The Summoners' Heir

Chapter 2: A First Lifetime

"Are you sure you know what you saw?"

A woman's voice - not Zoya's, I noted.

Her voice was gentler, kinder.

She reminded me of Mother in some ways - they would make good friends.

"I'm not delusional, Genya."

Genya. Another one of the triumvirate.

I opened my eyes to a shock of auburn hair. It was stunning - a complete contrast that somehow complemented the tailor's motherly tone.

Both women noticed me stirring.

"Good, you're up. Maybe you could give us s..."

"Zoya, this girl has..."

I couldn't quite catch what she said.

"She needs to rest, Zoya."

Genya's tone was still warm but now firm.

"She could be a threat..." Zoya tried.

"Nonsense. How can a young girl..."

I smiled. I wish I was the young girl they thought I was. My first lifetime was so freeing, innocent. I would return to those days in a heartbeat. I would love the chance to be a child, wrapped in Mother's embrace, protected in her blanket of light and warmth. Alas, those days were long gone.

That's when something occurred to me. If Zoya and Genya were still alive, Mother would only be... this would be her first lifetime. She would be 17.

I reeled at the realisation. We were in the middle of the Ravkan Civil War.

Had Mother even been found yet?

I knew what would happen to her. I knew what the Darkling would do. It was so long ago for them now... well, not now... a millennium ago. My now. Ugh, stupid time jump. This time might be forgiven and forgotten between them where I'm from, but I remember when Mother told me about these events. A part of me couldn't overlook the Darkling's actions, what he did - would do to her. Maybe that even played a role in my relationship with the tsar. Damn. He wasn't even the tsar yet.

I had to find out if Mother was here.

I turned to Genya, hovering over me like a mother hen.

"Alina... is she..."

"Shhh... It's ok. You're alright." Genya cooed.