DONE! This took me forever and an eternity to post. I know and I'm sorry. If it's any consolation it's over twice the size of what I normally post. I can't tell you how many early mornings and late nights this took to make. Hope that doesn't mean the quality went down. I want to thank those who waited patiently (and not so patiently ;) ) for me to update. I'd like to promise you that I can upload consistently but honestly that's not going to happen. It pains me to say that I probably will take many more "forevers" to update and write. If I'm ever particularly late in updating, shot me a message. I sometimes forget I even HAVE a fanfic to write with all the craziness I have going on at the moment. I hope to continue writing this, after all I adore the Darkling! But I'll probably only keep writing if I get feedback from you, so please review! Ha who am I kidding? I'm going to keep writing this, because I love it! Warning: This chapter does contain some language so if you are sensitive to that, you have been warned. Enjoy!
I took a step forward, only to be blocked by Ivan. Passing the lantern off to the spy, he ordered, "Stay where you are." Shouldering us aside, Ivan slammed the door behind him. I ground my teeth together; of course the Darkling would keep me waiting. Just like his style; his pretentious nature. The lantern's light swayed on the floor and the ceiling, as the girl's arm trembled. She caught me looking at her, and finally met my gaze. She swallowed.
"Sun Summoner," she whispered hoarsely. "Forgive me, but there's something you should know-"
"Shut up bitch and go to hell!" I snapped. She flinched slightly, but didn't seem surprised by my reaction. Pent up anger I had swallowed down for so long began rising up in my throat. "It's your fault. You killed him; you killed everyone in that inn. You're responsible for their deaths, just as much as the Darkling! How much did he pay you to do it? Tell me,how much did Mal's life cost? Ten pieces of silver? Five pieces? Or did you do it for free, a favor for your dearest Soverennyi?"
Before I realized, I had locked my hands around her clammy neck, digging my fingernails into her skin. She didn't cry out or make an attempt to free herself of my grasp, but her eyes pooled with tears.
"I'm sorry love, so sorry. I had no idea-"
"What," I hissed, voice increasing in volume. "What did you not understand when you took out your gun and you shot at me?! How about when he told you to separate me from Mal? Those were your orders, weren't they?"
She took a trembling breath, lowering her head and nodded. I continued,
"You knew exactly what you were getting into, so don't pretend you had nothing to do with what happened. I hope one day you can go through the agony of losing the one most precious to you, as I have."
Her lips tightened and her face paled. She opened her mouth to say something, but was cut off by the abrupt opening of the door.
"Alina Starvok, the Darkling will speak with you now." Ivan stared at me, hands still closed around her neck. He raised an eyebrow as I relaxed my grip. Without another delay, I strode into the room. Embers glowed dimly in the fireplace, illuminating the jumble of documents and maps that littered a smooth wooden table. I fixated on the man who sat at the head of the table, in a stained black chair. The door clicked behind me, and we were alone. There was silence. The Darkling spoke first,
"Alina, I'm so glad you accepted my invitation. I was having doubts whether you would come. You never fail to surprise me. Would you like to sit down?" I said nothing. He made a small smile, "That's right; I do remember you are rather fond of standing. Allow me to join you."
He rose, making his way to me. I froze, not out of fear, but shock. He killed Mal. Mal was dead, but seeing the killer made it all the more real. And painful. Here we were, alone, my perfect opportunity and I couldn't move. He came closer, and I backed away, bumping into the door. He chuckled, "Reminds me of old times. Well, they weren't so long ago were they? Tell me Alina, do you still feel the same as you did that night?"
