"You shouldn't be here," Jake hissed. "How did you get in?"

Gabriel stepped forward and swung the sword in an arc, casually testing the weight of it in his hands.

"Let's just say we had unexpected reinforcements."

Jake hissed like a serpent, spraying spit through the air.

"You wouldn't understand, but we take care of our own," Gabriel said.

I felt Jake's fingers dig harder into my shoulder. "She's mine," he spat. "You can't take her from me. I won her fair and square."

"You cheated and you lied," Gabriel said. "She is ours and we have come to claim her. Release her before we make you."

For a moment Jake stood completely still. Then suddenly I felt myself lifted off my feet, his fingers wrapped around my neck. I was dangling in midair and the pressure around my throat was almost unbearable. My feet kicked helplessly and I struggled to suck in whatever wisps of air I could.

"I could break her neck in an instant," Jake taunted.

"To hell with this," Xavier said and before anyone could stop him he charged forward and rammed into Jake with his right shoulder, as if he were on the football field. Taken by surprise, Jake released me and I sank onto the bed, gasping for breath. They tumbled backward into the water. Jake seemed taken aback by the passion behind Xavier's attack. Xavier swung, his fist connecting solidly with Jake's jaw. They tackled each other again, rolling over rocks in the shallows as they struggled for control. I heard Jake grunt repeatedly as Xavier's fist thudded into him. It was evident who was physically superior. But Jake wasn't one to play fair and as soon as he regained his composure for a moment, he swept a hand through the air and Xavier was flung across the cavern and crashed onto the bed beside me. Jake snapped his fingers and iron chains materialized around us both, binding us to the spot. Jake approached like a predator, waiting for the kill. He loomed above us for a moment and then his fist shot out and punched Xavier square across the left eye. Xavier's head snapped to the side and I saw him wince, but he didn't give Jake the satisfaction of knowing he was hurt. I screamed and struggled against the restraints as Jake's fist smashed into Xavier's jaw and a trickle of blood ran from his lip.

Then a force lifted Jake clean off his feet and threw him across the cave. The chains that bound us dissolved. Xavier groaned and rolled onto his side, facing me.

"I'm sorry," he said. "I'm so sorry I let this happen. I swore to always protect you and I let you down."

I stared at him for a moment before throwing my arms around him and burying my face in his neck. "You're here," I whispered. "You're really here. Oh God, I've missed you so much."

We stayed locked in our embrace for several long moments before we sat up to see my brother and sister squaring off against Jake. He had transformed from a dapper gentleman into something that looked barely human. His dark hair was mussed, his nose was bleeding, and his eyes were glistening with rage.

Ivy and Gabriel together looked like unassailable opponents.

"Let Bethany go, Arakiel," Gabriel warned in a low voice. "Before this gets out of hand."

"You'll have to kill me," Jake spat. "And you did a bang-up job of that the first time."

Gabriel pointed Michael's sword directly at Jake. "We do not come unprepared."

"You think I don't know what this place does to you?" Jake asked. "Every second you spend here, you grow weaker."

"There are four of us," Gabriel pointed out.

"Including one human and one angel so easy she was about to surrender herself to a demon."

Xavier slid off the bed and fixed Jake with a dark look. "Don't talk about her that way."

"What?" Jake taunted. "Can't handle the idea that your little girlfriend was about to let another man enjoy her? Give her something you never could?"

Xavier shook his head. "That's not true."

"Ask her yourself," Jake said smugly.

Xavier turned his head an inch to look at me. "Beth?"

I didn't know what to say. How could I break the news to him that I had been on the verge of committing an unforgiveable betrayal? I opened my mouth and then closed it again, twisting the bedsheets in my hands.

"I think her silence speaks volumes," Jake said, sounding pleased with himself.

Xavier flinched and drew back. "So it is true." He waved a hand around him. "That's what all this is?"

"You don't understand," I said. "I was doing it for you."

"For me? How exactly do you figure that?"

Jake clapped his hands in delight. "Oh, come now, this isn't the time for a lover's tiff."

"I made a deal," I blurted out. "If I slept with him, he said he wouldn't try and hurt you again."

Gabriel's silver eyes flickered across to Jake. "You really are the vermin of the earth," he said in disgust. "Don't blame Bethany, Xavier-she didn't know he was lying."

"You were lying?" I cried. "I was going to give myself to you and you were lying to me the whole time!"

"Of course I was," Jake scoffed. "Never trust a demon, sweetheart. You of all people should know that."

