Author's Note: We're back with Tessa this week. I had to write about her when I was coming up with nicknames for her, Sabine, and Hecate. (Sabine and Tessa were easy to come up with. Hecate was a little bit difficult to come up with. I had one and then someone else came up with something better. So I will go with each nickname for Hecate from each sister. I digress.) So I decided to put Tessa in the woods. It did get a little difficult to write for a moment. But I managed to pull it off. I was going to add a country with her, but I felt like it didn't fit. So, I added in memembers from the Dark Circus and vola! I already know what I am doing next week and I can't wait to get started on it. For now, enjoy this week's match.

Match Nine: Undine:

-Tessa-

Well, the dancing clown is gone. I shouldn't be surprised by that. Now, where the hell am I? I looked around at the trees surrounding me. The green was hiding the rot within itself. Looks like I might be getting close to the exit. Hell no, I am not going to do the task Mother sent me on. Well, not now at least.

This boat we are on is sinking. More of us are starting to see it. Tay and Bine have the right idea.

Now, let's get something clear here. We do not trust each other. The three of us are all going to betray the coven to get what they want out of this game. We will still play this game but we will be doing it in our own way. It's just a matter of who is going to make the first move. It's like we're daring the others to do it. Who is going to be the one to pull the trigger? We know that we ourselves can do it. But who's going to do it the fastest?

I looked around as I walked down the dim path. I don't see any more clowns anywhere. Then again, I don't see anyone else out here either. There have been people here. I could tell just by the trampled-on grass and the footsteps in the dirt. Even some of the trees have markings on them. I don't think Tay, Bine, mother, or any of my other sisters have been here yet. No, I would've sensed their magic by now. Heh! I'm the first one here.

That's unless Oliver is lurking around somewhere.

She isn't alone in these woods.

There is someone else here besides the clowns and the creatures. The leader of the Dark Circus stretched his neck from side to side. He's not the real leader. He's just holding the position for the time being. The details aren't important though.

He paused and smiled to himself.

"What did you want, dear?"

"Where to, boss?" a voice asked. The leader looked over his shoulder. A petite girl in a black strapless bra and white tutu. The purple bruises showed through her black tights. Her ribs showed through her skin. He thought about that for a moment.

"I am working on that," the leader said. The ballerina twirled around as she looked at the ground. This party was good so far, but it started to lull after what felt like hours. (It might have been shorter than that.) It was time to spice things up again. The leader held up his hand. A small skeletal-looking bird landed on his hand.

"Pluto!" the leader said. "My old friend! What have you found?" The bird let out a loud squawk. The ballerina perked up.

"What did he say?" she asked. The leader leaned in for a listen. He nodded before a smirk came across his face.

"Well, okay," he said. He turned to the ballerina.

"Let's get going. We have company," the leader said. She had a twinkle in her empty black eyes.

"Yay!" the dancer shouted as she clapped. The leader leaned in and kissed her on the cheek.

"Shall we?" he asked, holding out his hand. She giggled as she took it. Pluto flew away as the pair disappeared.

-Tessa-

I looked up at the sky.

"Ah."

Looks like something is going to happen. Let's see… Two of them. This should be good. I cleared my throat.

"Who are you?" I asked. "Are you here to start trouble or entertain me?" Better to get on with this. I'm not in a rush. I'm just not in the mood for bullshit. I wanted to get out of here. I waited for my "guests" to come out and show themselves. Come on. You better make it worth my while.

That's when I heard the humming. I pulled out my dagger. Oh here we go.

First came a ballerina dancing out into the clearing. It didn't look like her feet were touching the ground. Heh. Okay. She wasn't a pretty-looking ballerina. I have seen what the folks in the Dark Circus look like. But bloody hell!

"Are you okay?" I asked. She hummed as she twirled around.

"Yep," she said. I made a face at her. Of course you are, love. And then I noticed her companion. Here we go.

"I take it you're the boss of this show?" I asked. "Why don't you come out? I would like to meet you." The ballerina twirled before stretching her leg up in the air. Slowing clapping accompanied the footsteps. Suddenly, the dancer slowed to a stop. He didn't look bad. His face was rather pretty. He too was dressed up in black and white, only his clothes looked nicer.

"Very good! Very good!" he said. "You sensed me quickly."

