A/N: Yeah, I'm back… after seven months, I finally managed to update this story.

So, before anything else, I wanted to apologize for the long wait. I could give you many reasons why I haven't updated, but I'm sure you don't want hear them.

But what I want to tell you guys is how grateful I am for all your wonderful and encouraging reviews.
Believe me, it's because of you guys why I'm still writing Teen Titans stories.
So, thank you very, very, very, very much for reviewing and reading and sending me wonderful e-mails.

Last, but definitely not least, I want to thank my wonderful beta-readers Cherry Jade and ChaiChi. Thank you so much for dealing with me and insecurities. You both are really the best!

Disclaimer: I don't own The Teen Titans or any related characters... they all belong to DC Comics or WB!

So, without further ado: The new chapter to 'Desert Rose'.

Enjoy!

Chapter Fourteen:

Othello Part III

'This is the night
That either makes me or fordoes me quite.'
Othello, 5. 1

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FLASHBACK

"Do you call that an attack? " Slade spoke with a strong voice to the blonde girl who was lying on the floor.

"You can't beat anyone with such pathetic attacks… and you really think that you will manage to beat the Teen Titans?" He taunted cruelly.

Terra sprung up at his words and summoned a large stone throwing it at the villain who easily dodged it.

He just shocks his head.

"Keep training! I want to see something better from you tomorrow."

The villain left the girl in the gym without once turning around.

Once the blonde heard the footsteps fading away, she curled into a ball and began to sob silently.

FLASHBACK ENDS

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Terra's P.O.V

"Slade," I hear myself saying and I'm proud that my voice sounds so calm and strong.

I can't show weakness… can't show how frightened I am.

Silently, I search for my T-Com in my pockets, but to my shock, I can't find it. It can be… it has to be here.

I-

"You're not looking for this, are you?" He speaks again and holds up my yellow T-Com. "You should take better care of it. Who knows who could find it… and use it for wrong motives."

I swear, I can hear him chuckle at his words, but that is idiotic, because Slade doesn't chuckle… or does he?

"One wrong move and you will die!" I whisper at him trying to intimate him and at the same time I pray that he won't move closer towards me. I'm not sure if I'll be able to control my powers in this situation.

"Do you really think that you could hurt me?" He asked with a cruel undertone and this time I am sure that he lets out a chuckle.

"The last time I saw you, I killed you," I speak confidently and I know that I'm treading on dangerous grounds, but somehow that doesn't matter to me anymore… not when regarding Slade.

And before I know what's happening I'm pinned against the wall of my room with a knife against my throat.

"I would really re-think my words if I were you, my dear." He breathes into my face and I can't stop thinking how much I hate this man.

"What do you want Slade?" I manage to bring out the words shakily while my thoughts are running haywire.

"It's not much… what I want…" He says laughing meanly.

"I won't work for you again… you can kill me, if you want, but I'll never be your apprentice again!" I spat at him and it really doesn't matter to me if he decides to kill. I'll never work for this twisted man again.

I close my eyes waiting for the knife on my throat to break my skin, but all I hear is Slade's deep, throaty laugh. I open my eyes only to see Slade looking at me with a smug expression.

"Do you really think that I'm still interested in you, girl?" He laughs again and I just wish that he would die.

"You are not the one I want… you never were."

It's now that I begin to realize.

"You'll never get Robin," I almost scream. "He is too strong for you. You won't get him!"

Now, I'm sure that I'm going to die, but to my surprise Slade still doesn't react… and I'm strangely disappointed by that.

"Once again, you are wrong, my dear girl. It's not Robin I want… not anymore." He stops and looks deeply in my eyes. I always asked myself what lay behind that sinister mask.

Would his eyes be as cruel and as black as his soul?

"You are both not worthy enough… not strong enough… you are both failures." Slade speaks his words and I'm not sure why, but I hate him talking like that.

I shouldn't care what he thinks about me… I should think of a solution to come out of this mess alive… but I… I still feel disappointment and rage over his words.

"Then what do you want?" I decided to speak again and the weariness in my voice is obvious this time.

I hope that this is a dream and I'll wake up soon.

