Glimmering Copper and Gold

Chapter 1

Heels clicking against cobblestone. The only sound Alina Starkova could hear. Hidden in an alley, hoping the Grisha wouldn't find her. In this world, The Grisha were on top. And you should pray to your gods or saints that they didn't find you. For years, otkazat'sya have hidden, waiting. Hoping that they would be safe in their hidden homes, hoping a Heartrender wasn't above them. Hoping that if they peeked out they didn't run into the Darkling's elite.

Some otkazat'sya had turned traitors, they'd joined the Darkling to infiltrate groups of the otkazat'sya and turn them over if they didn't submit.

Alina had joined the underground rebellion at a young age, she'd been orphaned. Ana Kuya had told her that her parents had been killed trying to escape to the world where Grisha didn't go, they tried to cross the fold, but the Darkling's monsters, his Volcra had torn them to shreds, Alina had been found by Ana and taken in, raised in the rebellion.

She had always been sickly, so this short burst of running to escape had tired her. She tensed when she heard footsteps, grasping the knife Mal had given her, carved it himself. She prays to the saints it wasn't a Heartrender. Before the person could turn the corner, she was pulled into a small alcove, and hidden. Mal. She relaxed. "Thank the saints it's you" she whispered, smiling.

"Thank me later." The man grumbled. Alinas smile disappeared. The last few months Mal was pulling away from her, Alina didn't know why.

"Mal what's wrong?" She frowned.

"Shut up Alina, you don't wanna get caught do you?" The glare he sent her made her recoil.

They stood in silence, until it was safe, well, as safe as it could be. They headed back to the hideout, and slipped into a meeting.

"In two weeks time, the Darkling will host the Fete, which we will attack." Alina zoned out the rest. She knew she wouldn't be on the mission. They'd probably send one of the blonde haired, blue eyed girls. Even with the number one enemy being Grisha, people still hated the Shu, and Fjerdans, and Suli. And everyone who didn't look like them.

Alina always thought Mal was luckier than her. He was handsome, so girls tended to ignore the fact he was only half-Ravkan, while she was the sickly half-Shu girl. With dark hair, and dark eyes.

"Anya Maricho, Stella Brekova, Lynne Romaya and Alina Starkova will be the ladies attending as guests." Alinas head snapped up, this was new. She didn't know why she was on the list, but by the looks of it, most women were unhappy with it. Anya was a Kaelish girl, but was born and raised in Ravka. Lynne was half-Zemeni and half-Suli, Stella was fully Ravkan, and often turned her nose up at Alina. At least Lynne was nice to her, she supposed.

Alina quietly walked over to the other three girls. Anya was tall, dark red hair and green eyes, pale and freckled. She sent Alina a smile. Stella was short and blonde haired, with blue eyes. She refused to look at Alina. Lynne was also tall, black hair, with near black eyes and, in Alina's opinion, beautiful dark skin. She sent Alina a smile and a wink.

'Well, they could be worse.' Alina supposed. She could barely focus on what they were being told. Distract the Darkling, that was their mission. Alina knew this wouldn't be easy.

It was not easy. Alina wasn't even at the Fete yet, she was just getting ready. Lynne was lacing the back of her dress and Alina swore she couldn't breathe from how tight it was. Anya was in a deep green dress, laughing with Stella, whose dress was silver. Lynne had a dark purple gown on. Alina's dress was dark blue, she looked at herself in the mirror, the dress was off the shoulder, and had loose, flowing sleeves. The bodice had a corset, and the skirts were flowy, and moved like water when Alina walked.