Page 55 of Fated Angel

Gabby's eyes widen in terror as she sprints towards him, her heart racing with desperate urgency. But before she can reach him, a searing burst of light engulfs her again, knocking her to the ground in a blinding haze of pain and confusion. She struggles to regain her footing, fear coursing through her veins as she realizes the danger they’re facing.

She writhes in pain, feeling the weight of defeat closing in as darkness engulfs her senses.

Using her waning strength, she crawls over the ground, determined to get back to Colt. Dirt buries under her fingernails, stones dig into her arms. Pain is lightning in her veins. But she still moves forward, inch by inch.

Her demon is in pain.

He’s dying.

And she’s about to join him.

Colt sees her, his chocolate eyes drenched in agony. He extends his arm, fighting the pain contracting his muscles, his fingertips trembling as they reach out for her.

A cry explodes from Gabby as she stretches out. Their fingers brush. Their palms contract.

Their hands clasp.

Gabby collapses, the last of her energy spent on securing this final touch. In ensuring her last moments are connected to Colt. They both stop fighting the pain, letting the fury of the Grigori rip through them along with the knowledge they failed.

That within moments, there will be no existence to mourn.

Gabby blinks as she gazes at Colt, as she sees the sky beyond his beloved face, as she feels the earth dig into her cheek. The endless expanse of Heaven above her, the fiery depths of Hell below, and the solid ground beneath her feet—all tangible reminders of what was at stake.

Of what they failed.

And then she notices what else is part of this final scene—the Spear lying next to her, glowing with a brilliant light, the obsidian at the tip.

In a sudden burst of clarity, Gabby's mind sharpens as she realizes the truth: unity is the answer. The Spear is the conduit of Heaven, Hell and Earth.

Gabby.

Colt.

The very soil she’s lying on. The world they’re desperately trying to save.

“Colt,” she croaks through burning lips. “We both…have to hold…the Spear.”

He blinks in confusion, then simply nods, his trust in her absolute. Together, they fight the pain wracking their very marrow. They battle the magic the Grigori are pummeling them with.

Gabby grips the Spear and drags it forward. Colt clasps it below her own, white-knuckled hand.

Together, they jam the Spear into the earth below them, their hands joined in a firm grip, merging the power of Heaven, Hell, and Earth together in one final attempt to vanquish the seven Grigori once and for all.

A deafening blast of pure destruction shatters the air, unleashing a seismic wave that rocks the earth to its core. The ground beneath them trembles and cracks as their combined forces unleash a blinding light.

The force is so powerful that it obliterates everything in its path.

The Spear.

The Grigori.

And Mercy Academy.

With a final desperate embrace, Gabby and Colt collapse into unconsciousness.

As they slip away, the last image their eyes register is that of utter devastation.

Epilogue