17. Gabby

Colt gently, but oh-so-surely slips the ring on Gabby's finger. She gazes at it in wonder. How can today be the most amazing one of her life?

She looks up, already knowing the answer.

Colt gazes down at her, his eyes like melted chocolate—warm and delicious. It's because of him, this demon of hers, that she's facing the end of the world and her heart is smiling. They're living proof that love defies boundaries. Heaven and Hell couldn't keep them apart.

And now they're going to be together forever.

With a squeal, Gabby launches herself into Colt's arms. He clasps her to him, holding her tightly as their joint laughter dances around them.

"I love you, Colt," Gabby whispers, angling her head up. "Always and forever."

"And I love you," he murmurs, bringing his mouth down onto hers.

Their kiss is light, yet Gabby's never felt it deeper. The sweet warmth curls deep into her heart, her marrow, her soul. She wraps her arms even more tightly around his neck, wishing there was longer to revel in this moment.

But there's not.

They step away, a decision settling around them. The Grigori must be finished. Once and for all.

Gabby's cell chimes, the light sound weaving through the weight of what's to come. She pulls it out of her pocket to hang up without answering, then registers who's calling her.

Arielle.

Her cousin, who's far more like a sister. They grew up together. Arielle is there in Gabby's birthday photos, a permanent fixture in memories of bathtub antics, through to burning cookies in elementary school, then terrible makeup experiments in high school.

And if Gabby and Colt fail…

"Hey, Ari," Gabby answers warmly, glancing at Colt. He nods in understanding, then makes his way back to Blaise and Sierra.

"Hi, Gabby. I just…wanted to check if you"re okay?"

Gabby blinks. She opens her mouth to try and reassure her cousin everything's fine, but finds she can't. There are enough lies and secrets between them as it is. "Why? Has something happened to Mom?" she asks instead.

"No, nothing like that. I was just sitting here, studying, when I got a feeling…" She hesitates. "Then Trinity spoke to me, saying find the Light, like she did when we were kids."

Gabby blinks again. Trinity was Arielle's imaginary friend growing up. "Weird," she breathes.

Arielle giggles, even if it sounds a little forced. "I know. Talk about a blast from the past. I probably had too much of Mom's mac and cheese. " She hesitates again. "But I just wanted to check in with you."

"I'm fine, Ari," Gabby says, giving her the only truth she can. "But I'm glad you rang. I love you."

There's a pause. "Are you sure everything's okay, Gabby?"

"I've just got a lot on my plate," she responds, proud her voice doesn't waver. Is this the last time she'll be speaking to her cousin? "And I wanted you to know."

"I love you, too, Gabby."

Gabby's chest aches as she draws in a steadying breath. "And tell Trinity to mind her own business."

Arielle huffs out a laugh. "I'll lay off the mac and cheese."

They hang up and Gabby looks up to find Colt watching her. She slips into his arms, resting her forehead on his chest.

She was just reminded of what they're fighting for.

There's a world to save.

One that contains everything she holds dear.

Gabby and Coltland among the forest beyond the academy silently and quickly tuck their wings in. The sound of shuffling feet whispers through the trees, telling them they're not the first to arrive.

Clasping hands, they make their way through the trees, senses alert, bodies tense. They already know their allies are waiting for them. It's how many that they're yet to find out.

A clearing opens out, revealing dozens of angels. Gabby's father steps forward, his scowl even deeper than usual.

"It was a surprise attack. The Grigori were swift and ruthless. They have control of Mercy Academy."

Gabby nods. "They sent me a message demanding the Spear in exchange for everyone's safety."

Her father's lips thin. "The Spear in their hands would be disastrous."

It would be the end of everything as they know it.

"We won't let that happen," Colt growls.

Gabby's father's brow twitches. "Finally, something we agree on, demon." He returns his focus to Gabby. "We cannot underestimate the Grigori. They will stop at nothing to get the Spear."

"And they have hostages," Colt adds grimly.

"Yes," Gabby's father agrees. "A few escaped, but many remain. The supernaturals would be underground in the club. And there may be a way to rescue them."

Gabby's spine straightens at the chance of good news. "How?"

"There's a secret entrance that isn't well known. Narrow, but it could be our way in." Gabby's father's mouth twists, subduing the flicker of hope. "But the Grigori have placed a ward around the academy."

"I suspect we can help with that," comes a voice from behind them.

Gabby spins around to see Lydia, Blaise and Sierra, all grim, all determined.

"As great as your plan is, Colt, I figured the Grigori would've used wards," Lydia continues. "We can't move forward if we can't reach them. So I looked up the most powerful spell I could find to take it down."

Blaise glances at her. "The more powerful the ward, the greater the cost?—"

Lydia waves a hand. "It's all been taken care of."

Without waiting for a response, Lydia strides away, weaving her way through the trunks toward the academy. Gabby and Colt glance at each other, conscious that Lydia's being evasive.

Yet also aware they don't have time to dig too deep.

And it's not only the lives within the academy that depend on them getting inside.

Breaking into a jog, Gabby and Colt follow Lydia, Blaise and Sierra right behind, then Gabby's father and his angels. They find the witch hasn't got far.

Lydia's standing at the very edge of the tree line, green grass extending out in an emerald sea. The academy is clearly visible across the expanse, so close, yet infinitely far away.

Lydia glances back at them. "Yep, it's like armor."

She lashes a fist out, striking it with the side of her hand. A crackle of electricity explodes from the point of contact, throwing Lydia's arm with enough force that she staggers backward.

She looks back at Gabby, her face tight. "Easy peasy."

Gabby frowns, but Lydia's already focused on the invisible wall of magic between them and the academy. She lifts her hands, hovering her palms a few inches from the ward as deep, guttural words rise from her chest.

Gabby finds herself holding her breath. It's clear this is dangerous, which is why Lydia wasn't leaving any room for objections. She takes a step forward, only to be stopped by Colt.

"This is her choice," he says in a low voice. "Just like we've made ours."

To do whatever it takes to defeat the Grigori.

Gabby leans back into Colt even as tension coils through her insides. She rubs her thumb over her engagement ring, using it to remind herself of what she's willing to sacrifice.

Of what she's fighting for.

Lydia's voice grows louder, the ancient words rising from deep within her well of magic. The ward shimmers, then crackles as if it's getting annoyed. Lydia extends her arms wider, splaying her fingers. Crying out the final word, she slams her palms on the invisible shield.

Lightning explodes, streaking over the barrier, into the air, and straight through Lydia.

A powerful boom powers through the forest, sending leaves and forest litter scattering. Colt protectively wraps himself around Gabby, but not before she sees what the strike did to Lydia.

Her body lifts off the ground, arches, jerking and writhing as it's overwhelmed with energy.

The cry that pierces the air is pure agony.

Silence descends and Gabby wrenches herself from Colt's arms. She rushes over to where Lydia's sprawled, pale and motionless.

"Lydia!" she asks in a low voice, kneeling beside her. "Lydia?"

Her lashes flutter. Her mouth works. Then her eyes open. "See?" she croaks. "Easy peasy."

"She did it," says Colt.

Gabby looks up to see he's a few feet away. Past where the ward once was.

Lydia pushes up and Gabby helps her to her feet, realizing the battle has begun.

There's nothing stopping them from reaching Mercy Academy.