The next morning we head to the docks to board the skiffs. I check to make sure everything is in my satchel and board the skiff, taking a position at the railing next to Alexei.
"I can't wait to see the True Sea!" Alexei says to me.
"Same! I've never seen it before."
"We'll make it across!"
"Attention!" I hear an Inferni shout. "When we get into the fold, the only light we'll have is this blue light created by Fabricators. Do not. And I repeat. Do not light a normal lamp. That will draw the volcra's attention."
"Squallers!" I hear someone shout and then the snap of the sails and were on our way.
When we entered the Fold, it was as if we had entered another dimension. From light to no light. The way the shadows swirled around was comforting.
Once we were about a quarter of the way through the Fold, the light flapping that I heard throughout the Fold got louder, as if they were getting closer.
Someone screamed as one flew down and took them away in its mouth. Alexi reaches down for the lamp and lights a match. "No!" I shout but it's too late, he's already lit it. I grab onto him as a volcra snatches him by the shoulders. "Don't let go!" I shout, tears streaming out of my eyes.
His hand went limp as if he had passed out, his hand slipping from my grasp. Mal runs over to me.
"Alina, are you okay?"
"No," I cry. "Alexei was taken by the volcra."
Then a volcra comes down and grabs Mal. I was so scared at the moment when Alexei was snatched up, but I won't let that happen again. I summon and use the light like a blade and cut off the legs of the volcra holding Mal.
The volcra flew away and I went to Mal. "Stay with me. Don't pass out."
Volcra we're swooping down all over the skiff, the lamp that Alexei lit has caught part of the skiff on fire. The Grisha were all fighting against the volcra. A volcra swooped down and grabbed me by the shoulders. I held onto Mal's hands and felt a large surge of power and let it go free. The volcra dropped me and I passed out from the pain.