Darkling POV
Hearing Alina screaming from the next tent over was torture but it worked as she planned. Many stopped and trying to get into my tent to see her or the tent next door Ivan and I had taken up to interrogate everyone who could have been involved with the woman's escape. The list was a long one but it was easier when the screaming stopped. About ten minutes after Alina's screams stopped Genya appeared at the flap "sir if I may" I nodded. "She is back asleep we gave her another dose of the elixir and her healer insisted on a sleeping draft sir. She said that it would help her deal with the amount of pain she just went through. Then asked me to report to you everything sir while she cleaned up." Something about the way Genya spoke caused the hair on the back of my neck to stand up. "Genya tell me what you think of this healer and of this whole thing you have been with Alina throughout it all. Something seems off to you doesn't it?" She sighed "yes sir the whole time the healer was working she was jumpy like she was expecting something to happen. Everytime I came near she asked me to move away saying I was in her way though I know how healers work I was nowhere near in her way sir I was just trying to keep track of her like you said. I refused at first but she held her ground till Calina came in and pulled me out so here I am." I stood "she pulled you out?" She nodded "yes sir." "Ivan get me Calina in here now" I yelled causing Genya to jump. Ivan bowed from his spot across the room leaving without a word. "Genya was there anything else you need to report before she gets here?" "No sir I have told you all I know." Nodding "okay Genya go get some sleep you have been up for over forty eight hours or better. We will haller if we need you." "Yes sir but only if you promise me you will send someone to sit with Alina I don't trust that healer." I nodded "I will do that now rest Genya you need rest if you are gonna keep up with Alina." She bowed leaving me to ponder what she said and continue to question everyone who could have been involved with the woman's escape. Ivan and I continued our interrogations for six hours before the leader of my guard came into the tent. "Sir if I may." I nodded waiting for him to continue "you had wanted to get everyone together to see miss Starkov is that still the plan? However I cannot seem to find miss Calina sir she said you called her in here and never returned to her post. I had to leave my second at the tent with miss Starkov to come here after he reported she is nowhere else in camp sir." I shot him a look that probably scared him shitless "I have not seen Calina since I left her with Alina in our tent so find her I'm heading to check on the sun summoner." Rushing from the tent with both men on my heels and a feeling of dread deep inside we all headed straight for my tent. Pushing past the flap my first thought was it was a mess. Second thought was where was Alina? Third was this can't be happening again I had her she was safe. She couldn't have disappeared again without a trace could she? I wanted to break down but I couldn't so I started shouting orders and demanding answers watching as people came running trying to figure out what happened. Soon though they started scurrying to obey my orders. It took about three hours with the whole camp looking to find out anything about her but it felt like the longest three hours of my life. The traitor in front of me had not only hurt me but hurt his supposedly best friend.
Alina POV
Waking up from the healing I was still very groggy but I knew five things right away it was dark, it was cramped, my hands were bound separated, all noise was muted, and lastly I was captured again. When the sleeping draft finally wore completely off my first thought was oh saints not again. I tried listening to figure out what was happening but it was all quiet. Laying there, there was little to do besides worry, think, and sleep so I finally fell asleep. Waking only to the sounds of shouting. It was easy to tell it was Aleksander and it sounded as if he were looking for me. I tried to cry out to move any to make any type of noise to no avail. I kept trying even after everything went quiet(from what I could hear) just trying to make any noise. To be found again. Finally after about two and a half hours of trying I gave up and went back to trying to listen. It only took what felt like thirty more minutes or so to get that wish. Suddenly there was yelling and there was no mistaking whose voice it was. I tried making moving and making any type of noise so that I could be heard to no avail. Giving up I listened as Aleksander barked orders knowing just from the sound of his voice that he was very much the Black General. In control of everything and causing fear. Oh how I wish they could hear me because I can hear his pain at having thought he lost me again. Things got quiet for a bit kinda hard to keep time in a trunk or wherever I was this time. Suddenly there was shuffling around me followed by his voice again. "Genya that's enough picking up for now Ivan has brought the traitor and it's time to hear what he has to say for himself." Who was it? Who has Aleksander this upset I can hear it in his voice. "Bring him in Ivan" guessing he left in his normal manner of a bow and no words. I heard nothing till Aleksander