Chapter 3

The Bailer told them how much they had to raise to get Mathias and Kaz led the ladies back out to the rest.

"Well we have to raise 250 pound to bail Mathias out of Jail" Kaz told the other

"okay I'm sure with our talents we can figure something out quickly" Jesper said noticing Mal frowning

"Well I can pick pocket" Nina said

"And we can use our talent to get the rest of the coin" Inez replied

"I'm sorry I won't be much help" Aline turned to Nina

"Its okay it's the thought that counts" Nina smiled at Alina

They made their way back to the tavern to make a plan on how they would get the money quicker.

When the others were off trying there lucky Mal piped up, "okay Maria since we really are no use here why not leave and start a new life?"

"Mal I think we need to stay longer to help Nina out and I think we should stick together the others know more of the world than we do"

"Maria" Mal spat, "I'm a tracker I'm sure I will be able to keep us out of halls way"

"Mal please"

"IF IT WAS YOUR Darkling giving you orders you would do as you are told" Mal said quietly in anger

Alina looked down at the table and back up at Mal, "I'm not fighting with you I need a nap talk to you later" and she left him at the table.

Unbeknown to Mal and Alina they were being watched the shadow smiled and got up out of his spot and left the tavern.

Over the next few days Alina felt closer to Nina then the others because she was different and she was starting to realise that if Mal especially couldn't accept that she was powerful and different that she may have to leave him behind. That hurt her because she saw him as family and she loved him, but she realised it was a crush and that he never saw her anything other than a friend. She could also see the angry in Mal's eyes since he tried to argue with her, but Alina needed to embrace who she was becoming and not be the sky little ghost orphan she had been in her past.

The General after dissolving his link with Alina cleaned himself up and went and found his guards out in the capital

"Sir we were told Alina went on a boat .."

"Going to Ketterdam" the General finished the guards sentence.

"Yes Sir"

"Okay we need to follow please organise a ship and supplies that will last further than the boat trip so we can leave as soon as possible" the guard nodded and hurried off.

The General went back to the castle to organise some of his Grisha army to join him as support to find Alina. He also organise one of his other senior offices to take over the army whilst he was on leave, he trusted the officer to keep Ravka safe.

A day later the General and his crew were on the boat heading to Ketterdam hoping to get there quicker than a normal sea trip

It had taken 2 weeks but finally the gang had enough money to bail Mathias out however when they arrived the Bailer told them someone yesterday had paid for his release and he was gone.

Nina was shocked and the others wonder who could of paid for his release. Kaz piped up, "I think we should move taverns" he said quietly.

"What are you thinking Kaz?" Jesper asked

"Its a hunch but I don't want to take a chance" Kaz replied the others nodded and they raced back to the tavern. They packed there things quickly paid the owner and went for a walk to see where else they could lodge.

"I think we should split up" Mal said grabbing Alina's hand trying to move her away from the group.

"Well then I think I should go with you and Alina," Inez said.

"I can protect her" Mal spat out.

"I think it's a good idea to split up but in 2 groups, Inez should go with you Mal she is a strong fighter incase things happen" Kaz said directing at Mal, " beside both Grisha girls need to be protected they will both will be hunted by their enemies "

Mal as much as he hated it and want to drag Alina away agreed with Kaz, so they set off in different directions having Inez as their go between communication until they knew they were safe.

When Mal, Alina and Inez found lodging and settled, Inez left to find the others. As soon as she was gone Mal turned to Alina, "Why didn't you agree with me so we can leave this life behind and start somewhere fresh, if you never went to the Palace..." he yelled.

"I didn't have choice, I am Grishan, I belong with them, I need to learn and become my own person. Not a shadow that followed you around and only get noticed by you when there was no other girls around." Alina said quietly trying to keep this argument from turning into a shouting match

"Alina you are my family I love you and when we were finish being soilders I was going to marry you"

"But you don't love me Mal you only took notice of me when other would talk to me and came jealous when the General took a liking to me" she spat out

"I told you I love you"

"And yet you slept with other people Mal how does that make me feel"

"They didn't Matter Alina, you are not like them, you need to wait til you get married"

Alina wanted to tell him that was to late she burst into tears and not wanting him to witness she stormed out of the room he tried to follow but she told him to stay away. She realise it was not safe to go far and this lodging had a library of sorts so she went in there to hide for the rest of the afternoon.

When Inez came back she asked where Alina was and Mal told her she was just downstairs not willing to let Inez know about the fight. Inez who sense tension from Mal informed him that she watch someone watching Nina, Jesper and Kaz so he need to stop behaving badly and realise they could be all be in trouble.

When Alina came back she told them she had already eaten and the food wasn't that bad and she was off to bed. The others left to go and eat and Alina got into bed when she was almost asleep she heard, "I'm coming for Alina" she woke up and looked around and saw nothing she lied back down, "I'm sorry I lied to you, I did everything wrong, but you are not safe my sun queen please tell me where you are"

Alina knew the voice and let tears run down her cheeks, she may of hated him for what he did but she was inlove with him. But he was dead, he died in the fold, he couldn't come and rescue her. She decided to ignore the voice and go to sleep.

The General tried his hardest on the boat to connect with her but over the 2 weeks he hadn't been successful, however tonight he got through he knew she heard him but he could senses she was already upset

"please Alina believe me when I say I will spend the rest of our lives making up what I have done to you. You are my equal not a slave I should never tried to control you." He told her but when he realised she would not respond he severed the connection.

He knew he was so close to finding her, hoping and praying that she was safe and the child inside of her.

However later that night Inez heard them first but it was to late she was knocked out and she Mal and Alina were taken by unknown source.