"Hands where I can see them!" Demitri ordered. "Put these rebels in lockup."

Liana closed her eyes, knowing she'd get in more trouble if she used her power- but she needed to get Jerik and Taylor back.

With a deep breath, she pushed the guards away with her mind and took off, hoping most of them would follow her.

She was right.

As she ran, she tried to call out for Jerik, but no answer came. Her breaths came short and ragged. Liana couldn't run forever, she needed to rest. She stopped, turning on the guards as they surrounded her.

Demitri was in the middle of the pack, glaring at her. "I told you not to go after them!"

"Anything to stop you from becoming leader," Liana spat. Anything to buy my friends time.

"Arrest her," Demitri ordered. The guards surged forward, and Liana held out her hands, pushing them back.

Liana.

The whisper was a breath of relief. Are you safe? Where are you?

I'm safe. Taylor's injured, though. They shot him in the stomach.

Liana clutched her shoulder, remembering the pain that had swarmed her after she had acquired the wound.

A sword slashed surprisingly close to her arm and she remembered where she was. I'm busy. West Woods. Demitri caught me.

I'll be there.

And then he was gone, replaced by the sharp orders of Demitri.

"Put us down RIGHT NOW, or your punishment will be worse than death," he shouted as Liana held him, struggling, in the air.

"You seem to be forgetting that I have you dangling above the ground right now," Liana retorted. She tried to sound confident, but her strength was failing. The guards pressed against her power, flailing in midair.

"You witch! I knew you were evil as soon as you murdered my innocent SEAM officers!"

His face paled as Liana started at him. He had just slipped, right in front of his guards, a massive secret.

Before that moment, it had never occured to Liana that there might have been two traitors.

But now...

"Clever, Demitri. I thought you were smarter than this," Liana taunted.

"So what if I'm with SEAM? They give me things that Jerik and Xina never could!"

"Are there others?" she dropped the guards, knowing they wouldn't attack her now.

He gave a slow, shaky nod. "You'll never find them."

"But I will."

Liana could've cried as she whipped around. There Jerik stood, flanked by her friends, the Light Shifters, Echoes, and Forseers. "YES!"

Demitri's face paled even more. "How are you still alive? I told them to kill you immediately!"

Jerik smirked. "There are some things you'll never know, Demitri."

Q & A next chapter ---->