Page 63 of Heiress of Fire

Once Raven’s power held control of the minds of the people, they would be killed. Davina would not allow herself to be fooled by Raven’s supposed good-hearted suggestions.

“No,” Davina said.

“No?” Raven laughed in disbelief. “What do you mean ‘no’?”

“No, means no. Do I need to spell it out for you?” Davina sassed, raising a brow.

Raven growled, the gleam in her eyes disappearing into disdain.

“Careful,” Leilani advised.

“What guarantee do I have that you won’t turn against me and kill me like you’ve done to all the other islanders?”

“Because you are like me. I see myself in you, Davina,” Raven stated. “I know what it’s like to have complicated parents and for the people around you to reject you instead of accept you for being different.”

Shivers ran down Davina’s spine as she compared herself to Raven. No, they were nothing alike. Raven was a murderer, and she didn’t care about anyone or anything, only her selfish goal of revolting against the King.

“I have to admit that you’re a smart gal,” Raven chuckled. “Don’t overthink it too much. Think of it this way, their lives are just a small price to pay for your happiness, doll,” she said before taking a step to her right, circling Davina and Leilani.

Davina and Leilani remained back-to-back. Leilani had her make-shift weapons aimed at the Predators as Davina held her enflamed fists high. Raven moved in such a graceful way, her skirts flapping almost angelically with the breeze, it was as if she was carefree about the different proportions of the mountaintop.

Raven’s clothes matched perfectly with the walls of darkness that encircled them. Davina might’ve not been able to spot Raven had it not been for her light azure skin.

“If you accept my offer, me and you can rule Bellatorm. You can become a true princess of the islands. You’d have that delicious young man at your beck and call, those who ridiculed you shall be paid with the same coin. We’ll balance the scales, sister.”

“No, I refuse. I don’t want anything to do with you, Raven,” Davina said.

The amusement in Raven’s eyes disappeared in a second. Her demeanor dropped any act of goodness as she menacingly stared into Davina’s eyes. “Fine, have it your way, child.”

She’d definitely angered Raven now. The woman ahead of her would truly be her enemy from that day forward. Davina’s breath hitched in her throat as she continued to follow Raven’s steps.

Despite Raven’s eyes seeming soulless and empty, her black gaze was filled with disgust. “You shall regret your choice. You, and your people.”

Her jaw clenched as her fists tightened even more, small crescents digging into her palms. Davina’s heart pulsed faster as Raven walked toward her.

Davina held her hands out, away from Raven, as the ancient witch stood right before her. Davina had never seen such darkness in an individual. A glimmer of pleasure appeared in Raven’s eyes. “I have been a warrior for a longer time than you have. You’re nothing compared to me, you’re too weak. Much less will you win this war.”

It’s like all her fears of the upcoming war had bubbled in size within her as Raven spoke. Leilani’s encouraging words, which had somewhat helped, disintegrated as Davina stared into Raven’s coal-black glare. She was weak. She had been an Apprentice, Soldier, and now Captain, trained by Leilani, and yet she still allowed her parents to hurt her.

Raven’s eyes scanned every inch of Davina as she gulped.

“I won’t fight you now. I’m going to give you some time to become a better warrior. You’ll know when your end is near,” Raven purred.

Davina clenched her jaw, the fire in her hands dimming. Raven cackled before becoming a cloud of dark smoke. The cyclone of darkness followed after Raven’s black silhouette.

“D?” Leilani asked.

Davina’s gaze was fixated on the puff of smoke that was Raven and her Predators, they mixed into the shadows of the starry night sky.

“Davina, look at me.” Leilani threw her thorned sticks toward the mess of the peaks that surrounded them. “Look at me!”

Leilani was now in front of Davina, gripping her shoulders, shaking her out of the fear that froze her limbs.

“Snap out of it, now,” Leilani demanded as her hazel eyes stared into Davina’s. “You are not weak. Don’t let her fool you.”

Davina gulped and nodded.

“We’ll talk about this tomorrow. Go home before your parents make another scandal, and get a good night’s sleep. I’ll see you tomorrow,” Leilani said.

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