Page 26 of Heiress of Fire

“Seems like someone just has a bad case of apple polisher,” Leilani laughed.

Caleb cackled obnoxiously, causing him to stumble into the next step of the staircase. He immediately searched to grip the railings of the stairs. His face of shock caused laughter to explode from Davina and the other six Soldiers.

“Careful there, buddy.” Ron chuckled as he held onto Caleb’s shoulder.

“It wasn’t even that funny.” Caleb rolled his eyes and fixed his sleeve.

Davina’s shoulders shook from laughter as she said, “No, no. You’re right. It was very funny.”

“Look, even grumpy Bea laughed.” Davina pointed.

His smile immediately faded at Davina’s comment, giving them his back again.

“Uh, Chief Leaders, is this safe? Are you two sure that the water is going to devour us into the deep oceans?” Leilani asked.

“Leilani, are you afraid of water?” Davina asked with a grin.

“I’m not afraid of water. I’m afraid of drowning in the ocean,” Leilani spat as Davina chuckled.

“Yes, Miss Dunbar, it is safe. No need to worry.” Amir glanced at Leilani.

Davina watched as the two held a stubborn stare. Leilani was the first to break eye contact and turned to face the window.

What was that?

“Leilani, I didn’t take you to be such a wimp,” Snow muttered.

“I am not,” Leilani huffed.

Amir waited beside Beacon as Isaiah pushed the door open. Davina and the others remained scattered across different steps of the staircase, waiting for entryway to be granted to them. Stone skidded across the floor at the opening of the door.

“Before we all enter, I just wanted to remind you all that we are not here to play or to waste time. We are here to study so that we may be prepared against the villain that has terrorized our islands. We must do this, for Bellatorm and for our home,” Isaiah recited the Bellatorman military motto.

“For Bellatorm and for our home,” Davina and the others repeated after Isaiah. Amir nodded at him before pushing the stone door wider into the room.

Beacon was the first to jump into the room, immediately captivated by the structure of the building. Davina entered with the others, their eyes shining.

Davina observed the swirls in the shiny polished floors. The white tiles matched perfectly with the chocolate brown shelves which had golden swirls at their edges, different hued leathered volumes were carefully lined at each wall of the library. Between each shelf, a long window to the reef glowed into the library.

Davina glanced at Ron, who winked at her with a grin. She shook her head, chuckling as Ron gazed at her with eyes filled with what seemed to be admiration. She liked the way he looked at her.

“We must start our search at once,” Isaiah ruffed.

Davina glimpsed Amir nudging Isaiah because of his harsh tone. She nodded at Isaiah with an awkward smile and headed to the nearest lined bookshelves, eyeing the spines of each novel carefully.

She glimpsed a treatise spine titled Creation of Bellatorm. Then she found another titled First Families. As she opened the book, dust tickled her nose. Davina skimmed through the lists of Aurisan founding family surnames. Her last name appeared, the Almenaras being one of the first fire families to ever exist. Her lips pursed as she read the different names listed on the page.

Davina set the book back onto its shelf and walked deeper into the library, scanning the spines of the leather books. A tome titled Power Security caught her attention, she grabbed it immediately.

She opened the book and began to read the text:

The King instilled into each Bellatorman a spirit of war. Once a Bellatorman activates their powers at the age of thirteen, the Bellatorman will have a direct connection to the King. King Magnar will serve as a shield to his people during wartime. The people shall never be in a danger where their life will be at risk, that is if the Bellatorman chooses to attend the activation ceremony.

Silence filled the library. All that was audible was the removal of books from their shelves and the flipping of pages. Every now and then, there would be the noise of the plopping of books over the table that centered the underground Archives.

Several footsteps echoed throughout the library. Every Soldier and Apprentice turned, books in hand. Amir and Isaiah carried baskets, small pots, and jars. The Chief Leaders set them carefully over the table.

“Hey, everyone, we brought food!” Amir exclaimed with a smile while also lifting the baskets and plates in his hands. Davina took the leather novel and skipped down the nearest staircase. Isaiah set the clay plates over the bench as Amir took out several recipients with steamy food and pastries.

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