Page 16 of Heiress of Fire

“No, you don’t,” Beacon answered. “Ron will kill me if I let anything happen to you.”

Leilani and Caleb looked at one another after hearing Beacon’s comment.

“I’ll stall them while you and Caleb lead troops into the Armory. Gather weapons out and get ready in case they attack.”

Beacon tightened his jaw and released her forearm. He nodded once.

Before she walked through the passageway to Basalt Bridge, she couldn’t help but look back at the Prey that had taken refuge inside the castle. They stood by the entryway, fearful of stepping out of the threshold and onto the staircase.

She held her head up high as she walked along the clear path. No one would be allowed to be able to see the fear that trembled on her fingers and knees. Davina held her poise as she drew closer to the Bridge, getting a much clearer view of the Predators. She felt like gagging as she noticed the Predator’s droopy black eyes, the drool that spilled unnaturally from the corner of their lips, the dark welches that appeared over their faces, their grey skin, and their twitching fingers.

Davina stood beside Abigail and the four Chief Leaders.

“What do you think you’re doing, girl?” Abigail gripped Davina’s arm.

“Stalling them while Beacon and Caleb retrieve weapons from the Armory, in case they decide to attack Castellum.”

Abigail’s frantic eyes stilled and stared into Davina’s. As if with a silent conversation between them, Abigail let her go.

“We will be right here in case you need our assistance,” Chief Leader Amir said to Davina. It was the first time a Chief Leader had ever directed a word to her. The Neptulan Chief Leader held a quiet humbleness to his blue eyes which complemented his deep bronze skin. Davina sent him a small smile before crossing the threshold of her favorite Bridge.

As she made it to the highest point of the Bridge, a grim smell entered her nostrils. She inhaled sharply, immediately regretting her impulsive inhalation.

“What is it that you want, Predator? Why have you come to torment us today?” she snapped.

“I’d be more careful with your choice of words, beloved one,” they growled. The Predator’s shiny black eyes never left hers. Her heart pulsed faster. “My patience has become thin. I’ve waited for you for too long.”

“What do you mean by that?” she asked.

“For years, I’ve waited and searched. At last, I have found you. My one last hope,” the man before her was in perfect sync with the other Basalan Predators behind him, their unified voices resounding into her mind.

Although there was one man in the middle of the formation, Davina doubted he was the one controlling them. He seemed brainless, along with the others. Someone must be controlling these people. Someone was inhabiting the Bellatormans and making them go mad.

“I don’t even know who you are.”

“You will if you join me.” Every Basalan Predator raised a hand, a wide smirk over their chapped gray lips. “I have come to conquer what is rightfully mine. The throne of your King shall belong to me. I have waited for centuries for someone like you, Davina Almenara. I will make sure you rule beside me. You will reign over all these creatures your Father calls warriors. You will no longer have to refrain from making them pay for all their debts to you.”

Gasps, from the mob of Bellatormans behind her, reached her ears.

Davina remained silent. She turned toward the Soldiers, Apprentices, and Leaders that stood nearest to her. They were all ready for attack, but she could see it in their eyes. She saw fear and doubt.

She pursed her lips. They feared the idea of her becoming a Predator when she had given them no reason to question her integrity. She would prove them wrong. If they saw her as the villain, she would be the hero instead.

Davina returned to face the Predators ahead of her. “I will not join you. I refuse your request.”

Their smirk immediately faded. Davina gulped, fearing for their reaction. Her eyes traveled across each Basalan Predator. Familiar faces blurred past her vision. She recognized them. Many of the Predators had been Basalan’s who were Leilani’s friends and neighbors. Davina looked over to one woman on the far left, the woman had the same blank expression as all the other Predators beside her. Davina recalled a time when the woman smiled at her as she handed her a beautiful green apple from a tree she had grown at the center of her shop. Davina remembered its roots covering almost the entirety of the shop with different fruits dangling from its branches.

“Very well, then, I shall give you one more chance. Will you join me, girl of violet fire?” the Predators asked.

“No,” she stated. “You’ve killed innocents. You’ve taken lives without a second thought. You are ruthless. I would never side with a murderer, someone who’s willing to spill the blood of innocents. You are a vile creature. And you are not worthy of walking above the same dirt as us,” Davina spat.

The Predators pursed their lips. Pools of darkness filled with rage were the eyes of the Predators.

She knew there had once been charming green and honey-brown eyes under the inky pupils that stared back at her. She felt her heart tighten as she imagined those families who would be mourning the death of their loved ones tonight.

“Very well, then. You have risen, but I will rise higher,” the Predators chanted.

Some of the Predators began to stumble around in what seemed to Davina in an organized manner. Their legs took them to different points around the sandy shore of Basalt Island.

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