As she faced Paxton, tears filled her eyes. Memories assailed her. The first time they’d met, when he’d taken a liking to her green dragon toy. The surprise on his face when her mother had given him a cookie. The moment he’d jumped in front of Paelotin to take a hit that could’ve killed her. The first time he’d kissed her. The last time he’d kissed her. The strength and protectiveness and wonder that was Paxton Phoenix. She’d loved him her entire life. Instead of searching for some great fate, she should’ve trusted her feelings. She should have told him. He deserved all of her, but the only thing she could do now was save his life.
In her heart, perhaps deeper into her very soul, there was absolutely no choice for her. Some things transcended this world. Even life...and even death.
Pax’s nostrils flared. “Don’t do this.”
Nobody had ever chosen him. Those words echoed in her head, digging deep. Hopefully he’d understand what she had to do.
She swallowed and lifted her head so the camera would have a better angle, but her gaze, that remained on Pax. “There is only one choice. For now and forever, regardless of the consequences, I choose Paxton Phoenix.”
Chapter Thirty-Four
There was dead silence in the compound for about three seconds, and then everybody moved at once. Drake grabbed Hope and shook her, yanking her toward him. Vero pivoted and sliced through the garrote around Pax’s neck.
Paxton instantly turned and punched the two soldiers behind him, allowing Hunter enough room to turn and fight with his captor.
Soldiers rushed them from every direction.
Paxton knocked down the soldier he was fighting, grabbed the blade from Vero, and ran full bore for Hope. She struggled against Drake, reaching up to claw his face. He slapped her hard, and she fell back, the heavy train of the dress pulling her down onto the icy snow. Then he grabbed a knife and plunged down, slicing into her rib cage. She cried out as pain engulfed her.
The sound of thunder echoed as Paxton and Drake collided.
Hunter pulled Hope up, then whirled to fight off two Cyst, while Vero battled with two Kurjan soldiers. Hope stumbled away, searching desperately for a weapon, holding her bleeding rib cage with one hand. A Kurjan soldier reached for her, and she punched him in the eye rapidly with both hands, driving him back.
To her side, Paxton and Drake exchanged punches and kicks so quickly it was impossible to follow.
Drake lifted his arm, punched Pax with one hand, and then stabbed him in the stomach with the same blade he’d used on Hope. Blood sprayed across the snow.
Hope cried out, trying to get to them. How badly was Pax hurt?
In one smooth and impossibly fast motion, Paxton pivoted and shoved the Kurjan blade into Drake’s neck. Drake’s eyes widened, and his hands scrambled to grab the handle, but it split in three directions with a clink of iron.
Everybody stilled.
Slowly, every eye focused on Drake. He frowned, blood burbled from his mouth, and then his head slowly fell from his body. It landed in the snow, blood pouring out to turn the crystals red. His body pitched forward, spraying red snow as it landed.
Hope rushed toward Paxton, who grabbed her and leaped across the field to smash into both Vero and Hunter.
Then they were falling.
Darkness pulled at her. Something evil shrieked and ripped at her arm. Heavy winds blew her hair in every direction. Pure darkness surrounded her, and she scrambled, trying to find Paxton. Then there was light, and they were falling even faster. He grabbed her and pulled her against him, and then they hit the earth with a solid thunk.
“Ugh,” Hunter moaned loudly.
“What is happening?” Vero stumbled in the snow.
A roaring sound filled her ears, and Hope looked up to see barrels upon barrels of snow careening down.
“Avalanche!” Paxton yelled, wrapping himself around her and holding tight.
The snow hit them hard, throwing them through space, and they fell. He kept hold of her and bounced, rolling around wildly. Pain echoed through her body, but she clutched him tightly and held her breath. Finally, they reached the bottom of a mountain.
Snow continued to pile up on them, and he kicked up, punching and kicking until finally there was silence. Her heart was beating so rapidly she could hear it.
Snow encased everything except her head. “Pax?”
“We’re okay.” He pulled her to stand and brushed yards of snow off her. It was nearly thigh deep, and she started to shiver. Her hair hung around her head, with the elaborate tiara lost somewhere in the snow.
“Hunter. Vero,” Paxton called out, rubbing her arms, trying to instill some warmth.
“Here,” Hunter said wearily, coming straight out of a snow berm.
Pax craned his neck, searching the area. “Vero,” he called. “Vero?”
“Ugh. I think I’m dead,” Vero said from behind a snow boulder. He pushed it out of the way, his hair covered with snow, bruises across his face. “Where did you land us?”
Paxton looked around. “I have no idea. It was the first time I teleported.” His voice was demon low and hoarse.
“Why didn’t you say something?” Vero said. “While I can’t teleport yet, I could’ve at least helped you pick a direction.”
“It was my first time,” Paxton protested, brushing more snow off Hope’s head. “I didn’t even know if I could do it, considering I’ve been a Kurjan for less than a day. How bad is your side?”
She looked down to see the diamonds on her dress glittering with blood. “Not good.”
His fangs dropped, and he bit into his wrist, holding it to her mouth. “Drink. Now.”
She tried to protest because he needed his strength, but he grasped her head with his free hand and held her in place, not giving her a choice. When she started to drink, he looked around. “Does anybody have any idea where we are?”
His blood was like fine wine coursing through her veins, warming her. Filling her. Healing her. Finally, she pushed him away. “I’m good.” She could feel her flesh stitching itself back together. Then she shivered and looked at the series of tall jagged peaks marching off to the horizon. They were in some sort of mountain range, but she didn’t recognize it.
Blood slid from Hunter’s left ear, matting his black hair. He studied Hope. “We need to get her somewhere warm. We’re at too high an altitude for all of us right now.”
“Agreed.” Paxton rubbed at a bruise on his chin. “Vero? Are you absolutely sure you can’t teleport?”
“Not yet,” Vero said, his lip swollen. “Like the demons, not all Kurjans have the skill. You’re young to have it.”
Paxton pulled Hope to him and wrapped both arms around her. “You’re shivering so hard, you’ll hurt yourself. Take a deep breath.”
Hope didn’t know what to say. Her body was feeling better after taking his blood, which meant that his body would take longer to heal. “Did you know you could teleport?”
“No. But after talking to Drake, I thought there might be a chance.” Paxton exhaled. “Let’s see if I can do it again.”
Nothing happened.
They all waited.
“I’m empty,” Paxton said, looking around the now quiet wilderness. There were trees, snow, and more mountains extending in every direction. “Vero, you’re lead. You need to create a trail. Then I’ll trample the snow, while Hope and Hunter, you bring up the rear. Our goal is to keep Hope as warm as possible.”
“I’m fine,” she said, shivering so hard her bones ached.
“Right,” Paxton said. “We need to find shelter, and fast. Move, Vero.”
Vero looked at Paxton, his fangs sliding out.