𝐞𝐱𝐢𝐥𝐞. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐱 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫.

Chapter 3

The General stood before of us. A beautiful smile so subtle playing on his lips, I thought I must have imagined it. Next to him stood a Squaller with tawny-brown skin and glossy black hair. Her lips were slightly pursed, her lips matching the colour of her lightly flushed cheeks. 

I looked at the General, then the Squaller. 

So the rumours are true, then. 

"Welcome." The General said, his voice high with authority. 

Leondi only nodded, as did I. 

"This is Zoya, she will show you to your tents, later. Keep your things in your bag, you will be relocating tomorrow to battlefront." 

"Were we misinformed, then? We were told we were to stay with you." I blurted out, instantly regretting the sharp edge in my voice. 

"You question your General?" Zoya said, defensively stepping forward. Leondi moved the position of his stance, as though he were prepared to throw himself in front of me, if needed. 

"Leave it, Zoya. The Soldier is merely curious." The General said, inclining his head to face me. "You're partner does best you in combat, you best him in the small science. His skills are needed for the battlefront, as yours are needed beside me. If you prefer otherwise, we can make arrangements to send you both back to the Little Palace, instead." 

My apologies, asshole. I didn't know you could be so sensitive. Your arrangements are stupid. 

"My apologies, General. These arrangements are fine." I whispered, fighting the urge to clench my fist or grit my teeth.  

The General nodded, and with that he left. Utterly vanishing from my sight, no where to be seen. 

"Careful, Soldier. You'll find who has the highest power in this position, sooner or later." The Squaller, Zoya, told me as she looked at me from the side of her eyes. 

Your General is the one who should be careful. 

I didn't respond, but it was evident that The Squaller was right, I needed to remember that the Darkling is my General, I am his Soldier. I could still remember the first time I used the small science.

It was at the dinner table, when my family was complete. At it sat my mother, father, and three older brothers. They rambled on about their opinions on politics and things that didn't interest me.

Then there it was, my mother had gotten into that foul mood of hers. The type that would always involve pain inflicted on one of my brothers. 

"I'm  surprised you aren't praying to the Saints for one of your children to be Grisha, I always thought you'd look forward to getting compensated." my eldest brother said, calmly looking my mother into her dark quartz eyes.       

I could feel the anger rising in her. 

Not tonight. Please, not tonight. I pleaded. 

Calm down. Calm down. Calm down. First, it was a thought, and before I knew it, it was an action. 

I felt everyone's heart, my mother's beating hard with anger, my brother's hearts beating fast with the anticipation and fear that my eldest brother was going to get hit, my father's heart beating slowly and calm. 

Then I spoke, slowly and loud. 

"Shhh, remain calm." 

My voice was an intoxicating melody capable of hypnotism. And I felt the heart's of everyone at the table become tranquil with peace. 

 "Sleep now." I hummed, my voice throbbing through the room. 

And they did. 

☾

I lay restless in my tent. Childhood memories before the Little Palace haunted my dreams as a ghost would haunt their beloved. 

I felt the rustle of footsteps before I could hear them. 

Someone had entered my tent. I raised my arms, preparing myself. I felt my deeply loved power surge to me, I had called it, and it had come to me. My oldest and most loyal friend had always obeyed me, my ability had always obeyed me. 

"At ease, Soldier." The General murmured. Both shock and confusion hit me. 

He looked calm, as though he had just been woken from his sleep. His black hair wasn't tamed and his eyes displayed wariness. I could see the dark circles under his eye. Even through this, that dammed General was still handsome.   

"You require my assistance, General?" I asked, lowering my hands. 

"An emergency has arisen, I need you, so prepare yourself. We have a long journey ahead of us."