Thomas did not want to appear weak, although inside he was about to breakdown. He took a deep breath, realizing his greatest battle was about to start. He has been playing with the three sides involved for a while now and now he was forced to choose which one to obey.
Thomas genuinely cares for Cara. It is not a question for him. He practically helped raise her like his own child. Even if he was born to hunt the Sakalam down, he fully accepts Cara for who she is and the surrounding circumstances.
He purposefully made contact with Celeste and reports it to both sides because he wanted to protect Cara. But he is also spilling the details to his brothers because he wants to track their plans. However, ultimately, he is preparing for something that is beyond what everyone else sees now.
The days leading to the present were hard for Thomas, but he was expecting the next days to be exceptionally hard for him. He could not share it with anyone and he was not supposed to. Thomas is determined to finish his task, no matter how difficult this may be.
Thomas met with Frank. This is the last step to make sure his plan would work. Frank sat on his office chair with a tobacco lit in between his fingers. Frank’s domineering presence has always been a pillar of their group. However, since the demise of his son, he has seemed like a loose cannon. He is more focused on getting revenge than doing things for their brotherhood.
Thomas understands that Frank's change is dangerous for all of them. He is always close to sabotaging their group. Thomas’s goal stays the same. He wants to be able to live harmoniously with other groups. But with Frank and the other boss on top, his goal is impossible to attain.
“What do you have for me, Thomas?” Frank asked the very humble Thomas.
“Ashton Crafter, we need to get him so we can take down Cara.” He said his plan to Frank.
Frank leaned back on his back and took a deep breath. “He is the servant of the Sakalam, right? Taking him away from Cara, he would be dead before she reaches him. Why would she bother saving him?” Frank cackled. He couldn’t believe he gave Thomas this big of a task just to give him such a useless plan.
“No, he won’t. He isn’t bound to her because of the spell. It is love that binds them together. He is no longer compelled by Cara’s words and will not die when they are apart.” Thomas explained to Frank.
Thomas saw the weird look on Frank’s face. It was obvious that he did not believe Thomas. “Love is something much stronger than we think.” He wanted Frank to think about how his love for his son had made him different.
Frank exhaled heavily. “Okay, fine. Continue with your plan and coordinate with the guys.” He dismissed Thomas and let him go. Thomas did as Frank ordered him, and they did everything carefully behind Theo. The group already knows that Theo’s loyalty was not with the Phantoms, it was with the woman he loves.
****
(Present time)
Cara was on her knees, crying between the two most important men in her life. “Oh, my God. What have you done?” Cara looked at Thomas, who was also crying. He held Theo in his arms, feeling sorry for hurting him, but it was necessary. Frank and the rest felt sorry for Thomas for inadvertently killing his own son, and the only wand they could use to kill Cara disintegrated into thin air as soon as it penetrated Theo’s body.
Theo coughed blood and was having a hard time breathing, but he tried to move and crawled towards Ashton. He whispered to Ashton. “Take care of Cara.” He opened his mouth and a thick white smoke escaped it. The smoke went inside Ashton’s mouth. And just like that, Theo stopped breathing while Ashton took his first gasp.
Thomas kneeled beside Cara. “My task is done here. Go to a safer place first.” He urged Cara.
 Cara was lost at what Thomas had just said; nevertheless she picked up Ashton and fled. She wasn’t just levitating, this time she was flying. She could not figure it out, but Ashton felt really light for her to carry like that.
She brought Ashton to their cabin. Cara placed him carefully on the bed, her tears fell, realizing how close she was to losing him. She took a towel and a small basin; she placed the kettle on the stove to heat the water. She also checked the cabinets for any clothes that Ashton can use. His clothes were bloodied. She wanted to take them off immediately; unfortunately there was only one blanket that she could use to cover Ashton’s body.
Cara used the wet towel to remove the dried blood on Ashton’s face. She looked intently for any wound on Ashton’s head, but she could not find anything. He healed instantly when Theo gave him that thing she knows nothing about. She unbuttoned Ashton’s shirt and cleaned him up as well.
She looked at Ashton with mixed emotions. “Why did you have to hide from me?” Cara was completely caught off guard about how long Ashton had been pretending to be under her compulsion. She was also surprised that Theo and the phantoms knew about it and she was completely clueless. However, the thing that stunned her most was the fact that she did not feel anger towards Ashton for keeping it from her.
She looked at Ashton lovingly, tears welling up in her eyes. She was ready to give everything up to the man in front of him. Cara whispered to Ashton’s ears. “I love you.” She kissed Ashton on the lips and she felt a mild current that flowed through her lips. She covered her mouth and fell to the floor in shock.
Ashton felt the jolt and slowly opened his eyes. Ashton tried to sit up. He wiped his eyes and looked at Cara who was sitting on the floor. “Are you okay, my love?” He asked Cara.
“What the! Are you snow white or sleeping beauty?” Cara answered Ashton.
Ashton extended his arm to Cara. “I’m not but I can definitely say that I am your true love.” He answered with a smirk. Cara embraced Ashton tightly and could not contain her tears. “Don’t die on me like that ever again!” She said in a tone full of desperation.
“I will try my best, babe.” He captured Cara’s lips and embraced her like he would never let go.
Cara can’t find the chance to tell Ashton what happened to Theo. She does not want to spoil this moment with him and tell him the truth.
 ***
Cara received a call. “Cara, where are you?”
“Th-Theo?” Cara was shocked to hear his voice.