"Who I want is… Raven…" Slade decides to tell me finally and he speaks out the name I would never dreamt he would say.

"Raven...?" I ask and I can't hide the surprise in my voice.

"Why so surprised, wrenched girl? It's more than obvious that Raven is far stronger than you, isn't it?"

I ignore him and his insults, but I just have to say something.

"What do you want from Raven and what do you need me for?"

"What I need Raven for doesn't concern you and as for your second question: I just need a little bit of your manipulative traits." Slade tells me and I'm sure a smirk is forming on his lips.

"I. Won't. Betray. My. Friends." I say between gritted teeth, my hand forming into fists at my sides.

"Who says something about betraying?" He asks with a chuckle. "All I want is that you subtly show our dear Raven that she shouldn't stay with the Titans," he sinisterly talks and I feel how goose bumps begin to form on my skin. I don't like the tone he is using.

"Why should I help you Slade?"

"Because Raven has everything you want… a special bird… a robin, for example," he drawls out the word

My eyes widen at the implication.

But why I'm so surprised? Slade has his ways to find out anything he wants to needs. He is – after all – a mastermind criminal.

Still, I'm unable to say anything. I'm just shaking my head… over and over again.

"Think of it Terra: Once Raven is out of your way. You'll have your chance with Robin… and with the other Titans," he whispers teasingly in my ear.

'Don't listen to him… don't listen to him… don't listen to him…'

"I don't want you to hurt anyone… just a little help to show Raven her true destiny. And once Raven leaves the tower, I'll leave as well… and never come back here again," he releases my throat and the pressure of the knife is gone as well.

'Move you idiot!' My mind scrams at me, but I'm unable to move… unable to do anything besides starring at Slade.

"Y… You will never come back again?" I hear myself speaking in a rushed tone.

'No… no… no… no… no… don't...' I hear the voice in my head say over and over and over again, but still…

"Yes, I will never come back," Slade confirms and his piercing eyes are on me again… just as if his eyes are freezing my every movement and all I can do is starring up at him and letting his words sink.

"You just want Raven…? The other Titans won't be harmed?"

Why I am doing this…? Why can't I just run away and call for help?

"Just Raven… I won't harm anybody else," his voice his dangerously low and I hate myself for listening to him. "Make sure that Raven will be mine and nobody will be hurt. It's easy Terra: Work with me and you will get your chance to prove Robin your love for him. You'll get your chance to show the Titans that you are more worth than Raven."

He straightens up and extends his right hand.

"What do you say Terra…?"

I look at his hand and then back to his eyes before my eyes are resting on his hands.

Slowly, I extend my gloved, right hand…

'No… no… no… no… no… don't...'

... and take Slade's right hand.

'No… no… no… no… no… don't...'

"You have a deal," I hoarsely speak, ignoring the voice in my head that gets louder and louder.

"Good. I knew you wouldn't disappoint me, Terra," he smirks as he pulls his hand away again. "I expect you too begin with your work immediately. The faster you'll finish your task the faster I… we will be gone."

"But what I'm supposed to do?" I want to know confusedly.

Why can't he be straight and open for once?

"My dear, I'm sure you know what to do to get Raven away for this Tower. You are not as naïve as you let everybody to believe," he's coming closer and closer and once again, I'm pressed against the wall.

"You will find a way. And don't worry, we'll stay in contact…" his last words rings in my mind.

I want to say something else, but I find myself unable to do anything as darkness begins surrounding me… and before I know what's happening, I let darkness consume me.

A/N: So, that was the new chapter…

But before I get protest-reviews telling me to stop bashing Terra and to stop making her evil, I just want to inform you that this story isn't finished.

Even if it seems as if Terra is evil and will betray the Titans again, it can change again.

This story works with many symbols and illusions. So, try to look behind the words… and wait a bit before you send me protest-reviews… okay…?

So, I would love to hear what you think about the chapter, because I'm really unsure about the portrayal of Slade.

Tell me if you like it… please…?

:gives puppy-eyes:

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So, that was from me… for now…

Take care and be safe!

Later,

Alena