Blood and Water - The Darkling

Chapter 8: Blue

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𝕴 already know who it is, the strange feeling in my blood told me he was close long before he spoke. Regardless, I turn to face him. The Darkling stands in an archway, flanked by Ivan and several other Grisha whom I recognize from the journey. Marie and Sergei back away hastily. General Kirigan surveys the crowd and says, "We are expected."

Instantly, the room bustles with activity as the Grisha rise and begin to file through the large double doors that lead outside. They arrange themselves two abreast in a long line. First the Materialki, then the Etherealki, and finally the Corporalki, so that the highest-ranked Grisha will enter the throne room last.

Unsure of what to do, I stay where I am beside Alina, watching the crowd. I look around for Genya, but she seems to have disappeared. A moment later, the Darkling is beside me. I glance up at his pale profile, the sharp jaw, the granite eyes.

"How was your rest?" he asks as we start following the other Grisha.

"Restless," Alina replies. "Despite Genya's magic, I didn't-"

"Lina, how many times have I told you and Mal. It's not magic," I huff out.

General Kirigan chuckles lowly and continues, "Quite right, Svetlana. It's science. Or rather, Small Science. We do not conjure from nothing. We manipulate that which already exists around us."

Alina shakes her head, "You make it sound so easy."

"A bird makes flight look easy."

After a minute of silence, I turn to him and ask, "Are there other Tailors?"

"Genya is unique," he answers, glancing at me. "Like us."

I try to ignore the little thrill that went through me at the word us but find it difficult to on top of the vibrations wracking me.

"Why isn't she walking with the rest of the Grisha?" Alina questions during my hesitation.

"Genya must attend to the Queen."

"Why?" my twin and I say in unison.

"When Genya's abilities began to show themselves, I could have had her choose between becoming a Fabrikator or a Coporalnik. Instead, I cultivated her particular affinity and made a gift of her to the Queen."

"A gift? So a Grisha is no better than a serf?" Alina says heatedly.

"We all serve someone," he replies, and I am surprised by the harsh edge in his voice. Before I have time to think about his meaning, he adds, "The King will expect a demonstration."

My twin looks shaken as she argues, "But we're not ready. We don't know how to-"

"I don't expect you to," he calmly interjects, moving forward.

We emerge onto the gravel path and into the last of the afternoon sunshine. I can practically feel my sister's anxiety.

"This isn't fair," she whispers angrily. "You're asking me to do something I didn't even know I could do three days ago."

I nod with her and say, "I don't know what the King is thinking! Lina is right. It isn't fair to throw us out there and expect us to just make things happen."

"I hope you don't expect fairness from me. It isn't one of my specialties."

I quickly turn my gaze to him. Well, that isn't ominous at all. My thudding heart seems content to ignore the danger I suddenly feel.

The Darkling glances down at my sister and then me, "Do you believe I brought you both here to make fools of you? To make fools of all three of us?"

"Not at all," I admit.