Chapter 12

Aleksander entered his mother's hut. He tried to hide any emotion and appear composed. Centuries of faking just that made it possible. "Have you seen Alina? I can't find her."

"She was here earlier," Baghra said, her lips curving up in a little smile. "But she took off quite some time ago. Wherever could she have run off to now?"

His eyes narrowed with anger. Lies straight to his face. "Did you really think she'd abandon me just on your word that I'm what? A monster?"

Baghra let out a puff of air, almost laughing. "That girl is as stupid as she is thin. She has got to be the most brainless whore you have ever tried to bring home, Aleksander."

"Don't speak of her like that!" he gnarled.

"Well, she was dumb enough to go back to you, wasn't she? Pity to lose her will so easily."

"So you what, exactly? Saw that I was getting close to achieving everything we have ever wanted, and …"

" You wanted," she interrupted. "You're as foolish as she is. Still trying to save Grisha. They cannot be saved, Aleksander! The otkazat'sya will always hunt them, and they will always die."

"So you decided to tell Alina I'm evil to sabotage me?"

"You are evil." The crisp certainty in her voice made his heart ache.

"I have never done anything to harm Alina. I protect all Grisha!"

"Aleksander, I've seen the prototype."

"What?"

"You're experimenting with transferring power. David was kind enough to show me what he was working on. Now, you're going to tell me that your looking for the Stag has nothing to do with that? Oh yes, I know about that too. Now, tell me again how you aren't going to make that girl your slave."

He wanted to scream at her how it was just an exploration, how he had authorized willing subject investigation into the concept only. He still never intended to use it on Alina unless it was an absolute last resort, but she wouldn't believe him. She had always seen only the worst in him, faulted him for every single decision.

"Don't you understand? Alina is everything now! She really could be everything. I know you always hated Luda because you knew I'd get hurt, but Alina is different. Don't you see? She won't leave me alone in a hundred years. Her power could work with mine to keep us safe. She could be a true partner. I could be happy."

"Could she now? Without you forcing her?" She lifted an eyebrow in question and smiled as if in victory.

Something clicked into place from her expression. "That's why you told her, why you lied. You knew some of the things you said weren't true. Alina repeated them, but she didn't misunderstand you. You told her I did it on purpose so she'd fear me and run. Because she has the potential to stay with me and keep me happy and you couldn't stand the idea of my having someone, truly having someone."

"Misleading is not the same as lying." She met his gaze. "I said what I needed to say to get her away from you."

"So I would be alone and have no one but you."

"To protect her from you. I know what you are capable of to get your way, Aleksander."

He shook his head. He couldn't let that be true. "Stay away from her. I'll train her myself."

"You?!" Baghra laughed. "You don't have the strength to push Grisha as they need to master their powers. It's why you've always sent them to me. You're too weak. Too soft-hearted. With you teaching her, she'll be lucky if she can be a nightlight."

"We don't need you. If you interfere again, think about what I might do." He never would. He knew it; she knew it. No matter how she hurt him, he always cared for her. Still, he let the threat hang in the air to make her worry as he pivoted and strode out of the hut.