DARK WATERS | Nikolai Lantsov x Fem!Reader

-Chapter 1-

-8 years later-

"Get up loser, we're leaving soon!"

Said a voice coming from outside of my room, "I'm pretty sure that if you don't get up soon you'll lose your job." Said the voice again, there was silence until I heard a crash, then proceeded to get yanked out of my bed by my ankles.

"The fuck?!?" I screamed, grabbing at your head, which hit the floor.

"Well good morning to you too." Smiled my sister, as she let go of my feet.

Practically no one saw this side of Zoya. She only showed the happy sort-of-smiling version to me, in private, behind locked doors.

"Why the hell did you do that?!" I hissed, still aggravated.

"Well sister dearest, you weren't answering the door so i needed to check if you were still alive."

"Well I'm alive," I rolled my eyes, " I'll meet you at the carriages?" I asked, climbing off of the floor.

"Yea, see you there." And with that she closed my door and left. I sighed as I put on my blue kefta and boots, pulled on my gloves, and walked out of my door. Walking down the familiar halls of Little Palace never seemed to get old. All the lights that hung from the ceilings, the beautiful marble floor that was shiny enough that I could see my reflection, and the huge windows that let the sunlight in,were making my day. As I passed a window I couldn't help trying to find my old hangout.

While I was thinking about the memories I made in that tree with a little prince, I didn't notice the small blond girl that was behind me.

"SO—"

"Saints Ley, you scared the shit out of me!" I screamed,

"Sorry, (n/n) you normally hear me coming. You good? " Leylah asked, I sighed,

"It's ok, I'm just tired, that's all." I lied, deciding to leave out how I missed having him around. She looked at me suspiciously before muttering a quiet 'ok'.

"Are you excited for the crossing?" I asked, trying to change the subject,

"I'm a bit nervous, but it's normal to be nervous right?" She asks worriedly, wringing her hands and biting her lip,

"It's completely normal to be nervous when you're going on a pit stop to hell Ley, I'm super nervous. But I promise I'll always protect you." I say, linking my arm through hers as we turn down the gravel path towards the carriages.

"Oh there's (Y/n)! Hi (Y/n)!!!" I hear a high pitched voice say,

Sighing I say: "Hello Marie!" with fake cheerfulness.

"Me and Nadia are going to take the carriage with you!" She says excitedly.

Nadia wasn't that bad, I've talked to her a couple of times without Marie around, and she was actually very nice and funny, it was only Marie who got on your nerves.

"Yay..." I breath out, slouching my shoulders a little bit. After some talking with Leylah I can sense he's arrived. (A/N: that's a horrible and cringy sentence, ignore it.)

"Everyone into your carriages." The Darkling booms, I waited until he was beside me to start talking,

"Should I ride with you or the other summoners." I ask, conflicted with whether I should stay with my order, or stay with the rest of the guard.

"You choose Brooke," he replies using his nickname for me (a/n: do y'a get it??? Like brooke as in little stream, and stream cuz she's a Tidemaker???) , then leans in near my ear, "Though I do suggest going with your friend, she looks nervous." He whispers,