The Immortal's Betrayal

by Martha Woods

  “Remember, just this one and then you’re completely done with them,” Bethany reassured her quietly.

  Tessa nodded. The council members drew in, circling around the pool completely. The pool then began to fill with water, as it always did. She wished she had human sensations, perhaps the cool water would have been enough to wake her up. She found her eyes already closing by the time the chanting began. Tessa really couldn’t be bothered enough to pay attention, though she picked up on some words. It was just the routine jargon. Tessa repeatedly told herself that it would just be a little while longer, then she could go back to bed. To just tough it out since it was the last one. Surely however tired she would be after this, would be the most tired they could make her. Then Bethany would be happy that the rituals were done, and Tessa could rest until her body was content.

  When Bethany’s chanting started, Tessa felt the same warmth start in her fingertips, and travel up her arm and into her chest. It was still one of the best sensations Tessa had ever felt. As a vampire, you didn’t realize just how much you missed warmth until you felt it, and wanted to weep when it was gone. It managed to make her doze off a little bit, even while standing. She swayed in place, but it didn’t seem to catch anyone’s attention. Then, as the water started to swirl around, and Bethany was the lone one chanting, the warmth started to grow exponentially, until it was hot. Then it was too hot before growing to the point of feeling like it was actually burning her insides. Something is very wrong. As Tessa began to double over and scream in pain, the burning dissipated and descended down her arm. Relief was instant, and Tessa balanced herself. It wasn’t quick like a band-aid, but it was like she was gradually cooling off.

  But then, it didn’t stop. The warmth was gone, but she could still feel… something pulling. It wasn’t a warmth draining from her, but her actual energy. “Bethany…” Tessa tried to call out, but Bethany just continued chanting, practically screaming the ancient words. Tessa’s dizzy mind couldn’t piece any of it together, it just sounded like jumbled syllables to her. She tried to let go of Bethany’s hand, but Bethany’s grip grew tight—to the point where Tessa thought perhaps she could actually break Tessa’s hand. Her eyes were wide, looking to her sister with confusion. Tessa’s legs then gave out from underneath her. She fell into the water, though her arm was still extended upward, her hand firmly clutched in Bethany’s. She gaped to see the water was pitch black. It had always been red… Panic seized her, but Tessa simply couldn’t move. Her body was made of lead, and the last bit of fight she had in her body was being sucked slowly from her body. The waves in the pool tried to knock Tessa over, and for a moment Tessa found herself hoping that the waves would be her saving grace, and would get her away from Bethany's hand. They were no match. Tessa didn’t understand what was going on at all, it was growing impossible for her to even form thoughts. One thought, however, managed to ring in the back of her head, quietly, but clearly. I’m going to die here.

  * * *

  Kristian was surprised that their plan had worked as well as it had. They managed to conquer the guards from the outskirts of the town, all the way to the palace, in just a matter of a couple of hours. It had been surprisingly easy. The Calder were pretty cocky, and would have lone witches patrolling large areas by themselves. It had been as easy as shaking down two of the witches to get one of them to spill elaborate details about the palace, and where Bethany and Tessa would be. While it had been an accomplishment to get as far as they had in such a short amount of time, it wasn’t even half the battle. The palace was heavily guarded, a large portion of their population lived within it, and was a maze itself. They had to be smart and quick about every decision they made, or else the whole thing would be blown.

  He was still at war internally about the decision he had made to attack. No matter how much he screamed at himself to just stop thinking about her and get through with it, there was a nagging ache in his chest that simply wouldn’t go away. Kristian feared that when it came down to it, he wouldn’t be able to hurt her. He truly loved her, and he just didn’t understand how she could have been playing him all this time. He thought what they had, had been real… It didn’t matter what he thought, though. The fact of the matter was, Tessa joined the Calder and left him with a broken heart and no answers. Veronica had been right about the fact that Tessa had to be colluding with them in some way. If they had killed her, it would have been obvious. They would have been raining fire down upon them, perhaps literally. That left the question: why was she doing it?

