I make my way down to the training room, already mentally preparing myself for what’s ahead. I know I’ve been slacking off on my training, we all had, but now we really needed to focus, especially me.

Jolie and I had been practicing a little with the new magic Emerald gave me, but now it was time to do it properly - with a clear head now that I knew Blair was on the mend.

As I enter the training room, I see a very sweaty, very shirtless, Harlan.

Holy mother of all things good. Thank you for blessing me with this beautiful specimen.

After admiring his abs, I move up to his face and see the scowl on it.

“Stop looking and start training, Princess. You won’t do us any good by just standing there and looking pretty,” he growls.

Hiding my smirk, I roll my eyes at him and go in search for Jolie.

He steps in front of me, blocking my way.

I put my hands on my hips. “What do you want?”

He glares at me and says, “Warm up spar with me. Now.”

Ignoring his order, I head in the opposite direction towards the dome where the magic happens, I see Jolie inside.

“Dammit, Dara. When will you stop being so stubborn and follow my orders?” Harlan yells from across the room.

“When you stop being such a prick and ask me nicely. How about that?” I snap in reply, not bothering to look back at him.

I’m suddenly being spun around - a hard, hot hand gripping me on the arm. Harlan’s enraged face fills my vision as he pushes me hard against the wall.

God, that hurt.

“You will be the death of me, woman,” he barks.

His mouth is on mine in the next breath, hungrily biting and sucking my lips. I give it back to him with just as much force. We’re throwing all of our anger towards each other into it, both fighting for dominance. Grabbing the back of his head, I pull it to the side and bite down on his exposed neck hard enough to taste blood.

I shove him away, straightening my clothes impatiently. “Fine. Let’s go,” I say and walk towards the red mat.

Oliver is pumping weights, and I catch him smirking at our antics. Of course, he would enjoy our little show. He lived for the action. It was good to see my warriors slowly coming back to their old selves since Blair’s abduction. I would be a fool not to notice the change in each one of them. They realised how life can change in an instant and how crucial it is to find these stones and defeat James once and for all.

Harlan and I spend the next few hours sparring. He brings me down more than once, but I don’t let it get to me. We let out all of our anger towards each other. A bit had released in our kiss but there was always more there. Trust me.

“Enough! Jolie yells from the side of the mat. “I need Dara already.” Ignoring her, we continue sparring. That is until we hear a loud clap. Looking over towards Jolie I see her purple magic aimed and coming right for us. I don’t get a second to think as we are lifted up and thrown back a hundred metres. After I shake myself off, I get right back up.

“What the fuck, Jolie?” I growl at her.

She throws up her hands. “Well, I had to get your attention somehow.”

The little shit head. I shake my head at her, trying to hide my smile.

“Fine, you have my attention now. Let’s go.”

Walking past Harlan, I smack him on the arse and whisper, “To be continued, hot shot.”

Winking, I walk away, following Jolie into the dome room.

“God, you two are just as bad as each other.”

I snort “You think sex would help let out our tension? We’ll most likely fuck then still be the same. We’re both too stubborn - you know that.”

Jolie scrunches up her face. “Eww, Dara I don’t want to know what you and my brothers get up to behind closed doors. I hate to admit this, but sex always releases the tension.”

“Ooh interesting, what do you think…”

“Enough talk about this I don’t want to picture what my brothers do in the bed.” Jolie interrupts, she shivers.

“But if you’re worried about what I think, don’t be. I’m cool with it, with you and my brothers dating.”

She grins. “I know everything, Princess. You can’t get anything past me.”

Walking across the floor, she gathers up some of her voodoo things and comes back to me.

“I think we should practice outside today. You need to get used to being amongst nature. That’s your safe zone and the best place to bring forth your inner Zen. You’ll need it for what I have planned for today.”

As we make our way out, Harlan steps in our path. “Where are you taking her?” he asks, eyeing Jolie.

“Just heading outside to practice,” Jolie explains, trying to push past him.

He cuts her off, crossing his arms over his chest. “No, you’re not. It’s too dangerous out there.”

We both ignore him and take the stairs two at a time. We are both strong enough to take care of ourselves and fight off anyone, if it comes down to it. Does Harlan think that we are not capable of taking care of ourselves? That we couldn’t fight off any trouble, if and when we come across it? I shake my head and continue up the stairs. I am most likely overthinking what he just said and jumping to conclusions. But I couldn’t help it.

I follow Jolie through our village. When I hear footsteps behind us, I turn to see Declan following.

What are you doing? I direct at him.

Following Harlan’s orders; something you should learn how to do. Someone needs to keep you out of trouble. He replies.

I shake my head, irrationally angry even though I know it’s the smart thing to do. I don’t need a fucking babysitter. We’re capable of taking care of ourselves.

I don’t doubt that, Princess, I’m just following orders.

Ok fine, but stay out of my way. Jolie stops in a clearing ringed by large Silvia trees. We couldn’t be more than a kilometre or two outside of the village.

Closing my eyes, I spin around, breathing in the fresh air.

Thanks Jolie for bringing me out here to practice; it’s just what I needed. Opening my eyes, I catch her smile while nodding her head.

Now knowing that Blair was ok, I was able to focus again on the task at hand. I need to find the next stone. We depended on it.

Jolie sets out her crystals around the perimeter of trees. Once done, she comes back to join me in the centre. Looking up, I find Declan leaning himself against one of the trees and is continuously looking around on alert for intruders. He is the perfect protector, always analysing everything around him.

Jolie grabs hold of my hands bringing me out of my thoughts.

“All right Dara, I want you to bring your father's message forth. The one that popped into your head when you came into contact with Emerald. Focus on the words; keep repeating them to yourself.”

I close my eyes going over my father’s words.

“He told me that Emerald will bring me more than I’ll realise - it’ll bring me the power to heal and insight that will contribute to me becoming the best I can be. To embrace it and believe the insight that comes from within,” I say out loud to Jolie.

“Yes, that’s right. Now focus on his words. Look for the magic within you and bring it forth,” Jolie orders, taking hold of my hands.

I follow her lead, bringing forth my magic. I don’t have to try as hard these days; it’s always there within easy reach. She lets go of my hands and I hear her retreat. I open my eyes to see her returning with something in her hands. I cover my mouth hiding the gasp that threatens to come out.

“What the fuck, Jolie? Are you an animal killer?” I ask, looking at the still rabbit in her hands. Its neck is broken, bent out of place. Looking at it breaks my heart, animals were a part of the forest. Therefore, I loved them dearly.

“Chill, Dara. You’re going to heal this poor little guy.”

I stand there with my mouth hanging open. Jolie wants me to heal it, as in bring it back to life?

Say what?