Hidden One

Chapter Twenty-Eight

I stood on the low wall in the courtyard, a hand gently resting on my belly as I watched two Benders spar. Both had an affinity for fire, but the woman was using her extra element of air to her advantage.

"Enough." I called out finally. "Go rest, and be ready to move in two hours."

They bowed and left the area, allowing for the next two to begin their session. Kai was in the courtyard to my left, Alexander to my right as we made sure all our Benders were in top condition. Lucy hovered behind me, a glass of water in her hand as she studied me for any signs of fatigue. I wasn't going to give her any, though- I was going to lead the attack regardless of anything they said to me.

"Tarrana." I called, halting the session. The girl looked up at me.

"Yes, Ma'am?"

I smiled. "How do you feel about a commanding position?"

She looked absolutely ecstatic. "I would be honored."

"Good. Go take a rest, and meet me in my sitting room in half an hour." She nodded and bowed deeply at the waist before leaving my presence. Lucy came up behind me.

"Kate, you should rest before we move out." She murmured, resting a hand on my back. "Maria will take over here."

Deciding it was best- for now- not to argue, I followed her back into the house.

"...I do not expect anyone to fight if they do not want to," Tessa said, her voice echoing throughout the clearing. She stood on the steps of Cecilia's house, looking out over the pack- her pack, bar the doctor. He was inside looking at Cecilia.

Demetri had his hand on her shoulder, offering her moral support. She glanced up at him before continuing.

"I would be very grateful, however," She said. "If all of you who have elected to stay behind would fight four your land. Katerina MacAlistar has no right to storm our lands and kill our people. She has no right to burn our things and kidnap our children. We might have gotten those who are unable to fight to safety, but that does not mean everything will be okay. Some of you may die today." She swallowed.

"I hope none of you do. Honestly, it would break my heart to know a single one of you had to sacrifice their life for something that is completely my fault. I won't pretend that I didn't unintentionally instigate this attack by Katerina- she and I don't exactly see eye to eye." A scattering of chuckles. "But that does not mean it has anything less to do with this pack and the future of our species.

"She has instigated this fight. She is the one invading our lands. She is the one who will die and she is the one who will suffer!" Cheers and wolf whistles echoed in her ears, and Tessa smiled. "I will not deny any of you the chance to take out those who have done your species wrong for longer than we've been on this earth. All I ask is that should any of you find her, you bring her to me. I will deal with her myself, in front of all of you, to show you my undying loyalty to our cause, our pack, and our species."

"Long live the Alpha!" Someone in the back shouted.

"Long live the Seer!" Someone else called.

"Long live the Alpha! Long live the Seer!" It was like a mantra, a battle cry that echoed in the minds and bodies of every single person in the clearing. They all wanted the same thing, had the same goals. Tessa might not know for certain if they were going to win this fight, but one thing was for sure:

They would die trying.

"I am putting you in charge of the earth Benders, Tarrana." I said, sitting down heavily on the couch in my formal sitting room. She stood opposite me, hands clasped tightly behind her back. "But I also have a special task for you."

"Anything you want, I shall deliver, Lady Seer." She murmured, lowering her eyes submissively. I smiled, pleased.

"I would expect nothing less, Tarrana." Standing again, I walked over to her slowly and stood before her. I studied her for a moment before speaking in low tones. "When the time comes, Teresa is going to put up a fight. Maria, Isabelle and I, as well as my brothers, will be going after her when the fight begins. But we'll be a big group, easily spotted and easily moved away from. I need you to track her and bring her to me, using any means necessary. Do you understand me?"

She looked uncertain for a moment before nodding her head. "Anything you want, I shall deliver, Lady Seer." She repeated, her voice nothing above a whisper. I patted her cheek, turning away from her.

"Good."