Chapter One
Alina Starkov paused to tug her threadbare coat closed in a futile attempt to fend off the cold the moment she stepped out of the barracks and into the crisp night air of Kribirsk. She readjusted her awkward grip on her oil lantern before stepping further away from the tent and out into the night.
The crunch of gravel underneath the cracked soles of her army-issued boots seemed to echo across the silent camp. But, as amusing as it might've looked to anyone she passed by, she resisted the urge to tip-toe like some errant child attempting to sneak out.
She wasn't really sneaking out. She just needed some fresh air in her lungs–her stomach growled loudly–and maybe a bit of food in her stomach to tie her over until morning meal. She would be back in the barracks before anyone noticed she'd left in the first place.
The fact of the matter was that Alina had been tossing and turning for hours, unable to fall asleep regardless of how exhausted she felt. There had been a dull ache in her chest these last few weeks that had been growing more pronounced with each passing day. And, right now her chest ached something fierce.
She began to slowly make her way through the First Army camp, towards the mess hall, in search of some food scraps left out next to the bin. It certainly wouldn't be the first time she resorted to such desperate measures, and it likely wouldn't be the last.
She had spent the entirety of her training at Poliznaya having to scrounge for food after the evening kitchen staff on base refused to feed her. The kitchen staff here at the First Army camp in Kribirsk weren't any different. After arriving earlier in the day, after a long, two-week march from Poliznaya, Alina had been denied her late meal once again.
Being refused meals was one thing — she never had much of an appetite, to begin with. Food tasted like ash to her most of the time. But the cruel comments directed at her by her peers and superiors were far worse than what she had experienced at the orphanage in Keramzin as a child.
Since being drafted into the Royal Corps of Surveyors in Ravka's First Army, Alina's time hadn't been easy — not that she'd expected it to be, what with being half-Shu and all. But she hadn't realised that it would be this hard.
With those depressing thoughts swirling in her mind, she found herself in the middle of the main road. Only steps away from the boundary between the First and Second Army camps, and facing the blight on the landscape that was the Shadow Fold.
Alina wasn't sure how long she stood there, just staring at the Fold. The movement of it was genuinely mesmerising, almost hypnotic, even from this distance. Although it was the dead of the night, the lightning trapped within the Fold seemed to highlight the layers upon layers of darkness. Just like a charcoal sketch of storm clouds on a piece of parchment.
She couldn't stop her soft gasp upon catching sight of a large, winged creature within the confines of the Fold, backlit by an exceptionally bright flash of lightning. "Volcra," she whispered in awe.
The quiet crunch of gravel behind her was the only warning before a man quietly commented, "The stories say that volcra were once men long, long ago."
Alina, startled by the closeness of the man's voice, dropped her lantern to the ground with a loud clatter. She spun around — bare fists held up underneath her chin to defend herself — before she took note of her surroundings.
A small group of Grisha had gathered around her without her noticing.
Three Grisha — two who wore red keftas, while the third wore blue — were watching the proceedings with suspicion a short distance away. They appeared to be waiting for orders from the man who had startled Alina.
Having been so enthralled by the Shadow Fold, Alina hadn't realised that she had crossed quite so far into the Second Army camp.
With dread pooling heavily in her stomach, Alina focused on the man who'd startled her.
Dark hair, chilling grey eyes, and dressed entirely in black. Saints. This man was the Darkling. The General of the Second Army, the only Grisha permitted to wear a black kefta.
The Darkling held up his hands placatingly and took a half step back. He had the barest hint of a smirk on his face while his grey eyes shone in the low light of the camp. "It wasn't my intention to scare you, Miss—?"
"Starkov," Alina croaked out. She cleared her throat. "Alina Starkov, sir."
"Miss Starkov." The Darkling's smile grew sharp. "Might I ask the reason for your late-night stroll into the Second Army camp?"
Dropping her gaze to the ground in embarrassment, Alina responded. "I wasn't feeling very well, sir. I haven't been feeling well for these last few weeks." She forced herself to meet the Darkling's gaze and was shocked to find a look of concern on his face. "I thought that maybe it was because I hadn't eaten anything for late meal, so I was looking for the mess hall for some scraps. The First Army mess hall," she quickly clarified. She didn't want him to think that she had intended to sneak around the Second Army camp. "But, I must've got turned around, and–" she gestured behind herself– "the Shadow Fold caught my attention, sir."
"The Shadow Fold caught your attention," the Darkling repeated. He quirked his head slightly at that statement. "How did the Fold catch your attention, Miss Starkov?"
Alina blinked. Uncertain. She didn't know what answer he was looking for.
He must've seen that she was unsure, because the Darkling quietly clarified, "What was it about the Shadow Fold that caught your eye, Miss Starkov?"
