“My thoughts exactly.” Theo confirmed his assumption to Ashton. “Move your people, but please don’t let Cara know about this. Act normal so we can entrap Celeste.” Theo added.
Ashton affirmed, and they parted ways like men on a mission to protect the Sakalam. Ashton called Barry as soon as he rode back to his car. “Track Celeste’s whereabouts, but be discreet.” Ashton warned Barry. He needed to know how Celeste would play it out with the witch hunters. Though both Theo and Thomas would surely do everything in their power to keep Cara safe, he wants to do his part in keeping her out of harm's way as well.
Ashton walked very carefully as soon as he reached the hallway of their home. He suspects Cara’s hearing ability has doubled by now.
Ashton held the door knob stealthily, but his heart almost fell off of his chest when he saw Cara right there on his doorstep when he opened the door. “Oh, what the fu!” He exclaimed, holding his chest with his left hand.
“Where have you been?” Cara placed her hands on her waist and raised her eyebrows. “I’ve been talking to you on the wall for the last ten minutes and you were not responding.” She moved closer to Ashton. “How can you be so reckless?” She continued ranting.
Ashton raised his right hand and extended it towards Cara. It was a cup of hot chocolate. “I just went down to the kitchen for a quick cup. I thought I’d make one for you, too.” He said smoothly. His quick thinking made him take some pre-emptive measures.
“You did not have to.” Cara lowered her head and accepted the cup from Ashton.
“I made sure I did not take too long.” He assured Cara he was okay, as it was obvious to him that she was worried. Ashton is just glad that it seems like Cara bought his flimsy excuse.
Cara nodded and turned her back to Ashton like nothing had happened.
“Wait, is there something you wanted to tell me?” Ashton asked Cara as he grabbed her hand.
Cara could not lie to herself; she missed the touch of Ashton’s hand on hers. But she could just gobble that pain to herself. “Nothing.” She pulled away her hand and went directly to her room without looking back at Ashton.
Ashton blew out his cheeks and dropped his body in his bed feeling relieved that he was able to walk away from that impending disaster.  
***
Theo went straight to his father’s room and pounded on the door. “Dad! Dad! Open up!” He asked him, as if their house was burning.
Thomas instantly opened the door, “What happened, are you okay?” He asked and checked his son for any signs of injuries.
Theo looked around before he revealed the big news to Thomas. “We just figured out who the traitor is.” He said in a low voice.
Thomas’s eyes grew bigger. “Really? Who is it?” He excitedly asked Theo.
“Celeste.” Theo revealed it to his father.
“Oh, now we have a card against her.” Thomas nodded. “Does Cara know about this already?” He asked Theo.
“No, Ashton and I agreed to keep it from Cara at the moment.” Theo admitted to Thomas.
Thomas stood up and paced back and forth. “Good, good. Let’s keep it this way for a while.”
Theo agreed, and was ultimately curious about their next course of action. “What’s the plan dad?” He asked his father, as he was eager to be part of the entrapment operations for the traitor.
“I will call you once we have one in motion. I want to approach this as carefully as possible.” Thomas said, ensuring that Theo would be kept in the loop.
***
Weeks had passed, and the group had been silently waiting for a cue from Thomas. “The traitor hadn’t contacted me in a while. How can we proceed now?” Thomas blurted out his frustration to Theo.
Theo exhaled heavily. “Do you think she knows that we found her out already?” He was a little anxious, thinking they might fail in protecting Cara.
Thomas scratched his head and looked in Theo’s direction, waiting for an answer. “I don’t think so, and I certainly hope not.” Theo answered, a little unsure of himself.
***
Ashton was reading a book, subtly waiting for any news from Barry. He actually called them to tone down their presence to give Celeste a false sense of security. He glanced at Cara who quickly lowered her head on her book, avoiding Ashton’s eyes.
Cara raised the book to cover her face. “Ugh, I miss this buffoon so much.”  She said to herself, absorbing her self-imposed agony.
Ashton pulled down Cara’s book. He chuckled when he saw Cara’s flushed face. “Why are you covering up your pretty face?” He asked his wife.
Cara tried her best to hide the grin on her face. “I’m not hiding. I just find your ugly face revolting.” She said with disdain.
 Ashton was taken aback by Cara’s answer. “I’m sorry. I did not mean to make you feel uncomfortable.” He said and moved his chair the other way.
Cara felt bad seeing Ashton facing the other way. “How much more of this should I bear?” Cara’s thoughts echoed in her mind.
“Hey, uhm Cara, why are you not practicing, preparing for the big fight?” Ashton interrupted Cara’s musing.
Cara almost choked in her own spit thinking how she craves Ashton after using her powers. “I don’t think I need to explain anything to you.” She responded with a cold tone.
“Well, I’m not expecting you to explain anything to me. But don’t you agree that it is important for you to prepare for it?” Ashton asked Cara. He knew very well how much she would crave for him to refill her energy.  
“Ring, ring.” Cara looked at her phone, it was Theo.
“Hello. Do you have any news for me?” Cara answered her phone.
Theo was delighted to hear Cara’s voice again, even if it was just for such a reason. “Yes. Three days from now, the attack will happen. It is a big attack Cara, you had better be ready. It is not only you that phantoms are targeting this time. They want more casualties than you can imagine.” Theo’s warning was a little dark.
Cara was speechless on the other end; she did not expect such a catastrophe waiting for them in the next three days. “Thanks, Theo.” She replied and ended the call. She looks in Ashton's direction; “Looks like I need to prepare, after all.”
Ashton stood up, smiled, and extended his arm to Cara. “I think it’s time for your practice.”
Cara nodded at Ashton, but ignored his helping hand. She is determined not to use any of Ashton’s help as much as possible. They both went to the maze where Cara can safely practice her newly gain strength and abilities.
Ashton just stood near Cara watching and analyzing what else he could help her with. However, Cara is still not giving Ashton a chance to assist her in any way. Cara surprised herself as she honed her new skills. Her previous purple aura turned to be infused with new colors now.
“Wow, I’m impressed,” Ashton announced as he fondly observed the Sakalam in her true element. He was attentively waiting even for a brief moment to extend help to Cara. He even brought towels and water for Cara like a cheerleader waiting in the wings.
Night fell and the two went back to their room, both feeling exhausted. Ashton went to Cara’s room and filled her tub with hot water. Cara was surprised to see Ashton move so fast. She was not even fast enough to scold him for entering her room.
“You don’t have to do that for me. I can do it myself.” Cara sneered at Ashton.
He smiled back at her and answered, “Oh, no love.  You know I do. I’m your servant, after all.”