Author's Note: This is another re-write of a story I posted here a few years ago originally based solely on the books, but this fiction will now be a mixture of both the book/TV series. It comes with a new face-claim, Anya Chalotra, instead of Katie McGrath. The story is basically a role-reversal tale, with Mal being the Sun-Summoner instead of Alina, but the pairing is Mal/OC. (Upcoming) videos for characters canon and original, can be found on my YouTube channel via the link on my profile.

The Truth Is Always Grey

Lillias watched the newcomer with disinterest, whilst Zoya stood aloof, arms folded across her kefta. As ever, Zoya's coterie lurked nearby, headed by Marie and Nadia, who were whispering and staring at him, giggling behind their hands at his gaucheness. He just stood there, looking lost and helpless, awkwardly running a large hand over his shaven head at intermittent intervals. Lillias lightly flicked a wind at him, rippling the back of his grubby shirt, but all he did was shift from one foot to the other. Obviously Genya hadn't gotten her hands on him yet. Not that he needed any help, not with that bone structure and those broad shoulders.

She suspected Zoya would like to get her hands on him too, her azure eyes alight with insidious interest, even as she played it coy, sending him sidelong glances whenever he looked the other way. Palms clasped behind her back, Lillias slung a small burst of wind at the hem of Zoya's skirts this time, causing them to fly up and reveal lace-trimmed drawers. All the girls squealed as Zoya frantically clawed at her skirts, trying to clamp them down.

Whistling innocently to herself, Lillias ignored Zoya's scorching glare, having long set the other Squaller as below her notice – when it suited her. They had been rivals since the age of twelve and enemies since the day General Kirigan had declared them his best students. But the difference was Lillias didn't take their rivalry seriously, when Zoya did, Lillias viewing it in the light of a joke, using it as a weapon at times against the other girl whenever the mood took her, especially when General Kirigan was their audience. But whilst she played for laughs, Zoya played for keeps, seeming to want more than just their teacher's attention.

This always disturbed Lillias despite her dislike for Zoya, not seeing the attraction, only the danger, but it was none of her business. Zoya knew what she wanted and she wasn't afraid to take it. She was the consummate temptress with long black hair framing a beautiful face, offset by blue eyes and dark skin, and she wielded her wiles like the wind to get her way. As of now, she was between lovers, but not for long Lillias surmised, not if the newcomer fell like a ripe apple into Zoya's clutches. If Zoya couldn't have General Kerigan, she would take his newest toy instead.

Becoming bored, Lillias flung a freezing gust of wind at the back of the newcomer's neck, causing him to start violently, a sharp cry of shock escaping his lips as the cold air hit his exposed skin. He whirled around, his angry eyes instantly locking on her. Before Lillias could blink, he was almost on top of her, blocking out the light with his bulk. On reflex, Lillias flung up her hands, air flying from her fingers, hitting him like a sucker punch. He flew backwards, landing heavily on his rear. Breath coming quickly, Lillias strode over to where he lay stunned on the ground, shaking out her fingers as she moved.

"Saints, what the hell was that?" the newcomer demanded, squinting up at her.

"That, was me," Lillias said smartly, tossing her dark hair back. "What the hell are you?"

The newcomer staggered to his feet, towering over her. "I'm Malyen Oretsev," he snapped, glancing around them, obviously expecting another invisible attack. "Tracker."

Lillias frowned, somehow noticing he had eyes the colour of whisky, before shaking herself. "Tracker?" she scoffed. "You're not here because you're a tracker."

"No, I'm here because I was dragged here," Mal retorted, dusting himself down, even though it was a losing battle.

"So says you."

Pissed, Mal finally looked at her, properly. As he did, his facial expression subtly changed, his gaze instinctively settling on the scar that almost cleaved the left hand side of her face in two. Out of habit, Lillias's hand flew up to her cheek, hiding it from sight. She had Tsibeya and the night of tigers to thank for that, leaving her in debt to Zoya of all people for saving her life. Wordlessly, she turned and left the yard, skirts swirling around her ankles, feeling Malyen Oretsev's gaze burning into her back with every step she took.

I'm in no hurry

You go run and tell your friends I'm losing touch

Fill the night with stories, the legend grows

Of how you got lost…