spoke again. "Well what do you have to say for yourself boy?" Shock, fear, and hatred ran thru my veins when I heard the accused speak. "She is free from you and I'll take whatever you throw at me." "Where is she?" Aleksander was no longer calm he was yelling. "Already on her way thru the fold if not thru by now. She has been missing hours and your just now found out? I expected this visit hours ago but I sent Alina on ahead with my new associate Inej or the woman from the jail to you and let's not forget Calina too." He was never going to trust me to leave his side again. "That's not possible Ivan was he lying?" "He truly believes what he has said sir and now we know who was helping her." "To fucking late Alina is missing and her supposed bestfriend has doom not only her but us all. Now I'm going to have to go after her lock this piece of shit up with the other two." Sounds of a scuffle happened ending with something hitting where I was. Things were still for awhile or at least I thought until I strained to listen harder and heard something I couldn't make out. Ivan came back into the tent say "sir please reconsider going through the fold yourself and send a team instead. I myself would be happy to lead the team." If he was going to add anything else he was cut off. "No I will be going after miss Starkov myself." "But sir you are a beacon for the volcra." I redoubled my effort to be heard or to remove my gag anything but again nothing was working. Now that I knew Mal was involved I had no doubts that he was the one who tied me up. I had all but given up when I heard "Ivan help Genya in setting up the bigger pieces of furniture while I'm gone so she can clear this mess up. I'm off to go get the skiff ready to set sail."
Darkling POV
When the tracker said she was thru the fold a chill ran thru my bones and it took all my will power not to send the cut out to kill him on the spot. I knew Alina would never forgive me had I done that as it was I would have to convince and prove to her he was in on it. I made quick work of having him thrown in the cells so I could get ready to go after my Alina. Suddenly as I was rummaging around my desk looking for answers that didn't want to be found I heard a cough. Looking up to see Ivan "what is it Ivan I don't have time I have to go after miss Starkov?" "sir please reconsider going through the fold yourself and send a team instead. I myself would be happy to lead the team." I cut him off with a sharp deadly look "No I will be going after miss Starkov myself." "But sir you are a beacon for the volcra." I lowered my voice to a deadly level as well "since your not getting it I'm going after her she is to precious to trust to anyone else. You will stay here with Genya and help straighten things up and keep things running till I get back. Am I understood Ivan?" He nodded and left to go get Genya while I continued to work to get things in order for my trip across the unsea. Genya and Ivan came in right before I went to the day docks to order a captain to get ready to set sail. "Ivan help Genya in setting up the bigger pieces of furniture while I'm gone so she can clear this mess upon. I'm off to go get the skiff ready to set sail." He nodded and set to work right away while Genya stayed quiet and rooted in her spot. "What do you have to say Genya don't just stand there I have to go after her. " she nodded "yes sir is it true that her friend was in on it? Do we have any idea where they took her on the other side of the fold?" I sighed inwardly keeping my mask on "yes Genya it is true that traitor is now rotting in the cells and no we have not a clue as to where they have taken her. I must leave now." She nodded and stared working knowing there would be no more said and I walked to towards the dry docks. It seems like everyone who could reach me was trying to get answers but all but one moved from my path. All but Dima. "Dima if you wish to see the rest of the day get out of my way" I growled. He laughed " please tell me why I should not send word to the king so that he can follow through on his threats Darkling." "You can try but she won't be going anywhere unless she wants I will make sure of it." Laughing again "you would really go against the king and crown prince?" I laughed in return "in the case of keeping her free anc making her own choices then yes I would now move out of my way." He seemed shocked so I just pushed him out the way and continued to the dry docks. Upon making it to the dry dock it took awhile to find the harbor master since they were supposed to be shut down. "Harbor master Sofia I need you to outfit your fastest ship for a trip across the fold." She paused "but sir the docks are closed under your orders.. Why are we outfitting a ship to cross sir that makes no sense." I broke for just a moment yelling "it doesn't matter what it is for you were given an order and I expect you to follow it." She seemed to have recover her decorum and training "yes sir the ship will be ready within the hour. Will you be adding you own grisha like normal sir?" I nodded and walked off to start gathering those that would join me on my trip across the fold.
Alina POV
Laying in this trunk listening to those two clean up I kept wishing they would hurry up and open me up. Wishing they got to me before Aleksander sat sail. Would they get to me in time?
