The Crown of Queens

⚜️》𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟏𝟎

❝She had been through hell. And though no one could see her demons, they could see the face that conquered them.❞

~ Atticus

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"Alright," Danika said the second time in the past ten seconds. Her eyes ran over the list of powers Aiden had created, refraining from passing out from shock. "Mother above," she murmured while they sat next to her, looking over the list themselves.

"Goddess hell Finnian you have thunder," Emil muttered, "How the hell can I not tell?"

Emil, fortunately or not, had power recognizing; one of the more rare but not very useful powers. Compared to thunder and lightning, at least.

Danika quickly glanced at each of them, noting how Aiden looked a little vulnerable and how Avlar fiddled with his fingers.

"Aiden and Avlar," she said softly, "What are your powers? I don't see them on the list."

They didn't answer and Danika understood what they were feeling too well, "You don't have any."

Their eyes shifted everywhere, and she gave them a warm smile, her amused voice filling the room, "Well, glad to know I'm not alone."

Danika welcomed the stares, the looks of astonishment. But with her military training, she could tell something was off with the way Aiden looked at her. It was a glance or relief and perhaps even laced with slight treachery. Something was up, and she would find out.

Avlar on the other hand, looked genuine. From the way he fought, she knew he could be an excellent hunter, but she couldn't be sure. Not until the trial later on.

"Okay, let's make our plan," she stated, "There are monsters in that forest that would kill to have a taste of human flesh." Her shudder chilled in the room, "There are nightstalkers, fae, elves, and hunters of the Midnight Queens along with many more that I haven't come across. They lurk the shadows and spring when you aren't looking."

The silence that followed was heavy until Finnian spoke up.

"What if we each tackle certain animals? Like maybe they have a weakness that we could target?"

Avlar piped up in agreement, "Yeah, maybe the fae have a weakness against thunder or something."

"No," Aiden murmured, formulating something efficient, "Emil, how long does it take you to determine powers?"

"Depends, around a minute if they aren't shielded."

"Okay," she said, getting a little excited, "Okay, when we come across a monster, Emil finds out its weakness and then we can strike."

"We don't have too many powers to pick from," Danika muttered, "Essentially only thunder."

They fell quiet again until a knock echoed on their door.

"Get out lazy asses," Tiberius bellowed from across the door, "It's lunchtime."

As his footsteps receded, Danika sighed, "We're leaving after lunch. We each have our own backpack with supplies, yes?"

Murmurs of 'yes' echoed back.

"Good," she answered, "This is going to be one hell of a trip."

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Lunch was as eventful as always; casual death threats, sharp glares, and cat calling for Aiden was pretty normal. Danika had sat beside her the entire time, giving anyone who came too close a glare that would put them six feet under.