Hidden One

Chapter Thirty

Tessa watched, as if in slow motion, as the blood blossomed on Kasper's chest and he hit the ground. There was a roaring in her ears, but she suspected she cried out as she dropped to her knees beside him. Just in time, too, as another one of the spears flew through the air and embedded itself in the wall behind her.

Demetri stood over her, protecting her as she pressed her hands in a last-ditch effort to stop the bleeding. She knew it was no use, of course; it hadn't pierced his heart, but it was so close it made no difference.

"I'm so sorry, Kas," she whispered. He tried to shake his head.

"Don't...." He whispered. "It's...okay. Love you."

His eyes closed.

Tessa stood slowly, shaking with sorrow but also with rage.

"Is this what you wanted?!" she shouted at Kate. "To kill your own brother? What have you come to, Katerina? Is this rivalry really worth it?"

She looked shell-shocked, frozen, like she couldn't believe what she'd seen.

"Kas..." Kate whispered. "Kasper...what was he...?"

"He was fighting for what he believed in," Tessa whispered, but she wanted to shriek. Even though her voice was soft, Kate still heard her.

"Lies!" She cried. "He was following you around like a lost puppy- he couldn't help it! You've corrupted him, just like you were corrupted."

"Kate!" Keenan exclaimed, looking horrified at what his sister had said. He was kneeling next to Kasper's body now, Maria's hand on his shoulder. Anna couldn't even seem to look at them.

"You will be ruined because of what you cost me, Tessa," Kate said, her voice dark. "You have taken two of brothers, and one of my friends. You have soiled the very meaning of what we are."

Tessa shook her head emphatically. "I didn't do that. You did that to yourself."

Kate didn't answer. Instead, she turned and ushered everyone back into the forest, shooting a parting glare over her shoulder.

"Get Kasper into the house," Tessa said the second Kate was out of sight. "And don't let Cecilia know. Not quite yet."

"But Katerina..." Maria trailed off. "She has used her secret weapon against us. Now she will set the forest on fire."

"We have to get everyone out of here...." Demetri said, his eyes scanning across the clearing. Tessa shook her head.

"We'll never make it, and I'm not leaving anyone behind. Those who stayed knew what it would mean." She looked at Demetri. "We have to stand and fight."

Maria glanced at Keenan. "There are rings of benders, moving in at different intervals," She said. "Once you get past the fire, it will be easy going from there."

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I am so sorry guys, this is absolutely dreadful and short and unedited but I didn't want to make you wait any longer.

I had a concussion back in May, and every now and then I have an episode where my head starts to hurt, I have issues performing basic functions and my memory is spotty. I'm going to a doctor tomorrow about it, as I've been having one of these episodes for about a week now.

Please understand, it's an effort just to sit here and write you this message. Hopefully it'll clear in a couple of days and the doctor will help, but right now I'm just not up to it and I probably won't be writing for awhile.