42. FORTY-ONE

FORTY-ONE

D ark water inundated their vision as they let go of each other under the deep ocean, kicking their legs and arms against the heavy currents that fought to pull them into the reef.

She could see Ron's distraught face because of her rash choice to plunge them into the water.

After going into the lake, her fear of the water subdued just a bit but she couldn't help the anxiety that coursed inside of her brain as the reef impeded oxygen from traveling into her lungs. It was the only choice left if they were to survive the attack from the Main Predators.

Memories of torture from her stepfather slammed into her brain. Besides the unpleasant moments she shared with her stepfather and water, she recalled the moment when she almost lost Ron in the Neptulan lake.

She wouldn't lose him. Not today and not ever and that is why she would do whatever it took to get them out of the battle alive.

Davina pointed upward toward the surface of the water. She reached for his hand.

As his hand connected with hers, she pulled out her wings under the water. A mischievous smile found her lips, an amused grin was over his as he realized what was about to come down on those Predators by the shore.

They would pay. They would bear the cost for each drop of Bellatorman blood that they had drawn.

Her feathers of fire shined a lavender hue over his beautiful face. He nodded.

She pushed them out of the water and into the air, Ron held onto Davina and glared at the Predators who had their backs turned. Droplets of water fell as they floated above the ocean.

The King had said that there would be adjustments to their armor, perhaps he also made adjustments to her powers. Maybe that was the reason why she was developing new abilities like her super strength.

"I'm going to push you in their direction and you're going to throw your lightning at them."

"Ah, I don't know about that," he replied.

"What do you mean?"

"I have a fear of heights. Blame Beacon, it's his fault!"

"Just do it," she sighed. "One, two, three!"

"No, Davi—"

Davina shoved Ron mid-air, sending him flying for the shore.

"Damn it, Vivi!"

Davina heard the strikes of his lightning landing over the Predators. She chuckled, pushing herself higher into the air, observing the way he gracefully rolled and flipped himself onto his feet and continued to light up the incoming Predators. He looked amazing, like an uncontrollable storm striking them with vengeful fury.

She rushed down toward the beach. Three Main Predators took out their bows and arrows, aiming for her as she came down upon them with fire. Their pointy metal weapons burned to ash as she wielded her fire to serve as an invisible shield. Purple sparks only flew as the arrows reached her shield.

While she drew nearer to the Predators, she punched them with fists of fire, letting out the anger of Leilani's possible betrayal over the Basalan Predators. Their green vestments were dark, ripped at the edges, stained with mud and blood.

Each Predator that neared her reminded her of the blonde-haired girl who stabbed her in the back. One of the most powerful betrayals that she had ever experienced, besides her mother. Would she ever recover? She didn't know.

A part of her still didn't believe it but where was Leilani when they made the pact? Why did her behaviors constantly change?

Davina let out a cry as she burned the Basalan female Predator, with the same blonde hair and ripped green clothing as the others.

She let out a sharp breath and then turned to find Ron already walking to her.

"Let's go," he said, setting his hand over the small of her back. Her adrenaline ran even faster.

They trudged further into the trees, avoiding the logs and branches that spilled across the dirt. "We're almost there. I suggest you bring out your armor."

"Alright," he said.

Davina closed her eyes and pulled forth the armor that had been embedded into her skin. The metal screeched as it began to take form around her body, she held out her hands while the stones surrounded her fingers. She smiled at finding her suit shining a bright violet. Her precious twin swords took form crisscrossed behind her back. Davina turned to look over her shoulder to find new improvements around the shoulder plates.

While they neared her house, she felt cold steel pressed against her forehead. Her fingers grazed around the new diadem that had formed. Removing it, she examined the new piece of her armor to have a blue sharp lapis lazuli embedded at the center. Her fingertips outlined the sharp tip of it.

She grinned and turned to Ron who also seemed to have more upgrades to his armor, he had his arms extended, observing the designs of lightning that ran down his arms.

He had a dark blue helmet over his head, expanding over his cheeks and below his jaw. Seconds later, his staff and sword screeched to life and were neatly set in their holsters. His staff by his back and his sword at his side. He sent her a grin as they continued to walk through the forest.

"The King wasn't lying. He did give us more improvements," Ron said.

"It's crazy to think that we're finally fulfilling our purpose as Soldiers and ending this war tonight," Davina noted.

He nodded in agreement. "It is. I didn't think I was worthy of such a calling."

"We might not be. But the King doesn't consider that about us," Davina replied.

"You're right, he doesn't," Ron agreed softly.

Leilani and Davina's house came into view.

Something was different about the house, and she noticed it immediately. The flowers that surrounded their building had wilted, and the ivy that surrounded the windows had grown dark with poison. They walked closer to the house, carefully examining their surroundings.

"Everything seems eerily quiet." Davina observed.

"You're right."

"Stand guard out here, I'll check inside. "She headed for the front door.

"You're not going in there alone." He stopped her, his hand gripping her arm.

"I'll be fine. If I find any trouble, send a signal to the others, and then you can come in and help me," she said.

"No, we're going in together," Ron argued.

"What if Predators arrive while we're in there? You need to be out here to stop them from ambushing us. We have the upper hand if we fight outside and not inside a small cottage house," Davina explained.

