Tam's perspective:
Tam stared at the two figures. Looked like Bella had brought some help. She had probably realized that she couldn't take them on her own. But who was the other figure? There were plenty of options, even without considering the members they didn't know about.

The figures' hoods blew in the slight breeze, eerily shifting the shadows on their faces.

Bella unclenched her fists and the motionless snowflakes rained to the ground, clearing a path to their enemies. She tossed back her hood and her long caramel brown braid fell down her back. Her breath plumed up in front of her face when no one else's did.

"I have good news." She smirked. "Vespera doesn't want you anymore." She eyed each of them with hostility. "Which means I won't be taking any of you alive." She raised her arms in an "X" and broke the letter.

The snow erupted through the air, steaming and melting into a warm fog.

Tam and the others were blinded.

A flash of light appeared in the blurry surroundings and Tam followed it to Wylie, who stood with an orb of bright yellow light hovering above his palm.

The others followed close behind. Soon, they all stood huddled together in the mist, listening closely for Bella and the other figure.

Tam turned to his sister. "Lihn, the fog."

Lihn slammed her palm against her forehead. "I'm such an idiot." She raised her hand towards the fog and took a deep breath. She brushed her hands to the sides and the mist part.

Just as the last of the water vapor dispersed, Lihn stiffened.

Tam tried to move to her side, but his body refused to listen.

Everyone stood motionless in the now clear pasture.

Bella approached the group from behind. "You make it too easy. She grabbed Tam's chin and tilted his head as if examining him. "Honestly, you would've had a better chance in the fog."

Fitz collapsed to the ground with a scream, clutching his stomach as if he'd been wounded.
Biana reappeared and, screaming, toppled over, shaking on the grass.

Maruca dropped to her knees, struggling to breathe.

The other figure emerged from the shadows and held a knife to Mr. Forkle's throat.

Aramis, Grady, and Edaline all reached for their weapons, turning them on Sophie and Wylie.

Lihn started coughing and heaving as if the air was drowning her.

Tiergan's arm slowly bent back, twisting out of place. A snap signaled his arm breaking, but he couldn't scream.

Tam met Bella's gaze. "Valerie, please, I know you're in there."

"Shh..." she put a finger to her lips.

Tam tried to speak, but nothing came out. His tongue wouldn't cooperate and his mouth couldn't from words.

Bella leaned in close, whispering in his ear. "I know you don't care how I hurt you, but what'll happen when I make you watch everyone you love die."

A spike of fear surged through Tam as his body moved and turned so he could see all of his friends... and Lihn.

He tried desperately to look away, but couldn't make his body obey.

He couldn't say anything. He couldn't do anything. He was helpless. He was going to watch his friends die.

Grady's face showed how hard he was fighting against Bella's will.

He dropped his weapon. "Enough!" He thrust his hand towards Bella, who froze for a tenth of a second, but it was enough to throw off her concentration.

Everyone relaxed, dropping weapons, standing up, and facing their opponents.

Forkle grabbed the cloaked figure's wrist and threw him to the ground.

The hood fell back revealing the blonde hair and piercing blue eyes of Gethen.

He glared up at the pudgy leader of the Black Swan. "You were supposed to be dead."

Forkle narrowed his eyes. "I think you'll find I'm famously hard to get rid of."

Bella, free of Grady's will, turned on the group and threw her arms forward. Spikes of ice flew from her hands.

Tam dove out of the way as the deadly icicles streaked by.

The ice pinned Tiergan to a nearby tree and cut Edaline across the cheek.

Bella clutched a frozen blade in each hand, charging at them. She blocked their weapons and slid on her knees beneath a spray of throwing stars.

Maruca flashed a forcefield around Bella, but it almost immediately flickered and disappeared as Maruca collapsed to the ground unconscious.

Bella lunged forward and tackled Fitz to the ground. As she held her sword to his throat, her icy fingers dug into his wrist and frost spread up his forearm as his skin tinted black with frostbite.

Biana, appearing out of nowhere, jumped onto Bella's back and rolled her off of her brother.
Bella twisted, slicing Biana across the chest, not deep enough to be fatal, but bad enough to bleed freely.

Bella stood, facing her remaining adversaries.
Before he knew what had happened, Tam found himself pinned up against a tree with Bella on top of him, her fingers pressing into his skin.

He felt his blood warm up until it was unbearable and his skin was blistering. He squeezed his eyes shut and screamed.

When he opened them again, he saw a man with darker skin, dark blue eyes, and black slightly disheveled hair standing behind Bella.
He gasped when he recognized him - Prentice.