Free Second Chance by Sawyer Bennett Page A

out, is that Ralina Haramish, is the person who was leading those forces and orchestrated your parents’ murders.”
    “Ralina Haramish?  As in, your ex-girlfriend Ralina Haramish?” Ava asked, astounded.
    Carrick gave a curt nod, to which Ava snorted.  “Puh-leeze.  That woman couldn’t lead an army of ants to an abandoned picnic basket.”
    Carrick stopped walking and spun toward Ava.  His eyes were hard and frosty.  “Whatever you do, do not underestimate her.  Much has changed since you have been gone.  I will tell you now, she has learned how to use the blackest of magicks to control her army, and her heart is pure evil. She is extremely powerful and we have yet to find a way to bring her down.”
    Ava didn’t know what to say to that.  She felt she should have a thousand follow-up questions but nothing came to mind. Carrick had just named her parents’ killer and she still couldn’t think of a thing to say.  
    Carrick resumed walking and Ava followed.  Kieran brought up the rear, leading King along. Bing was running zigzag patterns across their path, sniffing up everything that was Vyronas.
    Ava let her mind drift to Ralina Haramish.  The same Ralina who’d stood next to Barney when she was eight years old and bullied her.  Ralina was of the Maiorn caste and her father owned and ruled the city of Stansworth.  Stansworth was a good friend and ally to Kestevayne, so it was very much a surprise that it was their forces which led the attack. 
    But how had Ralina managed to control that army?  Her father would never have let her do something like that.  Ava knew Ralina fairly well.  Turned out, Ralina had quite the crush on Carrick as they were growing up and was the same age as Carrick.  Ralina hated the friendship that Ava and Carrick had and always managed to demean Ava when she could get away with it.  That usually meant when they were both out of Carrick’s sight and hearing as Carrick would never put up with that type of treatment.  It about killed Ava when Carrick and Ralina started dating each other.  Ava always suspected Carrick went out with her because Ralina would have sex with him.  The rumor was that Ralina would have sex with anyone.  Still, Ava kept her childhood crush to herself and never told Carrick of Ralina’s meanness toward her or of the nasty rumors that everyone said about Ralina.  She figured Carrick was a smart enough guy he could see her for what she was.
    Ava looked at Carrick while musing over his relationship with Ralina.  It had ended so long ago, she wondered what he thought of her now.  Which made Ava’s mind kick into gear with more questions.
    “Why is she doing this?  Why did she kill my parents?”
    Carrick didn’t say anything but she knew he heard her.
    “Answer me Carrick.”
    “I’ll leave it up to the Conclave to fill you in on all of the details.  That is their role, not mine.”
    “Well, then, what exactly is your role in all of this?” Ava asked, clearly frustrated she was not getting the information she wanted.
    “I am Commandant of the Kestevayne Army and I lead all the forces, which now includes thousands of Kestevayne citizens and other royal families who have joined our cause to reclaim your throne.”
    “You are Commandant?  But, that can’t be.  Your father is Commandant of the Army.”
    Carrick stopped walking but didn’t turn to face Ava.  His head hung low.  “You’re smart, Ava.  Put two and two together and you’ll figure it out.” 
    Carrick took off walking again, but at a much faster pace.  Ava just stood and watched as he walked away.  Kieran eventually came up beside Ava.  She reached out and ran her hand up King’s neck.
    “How long ago?” Ava asked.
    “Two years.  He was killed leading an attack against Ralina’s forces.”
    Ava felt tears welling up in her eyes.  “I’m sorry Kieran.  Your father was a great man.”
    Kieran put his hand on Ava’s shoulder and gave a light squeeze.