Page 18 of Heiress of Fire

“We should help the others,” Davina said sheepishly. She wiped her palms across her pants.

They all nodded once more.

Her eyes reached those who were surrounding the fallen Basalans who spent their last moments as Predators. Something about this incident was different than the others.

Her thoughts were interrupted when a rainbow of pink and chestnut brown crashed into her. Davina reacted quickly and tried to keep the girl on her feet. “Are you okay?”

“I’m so sorry, miss, so sorry,” the girl muttered, her gaze set on Basalt’s shore. An expression filled with horror painted the girl’s face.

Davina had known that look of panic, it was the same look that passed through her eyes whenever her parents would use their fire in front of the children.

“No, it’s all right,” Davina said, but the girl was already on the other side of the Bridge.

Davina observed the shredded pink dress that she wore before shaking her head, such a beautiful girl and she was already stricken by grief. The girl must’ve been attending the Castellum social event.

Before she knew it, she was walking toward the Basalan girl. Davina’s eyes scanned the other islanders who wept for their deceased. The girl had been kneeling beside a young man who bared the same chestnut brown hair as hers.

Davina slowly kneeled beside the young girl and set her hand over her shoulder. The girl fell onto her behind and began to crawl away from Davina.

“It’s okay, hey, it’s okay. I don’t mean any harm.”

The young girl calmed as she met eyes with Davina. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay, don’t worry. I’m Davina, what’s your name?” she asked. The girl in pink remained silent with beady eyes that caused Davina’s heart to clench inside of her chest. She was beginning to believe that the girl wouldn’t answer.

“I’m Cara,” at last she said.

“What a beautiful name.” Davina smiled.

“Thank you. Although, I don’t believe that will be of much help now.”

“There will come a time when your name will never be forgotten,” Davina said with determination.

“Do you believe so?” Cara asked while wiping her cheeks with the back of her hand.

“I do, although you must believe as well.” Davina smiled.

Cara nodded.

“Come, we have soup and refreshments inside Castellum.” Davina held out her hand for Cara, who turned to the young man who lay with his eyes closed. “We will give him a proper burial, but first you must eat.”

“If I am, to be honest, my family and I... have not been devoted to our powers and our King the same way you have been. And I think that’s why I am one of the Prey now,” Cara said as she lowered her head, her fingers fidgeting with one another.

“Don’t be ashamed, Cara. I was once like you. My family taught me to reject my powers. But the King is good because he did not stop my activation ceremony, and it was long overdue. Activation ceremonies are supposed to be done when the child is thirteen years old. I’m seventeen and I just did it a few months ago.”

“I’m seventeen too but… I don’t think the King would welcome me into the fortress.” Cara’s cheeks grew pink, like her dress.

“But that’s the King’s greatest desire, for you to activate your powers. You’ll be able to live a happier life with them enabled,” Davina said.

Cara remained silent.

Davina extended her hand. “Now, come with me. Let’s get you something to eat.”

Cara hesitantly reached for Davina’s hand. Davina pulled her up.

“Do you have a place to stay?”

Cara nodded, sadness visible in her eyes.

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