Cold fingers trailed down my neck. I exploded. Deep inside myself, I called for power of a thousand suns. It rushed to meet me as something inside sparked with ignition. I lit up, blinding the Darkling. He staggered backward, covering his eyes. I wasn't finished. Light spilled from every pore, raw energy flowed through my veins. The amplifier beat in rhythm with my heart, as I watched the Darkling recompose himself. "I thought we were going to play nice, what a disappointment." he said with a sigh. A clap followed by the crack of thunder erupted in the room. Tendrils of darkness whirred in the air, consuming the white light I had created. One coil snaked around my ankle, yanking me to the floor. He was trying to shatter my concentration. I smirked; raising my palms I slowly squeezed my hands. My light began to steam and swelter. Through the blinding light and mess of dark clouds, I saw him cringe in pain. With a twitch of his thumbs, he wrapped himself in mass of shadows to escape the heat. "You can't run from me." I thought. Without thinking, I felt a tingling warmth travel down the length of my outstretched right arm. In my hand, a golden beam solidified into shining sword. Hurling myself at his cocoon, I stabbed where I thought his head might be. Sword bouncing off uselessly, I growled, slicing and battering with all my strength. I could hear his muffled laughter from inside. "Impressive, you can make weapons with your light. But you'll have to do better than that." Dark tendrils curled off of his bubble, circling me. I clenched my jaw and rammed my sword into the side with a satisfying crunch. Small fractures splintered across the surface, but there was no real damage. I snarled with frustration. Putting both hands on the hilt I focused all my energy on the sword. Light expanded, sending fissures across the surface. Shards of darkness fell clattering to the floor as his cloud shattered like glass. We both went flying, he hit the table with a dull thud and I smacked into the opposite wall. I grimaced, head spinning. The sword flickered in my hand. I was pushing my limits, controlling the heat and amount of light in the room while making a sword was wearing my down. I cursed my lack of practice. The Darkling picked himself up, dusting off his kefta. "Alright Alina, you've had your fun. Time to put an end to this." Shadows enveloped the room, condensing the light, crushing it. I gasped, as I felt it press down on my power. Panting, I placed one hand on the wall to steady myself, but the darkness swelled and breathed all around me, stealing my strength. With both hands, I visualized my sword as a beam of light. It bubbled and morphed into its original form. Then, I closed my eyes and willed it to break into smaller fragments. The air around me hummed. I now held seven pointed spears of light. At my silent command, they levitated above my palm and shot at the Darkling. Five hit their mark. Kefta pinned to the wall, he twisted uncomfortably, in an attempt to free himself. Only one had punctured his skin. I strode over, grabbing the beam protruding from his left thigh. Slowly, I twirled the beam, relishing in the pained expression that had crept into his features. Blood stained the white-light tip of the spear. I laughed.
"I suppose even the Darkling bleeds."
He cocked his eyebrow, but said nothing. I had found my voice. "How long have you been alive Darkling, hundreds of years? All that time and what do you have to show for it? A cushioned seat at the king's feet and a death-trap weapon which you can't even control on your own. But you won't have to worry about scurrying to the top anymore; it's over for you." I morphed the beam again into a finer blade, dragging it across his neck enough to draw pinpricks of blood. It was invigorating, the power I had under my control. Not the beams of light, but the life of the Darkling. In rapture, I watched the pulse jump on his neck. I learned in, whispering in his ear, "I'm going to kill you Darkling. I hope you suffer for every death, every sin you're responsible for once you arrive in hell. When I'm done with you, I'll destroy the Fold. You've accomplished nothing, and you'll leave behind nothing. It will be like you never existed." I laughed as something in my stomach churned. I felt wrong, different. A part of me was eager to slit his throat, while another part of me recoiled from the idea. What was wrong with me? I wanted this, my revenge. Why was I hesitating? I thought back to the stag. If I had gathered my courage and shot him when I had the chance, the Darkling wouldn't have been able to control me. Mal might have survived. I scowled. Mercy, pity. Completely useless. "You monster, what gave you the right to take Mal's life away?!" I sucked in a breath, but didn't close my eyes. I needed to see it, the light leaving his eyes as he left this world. Otherwise I would never truly believe that he was gone.
"Hold on, I have something to say. If that's alright with you?" he said sarcastically.
