Page 53 of Angel Condemned

Jody

“Stop it, you’re killing him.” I tugged on Axton’s arm, but he wouldn’t stop choking the other Angeliminir.

“You don’t deserve to live. Why didn’t you die? Why her? Why Celica?”

My heart hurt hearing Axton’s grief. I threw my hand on his shoulder and squeezed hard. “Stop, Axton. Your sister forgave you and Knox. It’s time you did the same.”

When his hands paused, but he didn’t pull away, I continued.

“Let her go, Axton. I know it’s hard and you want to hold onto that anger and hurt and the guilt. But it’s not anyone’s fault except the Roulex. You can’t blame yourself for the dead.” And I was beginning to learn that lesson myself.

Axton finally looked at me, blinking and let go of Knox who choked and gasped for air.

“The Roulex said you died.” Axton stared at me.

“I did.” I cupped his cheek with both my hands. “But I came back for you. And Celica came to me in a vision. She told me that she forgave you and Knox and that both of you need to get your heads out of your asses.”

Axton quirked an eyebrow.

“All right, I’m paraphrasing. The point is she doesn’t want you two to fight. She wants you both happy.”

“You…you make me happy.” He placed his hands over mine.

“Hate to break up this touching moment,” Knox said in a raspy voice. “But we’ve got to get out of here. The Roulex are swarming the place and even with the four of us, we’re no match for all of them.”

“You let her fight?” Axton stood up, his hands fisting at his sides.

Knox didn’t back down. “And you’re the one who taught her, so don’t gripe at me.”

“Both of you shut up and let’s go.” Jerx, the other Angeliminir nodded. “We cleared a path to get here, but it’s closing.”

“Lead the way.” Axton took my hand in his.

We raced with the others toward the tunnels to the water. The other Angeliminir would be waiting to take us back to their mountain home. I worried about my dad and if he was okay. We’d need to get him to a surgeon and transplants as soon as they could. I’d take out a loan or something to pay for his surgery.

Amora met us at the tunnels and Axton pushed me behind him.

“She’s a friend.” I stepped around him and hugged her. “Please be careful.”

“You too.” She stepped back. “Make it look real.”

Knox smacked her on top of her head, then caught her when she fell, setting her down gently. “Let’s go.”

“That’s the smartest thing I ever heard you say.” Axton grinned.

We sped out into the night, Knox carried me and Jerx carried Axton as his wings weren’t healed enough to fly yet. I kept looking over my shoulder, a swarm of Roulex rushed over us in their spaceships.

“Faster,” I held on tighter to Knox’s neck.

Axton growled deep in his chest. “No matter what happens, you take her to safety. Understand?”

“We’re all going.” I said. Couldn’t imagine living knowing Axton didn’t come with me.

The Angeliminir’s wings pounded the air and we rushed to a crystal dome over a mountain. I tensed, prepared for impact, but only a prickling sensation skated across my skin.

When we landed in the temple’s courtyard, I heaved a sigh of relief. The Roulex’s ships reared up, one striking the shield and bursting into flames. I cringed, ducking, but the forcefield kept us safe. I didn’t even know how this was possible, but I didn’t care.

“We made it. I can’t believe we made it.” I wrapped my arms around Axton’s neck, brushing my lips across his.

---