Before I could respond, Xavier let rip with a steady flow of cursing. I'd never heard him cuss before and even Gabriel raised his eyebrows in surprise.

"My oh my, it seems pretty boy has some bite in him after all," Jake said.

"When will you stop screwing with us?" Xavier hissed. "Is this the only way you can get a kick out of life? Are you really that pathetic?"

I took the opportunity of Jake's distracted state to jump off the bed and run to my brother and sister, positioning myself safely behind them.

"You can hide, Bethany," Jake called lazily. "But you're not getting out."

"Actually, brother," Gabriel said darkly. "It's you who isn't getting out."

Suddenly Gabriel's wings lifted him off his feet and in a flash he soared over Jake-Michael's sword poised above him. It all happened so quickly, it was almost a blur. I heard the swish of metal slicing through the air, a ragged gasp, and when Gabriel's feet touched solid earth, the sword was embedded deep in Jake's chest. Xavier's mouth fell open in shock and he ran to me, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. Jake screamed then and gripped the hilt, tearing it from his body and tossing it to the ground with a clatter. The blood that stained the blade was thicker than normal and black as night. It spurted from the gaping wound to pool around him, his demonic power leaking out with it. Suddenly blood bubbled like froth from Jake's mouth. A spasm jolted his body as he collapsed, twitching to the ground. Before Jake's face became a mask he raised his head and reached out to me. His eyes were pleading as he mouthed something soundlessly. At first I couldn't make out the words but I caught fragments in between his ragged breathing.

"Bethany, forgive me."

Pity made me move toward him. I was driven by a desire to offer what comfort I could.

"What are you doing?" I heard Xavier's voice behind me, but I was too distracted by the misery in Jake's black eyes. He may have been my tormentor in Hades but I knew it all stemmed from a twisted desire to win my affection. Maybe deep down Jake just wanted to be loved. At the very least, he shouldn't have to die alone. A strange part of me wanted a chance to say good-bye.

"Bethany, no!"

My fingers had almost closed over Jake's withering hand when I was suddenly yanked back. I toppled onto the ground and saw a pair of luminous wings beating over my head. Gabriel, understanding what I was about to do, had swooped across the cavern to stop me.

"Stay back! If you touch him now he takes you with him into death."

I curled my fingers into a fist and pressed it against my chest. So I had misjudged again. It seemed Jake had remained true to himself till the bitter end.

He was still staring fixedly at me as his body jerked one last time and then was still. We watched the fire go out of his eyes until they glazed over and stared dully into space.

"It's over," I whispered, needing to say the words aloud in order to believe them. Ivy and Gabriel closed around me in a tight embrace. "Thank you for coming for me."

"We're family," Gabriel replied as if it were the only explanation necessary.

I found Xavier's face and took it in my hands. His eyes were wet with tears and when he touched my cheek, I realized I had been crying silently too.

"I love you," I said simply, stating an unassailable fact. There was plenty more I could have said, but in that moment it was all I needed to say. It was all that mattered.

"I love you too, Beth," Xavier said. "More than you can ever know."

"We need to move quickly," Gabriel said, shepherding us toward the Chevy. "The portal won't stay open much longer."

"Wait." I resisted as they tried to usher me into the car. "What about Hanna and Tuck?"

"Who?" Ivy asked in confusion.

"My friends, they looked after me while I was here. I can't just leave them."

"I'm sorry, Bethany." My sister's eyes were full of genuine sorrow. "There's nothing we can do for them."

"It's not fair," I cried. "Everyone deserves a second chance."

"The demons are coming." Gabriel took my hand. "They know we're here and the portal is starting to seal. We must leave or we'll be trapped."

I nodded silently and followed them, hot tears trickling down my cheeks. Gabriel took the wheel while I leaned against Xavier in the backseat. I looked over my shoulder one last time and saw Jake's body floating in the water. What he'd put me through would probably haunt me for the rest of my existence, but he could no longer hurt me. I wanted to feel anger, but I felt only pity for him. He died as he had lived, alone and without ever having known love.

"Good-bye, Jake," I whispered and turned my face away, burying it in Xavier's chest. I felt him kiss the top of my head and his strong arms held me close as the Chevy roared to life and sped toward the gaping hole in the cave that had already begun to close over.

I had only one thought as the blackness closed in, drawing me back to my beloved earth. I was going back to the life I'd known before, the life I'd missed and longed for ... but there in Xavier's arms, I was already home.

Epilogue.

