The Guardian

Chapter 14

Chapter 14 - Destruction

*

I burst through the doors and skidded to a stop. Two huge men held Sarah and Sam hostage.

"Sam!" I gasped and took a step in his direction.

"Not so fast Rose" Elizabeth glided into view.

The loud click of a gun sounded from behind me. I let out a breath as the cold metal pressed against the back of my head.

"Let them go" I stated calmly. Elizabeth smiled wickedly.

"Now why would I do that?"

"Because I'll kill you if you dont"

"Now Rose, there's no need to be so dramatic" Elizabeth cackled.

"What do you want?" I held my chin up high.

"You Rose"

"What?"

"Your power actually. With your power mixed with my own, I'll be unstoppable"

"And what would I get in return?" I showed fake interest.

"A place by my side, to kill the ones who kept you in the dark-"

I glanced at Sammy as Elizabeth continued talking. I pointed my finger to ground and hoped he understood. He gave me a brave smile in response.

"NOW!" I yelled and spun on the fraternity assassin behind me.

I flipped over him quickly and bent his arm back. He yelled out in pain as I aimed his gun and fired. Sarah's capturer dropped dead behind her.

"You bitch!" Elizabeth hissed and tackled me. I yelled out as she punched my ribs. We tumbled on the floor. I rolled on top of her and glanced over at Sam. Sarah was fighting off the second assassin. He threw her off effortlessly and aimed his gun at Sam.

"SAM!" I screamed as Elizabeth knocked me to the floor again.

"Get off!" I growled and punched her perfect face.

Blood gushed from her nose as she fell back. By the time I spun around and headed for Sam a gunshot rang out. Sarah fell in front of Sam. He screamed as blood pooled around his mother. My eyes locked on the murderer. Red blurred my vision and suddenly I was standing over his dead body.

Sam was crying uncontrollably now.

"Sammy" I whispered and started toward him.

Suddenly I was sent flying across the room. Elizabeth's hair blew back as she stalked toward me. Her eyes were entirely black and crazed. I could feel the power radiating from her.

I used all of my strength and kicked out as she dove at me. My plan was to send her flying through the window. She screamed and took me down with her. Shards of glass slashed at my face as we began falling.

I squeezed my eyes shut as we spiraled at the battle field below us. I gasped as the air was knocked from my lungs. I blinked my eyes open and struggled to breathe. Something was definitely broken. I felt weak. No! Finish this Rose!

I whimpered as I rolled onto my stomach. I pushed myself to my feet shakily. I spotted Elizabeth across the field. She was already moving in my direction, sword in hand. I growled with determination and limped toward her. I swayed weakly and spotted an abandoned sword nearby.

As I picked it up I saw Fane across the field. He was fighting as bravely as ever. My breath caught as he glanced in my direction. I couldn't see his reaction but he was moving quickly in my direction. I couldn't let him stop me before I finished this.

I yelled out as I tried to quicken my pace. Elizabeth's hair was blowing back in a blaze as her power started to radiate from her again. I growled as all of my hatred rushed up. All of the pain I felt. Everything I'd lost. The confusion and betrayal I was put through. My eyes hazed red as Elizabeth met me with her own power.

I yelled out as my power faded. I coughed and glanced around. We'd been knocked apart as our powers had collided. The sound of Elizabeth wheezing made me get back up again. I glanced up and found Fane halfway across the chaos. He struggled to fight his way through the assassins.

All of my pain seemed to disappear as I focused on him. Despite the destruction around us, I smiled. He was as handsome as ever. Even with the ripped clothing and stoney expression.

I could hear Elizabeth struggling to get up, but I didn't care. Memories came rushing up. The first day I met Fane. Training at the Fraternity headquarters. Opening up to him. Our first kiss. The first time he told me he loved me.

I gasped as a light exploded from me. Elizabeth was blinded and sent flying across the field. Warmth radiated from my chest and numbed the pain. I dropped to my knees as the last of my power disappeared. I was breathing heavily. The last of my strength and energy evaporated.

I looked up and found the entire battle frozen. Everyone was looking at the scene happening between me and Elizabeth. I whimpered as I struggled to my feet. I dragged my sword with me as I limped to where Elizabeth lay dying. I collapsed to my knees again. Wounds on my sides stung. I glanced down and found myself bleeding. My leg was twisted at an odd angle and I couldn't move my left arm.

"ROSE!" Fane yelled as he ran at me now. I pushed myself one last time and fell at Elizabeth's side.

"Rose wait" she held up a shaky hand. She went into a coughing fit, blood spraying from her mouth.

"Save it" I rasped.

"Please" her voice was small and weak.

I held up the sword above her body.

"Your father is alive!" She coughed up more blood. I narrowed my eyes at her.

"Enough of your lies Elizabeth" the sword swung down. I let out a breath and fell onto my back. My breaths were shallow. I knew I was dying. And I didn't feel afraid. I felt satisfied. I'd finally finished my mission. I only wished it hadn't taken so much sacrifice to get here. There was so much I wanted to say to everyone.

I wanted to apologize endlessly to Raven. I wanted to tease Zayne. I wanted to tell Stone how grateful I was for everything he'd done for me. I wanted to comfort Sammy because he would be so lost now. I wanted to tell Fane how much I loved him. And I knew someday I would. But for now they would have to live without me.

A wave of peace washed over me. My pain ebbed away as everything began to fade.

I could hear distant voices, but I was too tired to answer them.