Glaring, I nodded. He sighed. "Well first," and I was flung off my feet. My head bounced on the ground and air exploded from my lungs. Fireworks popped in my vision, as I stared up at the ceiling. The remaining spears holding him against the wall shriveled and disappeared into dust.
"W-what the-"
"Really Alina, you didn't expect it to be that easy did you? As you said before, I've been alive for hundreds of years. You don't live this long without a few tricks up your sleeve. Though I'm impressed you can bend light at will, the technique is far from being perfect. Your aim is appalling, seven daggers and only one breaks skin?" He shook his head. Dumbfounded, I lay on the floor. It felt like blocks of lead tethered each limb, crushing me with every breath I took.
"What did you do to me?!"
He exhaled loudly, "Take a look at the ground."
Rolling my neck I glanced at the floor. Nothing was there expect our shadows. I blinked. When I looked closer, the edges of my shadow whirled like turbulent surf. Beneath his boot, my shadow wriggled and squirmed like a fish caught on a line. There was a bitter taste in my mouth, dread. He crouched down to my level. "Do you want to know what gives me the right to take life, Alina? Power and efficiency. If he is a threat, I kill him. If he is useless, I kill him. Although, I feel Mal qualified as more, 'in the way,' don't you agree? There, are you happy now that you know the reason?"
Then, a single tear escaped. It fell down the slope my face, only to be caught by the Darkling's waiting fingers. He brushed it aside. "No need to get emotional. From what I heard it was a quick death. If I had it my way-" I stopped listening to his voice. Shutting my eyelids, I grasped for my power. This time was different, I pressed deeper than ever before. Like feeling my way in an unlit hallway to a locked door, I stumbled blindly in my head. To my left, a single ray of light shone from around a corner. I ran to it. Turning the corner, I slammed head-on into it. The collision left me completely discombobulated; shapes blurred together as the tiny ray of light slowly began to fade.
"No, no come back!" I shouted.
I leaped, catching it firmly with both hands. I collapsed, or rather the ground beneath my feet opened up. I tumbled into the orphanage. I saw a little, pudgy Mal eating stolen biscuits with a little, scrawny Alina. Next the stag stood alone in a field blanketed with fresh snow, fur sparkling like silver. Frost traveled up his magnificent antlers in intricate swirls. He stopped to turn his head and look at me; black eyes boring into mine. I fell into one of his eyes, landing in a dark pool of water. Staggering in the waist-high water, I tried to get a grip of my bearings. The pool was part of a cave, with stalactites hanging from the ceiling. Rocks poking out looked sharp enough to be obsidian. Then I heard his wicked laugh, and water began to whirlpool. My head was dragged under, but I could still hear his voice echoing in my head.
"I took Mal, it's over. You can't win against me Alina. Never. Sit back and do as you're told."
The current shifted, sending me spinning in the opposite direction sputtering for air. I made long strokes to swim to the edge of the pool. I had to fight to get out. Fight to return to my body and face the Darkling again. But what was the point? The Darkling had won. He'd killed Mal, captured me. Even if I somehow escaped from the Darkling tonight, he would find me again. It'd take days to back track to the Fold and "attempt" to destroy it, and that's on horseback. Hopeless, utterly hopeless. I stopped kicking and paddling and let the current pull me under. My lungs caved in painfully. I let Mal go, saw his face flutter by and fade to black. Relinquished all my pain, loneliness, and anger in a torrent of waves. The cold, uncaring face of the Darkling flickered out of sight. However, the last image gave me the chills. It was the Darkling again, but this time with his head thrown back laughing in the sunshine with me at a time not so long ago. Warmth resonated from the memory; filling me with peace and turmoil at the same time. Why was I seeing such a pleasant memory connected to the Darkling? He was evil; he murdered my true love, Mal. Why wasn't I seeing Mal instead then? I tossed the image aside, watching it dissolve into nothing. I had nothing left to give up. Back pressed against the bottom of the pool, the last bubbles from my lips trailed up toward the surface.
"I'm done. Just let me go."
