Hidden One

Chapter Three

Tessa's POV

Tessa could not believe the size of the house, just outside of London. It was easily six stories. The room she was led up to was at the very top, and two men that looked to be brothers guarded the door.

"This is what did so much damage?" The one on the left asked in a charming British accent. His brother- for that had to be what they were- looked annoyed.

"Gods, Kasper. Would it kill you to be polite?" He muttered. Kasper opened his mouth, but the other clamped a hand over it. "Nope. Don't want to hear the wise- crack, brother." Kasper was trying furiously to talk around the hand, but the other boy held quick. To Tessa's surprise, Kasper paused, as if concentrating. He exhaled.

The other boy jumped back, shouting. "Dammit! Kasper-"

"Not now, Kai." Isabelle muttered. "We need in." He nodded, holding his injured hand to his chest.

"Go on in. Kallen and Kol are in the outer room, Keenan's off duty because everyone's basically in one place. Alexander and Lucy are with Kate."

"Where's Anna?" Isabelle asked. Kai snorted.

"Probably with Keenan. He IS her personal guard, after all." This seemed to amuse all four of them, because they chuckled as Maria opened the door and led everyone into the room.

It was a small sitting room, elegantly furnished with beautiful artwork hanging from the walls. A chandelier that Tessa suspected to be Murano Glass hung from the ceiling over the center coffee table.

Two boys fairly similar to the ones outside stood in the room, hands in their pockets. This would be Kol and Kallen, she decided. All the boys were very handsome- wavy, golden hair, tall, and a perfectly tan complexion. Their eyes were a strange gold color that almost seemed to glow softly, as if they contained hidden magic and secrets. All of them were wearing black, tight-fitting t-shirts and jeans, though the jean color varied from boy to boy. Besides that and the occasional facial feature, they were all identical Earth-bound Apollos. 

"Kol, Kallen, Keenan, Kai, and Kasper?" Tessa asked softly. Maria nodded.

"Hermanos. Brothers. They are our protectors, companions, though their first thought is always for Katerina. She's la hermanita. The youngest and only MacAlister daughter."

"Who also happens to be the most powerful being on Earth. So don't try anything." One of the boys said. His brother shushed him.

"You coming in, Kal?" Isabelle asked. "I know Kate's always more comfortable with you around."

"Yeah. Kol's going to stay out here, and Kasper and Kai are outside, so we should be fine. Keenan's with Anna-" A smirk from the shusher, who must have been Kol. "So she's safe, and he can come in for back-up if needed." With a start, Tessa realized what they needed protection from- her.

"Wait, I'm not dangerous. I don't even understand what's going on." Tessa protested. "Why can't I just go home?"

"Here we go again." Isabelle muttered. She seemed to be rather good at being bitter and irritated. "You might not understand, but whatever. Just go with it.

They led her over to the double doors at one end of the room, where Tessa supposed Katerina was. They were beautiful doors, she decided- she then scolded herself for thinking about doors at a time like this.

Kallen reached out and opened the door, peaking his head in. There was the murmur of voices from inside before he opened it completely to let them in.

"THIS is who almost killed my Angel? Gods-"

"Yes, yes, we've established that I'm small and tiny and unlikely to hurt anyone!" Tessa exploded. "So why can't you just let me go and we can all pretend this never happened? I'm tired, shaken up, and confused, you all seem to be bent on believe that I hurt precious Katerina, whoever the hell that happens to be-" A hand wrapped around her neck.