One

The snow was melting outside. I could see the beginning of spring everywhere, in the green peeking out from under the white carpet of snow, and in the light chirping of the birds in the early hours of the morning. Part of me was relieved, but most of me was not. I loved how the harsh and cold snowstorms blocked out the sun from my view. I hated seeing anything that reminded me of what I had lost last winter in the Shadow Fold, and the sun was the biggest reminder of all.

I hadn't told Mal how I felt. We had moved into a house in the secluded wood, away from prying eyes that might question the mysterious arrival of a white-haired girl and a handsome tracker. For the most part, Mal was content with our lifestyle. He would get up early to go hunting, and on rare occasions, I would join him. We ate breakfast together and then sometimes we would take the thirty minutes ride to the village on the other side of the woods. Other days I would stay home and draw while he roamed the forest. At night, we would sit by the crackling fireplace and talk until the other fell asleep.

I was not happy with our lifestyle. I loved Mal, and I would follow him to the ends of the world if it meant being with him. But… Without my powers, I was left feeling empty, broken and without purpose. I had kept half of the Morozova collar, as a reminder. Sometimes, long after Mal had gone to bed, I would take it out and touch it, reminiscing of a time when I was whole.

Our cabin was two stories, each floor small and compact. The first floor was a living room and kitchen, while the top floor was our bedroom. I was sitting in the living room now, in front of the warm fireplace. Mal sat beside me. Outside, the sky was filled with beautiful stars.

"Mal…" My voice trailed off. "I need to tell you something." He turned his face to study me, his blue eyes suddenly serious. The compassion in his gaze gave me confidence and I took a deep breath. "I love you so much Mal, but right now I feel like I'm drowning." I stared at the crackling fire before continuing on. " Losing my powers was one of the worst things that could've happened to me. I don't know how to explain it to…" I trailed off, trying to find the right words. "...someone like you." I covered my mouth as

Mal's face turned hard.

"Someone like me? Who am I then? An insignificant otkazat'sya?" He sneered at me.

"I-I'm sorry!" I cried. "I didn't mean-" Mal cut me off, jumping to his feet. I stood up to match him.

"Let me guess," he said, a cruel tone to his voice. "The thing you miss most about your power is that you get to lord over others. You like that feeling don't you? Commanding servants, and weak-minded people getting them to worship you as a Saint!" I felt a rising tide of anger.

"The fact I want my powers back has nothing to do with that!" I yelled at him, my face flushing red with rage. "I hated that people started calling me a saint! I don't want to be Santka Alina again!"

"Then what do you want, Sankta? Do you want to be with me, or to get your powers back? Because you sure as heck can't have both."

"I don't know! Can't you see how cruel it is to make me choose between myself and the person I love?"

"The Alina I loved would never act this way! When you had your powers, as the days went on, you started acting more and more like him." I flinched, stumbling against the wall like I had been punched. How dare he? We both knew who he was talking about.

"You've gone too far." Instead of a yell my words can out quiet, in a deadly calm tone. I turned around and ran up the small stairs up to the room we shared. I grabbed a small bag, threw a bundle of clothes in, along with my half of the Morozova collar. I couldn't think, only feel the hurt and the wetness as salty tears trailed down my face. I ran back downstairs only to find Mal standing by the open door, a large satchel across his chest and a saddlebag in his hand.

"Allow me," he said, his voice shaking in anger. He then turned and slammed the door with a bang, vanishing off in the melting snow. I collapsed to the floor, pressing my head against the wooden door, letting my sorrow overwhelm me.

I stood up suddenly, banging my fist against the door, over and over again. I could feel the warm, sticky blood trickle down from my busted knuckle onto my elbow.

"That-" Bang. "Stupid-" Bang. "Nasty-" I raised my fist, preparing to strike the wall once more when I felt a peculiar sensation in my shoulder. It started as prickling, but soon it turned to full-on agony and I was doubled over in pain. The ache subsided as quickly as it had come, but the source of it concerned me-my nichevo'ya bite.

The scar had been known to sting from time to time. But never had it caused me so much pain, even when it had been a fresh wound. And it had stopped hurting when the Darkling died. I closed my eyes and willed myself to breathe. It was the stress that had caused the bite scar to hurt. Nothing more. At least I hoped.

I walked over to the big chair by the fireplace, and sat in it, trying to get comfortable. Because I couldn't bear to sleep in the bedroom, the place where Mal had slept. I didn't want another reminder of what had just happened. I closed my eyes and succumbed to sleep.

...

I was woken sometime in the middle of the night by the sensation of a hand on my cheek. I reached up to touch it, but I was greeted by the feeling of my own face.

"Mal?" I whispered, in confusion. I was barely able to keep my eyes open, so I listened to the voice when I heard it.

"Go back to sleep, my Alina." I was so tired I didn't even question who the cold voice belonged to, even though it was the one that haunted my nightmares.

Author's Note: So What did you guys think of chapter one? I can't wait to share what I have planned next, and I am already working on chapter two! Chapter two should be out by Friday at the latest. Please share your feedback with me, because this is my first fanfiction. Thanks for reading!