The Act of Duplicity [General Kirigan]

four

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    A long and deep sigh escaped Nataliya as she leaned her back on the closed door to her room. She lifted her right hand and locked the door before she pushed off and quickly discarded the foreign kefta, hanging it on the armchair near a table. Stepping over to the wall she lighted the lanterns and her room was engulfed in a soft yellow glow from it. Nataliya cracked her neck a few times and stretched her back, the never-ending horse ride having its effect on her body.

    She stepped over to the mirror and looked at herself. Her shirt was bloody since some of Fedyor's blood got on it, other than that she just looked dirty and messy from the journey. She debated if it was worth bathing that instant or if she should wait until the morning and do it then. Knowing herself she was too lazy to do it now but in the morning there was no way she will get up early to do that. They arrived late in the evening so she completely missed out on any contact with Genya but reminded herself there will be plenty of time for that the next day. All that mattered was that Fedyor was alive and that she was in the safe enclosure of her own room. Nataliya turned to the bath with a frown.

    Knock. Knock. Pause. Knock.

    Her head whipped around and she stared wide-eyed at the door that was still locked. The door handle didn't rattle which meant no one was there trying to barge in. Nataliya put her hands in front of her and listened for a heart. It was thumping steadily and it meant the person hadn't moved away from the door. She took her first steps closer and still debated if she should even open the door or act like she isn't even in her room. The knock was a secrete message and she knew that on the other side of the door there wasn't just any person.

    And then there it was again. Two knocks, a pause and another knock.

    They weren't giving up. Nataliya sighed before she walked the rest of the way. Turning the key in her door and pulling at the handle she inched the door open only so much her eyes could see the hallway outside.

    ''What?'' She asked irritably.

    Kirigan shifted his weight from one foot to the other as his dark eyes stared into the blue eyes of Nataliya. ''Checking that you're not dead.'' He answered.

    Nataliya rolled her eyes. ''Thanks for the concern.'' She said sarcastically and slammed the door.

    Only she couldn't shut them close as Darkling put his foot in and she slammed it on his foot. Nataliya pursed her lips. She knew he was lying and the only way she will get rid of him is to let him in and then kick him out. Slamming the door on him was also amusing as pain spread on his features for a few moments. Kirigan didn't wait for her to open the door again, he pushed his way in and she didn't stop him. When Nataliya stepped away from the door and deeper into her room she heard him close the door behind himself and lock it.