally John came into view, knocking her down. She fell with me at her waist. I had no idea how to kill her. At the moment, my hands were busy and I had no idea where to strike.
“Do it then,” she screamed in my face, her black eyes turning blue. “Send me to him!”
I raised my hands and felt the pull of the blade tug at my life. I felt myself die slowly, but I would kill her first. As we fell towards the ground, I noticed her wings were gone. John had taken them off of her. I shoved the blade in her heart and we plummeted towards the earth.
“Come on, Avery,” I said
as I tried to push my breath into her lifeless body. She lay on the ground, a dead Dark Guide crumbling beside her. John had caught her before she hit the earth. He stayed with us as we tried to get her back.
“Landon, maybe she’s gone,” Ianni sobbed.
“No! She can’t be. I need her here with me,” I said. I had fought the tears thus far; I would not give in. Dallas had woken up and told me she was fighting Sarafe. He told me I could save her. I believed him because I believed in miracles; him waking up was a miracle. We all thought he was delusional when he said Avery was here, but when he yelled at me to save her, I came. Sure enough, my cousin was right. The girl I loved was fighting in the sky with Sarafe. I watched as she took the blade and pierced her heart. Then John caught her and let Sarafe fall, alone.
I pumped on her chest, counting out loud. I knew CPR, but only a little. I was working on hope that she would breathe again.
“John, help her,” I begged him.
He hung his head. He couldn’t help me, not now. He had done all that a Watcher could do. I had to watch her die again.
“Landon, look!” Ianni said as she pointed towards three angels that stood before us. One was a blond man, who looked like the leader, and he walked ahead of the others. A small blonde with pure white wings and next to her was Lillith. I gasped at her now pure white wings. Her colored wings were gone.
“Lillith, your wings,” I said. She only smiled.
“Landon, I am Gunther, the head of the Relife Council,” the blond man said. “We are here for Avery.”
I grabbed her and held her tight, letting the tears fall. I didn’t care now if I cried.
“You can’t have her! She’s mine and we love each other. Why must you always keep us apart?” I screamed.
“We aren’t here to take her,” the blonde girl said. “We just came here to help.” She reached out towards me and held out her arms. I placed Avery’s limp body in them.
Unraveling of Avery Snow, The Page 17
