Dark of the Tide [Shadow and Bones]

Chapter 5

"Alina, what's wrong?" I asked when she ran into my room the following week, her dark hair flying all over the place.

    "You'll probably hate me for this, but I just got done talking with Baghra."

    "Uh-huh. And?" I walked over to her.

    "We were talking about the general."

    I froze and raised an eyebrow. "Aleksander? What about him?"

She took my hands in hers and looked me in the eye. "Arabella . . . Baghra says he created the Fold."

I blinked and took my hands back, shaking my head. "No. No, he couldn't have done that. I know him. He's a good person."

Alina sighed. "I'm sorry. I'm leaving the Little Palace."

"What? Why?"

"Because . . ."

I sighed. "Of Aleksander."

She nodded. "Yes. I wanted . . . I want you to come with me. Please."

". . . I'm sorry too, Alina." I said with a sad look at her. "I can't go with you."

". . . okay then. I . . . I guess this is goodbye."

I hugged her. "For now. I'll find you. Eventually."

She hugged me back tightly. "I'll be expecting you."

I pulled back and pulled on a blue robe, tying it around my waist. "Come on. I'll walk you out."

"Won't the guards be suspicious?" She asked as we walked into the dark hallways.

"No. They aren't up this late. And I want to see my friend until she goes." I replied with a little smile, holding her hand.

She smiled and squeezed my hand. "I'm going to miss you, Arabella. You've been a true friend."

"So have you, Alina. I'll miss you every day." I said, turning a corner and opening up the doors to the grounds, a carriage with two horses already hooked up.

Alina looked at me. "I'll get into the trunk of that carriage as I am not to be seen. Can I count on you to cover for me?"

"Of course. You'd better get on that coach before it gets away." I said and hugged her again, watching in silence as she climbed into the chest and closed the lid.

I turned away and was startled when a guard came around the corner and spotted me. He looked at me with striking blue eyes and walked over to me.

    "What are you doing out here, Miss? It's late." The guard asked.

    "I was just out for a walk." I said, "You're new here, aren't you?"

    The guard smirked. "That obvious, huh?"

    "Just a little bit." I replied, pinching my fingers together slightly and smiling.

    "Yes, well, it's cold out. Let's get you inside." The guard said, gently putting a hand on my back as we walked back into the Little Palace.

    "Where are you from?" I asked.

    ". . . Ketterdam," He replied.

    "That's a long way to come from. How did you get past the Fold?"

    "I have my ways." He replied, glancing at me.

    "And those are?"

    "Messy," he replied.