The Bastard and The Beast {Kaz Brekker x Female OC}

Prologue

Sierra Vasilyev was terrified when she was tested at the age of six, and the result had been that she had the abilities of a Heartrender.
One of the most feared of the Corporalki Order and even feared amongst other Grishas, it was a lot to take in.
Nonetheless, she and a few others from Os Kervo was taken to live, study and train in The Little Palace.

The first eight years hadn't been so bad.
She found friends amongst her Order and wore the crimson kefta with the black trims well, she was eager to learn to control her powers and was a quick learner.
Some even called her a true prodigy, like she'd been born to be a Grisha.
To serve King and Country.

When Sierra was introduced to General Kirigan, she was starstruck!
He was a living legend! Power unmatched, and he was already leading the Second Army at such a young age!
She had heard a lot about him in the classroom while being taught Ravka's eventful history, where he was both praised and cursed for his powers, earning him the nickname: The Darkling.
Despite the nickname, Sierra wasn't afraid when her teacher introduced them during a small feast celebrating that the General had returned from a successful mission.

"General, if I can borrow but a moment of your time, there is someone I would like you to formally meet." her teacher humbly asked when the empty plates had been removed from the table, and the Grishas could frolic about.
The older Grishas would drink and share war stories, while the younger Grishas would engage each other in different games to test their meddle in a friendly and non-violent manner.

It was during one of these friendly games General Kirigan first saw the potential of Sierra, a group of twelve Grishas, ranging from ten to sixteen in age, who were playing hide and seek with her as the seeker.
In the middle of the cacophony of people chatting, laughing, music playing, and people moving around, she was able to locate the other participants of the game within seven minutes.

The General had raised an eyebrow, impressed by this fourteen year old girl's abilities.
"I assume this is the Heartrender I've received reports about?" he asked with a stoic expression, and smirked satisfied when the teacher nodded and called her over.

"Sierra, this is Gener--" the teacher started but was interrupted by a breathless Sierra.
"I know who you are! You are General Kirigan. Leader of the Second Army, wielder of Shadows, and a living legend! It's an honor to meet you." she addressed him directly, completely forgetting her teachers' lessons of etiquette and manners.

Her teacher was about to scold her when the General lifted his hand and waved him off with a smile on his lips.

"It seems like you know me better than I know myself." he chuckled amused and his smile brightened when the girl blushed, suddenly realizing what she'd just said.
"I-I wouldn't say that exactly." she sheepishly stammered with an embarrassed smile before looking down at her feet.

"It's alright. I was only joking. Though I don't think I caught your name?" he asked as he held out a hand to properly greet her, and had to bite the inside of his cheek to not laugh out loud when the girl went pale and mortified clasped a hand over her mouth.
"Saints! I'm so sorry, sir... I'm Sierra Vasilyev." she quickly replied with a blush that reminded him of a tomato, despite her flustered state her handshake was firm.

"That's quite alright, I do have somewhat of a reputation." he said with a quick wink that only Sierra saw, and she felt her heart flutter.
She tried to form a somewhat coherent sentence and blushed even harder when the General couldn't hold back the warm laughter that had built up during the short exchange.

Sierra could feel the jealous glares some of the elder Grishas shot her when she made him laugh, and she felt their heart rate pick up as well.
She was used to sensing it but somehow sensing it now made her feel like a target, a feeling she wasn't used to, and she rubbed her arm in slight discomfort.
He sensed her discomfort and lowered himself so he was able to look her in the eyes with a friendly expression.