Page 27 of Heiress of Fire

“Yay, food.” Davina reached for the nearest biscuit.

Beacon slapped her hand. “Wait your turn.”

“That was uncalled for.” Davina furrowed her brow. Beacon rolled his eyes before scrunching his brows as he watched the Chief Leaders setting up the table, a remarkable scene indeed.

“I can help set up the table. Chief Leaders are not here to serve Soldiers. It is us who should serve you,” Valerie said.

Davina agreed, “She’s right. You shouldn’t be doing this for us.”

“We are a team, equals in every way,” Isaiah said, his eyes passing across each Soldier and Davina.

“Besides, you are all busy looking through the information in the books. Let us take care of everything else," Amir added.

Davina and the others nodded. The Chief Leaders handed them their plates: lamb mixed with different spices, a side of beans and honey bread, a slice of pie, along with two biscuits. Certainly, the cooks who worked in Castellum prepared baskets of food for them. She was glad she would be able to fill her stomach today with a good meal because she knew things were about to get sour. Ron appeared beside her, a plate in his hand.

Amir handed the last plate to Snow as he said, “Okay, devour.”

“How’s it going, love?” Ron asked with a grin.

Davina rolled her eyes as a smile crept up onto her lips. No matter how much she fought to keep herself from smiling, she couldn’t help herself. She hated it.

“Quiet,” she hushed, but his grin never left his lips. She slightly pinched him only causing him to laugh.

Indulging in the delicious lamb over her plate, she quickly glanced at the others, hoping they weren’t looking at them.

“Have you guys found anything?” Isaiah asked with a clenched jaw.

Davina swallowed her food before speaking. “I think I found the pattern of Raven’s possession of Bellatormans.”

Everyone turned with gawked eyes, still chewing. Davina felt Ron shifting in his place.

“Tell us what you found, D,” Caleb said.

“The King gave us our magical abilities, but he also gifted us with free will. Should we choose to activate our powers, he will protect us through our abilities. No abilities, then our vessels are empty,” Davina explained.

“No powers, no protection,” Leilani muttered.

“Exactly, our powers are our shields against evil,” Davina said.

“So, you’re saying Raven is possessing Bellatormans that do not have a connection with King Magnar, consequently no powers?” Amir asked.

“I think you’re onto something,” Ron said solemnly.

“Yes, think about it. We know the Prey who have died. All of them, and I mean all of them, did not attend their activation ceremonies or some of them activated their powers but stopped practicing them,” Davina explained.

Beacon nodded.

“What about those who do activate their powers?” Valerie asked.

“Well… since she can’t possess us, she searches to attack us in other ways,” Davina answered. “That’s why she’s been killing our fields, the animals, the water, and our homes.”

Beacon had his arms crossed as he nodded.

Everyone remained silent.

“As we’ve all witnessed, it seems that this Raven bears some sort of dark abilities. Anything involved with shadows, darkness, death, or possession is in her expertise,” Snow spoke next.

“I’ve never heard of dark magic before,” Leilani said.

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