Page 30 of Heiress of Fire

Davina had her hands on her waist as she looked at the designs of a specific throwing knife. It had a circle at the center with sharp figured flames extending out.

Master Abigail entered the common training room, hands behind her back. Feet quickly shuffled toward the center of the training room for formation. Davina turned and followed the others.

“As we all may know by now, an evil has tormented our islands for many centuries. She has terrorized us for far too long. She has killed our family, she has taken the fertility of our lands, and she has disrupted the peace that our King gifted us in the beginning.” Master Abigail paced in front of the Soldiers with her hands behind her back, her sharp hazel eyes scanning each one of them.

Ron, Beacon, Caleb, and Leilani were at the front line of the formation while Davina stood behind them, alongside Snow and Valerie. Amir and Isaiah were set at the left corner of the training room, beyond Master Abigail.

Davina was thankful that she hadn’t been in the front, near Ron. They still hadn’t spoken about their argument the day before.

“Raven is old, which means she’s experienced. She’s cunning and smart.”

What was the point of Master Abigail’s speech? To feed the fear that had already been harbored in their hearts? To put doubt in their years of training? For Davina, it was months, which caused her anxiety to spiral out of control as she stood in line.

Davina’s eyes flicked to the large white scars that marked Master Abigail’s jaw and neck. She wondered about the story behind the cicatrix that stained the Master of Castellum.

“It may seem as though the King has been silent to all of Bellatorm for four centuries but you are all wrong. He has never been silent to those who are loyal to him and their abilities. To prove that, he has chosen exceptional Bellatormans to fight on the front lines of the upcoming war against the Dark Mistress. You do not need to fear because if our King is with us, then who can be against us?”

Davina’s brows furrowed. She leaned to her left, where Valerie and Snow stood.

“Do you know what she means by that?” Davina whispered.

The cousins shook their heads in unison.

The King was living in isolation for over four hundred years. Even though the Leaders, Soldiers, and Apprentices remained loyal to him, no one heard from him. Others have claimed that the King was dead, and few stated that anyone who activated their powers in Castellum after the King’s departure believed in hopeless dreams.

How could he possibly choose them even though he continued to live in silence?

“Hello,” a soft voice said through Davina’s thoughts. Every eye in the room turned to the young girl who stood by the entrance. Davina identified her as the Basalan girl from the day of the attack, Cara was her name.

“I’m one of the Prey that came to the event a few days ago. A Soldier—her.” Cara motioned to Davina. “She told me I could come to Castellum. As soon as I entered, there wasn’t anyone in the hallways, and well… I didn’t know where else to go.”

It warmed Davina’s heart that Cara believed her to be a Soldier even though she was just an Apprentice.

“This room is only—” Isaiah began before being cut off by Master Abigail’s glare.

“You’re in the right place, child. Head over to that side of the room. Today, you shall observe the Apprentice and Soldiers in this room,” Master Abigail ordered softly.

What was happening? Davina thought that the Chief Leaders called for just the seven of them. Davina watched as the girl in pink slowly stalked to the wall on Davina’s side. As Cara straightened, she sent a sweet smile to Davina. She didn’t fail to return it immediately. The Aurisan faced forward and found Leilani scanning Cara with a little bit of… contempt.

“Are you trying to kill her with your glare?” Davina hushed as she leaned closer to the front row of Soldiers.

“She shouldn’t be here.” Leilani returned her gaze to Master Abigail.

“Master Abigail approved of her presence here. Leave the girl alone,” Davina said.

“You only say that because you know the girl.”

“I don’t know her, Lani, I met her the day of the ambush by your Bridge.”

“Do you two ever shush?” Beacon hissed. Leilani remained silent, with her back facing Davina. Davina sighed and fixed her posture. Staring ahead, waiting for Master Abigail’s orders.

“I need to know the level of your abilities, so today, each of you will be presenting to me the potency of your powers. This way I’ll be able to see your progress and if there is any need for improvement,” Master Abigail stated, her gaze assessing each one of them.

Davina observed her poise. It wasn’t prideful or arrogant like she usually saw in other Leaders of Soldiers. It was confident and strong with a hint of humbleness.

Her eyes found the back of Ron’s hair, the muscles in his shoulders tightened at the mention of the test they were to undergo. She held her breath as she realized the pressure he must’ve been feeling at the thought of having to present his abilities in front of everyone.

Master Abigail crossed her arms and said, “Beacon, you’ll be going first. The others, please join our new friend off the stage and by the wall.”

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