I had left him in the back of my mind knowing that there was nothing more I could do but go through with the date but I met up with Kaitlyn. I'd let her know my name wasn't Kristina that it was my middle name as we sat in a place to meet the next day. "So how did it go?" Kaitlyn asked as I looked at her. "Horrible. All he talked about was him..not even interested in me." I said as I knew that it wasn't easy. "Well you got your soulmate mark, didn't you? Can you give me a hint so I can help." She asked as I looked at her but knew that it was impossible to tell her. We left and went to my house well the house my parents bought me so I could move out. "Black..is the color of my soulmate's power." I said as I looked at her which she seemed shocked.

Of course soon I had to leave for my date my grandmother set up as I took a deep breath and went to it as I walked in. He was waiting there as I walked over and he pulled out my chair. "Thank you." I said as I knew that we both were liars right now not even going by our correct names. He sat across from me as I took note we had drinks already and I figured he went to my grandmother to know what I like.

Well that's a first. I thought

Food soon arrived and my surprise only grew because it was one of my favorites and this was already turning into quite a time before he finally spoke. "You are not exactly normal, are you Kristina?" He asked as I took a sip of my drink without doing much, the taste of the drink was clear Kvas. I'd had it once before but I knew it was a good distraction. "What truly is normal anymore?" I asked as he seemed to realize I answered his question with a question. He merely smirked a bit "I like a challenge." He retorted

I'm sure you do.. I thought

I didn't have a lot to say because I couldn't with people around so we ate in silence before he took me somewhere we could be alone. When we kept walking he was waiting till he was sure that we were alone. "So I was surprised when I heard Catalina had a granddaughter..curiosity are you like her?" He said as I looked at him. He didn't even know my real name..just my middle name that I was using.

"I'm not going to show you." I said as I didn't trust him and he didn't know if my sister or I was his soulmate. I was going to keep it that way for some time as I walked with him. "You have duties to tend to and I have a friend waiting for me." I added as he seemed curious "Male or female friend?" "Female" I said to answer him.

Once we made it to a safe place I relaxed as I leaned against a place. He didn't seem interested to leave as he put his hand under my chin. "You're a Sun Summoner..and a Tidemaker..are you not? It makes sense that we would be soulmates your sun side opposite of my shadows..your grandmother has probably told you that you know the voice of your soulmate." He said as I wanted to smack his hand away but I didn't move.

We are grisha soulmates but I'm not..I'm not ready to surrender my freedom. But this man he's the heretic..he's the reason the fold exists. I thought

Finally I got back to my senses as I smacked his hand away. "You overstep your means General. I'm a lady still and while I will not deny or confirm your accusations about what I am. I will say that if it is true our paths will cross again."I said as he seemed to be surprised of my resistance to his charms. I wondered how many fell for a simple smile and hand under the chin move. "Impressive. Most women I had done that to would have tried throwing themselves at me." He told me as I turned to walk away "good night General." I responded

I did not have to humor him as I knew what people called but his shadows stopped me. The sun within me stirred thrilled by it and yet I was uncertain at it myself. "I believe our paths will cross again..I'd like to take you out again." He said as I wanted to say no just to keep distance but the mark on my neck influenced me "I will agree to that.." I said as he smirked at that "Good, I'll come by and pick you up if you tell me where you live.." He said as I shook my head "Unnecessary." I said as I was a woman who could handle herself. I was trained to protect myself from mhy father.

I felt him lean in close as his breath was evident on my lips and I trembled at the feeling before I pulled away. I would not succumb to him not with a fake name but it was tempting he would not know who I am. I walked away leaving him wanting more as I went to meet with Kaitlyn. Kaitlyn was waiting in our usual meeting as she smiled.

"A-Kristina..how did it go?" She asked as I was used to this since telling her the truth. I looked at her as we walked to a place and when I knew everyone else was gone as we walked in my house. "He asked for another date..he's the black General." I said as she gasped and I looked at her. I smiled as I knew my sister was soon moving in "But it'll have to wait, we have amplifiers to hunt down for you and Sierra." I said

She smiled and soon I changed as we headed out, I knew the risk but I'd do anything for a friend so as soon as Sierra arrived we headed out. I locked up the house and we went without another thought. Perhaps I should have put more thought in it but we kept going as I had a book of amplifiers.

I lost track of time that we went weeks away and sure we escaped the enemy but not without needing to rest. Sierra was having a struggle but I made sure to get us food and water when I had to as I could survive. We'd ventured far that one night we'd had enough to survive but I still went out. It was cold and I should have been mindful but I wasn't.

As I was hunting more food for us I was shivering as things escalated but I thought it would be fine. That was when I noticed someone coming my direction after I'd fallen to my knees. "Who.." I questioned but he was quick to get me up and to a cave. I felt the warmth of a fire but it wasn't enough as I closed my eyes some but he made a motion. "You're freezing..there's a way to warm you up faster.." He said

My vision was a little blurry but I looked at him and forced myself to focus seeing the General. My eyes widened but my body even with the inner sun was cold, my neck makeup had already smeared as he seen it. "Help me..at any cost.." I begged, I wasn't about to die like this.

"Are you sure? The way to save you to warm you.." He started but I nod as I felt his lips on my neck. I knew what I'd agreed to but it was to save my life that later when I was laying there by him, his general jacket over us I realized what a mistake this was..or was it an accident? I felt him touching my neck as he whispered "So you're the Sun Summoner and Tidemaker.." He whispered

I was alive at least and that was what mattered to me but once my clothes were dry I ran from him. We were able to find two amplifiers one for Sierra and one for Kaitlyn but I was unsure. I never went on that 2nd date and in fact I left Ravka for over many years. So my family and I after so long faked our deaths to resurface one at a time as the Silina family..first my grandparents...then my parents..but when my sister and I waited a little longer to resurface we'd learned we had a brother named Aiden Nikitin.

He's faked his death too and now he's General Kirigan...he saved my life but how did he know what happened? Was he having me followed? I thought