The calls blasted Irina’s audits. She spun away and dashed toward her clearing. It took her all of two minutes to get there. When she had called out for her pack, she witnessed some begin to trickle in, her deltas Belladonna and Rambaldi leading them. “Hawthorne has declared war on Tarben. Thus, they have marched on us. Nightingale will join the fight! Belladonna and Rambaldi! You will fight at the front by my side. Alistair, Sloane, Rhea, Kruam, Mari, Delilah! Fan out behind us. Estelle will be taking to the sky! I want Rachel behind to protect our territory.” She issued orders effortlessly, ignoring the wave of shock. She knew her theta hadn’t excelled at combat training, so she was leaving Rachel behind. At least for this first battle. A snarl of anticipation exited the jaws of the Storm Queen. “Does anyone wish to stand down? Does anyone dare to balk from the war? If so, flee to Sabertooth! We have no use for you here. Nightingale, march!” She whirled, leading her pack to the Proving Grounds. She did not wait for the stragglers. Though lost in the jumble, as the pack gathered (hopefully all were there) a little bit off to the side of Tarben, Belladonna pushed to the queen’s side, followed by Rambaldi. “Mother, the pack is assembling. We are here.” Her son’s words soothed Irina. She nodded. Lightning crackled above what was to soon be the battlefield. She twisted it, feeling it bend to her. She saw the faces of Hawthorne and Tarben, lit up by her power. Above her, Estelle breathed fire. Irina sensed with the wind every little bit of everything. She made the breezes whip around her, growing to a roaring crescendo. Irina heard a Hawthorne boy yell a taunt at a pretty bird-winged girl of Tarben. She isolated the boy-a member of the Hawthorne royal family, no doubt. But brown eyes though. The vampire royals of Hawthorne were known for their red eyes, not brown. She was tempted to lift him off his feet when he jeered at the woman again-Rayne, if she remembered correctly.
"The truth takes time." IrinaAlphess of Nightingale - Acquaintance of Beartooth - Mother of Rambaldi, Marigold, Pyro, Kruam, & Kára - Nadia