Whoosh! Golden gates opened, and I flew forward. This time I didn't fall, but floated in a place filled with light of all hues. Everything glittered, glowed, and sparkled, but I could somehow see without squinting. It was beautiful. Light of all shapes and sizes seemed to flow in one direction; out. I stared drowsily at them bobbing in midair until they proceeded through the gate. Head rocking, I allowed my eyelids to droop. "What a nice place to go to sleep…" I mumbled. For a moment I felt calm, only to realize the ugly emptiness inside had not disappeared. "It's okay like this. Ignore it, it will go away…" I whispered to myself. Silence. Then the world shook. Skull jolting, I squeezed my eyes shut waiting for the tremors to pass. There was a voice, urgently calling to me.
"-a, -lina, ALINA!"
My eyes snapped open, this time in my real body and not some dreamlike projection. The Darkling stood over me violently shaking my shoulders. "Get a hold of yourself and turn off the lights, you're going to kill yourself!" All I could do was look at him; the rest of my body was not cooperating. I noticed that the room was a lot brighter than it was the first time I got here. Sluggishly, I lifted up my arms to find light pouring out of them in waves. Shocked, my initial reaction was to do as the Darkling said and regain control. However, the essence of an idea began to form in my mind as I reached for the Darkling's hand. Warm fingers closed around his cold ones. He jerked slightly, startled by my touch. Our eyes met, and I really looked at him. On his face, sweat outlined his stunned features. It struck me as out of character. If anyone should know how to remain composed in problematic situations, it would be the Darkling. But he seemed on edge, hands clammy without their normal chill. Grey, slate eyes searched my own. I almost laughed. Until this moment, never had I seen him with such a sincere expression. His emotions filtered and refined to produce the reaction or impression he wanted. Weakness was not part of his agenda.
"Darkling if we disappear, imagine how many people would be saved. People like us, with the power we hold, should not exist. Please, come with me."
Trapped in my death grip, he chuckled nervously.
"Alina don't be ridiculous. What's wrong with having power? Using it for the sake of Ravka is a noble act. Some Grisha would kill to have your abilities. Alina, you have the opportunity to change things in this country. Forget the country, the world. Does that mean nothing to you?"
I paused, trying to find an answer to his question.
"No Darkling, it doesn't. How can I rule over an entire country when I can't even protect a single person?"
He scowled, "Stop making excuses. You would rather throw your life away over some boy than take responsibility. Have you no patriotism to the country that took you in as an orphan? You're willing to give up on Rakva's best hope-"
"Responsibility," I cut in, "What are you talking about?"
"Rakva, you are responsible for protecting it. That includes the people of course. But you're afraid of what comes with the job. The guilt; sleepless nights worrying over every patched up Second Army soldier all the while wondering which one of your friends will creep in and try to slit your throat. Power comes with a price. I think we both know that, but you can't run from this. It has to be you."
I scoffed, "You're sounding like the Apparat."
He blinked. Shaking his head slightly, he changed his direction. "What happened to Mal was out of your control. You can't protect everyone-"
"Why not?!" I screamed. He struggled to keep his face even.
"Don't be so naïve, you're acting like a child."
Glaring at him, I started heating up. He gave a start, eyes widening in disbelief. Envisioning a star, I wrapped bands of light across the space around the Darkling and I. Each band spun at an impossible speed, creating a dizzying effect. Faster, faster they raced. "Saints in heaven, Alina stop this madness!"
"I can't live without him." I said.
He just stared at me. White hot pain seared through my chest. Gasping, I realized I lay in the center, the nucleus of the exploding star. My heart was literally going to combust. Breaths became shallow. At least I wasn't leaving this world alone…
"Enough, enough! Listen to me, Mal is alive. He is not dead, my men have confirmed it, so calm down."
A trick, a lie certainly. Mal, kept alive? No, I saw the building. Watched it explode. Mal wouldn't have left the inn without telling me first. Lies. "You don't believe me? I have proof. Let go of me and I'll show you."
