All night, Alina stayed up in bed, tossing and turning. She couldn't get the conversation she had overheard out of her head. It didn't make any sense and Kirigan gave no answers to her either. It was obvious he was keeping something from her… but what? There was no use in asking again as he would probably tell the same story. Or was Alina just over thinking it all? Perhaps Baghra wasn't involved in whatever the guard had to report to Kirigan and it was related to something else.

But the conversation didn't make it seem that way. What did they mean by she had done damage? What was this ambush and what were they tracking?

The guard didn't even mention Baghra being sick. If she really was sick, there would be no way she could do damage. Was she even in her hut at all?

Alina stared up at the ceiling of her bedroom, lost in thought. Was Baghra somewhere else? Kirigan has been so insistent that Alina doesn't go near her or her hut that it would make a plausible explanation. Alina wouldn't know unless she actually went down to her hut and looked herself. But how could she with Kirigan being around her all the time and not to mention her guards.

I need to see for myself

For the first time, Alina felt uneasy about Kirigan. Why was he lying about Baghra being sick? What did he have to hide from Alina? all this time they had spent training together, Alina had put her entire trust in him and over the weeks, they had grown closer and closer, sparking small intimate moments. Heck, Alina wanted Kirigan to kiss her, to hold her, to have her in his war room like he did the night of the winter fete. But did she want that anymore?

She was going to have to dig deeper to find the answers she needed.

That morning, Alina sat by the vanity while Genya brushed her hair and pulled two small pieces into plaits around her head. Alina looked at Genya in the mirror, her eyes concentrating on Alina's hair and she took a short breath before speaking.

"Have you seen Baghra at all?" She asked and Genya looked up into the mirror to meet Alina's gaze.

"No, no one is allowed to see her, she's too sick to be in contact with other Grisha" Genya said simply and Alina nodded. She trusted Genya a lot but at this moment, she took her reply to the side and kept it there until she had more information. She wasn't going to believe anyone until she saw it for herself.

After getting ready for the day, Alina walked out into the courtyard, her guards following closely and when she saw it was empty, she looked back at them.

"The general said for you to wait, he'll be down in a moment" one said.

Yes, perfect

"It's quite chilling, I should have brought my cloak" Alina shivered, rubbing her arms and eyeing one of her guards. She purposely didn't bring her cloak out for this reason.

"I can get it for you Miss Starkov" one said and Alina smiled. Her plan was falling into place

"If you wouldn't mind" she said and he nodded, turning to head back into the little palace which left Alina with the other guard. He stood silently, creating an awkwardness around them and Alina glanced across the courtyard.

"I think I'll wait by the bench" she suggested and the guard nodded, following her behind but stopped suddenly when Alina turned with wide eyes.

"Oh no, I forgot my book, I left it in my bedroom" she said with panic but she was only pretending. The guard looked at her with surprise and shock, unsure of what to say or do.

"Please if you wouldn't mind getting it?" she asked and she sounded like she was pleading.

"I should probably wait until he gets back" the guard said, remembering Kirigan's orders to never leave Alina alone.

"Please, it's important I have it, Kirigan will be down soon and I need it for training" it was all a lie and she hoped it was convincing enough for the guard to head back to the little palace so she'd be left on her own.

The guard seemed hesitant but he gave in.

"Alright, I'll be a few minutes… stay here" he pointed at her before rushing off back to the little palace to do as Alina said. As soon as the guard was out of sight, Alina turned and sped walked across the courtyard to the edge of the trees, glancing over her shoulder now and then to check no one was following her. adrenaline rushed through her along with nerves. It was risky what she was doing and as she quickly stepped through the trees, her heart started to race, pounding inside her chest. If she was caught doing what she's about to do, she could be in serious trouble.

Alina caught sight of Baghra's hut and she skipped over quickly. There seemed to be no lights inside but then again, Baghra liked the darkness. Alina had gotten use to the smell of fire burning from Baghra's hut and when she neared it, the familiar scent she knew was not there which proved to be unusual. Baghra did nothing but complain about being cold and always scolded Alina for not shutting the door quickly enough.

