Dirtyhands {Kaz Brekker X OC}

XVIII

By bad I mean, well, mean
But I did what I thought I had to
Which is bad too!
I don't have to act all tough...
Sometimes love is enough...
-Thomas Sanders-

-Jae-

I didn't see Kaz at all after that meeting. He had disappeared amongst the crowd of the fete and festivities. I had however spent a lot of time with Inej, mostly practicing my routine.

We had somehow convinced Marko to join our acts so we would perform at the same time in the same place. This would help a lot with our plan and save us a lot of time in getting coordinated.

Finally the night came.

I got dressed and Inej and I did each other's makeup. After we were ready, we entered the Palace. Guests were just starting to arrive as we performed. Good thing we were only the opening act.

We got quite the round of applause after we were done. But there wasn't much time to enjoy it. Right after we finished, we went down to the laundry room. We walked down the stairs to see Kaz waiting for us.

"Is it the right size?" Inej asked, taking it in her hands.

"Do you have to ask?" Kaz looked at her.

"I'm just glad to be getting out of this." In remarked, taking the clothing. Inej and I changed quickly and went back to the party. We walked over to Kaz who was standing at the edge of the ballroom. The crowd had gathered now which I could only assume was because the Sun Summoner was here.

I was right. She stood at the end of the room, elevated to where everyone could see her clearly. As Jesper had said, she looked part Shu.

So that was Alina Starkov. Saint or not, she was the answer to ridding the world of the Fold.

"It's reflective glass." Kaz was not staring at Alina, he was looking at the chandelier. "Bounce the light into that, and people won't know whether it's coming or going."

Inej sighed and walked away to stand somewhere else.

"Unbelievable Kaz." I muttered. "You don't have to believe in Saints to believe in Alina."

"Don't get religious on me." He retorted.

"It's not about religion Kaz, it's faith. Belief." I answered, walking away from him to stand next to Inej. He watched me leave, but then turned his attention back on the show.

"Her name is Alina Starkov." General Kirigan announced. "And she will bring liberation to us all." The General stepped forward, and then clapped.

Instantly darkness enveloped around us. I felt Inej grab a hold of my hand. I squeezed it, reassuring her.

My eyes trained on Alina as she put her hands together. She flourished one hand and a glowing ball of light emitted. She did the same where another ball formed. The two orbs were somewhat connected by a single thread of light. With a wave of her hand, the connected orbs flew to the center of the room. They lit up, shining even brighter. This was no trick.

She was summoning pure light.

The crowd gasped as the light filled the room, quenching the darkness. Once it all faded and the room returned to normal, there was silence everywhere. Then one by one, people dropped to their knees.

Sankta Alina.

They all muttered. I looked over at Inej whose eyes were glistening as she put a hand to her heart. "Sankta Alina." She whispered under her breath.

The crowd dispersed as Alina stepped down. Some congratulated her, some preferred to stay away, but most just watched in awe. She was led out of the room with some guards.