"Liar! You're trying to save your own skin."
"Would you- " he growled to himself as his fished into his pockets to pull out a letter. "For you."
Suspicion thick in my voice I asked, "Who is it from?"
"The Apparat, he wants to make a deal with you."
"What kind of deal?"
"If you agree to be his holy puppet, then you get to see Mal alive and breathing. Maybe."
I laid my head back. The possibility of Mal still being alive had never occurred to me. Too good to be true, but it gave me a tiny ray of hope. I wanted to squash that false hope all the while cling to it for dear life.
"Why would the Apparat pretend to kill Mal if he wanted to use him as ransom?"
"To drive you into a corner, make you reckless. I doubt he believed you'd go this far," He said gesturing to the spinning lights. "And attempt a suicide. Then again, a lot of things haven't gone exactly to plan have they?"
I contemplated what he was saying. So many things were unclear now. Except that I had the Darkling trapped and I could kill us both if I wanted to. Then again, he might be the only one who knows where Mal is. I needed to know more.
Inhaling deeply, I relaxed my grip over the light. It dimmed and came to a shuddering halt. Tension lifted in my chest as light exploded into clouds of golden dust. Nauseous, I rolled to my side. The Darkling coughed and dusted himself off. He offered to help me to my feet but I refused. Light headed, I shakily leaned on the table for support as I hoisted myself up from the ground. His lips curved into a faint smile. Without my consent, he picked me up and placed me in his black throne. Muttering something about a "stubborn woman." Pride damaged, I decided to push for information.
"Darkling, prove it. How do you know he is alive?"
"Glad you asked. Ivan, enter."
On cue, the door opened. Ivan and the spy entered and both assessed the state of the room. In the chaos the table had flipped over, papers shredded on the floor. Positioning himself behind my chair, the Darkling rested his hands on either side. I caught Ivan nodding at his master and leave us without another word. I frowned. He had cleverly angled his face in way that I could not see his expression. My attention focused on the girl. Between the time spent fighting the Darkling, she had tamed her hair and wiped the sweat from her cheeks. Her knees shook slightly as she approached us. Curtseying, she dipped her head in respect,
"Moi Soverennyi,"
"Irina Gorokhov, age seventeen. Born and raised in Poliznaya, Ravka. Parents, Zhanna and Viktor both deceased. Siblings, two brothers named Peter and Misha. Peter drowned in a river four years ago. You moved to Os Kervo that same year accompanied by the youngest brother. Since then you've been hired as a barista, part-time cook on a whaler vessel, and a spy." he said monotonously as if he was reading from a script.
Irina tried and failed to keep a straight face.
"Moi Soverennyi, I'm honored you know so much about me. However I am one of many faithful servants, why trouble yourself by learning such meaningless facts?" She intoned humbly, but something was amiss. Her voice hollowly bounced off the walls. The Darkling answered coolly
"I make it my business to repay those loyal to me. Giving back to them what they justly deserve."
She stared blankly ahead. What was going on between them? The Darkling continued, "Irina how long have you been working for me?"
"About four years, Moi Soverennyi." she swallowed. "Maybe three and a half."
He nodded in thought.
"Enlighten me, what was it that prompted the change of heart? Was the pay," He paused, searching for the right word, "lacking? Did you find the rewards of the job insufficient?"
Her head made the tiniest shake.
"No Moi Soverennyi. You have taken good care of us." she said quietly.
"Have I? Then please explain to me, what happened today?" as he spoke, I sensed cold rage hidden beneath the fabrications of amiability. Scrunching up fistfuls of her skirt in her hands, Irina lifted her head and defiantly stuck out her chin. Taking a shaky breath, she confessed,
"I received orders to trail the Sun Summoner and her companion four weeks ago. Naturally I took the assignment and began my pursuit. This was shortly after the Novokbirist incident," She licked her lips. Words began tumbling from her tongue in a rush, "Once I found them, I distracted the Sun Summoner and was leading her to your location when I was interrupted by the explosion."