"The layers," Alina responded without hesitation. She turned to face the Fold once again. "It's almost like a mural, sir–" she winced at her blunder– "Moi soverenyi, I mean. It's like a massive charcoal sketch with shading to highlight the layers. It's… it's honestly... well... stunning."
"A charcoal sketch." Amusement could be heard in the Darkling's voice. "I've never heard it described in such a way before, Miss Starkov."
Alina didn't know what she was supposed to say to that, so she remained silent.
She dropped her gaze to her lantern that she'd dropped, and noticed that the glass was now cracked. She squeezed her eyes shut to fend off the sudden wave of tears that threatened to spill over. She'd have to find a way to fix it before she returned to her barracks. Or else Sergeant Teplov would have her scrubbing the latrines again while everyone else had their morning meal.
"Miss Starkov, are you alright?"
Sniffing, Alina shook her head and blinked open her eyes. "It's nothing that I haven't dealt with before, moi soverenyi." She gave him a tight smile.
The Darkling didn't look convinced. "You mentioned that you've been feeling unwell. Might I offer a Healer to take a closer look at you, Miss Starkov?"
Alina took a step back from the man and crossed her arms protectively across her chest. She narrowed her eyes at him. "Why would you offer such a thing? I'm... nobody. I likely won't even make it through the Fold tomorrow morning to finish my training."
The Darkling slowly shook his head. "I've seen Wasting Sickness hundreds of times, Miss Starkov. But I must admit that I don't think I've ever seen it quite as severe as it is in you."
"Wasting Sickness?" Alina rubbed her chest. The pain was only getting worse. Her arms were getting heavy. She'd be surprised if she even made it to the morning light.
A look of concern flashed across the Darkling's face. "It's what some Grisha can succumb to when they attempt to or are forced to, hide their powers." He gestured vaguely around the Second Army camp. "I have abilities of my own that can sometimes attract other Grisha to me. You wandered here, not because of the Shadow Fold, but because your core is severely damaged." He reached a gloved hand out for Alina to take. "You are dying, Miss Starkov. Please allow my people to help you. Let them heal you."
"It hurt the last time I was tested," Alina whispered as she stared at his extended hand. "They promised that it wouldn't, but it did."
"How?" the Darkling questioned.
Alina clasped her hands together in front of her heart. "It felt like an old fishing line snapping, or almost as if my… my core got caught in barbed wire."
Slowly, the Darkling nodded. He understood what she was describing. "You resisted your power being called forth. Why?"
Alina considered the question for a moment. She hadn't thought of the consequences of her actions that day. But her reasoning had been quite simple: Mal wasn't Grisha, but he was her friend. She hadn't wanted to lose her friend. She hadn't wanted to leave him behind in that miserable place with those awful, awful people.
She had put up with the cruelty from the housekeeper, the teachers, and the other children for Mal. He had been her friend, and she had been his. At one time, at least.
But she was tired. So very, very tired.
Maybe she could do this for herself, just this once.
Alina shrugged her bony shoulders and slipped her trembling hand into the Darkling's grasp. "I wasn't ready then. But, I think... I think I might be now."
...
...
"How old were you when you were first tested, Miss Starkov?" Healer Matvei asked as he poked and prodded Alina's body with his fingers.
"Um–" Alina was having a difficult time concentrating with all of the attention she was receiving. She was laying on her back on a long table in a private room inside the Grisha tent and was surrounded by Healers, a couple of Heartrenders, and the Darkling. She was just grateful that she only had to remove her coat, socks, and worn boots for her examination. If it'd been anything more, she would've refused to get examined at all. "I think I was eight or so. It was a few months after I'd arrived at the orphanage in Keramzin."
"From?" the Darkling questioned.
Swallowing, Alina replied, "Dva Stolba."
The Healer hummed thoughtfully as he ran his thumb over her sternum. "You hid your powers away, yes?"
Alina nodded. "Not intentionally. I just… I didn't…" She sighed tiredly and started her explanation over. "I didn't want to lose my friend. And I didn't want my powers to get taken from me." She sniffed. "They used to keep me warm. The orphanage was always so cold. Even in the summer."
"The Shu Han are the ones responsible for attempting to steal Grisha's power, Miss Starkov," the Darkling firmly stated. "Not Ravka, and most certainly not other Grisha."
Alina pressed her lips together tightly at the reprimand.
The Healer, with his thumb still pressed into her sternum, and his eyes squeezed tightly shut, spoke before the Darkling could say anything more. "Extensive scarring. Deep lacerations over the entire core." He blinked open his eyes and peered down at Alina. "You are wounded, Miss Starkov. Grievously so. We must begin your healing as soon as possible."
"What do you require, Healer Matvei?" a young, Suli woman in a Healer's kefta questioned.
"That depends on what we can do." Matvei peered up at the Darkling. "A full healing session for Miss Starkov will take days. I would not wish to risk something so strenuous outside of the Little Palace."
