Terror

Chapter Eighteen

Through the bustling crowd, James watched Bella as she pushed past people, her eyes locked on the wagon where Cassandra stood, arms planted on her hips and her eyes narrowed.

"What is she doing?" Esme asked, bouncing on her toes.

Even though he had just been healed, James still felt slightly dizzy. He knew he should probably be resting more, but he wanted to see who would be the chosen one.

"I'm not sure," he replied.

Cassandra used an invisible force, and she threw Bella to the ground. The suddenness of the action made him wide his eyes, especially considering Bella's decision to confront Cassandra, considering she didn't exactly know the girl well.

"Who are you?" Cassandra barked.

Bella groaned as she rose to her knees, brushing dirt from her arms.

"You really are quite intimidating," she said, her voice cryptic. "I suppose I should've expected that from a mutant child."

"Identify yourself," Cassandra snapped. "Or I'll take that body away."

James watched as Bella smirked and slowly knelt down on her knees.

"I chose a body, didn't I?"

Cassandra's eyes narrowed further. "Divina," she said with disdain. "Why'd you pick her? She isn't a freak."

"I knew you would be furious if I made that choice," Divina said with a sly smirk.

James squinted through the bustling crowd, trying to keep track of everything.

Cassandra's finger twitched, and suddenly Divina shot backward, slamming into the dirt. The force made James stumble slightly; even from a distance, he could feel the impact.

The crowd around them froze, murmuring in shock. James's stomach tightened—he hadn't expected Divina to be thrown like that, and a part of him worried she might retaliate in a way he couldn't predict.

Divina scraped herself against the wagon, trying to climbed, but Cassandra didn't move. Her eyes were fixed on Divina, cold and unyielding.

James could see the invisible force holding Divina back, and a shiver ran down his spine. He had seen Cassandra's powers before, but watching them in action made him realize just how dangerous she was.

"Fine!" Divina exclaimed, turning with her eyes gleaming with malice. "Yes, I chose Bella's body as the host. It's great on our part because there are a few more steps."

The crowd had mixed reactions, with some shocked, and others seemingly already aware of the outcome.

"Unfortunately, we cannot kill God until less than two months," Divina explained. "We must attack immediately because it is doing something."

This strange feeling wasn't from Divina at all. What more could she even add with Ashley's followers gone? Cassandra can always find a way to undo all the harm Ashley caused.

"It's rattled," Cassandra said flatly.

"Which means we'll send ambushes," Divina remarked, smirking.

"No," Cassandra snapped. "Ashley's going to burn this place down. If you think you can just walk back here like last time, you're mistaken."

Divina still seemed amused, but also slightly alarmed by Cassandra's anger. "Then what do you have in mind, mutant child?"

James noticed that Divina and Ashley only referred to Cassandra as mutant child instead of her actual name. He wondered if this was a reflection of how powerful they saw her as compared to everyone else.