  The group split up into small teams, needing to get through the palace unnoticed. Apparently, they would be in a throne room of some kind, near the center of the palace. Their attack had to be big and quick, that way they could get away before the rest of the palace figured out what was going on. The Firehavens, who were pairing up with him just outside of the throne room, had a quick escape planned for them. The entire vampire family was counting on it working. If it didn’t, or if the Firehaven left them high and dry, the entire family would be slaughtered without a doubt. Kristian traveled down the bizarre, identical hallways with Jared, Calla, and a vampire named Dustin. Dustin took the lead, while Kristian trailed behind, scanning around to make sure no one noticed them and started to follow. Every time they cross someone, Dustin and Jared would waste no time taking them down. Kristian would then drag them into nearby closets, so that they didn’t leave a trail of bodies behind them.

  His fists unclenched and clenched rapidly as he tried to keep his nerve. He knew it would only be a matter of time before he was face to face with Tessa again. Honest to god, he wasn’t sure if he was ready, even though he needed to be. Kristian tried to force himself out of his own head, but it was becoming impossible the deeper they got into the palace. Then, as they crossed a corridor into another, Kristian caught a glimpse of a light coming from a cracked door. Glancing to the group, they all proceeded down the hall. He groaned inwardly, hoping that whatever was in there wouldn’t be a problem for them.

  Very carefully walking over to the door, Kristian peeked inside the opening in the door. There were two men inside a room that looked like a parlor. They were almost impossible to tell apart besides the fact that one had a modern, stylish hairstyle, while the other wore his long and kept in a low ponytail. “I’m telling you, Emil. If they would just give me a little more time with her…”

  “They’re going to do what they want with her. There’s nothing you can do to stop them, you know that.”

  “I know, but… I think Tessa’s feeling something for me. What if we could have two High Priestesses? And if I were to be married to one? Our family would be back in power.”

  Kristian’s eyes bulged. Tessa was already seeing someone else?! It couldn’t be so… Could Veronica be right? Had Tessa really never felt anything for him?

  “You’re not seriously thinking about using her to get to power, are you? That’d make you no better than Bethany.”

  “No, I’m not using her. I do care for her…”

  “You do?” Emil questioned. There was silence. “I don’t want to hear any more, Ben. If you have something you’re trying to pull, I will not be an accomplice. Please, leave.”

  “But, brother—”

  “For both of our sakes, leave. You need to think on this long and hard before you try and do something going against Bethany. It’s a death wish, my brother.”

  There were two sets of footsteps, and Kristian pressed himself against the wall next to the door. “I suppose you’re right… But… Look at her, Emil,” Benjamin said as they neared the door. “She has so much potential. She’s sweet and beautiful…” It felt like daggers pierced through Kristian’s chest as he dared to peek back into the crack. Even though there was a glare on the screen, Kristian could make out the picture. There she was. She sat at a candle-lit table, with a fancy goblet sat in front of her, a smile on her face, wearing a dress… Tessa was dating this guy… Kristian had to bite down on the sides of his cheeks to keep himself c
omposed. He couldn’t believe someone he loved so very much, had discarded him and moved on to the next guy like it was nothing.

  Unexpectedly, jealousy started to bubble up to the surface. How was this guy more deserving of her time? How was the Calder better to her than the family and Firehaven? How could she do this? His thoughts were cut off by more talking. Emil continued, “You do what you feel is best. I, however, can’t take part… You know Wynonna is expecting. I can’t get caught up in—”

  “I’d never ask you to. I just… I don’t know. I’m in my own head these last few days. With everything that’s about to happen, I suppose I just like to think there’s a way I could change things.”

  “Just remember who you are against, and what she is capable of. I love you, brother. And I’d like you to be around for two-hundred years or so, just in case I need your help with this kid stuff.”

  Benjamin chuckled. “Think you’ll need to care for them that long?”

  “If they’re anything like you and Mimi,” he snorted.