"What about a partial healing session?" the Darkling asked. "Enough to get Miss Starkov safely to the Little Palace."
Alina watched as Healer Matvei mulled over the Darkling's plan.
He met Alina's gaze and slowly nodded. "That could work." He peered up at the Darkling. "You're thinking we can heal her for a few hours until sunrise, and then–"
"And then at first light, we return to the Little Palace to finish it." The Darkling frowned down at Alina laying on the table. "How does that sound, Miss Starkov?"
Alina raised a brow. "Beats dying in the Fold on the sandskiff, sir."
The Darkling's lips twitched in amusement. "Oh, I don't know about that. It's a new sandskiff that'll be used for the trip this morning." He cracked a smile. "It's quicker than the others, so they should be able to outrun the Volcra."
"It's not the Volcra that I was worried about," Alina admitted softly.
"Preparation before we get started," Healer Matvei stated after a quiet moment. "I believe that I should be able to heal some of her core within the next few hours, moi soverenyi. However, given the degree of scarring that I can feel, it will likely be quite painful for Miss Starkov." He frowned. "I think two additional Healers should be enough to deal with the pain. If I may recommend Healer Dhanya–" he gestured to the young, Suli woman– "and Healer Maxim to assist with that."
The two Healers stepped forward and found a position on either side of the table.
"A Heartrender should also be present for this," Matvei continued quietly. "To keep Miss Starkov's heart rate stable, and to also make certain that… well… if anything should happen…" he trailed off and gave Alina's left hand a squeeze.
The Darkling narrowed his eyes at Alina while he considered the request. "You need an amplifier to aid with the healing, don't you?" He focused on Healer Matvei. "To help you see the scarring better."
"It is not required, moi soverenyi. But, it would be most welcome." Matvei nodded. "It would increase Miss Starkov's chance of a complete recovery that much more."
Alina watched the Darkling as he removed his gloves and set them on the table beside her head.
"Healers Dhanya and Maxim will need access to your hands, Miss Starkov. So I will be limited with where I can place mine."
Alina swallowed the lump in her throat. "Where do you need to touch me, moi soverenyi?"
The Darkling shook his head at her worry. "Just a finger or two on the back of your neck. Nothing too intense." At Alina's nod of acceptance, he continued. "You mentioned that they kept you warm, your powers?"
Blinking, Alina tried to remember how it felt all those years ago. "Yes. I–I…" she nodded. "I remember warmth… but not much else."
"This warmth, did it disappear as soon as the testers left? Or, was it something that disappeared over a length of time?"
Alina didn't know. She shook her head at the Darkling's question. She couldn't remember how it had disappeared. But, she did vaguely recall something. "I remember dreaming of warmth. Repeatedly."
"Describe the dream to me," the Darkling insisted. "As best as you can, Miss Starkov."
Alina closed her eyes and tried to recall a dream that she hadn't had in years. "I remember sensations mostly. The feeling of warmth on my skin, in my chest. I remember it moving down my arms, and then… and then slipping through my fingers. And–" and sunlight, so much sunlight– "and brightness. Like it is in the summertime."
She blinked open her eyes and stared at the Darkling standing above her head at the head of the table. He had a strange look on his face as he regarded her.
"Brightness?" the Darkling muttered with a shake of his head. "Warmth… an Inferni, perhaps?" He peered over at his two Heartrenders that had joined them in the secluded room in the tent. "Fedyor, if you could remain here with Miss Starkov. You will be in charge of making certain her heart rate is strong enough for this to work. Ivan, I need you to bring us a Tidemaker, just in case this goes a little–" he gestured vaguely with a hand– "awry." Ivan turned to leave the room before the Darkling continued, "See to it that an escort is ready for Miss Starkov and me once we are through here."
"Of course, moi soverenyi." The Heartrender gave the Darkling a curt nod of his head before leaving the room.
"Shall we start one step at a time then?" Healer Matvei asked the people who remained in the room. "Dhanya and Maxim, let's begin the healing procedures now." He offered Alina a tight smile. "I don't want Miss Starkov to feel a thing, but I do want her to remain awake for this."
"Of course, sir," Healer Dhanya stated. She nodded at Maxim, and the two reached out to take each of Alina's hands.
There was nothing at first, Alina's arms still felt heavy and her chest still ached. Without warning, a warmth spread from her fingertips, up her arms, and settled in her chest. The sudden relief she felt led her to take a deep breath in surprise.
Noticing her reaction, Healer Matvei smiled at her. "Good, yes?" At Alina's nod of confirmation, he explained, "This is what you should feel like all of the time, Miss Starkov. They have just taken away your acute pain and discomfort so far." To the Healers, he said, "A little more if you wouldn't mind. The excessive scar tissue that I felt on her core appears to be quite deeply embedded."
