City of Secrets (The Lost Waterbender sequel)

Kaito

Under the cover of night, I had returned to the harbor. I walked along the street, admiring the ocean. The moon we nearly full, and cast a beautiful glow over the choppy waters. I only wished I could sit and enjoy it.

I found the building Shakya had told me about fairly easily. It was smaller than the house I'd been in. It was a long, low, boarded-up sea shack with wood work from the constant exposure to the salt.

I tried the door, but it was locked. I easily picked it with a hairpin and some ice maneuvering. The door swung open and I was greeted by a cold draft.

The living room made up a majority of the house. There were empty book cases spread sporadically through the large room. A dusty couch and coffee table sat in the center. A small kitchen was located behind a bamboo divider.

I entered into one of the back rooms after finding nothing of interest. What I found now made me freeze in my tracks.

There was an entire wall covered in newspaper clippings of my friends and family. But they were covered in angry markings. There was a picture of Aang and Zuko with their arms around each other, smiling for the camera. Over the top of it was written DIRTY FILTHY BLOODTRAITOR. Similar pictures of Sokka, Katara, Toph, Raiko, and me hung on the wall as well, all with furious words and scratched-out faces. Some were cut from newspapers, others looked as though they were surveillance photos.

My heart was racing as I looked over the hatred and bigotry evident in these markings. I looked at the desk below the the wall, which was covered in similar papers and clippings. One caught my eye in particular.

It was a picture of Aang, smiling at the camera, levitating a ring of marbles between his hands. The caption below read

Avatar Aang will be delivering a speech in Four Nations Square to celebrate the ten-year anniversary of Republic City. A celebration will exhibit the celebration of each of the four nations heritage, and the unity that has been achieved between all.

Amidst the scrawling and scratching of the clipping included the words kill kill kill written in red ink across Aang's face. The date of the celebration had been circled dozens of times. Dread clutched my heart.

They were going to kill Aang in the heart of Republic City, where thousands would see it.

I stumbled back from the table and turned to run. I had to tell Aang, even if it meant my own arrest.

"Going somewhere?"

A silhouette stood in the doorway, blocking my way out. I stepped backwards, hands going to my water pouches.

"I don't think those will help you."

The silhouette's arm shot out, and the awful sensation I knew was bloodbending overtook me.

Kaito.

I was forced to the ground. I fought against it, but she was too strong.

"Please..." I gasped.

Kaito cackled and stepped into the moonlight. She was tall and slim, with caramel skin and dark thick hair swept into a braid. Her blue eyes were narrow slits of hate, and her mouth was twisted into a malevolent smile. She wore the black jumpsuit of the Tundra Wolves, but she bore no blue armband. Clearly the group didn't want her showing their colors.

"I'm glad you finally made it, Mara," she said. "I was worried I'd have to drag you here myself."

"What...do you....want from me?" I growled. I felt as though I was suffocating under her control.