  They laughed together, and when it died out, Ben sighed. “I’ll be going then. Thank you for your counsel.”

  “Anytime.”

  Kristian crept away from the door, wanting to be completely out of sight. Ben then emerged from the room, and the door closed behind him. The man stared down at his phone for a long moment before sighing and sliding it in his pocket, and going to walk away. Before he could get far, however, Kristian tackled him and kept a hand locked around his mouth. “Not a single sound or movement,” he hissed into Benjamin’s ear.

  The man was no match for Kristian’s strength, despite his broad form. Kristian dragged Ben along. No matter how he felt about this guy, it was clear he had some form of information that no one else had. Talking with his brother, it sounded like he knew what Bethany had planned for Tessa. Kristian noticed an open door and headed over to it. Peering in carefully, he noticed no one inside. Taking a deep breath, he lugged Ben through the door and shut it behind them. Kristian hurled him to the center of the floor. “Tell me what you know,” Kristian demanded.

  Ben pulled himself to a sitting position, rubbing his jaw since it had smacked against the floor when Kristian threw him. “You’re a real idiot for being here,” Ben scoffed.

  Kristian found himself having no patience for this particular man. Probably because his mind wouldn’t stop torturing him with thoughts of Ben and Tessa kissing and touching. He grabbed hold of Ben’s neck and slammed him back into the floorboards, letting his grasp tighten around Ben’s throat. “I said tell me what you know, and you know what I mean. What’s going on with Tessa and Bethany?”

  Ben gave him a strange look before it appeared to all click into place for him, “You’re Kristian, aren’t you? Tessa’s ex?” he asked, sounding almost amused by the realization.

  “Do you think I’m playing games?” Kristian questioned, tightening the hold on his neck enough to make breathing a little more labor intensive for Ben.

  He coughed and wheezed for a moment, “I’m not telling you shit. Do you think you can steal her away from me or something? Because you can’t.”

  Kristian’s lip curled and he then had to focus his energy on not breaking Ben’s windpipe out of irritation. “Shut the hell up, will you? Tell me what you know, or I will rip out your throat and leave it at your brother’s door.” He squeezed even harder, wanting to show this nimrod that he was serious.

  Ben’s eyes widened momentarily, but he still didn’t speak. Kristian could have swore it looked like he was debating what to say, a great hesitance gleaming in his blue eyes. “I’m not telling… my clans plan… to a… leech.”

  Kristian gave a dry laugh. Ben said leech as if it were still an insult. It was just another term for vampire to Kristian at this point in his life. “Well, I hope you loyalty with the Calder will protect you from beyond the grave,” he said, forcing his hand tighter around his neck.

  “First… Do you want to hear about… how sweet she tasted?”

  The bold comment struck Kristian like lightning. What had he just said? “Shut your mouth,” Kristian spat.

  “I suppose you know… how she tastes… How perfect her moans sound. How her breath sounds… in your ear. The way her skin feels… I can die a happy man… knowing my last time making love… was with Tes—”

  He couldn’t stomach to hear Ben say her name. Kristian’s chest heaved in anger. He had spent the last few months practically drinking himself to death, and Tessa was held up with the Calder, making sweet love to one of their men? How cruel could that woman be? How could she do this to Kristian? Kristian knew he had a temper problem and he wasn’t the best man, but he had tried to be his best for her. Maybe it was his fault for thinking it would be enough for Tessa.

  Just as he decided to finally end that horrible prick’s life, Kristian realized that he had separated from the group, and they were probably long gone. Not to mention, they were sneaking around the building to get to the throne room, not going right to it. He couldn’t wait that long to face her. He was pissed, and at that point, he didn’t care what happened to him. Kristian pulled Ben up by the throat, “You’re going to take me to Bethany and Tessa, right now.”

  He loosened the hold on Ben’s throat to let him talk. Ben coughed and drew in a few deep breaths before talking. “Are you a mad man? You know you’d get killed just walking into that room, right?”

