The arrow flew across the clearing, hitting Mal in the shoulder with a thwack. He screamed in pain, clutching his arm and sunk to the snow, blood pouring from his shoulder and staining the snow like ink bleeding through thin paper. The stag bellowed in fright and bucked its back legs out, turning around to make a dash.

But it was too late. Another arrow swooped through the trees and landed straight in the belly of the stag, sending it down onto the floor as it kicked and writhed in pain. Alina's eyes widened in shock, and she took a quick glance to see an inferni emerge from the trees with the bow and arrow.

"Mal" she screeched and ran towards him, but a pair of strong arms grabbed her from behind and yanked her backwards. Red sleeves held her tightly and she kicked and fought against the Heartrender.

"Let go of me" she gritted as Ivan dragged her away from the scene. Mal was groaning in pain, his chest puffing hard as he breathed heavily through it, hand shaking to try and remove the arrow sticking out of him. Alina kicked and dug her feet deep into the snow to stop Ivan from dragging her. His hands dug into her underarms, pinching the skin through her kefta and Alina wriggled. She lifted her foot and sent it back, kicking him directly into his shin which made him lose his grip with a grunt.

Alina took a quick breath before running as fast as she could to Mal, dropping down to her knees.

"Mal" she whispered and looked to the arrow. He was losing consciousness and she had to act fast. Her hands gripped the arrow, and she gave him a sympathetic look.

"Okay, just stay still" she breathed and tugged hard on the arrow. Mal screamed in pain and blood dripped from his mouth, coughing and spluttering as Alina ripped the arrow out, shoving it to the side. Alina hugged Mal, holding him as he shook. She was careful not to touch his shoulder and she too started to breath fast and heavy. The stag behind was panting on the floor, legs kicking to fight its own pain and Alina needed to think quickly of what to do now.

She needed to kill it now. She needed to take its power and claim its amplification before Kirigan could. Even though she hadn't seen him yet, he was here. His Grisha were already fighting the battle for him, and he was somewhere in the shadows, waiting for the time to come and take the stag as his own.

But she didn't have enough time as the arms of Ivan wrapped around her again and tugged her off Mal, two Oprichniki taking their own hold of Mal and dragging him to the side of the clearing, his body too weak to fight them.

"No, Mal!" she called as Ivan dragged her off again. Her hands were trapped under his arms and her legs dragged the snow underneath her, creating two lines in the ground. She grunted and fought, trying to wriggle from his grip but the position he had her in made it difficult for her to kick at him. She couldn't call her light as her hands were immobilised and her chances of taking the stag was lowering as she was dragged further away.

Mal was thrown to the ground, nearly unconscious now and the Oprichniki stood by his side, rifles aimed at him encase he'd make a fight against them but judging by the arrow to his shoulder, he was outnumbered. The stag still was thrashing in the snow, soft snorts echoing in the clearing and blood pooling around it, soaking its beautiful white fur.

With one final yank, Ivan had hauled Alina over to the edge of the clearing and held her there. She continued to fight him even though her legs were tiring, and her hands were twisted so she couldn't summon but she froze when a thunder echoed from the trees, darkness creeping closer and she looked over, eyes wide and mouth parted open.

Kirigan emerged from the trees, shadows swimming at his feet, his cloak blowing behind him. His dark eyes stared menacingly, and his mouth set in a hard line as he crept closer. His hands were stretched apart, low to the ground and he slowly brought them up, his shadows lifting with them. He stepped closer to Alina and gave only a glance before stepping past her, heading straight for the stag.

"No" she called and tried to stop him, but Ivan threw her down to the ground, holding her down in the freezing snow. She looked up and saw him bring forward his cut, the sharp blade twinkling in the light and with a slash of his hands, the blade zoomed across the clearing, slicing the stag's head clean off. The writhing stopped and the stag lay still, his eyes frozen open as its head rocked to the floor.

Silence took over the clearing and everyone stopped. Alina stared in shock, no longer fighting Ivan. The stag had been slayed and she wasn't the one. Its power was not hers to take. It belonged to Kirigan. And now, he would do what Baghra said and use it to control Alina's power, to use it for his own gain… to make her his slave.

Alina's heart thudded against her chest and sick feeling was in the pit of her stomach. She felt like throwing up as blood pooled on the ground from the stag's head, the inside of its head hanging out onto the forest floor. Kirigan took a deep breath, his shoulders relaxing, and he called out.

"Bring me its antlers" he said and suddenly someone else emerged from the trees. Alina looked as David wondered out, his head down and eyes cast away. Alina blinked a few times, hoping she was dreaming.

No, it can't be

"David" she whispered, and he looked over to her, his eyes full of sorrow before shyly scurrying to the stag. He took out a knife, serrated on the edge and it glinted in the clearing, and hacked at the antlers of the dead stag. The sound was horrifying, and Alina cringed as the sound rung in her ears. She was shocked to her core. How could David, a shy and kind person be helping Kirigan. Did he know what the intention of the antlers were? Was he being forced to do this? He was the best fabrikator and of course Kirigan would want this to be done properly.

"Sir, the tracker?" one of the Oprichniki said and Alina looked to Mal, fear building inside her. What was Kirigan going to do? Would he kill Mal like he did the stag, cut his head clean off with his cut?

"Heal him and then arrest him. Have him brought to Kirbrisk and imprisoned" he ordered, and Alina struggled again as she watched the guards drag Mal away.

Kirigan turned on his heel and made his way back to Alina and Ivan, his boots crunching in the snow and Alina looked up, glaring hard at him.

"Leave Mal out of this, I'm the one you want" she said and Kirigan stared down at her.

"I won't have traitors in my country".

His country

Silence fell between them and Kirigan continued to stare at her.

"I know you didn't feel anything when he kissed you. Because if you, did you would have kissed him back" he said quietly, and Alina looked in shock.

He had watched them. He'd been there the whole time. He could have stepped out then and killed the stag. But he didn't. Because he knew the moment Alina didn't kiss Mal back, she had thought of her kiss with him. And if she knew he was there, she would have seen the smirk on his lips as he watched her freeze and pull back, knowing yet again he was the one she wanted even after learning of his plan with the stag.

"You don't know anything" she murmured and Kirigan shook his head.

"I know plenty, I know exactly how you feel about him and how you feel about me. If you didn't feel what I know you feel, you wouldn't have come back with me the first time" he said, and Alina said nothing.

Was he right? Did she still feel those feelings of wanting and needing for Kirigan, even though he was planning to use her? Was he right about Mal, not feeling the love like he did for her?

Kirigan broke their gaze as he glanced to Ivan and have a short nod before leading off into the forest. Ivan picked Alina from the ground and dragged her along and she didn't even bother to fight as her mind was too clouded with thoughts of what he had just said, and the sound of the sawing antlers disappeared as they abandoned the clearing.

Hey so I hope you like it, what do you think will happen next, please leave a reviews and let me know.