ON the manicured lawns of Bryce Hamilton the seniors loitered under the bright June sunlight in their royal blue caps and gowns, faces glowing with excitement. Somehow, they didn't look like teenagers in need of direction anymore; they were young people ready to make their own way in the world. College was still several months away and everyone was looking forward to the summer break. I knew Xavier had received offers from several colleges eager to recruit him into their ranks, especially those with all-star football teams.

Even though graduation wouldn't impact on my future in the same way, I couldn't help but get caught up in the flurry of nervous excitement. We were waiting for the signal for the procession to begin. Outside the auditorium I spotted Gabriel and his middle school choristers warming up for their closing performance of "Friends Forever," a popular if cliched choice as valedictory song.

Among the seniors the buoyant mood was contagious. The girls adjusted their caps and pinned back one another's hair so it didn't fall over their eyes and ruin the photographs. The boys were less concerned about appearance, focusing instead on vigorously shaking hands and thumping one another on the back. We were all wearing the class rings that had been delivered only days before. They were simple silver bands engraved with the school motto: LIVE. LOVE. LEARN.

Bryce Hamilton loved pomp and pageantry. Inside the auditorium invited guests and parents were taking their seats and fanning themselves with folded copies of the program. Ivy was sitting beside Dolly Henderson from next door, feigning interest in the neighborhood gossip. Waiting in the wings was Dr. Chester and the teaching staff in full academic regalia, the color of their hoods denoting their individual branch of expertise. The principal would give the opening address, and then as class president, Xavier would deliver the valedictory speech. He hadn't had much time to prepare, but Xavier was a natural orator and I knew he'd be able to deliver an inspirational speech with just a few scribbled notes to guide him. From outside I spotted Bernie in the audience, trying to keep her youngest from clambering over each other and telling Nicola off for playing Peggle on her iPhone.

After the ceremony high tea would be served in the cafeteria, which had been transformed with white tablecloths and flower arrangements to befit the occasion. A professional photographer was already clicking away behind his camera lens, and I watched Abby and the girls apply fresh coats of lip gloss and make sure their caps were straight. I was looking forward to the part where we'd all throw our caps into the air-I'd seen the scene in several movies and wanted to experience it firsthand. Ivy had taped my name to the inside of mine so I'd be able to find it easily afterward.

The whole school was buzzing with a strange energy. But amid the excitement was an underlying wistfulness. Molly and her friends would never sit out in the quad again; this position would be passed on to the next group of seniors who could never be quite the same. The days of skipping class, cramming for exams, and flirting with boys at the lockers in between periods were over. School had united us; we were expected to pursue our own lives now, and chances were, we'd never all be in the same place again.

I wanted the ceremony to hurry up and start. I was so caught up in the excitement I almost forgot I was a mere onlooker in all of this. I felt entirely human, like I should be worrying about college applications and my future career prospects. I had to remind myself that this life was not meant for me. The best I could do was share in the experience through Xavier and my friends.

Molly appeared by my side and threw her arms around me.

"My God, it's so sad!" she cried. "I've spent the last four years complaining about this place and now I don't want to leave."

"Oh, Molly, you'll be okay," I said, tucking a wayward corkscrew curl behind her ear. "It's ages till college."

"But I've spent thirteen years of my life at this school," Molly said. "It's weird to think I'm never coming back. I know everybody in this town; it's my home."

"And it always will be," I said. "College is going be an amazing adventure, but Venus Cove will still be here when you come back."

"But I'll be so far away!" she wailed.

"Molly." I laughed and hugged her. "You're going to 'Bama-it's one state away!"

She giggled and sniffed. "I guess so, thanks, Bethie."

I felt a hand wrap around my waist and then Xavier's lips were at my ear.

"Can I talk to you?" he murmured. I turned and looked up at him. The blue of the graduation gown emphasized the color of his eyes and his silky walnut hair wasn't even mussed by the cap.

"Sure, what's up?" I asked. "Are you nervous?"

"No," Xavier said.

"Is your speech ready? I haven't heard any of it!"

"We're not staying." Xavier delivered this earth-shattering statement with surprising equilibrium.

"Excuse me?" I said. "Why not?"

"Because it doesn't mean anything to me anymore."

"Don't be ridiculous."

"I've never been more serious in my life."

I still didn't believe him. "I think today is turning everybody weird," I said. "Don't you want to graduate?"

"I'll graduate whether I attend the ceremony or not."

I saw then that his eyes were bright and his smile made his whole face radiant. He was actually serious about leaving.

"You're giving the valedictory speech!"

"It's taken care of. Wes is stepping in for me. Wasn't cheap though."