A few moments later Alina felt a tingle travel up her arms and settle in her chest. She frowned at the sensation. It felt strange to her, almost like both her arms had fallen asleep.
Healer Matvei hummed quietly. "And how is that, Miss Starkov? Can you still feel your tongue?"
Alina ran her tongue over her teeth to check, before nodding. "Yes, sir."
"Good." Healer Matvei turned his head slightly to peer at the Heartrender standing away from the table. "And, how is Miss Starkov doing, Fedyor?"
"The strain on her heart has lessened considerably," Fedyor calmly replied. "But it is still very weak. What are your suggestions, sir?"
"Moi soverenyi?" Healer Matvei deferred to the Darkling.
Alina peered up at the General of the Second Army.
"Keep monitoring closely for now," the Darkling stated, not taking his eyes off of Alina. "Amplification can lead to a quickened heart rate. You'll need to keep it steady if that happens."
"Understood, moi soverenyi."
There was a quiet clearing of a throat, and then a tall man wearing a Tidemaker kefta slipped into the room. "Moi soverenyi," the man said with a bow of his head. "Ivan filled me in. Where did you need me to stand?"
Healer Matvei was the one who responded. "At the far end of the table, Ivo, near the lanterns. Miss Starkov's fingers are pointed towards her feet after all."
"Of course, Matvei," Ivo replied with a smirk. He set a small bowl of water down at Alina's feet. "I didn't want to assume anything." He nodded at Alina. "Miss Starkov... try not to roast me, yeah?"
Alina snickered. "I'll try not to, but I make no promises."
Ivo's grin only widened. He made a point of tugging the collar of his kefta up as if he were preparing to face off against a fiery foe.
"If you're quite finished, Ivo." The Darkling was fighting a smirk of his own. "Matvei you're up next. I will follow once you give the word."
"This'll feel a little strange, Miss Starkov," Healer Matvei warned her. "You will feel me healing the scar tissue around your core. But, you should not feel any pain." He gave her a pointed look. "If you do, say so. And I will move on to another scar. One not as deep."
Alina nodded. "Okay."
Healer Matvei pressed his thumb into Alina's sternum once again, then exhaled deeply and squeezed his eyes tightly shut.
Alina frowned at the sensation. It didn't hurt at all. But it felt as though the Healer had somehow slipped a hand right into her chest. She tried to ignore the sensation as much as possible and instead focused her attention on the Darkling standing above her.
He subtly lifted a brow in question.
"It feels weird," Alina admitted softly.
"It'll be alright, Miss Starkov," the Darkling reassured her. "Matvei has healed many scarred cores."
Alina was about to ask how many when she felt the Healer poke at her core. She felt him nudge the damaged gift that she had tried desperately to keep from the testers when she was a scared, little girl.
"I'm there, moi soverenyi," Healer Matvei calmly informed the room. "There is significant scarring present. Multiple layers." He sighed deeply. "Dhanya, Maxim... be prepared for ricochet when I begin peeling some of the scars away."
"Yes, sir."
"Understood, sir."
"Fedyor?" the Darkling questioned the Heartrender.
"Still good, moi soverenyi."
The Darkling peered down at Alina. "Miss Starkov?" he asked with a questioning lift of his brow.
Alina gave him a firm nod of her head. "Do it."
The Darkling slipped his right hand underneath Alina's head and settled two fingers along the nape of her neck.
Alina's eyes widened at the sudden pulling sensation she felt deep from within. Yet unlike with the testers, this time it felt like her gift was stuck in a deep puddle of mud.
"Ah, there we are," Healer Matvei murmured. "I felt your core react, Miss Starkov."
"Is that a good thing?"
"It means that your power is still present, Miss Starkov," the Darkling informed her. "If there was no reaction at all in your core, it would've been almost impossible to heal."
She would've had no choice but to slowly fade away, in other words.
"I'm sorry that I hid my power," Alina murmured. She was feeling incredibly relaxed as Healer Matvei went to work, peeling away at some of the scars around her core.
"And I'm sorry that you felt the need to hide your power, Miss Starkov," the Darkling responded, equally as quietly.
Alina was about to mutter something else when a sharp pain pierced through her chest. "Oh! That hurts."
"Apologies, Miss Starkov," Healer Matvei soothingly responded. He moved on to somewhere else. "I think the scarring's a bit thinner where I am at now," he informed the room. "It should be less painful, but–"
"Be alert," the Darkling warned. His fingers brushed over the back of Alina's neck.
Alina sighed, and a sense of calmness washed over her.
As Healer Matvei continued to soothe her scars, Alina felt a stronger pull at her core. Far more powerful than the tester's harshest tug from when she was a little girl.
Alina gasped. Her eyes widened in wonder.
And then the room lit up, as bright as the midday sun.