Page 14 of Heiress of Fire

Hopefully, the Prey would see that it was worth training their abilities. Only then they’d be able to rise above a life of breadcrumbs and activate their abilities to support themselves and their families.

Nearly all of the jobs in Bellatorm demanded the use of one’s power. These jobs would require them to activate their powers since their powers would make the tasks easier to complete.

Valerie, Snow, Leilani, and the boys were already Soldiers, whereas Davina was an Apprentice and only needed one more month of training to become a Soldier.

She enjoyed the training for Apprenticeship, but she knew that to be a Soldier was different. It was more responsibility, but it brought more honor.

The training was more intensive, her powers would grow; and new abilities would be unlocked. She’d receive a new uniform with an emblem based on her birth island. But that wasn’t the best part.

For her, the best part had been the ability she would acquire to truly keep Bellatorm safe, which was her main goal. To protect the islands even if they rejected her. She loved Bellatorm, and she loved her siblings. Davina knew that one day her siblings would grow up and leave their parents’ house, they would choose someplace in Bellatorm to reside. So, she had to protect the islands for them. For her friends, too.

A young woman from Neptulus approached Davina’s table with a deep frown. She was a blonde with beady eyes and her lips pressed into a line. Her bodice had slashes running across the leather and her dark blue dress had grime smudged into it.

Davina was moved by the woman’s bitterness. When she looked into her ocean-blue eyes, she was met with grief. The Aurisan in purple offered her a smile.

Perhaps a simple smile can help her, she thought.

“Hi, what can I get you?”

“Can I have a honey bread?” the woman asked flatly, not meeting Davina’s gaze.

“Of course.”

Davina reached for a white cloth and engulfed it around a honey bread, quickly handing it to the Neptulan woman. “You are welcome to visit our other tables if you need anything else.”

The woman nodded and walked away. Davina breathed in and out, turning to look at the castle. “Magnar, help these people.”

A screech echoed through the courtyard. The stones beneath her feet trembled. Davina, along with the other Soldiers nearby, quieted. Eyes locked between the Soldiers and Apprentices, Davina furrowed her eyebrows and turned to the direction of the cry. Leilani and Valerie approached Davina.

“What’s happening?” Leilani asked.

“Come with me,” she said to Valerie and Leilani, before walking closer to the entryway of the Bridges. Davina rotated on her feet as she noticed Basalt Bridge was left desolated while the Basalans rushed into the Castellum courtyard, causing some of the tables to tip over. Soldiers and Apprentices hurried to keep the tables planted.

Whispers and chatter rang through the crowd of Basalans.

The morning sky disappeared and was covered with deep gloomy clouds casting an ominous shadow among all five islands. A deep rumble pounded beneath their feet.

Thump.

Thump.

Thump.

Master Abigail and the four Chief Leaders ran behind her to Basalt Bridge. They stopped by the entrance, not daring to step foot onto the arched bridge.

Master Abigail and three Chief Leaders argued, hands raised and motioned. Only the Neptulan Chief Leader remained calm as he rubbed his temples.

The Leaders were preeminent, but there had been a democratic vote for who would be the Chief of the Leaders, responsible for leading and assisting all the Leaders, Soldiers, Apprentices, and people of their designated island. There were only four Chief Leaders: Chief Leader Sigmis of Auris, Chief Leader Stowne of Basalt, and the two youngest, Chief Leader Isaiah of Mistral, and his best friend, Chief Leader Amir of Neptulus.

A Leader instructed the Soldiers and Apprentices to help the Prey and Basalans into Castellum.

Beacon and Caleb followed their orders and guided the people into the hallways of the fortress.

Was there an attack happening right now? Did she have to fight? Would she be able to stop the Predators from invading the castle and hurting the Prey who were already contrite?

Soldiers that were near the entrance of the Bridge pulled their weapons from their belts, and swords and daggers sliced through the air.

“What’s going on? Why are they all...” Davina began.

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