"Well I am a nightcomer after all," I said. "Now, what do you want?" He raised his eyebrow at me.

"You're quite forward, aren't you?" he asked. I shrugged.

"What do you want me to say?" I asked. "Now, what do you want? I could just turn and walk away right now unless you give me something to make it worth my while." This bloke put up his hands.

"Okay, okay," he said. "Fair enough." I folded my arms across my chest as I waited. The ballerina beside him started to dance. I frowned. The ringmaster cleared his throat.

"I need to tell you something," he said.

"What?" I asked. I was not in the mood for games. This looked like it was heading that way. I braced myself for the games and riddles. He frowned at me, mimicking me.

"Why so serious?" he asked.

"Heh," I said.

"Why did you come to the party?" he asked.

"Why did you come to the party?" I asked.

"Why did I come to the party?" he asked. I nodded. He broke into a huge clownlike grin. So many teeth. His grin was so big that it looked like his head was going to come apart.

"Because it's fun! It's fun! It's fun!" he chanted. He turned his body in unnatural ways. It looked like it hurt. I had no emotion on my face. His body snapped back into place.

"Now why are you here?" he asked.

"Who me? At this party? I'm here on a secret mission. In these woods? The same as you. I'm looking for something to happen." I looked around at him out of the corner of my eye.

"Are you going to make something happen?" I asked. His eyes grew big. I have seen black pools like this before.

"You want something to happen?" he asked.

"Is that not why you're here?" I asked with an eyebrow raised. The ballerina chuckled as she started turning in the opposite way. The ringmaster chuckled himself. The whole time, I have my knife by my side. I have seen how these things play out.

"If you aren't going to show me anything, I am just going to leave. Goodbye," I said. I took a step backward. There was no way I was turning my back. I looked over my shoulder for good measure.

"Wait!" the ballerina shouted. I raised my eyebrow. She stopped dancing as the ringmaster held her hand. The three of us stood silent. This reminds me of Tay, Bine, and me. The three of us are daring each other to make the next move. It might take something from the outside to make something happen.

Suddenly, we heard a bird loudly squawking in the sky. The ringmaster held out his other hand.

"Oh is this your friend?" I asked. The ringmaster's eyes narrowed at me.

"How many of you are there?" he asked. I shrugged.

"That will depend," I said.

"On?"

"Who are you talking about? My sisters? The guests? People? What are we talking here?" I saw his face drop. I got him there. The ringmaster shrugged his shoulders.

"So boring," he said.

"Am I?" I asked. "If that is the case, I will just get going then. Good evening." I took another step backward. They were grinning at me now. Bloody hell they have so many teeth. Bine's necklace suddenly doesn't look so creepy. (Honestly, what the hell was she thinking with a necklace made of teeth?) We were still waiting. I might have to make the first move. If I run, will they chase me? I'm not dumb enough to try. Still, I might not have a choice if I want to get out of here.

"Who are you?" the ballerina asked. I smiled as I put my hand up in a shrug.

"Nobody," I said. I could've sworn I saw a flare in their eyes.

"Liar!" the ringmaster hissed. His voice came out guttural and deep. Almost like Satan was talking through him. His deep black eyes glowed a bright red. I tried not to laugh. Oh dear. I think I struck a nerve. This has been cute and amusing, but I don't have time for this anymore. There was only one way out of this. I held up my hands.

"Okay! You got me!" I said. "But I can't tell you my name." I took about ten steps backward.

"Aw, why not?" the ballerina asked with a pout. I fought not to break into a huge smile.

"Because…" I said. I crouched down to the ground.

"You'll have to catch me first!" I shot up straight to the sky. I vanished as I flew higher. I didn't break out laughing until I sat down on one of the branches of the tree.

"She's gone!" I heard the ballerina say with a gasp.

Okay, I got out of that one for the time being. Now what? I was looking around for the next place to escape when something caught my eye. I tilted my head to the side when I saw shimmering in the sky. I started to reach out toward it.

"What is that?" I asked. The rays of the light wrapped around my fingers. A sharp jolt struck me in the chest. The next thing I knew, I was falling out of the tree. As I was dropping to the ground, my vision clouded over and I saw what I needed to do for this game and my own survival.

Oh… So that's it.

I vanished as I got closer to the ground.

Well… that was entertaining. Wonder what's over here?