Alina stepped up to the door, putting her ear close to listen out for any movement inside. If she was really sick, she'd most likely be in bed resting as Kirigan said. Alina listened closely but heard complete silence. Taking another glance behind her to check she wasn't being followed, Alina pulled her hand up to knock on the door.

"Baghra?" she called but no reply came. Alina knocked again and was sure she would get a snap back from the old woman but nothing was heard.

"Baghra?' she called again and waited for any signs of life inside the hut but nothing. Alina's nerves grew and she was getting more anxious. Her theory that Baghra wasn't really sick was growing and she was curious more than ever. If Baghra was in there but not answering, Alina wouldn't know unless she went inside. And so she did.

Alina turned the wooden handle of the old hut, a squeak from the door sounding as she pushed it open and darkness engulfed her as she entered into the freezing hut. It was completely empty with no movements or sounds. Alina stepped slowly around the hut, her head spinning back and forth and she called out for Baghra once again.

There was no one here.

So she isn't sick… and where could she be?

Alina noticed that around the hut, a few supplies were missing, one being Baghra's cane which she never let go. She always had that thing on her which meant Baghra was clearly alive and well and somewhere else.

So it was true that Kirigan was lying to her about Baghra being sick. Did he know where she was and that's why he wasn't telling her?

Should I tell him I know she's not here? Or will he tell me himself.

Alina felt her trust fall to pieces. She felt betrayed by Kirigan. Why would he not tell her the truth?

"Alina" she jumped as she heard Kirigan's voice call her and Alina ran out of Baghra's hut, shutting the door as quietly as possible so not to alert that she was here. Her heart started racing again and she needed to get back without making it look like she had just been to the hut. Alina stepped to the trees and she peaked out to make sure Kirigan and the guards wouldn't see her. she ran out quickly, being as silent as she could so they couldn't hear her coming.

Alina didn't know what Kirigan would do or say if he knew she had visited Baghra's hut. Alina contemplated that she would have to go along with the lie, believing that Baghra was sick and could not come into contact with anyone. She'd have to until she got the answers she needed.

Alina jumped out of the trees and quickly dashed to the stone bench just in time for Kirigan and her guards to come around the corner. When she saw him, his face was concerned and hard, clearly frustrated with her guards that she was on her own for a mere ten minutes.

"There you are, where were you?" Kirigan said as he came over, brows furrowed and eyes slightly narrowed. Alina put on a brave face and a smile as Kirigan stood in front of her.

"I was waiting here for you, I told them I would wait by the bench" she said with all the confidence inside. She needed to be the most convincing. It was a close call, a second later and Alina would have been caught red handed and Kirigan let out a sigh of relief as he saw Alina. He immediately was concerned when he came down this morning and saw neither Alina or her guards. When both guards came down with no Alina, he turned from concerned to angry inside. The guards had shrunk back as Kirigan had spoken to them about Alina's whereabouts.

"I was worried for a second, thought something had happened to you" he said and gently stroked her arm. Alina shook her head, staring into his deep dark eyes. The sexy ones that she loved to stare at so much but at this moment, she didn't want to fall under his lust spell.

"I'm okay" she said simply and Kirigan smiled.

"Good".

The guards behind stepped forward and one held her cloak while the other held her book. Alina didn't need any of this, it was just a decoy to get the guards off her back.

"Here you are Miss Starkov" the guards said gently and Alina took the cloak and book, giving a small smile.

"Thank you" she nodded and slipped the cloak over her shoulders. Kirigan turned to the guards and dismissed them.

"You can head back" was all Kirigan said and the guards did as instructed, letting out a breath themselves as Kirigan had thrown fear into them when Alina was nowhere to be seen. Kirigan turned and wrapped his hand onto the small of Alina's back, leading her to their training spot. As he did, he gave her a smile but Alina only gave a stiff one back, her mind swirling with thoughts.

What are you hiding?

Hey so I hope you like it, so what do you think will happen next, let me know in the reviews