The cellar was dark and cold. Grey stone walls dripped with moisture and the floor was wet and slippy. The only source of light was from two small candles at the front of the cellar, illuminating area and from then on it was darkness and shadow.
A faint drip echoed off the walls and every now and then a large clang boomed in the room. Two guards stood at the front of the cellar on the other side of the wooden door. They were instructed clearly by Kirigan to stand guard there.
Kirigan's boots clinked as he marched his way towards the guards, head held high and eyes hard. As he reached the guards, they immediately stepped out of the way for him and one of them opened the door, Kirigan walking in swiftly. He stopped at the candles and stared forward into the darkness. The dark shadow was his creation and as he stepped closer to the metal cage on the far side, his shadows moved like a fog, creating a trail from where he had walked.
A sudden clang again metal bars banged in the room but Kirigan didn't flinch or wince at the sound. In fact, it brought a smile to his lips. He stopped suddenly, standing a few inches from the metal cage. It was big with metal bars going horizontal and vertical. The cage was locked with a padlock and filled with dark shadows, keeping the monster at bay.
The young Volcra had been kept here for the past few days since their return of from The Fold. It was important that it was kept in the shadows and darkness as it would die from the light. Kirigan had formed an intense shadow to keep it alive and since his first encounter with it on The Fold, this was the first time he was seeing it.
He had plans for the Volcra… many plans. His plan to be the most powerful Grisha and take over all countries would be a success as long as his plan for the Volcra will work. With Alina already having the stag amplifier and he being a living amplifier, he had the power of light at his command and now he wanted to make his own power stronger.
He was strong as it is and powerful than any of there Grisha… but he wanted more. He wanted an army he could summon from his shadows, an army that would destroy anything and everyone who stood in his way.
Not only that but with the Volcra in his hands, he would finally be able to bond himself to Alina. He was going to make sure she was his and that the only person left for her would be him. They would be soulmates internally and forever. If one of them was to die, so would the other. A bond that could never be broken.
It was true that Kirigan had strong feelings for Alina. Aside from the fact he was using her and controlling her power, he cared for Alina. When he first met her, he knew they were to be equals. He knew that the only person good enough for her was him… a vice versa. But at this moment, Alina wasn't exactly on the same page as him.
He hadn't intended for this to go like this. If that tracker hadn't of come and ruined everything, he and Alina would already be together and happy. He could have found the stag with Alina and not have to force the collar on her. But of course Baghra had a part to play in that as well. Revealing his secret to expand The Fold and allowing Alina to run off. He wished he had ended that old bag when he had the chance.
If Kirigan was to ask Alina to be his soulmate for the rest of their lives, she would most defiantly say no. But he believed that she was being stubborn and she didn't fully understand everything. She was only a young girl as well, 17 to be exact. She thought she knew things but she didn't. There was only one equal for her and that was him. The tracker would never understand fully what she is capable off. She would need someone who could balance her light. To be there for what she needed and he was the only one for her.
The tracker, what a waste of space
If there was one thing Kirigan would enjoy, it would be watching Mal see him and Alina be bound for the rest of their lives and see that Alina would forget all about him. He'd never match up to what Alina needed. The idea that he and Alina would be a happy little couple together made Kirigan laugh at how ridiculous it was. Even he didn't understand anything.
Kirigan stepped closer, his steps soft as to not provoke the Volcra. He needed it calm and docile. As Kirigan stood by the bars, he knelt down to the ground, his eyes gazing through the darkness. He couldn't see the Volcra but it was certainly there. He could hear soft squeaks coming from the youngling and chains rattling on the damp floor.
Kirigan held up his right hand, his fingers curling up a shadow ball and slowly he pushed it inside, disappearing into the cage and alerting the Volcra of his presence.
The Volcra screeched and tugged against the chains holding it in the cellar. A thick metal collar around it's neck kept it under control. That why the guards were stationed at the front of the door… not for the Volcra's protection but for everyone else's. Even though it wouldn't make it outside without a shadow for protection, it would still hurt people if they weren't careful with it.
The Volcra tugged against the chain and clawed at it, it's long slaws scratching the floor and screaming marks. It's small wings flapped and clapped against the chain. Kirigan held up his finger, his metal ring clanging on the bar to alert it's attention once more and suddenly the Volcra stopped, a soft whine escaping it. It's feet scraped against the floor as it stepped forward a little, it's nose sniffing out to the bars and catching the scent of Kirigan.
Kirigan held up both hands now and twisted and turned them. The shadows warming the cage now stared to drift forward to the bars and the Volcra screeched as a small amount of light started to enter in the cage.
"That's it, come to me" he whispered and pulled the shadows more, the Volcra crying out as it followed the darkness. It's claws scratched across the concrete, sparks flying from the friction and Kirigan stopped the moving shadows, halting his hands. A small inch of the Volcra could be seen though the shadow and Kirigan squinted to try and get a better look.
Kirigan reached a hand through the bar, a ball of shadow lying there as if he was holding out a treat for a dog. His palm laid flat and he could feel the presence of the Volcra. It sniffed again and made a gargling noise as the front of it's nose came into sight. Kirigan felt his stomach tighten, his fingers twitching as a sudden fear came over him. He was a beacon for the Volcra and if he wasn't protected by the security of the cage, the Volcra would have gone for him already. But this young creature was also scared.
The Volcra pushed itself closer so that Kirigan's palm was just a few inches from it. It was cautious and when it accidentally touched the tip of Kirigan's finger, it screeched and pulled back abruptly.
"Shhh" Kirigan hushed the frightened creature and held his palm steadily, showing no fear. He needed the monster to know he wasn't going to hurt it. The Volcra clacked and crawled forward again, inching closer and closer until it found the shadow ball in his palm. It froze for a second and Kirigan held his breath, his heart pounding against his chest. And then, the Volcra did something that surprised him.
The Volcra gently laid it's slimy and pale head on top of Kirigan's hand, resting in it gently. It's skin was like wax and had a thin residue. A sticky saliva dripped from it's open mouth, teeth baring and it softly whined as it relaxed in Kirigan's hand. The shadow vanished from his palm but the creature didn't move.
Kirigan smiled slowly, a light hearted laugh puffing out and he didn't move his hand. The Volcra took in a long sniff, it's nose pressing into Kirigan's palm and they stayed like that for minutes.
"That's it" he whispered and slowly Kirigan slid his palm away from under the Volcra, his hand turning upwards in front of it's face. The Volcra shuffled as if trying to find the safety of his hand. Kirigan placed his hand flat on the Volcra's head, gently stroking it and earning a gentle purr. He grinned. He was astonished, truly shocked and amazed. Never had he thought he'd be stroking a Volcra like a dog.
The young creature pushed it's head closer for more affection and Kirigan gave it a small scratch, his fingers now covered in the wet slime of it's skin. He was pleased. The Volcra now trusted him and this would make things a lot easier for Kirigan. He knew taming a younger Volcra would be easier than an adult one which is why he chose to capture a younger one. A older one would be too dangerous. But now that the Volcra had made a connection with Kirigan, he could proceed with his plan.
Kirigan gave the monster gentle strokes as he spoke softly.
"There's nothing to be afraid off, I won't hurt you" the Volcra had relaxed fully now but there was still a hint of uncertainty. It bounced on it's feet and flapped it's wings every now and then but Kirigan shushed it calmly and continued to stroke.
"That's it, there we go" he whispered as the Volcra had shimmered down.
"You are going to help me so much…I will finally be able take back what is mine".
Hey I hope you like it, please leave a review and let me know what you think