The Traitor

Chapter Thirty-Two: A Second Ultimatum

I wasn't really sure how everything would play out once we found an empty room and began testing my powers, but I figured it was the best way to start. After walking around for a couple minutes, trying every door we passed by, we finally came to an unlocked door. Inside was large meeting room with a long, conference table taking up most of it, and a small TV perched on a shelf on the wall in the corner.

"How about here?" I suggested as I walked through the door. It was big enough, but we would have to move the table to the side of the room for more space.

Connor nodded approvingly. "Works for me," he agreed. "Brandon?"

Brandon nodded as well. "Yeah, it will work. It would be ideal if they had a gym though," he added sarcastically. 

"Yeah, well, at this point, I'm not sure we have the timeline for that," I joked back, but it was true. Though it would be nice...

"Okay, so what now?" Connor asked.

"Well, now comes the hard part," I answered hesitantly. "I need to figure out what else Savannah and Jasper are hiding from me, but I honestly have no idea where to start."

Brandon looked at me quizzically. "Wait, so...there's more?" he asked in disbelief. I glanced at Connor in search of an explanation, but he returned the empty gaze. I turned back to Brandon, wondering where on Earth to start.

"We think so," I responded. "Jasper tricked me into coming to rescue him, then he captured me and basically told I was one of the Wen government's long-lost superhumans, along with him and Savannah." Brandon's jaw dropped. I didn't blame him- I was just as surprised when I found out, if not more. I continued, "Jasper and Savannah hid the fact that we had powers from me until the battle against the Daines began, so we imagine there's probably more they didn't tell me about. If we can figure out what else they're hiding, then we might be able to beat them at their own game. The problem is, we have no idea where to start."

Brandon nodded in understanding, despite all the gaps in the story in which he didn't know. "Well, let's start with what you do know. Make the force field."

I brought up my hands in the air and a bright orb appeared between my fingertips, glowing an eerie blue. I then moved my arms wider apart and expanded the length between my hands, until the orb had rolled out and flattened, and taken the shape of an invisible wall in front of me.

"Wow," Connor commented, admiring the translucent shield. "And to think, you could do that this whole time."

"Actually, she couldn't." I felt my heart turn to ice as I whipped around to face the owner of the deep, spine-chilling voice. He stood next to Savannah and they began slowly making their way toward us, like foxes circling a field of sheep. I stepped back, closer to Brandon and Connor, as I watched their every move.

"Jasper," I spoke, my voice filled to the brim with nothing but a deep hatred toward him and the other blonde traitor.

"You know, I have to admit, I'm impressed with how well you executed that force field, especially with your limited experience." He smirked and I returned it with a cold glare.

I cocked my head to the side. "Limited? Don't you mean no experience?" I clarified, my tone drowning in sass. "Because the last time I checked, you neglected to tell me the one, small and simple details about the RAYS: we have powers." Now it was my turn to smirk at him, but his lips held there curled form nonetheless.

"And was I wrong to do that?" he asked, moving closer still. I took another step back. "What, with your betrayal and all? Honestly, Teya, what is it with you and being a traitor?" He lowered his voice on the last word and dragged it out, knowing it would get to me. But I swallowed my anger and kept my focus on what was really important: protecting my friends.

"I am not a traitor," I replied calmly, but firmly. "I know where I stand."

"Really? Because right now, you're attempting to protect both a Daine and a Wen." He gestured with a nod of his head toward Connor, then Brandon. "And if you don't mind me adding," he continued, not pausing to wait for a response, "I heard the Daines are missing a Prisoner." Both he and Savannah glared at Brandon, and when I turned around to look at him, I noticed him staring defiantly back at them. The words I had wanted to say the last time he had worn that expression, ran through my head: Don't give in, stand your ground. We'll get through this...somehow. 

That was exactly how I felt at that moment. But I couldn't help but wonder, Will it ever end?

Jasper continued, "So where do you stand, Teya? Because you can't be both. It's either Wen or Daine." He held out his hands on either side of him and pretended to weigh my options. This wasn't the first time Jasper had given me an ultimatum, but unlike last time, my choice wouldn't directly affect one person or another. I could still go against the Wens and have a chance to protect my friends. How exactly? I wasn't sure. But what I did know, was that I would stop at nothing to keep those I loved safe.