  Kristian gave him a deadpan look in response. He didn’t care, and tried to think out a plan quickly. “You’re going to act like you caught me and are bringing me right to them.”

  Ben raised a brow, “How could I… when most witches… know who you are, and know you’re a vampire?... I can’t match your strength.”

  Well… He was right about that… Kristian thought quickly, trying to think of how to make it possible. The only way to weaken a vampire’s strength, was with silver. A light bulb went off in his head and he drew his iron dagger from his ankle strap. Taking a deep breath, he purposefully stabbed himself with the very tip of it underneath his collarbone. He winced and twisted it around, to make the cut a circle. It wasn’t deep or all that big, but enough to have his dark blood seep through his shirt, creating the illusion he had been shot. Finally letting go of Ben’s neck, he let out a breath. “As far as everyone else is concerned, you were a cunning eye and shot me with a silver bullet before I could approach you. If you try and alert anyone of what’s going on, I really won’t hesitate to break your neck.”

  Benjamin studied him for a moment, clearly thinking that the vampire before him was crazy. After all, Kristian had just stabbed himself willingly. To the Calder man, it was obvious that Kristian wasn’t going to live through this. At least this way, he looked like a hero, rather than getting overpowered and conned. “Fine,” Benjamin muttered, grabbing ahold of Kristian’s wrist. Kristian himself took a deep breath. Finally, he was going to be face to face with Tessa.

  * * *

  Tessa was amazed that she could even hold her eyes open at that point. Her vision was there, but it was spotty. Not that she could see anything past the vicious waves in the pool. Her body was beaten by them, leaving her not only drained, but sore as well. Just as she thought she could take it no longer, there was a disturbance across the room. Bethany’s chanting stopped, causing the waves to settle. “Get out of here! You will mess up the rit—” Bethany screeched, but then her voice suddenly cut off.

  Tessa blinked away the droplets of the black water that had gotten in her eyes. As her vision cleared of the inky liquid, she could make out the shape of Ben in the distance. What was he doing in there? Maybe he knew this one was going to be too much for her, and had came to help. A phantom of a smile appeared on her lips, until she noticed a figure standing next to him. Her eyes fell on the person and her jaw dropped, and her eyes widened. Kristian? What… what was he doing there? And with Ben? Several of the council members had disbanded from the circle, and were approaching them. Panic surged through Tessa. No, no, no. He couldn�
�t be there. They would kill him. “I found him sneaking into the palace. Thankfully, I was able to draw a silver pistol down from a nearby display, and maimed him, damaging that vampire strength of his enough to overpower him and bring him right to you.”

  Tessa couldn’t stop staring at Kristian. His emerald eyes were burning into hers. Even from a distance, she could see the hurt in his expression. That look alone made her want to kill over. She hated that she had hurt him so much, and hadn’t had the opportunity nor the courage, to tell him the truth as to why she had left. At that point… she just didn’t even have words for him. Tessa was sure that Kristian hated her. “Bring him over here,” Bethany announced firmly, though she never moved or dropped Tessa’s hand. Benjamin’s eyes shifted to Kristian and walked him over to the pool. The elders cleared a path for him, and the two men made their way to the very edge of the pool. “How many are with you? I know you aren’t foolish enough to come here alone.”

  Bethany tried to demand answers out of Kristian, but his eyes had never faltered from Tessa’s. His face was pinched by agony, regret, and heartache. “Why did you leave me?” he asked, his voice cracked from emotions. “How could you just leave without a word, a-and join them? How could you?”

  Tessa longed to weep. Never before had she had such an overwhelming desire to cry. “Kristian… It’s not…” Tessa tried to plead, but her body was betraying her, not even having the strenght to vocalize her fragmented thoughts.

  Then, Kristian’s head flung back and he was lifted into the air by no visible force. He levitated in the air, his legs kicking as though he coul find ground. “I asked you a question,” Bethany growled.

  Tessa looked to her sister in horror, “Drop him!” she tried to demand.