Page 34 of Heiress of Fire

Cara and Davina walked out of the castle side to side with one another, behind Leilani, Valerie, and Snow, who were deep in their own conversation. The boys led them out of the common rooms. “So, Davina, how long have you been coming to train here?”

“Since my activation ceremony five months ago.”

“Activation ceremony?” Cara asked with a raised brow.

“Yeah, on an appointed night, the Chief Leader of your island and Leaders, Soldiers, and Apprentices of your island reunite in Castellum. The Master is to ask you whether you accept or decline your gifts, if you accept, the Master consecrates you with oil. The oil was blessed at the beginning of Bellatorm’s time, before the Revolt. Once the oil touches the top of your head, your powers will be activated.”

“Did you know what powers you would have before the ceremony?” Cara asked softly.

“I guessed they would be fire powers since my mom is an Almenara and every Almenara has had fire powers since the beginning." Davina shrugged. “Do you have any idea about yours?”

Cara shook her head. “My family hasn’t attended their… activation ceremony for almost three generations.”

“It’s fine. Mine hasn’t attended their ceremony since the Revolt,” Davina said with guilt laced in her tone.

“Yeah, I heard about the Almenara family and what they did in the Revolt,” Cara said.

“Trust me when I tell you that I hate thinking about what my family did to the King.” Davina sighed.

“You shouldn’t feel ashamed for something your ancestors did. To me, you seem like the complete opposite of them.”

“Thank you, Cara,” Davina said.

“Bellatormans,” a voice said. “Come up.”

“Did you guys hear…” Davina began.

“Come up now!”

“I heard someone,” Ron said.

Beacon stopped walking, his eyes scanning the corridors of the castle. Valerie breathed in, Leilani furrowed her eyebrows, Caleb turned to his sister, Cara looked at each Soldier that surrounded her. Davina looked at Ron, they remained still.

“Where is that voice coming from?” Snow asked.

“Come to the top,” the voice commanded softly.

“Should we—?” Caleb began.

“Of course not, you idiot. What if it’s one of Raven’s Predators?” Leilani snapped.

“This voice… it’s not like the Predator voices that I’ve heard,” Beacon stated.

“This voice was different,” Ron agreed.

Out of thin air grew a sparkling dove with majestic wings, each flap of its wings rippled a transparent glow. It danced in the air before it headed down the corridor to the right.

Davina turned to each of her friends and simultaneously they all headed toward the corridors of the fortress. She looked back and saw that Cara had stayed behind.

“Cara, what are you waiting there for? Come on.” Davina motioned for her to follow as she kept walking.

“I don’t think I should go with you guys, I just got here.” Cara shook her head while rubbing her neck.

“Don’t be crazy, come on,” Valerie responded.

Cara smiled and picked up her pace.

As they turned to investigate the hallways, there had been no other Leaders or Soldiers bustling around.

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