Chapter 237-7

I was on my knees, gasping for breath as the light faded, taking my wings with it. As usual, the only sign that they had ever been there was the hardened inflamed ridges down my back, the dull ache in my spine and the great gaping hole in my shirt. With Asbeel gone and now burning, any remaining demons had fled, scuttling out through the doorway, their howls echoing down the hallway beyond. I wasn't sure if they'd be back, but I wasn't going to wait around to find out. Exhausted and aching, I shuffled into a sitting position. "Garrick?" When he didn't answer, I pushed out with the light, suddenly fearful that he hadn't escaped the demons as I'd fought with Asbeel, but soon I found him on the other side of the gallery, knees pulled tight into his chest, with his head in his hands. I scrambled to my feet. "Garrick?" I said again, running over to him but he was up and on his feet before I could reach him, holding his hands out to ward me off. "Stop," he said. "Don't." I gaped