I pulled a face, what she was saying didn't exactly add up. First, who lead who? I didn't recollect being herded about during our chase through the market. Second, the explosion occurred after I escaped. In fact, she practically told something was going to happen to Mal. Apparently; the Darkling picked up on her dishonesties as well.
"Are you sure that's what happened, Irina?"
Her eyes locked unto his, confirmed this with a bob of her head. He remained silent. I watched Irina's jaw bone twitch with anxiety. Through the corner of my eye, I warily stole glances at the Darkling's impassive face. Finally he said in lowered tones, "I think we both know that's not true," she opened her mouth but he raised a hand to silence her and continued, "your orders were to separate Alina from the tracker and bring her to me. Instead you nearly have her shot and blow up a building. How is it you managed to make such an explosion while in the midst of chasing down the most wanted person of Ravka? Perhaps you weren't working alone? No, don't answer that we already know you weren't. Who bought you out, tell me now and you shall be spared."
Irina opened and closed her mouth but couldn't seem to get the words out. The terror was plain on her face.
"Moi Soverennyi, I followed your orders. I separated her, I lead her away but she escaped. I was four blocks away from the inn; I couldn't have coordinated such an explosion at the right time without risk of killing the Sun Summoner. Besides, I was not born gifted with the abilities of small science."
"Ah but this wasn't a Grisha fire. Can you guess what else could cause such combustion in so little time?" She said nothing. "Oil," he said, "barrels and buckets of it. Refresh my memory; do you not have a part-time job on a whaler boat? I do believe that would give you access to large quantities of oil. Enough to blast an inn off its foundations." Irina's shoulders tensed.
"I beg you, believe me. I live to serve you and fulfill your mission to cleanse Ravka. My word is true. Please, Moi Soverennyi," Collapsing on her knees she raked her hands across the stone floor, bowing her head. "Allow me to prove my loyalty. Ask of me what you will. It shall be done."
I heard a swish of fabric as he crossed his arms, he said, "There is a task I wish for you to complete." From the folds of his kefta he produced a silver pistol. Irina flinched at the sight of it but quickly recomposed herself. "Rise," he commanded. He handed off the pistol. "Ivan, bring him in."
He returned to the room dragging bloody bundle of rags. At least that's what I thought until I noticed the chains and limbs attached. It was boy, and judging by the screech of horror Irina made at the sight of him, someone important. "MISHA!" she shrieked, running to his side. Ivan dropped the chains and the figured fell to the ground. On her knees, she scooped him gently into her arms. Repeating his name softly, she tenderly brushed the blood and dirt matted hair off his fluttering eyelids.
"Sestra?" he croaked hoarsely. A muffled sob escaped her lips as she nodded. Sestra, sister. This boy was her brother. He barely looked above they age of thirteen. What happened to him? Swollen bruises and cuts suggested he had gotten into a fight with a pack of bears. Somehow that seemed unlikely in this situation. Misha as she had called him was skin and bones to begin with, now with a little less skin. Noticing the bandaged fingers and the unnatural shade of green pigmented in his skin, I recognized he symptoms of a disease common in the slums of Ravka. Why target such a defenseless opponent? I could have taken on this boy before I had trained for combat in the Little Palace. Irina whipped her neck to gape at the Darkling.
"W-why?" she stuttered almost incoherently.
"Because you were telling the truth all along Irina. This boy was found in the tunnels during the time after the explosion. He confessed to setting off sixteen barrels of oil beneath the inn. Forgive me Irina; you have proven your loyalty to me. Now shoot him."
Jaw slacked and open she stared at him, aghast. "But he's my brother!" Her voice cracked as tears gushed from red rimmed eyes.
"Yes, but didn't you just swear your life long loyalty to me? He is a traitor. Kill him." His tone was forceful.
