Tessa Brennan and the Cursed Light

Chapter 3

Tessa awoke slowly, and felt her body being shaken. She didn't open her eyes.

"...essa, Tessa please! Please wake up, I can't lose you, too, oh god-"

She knew that voice. She slowly opened one eye, her lids heavy like sandpaper. "...Kaden?"

Gradually, his face came into focus and she felt herself being propelled upwards into Kaden's arms. He squeezed her waist and nuzzled his nose into her neck.

"Oh god, Tessa, don't ever to that to me again. I thought- I thought you were gone. I-"

Tessa brought her hand up stroke his head. "But I'm not gone, Kaden. I won't leave you, I promise."

Kaden raised his head and held her at arm's length, gripping her shoulders. His eyes were red, the remnants of tears making his cheeks glisten. Tessa felt her heart give a little lurch. "Yeah?"

Tessa cocked her head and smiled. "Yeah."

Kaden grinned then, and rushed forward to give her another hug.

"Oh don't you get all sentimental on me now, Gray. Also, you're kind of crushing me." She let out an exaggerated cough.

He chuckled and released her, standing up and holding his hand out. She took it and heaved herself up. She was about to ask what happened, when there was a blur of yellow and she almost fell backwards.

"What-"

"Tessa oh my goodness, thank Merlin you're okay! You were out for such a long time and oh god-"

As Tessa peaked around Dale's hair, she could see Mark smiling. "Yeah, and Gray over here was about to give you mouth-to-mouth, willingly."

Kaden's face burned and he glared at Mark. "Of course I was willing! If it could save her life, I'd do anything."

Mark placed a hand over his heart and gasped dramatically. "Oh Kaden, you romantic. Ya hear, Tess? He'd do anything."

Tessa chose to ignore what he was saying and pat Dale on the back. Dale moved backwards and sighed, clasping her hands in front of her.
"Well, you missed quite a lot Tessa."

"How- how long was I out?"

Kaden leant against a desk and grimaced. "At least three hours."

Tessa inhaled sharply. Dale looked at her with worry. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "And in those three hours, everyone was in a panic. The doors were locked with some form of dark magic, and so were the windows. Nobody could get in. The headmaster was finally able to, thank Merlin, about ten minutes ago."

Tessa's eyes widened. "Was anybody hurt?"

"No," Mark rubbed the back of his neck. "Actually, everybody woke up at the same time, except for you."

Tessa furrowed her brows. Maybe it was the lack of sleep...?

"Probably." Kaden said. It took Tessa a moment to realize she had spoken out loud.

"Anyhow," Mark crossed his arms. "Classes were cancelled for the rest of the day."

Tessa raised her eyebrows. This must've been serious, then.

Kaden pushed himself off the desk and nodded to the door. "Come on, then. We should head back to our dorms."

"Whaaaat? And I don't get a hug, too?" Mark looked at Tessa with a pout. She chuckled and opened her arms. Mark launched himself at her and squeezed her waist, laughing.

"But seriously," Mark broke away and nudged her arm. "Don't do that again."

Tessa punched his shoulder and he recoiled. "Ow."

She laughed. "I won't, I swear."

"Don't swear." Dale reminded her with a grin. Tessa smirked.

But Tessa's smile faded fast as she walked out the door. She felt her mouth go dry.

Dale screamed.
•••