Ron sighed loudly, his jaw clenching before he landed a soft kiss on her forehead. "Be careful in there."

"I always am." She smiled sweetly, walking toward the wooden door. She could hear the slice of his sword as he removed it from its holster.

She sent him a nod then lifted the latch of the front door only to find that it was unlocked. She cursed the loud hinges as she pushed the heavy door open.

Davina stepped in, examining each dark corner of the house. It was the usual earthy living room with its beautiful vines and branches painted across each object, except it seemed gloomy and sad. All she noticed was the way her perception of Basalt's beauty had been tainted because of Leilani. But she couldn't help but hope that Sadoc was lying. That she wouldn't find Leilani here with Raven.

Basalt, the most beautiful of all. Leilani, the prettiest of all. The most competent. The most kind. She wouldn't.

As she stepped deeper into her unfamiliar home, she ripped out a sword from its holster before flipping it once. Her eyes scanned the light green kitchen.

A loud growl rumbled into her bones.

Davina froze before slowly turning her head toward the living room, finding a dark figure with three dogs held back by a leash.

No, it was one dog. With three heads. All three heads with their teeth bared. Davina lifted her gaze to the woman wearing a mask, holding a long-chained leash.

"Hello, sister," she rasped.

"What the hell are you doing in my house?" Davina snapped.

"I'm only here for a friendly visit," Raven said.

Davina rolled her eyes, holding her sword high. "Where are my siblings?"

"If I told you, it would ruin all the fun."

Images of Emmy kicking and screaming, Genevieve crying helplessly to herself, and Micah yelling to be freed crossed Davina's mind.

"This isn't a joke, Raven, and you know it!" The Captain yelled.

Everything hurt. Her heart, her mind, her limbs. It would be of no use if she called forth her ability to heal, the thought of her siblings going through pain killed her.

"Don't be so sour."

"Tell me where they are!" Davina shouted, causing the three-headed dog to growl with more potency.

"Davina?" Ron asked as he peered through the front door.

Her eyes flicked to Ron. Davina turned back to Raven, she was letting go of the leash.

Hiding her sword back into its holster, Davina aimed a throwing knife at Raven's leg before pushing herself over the dogs, pinning their back against her chest, and gripping their large necks.

"Ron! Send a signal to the others!"

He rushed out of the living room. Instantly, she heard electricity striking and buzzing near the bay window. Davina looked out the window to see bolts of lightning flying high into the sky, she slightly smiled at his idea for a signal. It was smart.

Sharp teeth sank into her wrist. She groaned before poking her flamed fingers into one dog's head. The dog yelped and loosened the grip of its jaw from her wrist. She grabbed the large body of the dog and threw it at its owner.

The large dog landed over Raven who was struggling to remove the dagger from her thigh. Raven toppled to the ground with a loud thud as Davina rose to her feet, pulling out a sword once again.

"So, I see we're doing this the hard way," Raven croaked, pushing her monster pet to the floor and rose to her feet. "Attack."

Davina's gaze darkened.

The three-headed demon dog ran toward Davina. She sliced her sword through the air. A dog's head thudded and rolled across the floor. Davina scanned the two-headed creature that had gone utterly still.

Several eyes bulged out with black goo sizzling onto the polished floor. Two more heads appeared out of the animal's body.

"What the—"

The demon dog pounced from the floor and into the air. Davina ducked. The animal crashed onto the table with white lilies in a beautiful green vase, their sharp teeth shredding through the vase and flowers.

Pieces of the vase landed near her. Davina kneeled and threw shards of the porcelain at the dog. A horrible stench entered her nostrils.

Animals were wonderful, in her opinion. They were great companions for the Bellatormans, as well as guardians. Davina hated that Raven made her favorite pet into a demon.

Raven was supposed to get tired from using her shadow abilities. Could that have been what Raven was working on the entire time? Searching to build up her tolerance, her strength?

Davina dodged. As she twirled to face the demon, it jumped on top of her. Her sword slipped from her fingers.

She shoved her fists into the two middle heads, while the outer heads bit at her elbows, her armor screeching against their sharp teeth. Drool and blood trickled over her neck, she gagged at the hot breath that swept her face.

"What is it, Raven, you can't fight me yourself so you send your dogs after me?" Davina taunted.

No reply from Raven.

Which she found unusual since Raven always sent a snarky reply, but she couldn't lose focus from the creature ahead of her, or it would rip out her neck. She didn't doubt they were capable of that.

Davina pulled at her strength and pushed the dog away from her. A small whimper left their mouths. Davina sighed at the sound. They growled deeper. Davina rushed toward the sofa and threw it at the creature.

As the couch flew at the demon dog, she ran for her sword. Splinters exploding into the room, Davina covered her face with her arms.

The creature ripped the couch into bits in a few seconds. The four-headed dog jumped high. Davina raised her dark violet sword and plunged it into its chest. Holding it mid-air, its violent snarls turned to soft whimpers once it fell limp.

Davina pulled her sword out of the demon's body. It thumped on the ruined wooden floor. Davina sighed in relief. She had just one moment of peace when a groan of pain echoed into her ears.

Her whole world froze when she saw Ron drop to the floor with his sword lodged in his chest.