I gasped, this was going too far. The same revenge I had lusted after now repulsed me. Could I have wished for an uglier fate? I recognized the blind devastation in Irina's eyes as she desperately tried in vain to stop the blood trickling down from Misha's forehead. She whispered words of silent comfort. Misha's chest rose and fell unsteadily as wet rasps echoed from his lips. He lifted a grime encrusted hand shakily to her face. "Sestra, I'm cold. Cold. Help me, please. Please help me Irina. I-I'm scared." He rambled, body trembling in her arms.
"Misha, love I'm here. Right beside you. Always right beside-" her voice broke off. Sobbing, she hung her head. He rolled his head as his body went limp. The only way to tell he was still alive was the scrapping noise of air leaving his lungs. Breathing hard, she whipped around and pointed the gun at the Darkling. I sucked in a breath while Ivan reached for his amplifier. The Darkling shook his head discreetly. He put his hands up, face stoic.
Her golden curls stained with blood, she spit at the Darkling.
"Damn you grisha. How dare you. Think you own the world and everything in it because you can make a few neat tricks. Don't make me laugh. You're still human. You can die just like everyone else." She released the safety lock. The Darkling chuckled.
"Why did you decided to work for me if you harbored such ill feelings?" he said mockingly.
"Misha needed help," she said through grit teeth. "My older brother was drowned by a tidemaker, and when my parents spoke out against his murderer, they too were silenced." She snarled. "We left Ravka together, but he got sick shortly after. The last thing I wanted to do was support the very dogs that forced us to leave the country, but hey if it pays for a meal every now and then…" She trailed off and laughed bitterly. "When I found the Sun Summoner, I thought it was a gift from the Saints. Misha wasn't going last another winter, and those heartrenders don't charge for nothing. Then I received the request from the Apparat. Thought he'd be a big fan of yours love, but it turns out he was interested in someone else. Wanted to separate you from the tracker. As it turns out, that's what the Darkling ordered as well. In return the Apparat promised treatment for Misha."
"But you didn't just separate them did you?" said the Darkling.
Irina smirked, staring directly at me in my weakened state, "No the explosion was my idea. You see, the Sun Summoner is a big deal back home. A Saint, symbol, maytr of the people. But at the end of the day you're just another Grisha. No better than the rest. You ran away and abandoned Ravka. Personally I'm not a huge fan of you going back and taking your place as his puppet." She said, pointing at the Darkling with the barrel of the pistol. "Better if you stayed away love." Her voice sounded a tad regretful. "I thought that if you saw the explosion, you'd run away again and I'd tell the Darkling you died looking for the tracker. Unfortunately, you didn't leave. Instead you go right to him." She glowered resentfully. Hoarsely, I forced myself to speak.
"What does the Apparat gain by killing Mal?"
"Oh he didn't kill him. He took him, and he wants you to come and get him."
Stunned, I slowly processed what she said. About to question her on where he was being kept, I was interrupted.
"Two reasons why your genius plan of double-crossing two of the most powerful men in Ravka failed," said the Darkling, "One, you underestimated both of us. Which offends me; did you honestly think I was that gullible? Your savior, the Apparat may be a priest but that doesn't make him an honest man. Ever wonder why Misha was captured? I'm assuming he promised protect you and brother by moving you to a safe place where Misha could be treated. How come that never happened? It'd be wise to remember your fellow, 'humans' can be just as wicked as Grisha." Irina scowled. "Two," he continued, "is because you are inferior and you know it. Grisha are practically saints, shaping the land, taming the sea," with a taunting smile he said, "and saving the ill. You're a fool to think you could win against us."
"You're wrong!" she shrilled, "Abominations! All of you. And you," she glared at me, "I thought you'd be different. Growing up like the rest of us. I guess I was wrong. Looks like it's back to being the Darkling's whore." She laughed. "But then again, that won't be the case anymore. Because I'm killing him. See you in hell Darkling." She winked.
And she pulled the trigger.
P.S Yes I know I'm horrible for leaving off there. I won't leave you hanging for an entire month again. I promise to get right back into writing my next chapter and putting it out ASAP. Intense chapter... phew. Did you like it? Let me know!